Seismic evidence of glacial-age river incision into the Tahaa barrier reef, French Polynesia

This paper is not subject to U.S. copyright. The definitive version was published in Marine Geology 380 (2016): 284–289, doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2016.04.008.Rivers have long been recognized for their ability to shape reef-bound volcanic islands. On the time-scale of glacial–interglacial sea-level cycles, fluvial incision of exposed barrier reef lagoons may compete with constructional coral growth to shape the coastal geomorphology of ocean islands. However, overprinting of Pleistocene landscapes by Holocene erosion or sedimentation has largely obscured the role lowstand river incision may have played in developing the deep lagoons typical of modern barrier reefs. Here we use high-resolution seismic imagery and core stratigraphy to examine how erosion and/or deposition by upland drainage networks has shaped coastal morphology on Tahaa, a barrier reef-bound island located along the Society Islands hotspot chain in French Polynesia. At Tahaa, we find that many channels, incised into the lagoon floor during Pleistocene sea-level lowstands, are located near the mouths of upstream terrestrial drainages. Steeper antecedent topography appears to have enhanced lowstand fluvial erosion along Tahaa's southwestern coast and maintained a deep pass. During highstands, upland drainages appear to contribute little sediment to refilling accommodation space in the lagoon. Rather, the flushing of fine carbonate sediment out of incised fluvial channels by storms and currents appears to have limited lagoonal infilling and further reinforced development of deep barrier reef lagoons during periods of highstand submersion.This project was supported by a Jackson School Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship to Michael Toomey and the WHOI Coastal Ocean Institute and Ocean and Climate Change Institute

Ultrafast Demagnetization Dominates Fluence Dependence of Magnetic Scattering at Co M Edges

We systematically study the fluence dependence of the resonant scattering cross-section from magnetic domains in Co/Pd-based multilayers. Samples are probed with single extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulses of femtosecond duration tuned to the Co M3,2 absorption resonances using the FERMI@Elettra free-electron laser. We report quantitative data over 3 orders of magnitude in fluence, covering 16  mJ/cm2/pulse to 10 000  mJ/cm2/pulse with pulse lengths of 70 fs and 120 fs. A progressive quenching of the diffraction cross-section with fluence is observed. Compression of the same pulse energy into a shorter pulse—implying an increased XUV peak electric field—results in a reduced quenching of the resonant diffraction at the Co M3,2 edge. We conclude that the quenching effect observed for resonant scattering involving the short-lived Co 3p core vacancies is noncoherent in nature. This finding is in contrast to previous reports investigating resonant scattering involving the longer-lived Co 2p states, where stimulated emission has been found to be important. A phenomenological model based on XUV-induced ultrafast demagnetization is able to reproduce our entire set of experimental data and is found to be consistent with independent magneto-optical measurements of the demagnetization dynamics on the same samples

High performance aluminum–cerium alloys for high-temperature applications

Light-weight high-temperature alloys are important to the transportation industry where weight, cost, and operating temperature are major factors in the design of energy efficient vehicles. Aluminum alloys fill this gap economically but lack high-temperature mechanical performance. Alloying aluminum with cerium creates a highly castable alloy, compatible with traditional aluminum alloy additions, that exhibits dramatically improved high-temperature performance. These compositions display a room temperature ultimate tensile strength of 400 MPa and yield strength of 320 MPa, with 80% mechanical property retention at 240 °C. A mechanism is identified that addresses the mechanical property stability of the Al-alloys to at least 300 °C and their microstructural stability to above 500 °C which may enable applications without the need for heat treatment. Finally, neutron diffraction under load provides insight into the unusual mechanisms driving the mechanical strength

Indirect excitation of ultrafast demagnetization

Does the excitation of ultrafast magnetization require direct interaction between the photons of the optical pump pulse and the magnetic layer? Here, we demonstrate unambiguously that this is not the case. For this we have studied the magnetization dynamics of a ferromagnetic cobalt/palladium multilayer capped by an IR-opaque aluminum layer. Upon excitation with an intense femtosecond-short IR laser pulse, the film exhibits the classical ultrafast demagnetization phenomenon although only a negligible number of IR photons penetrate the aluminum layer. In comparison with an uncapped cobalt/palladium reference film, the initial demagnetization of the capped film occurs with a delayed onset and at a slower rate. Both observations are qualitatively in line with energy transport from the aluminum layer into the underlying magnetic film by the excited, hot electrons of the aluminum film. Our data thus confirm recent theoretical predictions

Ultrafast demagnetization dominates fluence dependence of magnetic scattering at Co M edges

We systematically study the fluence dependence of the resonant scattering cross-section from magnetic domains in Co/Pd-based multilayers. Samples are probed with single extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulses of femtosecond duration tuned to the Co M3,2 absorption resonances using the FERMI@Elettra free-electron laser. We report quantitative data over 3 orders of magnitude in fluence, covering 16  mJ/cm2/pulse to 10 000  mJ/cm2/pulse with pulse lengths of 70 fs and 120 fs. A progressive quenching of the diffraction cross-section with fluence is observed. Compression of the same pulse energy into a shorter pulse—implying an increased XUV peak electric field—results in a reduced quenching of the resonant diffraction at the Co M3,2 edge. We conclude that the quenching effect observed for resonant scattering involving the short-lived Co 3p core vacancies is noncoherent in nature. This finding is in contrast to previous reports investigating resonant scattering involving the longer-lived Co 2p states, where stimulated emission has been found to be important. A phenomenological model based on XUV-induced ultrafast demagnetization is able to reproduce our entire set of experimental data and is found to be consistent with independent magneto-optical measurements of the demagnetization dynamics on the same samples

Developing a Series of AI Challenges for the United States Department of the Air Force

Through a series of federal initiatives and orders, the U.S. Government has been making a concerted effort to ensure American leadership in AI. These broad strategy documents have influenced organizations such as the United States Department of the Air Force (DAF). The DAF-MIT AI Accelerator is an initiative between the DAF and MIT to bridge the gap between AI researchers and DAF mission requirements. Several projects supported by the DAF-MIT AI Accelerator are developing public challenge problems that address numerous Federal AI research priorities. These challenges target priorities by making large, AI-ready datasets publicly available, incentivizing open-source solutions, and creating a demand signal for dual use technologies that can stimulate further research. In this article, we describe these public challenges being developed and how their application contributes to scientific advances

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Possible explosion crater origin of small lake basins with raised rims on Titan

The Cassini mission discovered lakes and seas comprising mostly methane in the polar regions of Titan. Lakes of liquid nitrogen may have existed during the epochs of Titan’s past in which methane was photochemically depleted, leaving a nearly pure molecular nitrogen atmosphere and, thus, far colder temperatures. The modern-day small lake basins with sharp edges have been suggested to originate from dissolution processes, due to their morphological similarity to terrestrial karstic lakes. Here we analyse the morphology of the small lake basins that feature raised rims to elucidate their origin, using delay-Doppler processed altimetric and bathymetric data acquired during the last close flyby of Titan by the Cassini spacecraft. We find that the morphology of the raised-rim basins is analogous to that of explosion craters from magma–water interaction on Earth and therefore propose that these basins are from near-surface vapour explosions, rather than karstic. We calculate that the phase transition of liquid nitrogen in the near subsurface during a warming event can generate explosions sufficient to form the basins. Hence, we suggest that raised-rim basins are evidence for one or more warming events terminating a nitrogen-dominated cold episode on Titan

Diffusion résonante des rayons x mous dans la glace de spins artificielle

Frustration is a concept in physics which appears when all interactions in a system cannot be satisfied at the same time. Artificial spin ice is an example of a magnetic system that is frustrated by the competition between the dipolar interactions. So far, the properties of this metamaterial has been studied by means of microscopic techniques with the disadvantage of a limited dynamical range. At a time when dimensions of the nanomagnets allow the access to fast dynamics using magnetic fluctuations, the time-resolution of scattering techniques could make them relevant for such studies.Soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (SXRMS) is a magnetic-sensitive technique with a resolution compatible with the dimensions of artificial spin ice. The scope of this thesis is to demonstrate that SXRMS can bring relevant information about the magnetic organisation in artificial spin ice. It is organized in two parts. The fabrication of scattering-compatible artificial spin ice samples is described step by step. Then, the studies of both artificial square and kagome spin ice are presented. Signals of magnetic origin have been recorded, bringing insights in the magnetic organization of the system. While most of the studies have been performed on static systems, a small chapter is presenting a serie of studies using non-microscopic techniques which include systems with fluctuating magnetic moments.The different studies performed within this thesis demonstrate that artificial spin ice can not only be studied by microscopy techniques, but that scattering and non-microscopic methods are also relevant. In particular, it opens the way to more advanced experiments such as, in the x-ray domain, the illumination of the system with a coherent beam in order to resolve the nature of the very short magnetic correlations using x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy technique. The presented work is therefore a first step toward the study of dynamics in artificial spin ice.La frustration est un concept physique qui apparaît lorsque toutes les interactions d'un système ne peuvent être satisfaites en même temps. La glace de spins artificielle est un exemple de système magnétique frustré par la compétition entre interactions dipolaires. Jusqu'ici, les propriétés de ce métamatériau ont été étudiées à l'aide de techniques microscopiques. Ces dernières ne permettent qu'un accès limité à la dynamique du système. Cette dernière pourrait être étudiée par les techniques de diffusion qui ont une meilleure résolution temporelle.La diffusion magnétique résonante des rayons-x mous (SXRMS) est une technique qui a une résolution spatiale comparable avec les tailles standards de la glace de spins artificielle. Le but de cette thèse est de démontrer que cette technique peut apporter des informations intéressantes sur l'organisation magnétique. Elle est organisée en deux parties principales. Tout d'abord, la fabrication d'échantillon est décrite étape par étape. Ensuite, les études de la glace de spins carrée et kagome sont présentées. Des signaux d'origine magnétique ont été enregistré qui apportent une vision de l'organisation magnétique. L'interprétation de ces signaux est complexe à cause de l'espace réciproque. Le dernier chapitre présente une série de mesures utilisant des techniques non-microscopiques sur des systèmes avec des fluctuations magnétiques.Les différentes études présentées montrent que non seulement la glace de spin artificielle peut être étudiée par la diffusion et les autres techniques apportent des informations sur le système. Cette thèse ouvre la voie à des techniques plus avancées comme, dans le domaine des rayons X, l'illumination de l'échantillon avec un faisceau cohérent. Le travail présenté est par conséquent une première étape vers l'étude de la dynamique dans la glace de spins artificielle

Resonant soft x-ray scattering on artificial spin ice

La frustration est un concept physique qui apparaît lorsque toutes les interactions d'un système ne peuvent être satisfaites en même temps. La glace de spins artificielle est un exemple de système magnétique frustré par la compétition entre interactions dipolaires. Jusqu'ici, les propriétés de ce métamatériau ont été étudiées à l'aide de techniques microscopiques. Ces dernières ne permettent qu'un accès limité à la dynamique du système. Cette dernière pourrait être étudiée par les techniques de diffusion qui ont une meilleure résolution temporelle.La diffusion magnétique résonante des rayons-x mous (SXRMS) est une technique qui a une résolution spatiale comparable avec les tailles standards de la glace de spins artificielle. Le but de cette thèse est de démontrer que cette technique peut apporter des informations intéressantes sur l'organisation magnétique. Elle est organisée en deux parties principales. Tout d'abord, la fabrication d'échantillon est décrite étape par étape. Ensuite, les études de la glace de spins carrée et kagome sont présentées. Des signaux d'origine magnétique ont été enregistré qui apportent une vision de l'organisation magnétique. L'interprétation de ces signaux est complexe à cause de l'espace réciproque. Le dernier chapitre présente une série de mesures utilisant des techniques non-microscopiques sur des systèmes avec des fluctuations magnétiques.Les différentes études présentées montrent que non seulement la glace de spin artificielle peut être étudiée par la diffusion et les autres techniques apportent des informations sur le système. Cette thèse ouvre la voie à des techniques plus avancées comme, dans le domaine des rayons X, l'illumination de l'échantillon avec un faisceau cohérent. Le travail présenté est par conséquent une première étape vers l'étude de la dynamique dans la glace de spins artificielle.Frustration is a concept in physics which appears when all interactions in a system cannot be satisfied at the same time. Artificial spin ice is an example of a magnetic system that is frustrated by the competition between the dipolar interactions. So far, the properties of this metamaterial has been studied by means of microscopic techniques with the disadvantage of a limited dynamical range. At a time when dimensions of the nanomagnets allow the access to fast dynamics using magnetic fluctuations, the time-resolution of scattering techniques could make them relevant for such studies.Soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (SXRMS) is a magnetic-sensitive technique with a resolution compatible with the dimensions of artificial spin ice. The scope of this thesis is to demonstrate that SXRMS can bring relevant information about the magnetic organisation in artificial spin ice. It is organized in two parts. The fabrication of scattering-compatible artificial spin ice samples is described step by step. Then, the studies of both artificial square and kagome spin ice are presented. Signals of magnetic origin have been recorded, bringing insights in the magnetic organization of the system. While most of the studies have been performed on static systems, a small chapter is presenting a serie of studies using non-microscopic techniques which include systems with fluctuating magnetic moments.The different studies performed within this thesis demonstrate that artificial spin ice can not only be studied by microscopy techniques, but that scattering and non-microscopic methods are also relevant. In particular, it opens the way to more advanced experiments such as, in the x-ray domain, the illumination of the system with a coherent beam in order to resolve the nature of the very short magnetic correlations using x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy technique. The presented work is therefore a first step toward the study of dynamics in artificial spin ice