Order of Two-Dimensional Isotropic Dipolar Antiferromagnets

The question of the existence of order in two-dimensional isotropic dipolar Heisenberg antiferromagnets is studied. It is shown that the dipolar interaction leads to a gap in the spin-wave energy and a nonvanishing order parameter. The resulting finite N\'eel-temperature is calculated for a square lattice by means of linear spin-wave theory.Comment: 10 pages, REVTEX, 1 figure available upon request, TUM-CP-93-0

Neel Temperature for Quasi-Two-Dimensional Dipolar Antiferromagnets

We calculate the N\'eel temperature $T_N$ for two-dimensional isotropic dipolar Heisenberg antiferromagnets via linear spin-wave theory and a high temperature expansion, employing the method of Callen. The theoretical predictions for $T_N$ for K$_2$MnF$_4$, Rb$_2$MnF$_4$, Rb$_2$MnCl$_4$ and (CH$_3$NH$_3$)$_2$MnCl$_4$ are in good agreement with the measured values.Comment: 12 pages, REVTEX, TUM-CP-93-0

In-plane dipole coupling anisotropy of a square ferromagnetic Heisenberg monolayer

In this study we calculate the dipole-coupling-induced quartic in-plane anisotropy of a square ferromagnetic Heisenberg monolayer. This anisotropy increases with an increasing temperature, reaching its maximum value close to the Curie temperature of the system. At T=0 the system is isotropic, besides a small remaining anisotropy due to the zero-point motion of quantum mechanical spins. The reason for the dipole-coupling-induced anisotropy is the disturbance of the square spin lattice due to thermal fluctuations ('order-by-disorder' effect). For usual ferromagnets its strength is small as compared to other anisotropic contributions, and decreases by application of an external magnetic field. The results are obtained from a Heisenberg Hamiltonian by application of a mean field approach for a spin cluster, as well as from a many-body Green's function theory within the Tyablikov-decoupling (RPA).Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in RP

'Theory for the enhanced induced magnetization in coupled magnetic trilayers in the presence of spin fluctuations'

Motivated by recent experiments, the effect of the interlayer exchange interaction $J_{inter}$ on the magnetic properties of coupled Co/Cu/Ni trilayers is studied theoretically. Here the Ni film has a lower Curie temperature $T_{C,\rm Ni}$ than the Co film in case of decoupled layers. We show that by taking into account magnetic fluctuations the interlayer coupling induces a strong magnetization for T\gtsim T_{C,\rm Ni} in the Ni film. For an increasing $J_{inter}$ the resonance-like peak of the longitudinal Ni susceptibility is shifted to larger temperatures, whereas its maximum value decreases strongly. A decreasing Ni film thickness enhances the induced Ni magnetization for T\gtsim T_{C,\rm Ni}. The measurements cannot be explained properly by a mean field estimate, which yields a ten times smaller effect. Thus, the observed magnetic properties indicate the strong effect of 2D magnetic fluctuations in these layered magnetic systems. The calculations are performed with the help of a Heisenberg Hamiltonian and a Green's function approach.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Efficient Computation of PDF-Based Characteristics from Diffusion MR Signal

International audienceWe present a general method for the computation of PDF-based characteristics of the tissue micro-architecture in MR imaging. The approach relies on the approximation of the MR signal by a series expansion based on Spherical Harmonics and Laguerre-Gaussian functions, followed by a simple projection step that is efficiently done in a finite dimensional space. The resulting algorithm is generic, flexible and is able to compute a large set of useful characteristics of the local tissues structure. We illustrate the effectiveness of this approach by showing results on synthetic and real MR datasets acquired in a clinical time-frame

Volume transmission and wiring transmission from cellular to molecular networks: history and perspectives

The present paper deals with a fundamental issue in neuroscience: the inter-neuronal communication. The paper gives a brief account of our previous and more recent theoretical contributions to the subject and also reports new recent data that support some aspects of our proposal on two major modes of communication in the central nervous system: the wiring and the volume transmission. There exist two competing theories on inter-neuronal communication: the neuron doctrine and the theory of the diffuse nerve network, supported by Cajal and Golgi, respectively (see their respective Nobel Lectures). The present paper gives a brief account of a view on inter-neuronal communication in the brain, the volume and wiring transmission concept that to a great extent reconcile these two theories. Thus, the theory of volume and wiring transmission are summarized and its recent developments that allow to extend these two modes of communication from the cellular network to the molecular network level is also briefly illustrated. The explanatory value of this broadened view is further enhanced by our recent proposal on the existence of a Global Molecular Network enmeshing the entire central nervous system. It may be interesting to note that also the Global Molecular Network theory is reminiscent of the old reticular theory of Apathy. Finally, the so-called 'tide hypothesis' for diffusion of signals in the brain is briefly discussed and its possible extension to the molecular level is for the first time introduced. Early indirect evidence supporting volume transmission in the brain was the discovery of transmitter-receptor mismatches. Thus, as an experimental part of the present paper a new approach to evaluate transmitter-receptor mismatches is given and evidence for inter-relationships between temperature micro-gradients and mismatches is provided