Automorphisms of abelian group extensions

Let $1 \to N \to G \to H \to 1$ be an abelian extension. The purpose of this paper is to study the problem of extending automorphisms of $N$ and lifting automorphisms of $H$ to certain automorphisms of $G$.Comment: 11 page

X-ray spectrum of the high polarization quasar PKS 1510-089

We present results on the X-ray spectra of the radio-loud, high-polarization quasar, PKS 1510-089, based on new data obtained using ASCA, and from archival ROSAT data. The X-ray spectrum obtained by ASCA is unusually hard, with the photon index=1.30+-0.06, while the (non-simultaneous) ROSAT data indicate a steeper spectrum (1.9+-0.3). The X-ray flux at 1 keV is within 10% during both observations. A break in the underlying continuum at about 0.7 keV is suggested. Flat X-ray spectra seem to be the characteristic of high polarization quasars, and their spectra also appear to be harder than that of the other radio-loud but low-polarization quasars. The multiwavelength spectrum of PKS 1510-089 is similar to many other gamma-ray blazars, suggesting the emission is dominated by that from a relativistic jet. A big blue-bump is also seen in its multiwavelength spectrum, suggesting the presence of a strong thermal component as well.Comment: 19 pages (Latex + 5 ps figures), Accpeted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal, December 20, 199

Frustration of tilts and A-site driven ferroelectricity in KNbO_3-LiNbO_3 alloys

Density functional calculations for K_{0.5}Li_{0.5}NbO_3 show strong A-site driven ferroelectricity, even though the average tolerance factor is significantly smaller than unity and there is no stereochemically active A-site ion. This is due to the frustration of tilt instabilities by A-site disorder. There are very large off-centerings of the Li ions, which contribute strongly to the anisotropy between the tetragonal and rhombohedral ferroelectric states, yielding a tetragonal ground state even without strain coupling.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Electronic Structure, Local Moments and Transport in Fe_2VAl

Local spin density approximation calculations are used to elucidate electronic and magnetic properties of Heusler structure Fe_2VAl. The compound is found to be a low carrier density semimetal. The Fermi surface has small hole pockets derived from a triply degenerate Fe derived state at Gamma compensated by an V derived electron pocket at the X point. The ideal compound is found to be stable against ferromagnetism. Fe impurities on V sites, however, behave as local moments. Because of the separation of the hole and electron pockets the RKKY interaction between such local moments should be rapidly oscillating on the scale of its decay, leading to the likelihood of spin-glass behavior for moderate concentrations of Fe on V sites. These features are discussed in relation to experimental observations of an unusual insulating state in this compound.Comment: 16 pages, RevTeX, 5 figure

Fermionic representation for the ferromagnetic Kondo lattice model -- diagrammatic study of spin-charge coupling effects on magnon excitations

A purely fermionic representation is introduced for the ferromagnetic Kondo lattice model which allows conventional diagrammatic tools to be employed to study correlation effects. Quantum 1/S corrections to magnon excitations are investigated using a systematic inverse-degeneracy expansion scheme which incorporates correlation effects in the form of self-energy and vertex corrections, while explicitly preserving the continuous spin-rotation symmetry. Magnon self-energy is studied in the full range of interaction strength, and shown to result in strong magnon damping and anomalous softening for zone boundary modes, which accounts for several zone-boundary anomalies observed in recent spin-wave measurements of ferromagnetic manganites.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figure