21,413 research outputs found
Interband proximity effect and nodes of superconducting gap in Sr2RuO4
The power-law temperature dependences of the specific heat, the nuclear
relaxation rate, and the thermal conductivity suggest the presence of line
nodes in the superconducting gap of Sr2RuO4. These recent experimental
observations contradict the scenario of a nodeless (k_x+ik_y)-type
superconducting order parameter. We propose that interaction of superconducting
order parameters on different sheets of the Fermi surface is a key to
understanding the above discrepancy. A full gap exists in the active band,
which drives the superconducting instability, while line nodes develop in
passive bands by interband proximity effect.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Surprises on the Way from 1D to 2D Quantum Magnets: the Novel Ladder Materials
One way of making the transition between the quasi-long range order in a
chain of S=1/2 spins coupled antiferromagnetically and the true long range
order that occurs in a plane, is by assembling chains to make ladders of
increasing width. Surprisingly this crossover between one and two dimensions is
not at all smooth. Ladders with an even number of legs have purely short range
magnetic order and a finite energy gap to all magnetic excitations. Predictions
of this novel groundstate have now been verified experimentally. Holes doped
into these ladders are predicted to pair, and possibly superconduct.Comment: Review Article, Science, TeX file, 18 pages, 6 figures available upon
reques
Multiexciton molecules in the hexaborides
We investigate multiexciton bound states in a semiconducting phase of
divalent hexaborides. Due to three degenerate valleys in both the conduction
and valence bands the binding energy of a 6-exciton molecule is greatly
enhanced by the shell effect. The ground state energies of multiexciton
molecules are calculated using the density functional formalism. We also show
that charged impurities stabilize multiexciton complexes leading to
condensation of localized excitons. These complexes can act as nucleation
centers of local moments.Comment: RevTEX, 7 pages with 3 figure
Measured acoustic properties of variable and low density bulk absorbers
Experimental data were taken to determine the acoustic absorbing properties of uniform low density and layered variable density samples using a bulk absober with a perforated plate facing to hold the material in place. In the layered variable density case, the bulk absorber was packed such that the lowest density layer began at the surface of the sample and progressed to higher density layers deeper inside. The samples were placed in a rectangular duct and measurements were taken using the two microphone method. The data were used to calculate specific acoustic impedances and normal incidence absorption coefficients. Results showed that for uniform density samples the absorption coefficient at low frequencies decreased with increasing density and resonances occurred in the absorption coefficient curve at lower densities. These results were confirmed by a model for uniform density bulk absorbers. Results from layered variable density samples showed that low frequency absorption was the highest when the lowest density possible was packed in the first layer near the exposed surface. The layers of increasing density within the sample had the effect of damping the resonances
Development of a phase-change thermal storage system using modified anhydrous sodium hydroxide for solar electric power generation
A thermal storage system for use in solar power electricity generation was investigated analytically and experimentally. The thermal storage medium is principally anhydrous NaOH with 8% NaNO3 and 0.2% MnO2. Heat is charged into storage at 584 K and discharged from storage at 582 K by Therminol-66. Physical and thermophysical properties of the storage medium were measured. A mathematical simulation and computer program describing the operation of the system were developed. A 1/10 scale model of a system capable of storing and delivering 3.1 x 10 to the 6th power kJ of heat was designed, built, and tested. Tests included steady state charging, discharging, idling, and charge-discharge conditions simulating a solar daily cycle. Experimental data and computer-predicted results are correlated. A reference design including cost estimates of the full-size system was developed
Spin susceptibility of underdoped cuprates: the case of Ortho-II YBa_2Cu_3O_{6.5}
Recent inelastic neutron scattering measurements found that the spin
susceptibility of detwinned and highly ordered ortho-II YBa_2Cu_3O_{6.5}
exhibits, in both the normal and superconducting states, one-dimensional
incommensurate modulations at low energies which were interpreted as a
signature of dynamic stripes. We propose an alternative model based on
quasiparticle transitions between the arcs of a truncated Fermi surface. Such
transitions are resonantly enhanced by scattering to the triplet spin
resonance. We show that the anisotropy in the experimental spin response is
consistent with this model if the gap at the saddle points is anisotropic.Comment: 5 fives, 3 postscript figure
Random wave functions and percolation
Recently it was conjectured that nodal domains of random wave functions are
adequately described by critical percolation theory. In this paper we
strengthen this conjecture in two respects. First, we show that, though wave
function correlations decay slowly, a careful use of Harris' criterion confirms
that these correlations are unessential and nodal domains of random wave
functions belong to the same universality class as non critical percolation.
Second, we argue that level domains of random wave functions are described by
the non-critical percolation model.Comment: 13 page
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF BT CORN?
A common perception is that the value of Bt corn arises from two components-Bt corn increases expected profit and reduces profit variability. This perception encourages farmers and the policy makers to add a risk benefit to estimates of the value of Bt corn to account for the variability reduction. However, a conceptual model generates a useful decomposition of the value of Bt corn and a condition determining the impact of Bt corn on profit variability. An empirical model finds that Bt corn increases profit variability and thus decreases the value of Bt corn by 10-25% depending on risk preferences.Crop Production/Industries,
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