Elementary Excitations in Quantum Antiferromagnetic Chains: Dyons, Spinons and Breathers

Considering experimental results obtained on three prototype compounds, TMMC, CsCoCl3 (or CsCoBr3) and Cu Benzoate, we discuss the importance of non-linear excitations in the physics of quantum (and classical) antiferromagnetic spin chains.Comment: Invited at the International Symposium on Cooperative Phenomena of Assembled Metal Complexes, November 15-17, 2001, Osaka, Japa

Thermodynamic Properties of the Spin-1/2 Antiferromagnetic ladder Cu2(C2H12N2)2Cl4 under Magnetic Field

Specific heat ($C_V$) measurements in the spin-1/2 Cu$_2$(C$_2$H$_{12}$N$_2$)$_2$Cl$_4$ system under a magnetic field up to $H=8.25 T$ are reported and compared to the results of numerical calculations based on the 2-leg antiferromagnetic Heisenberg ladder. While the temperature dependences of both the susceptibility and the low field specific heat are accurately reproduced by this model, deviations are observed below the critical field $H_{C1}$ at which the spin gap closes. In this Quantum High Field phase, the contribution of the low-energy quantum fluctuations are stronger than in the Heisenberg ladder model. We argue that this enhancement can be attributed to dynamical lattice fluctuations. Finally, we show that such a Heisenberg ladder, for $H>H_{C1}$, is unstable, when coupled to the 3D lattice, against a lattice distortion. These results provide an alternative explanation for the observed low temperature ($T_C\sim 0.5K$ -- $0.8K$) phase (previously interpreted as a 3D magnetic ordering) as a new type of incommensurate gapped state.Comment: Minor changes, list of authors complete

Mixed Heisenberg Chains. II. Thermodynamics

We consider thermodynamic properties, e.g. specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, of alternating Heisenberg spin chains. Due to a hidden Ising symmetry these chains can be decomposed into a set of finite chain fragments. The problem of finding the thermodynamic quantities is effectively separated into two parts. First we deal with finite objects, secondly we can incorporate the fragments into a statistical ensemble. As functions of the coupling constants, the models exhibit special features in the thermodynamic quantities, e.g. the specific heat displays double peaks at low enough temperatures. These features stem from first order quantum phase transitions at zero temperature, which have been investigated in the first part of this work.Comment: 12 pages, RevTeX, 12 embedded eps figures, cf. cond-mat/9703206, minor modification

Study on the neuronal circuits implicated in postural tremor and hypokinesia

The effect of various tegmentary lesions at the level of the pontomesenchphalon in monkeys on motor function was observed. The importance of the monoaminergic mechanisms of the brainstem is discussed. The results also show the importance of the descending tegmentary rubral system and the rubroolivocerebellar circuit in controlling peripheral motor activity. The destruction of the sensory motor cortex proves to be a more effective way of eliminating spontaneous or harmaline induced tremor than the complete interruption of the pyramidal system on the level of the cerebral peduncle

Charge Ordering and Spin Dynamics in NaV2O5

We report high-resolution neutron inelastic scattering experiments on the spin excitations of NaV2O5. Below Tc, two branches associated with distinct energy gaps are identified. From the dispersion and intensity of the spin excitation modes, we deduce the precise zig-zag charge distribution on the ladder rungs and the corresponding charge order (about 0.6). We argue that the spin gaps observed in the low-T phase of this compound are primarily due to the charge transfer.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Quantum internal modes of solitons in 1d easy-plane antiferromagnet in strong magnetic field

In presence of a strong external magnetic field the dynamics of solitons in a one-dimensional easy-plane Heisenberg antiferromagnet exhibits a number of peculiarities. Dynamics of internal soliton degrees of freedom is essentially quantum, and they are strongly coupled to the "translational" mode of soliton movement. These peculiarities lead to considerable changes in the response functions of the system which can be detected experimentally.Comment: 8 pages, RevTeX, 6 figures, uses psfig.sty, submitted to PR

Amp\`ere-Class Pulsed Field Emission from Carbon-Nanotube Cathodes in a Radiofrequency Resonator

Pulsed field emission from cold carbon-nanotube cathodes placed in a radiofrequency resonant cavity was observed. The cathodes were located on the backplate of a conventional $1+\frac{1}{2}$-cell resonant cavity operating at 1.3-GHz and resulted in the production of bunch train with maximum average current close to 0.7 Amp\`ere. The measured Fowler-Nordheim characteristic, transverse emittance, and pulse duration are presented and, when possible, compared to numerical simulations. The implications of our results to high-average-current electron sources are briefly discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures; submitted to Applied Physics Letter

Introducing the Dark Energy Universe Simulation Series (DEUSS)

In this "Invisible Universe" proceedings, we introduce the Dark Energy Universe Simulation Series (DEUSS) which aim at investigating the imprints of realistic dark energy models on cosmic structure formation. It represents the largest dynamical dark energy simulation suite to date in term of spatial dynamics. We first present the 3 realistic dark energy models (calibrated on latest SNIa and CMB data): LambdaCDM, quintessence with Ratra-Peebles potential, and quintessence with Sugra potential. We then isolate various contributions for non-linear matter power spectra from a series of pre-DEUSS high-resolution simulations (130 million particles). Finally, we introduce DEUSS which consist in 9 Grand Challenge runs with 1 billion particles each thus probing scales from 4 Gpc down to 3 kpc at z=0. Our goal is to make these simulations available to the community through the "Dark Energy Universe Virtual Observatory" (DEUVO), and the "Dark Energy Universe Simulations" (DEUS) consortium.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the AIP proceedings of the 'Invisible Universe International Conference', UNESCO-Paris, June 29-July 3, 200

A magnetic model for the incommensurate I phase of spin-Peierls systems

A magnetic model is proposed for describing the incommensurate I phase of spin-Peierls systems. Based on the harmonicity of the lattice distortion, its main ingredient is that the distortion of the lattice adjusts to the average magnetization such that the system is always gapful. The presence of dynamical incommensurabilities in the fluctuation spectra is also predicted. Recent experimental results for CuGeO_3 obtained by NMR, ESR and light scattering absorption are well understood within this model.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, Latex with EPL style files all include