Non-invasive detection of molecular bonds in quantum dots

We performed charge detection on a lateral triple quantum dot with star-like geometry. The setup allows us to interpret the results in terms of two double dots with one common dot. One double dot features weak tunnel coupling and can be understood with atom-like electronic states, the other one is strongly coupled forming molecule-like states. In nonlinear measurements we identified patterns that can be analyzed in terms of the symmetry of tunneling rates. Those patterns strongly depend on the strength of interdot tunnel coupling and are completely different for atomic- or molecule-like coupled quantum dots allowing the non-invasive detection of molecular bonds.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Competing periodicities in fractionally filled one-dimensional bands

We present a variable temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy (STM and STS) study of the Si(553)-Au atomic chain reconstruction. This quasi one-dimensional (1D) system undergoes at least two charge density wave (CDW) transitions at low temperature, which can be attributed to electronic instabilities in the fractionally-filled 1D bands of the high-symmetry phase. Upon cooling, Si(553)-Au first undergoes a single-band Peierls distortion, resulting in period doubling along the imaged chains. This Peierls state is ultimately overcome by a competing tripleperiod CDW, which in turn is accompanied by a x2 periodicity in between the chains. These locked-in periodicities indicate small charge transfer between the nearly half-filled and quarter-filled 1D bands. The presence and the mobility of atomic scale dislocations in the x3 CDW state indicates the possibility of manipulating phase solitons carrying a (spin,charge) of (1/2,+-e/3) or (0,+-2e/3).Comment: submitted, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Two path transport measurements on a triple quantum dot

We present an advanced lateral triple quantum dot made by local anodic oxidation. Three dots are coupled in a starlike geometry with one lead attached to each dot thus allowing for multiple path transport measurements with two dots per path. In addition charge detection is implemented using a quantum point contact. Both in charge measurements as well as in transport we observe clear signatures of states from each dot. Resonances of two dots can be established allowing for serial transport via the corresponding path. Quadruple points with all three dots in resonance are prepared for different electron numbers and analyzed concerning the interplay of the simultaneously measured transport along both paths.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Evidence for a Second Order Phase Transition in Glasses at Very Low Temperatures -- A Macroscopic Quantum State of Tunneling Systems

Dielectric measurements at very low temperature indicate that in a glass with the eutectic composition BaO-Al$_2$O$_3$-SiO$_2$ a phase transition occurs at 5.84 mK. Below that temperature small magnetic fields of the order of 10 $\mu$T cause noticeable changes of the dielectric constant although the glass is insensitive to fields up to 20 T above 10 mK. The experimental findings may be interpreted as the signature of the formation of a new phase in which many tunneling systems perform a coherent motion resulting in a macroscopic wave function.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

System and Method for Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable mitigation of the effects of birefringence in Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer (OFDR) sensing fiber. Various embodiments enable the measurement of the polarization state of the light in a sensing fiber throughout the entire sensing cable in a highly distributed manner typical of OFDR systems. Various embodiments enable the production of a distributed fiber birefringence measurement throughout the length of an OFDR sensing fiber. Various embodiments may enable OFDR to be 100% polarization diverse, meaning that polarization effects in the fiber optic cables and sensing fiber do not negatively effect measurements. Additionally, the highly distributed measurement of the polarization state and related birefringence in a sensing fiber of the various embodiments may enable new types of measurements such as pressure, twisting, and bending along the sensing fiber

Shape Sensing Using a Multi-Core Optical Fiber Having an Arbitrary Initial Shape in the Presence of Extrinsic Forces

Shape of a multi-core optical fiber is determined by positioning the fiber in an arbitrary initial shape and measuring strain over the fiber's length using strain sensors. A three-coordinate p-vector is defined for each core as a function of the distance of the corresponding cores from a center point of the fiber and a bending angle of the cores. The method includes calculating, via a controller, an applied strain value of the fiber using the p-vector and the measured strain for each core, and calculating strain due to bending as a function of the measured and the applied strain values. Additionally, an apparent local curvature vector is defined for each core as a function of the calculated strain due to bending. Curvature and bend direction are calculated using the apparent local curvature vector, and fiber shape is determined via the controller using the calculated curvature and bend direction

Directional annealing-induced texture in melt-spun (Sm\u3csub\u3e12\u3c/sub\u3eCo\u3csub\u3e88\u3c/sub\u3e)\u3csub\u3e99\u3c/sub\u3eNb\u3csub\u3e1\u3c/sub\u3e alloy

Developing texture in nanocrystalline permanent magnet alloys is of significant importance. Directional annealing is shown to produce texture in the permanent magnet alloy (Sm12Co88)99Nb1. Melt spinning produced isotropic grain structures of the hard magnetic metastable SmCo7 phase, with grain sizes of ∼300 nm. Conventional annealing of melt-spun (Sm12Co88)99Nb1 alloy produced Sm2Co17 phase with random crystallographic orientation. Directional annealing of melt-spun (Sm12Co88)99Nb1 alloy, with appropriate combinations of annealing temperature and translational velocity, produced Sm2Co17 phase with (0 0 0 6) in-plane texture, as determined by x-ray diffraction analysis and magnetic measurements. The magnetization results show out-of-plane remanence higher than the in-plane remanence resulting in the degree of ‘magnetic’ texture in the order of 25–40%. Coercivity values above 2 kOe were maintained. The texture development via directional annealing while minimizing exposure to elevated temperatures provides a new route to anisotropic high-energy permanent magnets