159 research outputs found
Spin-Orbit Coupling in LaAlO/SrTiO interfaces: Magnetism and Orbital Ordering
The combination of Rashba spin-orbit coupling and electron correlations can
induce unusual phenomena in the metallic interface between SrTiO and
LaAlO. We consider effects of Rashba spin-orbit coupling at this interface
in the context of the recent observation of anisotropic magnetism. Firstly, we
show how Rashba spin-orbit coupling in a system near a band-edge can account
for the observed magnetic anisotropy. Secondly, we investigate the coupling
between in-plane magnetic-moment anisotropy and nematicity in the form of an
orbital imbalance between d / d orbitals. We estimate this
coupling to be substantial in the low electron density regime. Such an orbital
ordering can affect magneto transport
Magnetoelectric Effect and Spontaneous Polarization in HoFe(BO) and HoNdFe(BO)
The thermodynamic, magnetic, dielectric, and magnetoelectric properties of
HoFe(BO) and HoNdFe(BO) are
investigated. Both compounds show a second order Ne\'{e}l transition above 30 K
and a first order spin reorientation transition below 10 K.
HoFe(BO) develops a spontaneous electrical polarization below the
Ne\'{e}l temperature (T) which is diminished in external magnetic fields.
No magnetoelectric effect could be observed in HoFe(BO). In
contrast, the solid solution HoNdFe(BO) exhibits
both, a spontaneous polarization below T and a magnetoelectric effect at
higher fields that extends to high temperatures. The superposition of
spontaneous polarization, induced by the internal magnetic field in the ordered
state, and the magnetoelectric polarizations due to the external field results
in a complex behavior of the total polarization measured as a function of
temperature and field.Comment: 12 pages, 15 figure
Magnetic properties and magnetostructural phase transitions in Ni2+xMn1-xGa shape memory alloys
A systematic study of magnetic properties of Ni2+xMn1-xGa (0 \le x \le 0.19)
Heusler alloys undergoing structural martensite-austenite transformations while
in ferromagnetic state has been performed. From measurements of spontaneous
magnetization, Ms(T), jumps \Delta M at structural phase transitions were
determined. Virtual Curie temperatures of the martensite were estimated from
the comparison of magnetization in martensitic and austenitic phases. Both
saturation magnetic moments in ferromagnetic state and effective magnetic
moments in paramagnetic state of Mn and Ni atoms were estimated and the
influence of delocalization effects on magnetism in these alloys was discussed.
The experimental results obtained show that the shift of martensitic transition
temperature depends weakly on composition. The values of this shift are in good
correspondence with Clapeyron-Clausius formalism taking into account the
experimental data on latent heat at martensite-austenite transformations.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure
On Teaching Discrete Mathematics to Freshman Computer Science Students
Discrete Mathematics is an inevitable part of any undergraduate computer science degree programme. However, today's computer science student typically finds this to be at best a necessary evil with which they struggle to engage. Twenty years ago, we started to address this issue seriously in our university, and we have instituted a number of innovations throughout the years which have had a positive effect on engagement and, thus, attainment. In this paper, we describe and motivate the innovations which we introduced, and provide a detailed analysis of how and why engagement and attainment levels varied over two decades as a direct result of these innovation
The enhancement of phase separation aspect in electron doped manganite Ca0.8Sm0.16Nd0.04MnO3
The complex lanthanide doping of electron manganites results in enhancement
of various phase separation effects in physical properties of these compounds.
Selecting Ca0.8Sm0.16Nd0.04MnO3 as a model case we show that the first order
structural phase transition from paramagnetic semi-metallic phase into
anti-ferromagnetic semi-metallic phase at TS ~ 158 +- 4 K is marked by an
abrupt decrease in magnetization, a step like anomaly DL/L = 10-4 in thermal
expansion and large latent heat DQ = 610 J/mol. In a certain temperature range
below TS, the high field magnetization exhibits hysteretic metamagnetic
behavior due to field-induced first order transformation. ac-susceptibility,
magnetization and resistivity data suggest rather a non-uniform state in
Ca0.8Sm0.16Nd0.04MnO3 at low temperatures. The metal - insulator transition
occurs at TMI ~112 +- 3 K, accompanied by a step-like increase in
magnetization. These features could be ascribed to "sponging" of electrons from
neighboring anti-ferromagnetic matrix by clusters undergoing the ferromagnetic
ordering.Comment: submitted to J.Phys. Cond. Matte
Magnetization and specific heat of TbFe3(BO3)4: Experiment and crystal field calculations
We have studied the thermodynamic properties of single-crystalline
TbFe3(BO3)4. Magnetization measurements have been carried out as a function of
magnetic field (up to 50 T) and temperature up to 350K with the magnetic field
both parallel and perpendicular to the trigonal c-axis of the crystal. The
specific heat has been measured in the temperature range 2-300K with a magnetic
field up to 9 T applied parallel to the c-axis. The data indicate a structural
phase transition at 192 K and antiferromagnetic spin ordering at 40 K. A
Schottky anomaly is present in the specific heat data around 20 K, arising due
to two low-lying energy levels of the Tb3+ ions being split by f-d coupling.
Below TN magnetic fields parallel to the c-axis drive a spin-flop phase
transition, which is associated with a large magnetization jump. The highly
anisotropic character of the magnetic susceptibility is ascribed mainly to the
Ising-like behavior of the Tb3+ ions in the trigonal crystal field. We describe
our results in the framework of an unified approach which is based on
mean-field approximation and crystal-field calculations.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, 20 references, accepted by Phys. Rev.
Magnetic properties of Ni2.18Mn0.82Ga Heusler alloys with a coupled magnetostructural transition
Polycrystalline Ni2.18Mn0.82Ga Heusler alloys with a coupled
magnetostructural transition are studied by differential scanning calorimetry,
magnetic and resistivity measurements. Coupling of the magnetic and structural
subsystems results in unusual magnetic features of the alloy. These uncommon
magnetic properties of Ni2.18Mn0.82Ga are attributed to the first-order
structural transition from a tetragonal ferromagnetic to a cubic paramagnetic
phase.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, revtex
The Physics of Maxwell's demon and information
Maxwell's demon was born in 1867 and still thrives in modern physics. He
plays important roles in clarifying the connections between two theories:
thermodynamics and information. Here, we present the history of the demon and a
variety of interesting consequences of the second law of thermodynamics, mainly
in quantum mechanics, but also in the theory of gravity. We also highlight some
of the recent work that explores the role of information, illuminated by
Maxwell's demon, in the arena of quantum information theory.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figures. v2: some refs added, figs improve
Oxytocin and Vasopressin Are Dysregulated in Williams Syndrome, a Genetic Disorder Affecting Social Behavior
The molecular and neural mechanisms regulating human social-emotional behaviors are fundamentally important but largely unknown; unraveling these requires a genetic systems neuroscience analysis of human models. Williams Syndrome (WS), a condition caused by deletion of ∼28 genes, is associated with a gregarious personality, strong drive to approach strangers, difficult peer interactions, and attraction to music. WS provides a unique opportunity to identify endogenous human gene-behavior mechanisms. Social neuropeptides including oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) regulate reproductive and social behaviors in mammals, and we reasoned that these might mediate the features of WS. Here we established blood levels of OT and AVP in WS and controls at baseline, and at multiple timepoints following a positive emotional intervention (music), and a negative physical stressor (cold). We also related these levels to standardized indices of social behavior. Results revealed significantly higher median levels of OT in WS versus controls at baseline, with a less marked increase in AVP. Further, in WS, OT and AVP increased in response to music and to cold, with greater variability and an amplified peak release compared to controls. In WS, baseline OT but not AVP, was correlated positively with approach, but negatively with adaptive social behaviors. These results indicate that WS deleted genes perturb hypothalamic-pituitary release not only of OT but also of AVP, implicating more complex neuropeptide circuitry for WS features and providing evidence for their roles in endogenous regulation of human social behavior. The data suggest a possible biological basis for amygdalar involvement, for increased anxiety, and for the paradox of increased approach but poor social relationships in WS. They also offer insight for translating genetic and neuroendocrine knowledge into treatments for disorders of social behavior
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