Frustrated impurity spins in ordered two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets

Dynamical properties of an impurity spin coupled symmetrically to sublattices of ordered 2D Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnet (i.e., frustrated impurity spin) are discussed at $T\ge0$ (existence of a small interaction stabilizing the long range order at $T\ne0$ is implied). We continue our study on this subject started in Phys.Rev.B 72, 174419 (2005), where spin-1/2 defect is discussed and the host spins fluctuations are considered within the spin-wave approximation (SWA). In the present paper we i) go beyond SWA and ii) study impurities with spins $S\ge1/2$. It is demonstrated that in contrast to defects coupled to sublattices asymmetrically longitudinal host spins fluctuations play important role in the frustrated impurity dynamics. The spectral function, that is proportional to $\omega^2$ within SWA, acquires new terms proportional to $\omega^2$ and $\omega T^2$. It is observed that the spin-1/2 impurity susceptibility has the same structure as that obtained within SWA: the Lorenz peak and the non-resonant term. The difference is that the width of the peak becomes larger being proportional to $f^2(T/J)^3$ rather than $f^4(T/J)^3$, where $f$ is the dimensionless coupling parameter. We show that transverse static susceptibility acquires a new negative logarithmic contribution. In accordance with previous works we find that host spins fluctuations lead to an effective one-ion anisotropy on the impurity site. Then defects with $S>1/2$ appears to be split. We observe strong reduction of the value of the splitting due to longitudinal host spins fluctuations. We demonstrate that the dynamical impurity susceptibility contains $2S$ Lorenz peaks corresponding to transitions between the levels, and the non-resonant term.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, to appear in PR

Hidden long range order in Heisenberg Kagome antiferromagnets

We give a physical picture of the low-energy sector of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg Kagome antiferromagnet (KAF). It is shown that Kagome lattice can be presented as a set of stars which are arranged in a triangular lattice and contain 12 spins. Each of these stars has two degenerate singlet ground states which can be considered in terms of pseudospin. As a result of interaction between stars we get Hamiltonian of the Ising ferromagnet in magnetic field. So in contrast to the common view there is a long range order in KAF consisting of definite singlet states of the stars.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Late pleistocene sedimentation history of the Shirshov Ridge, Bering Sea

The analysis of the lithology, grain-size distribution, clay minerals, and geochemistry of Upper Pleistocene sediments from the submarine Shirshov Ridge (Bering Sea) showed that the main source area was the Yukon–Tanana terrane of Central Alaska. The sedimentary materials were transported by the Yukon River through Beringia up to the shelf break, where they were entrained by a strong northwestward-flowing sea current. The lithological data revealed several pulses of ice-rafted debris deposition, roughly synchronous with Heinrich events, and periods of weaker bottom-current intensity. Based on the geochemical results, we distinguished intervals of an increase in paleoproductivity and extension of the oxygen minimum zone. The results suggest that there were three stages of deposition driven by glacioeustatic sea-level fluctuations and glacial cycles in Alaska

The uncoupling of respiration in plant mitochondria: Keeping reactive oxygen and nitrogen species under control

Plant mitochondrial respiration involves operation of various alternate pathways. These pathways participate, both directly and indirectly, in the maintenance of mitochondrial functions though they do not contribute to energy production being uncoupled from the generation of an electrochemical gradient across the mitochondrial membrane and thus from ATP production. Recent findings suggest that uncoupled respiration is involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, regulation and homeostasis. Here we discuss specific roles and possible functions of the uncoupled mitochondrial respiration in ROS and NO metabolism. The mechanisms of expression and regulation of the NDA, NDB and NDC type non-coupled NADH and NADPH dehydrogenases, the alternative oxidase (AOX), and the uncoupling protein (UCP) are examined in relation to their involvement in the establishment of the stable far-from-equilibrium state of plant metabolism. The role of uncoupled respiration in controlling the levels of ROS and NO as well as inducing signaling events is considered. Secondary functions of uncoupled respiration include its role in protection from stress factors and roles in biosynthesis and catabolism. It is concluded that uncoupled mitochondrial respiration plays an important role in providing rapid adaptation of plants to changing environmental factors via regulation of ROS and NO