Magnetism in 2D BN1−x_{1-x}Ox_x and B1−x_{1-x}Six_xN: polarized itinerant and local electrons

We use density functional theory based first-principles methods to study the magnetism in a 2D hexagonal BN sheet induced by the different concentrations of oxygen and silicon atoms substituting for nitrogen (O$_\mathrm{N}$) and boron (Si$_\mathrm{B}$) respectively. We demonstrate the possible formation of three distinct phases based on the magnetization energy calculated self-consistently for the ferromagnetic (ME$_{\mathrm{FM}}$) and antiferromagnetic (ME$_{\mathrm{AFM}}$) states, i.e. the paramagnetic phase with ME$_{\mathrm{FM}}$=ME$_{\mathrm{AFM}}$, the ferromagnetic phase with ME$_{\mathrm{FM}}$$>$ME$_{\mathrm{AFM}}$ and finally the polarized itinerant electrons with finite ME$_{\mathrm{FM}}$ but zero ME$_{\mathrm{AFM}}$. While the O$_\mathrm{N}$ system was found to exist in all three phases, no tendency towards the formation of the polarized itinerant electrons was observed for the Si$_\mathrm{B}$ system though the existence of the other two phases was ascertained. The different behavior of these two systems is associated with the diverse features in the magnetization energy as a function of the oxygen and silicon concentrations. Finally, the robustness of the polarized itinerant electron phase is also discussed with respect to the O substitute atom distributions and the applied strains to the system.Comment: accepted by RP

On the Experimental Estimation of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Cross Sections by Vibrational Pumping

We present an in-depth analysis of the experimental estimation of cross sections in Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) by vibrational pumping. The paper highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the technique, pinpoints the main aspects and limitations, and provides the underlying physical concepts to interpret the experimental results. Examples for several commonly used SERS probes are given, and a discussion on future possible developments is also presented.Comment: To be submitted to J. Phys. Chem.

Enhancement factor distribution around a single SERS Hot-spot and its relation to Single Molecule detection

We provide the theoretical framework to understand the phenomenology and statistics of single-molecule (SM) signals arising in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) under the presence of so-called electromagnetic hot-spots (HS's). We show that most characteristics of the SM-SERS phenomenon can be tracked down to the presence of tail-like (power law) distribution of enhancements and we propose a specific model for it. We analyze, in the light of this, the phenomenology of SM-SERS and show how the different experimental manifestations of the effect reported in the literature can be analyzed and understood under a unified ``universal'' framework with a minimum set of parameters.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, submitted to J. Chem. Phy

Ab initio Studies of the Possible Magnetism in BN Sheet by Non-magnetic Impurities and Vacancies

We performed first-principles calculations to investigate the possible magnetism induced by the different concentrations of non-magnetic impurities and vacancies in BN sheet. The atoms of Be, B, C, N, O, Al and Si are used to replace either B or N in the systems as impurities. We discussed the changes in density of states as well as the extent of the spatial distributions of the defect states, the possible formation of magnetic moments, the magnitude of the magnetization energies and finally the exchange energies due to the presence of these defects. It is shown that the magnetization energies tend to increase as the concentrations of the defects decreases in most of the defect systems which implies a definite preference of finite magnetic moments. The calculated exchange energies are in general tiny but not completely insignificant for two of the studied defect systems, i.e. one with O impurities for N and the other with B vacancies.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Differential isospin-fractionation in dilute asymmetric nuclear matter

The differential isospin-fractionation (IsoF) during the liquid-gas phase transition in dilute asymmetric nuclear matter is studied as a function of nucleon momentum. Within a self-consistent thermal model it is shown that the neutron/proton ratio of the gas phase becomes {\it smaller} than that of the liquid phase for energetic nucleons, although the gas phase is overall more neutron-rich. Clear indications of the differential IsoF consistent with the thermal model predictions are demonstrated within a transport model for heavy-ion reactions. Future comparisons with experimental data will allow us to extract critical information about the momentum dependence of the isovector strong interaction.Comment: Rapid Communication, Phys. Rev. C (2007) in pres