Narrow-line magneto-optical trap for erbium

We report on the experimental realization of a robust and efficient magneto-optical trap for erbium atoms, based on a narrow cooling transition at 583nm. We observe up to $N=2 \times 10^{8}$ atoms at a temperature of about $T=15 \mu K$. This simple scheme provides better starting conditions for direct loading of dipole traps as compared to approaches based on the strong cooling transition alone, or on a combination of a strong and a narrow kHz transition. Our results on Er point to a general, simple and efficient approach to laser cool samples of other lanthanide atoms (Ho, Dy, and Tm) for the production of quantum-degenerate samples

An Association of Marine Tractive and Gravity Flow Sandy Deposits in the Eocene of the NW Part of the Island of Pag (Outer Dinarides, Croatia)

The Eocene clastics of the NW part of the island of Pag overlie carbonate platform deposits and are dominantly sandy. Besides minor components, they include cross-laminated and cross-bedded sandstones produced by marine tractive flows, mostly directed toward E, and ESE, and dominantly massive sandstones probably deposited by gravity flows. The area was situated close to sand-rich sources and river mouth(s). Possible settings include a delta-related shallow-marine area, and a sea strait. Structural deformation intervened very early in the history of a complex outer dinaric foreland realm and governed its subsequent evolution, in contrast to a simple foreland trough envisaged before

Srednjoeocenska starost navodnih oligocenskih sedimenata u flišu Pazinskoga bazena (Istra, Vanjski Dinaridi)

The dating of the flysch sediments of the coastal Dinarides is critical for considering the evolution of the Dinaric chain. The flysch of the Pazin Basin, Istria has been considered to be Late Lutetian to Late Eocene in age by many workers. The recently reported Late Oligocene age of a part of this flysch (ŠPARICA et al., 2005) is highly relevant when considering the sedimentary and tectonic evolution of the area, as well as the western Dinarides in general. The importance of the Late Oligocene dating, and the character of the succession of the area in question, which shows similarities with Middle Eocene sediments in other parts of the basin, provoked the need for a reevaluation of the dating of these specific sediments. The results presented here support the Middle Eocene age of these sediments, which is consistent with the dating proposed by previous workers, and agrees with the character of the relevant sedimentary succession.Dosadašnja istraživanja i shvaćanja, kako o starosti, tako i karakteru slijeda sedimenata fliša Pazinskoga bazena u Istri, upućivala su na ukupnu starost fliša od kasnoga lutecija do starijega priabonija. Međutim, nedavno su prikazani podaci, prema kojima jedan dio tih sedimenata odgovara kasnom oligocenu, što je bitna novost za razmatranje razvitka toga bazena, kao i orogena Dinarida. Ovaj rad odgovara na potrebu dodatne provjere starosti tih sedimenata zbog važnosti odnosnoga datiranja. Prikazani rezultati temelje se na usporedbi karaktera i slijeda sedimenata iz predjela odakle potječu nedavni podaci o oligocenu sa sedimentima drugih dijelova Pazinskoga bazena, te na biostratigrafskom datiranju pomoću planktonskih foraminifera i nanoplanktona. Ustanovljene biozone odgovaraju gornjem luteciju i donjem bartoniju, dakle, donjemu dijelu ukupnoga raspona starosti Pazinskoga fliša

Molecular genetic identification of skeletal remains from the Second World War Konfin I mass grave in Slovenia

This paper describes molecular genetic identification of one third of the skeletal remains of 88 victims of postwar (June 1945) killings found in the Konfin I mass grave in Slovenia. Living relatives were traced for 36 victims. We analyzed 84 right femurs and compared their genetic profiles to the genetic material of living relatives. We cleaned the bones, removed surface contamination, and ground the bones into powder. Prior to DNA isolation using Biorobot EZ1 (Qiagen), the powder was decalcified. The nuclear DNA of the samples was quantified using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. We extracted 0.8 to 100 ng DNA/g of bone powder from 82 bones. Autosomal genetic profiles and Y-chromosome haplotypes were obtained from 98% of the bones, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes from 95% of the bones for the HVI region and from 98% of the bones for the HVII region. Genetic profiles of the nuclear and mtDNA were determined for reference persons. For traceability in the event of contamination, we created an elimination database including genetic profiles of the nuclear and mtDNA of all persons that had been in contact with the skeletal remains. When comparing genetic profiles, we matched 28 of the 84 bones analyzed with living relatives (brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, nephews, or cousins). The statistical analyses showed a high confidence of correct identification for all 28 victims in the Konfin I mass grave (posterior probability ranged from 99.9% to more than 99.999999%)

Structure and superconductivity of tin-containing hftizrsnm (M = cu, fe, nb, ni) medium-entropy and high-entropy alloys

In an attempt to incorporate tin (Sn) into high-entropy alloys composed of refractory metals Hf, Nb, Ti and Zr with the addition of 3d transition metals Cu, Fe, and Ni, we synthesized a series of alloys in the system HfTiZrSnM (M = Cu, Fe, Nb, Ni). The alloys were characterized crystallographically, microstructurally, and compositionally, and their physical properties were determined, with the emphasis on superconductivity. All Sn-containing alloys are multi-phase mixtures of intermetallic compounds (in most cases four). A common feature of the alloys is a microstructure of large crystalline grains of a hexagonal (Hf, Ti, Zr)5Sn3 partially ordered phase embedded in a matrix that also contains many small inclusions. In the HfTiZrSnCu alloy, some Cu is also incorporated into the grains. Based on the electrical resistivity, specific heat, and magnetization measurements, a superconducting (SC) state was observed in the HfTiZr, HfTiZrSn, HfTiZrSnNi, and HfTiZrSnNb alloys. The HfTiZrSnFe alloy shows a partial SC transition, whereas the HfTiZrSnCu alloy is non-superconducting. All SC alloys are type II superconductors and belong to the Anderson class of “dirty” superconductors

NbS3_{3}: A unique quasi one-dimensional conductor with three charge density wave transitions

Through transport, compositional and structural studies, we review the features of the charge-density wave (CDW) conductor of NbS$_{3}$ (phase II). We highlight three central results: 1) In addition to the previously reported CDW transitions at $T_{P1}$ = 360\,K and $T_{P2}$ = 150\,K, another CDW transition occurs at a much higher temperature $T_{P0}$ = 620-650\,K; evidence for the non-linear conductivity of this CDW is presented. 2) We show that CDW associated with the $T_{P2}$ - transition arises from S vacancies acting as donors. Such a CDW transition has not been observed before. 3) We show exceptional coherence of the $T_{P1}$-CDW at room-temperature. Additionally, we report on the effects of uniaxial strain on the CDW transition temperatures and transport.Comment: 16 pages, 18 figure