NMR evidence for Friedel-like oscillations in the CuO chains of ortho-II YBa2_2Cu3_3O6.5_{6.5}

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of CuO chains of detwinned Ortho-II YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.5}$ (YBCO6.5) single crystals reveal unusual and remarkable properties. The chain Cu resonance broadens significantly, but gradually, on cooling from room temperature. The lineshape and its temperature dependence are substantially different from that of a conventional spin/charge density wave (S/CDW) phase transition. Instead, the line broadening is attributed to small amplitude static spin and charge density oscillations with spatially varying amplitudes connected with the ends of the finite length chains. The influence of this CuO chain phenomenon is also clearly manifested in the plane Cu NMR.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, refereed articl

Hyperfine Fields in an Ag/Fe Multilayer Film Investigated with 8Li beta-Detected Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Low energy $\beta$-detected nuclear magnetic resonance ($\beta$-NMR) was used to investigate the spatial dependence of the hyperfine magnetic fields induced by Fe in the nonmagnetic Ag of an Au(40 \AA)/Ag(200 \AA)/Fe(140 \AA) (001) magnetic multilayer (MML) grown on GaAs. The resonance lineshape in the Ag layer shows dramatic broadening compared to intrinsic Ag. This broadening is attributed to large induced magnetic fields in this layer by the magnetic Fe layer. We find that the induced hyperfine field in the Ag follows a power law decay away from the Ag/Fe interface with power $-1.93(8)$, and a field extrapolated to $0.23(5)$ T at the interface.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure. To be published in Phys. Rev.

Finite Dimensional Representations of the Quadratic Algebra: Applications to the Exclusion Process

We study the one dimensional partially asymmetric simple exclusion process (ASEP) with open boundaries, that describes a system of hard-core particles hopping stochastically on a chain coupled to reservoirs at both ends. Derrida, Evans, Hakim and Pasquier [J. Phys. A 26, 1493 (1993)] have shown that the stationary probability distribution of this model can be represented as a trace on a quadratic algebra, closely related to the deformed oscillator-algebra. We construct all finite dimensional irreducible representations of this algebra. This enables us to compute the stationary bulk density as well as all correlation lengths for the ASEP on a set of special curves of the phase diagram.Comment: 18 pages, Latex, 1 EPS figur

Generalized quantum field theory: perturbative computation and perspectives

We analyze some consequences of two possible interpretations of the action of the ladder operators emerging from generalized Heisenberg algebras in the framework of the second quantized formalism. Within the first interpretation we construct a quantum field theory that creates at any space-time point particles described by a q-deformed Heisenberg algebra and we compute the propagator and a specific first order scattering process. Concerning the second one, we draw attention to the possibility of constructing this theory where each state of a generalized Heisenberg algebra is interpreted as a particle with different mass.Comment: 19 page

Development of a unified tensor calculus for the exceptional Lie algebras

The uniformity of the decomposition law, for a family F of Lie algebras which includes the exceptional Lie algebras, of the tensor powers ad^n of their adjoint representations ad is now well-known. This paper uses it to embark on the development of a unified tensor calculus for the exceptional Lie algebras. It deals explicitly with all the tensors that arise at the n=2 stage, obtaining a large body of systematic information about their properties and identities satisfied by them. Some results at the n=3 level are obtained, including a simple derivation of the the dimension and Casimir eigenvalue data for all the constituents of ad^3. This is vital input data for treating the set of all tensors that enter the picture at the n=3 level, following a path already known to be viable for a_1. The special way in which the Lie algebra d_4 conforms to its place in the family F alongside the exceptional Lie algebras is described.Comment: 27 pages, LaTeX 2

The open future, bivalence and assertion

It is highly intuitive that the future is open and the past is closed—whereas it is unsettled whether there will be a fourth world war, it is settled that there was a first. Recently, it has become increasingly popular to claim that the intuitive openness of the future implies that contingent statements about the future, such as ‘there will be a sea battle tomorrow,’ are non-bivalent (neither true nor false). In this paper, we argue that the non-bivalence of future contingents is at odds with our pre-theoretic intuitions about the openness of the future. These are revealed by our pragmatic judgments concerning the correctness and incorrectness of assertions of future contingents. We argue that the pragmatic data together with a plausible account of assertion shows that in many cases we take future contingents to be true (or to be false), though we take the future to be open in relevant respects. It follows that appeals to intuition to support the non-bivalence of future contingents is untenable. Intuition favours bivalence

Algebraic Nature of Shape-Invariant and Self-Similar Potentials

Self-similar potentials generalize the concept of shape-invariance which was originally introduced to explore exactly-solvable potentials in quantum mechanics. In this article it is shown that previously introduced algebraic approach to the latter can be generalized to the former. The infinite Lie algebras introduced in this context are shown to be closely related to the q-algebras. The associated coherent states are investigated.Comment: 8 page

The quantum superalgebra Uq[osp(1/2n)]U_q[osp(1/2n)]: deformed para-Bose operators and root of unity representations

We recall the relation between the Lie superalgebra $osp(1/2n)$ and para-Bose operators. The quantum superalgebra $U_q[osp(1/2n)]$, defined as usual in terms of its Chevalley generators, is shown to be isomorphic to an associative algebra generated by so-called pre-oscillator operators satisfying a number of relations. From these relations, and the analogue with the non-deformed case, one can interpret these pre-oscillator operators as deformed para-Bose operators. Some consequences for $U_q[osp(1/2n)]$ (Cartan-Weyl basis, Poincar\'e-Birkhoff-Witt basis) and its Hopf subalgebra $U_q[gl(n)]$ are pointed out. Finally, using a realization in terms of ``$q$-commuting'' $q$-bosons, we construct an irreducible finite-dimensional unitary Fock representation of $U_q[osp(1/2n)]$ and its decomposition in terms of $U_q[gl(n)]$ representations when $q$ is a root of unity.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX (latex twice), no figure

The incidence and risk factors for new onset atrial fibrillation in the PROSPER study

Aims Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in older people. It associates with reduced exercise capacity, increased risk of stroke, and mortality. We aimed to determine retrospectively whether pravastatin reduces the incidence of AF and whether any electrocardiographic measures or clinical conditions might be risk factors for its development. Methods and results The PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial that recruited 5804 individuals aged 70-82 years with a history of, or risk factors for, vascular disease. A total of 2891 were allocated to pravastatin and 2913 to placebo; mean follow-up was 3.2 years. Electrocardiograms (ECGs), which were recorded at baseline, annually thereafter, and at run-out, were processed by computer and reviewed manually. In all, 264 of 2912 (9.1%) of the placebo group and 283 of 2888 (9.8%) of the pravastatin-treated group developed AF [hazard ratio 1.08 (0.92,1.28), P = 0.35)]. Multivariate analysis showed that PR and QTc intervals, age, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ST-T abnormalities were related to development of AF after adjustment for many variables including alcohol consumption, which itself was univariately predictive of developing AF. Previous myocardial infarction on the ECG was not a risk factor. A history of vascular disease was strongly linked with developing AF but not diabetes and hypertension. Conclusion Pravastatin does not reduce the incidence of AF in older people at risk of vascular disease, at least in the short-medium term. Risk factors for AF include older age, prolongation of PR or QTc intervals, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ST-T abnormalities on the EC