4,131 research outputs found
Enhancing single-parameter quantum charge pumping in carbon-based devices
We present a theoretical study of quantum charge pumping with a single ac
gate applied to graphene nanoribbons and carbon nanotubes operating with low
resistance contacts. By combining Floquet theory with Green's function
formalism, we show that the pumped current can be tuned and enhanced by up to
two orders of magnitude by an appropriate choice of device length, gate voltage
intensity and driving frequency and amplitude. These results offer a promising
alternative for enhancing the pumped currents in these carbon-based devices.Comment: 3.5 pages, 2 figure
Laser-induced effects on the electronic features of graphene nanoribbons
We study the interplay between lateral confinement and photon-induced
processes on the electronic properties of illuminated graphene nanoribbons. We
find that by tuning the device setup (edges geometries, ribbon width and
polarization direction), a laser with frequency {\Omega} may either not affect
the electronic structure, or induce bandgaps or depletions at \hbar {\Omega}/2,
and/or at other energies not commensurate with half the photon energy. Similar
features are also observed in the dc conductance, suggesting the use of the
polarization direction to switch on and off the graphene device. Our results
could guide the design of novel types of optoelectronic nano-devices.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Tuning laser-induced bandgaps in graphene
Could a laser field lead to the much sought-after tunable bandgaps in
graphene? By using Floquet theory combined with Green's functions techniques,
we predict that a laser field in the mid-infrared range can produce observable
bandgaps in the electronic structure of graphene. Furthermore, we show how they
can be tuned by using the laser polarization. Our results could serve as a
guidance to design opto-electronic nano-devices.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Applied Physics Letter
Non-perturbative laser effects on the electrical properties of graphene nanoribbons
The use of Floquet theory combined with a realistic description of the
electronic structure of illuminated graphene and graphene nanoribbons is
developed to assess the emergence of non-adiabatic and non-perturbative effects
on the electronic properties. Here, we introduce an efficient computational
scheme and illustrate its use by applying it to graphene nanoribbons in the
presence of both linear and circular polarization. The interplay between
confinement due to the finite sample size and laser-induced transitions is
shown to lead to sharp features on the average conductance and density of
states. Particular emphasis is given to the emergence of the bulk limit
response.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, to appear in J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, special
issue on "Ultrafast and nonlinear optics in carbon nanomaterials
Floquet interface states in illuminated three-dimensional topological insulators
Recent experiments showed that the surface of a three dimensional topological
insulator develops gaps in the Floquet-Bloch band spectrum when illuminated
with a circularly polarized laser. These Floquet-Bloch bands are characterized
by non-trivial Chern numbers which only depend on the helicity of the
polarization of the radiation field. Here we propose a setup consisting of a
pair of counter-rotating lasers, and show that one-dimensional chiral states
emerge at the interface between the two lasers. These interface states turn out
to be spin-polarized and may trigger interesting applications in the field of
optoelectronics and spintronics.Comment: 5 pages with 3 figures + supplemental materia
Effective thermal conductivity of rectangular nanowires based on phonon hydrodynamics
A mathematical model is presented for thermal transport in nanowires with
rectangular cross sections. Expressions for the effective thermal conductivity
of the nanowire across a range of temperatures and cross-sectional aspect
ratios are obtained by solving the Guyer--Krumhansl hydrodynamic equation for
the thermal flux with a slip boundary condition. Our results show that square
nanowires transport thermal energy more efficiently than rectangular nanowires
due to optimal separation between the boundaries. However, circular nanowires
are found to be even more efficient than square nanowires due to the lack of
corners in the cross section, which locally reduce the thermal flux and inhibit
the conduction of heat. By using a temperature-dependent slip coefficient, we
show that the model is able to accurately capture experimental data of the
effective thermal conductivity obtained from Si nanowires, demonstrating that
phonon hydrodynamics is a powerful framework that can be applied to nanosystems
even at room temperature
Towards a time-reversal mirror for quantum systems
The reversion of the time evolution of a quantum state can be achieved by
changing the sign of the Hamiltonian as in the polarization echo experiment in
NMR. In this work we describe an alternative mechanism inspired by the acoustic
time reversal mirror. By solving the inverse time problem in a discrete space
we develop a new procedure, the perfect inverse filter. It achieves the exact
time reversion in a given region by reinjecting a prescribed wave function at
its periphery.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Introduction modified, references added, one
figure added to improve the discussio
The knee prosthesis constraint dilemma: Biomechanical comparison between varus-valgus constrained implants and rotating hinge prosthesis. A cadaver study
The real degree of constriction of rotating hinge knee (RHK) and condylar constrained prostheses (CCK) is a matter of discussion in revision knee arthroplasty. The objectives of this study are to compare the tibial rotation of both implants and validate the use of inertial sensors with optical tracking system as movement measurement tools. A total of 16 cadaver knees were used. Eight knees were replaced using a RHK (Endomodel LINK), and the remaining eight received a CCK prosthesis (LCCK, Zimmer). Tibial rotation range of motion was measured in full extension and at 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion, with four continuous waveforms for each measurement. Measurements were made using two inertial sensors with specific software and compared with measurements obtained using the gold standard technique - the motion capture camera. The comparison of the accuracy of both measurement methods showed no statistically significant differences between inertial sensors and motion capture cameras, with p > .1; the mean error for tibial rotation was 0.21°. Tibial rotation in the RHK was significantly greater than in the CCK (5.25° vs. 2.28°, respectively), p < .05. We have shown that RHK permit greater tibial rotation, being closer to physiological values than CCKs. Inertial sensors have been validated as an effective and accurate method of measuring knee movement. The clinical significance: RHK appears to represent a lower constriction degree than CCK systems.This study wassupported by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Instituto de Salud Carlos III and European Regional Development Fund "Una manera de hacer Europa" (grant number PI18/01625
Efficacy of naproxen with or without esomeprazole for pain and inflammation in patients after bilateral third molar extractions : a double blinded crossover study
Using a double-blinded randomized crossover design, this study aimed to evaluate acute postoperative pain management, swelling and trismus in 46 volunteers undergoing extractions of the two lower third molars, in similar positions, at two different appointments who consumed a tablet of either NE (naproxen 500 mg + esomepraz ole 20 mg) or only naproxen (500 mg) every 12 hours for 4 days. Parameters were analyzed: self-reported pain intensity using a visual analog scale (VAS) pre- and postoperative mouth opening; incidence, type and severity of adverse reactions; total quantity consumed of rescue medication; and pre- and postoperative swelling. Female volunteers reported significantly more postoperative pain at 1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4hrs after surgery while also taking their first rescue medication at a time significantly earlier when consuming NE when compared to naproxen (3.7hrs and 6.7hrs). Conversely, no differences were found between each drug group in males. In conclusion, throughout the entire study, pain was mild after using either drug in both men and women with pain scores on average well below 40mm (VAS), although in women naproxen improved acute postoperative pain management when compared to NE
Involvement of PrPC in kainate-induced excitotoxicity in several mouse strains
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) has been associated with a plethora of cellular functions ranging from cell cycle to neuroprotection. Mice lacking PrPC show an increased susceptibility to epileptic seizures; the protein, then, is neuroprotective. However, lack of experimental reproducibility has led to considering the possibility that other factors besides PrPC deletion, such as the genetic background of mice or the presence of so-called "Prnp flanking genes", might contribute to the reported susceptibility. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of seizure-susceptibility using characterized Prnp(+/+) and Prnp(0/0) mice of B6129, B6.129, 129/Ola or FVB/N genetic backgrounds. Our study indicates that PrPC plays a role in neuroprotection in KA-treated cells and mice. For this function, PrPC should contain the aa32-93 region and needs to be linked to the membrane. In addition, some unidentified "Prnp-flanking genes" play a role parallel to PrPC in the KA-mediated responses in B6129 and B6.129 Prnp(0/0) mice
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