395 research outputs found
Local and macroscopic tunneling spectroscopy of Y(1-x)CaxBa2Cu3O(7-d) films: evidence for a doping dependent is or idxy component in the order parameter
Tunneling spectroscopy of epitaxial (110) Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-d films reveals a
doping dependent transition from pure d(x2-y2) to d(x2-y2)+is or d(x2-y2)+idxy
order parameter. The subdominant (is or idxy) component manifests itself in a
splitting of the zero bias conductance peak and the appearance of subgap
structures. The splitting is seen in the overdoped samples, increases
systematically with doping, and is found to be an inherent property of the
overdoped films. It was observed in both local tunnel junctions, using scanning
tunneling microscopy (STM), and in macroscopic planar junctions, for films
prepared by either RF sputtering or laser ablation. The STM measurements
exhibit fairly uniform splitting size in [110] oriented areas on the order of
10 nm2 but vary from area to area, indicating some doping inhomogeneity. U and
V-shaped gaps were also observed, with good correspondence to the local
faceting, a manifestation of the dominant d-wave order parameter
A self-consistent quantum master equation approach to molecular transport
We propose a self-consistent generalized quantum master equation (GQME) to
describe electron transport through molecular junctions. In a previous study
[M.Esposito and M.Galperin. Phys. Rev. B 79, 205303 (2009)], we derived a
time-nonlocal GQME to cure the lack of broadening effects in Redfield theory.
To do so, the free evolution used in the Born-Markov approximation to close the
Redfield equation was replaced by a standard Redfield evolution. In the present
paper, we propose a backward Redfield evolution leading to a time-local GQME
which allows for a self-consistent procedure of the GQME generator. This
approach is approximate but properly reproduces the nonequilibrium steady state
density matrix and the currents of an exactly solvable model. The approach is
less accurate for higher moments such as the noise.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure
The network topology of a potential energy landscape: A static scale-free network
Here we analyze the topology of the network formed by the minima and
transition states on the potential energy landscape of small clusters. We find
that this network has both a small-world and scale-free character. In contrast
to other scale-free networks, where the topology results from the dynamics of
the network growth, the potential energy landscape is a static entity.
Therefore, a fundamentally different organizing principle underlies this
behaviour: The potential energy landscape is highly heterogeneous with the
low-energy minima having large basins of attraction and acting as the
highly-connected hubs in the network.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, revtex
Polymorphic appetite effects on waist circumference depend on rs3749474 CLOCK gene variant
Chronobiological aspects controlled by CLOCK genes may influence obesity incidence.
Although there are studies that show an association between the expression of these genes and energy
intake, waist circumference or abdominal obesity phenotypes, interactions with appetite have been
insufficiently investigated in relation to chrononutrition. The objective was to identify interactions
between CLOCK genetic variants involved in appetite status. A total of 442 subjects (329 women,
113 men; aged 18 to 65 years) were recruited. Anthropometric, dietary and lifestyle data were collected
by trained nutritionists. Participants were classified according to their appetite feelings with a Likert
scale. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations of the type genotype x
appetite status on adiposity-related variables. p values were corrected by the Bonferroni method.
A significant influence was found concerning the effects of appetite on waist circumference with
respect to rs3749474 CLOCK polymorphism (p < 0.001). An additive model analysis (adjusted by age,
gender, exercise and energy intake) showed that risk allele carriers, increased the waist circumference
around 14 cm (β = 14.1, CI = 6.3–22.0) by each increment in the level of appetite. The effects of appetite
on waist circumference may be partly modulated by the rs3749474 CLOCK polymorphism
Point contact spectroscopy of the electron-doped cuprate superconductor Pr{2-x}Ce{x}CuO4: The dependence of conductance-voltage spectra on cerium doping, barrier strength and magnetic field
We present conductance-voltage (G-V) data for point contact junctions between
a normal metal and the electron doped cuprate superconductor Pr{2-x}Ce{x}CuO4
(PCCO). We observe a zero bias conductance peak (ZBCP) for the under-doped
composition of this cuprate (x=0.13) which is consistent with d-wave pairing
symmetry. For optimally-doped (x=0.15) and over-doped (x=0.17) PCCO, we find
that the G-V characteristics indicate the presence of an order parameter
without nodes. We investigate this further by obtaining point contact
spectroscopy data for different barrier strengths and as a function of magnetic
field.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure
Scanning tunneling spectroscopy of high-temperature superconductors
Tunneling spectroscopy played a central role in the experimental verification
of the microscopic theory of superconductivity in the classical
superconductors. Initial attempts to apply the same approach to
high-temperature superconductors were hampered by various problems related to
the complexity of these materials. The use of scanning tunneling
microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) on these compounds allowed to overcome the
main difficulties. This success motivated a rapidly growing scientific
community to apply this technique to high-temperature superconductors. This
paper reviews the experimental highlights obtained over the last decade. We
first recall the crucial efforts to gain control over the technique and to
obtain reproducible results. We then discuss how the STM/STS technique has
contributed to the study of some of the most unusual and remarkable properties
of high-temperature superconductors: the unusual large gap values and the
absence of scaling with the critical temperature; the pseudogap and its
relation to superconductivity; the unprecedented small size of the vortex cores
and its influence on vortex matter; the unexpected electronic properties of the
vortex cores; the combination of atomic resolution and spectroscopy leading to
the observation of periodic local density of states modulations in the
superconducting and pseudogap states, and in the vortex cores.Comment: To appear in RMP; 65 pages, 62 figure
Visual hallucinations associated with varenicline: a case report
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Varenicline is widely used for smoking cessation. It has shown efficacy over placebo and bupropion in manufacturer-sponsored trials. Those with mental illness were excluded from these trials. There are case reports of exacerbation of mental illness and development of psychiatric symptoms with varenicline use.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 61-year-old male Caucasian being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression not otherwise specified and alcohol dependence, was prescribed varenicline while he was in a post-traumatic stress disorder/alcohol dual diagnosis treatment program. He developed visual hallucinations, which became worse with titration of the medication. These symptoms resolved upon discontinuation of varenicline.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with mental illness have a higher incidence of nicotine dependence, and attempts should be made for smoking cessation. Varenicline has not been widely tested in this population. There are reports of exacerbation of mental illness, and probable causation of psychiatric symptoms in the mentally ill. Providers should be aware of this possibility and advise their patients appropriately.</p
A phenomenological theory of zero-energy Andreev resonant states
A conceptual consideration is given to a zero-energy state (ZES) at the
surface of unconventional superconductors. The reflection coefficients in
normal-metal / superconductor (NS) junctions are calculated based on a
phenomenological description of the reflection processes of a quasiparticle.
The phenomenological theory reveals the importance of the sign change in the
pair potential for the formation of the ZES. The ZES is observed as the
zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) in the differential conductance of NS
junctions. The split of the ZBCP due to broken time-reversal symmetry states is
naturally understood in the present theory. We also discuss effects of external
magnetic fields on the ZBCP.Comment: 12 page
Zero-bias conductance peak splitting due to multiband effect in tunneling spectroscopy
We study how the multiplicity of the Fermi surface affects the zero-bias peak
in conductance spectra of tunneling spectroscopy. As case studies, we consider
models for organic superconductors -(BEDT-TTF)Cu(NCS) and
(TMTSF)ClO. We find that multiplicity of the Fermi surfaces can lead to
a splitting of the zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP). We propose that the
presence/absence of the ZBCP splitting is used as a probe to distinguish the
pairing symmetry in -(BEDT-TTF)Cu(NCS).Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure
Theory of charge transport in diffusive normal metal / unconventional singlet superconductor contacts
We analyze the transport properties of contacts between unconventional
superconductor and normal diffusive metal in the framework of the extended
circuit theory. We obtain a general boundary condition for the Keldysh-Nambu
Green's functions at the interface that is valid for arbitrary transparencies
of the interface. This allows us to investigate the voltage-dependent
conductance (conductance spectrum) of a diffusive normal metal (DN)/
unconventional singlet superconductor junction in both ballistic and diffusive
cases. For d-wave superconductor, we calculate conductance spectra numerically
for different orientations of the junctions, resistances, Thouless energies in
DN, and transparencies of the interface. We demonstrate that conductance
spectra exhibit a variety of features including a -shaped gap-like
structure, zero bias conductance peak (ZBCP) and zero bias conductance dip
(ZBCD). We show that two distinct mechanisms: (i) coherent Andreev reflection
(CAR) in DN and (ii) formation of midgap Andreev bound state (MABS) at the
interface of d-wave superconductors, are responsible for ZBCP, their relative
importance being dependent on the angle between the interface normal
and the crystal axis of d-wave superconductors. For , the ZBCP is due
to CAR in the junctions of low transparency with small Thouless energies, this
is similar to the case of diffusive normal metal / insulator /s-wave
superconductor junctions. With increase of from zero to , the
MABS contribution to ZBCP becomes more prominent and the effect of CAR is
gradually suppressed. Such complex spectral features shall be observable in
conductance spectra of realistic high- junctions at very low temperature
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