Intrinsic Magnetism in Nanosheets of SnO2_{2}: A First-principles Study

We propose intrinsic magnetism in nanosheets of SnO$_{2}$, based on first-principles calculations. The electronic structure and spin density reveal that $p$ orbitals of the oxygen atoms, surrounding Sn vacancies, have a non itinerant nature which gives birth to localized magnetism. A giant decrease in defect formation energies of Sn vacancies in nanosheets is observed. We, therefore, believe that native defects can be stabilized without any chemical doping. Nanosheets of different thicknesses are also studied, and it is found that it is easier to create vacancies, which are magnetic, at the surface of the sheets. SnO$_{2}$ nanosheets can, therefore, open new opportunities in the field of spintronics.Comment: J. Magn. Magn. Mate. 2012 (Accepted

All-optical non-volatile tuning of an AMZI-coupled ring resonator with GST phase-change material

We present a Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST)-integrated ring resonator with the tuning enabled by an all-optical phase change of GST using a sequence of optical pulses. The tuning is non-volatile and repeatable, with no static power consumption due to the “self-holding” feature of the GST phase-change material. The 2 μm long GST can be partially crystallized by controlling the number of pulses, increasing the tuning freedom. The coupling between the ring resonator and the bus waveguide is based on an asymmetric Mach–Zehnder interferometer. The coupling strength is wavelength-dependent, so that an optimal wavelength can be selected for the probe light to get more than 20 dB transmission contrast between the amorphous and crystalline GST states

Enhanced forward stimulated Brillouin scattering in silicon photonic slot waveguide Bragg grating

We study the forward stimulated Brillouin scattering process in a suspended silicon slot waveguide Bragg grating. Full-vectorial formalism is applied to analyze the interplay of electrostriction and radiation pressure. We show that radiation pressure is the dominant factor in the proposed waveguide. The Brillouin gain strongly depends on the structural parameters and the maximum value in the order of 106 W−1 m−1 is obtained in the slow light regime, which is more than two orders larger than that of the stand-alone strip and slot waveguides

The shape of equality: discourses around the Section 28 repeal in Scotland

This article focuses on conceptualizations of equality in the discourses deployed in the campaign to repeal Section 28 in Scotland. I use the parliamentary debates and two newspapers: the Daily Record, which supported the campaign to Keep the Clause, and The Guardian, which supported repeal, to exemplify the different discursive articulations around equality and citizenship. I suggest that the Scottish example provides further evidence of the ways in which liberalism naturalizes heterosexuality as the standard for citizenship and thus bequeaths a hierarchy of 'equality' and citizenship in the realm of sexuality, wherein lesbian and gay citizenship is either rendered invalid or characterized as 'special rights'. However, within the narrow confines of the parliamentary debates, more expansive and differentiated notions of citizenship and equality are evident. Whilst I conclude that the 'shape' of equality achieved through the repeal has been moulded to support institutionalized heterosexuality - with Section 28 replaced by statutory guidelines on sex education which advocate marriage - I also suggest equality is contested, both through the recognition of transformations in heterosexual family forms and the appeal to non-discrimination as a democratic principle. It is possible, therefore, that current destabilizations of the heterosexual social order simultaneously destabilize the precepts of liberal democracy

Non-volatile Optical Switch Based on a GST-Loaded Directional Coupler

We present a non-volatile optical switch based on a directional coupler comprising a silicon-Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) hybrid waveguide. The non-volatility of GST makes it attractive for reducing static power consumption in optical switching. Experimental results show that the optical switch has an extinction ratio of >20 dB in the bar state and >25 dB in the cross state around 1578 nm wavelength. The insertion loss is 2 dB and 7 dB for the bar and cross states, respectively

Implications of a Quantum Mechanical Treatment of the Universe

We attempt to treat the very early Universe according to quantum mechanics. Identifying the scale factor of the Universe with the width of the wave packet associated with it, we show that there cannot be an initial singularity and that the Universe expands. Invoking the correspondence principle, we obtain the scale factor of the Universe and demonstrate that the causality problem of the standard model is solved.Comment: LaTex, 5 pages, 1 figure, to be published in Mod. Phys. Lett.

Stochastic Fractal and Noether's Theorem

We consider the binary fragmentation problem in which, at any breakup event, one of the daughter segments either survives with probability $p$ or disappears with probability $1\!-\!p$. It describes a stochastic dyadic Cantor set that evolves in time, and eventually becomes a fractal. We investigate this phenomenon, through analytical methods and Monte Carlo simulation, for a generic class of models, where segment breakup points follow a symmetric beta distribution with shape parameter $\alpha$, which also determines the fragmentation rate. For a fractal dimension $d_f$, we find that the $d_f$-th moment $M_{d_f}$ is a conserved quantity, independent of $p$ and $\alpha$. We use the idea of data collapse -- a consequence of dynamical scaling symmetry -- to demonstrate that the system exhibits self-similarity. In an attempt to connect the symmetry with the conserved quantity, we reinterpret the fragmentation equation as the continuity equation of a Euclidean quantum-mechanical system. Surprisingly, the Noether charge corresponding to dynamical scaling is trivial, while $M_{d_f}$ relates to a purely mathematical symmetry: quantum-mechanical phase rotation in Euclidean time

Inhibitor regulation of tissue kallikrein activity in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid athritis

Tissue kallikrein (TK) and 1-antitrypsin (AT)/TK complexes can be detected in SF from patients with RA if components of the fluids which interfere with the detection of TK are removed. 2-Macroglobulin (2-M) in SF was demonstrated to contain trapped proteases which were still active in amidase assays. Removal of 2-M from RA SF reduced their amidase activity. However, at least some of the remaining activity was due to TK because it was soya bean trypsin inhibitor resistant and trasylol sensitive and was partly removed by affinity chromatography on anti-TK sepharose. Removal of RF from the fluids reduced the values obtained for TK levels by ELISA. Addition of SF to human urinary kallikrein (HUK) considerably reduced the levels of TK detected suggesting the presence of a TK ELISA inhibitor in the fluids. Removal of components of >300 kDa from SF markedly reduced the TK ELISA inhibitory activity and increased the values for both the TK and l-AT/TK levels in fluids as measured by ELISA. It is considered this novel inhibitor does not bind to the active site of TK but rather binds to the site reactive with anti-TK antibodies