Field-induced magnetic ordering in the Haldane system PbNi2V2O8

The Haldane system PbNi2V2O8 was investigated by the temperature dependent magnetization M(T) measurements at fields higher than H_c, with H_c the critical fields necessary to close the Haldane gap. It is revealed that M(T) for H > H_c exhibits a cusp-like minimum at T_{min}, below which M(T) increases with decreasing T having a convex curve. These features have been observed for both $H \parallel c$ and $H \perp c$, with c-axis being parallel to the chain. These data indicate the occurrence of field-induced magnetic ordering around T_{min}. Phase boundaries for $H \parallel c$ and $H \perp c$ do not cross each other, consistent with the theoretical calculation for negative single-ion anisotropy D.Comment: 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Final-state read-out of exciton qubits by observing resonantly excited photoluminescence in quantum dots

We report on a new approach to detect excitonic qubits in semiconductor quantum dots by observing spontaneous emissions from the relevant qubit level. The ground state of excitons is resonantly excited by picosecond optical pulses. Emissions from the same state are temporally resolved with picosecond time resolution. To capture weak emissions, we greatly suppress the elastic scattering of excitation beams, by applying obliquely incident geometry to the micro photoluminescence set-up. Rabi oscillations of the ground-state excitons appear to be involved in the dependence of emission intensity on excitation amplitude.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Appl. Phys. Let

Single crystal MgB2 with anisotropic superconducting properties

The discovery of superconductor in magnesium diboride MgB2 with high Tc (39 K) has raised some challenging issues; whether this new superconductor resembles a high temperature cuprate superconductor(HTS) or a low temperature metallic superconductor; which superconducting mechanism, a phonon- mediated BCS or a hole superconducting mechanism or other new exotic mechanism may account for this superconductivity; and how about its future for applications. In order to clarify the above questions, experiments using the single crystal sample are urgently required. Here we have first succeeded in obtaining the single crystal of this new MgB2 superconductivity, and performed its electrical resistance and magnetization measurements. Their experiments show that the electronic and magnetic properties depend on the crystallographic direction. Our results indicate that the single crystal MgB2 superconductor shows anisotropic superconducting properties and thus can provide scientific basis for the research of its superconducting mechanism and its applications.Comment: 7 pages pdf fil

Coulomb Breakup Mechanism of Neutron-Halo Nuclei in a Time-Dependent Method

The mechanism of the Coulomb breakup reactions of the nuclei with neutron-halo structure is investigated in detail. A time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation for the halo neutron is numerically solved by treating the Coulomb field of a target as an external field. The momentum distribution and the post-acceleration effect of the final fragments are discussed in a fully quantum mechanical way to clarify the limitation of the intuitive picture based on the classical mechanics. The theory is applied to the Coulomb breakup reaction of $^{11}$Be + $^{208}$Pb. The breakup mechanism is found to be different between the channels of $j^{\pi}=\frac{1}{2}^{-}$ and $\frac{3}{2}^{-}$, reflecting the underlying structure of $^{11}$Be. The calculated result reproduces the energy spectrum of the breakup fragments reasonably well, but explains only about a half of the observed longitudinal momentum difference.Comment: 15 pages,revtex, 9 figures (available upon request

High-Field Magnetization of Doped Spin-Peierls System Cu_<1-x>Zn_xGeO_3(Research in High Magnetic Fields)

We measured magnetizations of doped spin-Peierls Cu_Zn_xGeO_3 with x=0, 0.005, 0.010 and 0.020 in order to study effects of impurities on a magnetic phase. A rapid change of the magnetization associated with a phase transition from dimerized to other phases is seen. The magnetization above 16 T shows weak x and temperature dependence. A critical field associated with the phase transition decreases with increasing x. Effects of impurities on the magnetic phase are weaker than on the dimerized phase. The soliton model is applicable to the magnetic phase

Asymmetric line shapes for medium energy H and He ions undergoing a large angle collision

Asymmetric line shapes for medium energy H and He ions backscattered from topmost adatoms such as Si 111 3x 3 Sb and Ni 111 2x2 O are measured by a toroidal electrostatic analyzer with an excellent energy resolution. The spectra exhibit a pronounced asymmetric nature and are well fitted by an exponentially modified Gaussian profile. It is found that the nonperturbative coupled channel calculations reproduce well the observed asymmetric line shapes for He impact on different materials, although slightly overestimate the asymmetry for H impact on Au. On the other hand, the CASP 3.2 program involving additional approximations gives large underestimates for He ions and overestimates for H ions. This problem has been partially solved by modifying the order of the implementation of the shell corrections and higher order effects in the CASP mode

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 regulates glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoid excess is characterized by increased adiposity, skeletal myopathy, and insulin resistance, but the precise molecular mechanisms are unknown. Within skeletal muscle, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) converts cortisone (11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents) to active cortisol (corticosterone in rodents). We aimed to determine the mechanisms underpinning glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and indentify how 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors improve insulin sensitivity. \ud RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Rodent and human cell cultures, whole-tissue explants, and animal models were used to determine the impact of glucocorticoids and selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibition upon insulin signaling and action. \ud RESULTS: Dexamethasone decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, decreased IRS1 mRNA and protein expression, and increased inactivating pSer$^{307}$ insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1. 11beta-HSD1 activity and expression were observed in human and rodent myotubes and muscle explants. Activity was predominantly oxo-reductase, generating active glucocorticoid. A1 (selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitor) abolished enzyme activity and blocked the increase in pSer$^{307}$ IRS1 and reduction in total IRS1 protein after treatment with 11DHC but not corticosterone. In C57Bl6/J mice, the selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitor, A2, decreased fasting blood glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity. In KK mice treated with A2, skeletal muscle pSer$^{307}$ IRS1 decreased and pThr$^{308}$ Akt/PKB increased. In addition, A2 decreased both lipogenic and lipolytic gene expression.\ud CONCLUSIONS: Prereceptor facilitation of glucocorticoid action via 11beta-HSD1 increases pSer$^{307}$ IRS1 and may be crucial in mediating insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibition decreases pSer$^{307}$ IRS1, increases pThr$^{308}$ Akt/PKB, and decreases lipogenic and lipolytic gene expression that may represent an important mechanism underpinning their insulin-sensitizing action