1,119 research outputs found
Edge channel mixing induced by potential steps in an integer quantum Hall system
We investigate the coherent mixing of co-propagating edge channels in a
quantum Hall bar produced by step potentials. In the case of two edge channels
it is found that, although a single step induces only a few percent mixing, a
series of steps could yield 50% mixing. In addition, a strong mixing is found
when the potential height of a single step allows a different number of edge
channels on the two sides of the step. Charge density probability has been also
calculated even for the case where the step is smoothened.Comment: final version: 7 pages, 6 figure
Andreev interference in adiabatic pumping
Within the scattering approach, we develop a model for adiabatic quantum
pumping in hybrid normal/superconductor systems where several superconducting
leads are present. This is exploited to study Andreev-interference effects on
adiabatically pumped charge in a 3-arm beam splitter attached to one normal and
two superconducting leads with different phases of the order parameters. We
derive expressions for the pumped charge through the normal lead for different
parameters for the scattering region, and elucidate the effects due to Andreev
interference. In contrast to what happens for voltage-driven transport, Andreev
interference does not yield in general a pumped current which is a symmetric
function of the superconducting-phase difference.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Geometric phases and Andreev reflection in hybrid rings
We study the Andreev reflection of a hybrid mesoscopic ring in the presence
of a crown-like magnetic texture. By calculating the linear-response
conductance as a function of the Zeeman splitting and the magnetic flux through
the ring, we are able to identify signatures of the Berry phase acquired by the
electrons during transport. This is proposed as a novel detection scheme of the
spin-related Berry phase, having the advantage of a larger signal contrast and
robustness against ensemble averaging.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev.
Does Giant Magnetoresistance Survive in Presence of Superconducting Contact?
The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) of ferromagnetic bilayers with a
superconducting contact (F1/F2/S) is calculated in ballistic and diffusive
regimes. As in spin-valve, it is assumed that the magnetization in the two
ferromagnetic layers F1 and F2 can be changed from parallel to antiparallel. It
is shown that the GMR defined as the change of conductance between the two
magnetic configurations is an oscillatory function of the thickness of F2 layer
and tends to an asymptotic positive value at large thickness. This is due to
the formation of quantum well states in F2 induced by Andreev reflection at the
F2/S interface and reflection at F1/F2 interface in antiparallel configuration.
In the diffusive regime, if only spin-dependent scattering rates in the
magnetic layers are considered (no difference in Fermi wave-vectors between
spin up and down electrons) then the GMR is supressed due to the mixing of spin
up and down electron-hole channels by Andreev reflection.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys.Rev.Let
Congenital/infantile fibrosarcoma of the colon: morphologic, immunohistochemical, molecular, and ultrastructural features of a relatively rare tumor in an extraordinary localization.
Apoptotic effects on HL60 human leukaemia cells induced by lavandin essential oil treatment
Recent scientific investigations have reported a number of essential oils to interfere with intracellular signalling pathways and to induce apoptosis in different cancer cell types. In this paper, Lavandin Essential Oil (LEO), a natural sterile hybrid obtained by cross-breeding L. angustifolia × L. latifolia, was tested on human leukaemia cells (HL60). Based on the MTT results, the reduced cell viability of HL60 cells was further investigated to determine whether cell death was related to the apoptotic process. HL60 cells treated for 24 h with LEO were processed by flow cytometry, and the presence of Annexin V was measured. The activation of caspases-3 was evaluated by western blot and immunofluorescence techniques. Treated cells were also examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy to establish the possible occurrence of morphological alterations during the apoptotic process. LEO main compounds, such as linalool, linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, and terpinen-4-ol, were also investigated by MTT and flow cytometry analysis. The set of obtained results showed that LEO treatments induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent, but not time-dependent, manner on HL60 cells, while among LEO main compounds, both terpinen-4-ol and linalyl acetate were able to induce apoptosis
Spin-dependent Transparency of Ferromagnet/Superconductor Interfaces
Because the physical interpretation of the spin-polarization of a ferromagnet
determined by point-contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) is non-trivial, we have
carried out parameter-free calculations of PCAR spectra based upon a
scattering-theory formulation of Andreev reflection generalized to
spin-polarized systems and a tight-binding linear muffin tin orbital method for
calculating the corresponding scattering matrices. PCAR is found to measure the
spin-dependent interface transparency rather than the bulk polarization of the
ferromagnet which is strongly overestimated by free electron model fitting.Comment: 4 pages, 1figure. submitte
Blockade and Counterflow Supercurrent in exciton-condensate Josephson junctions
We demonstrate that perfect conversion between charged supercurrents in
superconductors and neutral supercurrents in electron-hole pair condensates is
possible via a new Andreev-like scattering mechanism. As a result, when two
superconducting circuits are coupled through a bilayer exciton condensate, the
superflow in both layers is drastically modified. Depending on the phase biases
the supercurrents can be completely blocked or exhibit perfect drag.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Mn-Containing Bioactive Glass-Ceramics: BMP-2-Mimetic Peptide Covalent Grafting Boosts Human-Osteoblast Proliferation and Mineral Deposition
The addition of Mn in bioceramic formulation is gaining interest in the field of bone implants. Mn activates human osteoblast (h-osteoblast) integrins, enhancing cell proliferation with a dose-dependent effect, whereas Mn-enriched glasses induce inhibition of Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. In an effort to further optimize Mn-containing scaffolds' beneficial interaction with h-osteoblasts, a selective and specific covalent functionalization with a bioactive peptide was carried out. The anchoring of a peptide, mapped on the BMP-2 wrist epitope, to the scaffold was performed by a reaction between an aldehyde group of the peptide and the aminic groups of silanized Mn-containing bioceramic. SEM-EDX, FT-IR, and Raman studies confirmed the presence of the peptide grafted onto the scaffold. In in vitro assays, a significant improvement in h-osteoblast proliferation, gene expression, and calcium salt deposition after 7 days was detected in the functionalized Mn-containing bioceramic compared to the controls
- …