Single crystal MgB2 with anisotropic superconducting properties

The discovery of superconductor in magnesium diboride MgB2 with high Tc (39 K) has raised some challenging issues; whether this new superconductor resembles a high temperature cuprate superconductor(HTS) or a low temperature metallic superconductor; which superconducting mechanism, a phonon- mediated BCS or a hole superconducting mechanism or other new exotic mechanism may account for this superconductivity; and how about its future for applications. In order to clarify the above questions, experiments using the single crystal sample are urgently required. Here we have first succeeded in obtaining the single crystal of this new MgB2 superconductivity, and performed its electrical resistance and magnetization measurements. Their experiments show that the electronic and magnetic properties depend on the crystallographic direction. Our results indicate that the single crystal MgB2 superconductor shows anisotropic superconducting properties and thus can provide scientific basis for the research of its superconducting mechanism and its applications.Comment: 7 pages pdf fil

The Físchlár digital video system: a digital library of broadcast TV programmes

Físchlár is a system for recording, indexing, browsing and playback of broadcast TV programmes which has been operational on our University campus for almost 18 months. In this paper we give a brief overview of how the system operates, how TV programmes are organised for browse/playback and a short report on the system usage by over 900 users in our University

Quantum Phase Diffusion in a Small Underdamped Josephson Junction

Quantum phase diffusion in a small underdamped Nb/AlO$_x$/Nb junction ($\sim$ 0.4 $\mu$m$^2$) is demonstrated in a wide temperature range of 25-140 mK where macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) is the dominant escape mechanism. We propose a two-step transition model to describe the switching process in which the escape rate out of the potential well and the transition rate from phase diffusion to the running state are considered. The transition rate extracted from the experimental switching current distribution follows the predicted Arrhenius law in the thermal regime but is greatly enhanced when MQT becomes dominant.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Reconstructing a Z' Lagrangian using the LHC and low-energy data

We study the potential of the LHC and future low-energy experiments to precisely measure the underlying model parameters of a new Z' boson. We emphasize the complimentary information obtained from both on- and off-peak LHC dilepton data, from the future Q-weak measurement of the weak charge of the proton, and from a proposed measurement of parity violation in low-energy Moller scattering. We demonstrate the importance of off-peak LHC data and Q-weak for removing sign degeneracies between Z' couplings that occur if only on-peak LHC data is studied. A future precision measurement of low-energy Moller scattering can resolve a scaling degeneracy between quark and lepton couplings that remains after analyzing LHC dilepton data, permitting an extraction of the individual Z' couplings rather than combinations of them. We study how precisely Z' properties can be extracted for LHC integrated luminosities ranging from a few inverse femtobarns to super-LHC values of an inverse attobarn. For the several example cases studied with M_Z'=1.5 TeV, we find that coupling combinations can be determined with relative uncertainties reaching 30% with 30 fb^-1 of integrated luminosity, while 50% is possible with 10 fb^-1. With SLHC luminosities of 1 ab^-1, we find that products of quark and lepton couplings can be probed to 10%.Comment: 36 pages, 17 figure

A Phase transition in acoustic propagation in 2D random liquid media

Acoustic wave propagation in liquid media containing many parallel air-filled cylinders is considered. A self-consistent method is used to compute rigorously the propagation, incorporating all orders of multiple scattering. It is shown that under proper conditions, multiple scattering leads to a peculiar phase transition in acoustic propagation. When the phase transition occurs, a collective behavior of the cylinders appears and the acoustic waves are confined in a region of space in the neighborhood of the transmission source. A novel phase diagram is used to describe such phase transition. Originally submitted on April 6, 99.Comment: 5 pages, 5 color figure

Laboratory studies on vegetative regeneration of the gametophyte of Bryopsis hypnoides Lamouroux (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales)

Vegetative propagation from thallus segments and protoplasts of the gametophyte of Bryopsis hypnoides Lamouroux (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales) was studied in laboratory cultures. Thallus segments were cultured at 20°C, 20 mol photons m-2 s-1, 12:12 h LD); protoplasts were cultured under various conditions, viz. 15°C, 15 mol photons m-2 s-1, 10:14 h LD; 20°C, 20 mol photons m-2 s-1, 12:12 h LD; and 25°C, 25 mol photons m-2 s-1, 14:10 h LD. Microscope observation revealed that the protoplast used for regeneration was only part of the protoplasm and the regeneration process was complete in 12 h. The survival rate of the segments was 100% and the survival rate of protoplasts was around 15%,regardless of culture conditions. Protoplasts were very stable in culture and were tolerant of unfavorable conditions. Cysts developed at the distal end or middle portion of gametophytic filaments under low illumination (2 - 5 mol photons m-2 s-1), the key induction factor. Cysts formed severalprotoplast aggregations inside or the cyst as a whole detached directly from the matrix and all the units were able to develop directly into new gametophytes. Regeneration directly from protoplasts and thallus segments were also discovered in the field. A relatively completed life history of B. hypnoides is established with newly discovered propagation methods, namely protoplast regeneration

Thermal field desorption spectroscopy of chemisorbed hydrogen for a single step site

The steady state molecular hydrogen ion yield from a single atomic step site of a [110]-oriented tungsten and of a [100]-oriented rhodium crystal is determined as a function of surface temperature using mass and energy resolved probe hole field ion microscopy. A second order kinetic model is developed to fit the experimental data thus obtaining the hydrogen binding energy. For local fields of about 3 V/Å the data are close to values obtained from thermal desorption spectroscopy. A comparison is made with calculations of the field-adsorption binding energy of atomic hydrogen on a jellium surface based on density functional theory

A review of net zero energy buildings in hot and humid climates: Experience learned from 34 case study buildings

Sustainable development in the building sector requires the integration of energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization in buildings. In recent years, the concept of net zero energy buildings (NZEBs) has become a potential plausible solution to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption in buildings. To achieve an NZEB goal, building systems and design strategies must be integrated and optimized based on local climatic conditions. This paper provides a comprehensive review of NZEBs and their current development in hot and humid regions. Through investigating 34 NZEB cases around the world, this study summarized NZEB key design strategies, technology choices and energy performance. The study found that passive design and technologies such as daylighting and natural ventilation are often adopted for NZEBs in hot and humid climates, together with other energy efficient and renewable energy technologies. Most NZEB cases demonstrated site annual energy consumption intensity less than 100 kW-hours (kWh) per square meter of floor space, and some buildings even achieved “net-positive energy” (that is, they generate more energy locally than they consume). However, the analysis also shows that not all NZEBs are energy efficient buildings, and buildings with ample renewable energy adoption can still achieve NZEB status even with high energy use intensity. This paper provides in-depth case-study-driven analysis to evaluate NZEB energy performance and summarize best practices for high performance NZEBs. This review provides critical technical information as well as policy recommendations for net zero energy building development in hot and humid climates

Quantum and classical resonant escapes of a strongly-driven Josephson junction

The properties of phase escape in a dc SQUID at 25 mK, which is well below quantum-to-classical crossover temperature $T_{cr}$, in the presence of strong resonant ac driving have been investigated. The SQUID contains two Nb/Al-AlO$_{x}$/Nb tunnel junctions with Josephson inductance much larger than the loop inductance so it can be viewed as a single junction having adjustable critical current. We find that with increasing microwave power $W$ and at certain frequencies $\nu$ and $\nu$/2, the single primary peak in the switching current distribution, \textrm{which is the result of macroscopic quantum tunneling of the phase across the junction}, first shifts toward lower bias current $I$ and then a resonant peak develops. These results are explained by quantum resonant phase escape involving single and two photons with microwave-suppressed potential barrier. As $W$ further increases, the primary peak gradually disappears and the resonant peak grows into a single one while shifting further to lower $I$. At certain $W$, a second resonant peak appears, which can locate at very low $I$ depending on the value of $\nu$. Analysis based on the classical equation of motion shows that such resonant peak can arise from the resonant escape of the phase particle with extremely large oscillation amplitude resulting from bifurcation of the nonlinear system. Our experimental result and theoretical analysis demonstrate that at $T\ll T_{cr}$, escape of the phase particle could be dominated by classical process, such as dynamical bifurcation of nonlinear systems under strong ac driving.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl

Solution of two channel spin-flavor Kondo model

We investigate a model where an impurity couples to both the spin and the flavor currents of the two channel conduction electrons. This model can be used as a prototype model of a magnetic impurity tunneling between two sites in a metal and of some heavy fermion systems where the ground state of the impurity has a fourfold degeneracy. The system is shown to flow to a doubly degenerate non fermi-liquid(NFL) fixed point; the thermodynamic quantities show NFL behaviors, but the transport quantities show fermi liquid (FL) behaviors . A spin-flavor coupling double tensor term is shown to drive the system to one of the two singlet FL fixed points. The relation with SU(4) Coqblin-Schrieffer model is studied. The implications on the possible experiments are given.Comment: 11 pages, REVTEX, no figures. To appear in Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Comm.) July 1, 199