Flare Hybrids

Svestka (Solar Phys. 1989, 121, 399) on the basis of the Solar Maximum Mission observations introduced a new class of flares, the so-called flare hybrids. When they start, they look as typical compact flares (phase 1), but later on they look like flares with arcades of magnetic loops (phase 2). We summarize the features of flare hybrids in soft and hard X-rays as well as in extreme-ultraviolet; these allow us to distinguish them from other flares. Additional energy release or long plasma cooling timescales have been suggested as possible cause of phase 2. Estimations of frequency of flare hybrids have been given. Magnetic configurations supporting their origin have been presented. In our opinion, flare hybrids are quite frequent and a difference between lengths of two interacting systems of magnetic loops is a crucial parameter for recognizing their features.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Solar Physic

On the existence conditions of surface spin wave modes in (Ga,Mn)As thin films

Spin-wave resonance (SWR) is a newly emerged method for studying surface magnetic anisotropy and surface spin-wave modes (SSWMs) in (Ga,Mn)As thin films. The existence of SSWMs in (Ga,Mn)As thin films has recently been reported in the literature; SSWMs have been observed in the in-plane configuration (with variable azimuth angle $\phi_M$ between the in-plane magnetization of the film and the surface [100] crystal axis), in the azimuth angle range between two in-plane critical angles $\phi_{c1}$ and $\phi_{c2}$. We show here that cubic surface anisotropy is an essential factor determining the existence conditions of the above-mentioned SSWMs: conditions favorable for the occurrence of surface spin-wave modes in a (Ga,Mn)As thin film in the in-plane configuration are fulfilled for those azimuth orientations of the magnetization of the sample that lie around the hard axes of cubic magnetic anisotropy. This implies that a hard cubic anisotropy axis can be regarded in (Ga,Mn)As thin films as an easy axis for surface spin pinning

A Monte Carlo study of critical properties of strongly diluted magnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As

Within a Monte Carlo technique we examine critical properties of diluted bulk magnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As modeled by a strongly diluted ferromagnetic Heisenberg spin-$\frac{5}{2}$ system on a face centered cubic lattice. We assumed that 5\% of Ga atoms is substituted by Mn atoms and the interaction between them is of the RKKY-type. The considered system is randomly quenched and a double average was performed: firstly, over the Boltzmann probability distribution and secondly - over 2048 configurations related to the quenched disorder. We estimated the critical temperature: $T_c=97\pm6$ K, which is in agreement with the experiment. The calculated high value of critical exponent $\nu$ seems to point to a possibility of non-universal critical behavior.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

The quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the Sierpinski Gasket: An exact diagonalization study

We present an exact diagonalization study of the quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the fractal Sierpinski gasket for spin quantum numbers s=1/2,s=1 and s=3/2. Since the fractal dimension of the Sierpinski gasket is between one and two we compare the results with corresponding data of one- and two-dimensional systems. By analyzing the ground-state energy, the low-lying spectrum, the spin-spin correlation and the low-temperature thermodynamics we find arguments, that the Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the Sierpinski gasket is probably disordered not only in the extreme quantum case s=1/2 but also for s=1 and s=3/2. Moreover, in contrast to the one-dimensional chain we do not find a distinct behavior between the half-integer and integer-spin Heisenberg models on the Sierpinski gasket. We conclude that magnetic disorder may appear due to the interplay of frustration and strong quantum fluctuations in this spin system with spatial dimension between one and two.Comment: 12 pages (LaTeX), 7 figures, 3 tables, to appear in Physica

Evaluating voluntary sector involvement in mass incarceration: The case of Samaritan prisoner volunteers

Mass incarceration and supervision operate through a mixed economy. Using the case study of Samaritans’ emotional support for prisoners in distress in England and Wales, we present an original framework of five normative criteria to facilitate nuanced assessment of voluntary sector criminal justice participation. This is an urgent, significant task for theory and practice: we need to find forms of public input that can deconstruct bloated penal systems. Whilst citizen involvement can be a positive form of ‘people power’, our assessment of Samaritans’ ostensibly welcome humanitarian intervention reveals how it deflects attention from severe shortcomings of the penal system. In the context of mass incarceration, we conclude that voluntary sector and citizen involvement in individualised service delivery alone risks obscuring deep problems and delaying much-needed change. This topic is particularly timely, given increasing non-state involvement in criminal justice and the global problem of prison suicide