Theory for ultrafast nonequilibrium dynamics in d-wave superconductors

We use density-matrix theory to calculate the ultrafast dynamics of unconventional superconductors from a microscopic viewpoint. We calculate the time evolution of the optical conductivity as well as pump-probe spectra for a d-wave order parameter. Three regimes can be distinguished in the spectra. The Drude response at low photon energies is the only one of those which has been measured experimentally so far. At higher energies, we predict two more regimes: the pair-breaking peak, which is reduced as Cooper-pairs are broken up by the exciting pulse; and a suppression above the pair-breaking peak due to nonequilibrium quasiparticles. Furthermore, we consider the influence of the electron-phonon coupling, and derive rate equations which have been widely used so far.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Mammalian pest problems in organic pig farming, preventive measures and control

Organic pig farming includes having pigs in open fields with relatively close contact to the wild fauna. The risk of transmission of parasites and diseases to the pigs is therefore higher than in traditional pig farming with pigs under strict control in indoor pigsties. Newborn and sucking pigs are also exposed to predators that may cause losses to the farmers. A general trend in organic farming is to avoid the use of pesticides. There is therefore a need for effective preventive measures and control methods that are acceptable to the organic farmers. As a first step in a project for developing strategies for pest management in organic pig farming we conducted a questionnaire survey in Denmark. The farmers were asked questions about what they considered problems arising from the natural environment. They were also asked to describe how they offered fodder and water, which types of huts they used etc. The surroundings should be described regarding factors that were thought to influence the natural fauna, such as e.g. distance to quickset hedges, forests, streams and watercourses. The results of the survey showed that rats and smaller rodents (mice and voles), foxes and hares were the most frequently occurring mammals in the fields with pigs. The farmers considered rats and foxes as causing the most important (pest) problems. Occurrence of rats is reported significantly more frequently in organic pig farming than in traditional pig farming in open fields. The answers given by the farmers were analysed as to possible relationships between occurrence of / problems with rodents and the practice regarding the pig farming. There was a significant positive correlation between occurrence of rats, smaller rodents and foxes. Use of automatic feeding systems and open water trays, and having stacks of hay and straw in the fields were all factors that were significantly positively correlated with the occurrence of rats and smaller rodents. The occurrence of smaller rodents was negatively correlated with the use of huts with a bottom and huts made of hard materials. Special shelters for the pigs exclusively made of bales of straw did not give a significant positive correlation with occurrence of rodents. These results indicate factors that are practicable as preventive measures against rodents. The farmers reported traps, shooting, and cats and dogs as the most frequent non-chemical ways of controlling rodents

Life and reliability models for helicopter transmissions

Computer models of life and reliability are presented for planetary gear trains with a fixed ring gear, input applied to the sun gear, and output taken from the planet arm. For this transmission the input and output shafts are co-axial and the input and output torques are assumed to be coaxial with these shafts. Thrust and side loading are neglected. The reliability model is based on the Weibull distributions of the individual reliabilities of the in transmission components. The system model is also a Weibull distribution. The load versus life model for the system is a power relationship as the models for the individual components. The load-life exponent and basic dynamic capacity are developed as functions of the components capacities. The models are used to compare three and four planet, 150 kW (200 hp), 5:1 reduction transmissions with 1500 rpm input speed to illustrate their use

Rapid changes in ice core gas records Part 2: Understanding the rapid rise in atmospheric CO2 at the onset of the Bølling/Allerød

During the last glacial/interglacial transition the Earth's climate underwent rapid changes around 14.6 kyr ago. Temperature proxies from ice cores revealed the onset of the Bølling/Allerød (B/A) warm period in the north and the start of the Antarctic Cold Reversal in the south. Furthermore, the B/A is accompanied by a rapid sea level rise of about 20 m during meltwater pulse (MWP) 1A, whose exact timing is matter of current debate. In situ measured CO₂ in the EPICA Dome C (EDC) ice core also revealed a remarkable jump of 10±1 ppmv in 230 yr at the same time. Allowing for the age distribution of CO₂ in firn we here show, that atmospheric CO₂ rose by 20–35 ppmv in less than 200 yr, which is a factor of 2–3.5 larger than the CO₂ signal recorded in situ in EDC. Based on the estimated airborne fraction of 0.17 of CO₂ we infer that 125 Pg of carbon need to be released to the atmosphere to produce such a peak. Most of the carbon might have been activated as consequence of continental shelf flooding during MWP-1A. This impact of rapid sea level rise on atmospheric CO₂ distinguishes the B/A from other Dansgaard/Oeschger events of the last 60 kyr, potentially defining the point of no return during the last deglaciation

Building up to an Awful Let-down

In modem construction, theoretically the duties, liabilities and warranties of those involved in a construction project ordinarily are broken down thus: The owner agrees to furnish the funds; the architect-engineer contracts to furnish experience, know-how, design, engineering plans, specifications, and supervision to assure the owner that he will receive what he requires and pays for; while the contractor agrees to furnish skilled labor,and proper material for the job. However, in actual practice, especially where the owner engages one firm to furnish the architectural drawings, specifications and supervision; another to do the necessary engineering design of the structural elements of the building; and still another to construct it, the theory breaks down

Building up to an Awful Let-down

In modem construction, theoretically the duties, liabilities and warranties of those involved in a construction project ordinarily are broken down thus: The owner agrees to furnish the funds; the architect-engineer contracts to furnish experience, know-how, design, engineering plans, specifications, and supervision to assure the owner that he will receive what he requires and pays for; while the contractor agrees to furnish skilled labor,and proper material for the job. However, in actual practice, especially where the owner engages one firm to furnish the architectural drawings, specifications and supervision; another to do the necessary engineering design of the structural elements of the building; and still another to construct it, the theory breaks down

Ultrafast Dynamics of Carrier Multiplication in Quantum Dots

A quantum-kinetic approach to the ultrafast dynamics of carrier multiplication in semiconductor quantum dots is presented. We investigate the underlying dynamics in the electronic subband occupations and the time-resolved optical emission spectrum, focusing on the interplay between the light-matter and the Coulomb interaction. We find a transition between qualitatively differing behaviors of carrier multiplication, which is controlled by the ratio of the interaction induced time scale and the pulse duration of the exciting light pulse. On short time scales, i.e., before intra-band relaxation, this opens the possibility of detecting carrier multiplication without refering to measurements of (multi-)exciton lifetimes.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, submitte