Ginzburg-Landau theory of dirty two band s±s_{\pm} superconductors

In this paper we study the effect of non-magnetic impurities on two-band $s_{\pm}$ superconductors by deriving the corresponding Ginzburg-Landau (GL) equation. Depending on the strength of (impurity-induced) inter-band scattering we find that there are two distinctive regions where the superconductors behave very differently. In the strong impurity induced inter-band scattering regime $T_c<<\tau^{-1}_t$, where $\tau_t\sim$ mean-life time an electron stays in one band the two-band superconductor behaves as an effective one-band dirty superconductor. In the other limit $T_c\geq\tau^{-1}_t$, the dirty two-band superconductor is described by a network of frustrated two-band superconductor grains connected by Josepshon tunnelling junctions. We argue that most pnictide superconductors are in the later regime.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Data catalog series for space science and applications flight missions. Volume 4B: Descriptions of data sets from meteorological and terrestrial applications spacecraft and investigations

The main purpose of the data catalog series is to provide descriptive references to data generated by space science flight missions. The data sets described include all of the actual holdings of the Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), all data sets for which direct contact information is available, and some data collections held and serviced by foreign investigators, NASA and other U.S. government agencies. This volume contains narrative descriptions of data sets from meteorological and terrestrial applications spacecraft and investigations. The following spacecraft series are included: Mariner, Pioneer, Pioneer Venus, Venera, Viking, Voyager, and Helios. Separate indexes to the planetary and interplanetary missions are also provided

Fabrication of Embedded Microvalve on PMMA Microfluidic Devices through Surface Functionalization

The integration of a PDMS membrane within orthogonally placed PMMA microfluidic channels enables the pneumatic actuation of valves within bonded PMMA-PDMS-PMMA multilayer devices. Here, surface functionalization of PMMA substrates via acid catalyzed hydrolysis and air plasma corona treatment were investigated as possible techniques to permanently bond PMMA microfluidic channels to PDMS surfaces. FTIR and water contact angle analysis of functionalized PMMA substrates showed that air plasma corona treatment was most effective in inducing PMMA hydrophilicity. Subsequent fluidic tests showed that air plasma modified and bonded PMMA multilayer devices could withstand fluid pressure at an operational flow rate of 9 mircoliters/min. The pneumatic actuation of the embedded PDMS membrane was observed through optical microscopy and an electrical resistance based technique. PDMS membrane actuation occurred at pneumatic pressures of as low as 10kPa and complete valving occurred at 14kPa for 100 micrometers x 100 micrometers channel cross-sections.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/handle/2042/16838

NEW PARTICLES AND INTERACTIONS

We analyze the manifestations of new matter particles predicted by models of new physics beyond the Standard Model, at present and future high--energy colliders. We consider both the production of these new particles and some of their indirect signatures at $pp$ and $eP$ colliders as well as TeV \ee colliders with their \ee, e \gamma, \gamma \gamma and $e^- e^-$ modes. The report is arranged into four main sections plus an overview. These sections will deal separately with exotic and excited fermions, difermions, and new interactions.Comment: 64 pages, latex, 30 figures (not included). The full *.ps file including the figures can be obtained via anonymous ftp at ftp://lpsvsh.lps.umontreal.ca/hep_th/dpf.ps . To appear as a chapter in "Electroweak Symmetry Breaking and Beyond the Standard Model", edited by T. Barklow, S. Dawson, H.E. Haber and S. Siegrist, World Scientifi

Lower body design of the ‘iCub’ a human-baby like crawling robot

The development of robotic cognition and a greater understanding of human cognition form two of the current greatest challenges of science. Within the RobotCub project the goal is the development of an embodied robotic child (iCub) with the physical and ultimately cognitive abilities of a 2frac12 year old human baby. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide the cognition research community with an open human like platform for understanding of cognitive systems through the study of cognitive development. In this paper the design of the mechanisms adopted for lower body and particularly for the leg and the waist are outlined. This is accompanied by discussion on the actuator group realisation in order to meet the torque requirements while achieving the dimensional and weight specifications. Estimated performance measures of the iCub are presented