74 research outputs found
Low-voltage nanodomain writing in He-implanted lithium niobate crystals
A scanning force microscope tip is used to write ferroelectric domains in
He-implanted single-crystal lithium niobate and subsequently probe them by
piezoresponse force microscopy. Investigation of cross-sections of the samples
showed that the buried implanted layer, \,\textmu m below the surface,
is non-ferroelectric and can thus act as a barrier to domain growth. This
barrier enabled stable surface domains of \,\textmu m size to be written
in 500\,\textmu m-thick crystal substrates with voltage pulses of only 10\,V
applied to the tip
From multiferroics to cosmology: Scaling behaviour and beyond in the hexagonal manganites
We show that the improper ferroelectric phase transition in the multiferroic
hexagonal manganites displays the same symmetry-breaking characteristics as
those proposed in early-universe theories. We present an analysis of the
Kibble-Zurek theory of topological defect formation applied to the hexagonal
manganites, discuss the conditions determining the range of cooling rates in
which Kibble-Zurek behavior is expected, and show that recent literature data
are consistent with our predictions. We explore experimentally for the first
time to our knowledge the cross-over out of the Kibble-Zurek regime and find a
surprising "anti-Kibble-Zurek" behavior
Causality and defect formation in the dynamics of an engineered quantum phase transition in a coupled binary Bose-Einstein condensate
Continuous phase transitions occur in a wide range of physical systems, and
provide a context for the study of non-equilibrium dynamics and the formation
of topological defects. The Kibble-Zurek (KZ) mechanism predicts the scaling of
the resulting density of defects as a function of the quench rate through a
critical point, and this can provide an estimate of the critical exponents of a
phase transition. In this work we extend our previous study of the
miscible-immiscible phase transition of a binary Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC)
composed of two hyperfine states in which the spin dynamics are confined to one
dimension [J. Sabbatini et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 230402 (2011)]. The
transition is engineered by controlling a Hamiltonian quench of the coupling
amplitude of the two hyperfine states, and results in the formation of a random
pattern of spatial domains. Using the numerical truncated Wigner phase space
method, we show that in a ring BEC the number of domains formed in the phase
transitions scales as predicted by the KZ theory. We also consider the same
experiment performed with a harmonically trapped BEC, and investigate how the
density inhomogeneity modifies the dynamics of the phase transition and the KZ
scaling law for the number of domains. We then make use of the symmetry between
inhomogeneous phase transitions in anisotropic systems, and an inhomogeneous
quench in a homogeneous system, to engineer coupling quenches that allow us to
quantify several aspects of inhomogeneous phase transitions. In particular, we
quantify the effect of causality in the propagation of the phase transition
front on the resulting formation of domain walls, and find indications that the
density of defects is determined during the impulse to adiabatic transition
after the crossing of the critical point.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures. Minor corrections, typos, additional referenc
Search for the Magnetic Monopole at a Magnetoelectric Surface
We show, by solving Maxwell’s equations, that an electric charge on the surface of a slab of a linear magnetoelectric material generates an image magnetic monopole below the surface provided that the magnetoelectric has a diagonal component in its magnetoelectric response. The image monopole, in turn, generates an ideal monopolar magnetic field outside of the slab. Using realistic values of the electric and magnetic field susceptibilities, we calculate the magnitude of the effect for the prototypical magnetoelectric material Cr2O3. We use low-energy muon spin rotation to measure the strength of the magnetic field generated by charged muons as a function of their distance from the surface of a Cr2O3 film and show that the results are consistent with the existence of the monopole. We discuss other possible routes to detecting the monopolar field, and show that, while the predicted monopolar field generated by Cr2O3 is above the detection limit for standard magnetic force microscopy, the detection of the field using this technique is prevented by surface charging effects
Chemical Safety Assessment Using Read-Across: Assessing the Use of Novel Testing Methods to Strengthen the Evidence Base for Decision Making
Background: Safety assessment for repeated dose toxicity is one of the largest challenges in the
process to replace animal testing. This is also one of the proof of concept ambitions of SEURAT-1,
the largest ever European Union research initiative on alternative testing, co-funded by the
European Commission and Cosmetics Europe. This review is based on the discussion and outcome
of a workshop organized on initiative of the SEURAT-1 consortium joined by a group of international
experts with complementary knowledge to further develop traditional read-across and
include new approach data.
Objectives: The aim of the suggested strategy for chemical read-across is to show how a traditional
read-across based on structural similarities between source and target substance can be strengthened
with additional evidence from new approach data—for example, information from in vitro
molecular screening, “-omics” assays and computational models—to reach regulatory acceptance.
Methods: We identified four read-across scenarios that cover typical human health assessment
situations. For each such decision context, we suggested several chemical groups as examples
to prove when read-across between group members is possible, considering both chemical and
biological similarities.
Conclusions: We agreed to carry out the complete read-across exercise for at least one chemical
category per read-across scenario in the context of SEURAT-1, and the results of this exercise will
be completed and presented by the end of the research initiative in December 2015
Electrical half-wave rectification at ferroelectric domain walls
Ferroelectric domain walls represent multifunctional 2D-elements with great
potential for novel device paradigms at the nanoscale. Improper ferroelectrics
display particularly promising types of domain walls, which, due to their
unique robustness, are the ideal template for imposing specific electronic
behavior. Chemical doping, for instance, induces p- or n-type characteristics
and electric fields reversibly switch between resistive and conductive
domain-wall states. Here, we demonstrate diode-like conversion of
alternating-current (AC) into direct-current (DC) output based on neutral
180 domain walls in improper ferroelectric ErMnO. By combining
scanning probe and dielectric spectroscopy, we show that the rectification
occurs for frequencies at which the domain walls are fixed to their equilibrium
position. The practical frequency regime and magnitude of the output is
controlled by the bulk conductivity. Using density functional theory we
attribute the transport behavior at the neutral walls to an accumulation of
oxygen defects. Our study reveals domain walls acting as 2D half-wave
rectifiers, extending domain-wall-based nanoelectronic applications into the
realm of AC technology
Rigid and Non-rigid Shape Matching for Mechanical Components Retrieval
Reducing the setup time for a new production line is critical to the success of a manufacturer within the current competitive and cost-conscious market. To this end, being able to reuse already available machines, toolings and parts is paramount. However, matching a large warehouse of previously engineered parts to a new component to produce, is often more a matter of art and personal expertise rather than predictable science. In order to ease this process we developed a database retrieval approach for mechanical components that is able to deal with both rigid matching and deformable shapes. The intended use for the system is to match parts acquired with a 3D scanning system to a large database of components and to supply a list of results sorted according with a metric that expresses a structural distance. © 2012 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing
Critical evaluation of key evidence on the human health hazards of exposure to bisphenol A
Despite the fact that more than 5000 safety-related studies have been published on bisphenol A (BPA), there seems to be no resolution of the apparently deadlocked controversy as to whether exposure of the general population to BPA causes adverse effects due to its estrogenicity. Therefore, the Advisory Committee of the German Society of Toxicology reviewed the background and cutting-edge topics of this BPA controversy. The current tolerable daily intake value (TDI) of 0.05 mg/kg body weight [bw]/day, derived by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), is mainly based on body weight changes in two- and three-generation studies in mice and rats. Recently, these studies and the derivation of the TDI have been criticized. After having carefully considered all arguments, the Committee had to conclude that the criticism was scientifically not justified; moreover, recently published additional data further support the reliability of the two-and three-generation studies demonstrating a lack of estrogen-dependent effects at and below doses on which the current TDI is based. A frequently discussed topic is whether doses below 5 mg/ kg bw/day may cause adverse health effects in laboratory animals. Meanwhile, it has become clear that positive results from some explorative studies have not been confirmed in subsequent studies with higher numbers of animals or a priori defined hypotheses. Particularly relevant are some recent studies with negative outcomes that addressed effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and the prostate in rodents for extrapolation to the human situation. The Committee came to the conclusion that rodent data can well be used as a basis for human risk evaluation. Currently published conjectures that rats are insensitive to estrogens compared to humans can be refuted. Data from toxicokinetics studies show that the half-life of BPA in adult human subjects is less than 2 hours and BPA is completely recovered in urine as BPA-conjugates. Tissue deconjugation of BPA-glucuronide and -sulfate may occur. Because of the extremely low quantities, it is only of minor relevance for BPA toxicity. Biomonitoring studies have been used to estimate human BPA exposure and show that the daily intake of BPA is far below the TDI for the general population. Further topics addressed in this article include reasons why some studies on BPA are not reproducible; the relevance of oral versus non-oral exposure routes; the degree to which newborns are at higher systemic BPA exposure; increased BPA exposure by infusions in intensive care units; mechanisms of action other than estrogen receptor activation; and the current regulatory status in Europe, as well as in the USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Overall, the Committee concluded that the current TDI for BPA is adequately justified and that the available evidence indicates that BPA exposure represents no noteworthy risk to the health of the human population, including newborns and babies
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