Possible indicators for low dimensional superconductivity in the quasi-1D carbide Sc3CoC4

The transition metal carbide Sc3CoC4 consists of a quasi-one-dimensional (1D) structure with [CoC4]_{\inft} polyanionic chains embedded in a scandium matrix. At ambient temperatures Sc3CoC4 displays metallic behavior. At lower temperatures, however, charge density wave formation has been observed around 143K which is followed by a structural phase transition at 72K. Below T^onset_c = 4.5K the polycrystalline sample becomes superconductive. From Hc1(0) and Hc2(0) values we could estimate the London penetration depth ({\lambda}_L ~= 9750 Angstroem) and the Ginsburg-Landau (GL) coherence length ({\xi}_GL ~= 187 Angstroem). The resulting GL-parameter ({\kappa} ~= 52) classifies Sc3CoC4 as a type II superconductor. Here we compare the puzzling superconducting features of Sc3CoC4, such as the unusual temperature dependence i) of the specific heat anomaly and ii) of the upper critical field H_c2(T) at T_c, and iii) the magnetic hysteresis curve, with various related low dimensional superconductors: e.g., the quasi-1D superconductor (SN)_x or the 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides. Our results identify Sc3CoC4 as a new candidate for a quasi-1D superconductor.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Construction of Self-Dual Integral Normal Bases in Abelian Extensions of Finite and Local Fields

Let $F/E$ be a finite Galois extension of fields with abelian Galois group $\Gamma$. A self-dual normal basis for $F/E$ is a normal basis with the additional property that $Tr_{F/E}(g(x),h(x))=\delta_{g,h}$ for $g,h\in\Gamma$. Bayer-Fluckiger and Lenstra have shown that when $char(E)\neq 2$, then $F$ admits a self-dual normal basis if and only if $[F:E]$ is odd. If $F/E$ is an extension of finite fields and $char(E)=2$, then $F$ admits a self-dual normal basis if and only if the exponent of $\Gamma$ is not divisible by $4$. In this paper we construct self-dual normal basis generators for finite extensions of finite fields whenever they exist. Now let $K$ be a finite extension of \Q_p, let $L/K$ be a finite abelian Galois extension of odd degree and let \bo_L be the valuation ring of $L$. We define $A_{L/K}$ to be the unique fractional \bo_L-ideal with square equal to the inverse different of $L/K$. It is known that a self-dual integral normal basis exists for $A_{L/K}$ if and only if $L/K$ is weakly ramified. Assuming $p\neq 2$, we construct such bases whenever they exist

Chemical sputtering yields of carbon based materials at high ion flux densities

Graphite and advanced carbon fiber composites (CFC) are widely used inside the vacuum vessel of magnetic fusion devices. However, erosion by chemical sputtering via hydrocarbon formation might limit their application as target material in future machines like ITER. The first systematic study of the chemical erosion of graphite and different CFCs (including a silicon-doped one) as a function of ion flux density in the range of 1.4 × 1021–5 × 1022 m-2 s-1was performed in the plasma generator PSI-1. The results of three different analysis methods agree within about 40%. No differences in the chemical erosion yields between hydrogen and deuterium exposures are found for the various materials. In contrast, the erosion yields differ up to a factor of two for the different CFC-materials. In general, the chemical sputtering yields decrease with increasing ion flux density Γ according to Γ-0.6reaching levels below 1% at the highest fluxes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) show preferred erosion in the area between the carbon fibers

Multigraded Castelnuovo-Mumford Regularity

We develop a multigraded variant of Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity. Motivated by toric geometry, we work with modules over a polynomial ring graded by a finitely generated abelian group. As in the standard graded case, our definition of multigraded regularity involves the vanishing of graded components of local cohomology. We establish the key properties of regularity: its connection with the minimal generators of a module and its behavior in exact sequences. For an ideal sheaf on a simplicial toric variety X, we prove that its multigraded regularity bounds the equations that cut out the associated subvariety. We also provide a criterion for testing if an ample line bundle on X gives a projectively normal embedding.Comment: 30 pages, 5 figure

Deviations from Matthiessen's Rule for SrRuO3{\rm SrRuO_3} and CaRuO3{\rm CaRuO_3}

We have measured the change in the resistivity of thin films of ${\rm SrRuO_3}$ and ${\rm CaRuO_3}$ upon introducing point defects by electron irradiation at low temperatures, and we find significant deviations from Matthiessen's rule. For a fixed irradiation dose, the induced change in resistivity {\it decreases} with increasing temperature. Moreover, for a fixed temperature, the increase in resistivity with irradiation is found to be {\it sublinear}. We suggest that the observed behavior is due to the marked anisotropic scattering of the electrons together with their relatively short mean free path (both characteristic of many metallic oxides including cuprates) which amplify effects related to the Pippard ineffectiveness condition

A broken solar type II radio burst induced by a coronal shock propagating across the streamer boundary

We discuss an intriguing type II radio burst that occurred on 2011 March 27. The dynamic spectrum was featured by a sudden break at about 43 MHz on the well-observed harmonic branch. Before the break, the spectrum drifted gradually with a mean rate of about -0.05 MHz/s. Following the break, the spectrum jumped to lower frequencies. The post-break emission lasted for about three minutes. It consisted of an overall slow drift which appeared to have a few fast drift sub-bands. Simultaneous observations from the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) were also available and are examined for this event. We suggest that the slow-drift period before the break was generated inside a streamer by a coronal eruption driven shock, and the spectral break as well as the relatively wide spectrum after the break is a consequence of the shock crossing the streamer boundary where density drops abruptly. It is suggested that this type of radio bursts can be taken as a unique diagnostic tool for inferring the coronal density structure, as well as the radio emitting source region.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, accepted by ApJ 201

Conditional control of quantum beats in a cavity QED system

We probe a ground-state superposition that produces a quantum beat in the intensity correlation of a two-mode cavity QED system. We mix drive with scattered light from an atomic beam traversing the cavity, and effectively measure the interference between the drive and the light from the atom. When a photon escapes the cavity, and upon detection, it triggers our feedback which modulates the drive at the same beat frequency but opposite phase for a given time window. This results in a partial interruption of the beat oscillation in the correlation function, that then returns to oscillate.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, XVII Reuni\'on Iberoamericana de \'Optica, X Encuentro de \'Optica, L\'aseres y Aplicaciones (RIAO-OPTILAS-2010

Relativistic Proton Production During the 14 July 2000 Solar Event: The Case for Multiple Source Mechanisms

Protons accelerated to relativistic energies by transient solar and interplanetary phenomena caused a ground-level cosmic ray enhancement on 14 July 2000, Bastille Day. Near-Earth spacecraft measured the proton flux directly and ground-based observatories measured the secondary responses to higher energy protons. We have modelled the arrival of these relativistic protons at Earth using a technique which deduces the spectrum, arrival direction and anisotropy of the high-energy protons that produce increased responses in neutron monitors. To investigate the acceleration processes involved we have employed theoretical shock and stochastic acceleration spectral forms in our fits to spacecraft and neutron monitor data. During the rising phase of the event (10:45 UT and 10:50 UT) we find that the spectrum between 140 MeV and 4 GeV is best fitted by a shock acceleration spectrum. In contrast, the spectrum at the peak (10:55 UT and 11:00 UT) and in the declining phase (11:40 UT) is best fitted with a stochastic acceleration spectrum. We propose that at least two acceleration processes were responsible for the production of relativistic protons during the Bastille Day solar event: (1) protons were accelerated to relativistic energies by a shock, presumably a coronal mass ejection (CME). (2) protons were also accelerated to relativistic energies by stochastic processes initiated by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence.Comment: 38 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal, January, 200

Space VLBI at Low Frequencies

At sufficiently low frequencies, no ground-based radio array will be able to produce high resolution images while looking through the ionosphere. A space-based array will be needed to explore the objects and processes which dominate the sky at the lowest radio frequencies. An imaging radio interferometer based on a large number of small, inexpensive satellites would be able to track solar radio bursts associated with coronal mass ejections out to the distance of Earth, determine the frequency and duration of early epochs of nonthermal activity in galaxies, and provide unique information about the interstellar medium. This would be a "space-space" VLBI mission, as only baselines between satellites would be used. Angular resolution would be limited only by interstellar and interplanetary scattering.Comment: To appear in "Astrophysical Phenomena Revealed by Space VLBI", ed. H. Hirabayashi, P. Edwards, and D. Murphy (ISAS, Japan

Conservatives and the Constabulary in Great Britain: cross-dressing conundrums

Purpose This chapter is devoted to analysing the historical peculiarity of the contemporary British politics of policing. Methodology/approach Research is based on an analysis of policy statements and debates, news reports, and official statistics, in the light of historical studies of the earlier politics of policing. Findings The Conservative government’s police reform programme severely diminishes the resources, powers, status and independence of the police, reversing the Tory’s traditional unquestioning support of the police. The package is shown to reflect broader changes in political economy and culture under neoliberalism. Originality/value There has been no previous academic analysis bringing together the various aspects of the reform programme, contrasting it with previous historical understanding of the politics of policing, and linking it to broader contemporary change