678 research outputs found
Unusual Fermi Surface Sheet-Dependent Band Splitting in Sr2RuO4 Revealed by High Resolution Angle-Resolved Photoemission
High resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been carried
out on Sr2RuO4. We observe clearly two sets of Fermi surface sheets near the
(\pi,0)-(0,\pi) line which are most likely attributed to the surface and bulk
Fermi surface splitting of the \beta band. This is in strong contrast to the
nearly null surface and bulk Fermi surface splitting of the \alpha band
although both have identical orbital components. Extensive band structure
calculations are performed by considering various scenarios, including
structural distortion, spin-orbit coupling and surface ferromagnetism. However,
none of them can explain such a qualitative difference of the surface and bulk
Fermi surface splitting between the \alpha and \beta sheets. This unusual
behavior points to an unknown order on the surface of Sr2RuO4 that remains to
be uncovered. Its revelation will be important for studying and utilizing novel
quantum phenomena associated with the surface of Sr2RuO4 as a result of its
being a possible p-wave chiral superconductor and a topological superconductor.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure
Medipix-based Spectral Micro-CT?
Since Hounsfield’s Nobel Prize winning breakthrough decades ago, x-ray CT has been widely applied in the clinical and preclinical applications - producing a huge number of tomographic gray-scale images. However, these images are often insufficient to distinguish crucial differences needed for diagnosis. They have poor soft tissue contrast due to inherent photon-count issues, involving high radiation dose. By physics, the x-ray spectrum is polychromatic, and it is now feasible to obtain multi-energy, spectral, or true-color, CT images. Such spectral images promise powerful new diagnostic information. The emerging Medipix technology promises energy-sensitive, high-resolution, accurate and rapid x-ray detection. In this paper, we will review the recent progress of Medipix-based spectral micro-CT with the emphasis on the results obtained by our team. It includes the state-of-the-art Medipix detector, the system and method of a commercial MARS (Medipix All Resolution System) spectral micro-CT, and the design and color diffusion of a hybrid spectral micro-CT
Reduction of the Detent Force in a Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Linear Motor
IEEE In this paper, the detent force caused by the end effect in a flux-switching permanent magnet linear motor (FSPMLM) with 6 slots and 5 poles is investigated and reduced by two different methods. Firstly, the detent force is diminished by adjusting the position of end teeth of primary side and injecting compensation current into compensation windings wound around the end teeth. Based on the linear relationship between compensation current and compensation force, the proper compensation current is derived and analyzed. Then, to avoid the magnetic coupling between compensation windings and phase windings, a novel compensation module with independent magnet circuit is presented and attached to the primary side of FSPMLM. Thirdly, the two detent force reduction methods are compared with each other, and the compensation module is proved to be more effective. Finally, a prototype of FSPMLM with compensation modules is manufactured and tested to validate the proposed compensation method
Direct visualization reveals dynamics of a transient intermediate during protein assembly
Interactions between proteins underlie numerous biological functions. Theoretical work suggests that protein interactions initiate with formation of transient intermediates that subsequently relax to specific, stable complexes. However, the nature and roles of these transient intermediates have remained elusive. Here, we characterized the global structure, dynamics, and stability of a transient, on-pathway intermediate during complex assembly between the Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) and its receptor. We show that this intermediate has overlapping but distinct interaction interfaces from that of the final complex, and it is stabilized by long-range electrostatic interactions. A wide distribution of conformations is explored by the intermediate; this distribution becomes more restricted in the final complex and is further regulated by the cargo of SRP. These results suggest a funnel-shaped energy landscape for protein interactions, and they provide a framework for understanding the role of transient intermediates in protein assembly and biological regulation
Superconductivity at the Border of Electron Localization and Itinerancy
The superconducting state of iron pnictides and chalcogenides exists at the
border of antiferromagnetic order. Consequently, these materials could provide
clues about the relationship between magnetism and unconventional
superconductivity. One explanation, motivated by the so-called bad-metal
behaviour of these materials, proposes that magnetism and superconductivity
develop out of quasi-localized magnetic moments which are generated by strong
electron-electron correlations. Another suggests that these phenomena are the
result of weakly interacting electron states that lie on nested Fermi surfaces.
Here we address the issue by comparing the newly discovered alkaline iron
selenide superconductors, which exhibit no Fermi-surface nesting, to their iron
pnictide counterparts. We show that the strong-coupling approach leads to
similar pairing amplitudes in these materials, despite their different Fermi
surfaces. We also find that the pairing amplitudes are largest at the boundary
between electronic localization and itinerancy, suggesting that new
superconductors might be found in materials with similar characteristics.Comment: Version of the published manuscript prior to final journal-editting.
Main text (23 pages, 4 figures) + Supplementary Information (14 pages, 7
figures, 3 tables). Calculation on the single-layer FeSe is added.
Enhancement of the pairing amplitude in the vicinity of the Mott transition
is highlighted. Published version is at
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2013/131115/ncomms3783/full/ncomms3783.htm
A minimum single-band model for low-energy excitations in superconducting KFeSe
We propose a minimum single-band model for the newly discovered iron-based
superconducting KFeSe. Our model is found to be numerically
consistent with the five-orbital model at low energies. Based on our model and
the random phase approximation, we study the spin fluctuation and the pairing
symmetry of superconducting gap function. The spin excitation
and the pairing symmetry are revealed. All of the results can
well be understood in terms of the interplay between the Fermi surface topology
and the local spin interaction, providing a sound picture to explain why the
superconducting transition temperature is as high as to be comparable to those
in pnictides and some cuprates. A common origin of superconductivity is
elucidated for this compound and other high-T materials.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Tunneling Conductance of The Graphene SNS Junction with a Single Localized Defect
We study the electronic transport in a graphene-based
superconductor-normal(graphene)-superconductor (SNS) junction by use of the
Dirac-Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation. We consider the properties of tunneling
conductance through an undoped strip of graphene with heavily doped
superconducting electrodes in the dirty limit. We find that spectrum of Andreev
bound states are modified in the presence of single localized defect in the
bulk. The minimum tunneling conductance remains the same and this result
doesn't depend on the actual location of the imperfection.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Local antiferromagnetic exchange and collaborative Fermi surface as key ingredients of high temperature superconductors
Cuprates, ferropnictides and ferrochalcogenides are three classes of
unconventional high-temperature superconductors, who share similar phase
diagrams in which superconductivity develops after a magnetic order is
suppressed, suggesting a strong interplay between superconductivity and
magnetism, although the exact picture of this interplay remains elusive. Here
we show that there is a direct bridge connecting antiferromagnetic exchange
interactions determined in the parent compounds of these materials to the
superconducting gap functions observed in the corresponding superconducting
materials. High superconducting transition temperature is achieved when the
Fermi surface topology matches the form factor of the pairing symmetry favored
by local magnetic exchange interactions. Our result offers a principle guide to
search for new high temperature superconductors.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, 1 supplementary materia
Fluorescent carbon dioxide indicators
Over the last decade, fluorescence has become the dominant tool in biotechnology and medical imaging. These exciting advances have been underpinned by the advances in time-resolved techniques and instrumentation, probe design, chemical / biochemical sensing, coupled with our furthered knowledge in biology. Complementary volumes 9 and 10, Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Small Molecule Sensing and Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Macromolecular Sensing, aim to summarize the current state of the art in fluorescent sensing. For this reason, Drs. Geddes and Lakowicz have invited chapters, encompassing a broad range of fluorescence sensing techniques. Some chapters deal with small molecule sensors, such as for anions, cations, and CO2, while others summarize recent advances in protein-based and macromolecular sensors. The Editors have, however, not included DNA or RNA based sensing in this volume, as this were reviewed in Volume 7 and is to be the subject of a more detailed volume in the near future
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