1,141 research outputs found
On the first Gaussian map for Prym-canonical line bundles
We prove by degeneration to Prym-canonical binary curves that the first
Gaussian map of the Prym canonical line bundle is
surjective for the general point [C,A] of R_g if g >11, while it is injective
if g < 12.Comment: To appear in Geometriae Dedicata. arXiv admin note: text overlap with
arXiv:1105.447
Nondissipative Addressing for Time-Division SQUID Multiplexing
International audienceRecent and future astronomical instruments are based on a focal plane mapped by a large array of superconducting bolometers. Cryogenic analog multiplexing readout techniques, based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), are currently developed to achieve the readout of large arrays of this kind of low noise background-limited detectors. To effectively reduce the number of cryogenic wires (particularly, SQUID biasing), line/column addressing is currently used in time-division multiplexing, i.e., same biasing is applied to a few SQUIDs (on a line) of different columns. This technique should dramatically increase power consumption if parallel biasing is applied via resistors to isolate each column; the power budget is particularly limited on this kind of front-end cryogenic readout. A design with one transformer per SQUID is also used to read out SQUID biased in series with no excess of consumption and crosstalk. We propose here a new biasing technique using simple surface-mounted capacitors, which is easier to implement. These capacitors are used to parallel bias SQUIDs without additional Joule effect while minimizing crosstalk. However, capacitors do not allow dc biasing and need a current mean value equal to zero to avoid biasing source saturation. We have then tested square current biasing through capacitors on a commercial SQUID. This measurement shows that capacitors are able to proper bias SQUID and then to perform a nondissipative addressing for time-division SQUID multiplexing
Effective algebraic degeneracy
We prove that any nonconstant entire holomorphic curve from the complex line
C into a projective algebraic hypersurface X = X^n in P^{n+1}(C) of arbitrary
dimension n (at least 2) must be algebraically degenerate provided X is generic
if its degree d = deg(X) satisfies the effective lower bound: d larger than or
equal to n^{{(n+1)}^{n+5}}
Structural basis for membrane attack complex inhibition by CD59
CD59 is an abundant immuno-regulatory receptor that protects human cells from damage during complement activation. Here we show how the receptor binds complement proteins C8 and C9 at the membrane to prevent insertion and polymerization of membrane attack complex (MAC) pores. We present cryo-electron microscopy structures of two inhibited MAC precursors known as C5b8 and C5b9. We discover that in both complexes, CD59 binds the pore-forming β-hairpins of C8 to form an intermolecular β-sheet that prevents membrane perforation. While bound to C8, CD59 deflects the cascading C9 β-hairpins, rerouting their trajectory into the membrane. Preventing insertion of C9 restricts structural transitions of subsequent monomers and indirectly halts MAC polymerization. We combine our structural data with cellular assays and molecular dynamics simulations to explain how the membrane environment impacts the dual roles of CD59 in controlling pore formation of MAC, and as a target of bacterial virulence factors which hijack CD59 to lyse human cells
Electric-Field Tuning of Spin-Dependent Exciton-Exciton Interactions in Coupled Quantum Wells
We have shown experimentally that an electric field decreases the energy
separation between the two components of a dense spin-polarized exciton gas in
a coupled double quantum well, from a maximum splitting of meV to
zero, at a field of 35 kV/cm. This decrease, due to the field-induced
deformation of the exciton wavefunction, is explained by an existing
calculation of the change in the spin-dependent exciton-exciton interaction
with the electron-hole separation. However, a new theory that considers the
modification of screening with that separation is needed to account for the
observed dependence on excitation power of the individual energies of the two
exciton components.Comment: 5 pages, 4 eps figures, RevTeX, Physical Review Letters (in press
Hot electron cooling by acoustic phonons in graphene
We have investigated the energy loss of hot electrons in metallic graphene by
means of GHz noise thermometry at liquid helium temperature. We observe the
electronic temperature T / V at low bias in agreement with the heat diffusion
to the leads described by the Wiedemann-Franz law. We report on
behavior at high bias, which corresponds to a T4 dependence
of the cooling power. This is the signature of a 2D acoustic phonon cooling
mechanism. From a heat equation analysis of the two regimes we extract accurate
values of the electron-acoustic phonon coupling constant in monolayer
graphene. Our measurements point to an important effect of lattice disorder in
the reduction of , not yet considered by theory. Moreover, our study
provides a strong and firm support to the rising field of graphene bolometric
detectors.Comment: 5 figure
Measurement of miniband parameters of a doped superlattice by photoluminescence in high magnetic fields
We have studied a 50/50\AA superlattice of GaAs/AlGaAs
composition, modulation-doped with Si, to produce
cm electrons per superlattice period. The modulation-doping was tailored
to avoid the formation of Tamm states, and photoluminescence due to interband
transitions from extended superlattice states was detected. By studying the
effects of a quantizing magnetic field on the superlattice photoluminescence,
the miniband energy width, the reduced effective mass of the electron-hole
pair, and the band gap renormalization could be deduced.Comment: minor typing errors (minus sign in eq. (5)
Optical properties of an ensemble of G-centers in silicon
We addressed the carrier dynamics in so-called G-centers in silicon
(consisting of substitutional-interstitial carbon pairs interacting with
interstitial silicons) obtained via ion implantation into a
silicon-on-insulator wafer. For this point defect in silicon emitting in the
telecommunication wavelength range, we unravel the recombination dynamics by
time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. More specifically, we performed
detailed photoluminescence experiments as a function of excitation energy,
incident power, irradiation fluence and temperature in order to study the
impact of radiative and non-radiative recombination channels on the spectrum,
yield and lifetime of G-centers. The sharp line emitting at 969 meV (1280
nm) and the broad asymmetric sideband developing at lower energy share the same
recombination dynamics as shown by time-resolved experiments performed
selectively on each spectral component. This feature accounts for the common
origin of the two emission bands which are unambiguously attributed to the
zero-phonon line and to the corresponding phonon sideband. In the framework of
the Huang-Rhys theory with non-perturbative calculations, we reach an
estimation of 1.60.1 \angstrom for the spatial extension of the
electronic wave function in the G-center. The radiative recombination time
measured at low temperature lies in the 6 ns-range. The estimation of both
radiative and non-radiative recombination rates as a function of temperature
further demonstrate a constant radiative lifetime. Finally, although G-centers
are shallow levels in silicon, we find a value of the Debye-Waller factor
comparable to deep levels in wide-bandgap materials. Our results point out the
potential of G-centers as a solid-state light source to be integrated into
opto-electronic devices within a common silicon platform
Excitation transfer and luminescence in porphyrin-carbon nanotube complexes
Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with hydrosoluble porphyrins (TPPS) is
achieved by "-stacking". The porphyrin/nanotube interaction is studied by
means of optical absorption, photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation
spectroscopies. The main absorption line of the porphyrins adsorbed on
nanotubes exhibits a 120 meV red shift, which we ascribe to a flattening of the
molecule in order to optimize interactions. The porphyrin-nanotube
complex shows a strong quenching of the TPPS emission while the
photoluminescence intensity of the nanotubes is enhanced when the excitation
laser is in resonance with the porphyrin absorption band. This reveals an
efficient excitation transfer from the TPPS to the carbon nanotube
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