Functional renormalization group approach to the singlet-triplet transition in quantum dots

We present a functional renormalization group approach to the zero bias transport properties of a quantum dot with two different orbitals and in presence of Hund's coupling. Tuning the energy separation of the orbital states, the quantum dot can be driven through a singlet-triplet transition. Our approach, based on the approach by Karrasch {\em et al} which we apply to spin-dependent interactions, recovers the key characteristics of the quantum dot transport properties with very little numerical effort. We present results on the conductance in the vicinity of the transition and compare our results both with previous numerical renormalization group results and with predictions of the perturbative renormalization group.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Clustering of vacancy defects in high-purity semi-insulating SiC

Positron lifetime spectroscopy was used to study native vacancy defects in semi-insulating silicon carbide. The material is shown to contain (i) vacancy clusters consisting of 4--5 missing atoms and (ii) Si vacancy related negatively charged defects. The total open volume bound to the clusters anticorrelates with the electrical resistivity both in as-grown and annealed material. Our results suggest that Si vacancy related complexes compensate electrically the as-grown material, but migrate to increase the size of the clusters during annealing, leading to loss of resistivity.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Flat Dielectric Grating Reflectors with High Focusing Power

Sub-wavelength dielectric gratings (SWG) have emerged recently as a promising alternative to distributed-Bragg-reflection (DBR) dielectric stacks for broadband, high-reflectivity filtering applications. A SWG structure composed of a single dielectric layer with the appropriate patterning can sometimes perform as well as thirty or forty dielectric DBR layers, while providing new functionalities such as polarization control and near-field amplification. In this paper, we introduce a remarkable property of grating mirrors that cannot be realized by their DBR counterpart: we show that a non-periodic patterning of the grating surface can give full control over the phase front of reflected light while maintaining a high reflectivity. This new feature of dielectric gratings could have a substantial impact on a number of applications that depend on low-cost, compact optical components, from laser cavities to CD/DVD read/write heads.Comment: submitted to Nature Photonic

New rr-Matrices for Lie Bialgebra Structures over Polynomials

For a finite dimensional simple complex Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, Lie bialgebra structures on $\mathfrak{g}[[u]]$ and $\mathfrak{g}[u]$ were classified by Montaner, Stolin and Zelmanov. In our paper, we provide an explicit algorithm to produce $r$-matrices which correspond to Lie bialgebra structures over polynomials

Affective uplift during video game play:A naturalistic case study

Do video games affect players’ well-being? In this case study, we examined 162,325 intensive longitudinal in-game mood reports from 67,328 play sessions of 8,695 players of the popular game PowerWash Simulator. We compared players’ moods at the beginning of play session with their moods during play, and found that the average player reported 0.034 [0.032, 0.036] visual analog scale (VAS; 0-1) units greater mood during than at the beginning of play sessions. Moreover, we predict that 72.1% [70.8%, 73.5%] of similar players experience this affective uplift during play, and that the bulk of it happens during the first 15 minutes of play. We do not know whether these results indicate causal effects or to what extent they generalize to other games or player populations. Yet, these results based on in-game subjective reports from players of a popular commercially available game suggest good external validity, and as such offer a promising glimpse of the scientific value of transparent industry-academia collaborations in understanding the psychological roles of popular digital entertainment

Memory and superposition in a spin glass

Non-equilibrium dynamics in a Ag(Mn) spin glass are investigated by measurements of the temperature dependence of the remanent magnetisation. Using specific cooling protocols before recording the thermo- or isothermal remanent magnetisations on re-heating, it is found that the measured curves effectively disclose non-equilibrium spin glass characteristics such as ageing and memory phenomena as well as an extended validity of the superposition principle for the relaxation. The usefulness of this "simple" dc-method is discussed, as well as its applicability to other disordered magnetic systems.Comment: REVTeX style; 8 pages, 4 figure

Identification and tunable optical coherent control of transition-metal spins in silicon carbide

Color centers in wide-bandgap semiconductors are attractive systems for quantum technologies since they can combine long-coherent electronic spin and bright optical properties. Several suitable centers have been identified, most famously the nitrogen-vacancy defect in diamond. However, integration in communication technology is hindered by the fact that their optical transitions lie outside telecom wavelength bands. Several transition-metal impurities in silicon carbide do emit at and near telecom wavelengths, but knowledge about their spin and optical properties is incomplete. We present all-optical identification and coherent control of molybdenum-impurity spins in silicon carbide with transitions at near-infrared wavelengths. Our results identify spin $S=1/2$ for both the electronic ground and excited state, with highly anisotropic spin properties that we apply for implementing optical control of ground-state spin coherence. Our results show optical lifetimes of $\sim$60 ns and inhomogeneous spin dephasing times of $\sim$0.3 $\mu$s, establishing relevance for quantum spin-photon interfacing.Comment: Updated version with minor correction, full Supplementary Information include

Design Aspects on Winding of an MgB₂ Superconducting Generator Coil

AbstractGenerators based on superconducting rotor coils are considered for future large off-shore wind turbines for their low weight and compact design, and for their possibility to reduce costs. In the 10-20 K temperature range, MgB2 superconductors carry current densities 100 times higher than standard copper conductors at room temperature at one tenth of the wire cost per unit carried current. In the framework of the European project INNWIND.EU, an MgB2 superconducting generator pole will be designed, built and tested. Some of the design aspects of this work with emphasis on the winding process and associated coil insulation are discussed. An overall high current density in the coil is of crucial importance to obtain clear benefits compared to conventional solutions. The wire itself may be the most important parameter in that respect. However, the overall current density of the coil is also influenced by the thickness of the turn-to-turn electrical insulation. Here we discuss the impact of the insulation and suggest the use of a one-step winding process, employing wet-winding, where the applied epoxy also constitutes the insulation layer between turns. In this way the coil is densified by approximately 10% compared to the use of an additional, dedicated, electrical insulation like Kapton for wet-winding or glass-fibre for dry-winding followed by vacuum impregnation. We show the results of a trial winding of 500 m of MgB2 superconducting wire into a double pancake coil using the wet-winding technique. The coil is tested for contacts between the turns to evaluate the suggested one-step wet-winding process

Periprocedural management of abnormal coagulation parameters and thrombocytopenia in patients with cirrhosis:Guidance from the SSC of the ISTH

Prolonged prothrombin time and thrombocytopenia are common in patients with cirrhosis. These parameters do not reflect the overall hemostatic rebalance or bleeding risk in the periprocedural setting; however, attempts to correct these parameters remain frequent. We review the literature on periprocedural bleeding risk, bleeding risk factors, and the risk and benefits of hemostatic interventions in patients with cirrhosis. We provide guidance recommendations on evaluating bleeding risk in this patient group and management of hemostatic abnormalities in the periprocedural setting