Orbital-Order Driven Ferroelectricity and Dipolar Relaxation Dynamics in Multiferroic GaMo4_4S8_8

We present the results of broadband dielectric spectroscopy of GaMo$_4$S$_8$, a lacunar spinel system that recently was shown to exhibit non-canonical, orbitally-driven ferroelectricity. Our study reveals complex relaxation dynamics of this multiferroic material, both above and below its Jahn-Teller transition at T$_{\textrm{JT}}=47$ K. Above T$_{\textrm{JT}}$, two types of coupled dipolar-orbital dynamics seem to compete: relaxations within cluster-like regions with short-range polar order like in relaxor ferroelectrics and critical fluctuations of only weakly interacting dipoles, the latter resembling the typical dynamics of order-disorder type ferroelectrics. Below the Jahn-Teller transition, the onset of orbital order drives the system into long-range ferroelectric order and dipolar dynamics within the ferroelectric domains is observed. The coupled dipolar and orbital relaxation behavior of GaMo$_4$S$_8$ above the Jahn-Teller transition markedly differs from that of the skyrmion host GaV$_4$S$_8$, which seems to be linked to differences in the structural distortions of the two systems on the unit-cell level.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures + Supplemental Material (2 pages, 2 figures

New Power Module Integrating Output Current Measurement Function

This paper proposes a new power module concept that integrates output current measurement function to make inverters compact. The current measurement function is realized by tiny printed-circuit-board (PCB) Rogowski coils. The PCB Rogowski coil picks up a switching current flowing through an IGBT chip, and then a combination of a digital circuit based on a field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA) and an integrator circuit reproduces the output current of the inverter from the switching current. A major concern of the new power module is the effect of reverse recovery current of free-wheeling diodes because the reverse recovery current is superimposed on the switching current. This paper proposes a mitigating method of the reverse recovery current.2017 29th International Symposium on Power Semiconductor Devices and IC\u27s (ISPSD), May 28 2017-June 1 2017, Sapporo, Japa

Development of Auto Scaling Method for 3D Rock Fragmentation Measurement System

Fragmentation Distribution is one of the important aspects of mining operations as it affects productivities on the majority of Mine-to-Mill operations. Nevertheless the significance of fragmentation management, the mining industry has relied on 2D image based fragmentation measurement system which poses many downsides. To overcome the drawbacks of current 2D fragmentation measurement system, 3D Rock Fragmentation Measurement System has been proposed with using 3D photogrammetry technologies. One of the common difficulty of fragmentation measurement system is scaling of the object, which is an essential component to secure the accuracy of particle size distribution. In this study, the actual scales and size information of objects have been obtained by measuring the acceleration when moving between the photographing points and giving the information of the distance obtained from the acceleration. The developed system would be equipped with the 3D Rock Fragmentation Measurement System

Tests of a proximity focusing RICH with aerogel as radiator

Using aerogel as radiator and multianode PMTs for photon detection, a proximity focusing Cherenkov ring imaging detector has been constructed and tested in the KEK $\pi$2 beam. The aim is to experimentally study the basic parameters such as resolution of the single photon Cherenkov angle and number of detected photons per ring. The resolution obtained is well approximated by estimates of contributions from pixel size and emission point uncertainty. The number of detected photons per Cherenkov ring is in good agreement with estimates based on aerogel and detector characteristics. The values obtained turn out to be rather low, mainly due to Rayleigh scattering and to the relatively large dead space between the photocathodes. A light collection system or a higher fraction of the photomultiplier active area, together with better quality aerogels are expected to improve the situation. The reduction of Cherenkov yield, for charged particle impact in the vicinity of the aerogel tile side wall, has also been measured.Comment: 4 pages, 8 figure

Soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism study of weakly ferromagnetic Zn1−x_{1-x}Vx_xO thin film

We performed a soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) study of a Zn$_{1-x}$V$_x$O thin film which showed small ferromagnetic moment. Field and temperature dependences of V 2$p$ XMCD signals indicated the coexistence of Curie-Weiss paramagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and possibly ferromagnetic V ions, quantitatively consistent with the magnetization measurements. We attribute the paramagnetic signal to V ions substituting Zn sites which are somewhat elongated along the c-axis

Indication of antiferromagnetic interaction between paramagnetic Co ions in the diluted magnetic semiconductor Zn1−x_{1-x}Cox_{x}O

The magnetic properties of Zn$_{1-x}$Co$_x$O ($x=0.07$ and 0.10) thin films, which were homo-epitaxially grown on a ZnO(0001) substrates with varying relatively high oxygen pressure, have been investigated using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at Co $2p$ core-level absorption edge. The line shapes of the absorption spectra are the same in all the films and indicate that the Co$^{2+}$ ions substitute for the Zn sites. The magnetic-field and temperature dependences of the XMCD intensity are consistent with the magnetization measurements, indicating that except for Co there are no additional sources for the magnetic moment, and demonstrate the coexistence of paramagnetic and ferromagnetic components in the homo-epitaxial Zn$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$O thin films, in contrast to the ferromagnetism in the hetero-epitaxial Zn$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$O films studied previously. The analysis of the XMCD intensities using the Curie-Weiss law reveals the presence of antiferromagnetic interaction between the paramagnetic Co ions. Missing XMCD intensities and magnetization signals indicate that most of Co ions are non-magnetic probably because they are strongly coupled antiferromagnetically with each other. Annealing in a high vacuum reduces both the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic signals. We attribute the reductions to thermal diffusion and aggregation of Co ions with antiferromagnetic nanoclusters in Zn$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$O.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures, accepted for Physical Review

A High-Density SSR Linkage Map of Red Clover and Its Transferability to Other Legumes

A high-density linkage map of red clover was constructed based on SSR and RFLP markers. In order to construct a linkage map with user (breeder) friendly markers; i.e. informative and easy detection, two policies were adopted for marker development. One was that the markers should be derived from cDNA or gene-rich regions, and the other was that the SSR markers should be detected polymorphisms on agarose gels. We also discuss the transferability of the markers on the map to other red clover germplasm and legumes. Such highly transferable markers could be used to screen anchor markers for both on a consensus map of red clover and other legume species

Clamp type built-in current sensor using PCB in high-voltage power modules

High reliability is required for power modules because they are increasingly demanded as key devices in an energy-saving society. However, commercially available current sensors like current transformers and Rogowski coils are still of large size. Therefore, it is impossible to measure the current in small parts. In addition, long wiring with large sensors reduces the performance of power modules. In previous studies, we proposed a current sensor of PCB Rogowski coil with a fishbone pattern. The sensor is sufficiently small and thin with high accuracy for power module application. The PCB current sensor can be used as a built-in current sensor in power modules from the viewpoint of size. However, the sensor requires further improvement to be attached to bonding wire from a usability perspective. We propose a new pattern for the clamp-type PCB sensor and fabricate the PCB sensor as a built-in sensor in a power module. With the new pattern, it is possible to move and widen the gap for clamping. The signal error is small even though the sensor is inclinedly attached to the bonding wire. The accuracy is confirmed by a comparison between the clamp-type PCB sensor in the module and a commercially available current sensor outside the module. The clamp-type PCB sensor can be applied for intelligent power modules as well as current measurement for power electronic converters

Photoemission and x-ray absorption studies of valence states in (Ni,Zn,Fe,Ti)3_{3}O4_{4} thin films exhibiting photo-induced magnetization

By means of photoemission and x-ray absorption spectroscopy, we have studied the electronic structure of (Ni,Zn,Fe,Ti)$_{3}$O$_{4}$ thin films, which exhibits a cluster glass behavior with a spin-freezing temperature $T_f$ of $\sim 230$ K and photo-induced magnetization (PIM) below $T_f$. The Ni and Zn ions were found to be in the divalent states. Most of the Fe and Ti ions in the thin films were trivalent (Fe$^{3+}$) and tetravalent (Ti$^{4+}$), respectively. While Ti doping did not affect the valence states of the Ni and Zn ions, a small amount of Fe$^{2+}$ ions increased with Ti concentration, consistent with the proposed charge-transfer mechanism of PIM.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure