1,238 research outputs found
Correlations in nano-scale step fluctuations: comparison of simulation and experiments
We analyze correlations in step-edge fluctuations using the
Bortz-Kalos-Lebowitz kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm, with a 2-parameter
expression for energy barriers, and compare with our VT-STM line-scan
experiments on spiral steps on Pb(111). The scaling of the correlation times
gives a dynamic exponent confirming the expected step-edge-diffusion
rate-limiting kinetics both in the MC and in the experiments. We both calculate
and measure the temperature dependence of (mass) transport properties via the
characteristic hopping times and deduce therefrom the notoriously-elusive
effective energy barrier for the edge fluctuations. With a careful analysis we
point out the necessity of a more complex model to mimic the kinetics of a
Pb(111) surface for certain parameter ranges.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Physical Review
Effect of seasonal dynamics of vegetation cover on land surface models: a case study of NOAH LSM over a savanna farm land in eastern Burkina Faso, West Africa
International audienceThe sensitivity of the land surface model of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the Oregon State University, the Air Force and the Hydrologic Research Lab (NOAH LSM) was evaluated with respect to the seasonal dynamics of the vegetation cover in the savanna area under intensive agriculture in the eastern part of Burkina Faso, West Africa. The data collected during the first long-term measurement of the surface fluxes in this mentioned region was used for this purpose. The choice of NOAH LSM was motivated by the fact that it has already been tested in different environments in West Africa, especially in Ghana. The sensitivity was tested by comparing the simulated surfaces fluxes using a fixed values of the roughness length for momentum as a standard in the model and the true seasonal value of this variable. The results show that NOAH LSM was not sensitive to the change of the roughness length for momentum neither on a seasonal basis nor on a daily basis, which was found to be abnormal. The formulation of the coefficient (Bc) coupling the dry canopy transpiration to the atmosphere was found to be the main reason for this. An improved formulation for this coefficient was given to solve this insensitivity and to improve the performance of the model. Recommendations are also given to enhance the performance of the model in the West African savanna environment
Dynamics of surface steps
In the framework of SOS models, the dynamics of isolated and pairs of surface
steps of monoatomic height is studied, for step--edge diffusion and for
evaporation kinetics, using Monte Carlo techniques. In particular, various
interesting crossover phenomena are identified. Simulational results are
compared, especially, to those of continuum theories and random walk
descriptions.Comment: 13 pages in elsart style, 4 eps figures, submitted to Physica
Fluctuations of steps on crystal surfaces
Fluctuations of isolated and pairs of ascending steps of monoatomic height
are studied in the framework of SOS models, using mainly Monte Carlo
techniques. Below the roughening transistion of the surface, the profiles of
long steps show the same scaling features for terrace and surface diffusion.
For a pair of short steps, their separation distance is found to grow as
at late stages. Above roughening, simulational data on surface
diffusion agree well with the classical continuum theory of Mullins.Comment: 4 pages, 2 eps figure
Morphology of ledge patterns during step flow growth of metal surfaces vicinal to fcc(001)
The morphological development of step edge patterns in the presence of
meandering instability during step flow growth is studied by simulations and
numerical integration of a continuum model. It is demonstrated that the kink
Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier responsible for the instability leads to an invariant
shape of the step profiles. The step morphologies change with increasing
coverage from a somewhat triangular shape to a more flat, invariant steady
state form. The average pattern shape extracted from the simulations is shown
to be in good agreement with that obtained from numerical integration of the
continuum theory.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, RevTeX 3, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Detection of a dense clump in a filament interacting with W51e2
In the framework of the Herschel/PRISMAS Guaranteed Time Key Program, the
line of sight to the distant ultracompact HII region W51e2 has been observed
using several selected molecular species. Most of the detected absorption
features are not associated with the background high-mass star-forming region
and probe the diffuse matter along the line of sight. We present here the
detection of an additional narrow absorption feature at ~70 km/s in the
observed spectra of HDO, NH3 and C3. The 70 km/s feature is not uniquely
identifiable with the dynamic components (the main cloud and the large-scale
foreground filament) so-far identified toward this region. The narrow
absorption feature is similar to the one found toward low-mass protostars,
which is characteristic of the presence of a cold external envelope. The
far-infrared spectroscopic data were combined with existing ground-based
observations of 12CO, 13CO, CCH, CN, and C3H2 to characterize the 70 km/s
component. Using a non-LTE analysis of multiple transitions of NH3 and CN, we
estimated the density (n(H2) (1-5)x10^5 cm^-3) and temperature (10-30 K) for
this narrow feature. We used a gas-grain warm-up based chemical model with
physical parameters derived from the NH3 data to explain the observed
abundances of the different chemical species. We propose that the 70 km/s
narrow feature arises in a dense and cold clump that probably is undergoing
collapse to form a low-mass protostar, formed on the trailing side of the
high-velocity filament, which is thought to be interacting with the W51 main
cloud. While the fortuitous coincidence of the dense clump along the line of
sight with the continuum-bright W51e2 compact HII region has contributed to its
non-detection in the continuum images, this same attribute makes it an
appropriate source for absorption studies and in particular for ice studies of
star-forming regions.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
The Effects of Next-Nearest-Neighbor Interactions on the Orientation Dependence of Step Stiffness: Reconciling Theory with Experiment for Cu(001)
Within the solid-on-solid (SOS) approximation, we carry out a calculation of
the orientational dependence of the step stiffness on a square lattice with
nearest and next-nearest neighbor interactions. At low temperature our result
reduces to a simple, transparent expression. The effect of the strongest trio
(three-site, non pairwise) interaction can easily be incorporated by modifying
the interpretation of the two pairwise energies. The work is motivated by a
calculation based on nearest neighbors that underestimates the stiffness by a
factor of 4 in directions away from close-packed directions, and a subsequent
estimate of the stiffness in the two high-symmetry directions alone that
suggested that inclusion of next-nearest-neighbor attractions could fully
explain the discrepancy. As in these earlier papers, the discussion focuses on
Cu(001).Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Nanoscale Equilibrium Crystal Shapes
The finite size and interface effects on equilibrium crystal shape (ECS) have
been investigated for the case of a surface free energy density including step
stiffness and inverse-square step-step interactions. Explicitly including the
curvature of a crystallite leads to an extra boundary condition in the solution
of the crystal shape, yielding a family of crystal shapes, governed by a shape
parameter c. The total crystallite free energy, including interface energy, is
minimized for c=0, yielding in all cases the traditional PT shape (z x3/2).
Solutions of the crystal shape for c≠0 are presented and discussed in the
context of meta-stable states due to the energy barrier for nucleation.
Explicit scaled relationships for the ECS and meta-stable states in terms of
the measurable step parameters and the interfacial energy are presented.Comment: 35 page
Rotational spectroscopy of rare iron monoxide isotopologues: A mass-independent analysis
We present pure rotational transitions of the rare iron monoxide isotopologues.,andin their lowest spin states. For, the rotational spectrum reveals hyperfine splitting due to the nuclear spin of. We use Dunham-like parameters to analyse the new laboratory data together with data from the literature. In particular, we are able to derive the Born-Oppenheimer breakdown parametersandand the corresponding equilibrium bond length of. With these new accurate molecular parameters line positions on a sub-MHz accuracy level can be calculated, including those of the radioactive isotopologue. The new data allow for an astronomical search for the rareisotopologues using sensitive radio telescopes, like the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array
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