4,132 research outputs found
Critical slowing down near the multiferroic phase transition in MnWO
By using broadband dielectric spectroscopy in the radiofrequency and
microwave range we studied the magnetoelectric dynamics in the multiferroic
chiral antiferromagnet MnWO. Above the multiferroic phase transition at
K we observe a critical slowing down of the corresponding
magnetoelectric fluctuations resembling the soft-mode behavior in canonical
ferroelectrics. This electric field driven excitation carries much less
spectral weight than ordinary phonon modes. Also the critical slowing down of
this mode scales with an exponent larger than one which is expected for
magnetic second order phase transition scenarios. Therefore the investigated
dynamics have to be interpreted as the softening of an electrically active
magnetic excitation, an electromagnon.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, appendi
Weak magnetism phenomena in heavy-fermion superconductors: selected SR studies
The behavior of the so-called weak moment antiferromagnetic states, observed
in the heavy-fermion superconductors UPt and URuSi, is discussed in
view of recent SR results obtained as function of control parameters like
chemical substitution and external pressure. In UPt, the Pd substitution
for Pt reveals the dynamical character of the weak moment order. On the other
hand, SR measurements performed on samples in which Th substitutes U
suggest that crystallographic disorder on the magnetic sites deeply affects the
fluctuation timescale. In URuSi, a phase separation between the
so-called hidden order state, present at ambient pressure, and an
antiferromagnetic state, occurring under pressure, is observed. In view of the
pressure-temperature phase diagram obtained by SR, it is deduced that the
respective order parameters have different symmetries.Comment: To appear in: J. Phys.: Cond. Matte
Magnetism in heavy-fermion U(Pt,Pd)3 studied by mSR
We report mSR experiments carried out on a series of heavy-electron
pseudobinary compounds U(Pt1-xPdx)3 (x<=0.05). For x<=0.005 the zero-field muon
depolarisation is described by the Kubo-Toyabe function. However the
temperature variation of the Kubo-Toyabe relaxation rate does not show any sign
of the small-moment antiferromagnetic phase with TN~6 K (signalled by neutron
diffraction), in contrast to previous reports. The failure to detect the small
ordered moment suggests it has a fluctuating (> 10 MHz) nature, which is
consistent with the interpretation of NMR data. For 0.01<=x<=0.05 the muon
depolarisation in the ordered state is described by two terms of equal
amplitude: an exponentially damped spontaneous oscillation and a Lorentzian
Kubo-Toyabe function. These terms are associated with antiferromagnetic order
with substantial moments. The Knight-shift measured in a magnetic field of 0.6
T on single-crystalline U(Pt0.95Pd0.05)3 in the paramagnetic state shows two
signals for B perpendicular to c, while only one signal is observed for B||c.
The observation of two signals for B perpendicular to c, while there is only
one muon localisation site (0,0,0), points to the presence of two spatially
distinct regions of different magnetic response.Comment: 25 pages including 12 figures (PS), J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, in
prin
Magnetic quantum critical point and superconductivity in UPt3 doped with Pd
Transverse-field muon spin relaxation measurements have been carried out on
the heavy-fermion superconductor UPt3 doped with small amounts of Pd. We find
that the critical Pd concentration for the emergence of the large-moment
antiferromagnetic phase is ~0.6 at.%Pd. At the same Pd content,
superconductivity is completely suppressed. The existence of a magnetic quantum
critical point in the phase diagram, which coincides with the critical point
for superconductivity, provides evidence for ferromagnetic spin-fluctuation
mediated odd-parity superconductivity, which competes with antiferromagnetic
order.Comment: 4 pages (includes 3 figures); postscript fil
Magnetic quantum critical point and superconductivity in UPt3 doped with Pd
Transverse-field muon spin relaxation measurements have been carried out on
the heavy-fermion superconductor UPt3 doped with small amounts of Pd. We find
that the critical Pd concentration for the emergence of the large-moment
antiferromagnetic phase is ~0.6 at.%Pd. At the same Pd content,
superconductivity is completely suppressed. The existence of a magnetic quantum
critical point in the phase diagram, which coincides with the critical point
for superconductivity, provides evidence for ferromagnetic spin-fluctuation
mediated odd-parity superconductivity, which competes with antiferromagnetic
order.Comment: 4 pages (includes 3 figures); postscript fil
A Systemic Review of the Frequency of Animal Leptospirosis in the Southern United States and the Implications for Human Health
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with symptoms in humans and animals, ranging from subclinical to serious and fatal. The disease occurs worldwide, but there is limited recognition of the public and animal health risks it poses in the southern United States. A systematic review of the frequency of animal leptospirosis in 17 states and jurisdictions covering the southern continental United States was performed to advance our understanding of the pathogen's distribution and identify transmission patterns that could be targeted for prevention efforts. Fifty-two articles, spanning >100 years, met the analysis criteria. A wide range of techniques were used to measure seroprevalence and isolate the bacteria. The assessment identified exposure to Leptospira spp and Leptospira spp infection among a diverse range of species, spanning 22 animal families within 14 states, suggesting that the pathogen is distributed throughout the southern region. Disease frequency trends were assessed among animals in various habitats (all habitats, nonwild habitats, and wild habitats). The frequency of Leptospira spp detection in animals in wild habitats increased slightly over time (<0.2%/year). We identified reports of 11 human leptospirosis illness clusters and outbreaks in the southern United States. Exposure to potentially contaminated surface waters were documented for at least seven of the events, and interactions with infected or likely infected animals were documented for at least six of the events. This analysis highlights the need for stronger partnerships across the public and animal health fields to enhance diagnostics, surveillance, and reporting. The early identification of leptospirosis in animals may serve as an indicator of environmental contamination and trigger prevention measures, such as vaccinating companion animals and livestock, use of potable water, and the wearing of waterproof protective clothing near water that may be contaminated
Penetration depth, multiband superconductivity, and absence of muon-induced perturbation in superconducting PrOsSb
Transverse-field muon spin rotation (SR) experiments in the
heavy-fermion superconductor PrOsSb ( K) suggest that
the superconducting penetration depth is temperature-independent
at low temperatures, consistent with a gapped quasiparticle excitation
spectrum. In contrast, radiofrequency (rf) inductive measurements yield a
stronger temperature dependence of , indicative of point nodes in
the gap. This discrepancy appears to be related to the multiband structure of
PrOsSb. Muon Knight shift measurements in PrOsSb
suggest that the perturbing effect of the muon charge on the neighboring
Pr crystalline electric field is negligibly small, and therefore is
unlikely to cause the difference between the SR and rf results.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure
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