85,936 research outputs found
Numerical simulations of negative-index refraction in wedge-shaped metamaterials
A wedge-shaped structure made of split-ring resonators (SRR) and wires is
numerically simulated to evaluate its refraction behavior. Four frequency
bands, namely, the stop band, left-handed band, ultralow-index band, and
positive-index band, are distinguished according to the refracted field
distributions. Negative phase velocity inside the wedge is demonstrated in the
left-handed band and the Snell's law is conformed in terms of its refraction
behaviors in different frequency bands. Our results confirmed that negative
index of refraction indeed exists in such a composite metamaterial and also
provided a convincing support to the results of previous Snell's law
experiments.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure
Controlling the superconducting transition by spin-orbit coupling
Whereas there exists considerable evidence for the conversion of singlet
Cooper pairs into triplet Cooper pairs in the presence of inhomogeneous
magnetic fields, recent theoretical proposals have suggested an alternative way
to exert control over triplet generation: intrinsic spin-orbit coupling in a
homogeneous ferromagnet coupled to a superconductor. Here, we proximity-couple
Nb to an asymmetric Pt/Co/Pt trilayer, which acts as an effective spin-orbit
coupled ferromagnet owing to structural inversion asymmetry. Unconventional
modulation of the superconducting critical temperature as a function of
in-plane and out-of- plane applied magnetic fields suggests the presence of
triplets that can be controlled by the magnetic orientation of a single
homogeneous ferromagnet. Our studies demonstrate for the first time an active
role of spin-orbit coupling in controlling the triplets -- an important step
towards the realization of novel superconducting spintronic devices.Comment: 11 pages + 4 figures + supplemental informatio
Overall properties of the Gaia DR1 reference frame
We compare quasar positions of the auxiliary quasar solution with ICRF2
sources using different samples and evaluate the influence on the {\it Gaia}
DR1 reference frame owing to the Galactic aberration effect over the
J2000.0-J20015.0 period. Then we estimate the global rotation between TGAS with
{\it Tycho}-2 proper motion systems to investigate the property of the {\it
Gaia} DR1 reference frame. Finally, the Galactic kinematics analysis using the
K-M giant proper motions is performed to understand the property of {\it Gaia}
DR1 reference frame. The positional comparison between the auxiliary quasar
solution and ICRF2 shows negligible orientation and validates the declination
bias of \mas~in {\it Gaia} quasar positions with respect to ICRF2.
Galactic aberration effect is thought to cause an offset \mas~of
the axis direction of {\it Gaia} DR1 reference frame. The global rotation
between TGAS and {\it Tycho}-2 proper motion systems, obtained by different
samples, shows a much smaller value than the claimed value \masyr. For
the Galactic kinematics analysis of the TGAS K-M giants, we find possible
non-zero Galactic rotation components beyond the classical Oort constants: the
rigid part \masyr~and the differential part
\masyr~around the axis of Galactic
coordinates, which indicates possible residual rotation in {\it Gaia} DR1
reference frame or problems in the current Galactic kinematical model.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in A&
Transport in gapped bilayer graphene: the role of potential fluctuations
We employ a dual-gated geometry to control the band gap \Delta in bilayer
graphene and study the temperature dependence of the resistance at the charge
neutrality point, RNP(T), from 220 to 1.5 K. Above 5 K, RNP(T) is dominated by
two thermally activated processes in different temperature regimes and exhibits
exp(T3/T)^{1/3} below 5 K. We develop a simple model to account for the
experimental observations, which highlights the crucial role of localized
states produced by potential fluctuations. The high temperature conduction is
attributed to thermal activation to the mobility edge. The activation energy
approaches \Delta /2 at large band gap. At intermediate and low temperatures,
the dominant conduction mechanisms are nearest neighbor hopping and
variable-range hopping through localized states. Our systematic study provides
a coherent understanding of transport in gapped bilayer graphene.Comment: to appear in Physical Review B: Rapid Com
Recommended from our members
Strengthening strategic management approaches to address antimicrobial resistance in global human health: a scoping review
Introduction
The development and implementation of national strategic plans is a critical component towards successfully addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to review the scope and analytical depth of situation analyses conducted to address AMR in human health to inform the development and implementation of national strategic plans.
Methods
A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify all studies since 2000, that have employed a situation analysis to address AMR. The included studies are analysed against frameworks for strategic analysis, primarily the PESTELI (Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Ecological, Legislative, Industry) framework, to understand the depth, scope and utility of current published approaches.
Results
10 studies were included in the final review ranging from single country (6) to regional-level multicountry studies (4). 8 studies carried out documentary review, and 3 of these also included stakeholder interviews. 2 studies were based on expert opinion with no data collection. No study employed the PESTELI framework. Most studies (9) included analysis of the political domain and 1 study included 6 domains of the framework. Technological and industry analyses is a notable gap. Facilitators and inhibitors within the political and legislative domains were the most frequently reported. No facilitators were reported in the economic or industry domains but featured inhibiting factors including: lack of ring-fenced funding for surveillance, perverse financial incentives, cost-shifting to patients; joint-stock drug company ownership complicating regulations.
Conclusion
The PESTELI framework provides further opportunities to combat AMR using a systematic, strategic management approach, rather than a retrospective view. Future analysis of existing quantitative data with interviews of key strategic and operational stakeholders is needed to provide critical insights about where implementation efforts should be focussed, and also how to build contingency at the strategic level for agile responses to macro-level environmental influences
Discovering the Higgs Bosons of Minimal Supersymmetry with Muons and a Bottom Quark
We investigate the prospects for the discovery at the CERN Large Hadron
Collider of a neutral Higgs boson produced with one bottom quark followed by
Higgs decay into a muon pair. We work within the framework of the minimal
supersymmetric model. The dominant physics background from the production of , , j=g,u,d,s,c, and is calculated
with realistic acceptance cuts. Promising results are found for the CP-odd
pseudoscalar () and the heavier CP-even scalar () Higgs bosons with
masses up to 600 GeV. This discovery channel with one energetic bottom quark
greatly improves the discovery potential of the LHC beyond the inclusive
channel .Comment: Version to appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Recommended from our members
How the health-seeking behaviour of pregnant women affects neonatal outcomes: findings of system dynamics modelling in Pakistan
Background: Limited studies have explored how health-seeking behaviour during pregnancy through to delivery affect neonatal outcomes. We modelled health-seeking behaviour across urban and rural settings in Pakistan, where poor neonatal outcomes persist with wide disparities.
Methods and findings: A system dynamics model was developed and parameterised. Following validation tests, the model was used to determine neonatal mortality for pregnant women considering their decisions to access, refuse and switch antenatal care services in four provider sectors: public, private, traditional and charitable. Four health-seeking scenarios were tested across different pregnancy trimesters. Health-seeking behaviour in different subgroups by geographical locations and social network effect was modelled. The largest reduction in neonatal mortality was achieved with antenatal care provided by skilled providers in public, private or charitable sectors, combined with the use of institutional delivery. Women’s social networks had strong influences on if, when and where to seek care. Interventions by Lady Health Workers had a minimal impact on health-seeking behaviour and neonatal outcomes after trimester 1. Optimal benefits were achieved for urban women when antenatal care was accessed within trimester 2, but for rural women within trimester 1. Antenatal care access delayed to trimester 3 had no protective impact on neonatal mortality.
Conclusions: System dynamics modelling enables capturing the complexity of health-seeking behaviours and impact on outcomes, informing intervention design, implementation of targeted policies and uptake of services specific to urban/rural settings considering structural enablers/barriers to access, cultural contexts and strong social network influences
Lagrange Model for the Chiral Optical Properties of Stereometamaterials
We employ a general Lagrange model to describe the chiral optical properties
of stereometamaterials. We derive the elliptical eigenstates of a twisted
stacked split-ring resonator, taking phase retardation into account. Through
this approach, we obtain a powerful Jones matrix formalism which can be used to
calculate the polarization rotation, ellipticity, and circular dichroism of
transmitted waves through stereometamaterials at any incident polarization. Our
experimental measurements agree well with our model.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, Theory and experimen
- …