Spin currents in superconductors

It is argued that experiments on rotating superconductors provide evidence for the existence of macroscopic spin currents in superconductors in the absence of applied external fields. Furthermore it is shown that the model of hole superconductivity predicts the existence of such currents in all superconductors. In addition it is pointed out that spin currents are required within a related macroscopic (London-like) electrodynamic description of superconductors recently proposed. The spin current arises through an intrinsic spin Hall effect when negative charge is expelled from the interior of the metal upon the transition to the superconducting state

Mission Capabilities of Ion Engines. Phase II

Payloads and mission times were calculated for space vehicles propelled by ion rockets using nuclear power supplies having specific weights from 10 t o 50 lb/kw. Included in the study were five missions: low-altitude lunar satellite, low-altitude Venus satellite, solar probe, Saturn probe, and a Jupiter satellite with a circular orbit at the altitude of Jupiter's fourth moon. The variation of payload with the ration of power supply weight to gross weight was studied and the optimum power levels thereby determined. The ion rocket payload capabilities were compared with those of high-thrust vehicles using hydrogen-oxygen rockets and tungsten-core nuclear rockets; in addition the performance of high- and low-thrust systems staged in combination has been investigated. Launch vehicles considered in this study were the Atlas-Centaur, the Saturn C-1, and the Saturn C-5

Mission Capabilities of Ion Engines Using SNAP-8 Power Supplies

Mission performance capabilities of ion engines powered by the 30 kw and 60 kw SNAP-8 power supplies are compared for the following missions: a 24-hr equatorial satellite, a 100 n mi lunar satellite, a 500 n mi Mars satellite, a Mercury probe, and an out-of-the-ecliptic probe. The capabilities of arc- jet engines and chemical engines for the same missions are compared with those of the ion engines. The majority of the comparisons are for 8500-lb spacecraft which are boosted into a 300 n mi orbit by the Atlas-Centaur. Variations in initial orbit altitude, the use of actual launch dates rather than dates based on simplifying assumptions, and the combined use of chemical and electrical propulsion systems were also evaluated in terms of their effect on mission performance

A generic multi-flex-body dynamics, controls simulation tool for space station

An order (n) multiflex body Space Station simulation tool is introduced. The flex multibody modeling is generic enough to model all phases of Space Station from build up through to Assembly Complete configuration and beyond. Multibody subsystems such as the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) undergoing a prescribed translation and rotation are also allowed. The software includes aerodynamic, gravity gradient, and magnetic field models. User defined controllers can be discrete or continuous. Extensive preprocessing of 'body by body' NASTRAN flex data is built in. A significant aspect, too, is the integrated controls design capability which includes model reduction and analytic linearization

Macroscopic Aharonov--Bohm Effect in Type-I Superconductors

In type-I superconducting cylinders bulk superconductivity is destroyed above the first critical current. Below the second critical current the `type-I mixed state' displays fluctuation superconductivity which contributes to the total current. A magnetic flux on the axis of the cylinder can change the second critical current by as much as 50 percent so that half a flux quantum can switch the cylinder from normal conduction to superconductivity: the Aharonov--Bohm effect manifests itself in macroscopically large resistance changes of the cylinder.Comment: five pages, one figur

The two-fluid model with superfluid entropy

The two-fluid model of liquid helium is generalized to the case that the superfluid fraction has a small entropy content. We present theoretical arguments in favour of such a small superfluid entropy. In the generalized two-fluid model various sound modes of He$\;$II are investigated. In a superleak carrying a persistent current the superfluid entropy leads to a new sound mode which we call sixth sound. The relation between the sixth sound and the superfluid entropy is discussed in detail.Comment: 22 pages, latex, published in Nuovo Cimento 16 D (1994) 37

On the origin of the decrease in the torsional oscillator period of solid He4

A decrease in the rotational period observed in torsional oscillator measurements was recently taken as a possible indication of a supersolid state of helium. We reexamine this interpretation and note that the decrease in the rotation period is also consistent with a solidification of a small liquid-like component into a low-temperature glass. Such a solidification may occur by a low-temperature quench of topological defects (e.g., grain boundaries or dislocations) which we examined in an earlier work. The low-temperature glass can account for not only a monotonic decrease in the rotation period as the temperature is lowered but also explains the peak in the dissipation occurring near the transition point. Unlike the non-classical rotational inertia scenario, which depends on the supersolid fraction, the dependence of the rotational period on external parameters, e.g., the oscillator velocity, provides an alternate interpretation of the oscillator experiments. Future experiments might explore this effect.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Single Leptoquark Production at e+e−e^+e^- and γγ\gamma\gamma Colliders

We consider single production of leptoquarks (LQ's) at $e^+e^-$ and $\gamma\gamma$ colliders, for two values of the centre-of-mass energy, $\sqrt{s}=500$ GeV and 1 TeV. We find that LQ's which couple within the first generation are observable for LQ masses almost up to the kinematic limit, both at $e^+e^-$ and $\gamma\gamma$ colliders, for the LQ coupling strength equal to $\alpha_{em}$. The cross sections for single production of $2^{nd}$- and $3^{rd}$-generation LQ's at $e^+e^-$ colliders are too small to be observable. In $\gamma\gamma$ collisions, on the other hand, $2^{nd}$-generation LQ's with masses much larger than $\sqrt{s}/2$ can be detected. However, $3^{rd}$-generation LQ's can be seen at $\gamma\gamma$ colliders only for masses at most $\sim\sqrt{s}/2$, making their observation more probable via the pair production mechanism.Comment: plain TeX, 14 pages, 6 figures (not included but available on request), some minor changes to the text, one reference added, figures and conclusions unchanged, UdeM-LPN-TH-93-152, McGill-93/2

Spin flip lifetimes in superconducting atom chips: BCS versus Eliashberg theory

We investigate theoretically the magnetic spin-flip transitions of neutral atoms trapped near a superconducting slab. Our calculations are based on a quantum-theoretical treatment of electromagnetic radiation near dielectric and metallic bodies. Specific results are given for rubidium atoms near a niobium superconductor. At the low frequencies typical of the atomic transitions, we find that BCS theory greatly overestimates coherence effects, which are much less pronounced when quasiparticle lifetime effects are included through Eliashberg theory. At 4.2 K, the typical atomic spin lifetime is found to be larger than a thousand seconds, even for atom-superconductor distances of one micrometer. This constitutes a large enhancement in comparison with normal metals.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Ultrathin Metallic Coatings Can Induce Quantum Levitation between Nanosurfaces

There is an attractive Casimir-Lifshitz force between two silica surfaces in a liquid (bromobenze or toluene). We demonstrate that adding an ultrathin (5-50{\AA}) metallic nanocoating to one of the surfaces results in repulsive Casimir-Lifshitz forces above a critical separation. The onset of such quantum levitation comes at decreasing separations as the film thickness decreases. Remarkably the effect of retardation can turn attraction into repulsion. From that we explain how an ultrathin metallic coating may prevent nanoelectromechanical systems from crashing together.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure