Derivation of the generalized Non Linear Sigma Model in the presence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

We derive the long-wavelength non-linear sigma model for a two-dimensional Heisenberg system in the presence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya and pseudodipolar interactions. We show that the system is a non-conventional easy-axis antiferromagnet, displaying an anomalous coupling between the magnetic field and the staggered order parameter. Our results are in good agreement with recent experimental data for undoped La2CuO4 compounds.Comment: Proceedings of SCES05, to appear on Physica

Thermal Phase Variations of WASP-12b: Defying Predictions

[Abridged] We report Warm Spitzer full-orbit phase observations of WASP-12b at 3.6 and 4.5 micron. We are able to measure the transit depths, eclipse depths, thermal and ellipsoidal phase variations at both wavelengths. The large amplitude phase variations, combined with the planet's previously-measured day-side spectral energy distribution, is indicative of non-zero Bond albedo and very poor day-night heat redistribution. The transit depths in the mid-infrared indicate that the atmospheric opacity is greater at 3.6 than at 4.5 micron, in disagreement with model predictions, irrespective of C/O ratio. The secondary eclipse depths are consistent with previous studies. We do not detect ellipsoidal variations at 3.6 micron, but our parameter uncertainties -estimated via prayer-bead Monte Carlo- keep this non-detection consistent with model predictions. At 4.5 micron, on the other hand, we detect ellipsoidal variations that are much stronger than predicted. If interpreted as a geometric effect due to the planet's elongated shape, these variations imply a 3:2 ratio for the planet's longest:shortest axes and a relatively bright day-night terminator. If we instead presume that the 4.5 micron ellipsoidal variations are due to uncorrected systematic noise and we fix the amplitude of the variations to zero, the best fit 4.5 micron transit depth becomes commensurate with the 3.6 micron depth, within the uncertainties. The relative transit depths are then consistent with a Solar composition and short scale height at the terminator. Assuming zero ellipsoidal variations also yields a much deeper 4.5 micron eclipse depth, consistent with a Solar composition and modest temperature inversion. We suggest future observations that could distinguish between these two scenarios.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures, ApJ in press. Improved discussion of gravity brightenin

Effects of two dimensional plasmons on the tunneling density of states

We show that gapless plasmons lead to a universal $(\delta\nu(\epsilon)/\nu\propto |\epsilon|/E_F)$ correction to the tunneling density of states of a clean two dimensional Coulomb interacting electron gas. We also discuss a counterpart of this effect in the "composite fermion metal" which forms in the presence of a quantizing perpendicular magnetic field corresponding to the half-filled Landau level. We argue that the latter phenomenon might be relevant for deviations from a simple scaling observed by A.Chang et al in the tunneling $I-V$ characteristics of Quantum Hall liquids.Comment: 12 pages, Latex, NORDITA repor

Weak ferromagnetism and field-induced spin reorientation in K2V3O8

Magnetization and neutron diffraction measurements indicate long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below TN=4 K in the 2D, S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet K2V3O8. The ordered state exhibits ``weak ferromagnetism'' and novel, field-induced spin reorientations. These experimental observations are well described by a classical, two-spin Heisenberg model incorporating Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions and an additional c-axis anisotropy. This additional anisotropy can be accounted for by inclusion of the symmetric anisotropy term recently described by Kaplan, Shekhtman, Entin-Wohlman, and Aharony. This suggests that K2V3O8 may be a very unique system where the qualitative behavior relies on the presence of this symmetric anisotropy.Comment: 5 pages, 4 ps figures, REVTEX, submitted to PR

An Electron Spin Resonance Selection Rule for Spin-Gapped Systems

The direct electron spin resonance (ESR) absorption between a singlet ground state and the triplet excited states of spin gap systems is investigated. Such an absorption, which is forbidden by the conservation of the total spin quantum number in isotropic Hamiltonians, is allowed by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. We show a selection rule in the presence of this interaction, using the exact numerical diagonalization of the finite cluster of the quasi-one-dimensional bond-alternating spin system. The selection rule is also modified into a suitable form in order to interpret recent experimental results on CuGeO$_3$ and NaV$_2$O$_5$.Comment: 5 pages, Revtex, with 6 eps figures, to appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. Vol. 69 No. 11 (2000

Development of a triple GEM UV-photon detector operated in pure CF4 for the PHENIX experiment

Results obtained with a triple GEM detector operated in pure CF4 with and without a reflective CsI photocathode are presented. The detector operates in a stable mode at gains up to 10^4. A deviation from exponential growth starts to develop when the total charge exceeds ~ 4 10^6 e leading to gain saturation when the total charge is ~ 2 10^7 e and making the structure relatively robust against discharges. No aging effects are observed in the GEM foils after a total accumulated charge of ~ 10 mC/cm^2 at the anode. The ion back-flow current to the reflective photocathode is comparable to the electron current to the anode. However, no significant degradation of the CsI photocathode is observed for a total ion back-flow charge of ~ 7 mC/cm^2.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, Submitted to NIM

Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya antisymmetric exchange coupling in cuprates: Oxygen effects

We revisit a problem of Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya antisymmetric exchange coupling for a single bond in cuprates specifying the local spin-orbital contributions to Dzyaloshinsky vector focusing on the oxygen term. The Dzyaloshinsky vector and respective weak ferromagnetic moment is shown to be a superposition of comparable and, sometimes, competing local Cu and O contributions. The intermediate oxygen $^{17}$O Knight shift is shown to be an effective tool to inspect the effects of Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya coupling in an external magnetic field. We predict the effect of $strong$ oxygen weak antiferromagnetism in edge-shared CuO$_2$ chains due to uncompensated oxygen Dzyaloshinsky vectors. Finally, we revisit the effects of symmetric spin anisotropy, in particular, those directly induced by Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya coupling.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, submitted to JET

The virtual cathode chamber

We describe the operating principle and the first experimental results obtained with gas micro-strip detectors realized with anodes only on the active side, the multiplying field being provided from the back-plane and drift electrodes. For high rate operation, the detector has to be implemented on electron conducting supports, with resistivity around 10$^{11}\Omega$ cm. By construction, the ³Virtual Cathode Chamber² is not subjected to the possibility of discharges between anodes and cathodes, thus avoiding one of the most dangerous problems met with standard micro-strip chambers

Detector for imaging of explosions: present status and future prospects with higher energy X-rays

The detector for imaging of explosions (DIMEX) is in operation at the synchrotron radiation (SR) beam-line at VEPP-3 electron ring at Budker INP since 2002. DIMEX is based on one-coordinate gas ionization chamber filled with Xe-CO2(3:1) mixture at 7atm, and active Frisch-grid made of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM). The detector has spatial resolution of ~0.2mm and dynamic range of ~100 that allows to realize the precision of signal measurement at a percent level. The frame rate can be tuned up to 8 MHz (125 ns per image) and up to 32 images can be stored in one shot. At present DIMEX is used with the X-ray beam from 2T wiggler that has ~20 keV average energy. Future possibility to install similar detector at the SR beam-line at VEPP-4 electron ring is discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 15 figures. Submitted to JINS