48 research outputs found
Reduction of the Three Dimensional Schrodinger Equation for Multilayered Films
In this paper, we present a method for reducing the three dimensional
Schrodinger equation to study confined metallic states, such as quantum well
states, in a multilayer film geometry. While discussing some approximations
that are employed when dealing with the three dimensionality of the problem, we
derive a one dimensional equation suitable for studying such states using an
envelope function approach. Some applications to the Cu/Co multilayer system
with regard to spin tunneling/rotations and angle resolved photoemission are
discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figur
Interface electronic states and boundary conditions for envelope functions
The envelope-function method with generalized boundary conditions is applied
to the description of localized and resonant interface states. A complete set
of phenomenological conditions which restrict the form of connection rules for
envelope functions is derived using the Hermiticity and symmetry requirements.
Empirical coefficients in the connection rules play role of material parameters
which characterize an internal structure of every particular heterointerface.
As an illustration we present the derivation of the most general connection
rules for the one-band effective mass and 4-band Kane models. The conditions
for the existence of Tamm-like localized interface states are established. It
is shown that a nontrivial form of the connection rules can also result in the
formation of resonant states. The most transparent manifestation of such states
is the resonant tunneling through a single-barrier heterostructure.Comment: RevTeX4, 11 pages, 5 eps figures, submitted to Phys.Rev.
Anisotropic transport in the two-dimensional electron gas in the presence of spin-orbit coupling
In a two-dimensional electron gas as realized by a semiconductor quantum
well, the presence of spin-orbit coupling of both the Rashba and Dresselhaus
type leads to anisotropic dispersion relations and Fermi contours. We study the
effect of this anisotropy on the electrical conductivity in the presence of
fixed impurity scatterers. The conductivity also shows in general an anisotropy
which can be tuned by varying the Rashba coefficient. This effect provides a
method of detecting and investigating spin-orbit coupling by measuring
spin-unpolarized electrical currents in the diffusive regime. Our approach is
based on an exact solution of the two-dimensional Boltzmann equation and
provides also a natural framework for investigating other transport effects
including the anomalous Hall effect.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure included. Discussion of experimental impact
enlarged; error in calculation of conductivity contribution corrected (cf.
Eq. (A14)), no changes in qualitative results and physical consequence
Donor states in modulation-doped Si/SiGe heterostructures
We present a unified approach for calculating the properties of shallow
donors inside or outside heterostructure quantum wells. The method allows us to
obtain not only the binding energies of all localized states of any symmetry,
but also the energy width of the resonant states which may appear when a
localized state becomes degenerate with the continuous quantum well subbands.
The approach is non-variational, and we are therefore also able to evaluate the
wave functions. This is used to calculate the optical absorption spectrum,
which is strongly non-isotropic due to the selection rules. The results
obtained from calculations for Si/SiGe quantum wells allow us to
present the general behavior of the impurity states, as the donor position is
varied from the center of the well to deep inside the barrier. The influence on
the donor ground state from both the central-cell effect and the strain arising
from the lattice mismatch is carefully considered.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure
Autoantibodies against type I IFNs in patients with life-threatening COVID-19
Interindividual clinical variability in the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is vast. We report that at least 101 of 987 patients with life-threatening coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia had neutralizing immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies (auto-Abs) against interferon-w (IFN-w) (13 patients), against the 13 types of IFN-a (36), or against both (52) at the onset of critical disease; a few also had auto-Abs against the other three type I IFNs. The auto-Abs neutralize the ability of the corresponding type I IFNs to block SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. These auto-Abs were not found in 663 individuals with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and were present in only 4 of 1227 healthy individuals. Patients with auto-Abs were aged 25 to 87 years and 95 of the 101 were men. A B cell autoimmune phenocopy of inborn errors of type I IFN immunity accounts for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia in at least 2.6% of women and 12.5% of men
On controlled switching of high voltage unloaded transmission lines
International audienceThe limitation of switching overvoltages on very high voltage transmission lines is traditionally carried out with the aid of circuit breakers — fitted with closing resistors. This widely used system has repeatedly shown itself to be highly efficient. Nevertheless, it is possible to envisage other methods, in particular, those giving control of the circuit breaker instant of closing. This paper examines the possibilities offered by controlled switching on UHV transmission lines and compares existing solutions. It takes into account the various network characteristics that may be encountered. It details the results in terms of overvoltage levels which could be attained, due to the performance of the circuit breaker. The paper also highlights the critical points relative to the application