20,037 research outputs found
Proximity effect on hydrodynamic interaction between a sphere and a plane measured by Force Feedback Microscopy at different frequencies
In this article, we measure the viscous damping and the associated
stiffness of a liquid flow in sphere-plane geometry in a large frequency
range. In this regime, the lubrication approximation is expected to dominate.
We first measure the static force applied to the tip. This is made possible
thanks to a force feedback method. Adding a sub-nanometer oscillation of the
tip, we obtain the dynamic part of the interaction with solely the knowledge of
the lever properties in the experimental context using a linear transformation
of the amplitude and phase change. Using a Force Feedback Microscope (FFM)we
are then able to measure simultaneously the static force, the stiffness and the
dissipative part of the interaction in a broad frequency range using a single
AFM probe. Similar measurements have been performed by the Surface Force
Apparatus with a probe radius hundred times bigger. In this context the FFM can
be called nano-SFA
Nonlinear switching and solitons in PT-symmetric photonic systems
One of the challenges of the modern photonics is to develop all-optical
devices enabling increased speed and energy efficiency for transmitting and
processing information on an optical chip. It is believed that the recently
suggested Parity-Time (PT) symmetric photonic systems with alternating regions
of gain and loss can bring novel functionalities. In such systems, losses are
as important as gain and, depending on the structural parameters, gain
compensates losses. Generally, PT systems demonstrate nontrivial
non-conservative wave interactions and phase transitions, which can be employed
for signal filtering and switching, opening new prospects for active control of
light. In this review, we discuss a broad range of problems involving nonlinear
PT-symmetric photonic systems with an intensity-dependent refractive index.
Nonlinearity in such PT symmetric systems provides a basis for many effects
such as the formation of localized modes, nonlinearly-induced PT-symmetry
breaking, and all-optical switching. Nonlinear PT-symmetric systems can serve
as powerful building blocks for the development of novel photonic devices
targeting an active light control.Comment: 33 pages, 33 figure
The role of electron-electron interactions in two-dimensional Dirac fermions
The role of electron-electron interactions on two-dimensional Dirac fermions
remains enigmatic. Using a combination of nonperturbative numerical and
analytical techniques that incorporate both the contact and long-range parts of
the Coulomb interaction, we identify the two previously discussed regimes: a
Gross-Neveu transition to a strongly correlated Mott insulator, and a
semi-metallic state with a logarithmically diverging Fermi velocity accurately
described by the random phase approximation. Most interestingly, experimental
realizations of Dirac fermions span the crossover between these two regimes
providing the physical mechanism that masks this velocity divergence. We
explain several long-standing mysteries including why the observed Fermi
velocity in graphene is consistently about 20 percent larger than the best
values calculated using ab initio and why graphene on different substrates show
different behavior.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure
Recommended from our members
Solid Freeform Fabrication of Functional Silicon Nitride Ceramics by Laminated Object Manufacturing 1
The processing of silicon nitride (Si3N4) structural ceramics by Laminated Object
Manufacturing (LOM) using ceramic tape preforms was investigated. The key processing stages
involved green shape formation (which used the LOM process), followed by the burnout of all
organics, and final densification by pressureless sintering. Two material systems were
considered. These were a) monolithic Si3N4 and b) a preceramic polymer infiltrated Si3N4. The
raw materials for the process were tape preforms of Si3N4, which were fabricated by standard
tape casting techniques.
Mechanical property data obtained for the LOM processed Si3N4 showed high strength and
fracture toughness values. The room temperature and high temperature (1260 o
C) flexural
strengths were in the range of 700-900 MPa and 360-400 MPa, respectively. The fracture
toughness averaged from 5.5-7.5 MPa.m1/2. These strength and fracture toughness values are
comparable to those reported for conventionally prepared Si3N4 ceramics. Thus, this research
demonstrated that the LOM technique is a viable method for preparing functional Si3N4 ceramics
with good physical and mechanical properties.Mechanical Engineerin
- …