47,236 research outputs found
Simulation of Transport and Gain in Quantum Cascade Lasers
Quantum cascade lasers can be modeled within a hierarchy of different
approaches: Standard rate equations for the electron densities in the levels,
semiclassical Boltzmann equation for the microscopic distribution functions,
and quantum kinetics including the coherent evolution between the states. Here
we present a quantum transport approach based on nonequilibrium Green
functions. This allows for quantitative simulations of the transport and
optical gain of the device. The division of the current density in two terms
shows that semiclassical transitions are likely to dominate the transport for
the prototype device of Sirtori et al. but not for a recent THz-laser with only
a few layers per period. The many particle effects are extremely dependent on
the design of the heterostructure, and for the case considered here, inclusion
of electron-electron interaction at the Hartree Fock level, provides a sizable
change in absorption but imparts only a minor shift of the gain peak.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures included, to appear in in "Advances in Solid
State Physics", ed. by B. Kramer (Springer 2003
Detection of new eruptions in the Magellanic Clouds LBVs R 40 and R 110
We performed a spectroscopic and photometric analysis to study new eruptions
in two luminous blue variables (LBVs) in the Magellanic Clouds. We detected a
strong new eruption in the LBV R40 that reached in 2016, which is
around mag brighter than the minimum registered in 1985. During this new
eruption, the star changed from an A-type to a late F-type spectrum. Based on
photometric and spectroscopic empirical calibrations and synthetic spectral
modeling, we determine that R\,40 reached ~K
during this new eruption. This object is thereby probably one of the coolest
identified LBVs. We could also identify an enrichment of nitrogen and r- and
s-process elements. We detected a weak eruption in the LBV R 110 with a maximum
of mag in 2011, that is, around mag brighter than in the
quiescent phase. On the other hand, this new eruption is about mag
fainter than the first eruption detected in 1990, but the temperature did not
decrease below 8500 K. Spitzer spectra show indications of cool dust in the
circumstellar environment of both stars, but no hot or warm dust was present,
except by the probable presence of PAHs in R\,110. We also discuss a possible
post-red supergiant nature for both stars
Bacia hidrográfica e sua relação com o ecossistema ripário.
Matas ciliares são formações florestais situadas à s margens dos cursos de água e são componentes da estrutura de bacias hidrográficas. Essas comunidades florestais esempenham inúmeras funções na dinâmica de uma bacia hidrográfica e são condições básicas para a manutenção da integridade dos processos hidrológicos e ecológicos nessas unidades da paisagem. São protegidas legalmente e estudos de sua dinâmica são importantes para formar a base na gestão e planejamento dos recursos hÃdricos em bacias hidrográficas. Bacias Hidrográficas são exemplos de sistemas complexos, em virtude da variedade de elementos componentes e dos fluxos de interação entre estes. Em função dessa complexidade, essa região geográfica, bem delimitada, pode ser estudada aplicando-se os conceitos de ecossistema e geossistema, como estão sendo utilizados no projeto de recuperação de mata ciliar degradada do Rio São Francisco
Religious leaders\u27 perceptions of advance care planning: a secondary analysis of interviews with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Sikh and Bahai leaders
Background: International guidance for advance care planning (ACP) supports the integration of spiritual and religious aspects of care within the planning process. Religious leaders’ perspectives could improve how ACP programs respect patients’ faith backgrounds. This study aimed to examine: (i) how religious leaders understand and consider ACP and its implications, including (ii) how religion affects followers’ approaches to end-of-life care and ACP, and (iii) their implications for healthcare.
Methods: Interview transcripts from a primary qualitative study conducted with religious leaders to inform an ACP website, ACPTalk, were used as data in this study. ACPTalk aims to assist health professionals conduct sensitive conversations with people from different religious backgrounds. A qualitative secondary analysis conducted on the interview transcripts focussed on religious leaders’ statements related to this study’s aims. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed using an inductive, comparative, and cyclical procedure informed by grounded theory.
Results: Thirty-five religious leaders (26 male; mean 58.6-years-old), from eight Christian and six non-Christian (Jewish, Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, Bahá’Ã) backgrounds were included. Three themes emerged which focussed on: religious leaders’ ACP understanding and experiences; explanations for religious followers’ approaches towards end-of-life care; and health professionals’ need to enquire about how religion matters. Most leaders had some understanding of ACP and, once fully comprehended, most held ACP in positive regard. Religious followers’ preferences for end-of-life care reflected family and geographical origins, cultural traditions, personal attitudes, and religiosity and faith interpretations. Implications for healthcare included the importance of avoiding generalisations and openness to individualised and/ or standardised religious expressions of one’s religion.
Conclusions: Knowledge of religious beliefs and values around death and dying could be useful in preparing health professionals for ACP with patients from different religions but equally important is avoidance of assumptions. Community-based initiatives, programs and faith settin
Coupled-mode theory for periodic side-coupled microcavity and photonic crystal structures
We use a phenomenological Hamiltonian approach to derive a set of coupled
mode equations that describe light propagation in waveguides that are
periodically side-coupled to microcavities. The structure exhibits both Bragg
gap and (polariton like) resonator gap in the dispersion relation. The origin
and physical significance of the two types of gaps are discussed. The
coupled-mode equations derived from the effective field formalism are valid
deep within the Bragg gaps and resonator gaps.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure
Vortices in the presence of a nonmagnetic atom impurity in 2D XY ferromagnets
Using a model of nonmagnetic impurity potential, we have examined the
behavior of planar vortex solutions in the classical two-dimensional XY
ferromagnets in the presence of a spin vacancy localized out of the vortex
core. Our results show that a spinless atom impurity gives rise to an effective
potential that repels the vortex structure.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, RevTex
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