3,846 research outputs found
Van der Waals spin valves
We propose spin valves where a 2D non-magnetic conductor is intercalated
between two ferromagnetic insulating layers. In this setup, the relative
orientation of the magnetizations of the insulating layers can have a strong
impact on the in-plane conductivity of the 2D conductor. We first show this for
a graphene bilayer, described with a tight-binding model, placed between two
ferromagnetic insulators. In the anti-parallel configuration, a band gap opens
at the Dirac point, whereas in the parallel configuration, the graphene bilayer
remains conducting. We then compute the electronic structure of graphene
bilayer placed between two monolayers of the ferromagnetic insulator CrI,
using density functional theory. Consistent with the model, we find that a gap
opens at the Dirac point only in the antiparallel configuration.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Controlled nucleation of topological defects in the stripe domain patterns of Lateral multilayers with Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy: competition between magnetostatic, exchange and misfit interactions
Magnetic lateral multilayers have been fabricated on weak perpendicular
magnetic anisotropy amorphous Nd-Co films in order to perform a systematic
study on the conditions for controlled nucleation of topological defects within
their magnetic stripe domain pattern. A lateral thickness modulation of period
is defined on the nanostructured samples that, in turn, induces a lateral
modulation of both magnetic stripe domain periods and average
in-plane magnetization component . Depending on lateral multilayer
period and in-plane applied field, thin and thick regions switch independently
during in-plane magnetization reversal and domain walls are created within the
in-plane magnetization configuration coupled to variable angle grain boundaries
and disclinations within the magnetic stripe domain patterns. This process is
mainly driven by the competition between rotatable anisotropy (that couples the
magnetic stripe pattern to in-plane magnetization) and in-plane shape
anisotropy induced by the periodic thickness modulation. However, as the
structural period becomes comparable to magnetic stripe period ,
the nucleation of topological defects at the interfaces between thin and thick
regions is hindered by a size effect and stripe domains in the different
thickness regions become strongly coupled.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Physical Review
Anomalous Roughening in Experiments of Interfaces in Hele-Shaw Flows with Strong Quenched Disorder
We report experimental evidences of anomalous kinetic roughening in the
stable displacement of an oil-air interface in a Hele-Shaw cell with strong
quenched disorder. The disorder consists on a random modulation of the gap
spacing transverse to the growth direction (tracks). We have performed
experiments varying average interface velocity and gap spacing, and measured
the scaling exponents. We have obtained beta=0.50, beta*=0.25, alpha=1.0,
alpha_l=0.5, and z=2. When there is no fluid injection, the interface is driven
solely by capillary forces, and a higher value of beta around beta=0.65 is
measured. The presence of multiscaling and the particular morphology of the
interfaces, characterized by high slopes that follow a L\'evy distribution,
confirms the existence of anomalous scaling. From a detailed study of the
motion of the oil--air interface we show that the anomaly is a consequence of
different local velocities over tracks plus the coupling in the motion between
neighboring tracks. The anomaly disappears at high interface velocities, weak
capillary forces, or when the disorder is not sufficiently persistent in the
growth direction. We have also observed the absence of scaling when the
disorder is very strong or when a regular modulation of the gap spacing is
introduced.Comment: 14 pages, 17 figure
Communication
The geometry of reaction compartments can affect the local outcome of interface-restricted reactions. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are commonly used to generate cell-sized, membrane-bound reaction compartments, which are, however, always spherical. Herein, we report the development of a microfluidic chip to trap and reversibly deform GUVs into cigar-like shapes. When trapping and elongating GUVs that contain the primary protein of the bacterial Z ring, FtsZ, we find that membrane-bound FtsZ filaments align preferentially with the short GUV axis. When GUVs are released from this confinement and membrane tension is relaxed, FtsZ reorganizes reversibly from filaments into dynamic rings that stabilize membrane protrusions; a process that allows reversible GUV deformation. We conclude that microfluidic traps are useful for manipulating both geometry and tension of GUVs, and for investigating how both affect the outcome of spatially-sensitive reactions inside them, such as that of protein self-organization.We acknowledge the MPIB Biochemistry Core Facility for assistance in protein purification
Precise Modeling of the Exoplanet Host Star and CoRoT Main Target HD 52265
This paper presents a detailed and precise study of the characteristics of
the Exoplanet Host Star and CoRoT main target HD 52265, as derived from
asteroseismic studies. The results are compared with previous estimates, with a
comprehensive summary and discussion. The basic method is similar to that
previously used by the Toulouse group for solar-type stars. Models are computed
with various initial chemical compositions and the computed p-mode frequencies
are compared with the observed ones. All models include atomic diffusion and
the importance of radiative accelerations is discussed. Several tests are used,
including the usual frequency combinations and the fits of the \'echelle
diagrams. The possible surface effects are introduced and discussed. Automatic
codes are also used to find the best model for this star (SEEK, AMP) and their
results are compared with that obtained with the detailed method. We find
precise results for the mass, radius and age of this star, as well as its
effective temperature and luminosity. We also give an estimate of the initial
helium abundance. These results are important for the characterization of the
star-planet system.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, 7 tables, to be published in Astronomy and
Astrophysic
Regulation of Drosophila Brain Wiring by Neuropil Interactions via a Slit-Robo-RPTP Signaling Complex
The axonal wiring molecule Slit and its Round-About (Robo) receptors are conserved regulators of nerve cord patterning. Robo receptors also contribute to wiring brain circuits. Whether molecular mechanisms regulating these signals are modified to fit more complex brain wiring processes is unclear. We investigated the role of Slit and Robo receptors in wiring Drosophila higher-order brain circuits and identified differences in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Robo/Slit function. First, we find that signaling by Robo receptors in the brain is regulated by the Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase RPTP69d. RPTP69d increases membrane availability of Robo3 without affecting its phosphorylation state. Second, we detect no midline localization of Slit during brain development. Instead, Slit is enriched in the mushroom body, a neuronal structure covering large areas of the brain. Thus, a divergent molecular mechanism regulates neuronal circuit wiring in the Drosophila brain, partly in response to signals from the mushroom body
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