Spin-dependent transport in a quasiballistic quantum wire

We describe the transport properties of a 5 $\mu$m long one-dimensional (1D) quantum wire. Reduction of conductance plateaux due to the introduction of weakly disorder scattering are observed. In an in-plane magnetic field, we observe spin-splitting of the reduced conductance steps. Our experimental results provide evidence that deviation from conductance quantisation is very small for electrons with spin parallel and is about 1/3 for electrons with spin anti-parallel. Moreover, in a high in-plane magnetic field, a spin-polarised 1D channel shows a plateau-like structure close to $0.3 \times e^2/h$ which strengthens with {\em increasing} temperatures. It is suggested that these results arise from the combination of disorder and the electron-electron interactions in the 1D electron gas.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, latex to be published in Phys. Rev. B (15/3/2000

Quasi-local energy for cosmological models

First we briefly review our covariant Hamiltonian approach to quasi-local energy, noting that the Hamiltonian-boundary-term quasi-local energy expressions depend on the chosen boundary conditions and reference configuration. Then we present the quasi-local energy values resulting from the formalism applied to homogeneous Bianchi cosmologies. Finally we consider the quasi-local energies of the FRW cosmologies. Our results do not agree with certain widely accepted quasi-local criteria.Comment: Contributed to International Symposium on Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics (CosPA 2006), Taipei, Taiwan, 15-17 Nov 200

A New Model for the Hard Time Lags in Black Hole X-Ray Binaries

The time-dependent Comptonized output of a cool soft X-ray source drifting inward through an inhomogeneous hot inner disk or corona is numerically simulated. We propose that this scenario can explain from first principles the observed trends in the hard time lags and power spectra of the rapid aperiodic variability of the X-ray emission of Galactic black-hole candidates.Comment: 10 pages, including 2 figures; uses epsf.sty, rotate.sty; accepted for ApJ Letter

Description of ρ(1700)\rho (1700) as a ρKKˉ\rho K \bar{K} system with the fixed center approximation

We study the $\rho K\bar{K}$ system with an aim to describe the $\rho (1700)$ resonance. The chiral unitary approach has achieved success in a description of systems of the light hadron sector. With this method, the $K \bar{K}$ system in the isospin sector $I=0$, is found to be a dominant component of the $f_0 (980)$ resonance. Therefore, by regarding the $K\bar{K}$ system as a cluster, the $f_0 (980)$ resonance, we evaluate the $\rho K\bar{K}$ system applying the fixed center approximation to the Faddeev equations. We construct the $\rho K$ unitarized amplitude using the chiral unitary approach. As a result, we find a peak in the three-body amplitude around 1739 MeV and a width of about 227 MeV. The effect of the width of $\rho$ and $f_0 (980)$ is also discussed. We associate this peak to the $\rho (1700)$ which has a mass of $1720 \pm 20$ MeV and a width of $250 \pm 100$ MeV

Spin Hall effects for cold atoms in a light induced gauge potential

We propose an experimental scheme to observe spin Hall effects with cold atoms in a light induced gauge potential. Under an appropriate configuration, the cold atoms moving in a spatially varying laser field experience an effective spin-dependent gauge potential. Through numerical simulation, we demonstrate that such a gauge field leads to observable spin Hall currents under realistic conditions. We also discuss the quantum spin Hall state in an optical lattice.Comment: 4 pages; The published versio

Polyisoprene Captured Sulfur Nanocomposite Materials for High-Areal-Capacity Lithium Sulfur Battery

A polyisoprene-sulfur (PIPS) copolymer and nano sulfur composite material (90 wt % sulfur) is synthesized through inverse vulcanization of PIP polymer with micrometer-sized sulfur particles for high-areal-capacity lithium sulfur batteries. The polycrystalline structure and nanodomain nature of the copolymer are revealed through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). PIP polymer is also used as binders for the electrode to further capture the dissovlved polysulfides. A high areal capacity of ca. 7.0 mAh/cm2 and stable cycling are achieved based on the PIPS nanosulfur composite with a PIP binder, crucial to commercialization of lithium sulfur batteries. The chemical confinement both at material and electrode level alleviates the diffusion of polysulfides and the shuttle effect. The sulfur electrodes, both fresh and cycled, are analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This approach enables scalable material production and high sulfur utilization at the cell level