High-frequency oscillations in low-dimensional conductors and semiconductor superlattices induced by current in stack direction

A narrow energy band of the electronic spectrum in some direction in low-dimensional crystals may lead to a negative differential conductance and N-shaped I-V curve that results in an instability of the uniform stationary state. A well-known stable solution for such a system is a state with electric field domain. We have found a uniform stable solution in the region of negative differential conductance. This solution describes uniform high-frequency voltage oscillations. Frequency of the oscillation is determined by antenna properties of the system. The results are applicable also to semiconductor superlattices.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

On the nature of the solar-wind-Mars interaction

Plasma measurements near Mars on the U.S.S.R. Mars-2, -3, and -5 spacecraft are considered. The data are compared with simultaneous magnetic measurements. Strong evidence is obtained in favor of a direct interaction and mass exchange between the solar wind plasma and the gaseous envelope of Mars

Negative high-frequency differential conductivity in semiconductor superlattices

We examine the high-frequency differential conductivity response properties of semiconductor superlattices having various miniband dispersion laws. Our analysis shows that the anharmonicity of Bloch oscillations (beyond tight-binding approximation) leads to the occurrence of negative high-frequency differential conductivity at frequency multiples of the Bloch frequency. This effect can arise even in regions of positive static differential conductivity. The influence of strong electron scattering by optic phonons is analyzed. We propose an optimal superlattice miniband dispersion law to achieve high-frequency field amplification

Prediction for new magnetoelectric fluorides

We use symmetry considerations in order to predict new magnetoelectric fluorides. In addition to these magnetoelectric properties, we discuss among these fluorides the ones susceptible to present multiferroic properties. We emphasize that several materials present ferromagnetic properties. This ferromagnetism should enhance the interplay between magnetic and dielectric properties in these materials.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, To appear in Journal of Physics: Condensed Matte

Exciton spin decay modified by strong electron-hole exchange interaction

We study exciton spin decay in the regime of strong electron-hole exchange interaction. In this regime the electron spin precession is restricted within a sector formed by the external magnetic field and the effective exchange fields triggered by random spin flips of the hole. Using Hanle effect measurements, we demonstrate that this mechanism dominates our experiments in CdTe/(Cd,Mg)Te quantum wells. The calculations provide a consistent description of the experimental results, which is supported by independent measurements of the parameters entering the model.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Continuous Neel to Bloch Transition as Thickness Increases: Statics and Dynamics

We analyze the properties of Neel and Bloch domain walls as a function of film thickness h, for systems where, in addition to exchange, the dipole-dipole interaction must be included. The Neel to Bloch phase transition is found to be a second order transition at hc, mediated by a single unstable mode that corresponds to oscillatory motion of the domain wall center. A uniform out-of-plane rf-field couples strongly to this critical mode only in the Neel phase. An analytical Landau theory shows that the critical mode frequency varies as the square root of (hc - h) just below the transition, as found numerically.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Spin wave resonances in antiferromagnets

Spin wave resonances with enormously large wave numbers corresponding to wave vectors 10^5-10^6 cm^{-1} are observed in thin plates of FeBO3. The study of spin wave resonances allows one to obtain information about the spin wave spectrum. The temperature dependence of a non-uniform exchange constant is determined for FeBO3. Considerable softening of the magnon spectrum resulting from the interaction of magnons, is observed at temperatures above 1/3 of the Neel temperature. The excitation level of spin wave resonances is found to depend significantly on the inhomogeneous elastic distortions artificially created in the sample. A theoretical model to describe the observed effects is proposed.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Weak localization of holes in high-mobility heterostructures

Theory of weak localization is developed for two-dimensional holes in semiconductor heterostructures. Ballistic regime of weak localization where the backscattering occurs from few impurities is studied with account for anisotropic momentum scattering of holes. The transition from weak localization to anti-localization is demonstrated for long dephasing times. For stronger dephasing the conductivity correction is negative at all hole densities due to non-monotonous dependence of the spin relaxation time on the hole wavevector. The anomalous temperature dependent correction to the conductivity is calculated. We show that the temperature dependence of the conductivity is non-monotonous at moderate hole densities.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Superlattice with hot electron injection: an approach to a Bloch oscillator

A semiconductor superlattice with hot electron injection into the miniband is considered. The injection changes the stationary distribution function and results in a qualitative change of the frequency behaviour of the differential conductivity. In the regime with Bloch oscillating electrons and injection into the upper part of the miniband the region of negative differential conductivity is shifted from low frequencies to higher frequencies. We find that the dc differential conductivity can be made positive and thus the domain instability can be suppressed. At the same time the high-frequency differential conductivity is negative above the Bloch frequency. This opens a new way to make a Bloch oscillator operating at THz frequencies.Comment: RevTeX, 8 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. B, 15 Januar 200