Fixed-Node Monte Carlo Calculations for the 1d Kondo Lattice Model

The effectiveness of the recently developed Fixed-Node Quantum Monte Carlo method for lattice fermions, developed by van Leeuwen and co-workers, is tested by applying it to the 1D Kondo lattice, an example of a one-dimensional model with a sign problem. The principles of this method and its implementation for the Kondo Lattice Model are discussed in detail. We compare the fixed-node upper bound for the ground state energy at half filling with exact-diagonalization results from the literature, and determine several spin correlation functions. Our `best estimates' for the ground state correlation functions do not depend sensitively on the input trial wave function of the fixed-node projection, and are reasonably close to the exact values. We also calculate the spin gap of the model with the Fixed-Node Monte Carlo method. For this it is necessary to use a many-Slater-determinant trial state. The lowest-energy spin excitation is a running spin soliton with wave number pi, in agreement with earlier calculations.Comment: 19 pages, revtex, contribution to Festschrift for Hans van Leeuwe

Design and experimental validation of a compact collimated Knudsen source

In this paper we discuss the design and performance of a collimated Knudsen source which has the benefit of a simple design over recirculating sources. Measurements of the flux, transverse velocity distribution and brightness at different temperatures were conducted to evaluate the performance. The scaling of the flux and brightness with the source temperature follow the theoretical predictions. The transverse velocity distribution in the transparent operation regime also agrees with the simulated data. The source was found able to produce a flux of $10^{14}$ s$^{-1}$ at a temperature of 433 K. Furthermore the transverse reduced brightness of an ion beam with equal properties as the atomic beam reads $1.7 \times 10^2$ A/(m${}^2$ sr eV) which is sufficient for our goal: the creation of an ultra-cold ion beam by ionization of a laser-cooled and compressed atomic rubidium beam

Cavity-enhanced photoionization of an ultracold rubidium beam for application in focused ion beams

A two-step photoionization strategy of an ultracold rubidium beam for application in a focused ion beam instrument is analyzed and implemented. In this strategy the atomic beam is partly selected with an aperture after which the transmitted atoms are ionized in the overlap of a tightly cylindrically focused excitation laser beam and an ionization laser beam whose power is enhanced in a build-up cavity. The advantage of this strategy, as compared to without the use of a build-up cavity, is that higher ionization degrees can be reached at higher currents. Optical Bloch equations including the photoionization process are used to calculate what ionization degree and ionization position distribution can be reached. Furthermore, the ionization strategy is tested on an ultracold beam of $^{85}$Rb atoms. The beam current is measured as a function of the excitation and ionization laser beam intensity and the selection aperture size. Although details are different, the global trends of the measurements agree well with the calculation. With a selection aperture diameter of 52 $\mu$m, a current of $\left(170\pm4\right)$ pA is measured, which according to calculations is 63% of the current equivalent of the transmitted atomic flux. Taking into account the ionization degree the ion beam peak reduced brightness is estimated at $1\times10^7$ A/(m$^2\,$sr$\,$eV).Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure

Methylation Status of Imprinted Genes and Repetitive Elements in Sperm DNA from Infertile Males

Stochastic, environmentally and/or genetically induced disturbances in the genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming processes during male germ-cell development may contribute to male infertility. To test this hypothesis, we have studied the methylation levels of 2 paternally (H19 and GTL2) and 5 maternally methylated (LIT1, MEST, NESPAS, PEG3, and SNRPN) imprinted genes, as well as of ALU and LINE1 repetitive elements in 141 sperm samples, which were used for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including 106 couples with strictly male-factor or combined male and female infertility and 28 couples with strictly female-factor infertility. Aberrant methylation imprints showed a significant association with abnormal semen parameters, but did not seem to influence ART outcome. Repeat methylation also differed significantly between sperm samples from infertile and presumably fertile males. However, in contrast to imprinted genes, ALU methylation had a significant impact on pregnancy and live-birth rate in couples with male-factor or combined infertility. ALU methylation was significantly high-er in sperm samples leading to pregnancy and live-birth than in those that did not. Sperm samples leading to abortions showed significantly lower ALU methylation levels than those leading to the birth of a baby. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base