Microscopic Theory of Current-Spin Interaction in Ferromagnets

Interplay between magnetization dynamics and electric current in a conducting ferromagnet is theoretically studied based on a microscopic model calculation. First, the effects of the current on magnetization dynamics (spin torques) are studied with special attention to the "dissipative" torques arising from spin-relaxation processes of conduction electrons. Next, an analysis is given of the "spin motive force", namely, a spin-dependent 'voltage' generation due to magnetization dynamics, which is the reaction to spin torques. Finally, an attempt is presented of a unified description of these effects.Comment: Written in December 2008, published in July 200

PROPOSAL OF NEW K-FACTOR FUNCTION IN LIGHTNING IMPULSE TEST FOR ELECTRIC POWER EQUIPMENT

Ultra high voltage (UHV) systems are increasingly being planned and constructed, hence studies are promoted on the standard for high-voltage test techniques for UHV-class equipment. For the lightning impulse voltage test, a study is being conducted on the application of a method of evaluating the test waveform through conversion using the test voltage function (k-factor function) that was adopted in IEC 60060-1. The existing k-factor function was established based on the experimental results for more compact models, as compared with the insulating structure of UHV-class equipment, mainly with a breakdown voltage of about 100 kV. To determine whether this k-factor function can also be used for the test of UHV-class equipment, the experimental results for large-sized models were needed. In the present paper, to address this issue, the authors initially obtained k-factor values experimentally using the largest possible model (UHV model) assuming UHV-class equipment. Substantially, a study was conducted on a new k-factor function based on these experimental results. First, in the study, several ideas for the k-factor function were shown and applied to various waveforms to clarify their advantages and disadvantages. Next, in addition to these results, a study was conducted on a k-factor function suitable for UHV-class equipment with considering the actual UHV facilities. Consequently, it was concluded that the form of the function should be the same as that of the existing one but that it would be reasonable to adopt a relatively lower k-factor function for UHV-class equipment by revising the constant. Further, this new function could replace the existing one in 60060-1 for all voltage classes to consider the breakdown voltage ranges as a basis and LIWV (Lightning Impulse Withstand Voltage) values.20th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, August 28 - September 01, 2017, Buenos Aires, Argentin

Experimental Infection of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae with the Xiphidiocercariae of a Hematolechid

Aedes albopictus larvae were exposed, either individually or in groups, to different concentrations of xiphidiocercariae of Haematoloechus sp. for parasitological studies. It was observed the acute lethal effect and some aspects of the host-parasite relationship, such as delay or progress in the host life cycle, the number and location of the metacercariae in the host, adult host malformations and the amount of metacercariae required to cause death. A delay in the cycle and a high mortality rate was in general observed. Inside the larvae, the metacercariae were found predominantly in the thorax, abdominal segments and in the head, along with a reduced number in the anal lobe and cervix. It was shown that in addition to the quantity of metacercariae present, their location in the larvae was also relevant in the determination of mortality and anomalies. Malformed adults developed from larvae containing from one to three metacercariae.57357

X Her and TX Psc: Two cases of ISM interaction with stellar winds observed by Herschel

The asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars X Her and TX Psc have been imaged at 70 and 160 microns with the PACS instrument onboard the Herschel satellite, as part of the large MESS (Mass loss of Evolved StarS) Guaranteed Time Key Program. The images reveal an axisymmetric extended structure with its axis oriented along the space motion of the stars. This extended structure is very likely to be shaped by the interaction of the wind ejected by the AGB star with the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM). As predicted by numerical simulations, the detailed structure of the wind-ISM interface depends upon the relative velocity between star+wind and the ISM, which is large for these two stars (108 and 55 km/s for X Her and TX Psc, respectively). In both cases, there is a compact blob upstream whose origin is not fully elucidated, but that could be the signature of some instability in the wind-ISM shock. Deconvolved images of X Her and TX Psc reveal several discrete structures along the outermost filaments, which could be Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices. Finally, TX Psc is surrounded by an almost circular ring (the signature of the termination shock?) that contrasts with the outer, more structured filaments. A similar inner circular structure seems to be present in X Her as well, albeit less clearly.Comment: 11 pages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, in pres

Ab initio many-body calculation of excitons in solid Ne and Ar

Absorption spectra, exciton energy levels and wave functions for solid Ne and Ar have been calculated from first principles using many-body techniques. Electronic band structures of Ne and Ar were calculated using the GW approximation. Exciton states were calculated by diagonalizing an exciton Hamiltonian derived from the particle-hole Green function, whose equation of motion is the Bethe-Salpeter equation. Singlet and triplet exciton series up to n=5 for Ne and n=3 for Ar were obtained. Binding energies and longitudinal-transverse splittings of n=1 excitons are in excellent agreement with experiment. Plots of correlated electron-hole wave functions show that the electron-hole complex is delocalised over roughly 7 a.u. in solid Ar.Comment: 6 page

Exact treatment of exciton-polaron formation by Diagrammatic Monte Carlo

We develop an approximation-free Diagrammatic Monte Carlo technique to study fermionic particles interacting with each other simultaneously through both an attractive Coulomb potential and bosonic excitations of the underlying medium. Exemplarily we apply the method to the long-standing exciton-polaron problem and present numerically exact results for the wave function, ground-state energy, binding energy and effective mass of this quasiparticle. Focusing on the electron-hole pair bound-state formation, we discuss various limiting cases of a generic exciton-polaron model. The frequently used instantaneous approximation to the retarded interaction due to the phonon exchange is found to be of very limited applicability. For the case of a light electron and heavy hole the system is well approximated by a particle in the field of a static attractive impurity.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Are Proto-Planetary Nebulae Shaped by a Binary? Results of a Long-Term Radial Velocity Study

The shaping of the nebula is currently one of the outstanding unsolved problems in planetary nebula (PN) research. Several mechanisms have been proposed, most of which require a binary companion. However, direct evidence for a binary companion is lacking in most PNs. We have addressed this problem by obtaining precise radial velocities of seven bright proto-planetary nebulae (PPNs), objects in transition from the asymptotic giant branch to the PN phases of stellar evolution. These have F-G spectral types and have the advantage over PNs of having more and sharper spectral lines, leading to better precision. Our observations were made in two observing intervals, 1991-1995 and 2007-2010, and we have included in our analysis some additional published and unpublished data. Only one of the PPNs, IRAS 22272+5435, shows a long-term variation that might tentatively be attributed to a binary companion, with P $>$ 22 years, and from this, limiting binary parameters are calculated. Selection effects are also discussed. These results set significant restrictions on the range of possible physical and orbital properties of any binary companions: they have periods greater than 25 years or masses of brown dwarfs or super-Jupiters. While not ruling out the binary hypothesis, it seems fair to say that these results do not support it.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, to appear Astrophys J, 734 (2011 June 10

VISIR/VLT and VLA joint imaging analysis of the circumstellar nebula around IRAS~18576+0341

High spatial and sensitivity images of the Luminous Blue Variable IRAS 18576+0341 were obtained using the mid infrared imager VISIR at the Very Large Telescope and the Very Large Array interferometer. The resulting mid-infrared continuum maps show a similar clumpy and approximately circular symmetric nebula, which contrasts sharply with the asymmetry that characterizes the ionized component of the envelope, as evidenced from the radio and [Ne II] line images obtained with comparable spatial resolution. In particular, there is excellent overall agreement between the 12.8 micron map and the radio images, consistent with free-free emission from circumstellar ionized material surrounding a central stellar wind. The color temperature and optical depth maps obtained from mid-infrared images show only slight fluctuations, suggesting quite uniform dust characteristics over the dust shell. We explore various possibilities to understand the cause of the different morphology of the dusty and gaseous component of the circumstellar envelope which are compatible with the observations.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Quasi-degenerate self-trapping in one-dimensional charge transfer exciton

The self-trapping by the nondiagonal particle-phonon interaction between two quasi-degenerate energy levels of excitonic system, is studied. We propose this is realized in charge transfer exciton, where the directions of the polarization give the quasi-degeneracy. It is shown that this mechanism, unlike the conventional diagonal one, allows a coexistence and resonance of the free and self-trapped states even in one-dimensional systems and a quantitative theory for the optical properties (light absorption and time-resolved luminescence) of the resonating states is presented. This theory gives a consistent resolution for the long-standing puzzles in quasi-one-dimensional compound A-PMDA.Comment: accepted to Phys. Rev. Letter