232 research outputs found
Magneto-x-ray effects in transition-metal alloys
We present a theory that combines the relativistic spin-polarized version of the Koringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential approximation theory and the macroscopic theory of magneto-optical effects enabling us to calculate magneto-x-ray effects from first principles. The theory is illustrated by calculation of Faraday and Kerr rotations and ellipticities for transition-metal alloys
Spatiotemporal Response of Crystals in X-ray Bragg Diffraction
The spatiotemporal response of crystals in x-ray Bragg diffraction resulting
from excitation by an ultra-short, laterally confined x-ray pulse is studied
theoretically. The theory presents an extension of the analysis in symmetric
reflection geometry [1] to the generic case, which includes Bragg diffraction
both in reflection (Bragg) and transmission (Laue) asymmetric scattering
geometries. The spatiotemporal response is presented as a product of a
crystal-intrinsic plane wave spatiotemporal response function and an envelope
function defined by the crystal-independent transverse profile of the incident
beam and the scattering geometry. The diffracted wavefields exhibit amplitude
modulation perpendicular to the propagation direction due to both angular
dispersion and the dispersion due to Bragg's law. The characteristic measure of
the spatiotemporal response is expressed in terms of a few parameters: the
extinction length, crystal thickness, Bragg angle, asymmetry angle, and the
speed of light. Applications to self-seeding of hard x-ray free electron lasers
are discussed, with particular emphasis on the relative advantages of using
either the Bragg or Laue scattering geometries. Intensity front inclination in
asymmetric diffraction can be used to make snapshots of ultra-fast processes
with femtosecond resolution
Wavelength Tunability of Ion-bombardment Induced Ripples on Sapphire
A study of ripple formation on sapphire surfaces by 300-2000 eV Ar+ ion
bombardment is presented. Surface characterization by in-situ synchrotron
grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering and ex-situ atomic force
microscopy is performed in order to study the wavelength of ripples formed on
sapphire (0001) surfaces. We find that the wavelength can be varied over a
remarkably wide range-nearly two orders of magnitude-by changing the ion
incidence angle. Within the linear theory regime, the ion induced viscous flow
smoothing mechanism explains the general trends of the ripple wavelength at low
temperature and incidence angles larger than 30. In this model, relaxation is
confined to a few-nm thick damaged surface layer. The behavior at high
temperature suggests relaxation by surface diffusion. However, strong smoothing
is inferred from the observed ripple wavelength near normal incidence, which is
not consistent with either surface diffusion or viscous flow relaxation.Comment: Revtex4, 19 pages, 10 figures with JPEG forma
Warmer temperatures reduce the vectorial capacity of malaria mosquitoes
The development rate of parasites and pathogens within vectors typically increases with temperature. Accordingly, transmission intensity is generally assumed to be higher under warmer conditions. However, development is only one component of parasite/pathogen life history and there has been little research exploring the temperature sensitivity of other traits that contribute to transmission intensity. Here, using a rodent malaria, we show that vector competence (the maximum proportion of infectious mosquitoes, which implicitly includes parasite survival across the incubation period) tails off at higher temperatures, even though parasite development rate increases. We also show that the standard measure of the parasite incubation period (i.e. time until the first mosquitoes within a cohort become infectious following an infected blood-meal) is incomplete because parasite development follows a cumulative distribution, which itself varies with temperature. Including these effects in a simple model dramatically alters estimates of transmission intensity and reduces the optimum temperature for transmission. These results highlight the need to understand the interactive effects of environmental temperature on multiple host-disease life-history traits and challenge the assumptions of many current disease models that ignore this complexity
The use of a land suitability model to predict where autumn-sown, determinate genotypes of the white lupin (Lupinus albus) might be grown in England and Wales
Strong tuning of Rashba spin orbit interaction in single InAs nanowires
A key concept in the emerging field of spintronics is the gate voltage or
electric field control of spin precession via the effective magnetic field
generated by the Rashba spin orbit interaction. Here, we demonstrate the
generation and tuning of electric field induced Rashba spin orbit interaction
in InAs nanowires where a strong electric field is created either by a double
gate or a solid electrolyte surrounding gate. In particular, the electrolyte
gating enables six-fold tuning of Rashba coefficient and nearly three orders of
magnitude tuning of spin relaxation time within only 1 V of gate bias. Such a
dramatic tuning of spin orbit interaction in nanowires may have implications in
nanowire based spintronic devices.Comment: Nano Letters, in pres
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Measurement of rocking curve wings at high x-ray energies
Measurements done recently at the NSLS have indicated that the level of intensity found in the wings of diffraction peaks from silicon at higher x-ray energies (>20keV) far exceeds the value which would be predicted based on the dynamical theory. We have measured Si(220) double crystal rocking curves at the 40keV fundamental and harmonics with various crystal scattering geometries: Bragg-Bragg, Laue-Bragg, Laue-Lauel. The comparison of the Bragg and Laue case diffraction geometries was done to determine scattering volume effects. Comparisons with dynamical theory calculations will be discussed. These measurements have been carried out in order to assess the level of harmonic contamination which will be present from a double crystal monochromator being designed for the X17 Superconducting Wiggler Beamline
Optimization of the collimation system for the Spallation Neutron Source accumulator ring
Trends and Challenges in Experimental Macromolecular Crystallography
Macromolecular X-ray crystallography underpins the vigorous field of structural molecular biology having yielded many protein, nucleic acid and virus structures in fine detail. The understanding of the recognition by these macromolecules, as receptors, of their cognate ligands involves the detailed study of the structural chemistry of their molecular interactions. Also these structural details underpin the rational design of novel inhibitors in modern drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, from such structures the functional details can be inferred, such as the biological chemistry of enzyme reactivity. There is then a vast number and range of types of biological macromolecules that potentially could be studied. The completion of the protein primary sequencing of the yeast genome, and the human genome sequencing project comprising some 105 proteins that is underway, raises expectations for equivalent three dimensional structural database
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