Finite-size effects in lead scandium tantalate relaxor thin films

Large electromechanical effects in relaxor ferroelectrics are generally attributed to the collective response of an ensemble of correlated, nanometer-sized polar structures induced by chemical and charge disorder. Here, we study finite-size effects on such polar order (i.e., how it evolves when sample dimensions approach the polarization correlation length) in 7-70-nm-thick films of the relaxor ferroelectric PbSc0.5Ta0.5O3. Temperature-dependent polarization studies reveal a linear suppression of the polarization and nonlinearity associated with relaxor order as the film thickness decreases to ≈30 nm. Below this thickness, however, the suppression rapidly accelerates, and polarization is completely absent by film thicknesses of ≈7 nm, despite the continued observation of a broad peak in dielectric permittivity and frequency dispersion. Diffuse-scattering measurements reveal the diffuse-scattering symmetry, and analysis suggests the films have a polarization correlation length of ≈23 nm. Taken together, it is apparent that reduction of sample size and the resulting distribution of polar structures drive suppression and eventual quenching of the electrical response of relaxors, which may be attributed to increasing dipole-dipole and dipole-interface interactions

Numerical test of the Cardy-Jacobsen conjecture in the site-diluted Potts model in three dimensions

We present a microcanonical Monte Carlo simulation of the site-diluted Potts model in three dimensions with eight internal states, partly carried out in the citizen supercomputer Ibercivis. Upon dilution, the pure model's first-order transition becomes of the second-order at a tricritical point. We compute accurately the critical exponents at the tricritical point. As expected from the Cardy-Jacobsen conjecture, they are compatible with their Random Field Ising Model counterpart. The conclusion is further reinforced by comparison with older data for the Potts model with four states.Comment: Final version. 9 pages, 9 figure

Theory of extraordinary transmission of light through quasiperiodic arrays of subwavelength holes

By using a theoretical formalism able to work in both real and k-spaces, the physical origin of the phenomenon of extraordinary transmission of light through quasi-periodic arrays of holes is revealed. Long-range order present in a quasiperiodic array selects the wavevector(s) of the surface electromagnetic mode(s) that allows an efficient transmission of light through subwavelength holes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

The out-equilibrium 2D Ising spin glass: almost, but not quite, a free-field theory

We consider the spatial correlation function of the two-dimensional Ising spin glass under out-equilibrium conditions. We pay special attention to the scaling limit reached upon approaching zero temperature. The field-theory of a non-interacting field makes a surprisingly good job at describing the spatial shape of the correlation function of the out-equilibrium Edwards-Anderson Ising model in two dimensions.Comment: 20 pages + 5 Figure

The largest oxigen bearing organic molecule repository

We present the first detection of complex aldehydes and isomers in three typical molecular clouds located within 200pc of the center of our Galaxy. We find very large abundances of these complex organic molecules (COMs) in the central molecular zone (CMZ), which we attribute to the ejection of COMs from grain mantles by shocks. The relative abundances of the different COMs with respect to that of CH3OH are strikingly similar for the three sources, located in very different environments in the CMZ. The similar relative abundances point toward a unique grain mantle composition in the CMZ. Studying the Galactic center clouds and objects in the Galactic disk having large abundances of COMs, we find that more saturated molecules are more abundant than the non-saturated ones. We also find differences between the relative abundance between COMs in the CMZ and the Galactic disk, suggesting different chemical histories of the grain mantles between the two regions in the Galaxy for the complex aldehydes. Different possibilities for the grain chemistry on the icy mantles in the GC clouds are briefly discussed. Cosmic rays can play an important role in the grain chemistry. With these new detections, the molecular clouds in the Galactic center appear to be one of the best laboratories for studying the formation of COMs in the Galaxy.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures, accepted in Ap

Effect of Dilution on First Order Transitions: The Three Dimensional Three States Potts Model

We have studied numerically the effect of quenched site dilution on a first order phase transition in three dimensions. We have simulated the site diluted three states Potts model studying in detail the second order region of its phase diagram. We have found that the $\nu$ exponent is compatible with the one of the three dimensional diluted Ising model whereas the $\eta$ exponent is definitely different.Comment: RevTex. 6 pages and 6 postscript figure