Spin-orbit readout using thin films of topological insulator Sb2Te3 deposited by industrial magnetron sputtering

Driving a spin-logic circuit requires the production of a large output signal by spin-charge interconversion in spin-orbit readout devices. This should be possible by using topological insulators, which are known for their high spin-charge interconversion efficiency. However, high-quality topological insulators have so far only been obtained on a small scale, or with large scale deposition techniques which are not compatible with conventional industrial deposition processes. The nanopatterning and electrical spin injection into these materials has also proven difficult due to their fragile structure and low spin conductance. We present the fabrication of a spin-orbit readout device from the topological insulator Sb2Te3 deposited by large-scale industrial magnetron sputtering on SiO2. Despite a modification of the Sb2Te3 layer structural properties during the device nanofabrication, we measured a sizeable output voltage that can be unambiguously ascribed to a spin-charge interconversion process

Dynamical effects of subducting ridges: Insights from 3-D laboratory models

We model the subduction of buoyant ridges and plateaus to study their effect on slab dynamics. Oceanic ridges parallel to the trench have a stronger effect on the process of subduction because they simultaneously affect a longer trench segment. Large buoyant slab segments sink more slowly into the asthenosphere, and their subduction result in a diminution of the velocity of subduction of the plate. We observe a steeping of the slab below those buoyant anomalies, resulting in smaller radius of curvature of the slab, that augments the energy dissipated in folding the plate and further diminishes the velocity of subduction. When the 3D geometry of a buoyant plateau is modelled, the dip of the slab above the plateau decreases, as a result of the larger velocity of subduction of the dense "normal" oceanic plate on both sides of the plateau. Such a perturbation of the dip of the slab maintains long time after the plateau has been entirely incorporated into the subduction zone. We compare experiments with the present-day subduction zone below South America. Experiments suggest that a modest ridge perpendicular to the trench such as the present-day Juan Fernandez ridge is not buoyant enough to modify the slab geometry. Already subducted buoyant anomalies within the oceanic plate, in contrast, may be responsible for some aspects of the present-day geometry of the Nazca slab at depth

Routine Opt-Out HIV Testing Strategies in a Female Jail Setting: A Prospective Controlled Trial

Background: Ten million Americans enter jails annually. The objective was to evaluate new CDC guidelines for routine optout HIV testing and examine the optimal time to implement routine opt-out HIV testing among newly incarcerated jail detainees. Methods: This prospective, controlled trial of routine opt-out HIV testing was conducted among 323 newly incarcerated female inmates in Connecticut’s only women’s jail. 323 sequential entrants to the women’s jail over a five week period in August and September 2007 were assigned to be offered routine opt-out HIV testing at one of three points after incarceration: immediate (same day, n = 108), early (next day, n = 108), or delayed (7 days, n = 107). The primary outcome was the proportion of women in each group consenting to testing. Results: Routine opt-out HIV testing was significantly highest (73%) among the early testing group compared to 55 % for immediate and 50 % for 7 days post-entry groups. Other factors significantly (p = 0.01) associated with being HIV tested were younger age and low likelihood of early release from jail based on bond value or type of charge for which women were arrested. Conclusions: In this correctional facility, routine opt-out HIV testing in a jail setting was feasible, with highest rates of testing if performed the day after incarceration. Lower testing rates were seen with immediate testing, where there is a high prevalence of inability or unwillingness to test, and with delayed testing, where attrition from jail increases with each passing day

Characterization of Crustal Fault Zones as geothermal power systems: a multidisciplinary approach

International audienceAs potential geothermal reservoirs, crustal fault zones remain largely unexplored and unexploited. The aim of this work is to understand the potential of these naturally permeable area, with the example of the Pontgibaud crustal Fault Zone (PFZ), a crustal scale fault in the French Massif Central. The PFZ has been well studied in the last few years (Bellanger et al., 2017). Electrical conductivity anomalies have been identified (Ars et al., 2019) and a positive temperature anomaly has been estimated (150°C at a depth of 2.5 km, Duwiquet et al., 2019). These results highlighted that vertical crustal fault zones could concentrate the highest temperature anomalies at shallow depths. However, these results did not characterize the capacity of the system to allow fluids to circulate at different scales, and the numerical models did not consider 3D effects and interactions between fluids, deformation and temperature. New 2D (thin-section) and 3D (X-ray micro-tomography) observations point to well-defined spatial propagation of fractures and voids at different scales (2.5 μm to 2 mm). This architecture at different scales appears to be arranged in a way to facilitate fluid flow (Bejan and Lorente, 2011). We performed 3D numerical modeling where permeability, stress intensity, and stress direction relative to the deformation zone were varied systematically. In accordance with 2D results, the 3D results show three different convective patterns (fingerlike, blob-like and double-like). These results also show that the deformation zones are at an angle of 30° and 70° to the stress direction will have the most intense temperature anomalies at the shallowest depths. Finally, large scale (at the scale of the PFZ) 3D numerical modeling of Thermal (T) Hydraulic (H) and Mechanical (M) behaviours has been performed. The comparison with field data is used to characterize the spatial geometry of the 150°C isother

Characterization of Crustal Fault Zones as geothermal power systems: a multidisciplinary approach

International audienceAs potential geothermal reservoirs, crustal fault zones remain largely unexplored and unexploited. The aim of this work is to understand the potential of these naturally permeable area, with the example of the Pontgibaud crustal Fault Zone (PFZ), a crustal scale fault in the French Massif Central. The PFZ has been well studied in the last few years (Bellanger et al., 2017). Electrical conductivity anomalies have been identified (Ars et al., 2019) and a positive temperature anomaly has been estimated (150°C at a depth of 2.5 km, Duwiquet et al., 2019). These results highlighted that vertical crustal fault zones could concentrate the highest temperature anomalies at shallow depths. However, these results did not characterize the capacity of the system to allow fluids to circulate at different scales, and the numerical models did not consider 3D effects and interactions between fluids, deformation and temperature. New 2D (thin-section) and 3D (X-ray micro-tomography) observations point to well-defined spatial propagation of fractures and voids at different scales (2.5 μm to 2 mm). This architecture at different scales appears to be arranged in a way to facilitate fluid flow (Bejan and Lorente, 2011). We performed 3D numerical modeling where permeability, stress intensity, and stress direction relative to the deformation zone were varied systematically. In accordance with 2D results, the 3D results show three different convective patterns (fingerlike, blob-like and double-like). These results also show that the deformation zones are at an angle of 30° and 70° to the stress direction will have the most intense temperature anomalies at the shallowest depths. Finally, large scale (at the scale of the PFZ) 3D numerical modeling of Thermal (T) Hydraulic (H) and Mechanical (M) behaviours has been performed. The comparison with field data is used to characterize the spatial geometry of the 150°C isother