910 research outputs found
Thermoelectric properties of Zn_5Sb_4In_(2-δ)(δ=0.15)
The polymorphic intermetallic compound Zn_5Sb_4In_(2−δ) (δ = 0.15(3)) shows promising thermoelectric properties at low temperatures, approaching a figure of merit ZT of 0.3 at 300 K. However, thermopower and electrical resistivity changes discontinuously at around 220 K. Measurement of the specific heat locates the previously unknown temperature of the order-disorder phase transition at around 180 K. Investigation of the charge carrier concentration and mobility by Hall measurements and infrared reflection spectroscopy indicate a mixed conduction behavior and the activation of charge carriers at temperatures above 220 K. Zn_5Sb_4In_(2−δ) has a low thermal stability, and at temperatures above 470 K samples decompose into a mixture of Zn, InSb, and Zn_4Sb_3
The spectrum of the random environment and localization of noise
We consider random walk on a mildly random environment on finite transitive
d- regular graphs of increasing girth. After scaling and centering, the
analytic spectrum of the transition matrix converges in distribution to a
Gaussian noise. An interesting phenomenon occurs at d = 2: as the limit graph
changes from a regular tree to the integers, the noise becomes localized.Comment: 18 pages, 1 figur
Evolution of Quantum Criticality in CeNi_{9-x}Cu_xGe_4
Crystal structure, specific heat, thermal expansion, magnetic susceptibility
and electrical resistivity studies of the heavy fermion system
CeNi_{9-x}Cu_xGe_4 (0 <= x <= 1) reveal a continuous tuning of the ground state
by Ni/Cu substitution from an effectively fourfold degenerate non-magnetic
Kondo ground state of CeNi_9Ge_4 (with pronounced non-Fermi-liquid features)
towards a magnetically ordered, effectively twofold degenerate ground state in
CeNi_8CuGe_4 with T_N = 175 +- 5 mK. Quantum critical behavior, C/T ~ \chi ~
-ln(T), is observed for x about 0.4. Hitherto, CeNi_{9-x}Cu_xGe_4 represents
the first system where a substitution-driven quantum phase transition is
connected not only with changes of the relative strength of Kondo effect and
RKKY interaction, but also with a reduction of the effective crystal field
ground state degeneracy.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure
Spin and orbital frustration in MnSc_2S_4 and FeSc_2S_4
Crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat were measured
in the normal cubic spinel compounds MnSc_2S_4 and FeSc_2S_4. Down to the
lowest temperatures, both compounds remain cubic and reveal strong magnetic
frustration. Specifically the Fe compound is characterized by a Curie-Weiss
temperature \Theta_{CW}= -45 K and does not show any indications of order down
to 50 mK. In addition, the Jahn-Teller ion Fe^{2+} is orbitally frustrated.
Hence, FeSc_2S_4 belongs to the rare class of spin-orbital liquids. MnSc_2S_4
is a spin liquid for temperatures T > T_N \approx 2 K.Comment: 4 pages, to be published in Physical Review Letter
Heavy-Fermions in LiV2O4: Kondo-Compensation vs. Spin-Liquid Behavior?
7Li NMR measurements were performed in the metallic spinel LiV2O4. The
temperature dependencies of the line width, the Knight shift and the
spin-lattice relaxation rate were investigated in the temperature range 30 mK <
T < 280 K. For temperatures T < 1 K we observe a spin-lattice relaxation rate
which slows down exponentially. The NMR results can be explained by a
spin-liquid behavior and the opening of a spin gap of the order 0.6 K
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Landscape evolution associated with the 2014–2015 Holuhraun eruption in Iceland
The 2014–2015 Holuhraun eruption in Iceland developed between the outlet glacier Dyngjujökull and the Askja central volcano and extruded a bulk lava volume of over 1 km3 onto the floodplain of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, making it the largest effusive eruption in Iceland during the past 230 years. Time-series monitoring using a combination of traditional aerial imaging, unmanned aerial systems, and field-based geodetic surveys, established an unprecedented record of the hydrological response of the river system to this lava flow. We observed: (1) the formation of lava-dammed lakes and channels produced during dam-breaching events; (2) percolation of glacial meltwater into the porous and permeable lava, forming an ephemeral hydrothermal system that included hot pools and hot springs that emerged from the lava flow front; and (3) the formation of new seepage channels caused by upwelling of water around the periphery of the lava flow. The observations show that lava flows, like the one produced by the 2014–2015 Holuhraun eruption, can cause significant hydrological changes that continue for several years after the lava is emplaced. Documenting these processes is therefore crucial for our interpretation of volcanic landscapes and processes of lava–water interaction on both Earth and Mars
[Ni(cod)<sub>2</sub>][Al(OR<sup>F</sup>)<sub>4</sub>], a source for naked nickel(I) chemistry
Magnetic Properties in Non-centrosymmetric Superconductors with and without Antiferromagnetic Order
The paramagnetic properties in non-centrosymmetric superconductors with and
without antiferromagnetic (AFM) order are investigated with focus on the heavy
Fermion superconductors, CePt_3Si, CeRhSi_3 and CeIrSi_3. First, we investigate
the spin susceptibility in the linear response regime and elucidate the role of
AFM order. The spin susceptibility at T=0 is independent of the pairing
symmetry and increases in the AFM state. Second, the non-linear response to the
magnetic field are investigated on the basis of an effective model for CePt_3Si
which may be also applicable to CeRhSi_3 and CeIrSi_3. The role of
antisymmetric spin-orbit coupling (ASOC), helical superconductivity,
anisotropic Fermi surfaces and AFM order are examined in the dominantly s-, p-
and d-wave states. We emphasize the qualitatively important role of the mixing
of superconducting (SC) order parameters in the p-wave state which enhances the
spin susceptibility and suppresses paramagnetic depairing effect in a
significant way. Therefore, the dominantly p-wave superconductivity admixed
with the s-wave order parameter is consistent with the paramagnetic properties
of CePt_3Si at ambient pressure. We propose some experiments which can
elucidate the novel pairing states in CePt_3Si as well as CeRhSi_3 and
CeIrSi_3.Comment: To appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. (2007) No.1
Increased Nonconducted P-Wave Arrhythmias after a Single Oil Fly Ash Inhalation Exposure in Hypertensive Rats
Background: Exposure to combustion-derived fine particulate matter (PM) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality especially in individuals with cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. PM inhalation causes several adverse changes in cardiac function that are reflected in the electrocardiogram (ECG), including altered cardiac rhythm, myocardial ischemia, and reduced heart rate variability (HRV). The sensitivity and reliability of ECG-derived parameters as indicators of the cardiovascular toxicity of PM in rats are unclear.
Objective: We hypothesized that spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats are more susceptible to the development of PM-induced arrhythmia, altered ECG morphology, and reduced HRV than are Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, a related strain with normal blood pressure.
Methods: We exposed rats once by nose-only inhalation for 4 hr to residual oil fly ash (ROFA), an emission source particle rich in transition metals, or to air and then sacrificed them 1 or 48 hr later.
Results: ROFA-exposed SH rats developed nonconducted P-wave arrhythmias but no changes in ECG morphology or HRV. We found no ECG effects in ROFA-exposed WKY rats. ROFA-exposed SH rats also had greater pulmonary injury, neutrophil infiltration, and serum C-reactive protein than did ROFA-exposed WKY rats.
Conclusions: These results suggest that cardiac arrhythmias may be an early sensitive indicator of the propensity for PM inhalation to modify cardiovascular function. Originally published Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 117, No. 5, May 200
Fermi-liquid instabilities at magnetic quantum phase transitions
This review discusses instabilities of the Fermi-liquid state of conduction
electrons in metals with particular emphasis on magnetic quantum critical
points. Both the existing theoretical concepts and experimental data on
selected materials are presented; with the aim of assessing the validity of
presently available theory. After briefly recalling the fundamentals of
Fermi-liquid theory, the local Fermi-liquid state in quantum impurity models
and their lattice versions is described. Next, the scaling concepts applicable
to quantum phase transitions are presented. The Hertz-Millis-Moriya theory of
quantum phase transitions is described in detail. The breakdown of the latter
is analyzed in several examples. In the final part experimental data on
heavy-fermion materials and transition-metal alloys are reviewed and confronted
with existing theory.Comment: 62 pages, 29 figs, review article for Rev. Mod. Phys; (v2) discussion
extended, refs added; (v3) shortened; final version as publishe
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