Mapping the B,T phase diagram of frustrated metamagnet CuFeO2

The magnetic phase diagram of CuFeO2 as a function of applied magnetic field and temperature is thoroughly explored and expanded, both for magnetic fields applied parallel and perpendicular to the material's c-axis. Pulsed field magnetization measurements extend the typical magnetic staircase of CuFeO2 at various temperatures, demonstrating the persistence of the recently discovered high field metamagnetic transition up to Tn2 ~ 11 K in both field configurations. An extension of the previously introduced phenomenological spin model used to describe the high field magnetization process (Phys. Rev. B, 80, 012406 (2009)) is applied to each of the consecutive low-field commensurate spin structures, yielding a semi-quantitative simulation and intuitive description of the entire experimental magnetization process in both relevant field directions with a single set of parameters.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Electronic Raman response in anisotropic metals

Using a generalized response theory we derive the electronic Raman response function for metals with anisotropic relaxation rates. The calculations account for the long--range Coulomb interaction and treat the collision operator within a charge conserving relaxation time approximation. We extend earlier treatments to finite wavenumbers ($|{\bf q}|\ll k_{\rm F}$) and incorporate inelastic electron--electron scattering besides elastic impurity scattering. Moreover we generalize the Lindhard density response function to the Raman case. Numerical results for the quasiparticle scattering rate and the Raman response function for cuprate superconductors are presented.Comment: 5 pages, 4figures. accepted in PRB (Brief Report), in pres

High-field recovery of the undistorted triangular lattice in the frustrated metamagnet CuFeO2

Pulsed field magnetization experiments extend the typical metamagnetic staircase of CuFeO2 up to 58 T to reveal an additional first order phase transition at high field for both the parallel and perpendicular field configuration. Virtually complete isotropic behavior is retrieved only above this transition, indicating the high-field recovery of the undistorted triangular lattice. A consistent phenomenological rationalization for the field dependence and metamagnetism crossover of the system is provided, demonstrating the importance of both spin-phonon coupling and a small field-dependent easy-axis anisotropy in accurately describing the magnetization process of CuFeO2.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Two Distinct Electronic Contributions in the Fully Symmetric Raman Response of High TcT_{c} Cuprates

We show by non resonant effect in HgBa$_2$CuO$_{4+\delta}$ (Hg-1201)and by Zn substitutions in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (Y-123) compounds that the fully symmetric Raman spectrum has two distinct electronic contributions. The A$_{1g}$ response consists in the superconducting pair breaking peak at the 2$\Delta$ energy and a collective mode close to the magnetic resonance energy. These experimental results reconcile the \textit{d-wave} model to the A$_{1g}$ Raman response function in so far as a collective mode that is distinct from the pair breaking peak is present in the A$_{1g}$ channel.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Collective Spin Fluctuation Mode and Raman Scattering in Superconducting Cuprates

Although the low frequency electronic Raman response in the superconducting state of the cuprates can be largely understood in terms of a d-wave energy gap, a long standing problem has been an explanation for the spectra observed in the $A_{1g}$ polarization orientations. We present calculations which suggest that the peak position of the observed $A_{1g}$ spectra is due to a collective spin fluctuation mode.Comment: 4 pages, 5 eps figure

On the origin of the A1g_{1g} and B1g_{1g} electronic Raman scattering peaks in the superconducting state of YBa2_{2}Cu3_{3}O7−δ_{7-\delta}

The electronic Raman scattering has been investigated in optimally oxygen doped YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$ single crystals as well as in crystals with non-magnetic, Zn, and magnetic, Ni, impurities. We found that the intensity of the A$_{1g}$ peak is impurity independent and their energy to $T_{c}$ ratio is almost constant ($2\Delta/k_{B}T_{c}\sim5$). Moreover, the signal at the B$_{1g}$ channel is completely smeared out when non-magnetic Zn impurities are present. These results are qualitatively interpreted in terms of the Zeyher and Greco's theory that relates the electronic Raman scattering in the A$_{1g}$ and B$_{1g}$ channels to \textit{d}-CDW and superconducting order parameters fluctuations, respectively.Comment: Submited to Phys. Rev. Let

Variation in the physical properties of oat groats, flakes and oat flake flour - Processability of thirty pure cultivar oat batches from Finland

The aim of this study was to understand the processability of thirty pure cultivar oat batches and how the physical properties of oat groats and flakes affect the characteristics of oat flake flour. This was conducted by investigating the relationship between the chemical composition of oats and the physical characteristics of oat groats, flakes and flours produced by industrial scale milling process. It was clearly shown that the oat batches behaved differently in the milling process and that the physical characteristics of oat groats, flakes and flours were interrelated. For example, separation of bran and endosperm particles of oat flours by dry fractionation was connected to the chemical composition as well as particle size distribution of the flours. Furthermore, it was shown that flowability properties of oat flours affect the bran-endosperm separation of oat flour by dry fractionation. This study demonstrated the role of the oat raw material in the milling process as well as the relationship between the different mill products, which deepens the understanding of oat milling process and is important when aiming at producing oat products with high quality.Peer reviewe

Is the postpharyngeal gland of a solitary digger wasp homologous to ants? Evidence from chemistry and physiology

The postpharyngeal gland (PPG) was thought to be restricted to ants where it serves a crucial function in the generation of the colony odour. Recently, head glands that closely resemble the PPG of ants were discovered in females of a solitary digger wasp, the European beewolf. The function of this gland necessarily differs from ants: beewolf females apply the secretion of their PPG onto the bodies of paralysed honeybees that serve as larval provisions in order to delay fungus growth. Since ants and digger wasps are not closely related, the occurrence of this gland in these two taxa might either be due to convergent evolution or it is a homologous organ inherited from a common ancestor. Here we test the hypothesis that the PPGs of both taxa are homologous by comparing characteristics of chemical composition and physiology of the PPG of beewolves and ants. Based on reported characteristics of the PPG content of ants, we tested three predictions that were all met. First, the PPG of beewolves contained mainly long-chain hydrocarbons and very few compounds with functional groups. Second, the composition of hydrocarbons in the beewolf PPG was similar to that of the hemolymph. Taking the structure of the gland epithelium and the huge requirements of beewolf females for gland secretion into account this result suggests that the content of the PPG is also sequestered from the hemolymph in beewolves. Third, the chemical composition of the PPG and the cuticle was similar in beewolves since cuticular hydrocarbons derive either from the hemolymph or the PPG. Taking the considerable morphological similarities into account, our results support the hypothesis of a homologous origin of the PPG in beewolves and ants