699 research outputs found
Construction of a Cantilever-Andreev-Tunneling rig and its applications to superconductors
A technique for point-contact spectroscopy, based on an electro-mechanical
mechanism for the contact formation, has been developed. It is designed to be
used in both He and He cryostats. The performance has been demonstrated
by conductance measurements on various kinds of superconductors, including the
conventional superconductor Nb, the two-band superconductor MgB, and the
heavy-fermion superconductor CeCoIn. Characteristic conductance spectra
obtained prove this technique is useful for the investigation of the
superconducting order parameter. Advantages of this technique such as its
simplicity and versatility are described.Comment: 7 Pages, 7 figures, typeset in LaTeX, submitted to Rev. Sci. Instru
A thermophysical study of the melting process in alkyl chain metal n-alkanoates: The thallium (I) series
The peculiar thermal behavior of the thallium(I) n-alkanoates series (consisting in several transitions between polymorphic and mesomorphic phases) in comparison with other metallic n-alkanoates series is stated. The allowance of highly accurate adiabatic heat capacity data permits a study of the CH2CH2 contributions to the lattice heat capacity curve at low temperature. Moreover, in this series an anomalous gradual enhancement of the lattice heat capacity has been interpreted from vibrational spectroscopy results as a noncooperative effect due to the internal hindered rotation of the alkyl chain (formation of gauche defects, even in the solid state). The thermodynamics of the âstepwise melting processâ from the totally ordered solid at low temperature to the isotropic liquid is based on a revised lattice heat-capacity curve. This was used to evaluate the energy and entropy not only of the clear first order transitions present in the series but also of the described noncooperative effect. The CH2CH2 enthalpy and entropy contribution for this series is estimated and a comparison with the published values for other series is carried out. Moreover, the texture of the mesophases is revealed by polarized light microscopy. © 1999 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69602/2/JCPSA6-111-8-3590-1.pd
Effects of laser prepulses on laser-induced proton generation
Low-intensity laser prepulses (<10(13) W cm(-2), nanosecond duration) are a major issue in experiments on laser-induced generation of protons, often limiting the performances of proton sources produced by high-intensity lasers (approximate to 10(19) W cm(-2), picosecond or femtosecond duration). Depending on the intensity regime, several effects may be associated with the prepulse, some of which are discussed in this paper: (i) destruction of thin foil targets by the shock generated by the laser prepulse; (ii) creation of preplasma on the target front side affecting laser absorption; (iii) deformation of the target rear side; and (iv) whole displacement of thin foil targets affecting the focusing condition. In particular, we show that under oblique high-intensity irradiation and for low prepulse intensities, the proton beam is directed away from the target normal. Deviation is towards the laser forward direction, with an angle that increases with the level and duration of the ASE pedestal. Also, for a given laser pulse, the beam deviation increases with proton energy. The observations are discussed in terms of target normal sheath acceleration, in combination with a laser-controllable shock wave locally deforming the target surface
Pair Creation and an X-ray Free Electron Laser
Using a quantum kinetic equation coupled to Maxwell's equation we study the
possibility that focused beams at proposed X-ray free electron laser facilities
can generate electric field strengths large enough to cause spontaneous
electron-positron pair production from the QED vacuum. Our approach yields the
time and momentum dependence of the single particle distribution function.
Under conditions reckoned achievable at planned facilities, repeated cycles of
particle creation and annihilation take place in tune with the laser frequency.
However, the peak particle number density is insensitive to this frequency and
one can anticipate the production of a few hundred particle pairs per laser
period. Field-current feedback and quantum statistical effects are small and
can be neglected in this application of non-equilibrium quantum mean field
theory.Comment: 4 pages, LaTeX2
Review on the EFDA work programme on nano-structured ODS RAF steels
This proceeding is: The 14th International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials (ICFRM-14) was held at the Sapporo Convention Center in Sapporo, Japan from 7 to 12 September 2009.The 2008â2009 work programme of the European research project on nano-structured oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) reduced activation ferritic (RAF) steels is being organized along the four following programmatic lines: (1) improve the present generation of nano-structured ODS RAF steels; (2) start the industrial fabrication of the present generation of nano-structured ODS RAF steels; (3) develop an optimised generation of nano-structured and nano-grained ODS RAF steels; (4) investigate the stability of present and optimised generation of nano-structured ODS RAF steels under creep and irradiation. This paper presents the main objectives of current R&D activities being performed within the European research project on nano-structured ODS RAF steels, the main obtained results and the main future activities in the case of the four programmatic lines mentioned just above.This work, supported by the European Communities, was carried out within the framework of the European Fusion Development Agreement.Publicad
Photoinduced 3D orientational order in side chain liquid crystalline azopolymers
We apply experimental technique based on the combination of methods dealing
with principal refractive indices and absorption coefficients to study the
photoinduced 3D orientational order in the films of liquid crystalline (LC)
azopolymers. The technique is used to identify 3D orientational configurations
of trans azobenzene chromophores and to characterize the degree of ordering in
terms of order parameters. We study two types of LC azopolymers which form
structures with preferred in-plane and out-of-plane alignment of
azochromophores, correspondingly. Using irradiation with the polarized light of
two different wavelengths we find that the kinetics of photoinduced anisotropy
can be dominated by either photo-reorientation or photoselection mechanisms
depending on the wavelength. We formulate the phenomenological model describing
the kinetics of photoinduced anisotropy in terms of the isomer concentrations
and the order parameter tensor. We present the numerical results for absorption
coefficients that are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.
The model is also used to interpret the effect of changing the mechanism with
the wavelength of the pumping light.Comment: uses revtex4 28 pages, 10 figure
Bulk Electronic structure of NaCoO.1.3HO
High-energy (h = 5.95 keV) synchrotron Photoemission spectroscopy (PES)
is used to study bulk electronic structure of NaCoO.1.3HO,
the layered superconductor. In contrast to 3-dimensional doped Co oxides, Co
core level spectra show well-separated Co and Co ions.
Cluster calculations suggest low spin Co and Co character, and a
moderate on-site Coulomb correlation energy U3-5.5 eV. Photon
dependent valence band PES identifies Co and O derived
states, in near agreement with band structure calculations.Comment: 4 pages 4 figures Revised text added referenc
Pathomechanisms of ulnar ligament lesions of the wrist in a cadaveric distal radius fracture model
Background and purpose: Mechanisms of injury to ulnar sided ligaments, stabilizing the distal radioulnar joint and the ulna to the carpus, associated with dorsally displaced distal radius fractures are poorly described. We investigated the injury patterns in a human cadaver fracture model. Methods: Fresh frozen human cadaver arms were used. A dorsal open wedge osteotomy was made in the distal radius. In 8 specimens pressure was applied to the palm with the wrist in dorsiflexion and ulnar sided stabilizing structures subsequently severed. Dorsal angulation was measured on digitized radiographs. In 8 more specimens the triangular fibrocartilage complex was forced into rupture by axially loading the forearm with the wrist in dorsiflexion. The ulnar side was dissected and injuries were recorded. Results: Intact ulnar soft tissues limited the dorsal angulation of the distal radius fragment to a median of 32o (16-34o). A combination of bending and shearing of the distal radius fragment was needed to create TFCC injuries. Both palmar and dorsal injuries were observed simultaneously in 6/8 specimens. Interpretation: A TFCC injury can be expected when dorsal angulation of a distal radius fracture exceeds 32o. The extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath may be a functionally integral part of the TFCC. Both dorsal and palmar structures can tear simultaneously. These findings may have implications for reconstruction of ulnar sided soft tissue injuries
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