Blowing in the wind: aeolian patterns

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Kolmogorov turbulence, Anderson localization and KAM integrability

The conditions for emergence of Kolmogorov turbulence, and related weak wave turbulence, in finite size systems are analyzed by analytical methods and numerical simulations of simple models. The analogy between Kolmogorov energy flow from large to small spacial scales and conductivity in disordered solid state systems is proposed. It is argued that the Anderson localization can stop such an energy flow. The effects of nonlinear wave interactions on such a localization are analyzed. The results obtained for finite size system models show the existence of an effective chaos border between the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser (KAM) integrability at weak nonlinearity, when energy does not flow to small scales, and developed chaos regime emerging above this border with the Kolmogorov turbulent energy flow from large to small scales.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figs, EPJB style

Blowing in the wind : aeolian dunes in modulated gravity

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Wind-transport of barchan dunes in modulated gravity

Barchan dunes can be found in sand barren regions under steady wind conditions. They translate in the direction of the wind while their shape remains unchanged. They have a minimal length in the order of ten meters, which renders laboratory experiments almost impossible. The length scale is set by the details of the sand-wind interaction. Smaller dunes do not evolve into the typical barchan dune shape. Our experimental approach produces dramatically scaled down barchan dunes. The idea is to modulate gravity by vertical oscillation of the sand bed. We produce small dunes that travel in the turbulent boundary layer of an open windtunnel. Particle image velocimetry on the surface of moving dunes reveals the flux of creeping sand, while measurement of sand grains flying through the air quantifies the key mechanism that moves sand by wind: saltation. While the amount of sand flying with the flow does not vary strongly in an oscillation cycle, the sand creeping over the dune surface is only in motion when the effective gravity is smaller than g. Thus, modulation of gravity provides a unique view on sand transport in wind. Saltation is an activation process, and we demonstrate the importance of turbulence. To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2008.DFD.AV.1

Bias-dependent spin relaxation in a Spin-LED

We have investigated the bias-dependent spin relaxation in Cu-CoFe-AlOx-GaAs/AlGaAs-type of Spin-LEDs using microscopic time-resolved magnetization modulation spectroscopy (TIMMS). We obsd. a significant dependence of the electron spin relaxation time (effects as large as 40%) as a function of applied bias. The addnl. spin relaxation at non-zero bias is found to scale almost linearly with the injection current, and thereby with the current-induced hole d. in the active region. This observation is indicative for a dominant contribution by Bir-Aronov-Pikus (BAP) electron-hole spin-flip scattering. In agreement with this observation, a similar BAP-enhanced spin relaxation shows up at increased laser fluence. From spatio-temporal imaging of spin relaxation, scanning pump and probe beams across the ~50 mm outside of optical window, we found a significant position dependence (lateral effects) of the spin dynamics. [on SciFinder (R)

Sources and holes in a one-dimensional traveling-wave convection experiment

We study dynamical behavior of local structures, such as sources and holes, in traveling-wave patterns in a very long (2 m) heated wire convection experiment. The sources undergo a transition from stable coherent behavior to erratic behavior when the driving parameter epsilon is decreased. This transition, as well as the scaling of the average source width in the erratic regime are both qualitatively and quantitatively in accord with earlier theoretical predictions. We also present results for the holes sent out by the erratic source