Novel Josephson Junction Geometries in NbCu bilayers fabricated by Focused Ion Beam Microscope

We explore novel junction configurations as an extension of our established Focused Ion Beam-based low TC SNS Junction fabrication technique. By milling a circular trench (diameter 1 micron, width 50 nm) in a 125 nm Nb 75 nm Cu bilayer we define a superconducting island connected to the bulk of the film by a normal metal barrier and entirely enclosed in-plane by the superconducting film. The circular junction properties can be probed by depositing an insulating layer over the device and drilling a 0.3 micron diameter hole down to the island to allow a Nb via to be deposited. Device behavior has been studied at 4.2 K. An SNS-like current voltage characteristic and Shapiro steps are observed. It is in terms of magnetic field behavior that the device exhibits novel characteristics: as the device is entirely enclosed in type II superconductor, when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the plane of the film, only quantized flux can enter the junction. Hence as applied magnetic field is increased the junction critical current is unchanged, then abruptly suppressed as soon as a flux quantum enters (close to the expected value of lower critical field for the film).Comment: 10 pages including 6 figures Minor Corrections inlight of referees' comment

Estuarine clay mineral distribution:Modern analogue for ancient sandstone reservoir quality prediction

The spatial distribution of clay minerals in sandstones, which may both enhance or degrade reservoir quality, is poorly understood. To address this, clay mineral distribution patterns and host‐sediment properties (grain size, sorting, clay fraction abundance and bioturbation intensity) have, for the first time, been determined and mapped at an unprecedentedly high‐resolution in a modern estuarine setting (Ravenglass Estuary, UK). Results show that the estuary sediment is dominated by illite with subordinate chlorite and kaolinite, although the rivers supply sediment with less illite and significantly more chlorite than found in the estuary. Fluvial‐supplied sediment has been locally diluted by sediment derived from glaciogenic drift deposits on the margins of the estuary. Detailed clay mineral maps and statistical analyses reveal that the estuary has a heterogeneous distribution of illite, chlorite and kaolinite. Chlorite is relatively most abundant on the northern foreshore and backshore and is concentrated in coarse‐grained inner estuary dunes and tidal bars. Illite is relatively most abundant (as well as most crystalline and most Fe–Mg‐rich) in fine‐grained inner estuary and central basin mud and mixed flats. Kaolinite has the highest abundance in fluvial sediment and is relatively homogenous in tidally‐influenced environments. Clay mineral distribution patterns in the Ravenglass Estuary have been strongly influenced by sediment supply (residence time) and subsequently modified by hydrodynamic processes. There is no relationship between macro‐faunal bioturbation intensity and the abundance of chlorite, illite or kaolinite. Based on this modern‐analogue study, outer estuarine sediments are likely to be heavily quartz cemented in deeply‐buried (burial temperatures exceeding 80 to 100°C) sandstone reservoirs due to a paucity of clay grade material (<0·5%) to form complete grain coats. In contrast, chlorite‐enriched tidal bars and dunes in the inner estuary, with their well‐developed detrital clay coats, are likely to have quartz cement inhibiting authigenic clay coats in deeply‐buried sandstones

Dust in Supernovae and Supernova Remnants II: Processing and survival

Observations have recently shown that supernovae are efficient dust factories, as predicted for a long time by theoretical models. The rapid evolution of their stellar progenitors combined with their efficiency in precipitating refractory elements from the gas phase into dust grains make supernovae the major potential suppliers of dust in the early Universe, where more conventional sources like Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars did not have time to evolve. However, dust yields inferred from observations of young supernovae or derived from models do not reflect the net amount of supernova-condensed dust able to be expelled from the remnants and reach the interstellar medium. The cavity where the dust is formed and initially resides is crossed by the high velocity reverse shock which is generated by the pressure of the circumstellar material shocked by the expanding supernova blast wave. Depending on grain composition and initial size, processing by the reverse shock may lead to substantial dust erosion and even complete destruction. The goal of this review is to present the state of the art about processing and survival of dust inside supernova remnants, in terms of theoretical modelling and comparison to observations

Mechanisms for the hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of tributylmethylammonium:Studies with rat liver plasma membrane vesicles

Hepatic organic cation transport in vitro, using tetraethylammonium (TEA) as a substrate, consists of at least two steps: sinusoidal uptake is stimulated by an inside-negative membrane potential and canalicular membrane transport is mediated by organic cation:H+ exchange (Moseley et al., 1992b). In vivo, however, TEA is poorly excreted into bile. In contrast, larger, more hydrophobic organic cations, such as tributylmethylammonium (TBuMA), undergo significant hepatobiliary excretion. To better characterize hepatic organic cation transport, TBuMA transport was examined in rat canalicular liver plasma membrane (cLPM) and basolateral liver plasma membrane (blLPM) vesicles. In cLPM vesicles, under voltage-clamped conditions, an outwardly directed H+ gradient stimulated [H-3]TBuMA uptake consistent with electroneutral TBuMA:H+ exchange; H+-dependent [H-3]TBuMA uptake was not the result of a H+ diffusion potential. In the absence of a H+ gradient, intravesicular TBuMA trans-stimulated [H-3]TBuMA uptake. Substrates for renal and hepatic organic cation:H+ exchange cis-inhibited H+-dependent [H-3]TBuMA uptake. No ATP-dependent [H-3]TBuMA uptake was detected in cLPM vesicles, and the P-glycoprotein substrate, daunomycin, did not cis-inhibit H+-dependent [H-3]TBuMA uptake. Carrier-mediated [H-3]TBuMA uptake exhibited saturability (K-m of 0.5 mM and V-max of 0.5 nmol/mg prot/5 s). In blLPM vesicles, in contrast, a valinomycin-induced intravesicular-negative K+ diffusion potential stimulated [H-3]TBuMA uptake. These findings suggest that hepatic transport of TBuMA is similar to TEA but fundamentally different from that of P-glycoprotein substrates, indicating the involvement of at least two separate processes for the hepatobiliary excretion of organic cationic drugs