Wave packet dynamics of potassium dimers attached to helium nanodroplets

The dynamics of vibrational wave packets excited in K$_2$ dimers attached to superfluid helium nanodroplets is investigated by means of femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. The employed resonant three-photon-ionization scheme is studied in a wide wavelength range and different pathways leading to K$^+_2$-formation are identified. While the wave packet dynamics of the electronic ground state is not influenced by the helium environment, perturbations of the electronically excited states are observed. The latter reveal a strong time dependence on the timescale 3-8 ps which directly reflects the dynamics of desorption of K$_2$ off the helium droplets

Generalized Green'S Equivalences on the Subsemigroups of the Bicyclic Monoid

We study generalized Green's equivalences on all subsemigroups of the bicyclic monoid B and determine the abundant (and adequate) subsemigroups of B. © 2010 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

The distribution of extremal points of Gaussian scalar fields

We consider the signed density of the extremal points of (two-dimensional) scalar fields with a Gaussian distribution. We assign a positive unit charge to the maxima and minima of the function and a negative one to its saddles. At first, we compute the average density for a field in half-space with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Then we calculate the charge-charge correlation function (without boundary). We apply the general results to random waves and random surfaces. Furthermore, we find a generating functional for the two-point function. Its Legendre transform is the integral over the scalar curvature of a 4-dimensional Riemannian manifold.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, corrected published versio

Signed zeros of Gaussian vector fields-density, correlation functions and curvature

We calculate correlation functions of the (signed) density of zeros of Gaussian distributed vector fields. We are able to express correlation functions of arbitrary order through the curvature tensor of a certain abstract Riemann-Cartan or Riemannian manifold. As an application, we discuss one- and two-point functions. The zeros of a two-dimensional Gaussian vector field model the distribution of topological defects in the high-temperature phase of two-dimensional systems with orientational degrees of freedom, such as superfluid films, thin superconductors and liquid crystals.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figure, uses iopart.cls, improved presentation, to appear in J. Phys.

Quantum-enhanced capture of photons using optical ratchet states

Natural and artificial light harvesting systems often operate in a regime where the flux of photons is relatively low. Besides absorbing as many photons as possible it is therefore paramount to prevent excitons from annihilation via photon re-emission until they have undergone an irreversible energy conversion process. Taking inspiration from photosynthetic antenna structures, we here consider ring-like systems and introduce a class of states we call ratchets: excited states capable of absorbing but not emitting light. This allows our antennae to absorb further photons whilst retaining the excitations from those that have already been captured. Simulations for a ring of four sites reveal a peak power enhancement by up to a factor of 35 under ambient conditions owing to a combination of ratcheting and the prevention of emission through dark-state population. In the slow extraction limit the achievable power enhancement due to ratcheting alone exceeds 20%.Comment: major revision with improved model (all data and figures updated

Evaluation of enzyme immunoassays in the diagnosis of camel (Camelus dromedarius) trypanosomiasis:a preliminary investigation

Three enzyme immunoassays were used for the serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in the Sudan in order to evaluate their ability to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals. Two assays were used for the detection of trypanosomal antibodies, one using specific anti-camel IgG conjugate and another using a non-specific Protein A conjugate. The third assay detected the presence of trypanosomal antigens using anti-T. evansi antibodies in a double antibody sandwich assay. Inspection of the frequency distribution of assay results suggested that the ELISA for circulating trypanosomal antibodies using specific antisera and the ELISA for circulating antigens can distinguish between non-infected camels and infected camels exhibiting patent infections or not. The ELISA using Protein A conjugate to bind non-specifically to camel immunoglobulin did not appear to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals

Metastable states of a flux line lattice studied by transport and Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Flux Lines Lattice (FLL) states have been studied using transport measurements and Small Angle Neutron Scattering in low T$_c$ materials. In Pb-In, the bulk dislocations in the FLL do not influence the transport properties. In Fe doped NbSe$_{2}$, transport properties can differ after a Field Cooling (FC) or a Zero Field Cooling (ZFC) procedure, as previously reported. The ZFC FLL is found ordered with narrow Bragg Peaks and is linked to a linear V(I) curve and to a superficial critical current. The FC FLL pattern exhibits two Bragg peaks and the corresponding V(I) curve shows a S-shape. This can be explained by the coexistence of two ordered FLL slightly tilted from the applied field direction by different superficial currents. These currents are wiped out when the transport current is increased.Comment: accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Slow plasmon modes in polymeric salt solutions

The dynamics of polymeric salt solutions are presented. The salt consists of chains $\rm A$ and $\rm B$, which are chemically different and interact with a Flory-interaction parameter $\chi$, the $\rm A$ chain ends carry a positive charge whereas the $\rm B$ chain ends are modified by negative charges. The static structure factor shows a peak corresponding to a micro phase separation. At low momentum transfer, the interdiffusion mode is driven by electrostatics and is of the plasmon-type, but with an unusually low frequency, easily accessible by experiments. This is due to the polymer connectivity that introduces high friction and amplifies the charge scattering thus allowing for low charge densities. The interdiffusion mode shows a minimum (critical slowing down) at finite $k$ when the interaction parameter increases we find then a low $k$ frequency quasi-plateau.Comment: accepted in Europhys. Let

Infinite partition monoids

Let $\mathcal P_X$ and $\mathcal S_X$ be the partition monoid and symmetric group on an infinite set $X$. We show that $\mathcal P_X$ may be generated by $\mathcal S_X$ together with two (but no fewer) additional partitions, and we classify the pairs $\alpha,\beta\in\mathcal P_X$ for which $\mathcal P_X$ is generated by $\mathcal S_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$. We also show that $\mathcal P_X$ may be generated by the set $\mathcal E_X$ of all idempotent partitions together with two (but no fewer) additional partitions. In fact, $\mathcal P_X$ is generated by $\mathcal E_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$ if and only if it is generated by $\mathcal E_X\cup\mathcal S_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$. We also classify the pairs $\alpha,\beta\in\mathcal P_X$ for which $\mathcal P_X$ is generated by $\mathcal E_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$. Among other results, we show that any countable subset of $\mathcal P_X$ is contained in a $4$-generated subsemigroup of $\mathcal P_X$, and that the length function on $\mathcal P_X$ is bounded with respect to any generating set

Structure factor and thermodynamics of rigid dendrimers in solution

The ''polymer reference interaction site model'' (PRISM) integral equation theory is used to determine the structure factor of rigid dendrimers in solution. The theory is quite successful in reproducing experimental structure factors for various dendrimer concentrations. In addition, the structure factor at vanishing scattering vector is calculated via the compressibility equation using scaled particle theory and fundamental measure theory. The results as predicted by both theories are systematically smaller than the experimental and PRISM data for platelike dendrimers.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, submitte