Investigation of the D and E regions of the ionosphere

Details of an experimental program that investigates the ionosphere using sounding rockets are presented. The investigation is part of a continuing program to gather data on the D and E regions of the ionosphere during periods of recurring natural phenomena that influence these regions. To achieve these ends, four vehicles were launched during the eclipse of the sun on March 7, 1970. Other vehicles totalling 10 in all were launched to investigate transient phenomena such as the sporadic E layer

Parametric frequency mixing in the magneto-elastically driven FMR-oscillator

We demonstrate the nonlinear frequency conversion of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency by optically excited elastic waves in a thin metallic film on dielectric substrates. Time-resolved probing of the magnetization directly witnesses magneto-elastically driven second harmonic generation, sum- and difference frequency mixing from two distinct frequencies, as well as parametric downconversion of each individual drive frequency. Starting from the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equations, we derive an analytical equation of an elastically driven nonlinear parametric oscillator and show that frequency mixing is dominated by the parametric modulation of FMR frequency

Driving magnetic order in a manganite by ultrafast lattice excitation

Optical control of magnetism, of interest for high-speed data processing and storage, has only been demonstrated with near-infrared excitation to date. However, in absorbing materials, such high photon energies can lead to significant dissipation, making switch back times long and miniaturization challenging. In manganites, magnetism is directly coupled to the lattice, as evidenced by the response to external and chemical pressure, or to ferroelectric polarization. Here, femtosecond mid-infrared pulses are used to excite the lattice in La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 and the dynamics of electronic order are measured by femtosecond resonant soft x-ray scattering with an x-ray free electron laser. We observe that magnetic and orbital orders are reduced by excitation of the lattice. This process, which occurs within few picoseconds, is interpreted as relaxation of the complex charge-orbital-spin structure following a displacive exchange quench - a prompt shift in the equilibrium value of the magnetic and orbital order parameters after the lattice has been distorted. A microscopic picture of the underlying unidirectional lattice displacement is proposed, based on nonlinear rectification of the directly-excited vibrational field, as analyzed in the specific lattice symmetry of La0.5Sr1.5MnO4. Control of magnetism through ultrafast lattice excitation has important analogies to the multiferroic effect and may serve as a new paradigm for high-speed optomagnetism.Comment: 10 pages manuscript, 4 figure

Dilated intercellular spaces: A morphological feature of acid reflux-- damaged human esophageal epithelium

AbstractBACKGROUND & AIMS: Dilated intercellular spaces are a sign of epithelial damage in acid-perfused rabbit esophagus, a change best identified by transmission electron microscopy. The aim of this study was to determine if this change is also a feature of acid damage to human esophageal epithelium. METHODS: Endoscopic esophageal biopsy specimens from patients with (n = 11) and without (n = 13) recurrent heartburn were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Of 11 patients with heartburn, 6 had erosive esophagitis and 5 had normal- appearing mucosa on endoscopy; 13 controls had no symptoms or signs of esophageal disease. Using a computer, intercellular space diameter was measured from transmission electron microscopy photomicrographs of the specimen from each patient. RESULTS: Intercellular space diameter was significantly greater in specimens from patients with heartburn than those from controls; this was true irrespective of whether the patient had erosive or nonerosive disease. Space diameters of > or=2.4 microns were present in 8 of 11 patients with heartburn and in no controls. CONCLUSIONS: Dilated intercellular spaces are a feature of reflux damage to human esophageal epithelium. As a morphological marker of increased paracellular permeability, its presence in patients without endoscopic abnormalities may help explain their development of heartburn. (Gastroenterology 1996 Nov;111(5):1200-5