22 research outputs found
Distances from the Correlation between Galaxy Luminosities and Rotation Rates
A large luminosity--linewidth template sample is now available, improved
absorption corrections have been derived, and there are a statistically
significant number of galaxies with well determined distances to supply the
zero point. A revised estimate of the Hubble Constant is H_0=77 +-4 km/s/Mpc
where the error is the 95% probability statistical error. Systematic
uncertainties are potentially twice as large.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures. Invited chapter for the book `Post-Hipparcos
Cosmic Candles', Eds. F. Caputo and A. Heck (Kluwer Academic Publishers,
Dordrecht
Evidence for a Positive Cosmological Constant from Flows of Galaxies and Distant Supernovae
Recent observations of high-redshift supernovae seem to suggest that the
global geometry of the Universe may be affected by a `cosmological constant',
which acts to accelerate the expansion rate with time. But these data by
themselves still permit an open universe of low mass density and no
cosmological constant. Here we derive an independent constraint on the lower
bound to the mass density, based on deviations of galaxy velocities from a
smooth universal expansion. This constraint rules out a low-density open
universe with a vanishing cosmological constant, and together the two favour a
nearly flat universe in which the contributions from mass density and the
cosmological constant are comparable. This type of universe, however, seems to
require a degree of fine tuning of the initial conditions that is in apparent
conflict with `common wisdom'.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure. Slightly revised version. Letter to Natur
Optical and HI properties of isolated galaxies in the 2MIG catalog. I. General relationships
We analyze empirical relationships between the optical, near infrared, and HI
characteristics of isolated galaxies from the 2MIG Catalog covering the entire
sky. Data on morphological types, K_S-, and B-magnitudes, linear diameters, HI
masses, and rotational velocities are examined. The regression parameters,
dispersions, and correlation coefficients are calculated for pairs of these
characteristics. The resulting relationships can be used to test the
hierarchical theory of galaxy formation through numerous mergers of cold dark
matter.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, 5 table
Graphene nanogaps for the directed assembly of single-nanoparticle devices
Significant advances in the synthesis of low-dimensional materials with unique and tuneable electrical, optical and magnetic properties has led to an explosion of possibilities for realising hybrid nanomaterial devices with unconventional and desirable characteristics. However, the lack of ability to precisely integrate individual nanoparticles into devices at scale limits their technological application. Here, we report on a graphene nanogap based platform which employs the large electric fields generated around the point-like, atomically sharp nanogap electrodes to capture single nanoparticles from solution at predefined locations. We demonstrate how gold nanoparticles can be trapped and contacted to form single-electron transistors with a large coupling to a buried electrostatic gate. This platform offers a route to the creation of novel low-dimensional devices, nano- and optoelectronic applications, and the study of fundamental transport phenomena
The structure of the local universe and the coldness of the cosmic flow
Unlike the substantial coherent bulk motion in which our local patch of the Cosmos is participating, the amplitude of the random motions around this large scale flow seems to be surprisingly low. Attempts to invoke global explanations to account for this coldness of the local cosmic velocity field have not yet been successful. Here we propose a different view on this cosmic dilemma, stressing the repercussions of our cosmic neighbourhood embodying a rather uncharacteristic region of the Cosmos. Suspended between two huge mass concentrations, the Great Attractor region and the Perseus-Pisces chain, we find ourselves in a region of relatively low density yet with a very strong tidal shear. By means of constrained realizations of our local Universe, based on Wiener-filtered reconstructions inferred from the Mark III catalogue of galaxy peculiar velocities, we show that indeed this configuration may induce locally cold regions. Hence, the coldness of the local flow may be a cosmic variance effect
Charge-state assignment of nanoscale single-electron transistors from their current-voltage characteristics
The electronic and magnetic properties of single-molecule transistors depend critically on the molecular
charge state. Charge transport in single-molecule transistors is characterized by Coulomb-blocked
regions in which the charge state of the molecule is fixed and current is suppressed, separated by highconductance, sequential-tunneling regions. It is often difficult to assign the charge state of the molecular
species in each Coulomb-blocked region due to variability in the work-function of the electrodes. In this
work, we provide a simple and fast method to assign the charge state of the molecular species in the
Coulomb-blocked regions based on signatures of electron–phonon coupling together with the Pauliexclusion principle, simply by observing the asymmetry in the current in high-conductance regions of the
stability diagram. We demonstrate that charge-state assignments determined in this way are consistent
with those obtained from measurements of Zeeman splittings. Our method is applicable at 77 K, in contrast to magnetic-field-dependent measurements, which generally require low temperatures (below 4 K).
Due to the ubiquity of electron–phonon coupling in molecular junctions, we expect this method to be
widely applicable to single-electron transistors based on single molecules and graphene quantum dots.
The correct assignment of charge states allows researchers to better understand the fundamental
charge-transport properties of single-molecule transistors
Charge-state assignment of nanoscale single-electron transistors from their current–voltage characteristics
The electronic and magnetic properties of single-molecule transistors depend critically on the molecular charge state. Charge transport in single-molecule transistors is characterized by Coulomb-blocked regions in which the charge state of the molecule is fixed and current is suppressed, separated by highconductance, sequential-tunneling regions. It is often difficult to assign the charge state of the molecular species in each Coulomb-blocked region due to variability in the work-function of the electrodes. In this work, we provide a simple and fast method to assign the charge state of the molecular species in the Coulomb-blocked regions based on signatures of electron–phonon coupling together with the Pauliexclusion principle, simply by observing the asymmetry in the current in high-conductance regions of the stability diagram. We demonstrate that charge-state assignments determined in this way are consistent with those obtained from measurements of Zeeman splittings. Our method is applicable at 77 K, in contrast to magnetic-field-dependent measurements, which generally require low temperatures (below 4 K). Due to the ubiquity of electron–phonon coupling in molecular junctions, we expect this method to be widely applicable to single-electron transistors based on single molecules and graphene quantum dots. The correct assignment of charge states allows researchers to better understand the fundamental charge-transport properties of single-molecule transistors