bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tomography of atomic number and density of materials using dual-energy imaging and the Alvarez and Macovski attenuation model
Authors: Paziresh M. , Kingston A. M. , Latham S. J. , Fullagar W. K. , Myers G. M.
Published: June 2016

Dual-energy computed tomography and the Alvarez and Macovski [Phys. Med. Biol. 21, 733 (1976)] transmitted intensity (AMTI) model were used in this study to estimate the maps of density (ρ) and atomic number (Z) of mineralogical samples. In this method, the attenuation coefficients are represented [Alvarez and Macovski, Phys. Med. Biol. 21, 733 (1976)] in the form of the two most important interactions of X-rays with atoms that is, photoelectric absorption (PE) and Compton scattering (CS). This enables material discrimination as PE and CS are, respectively, dependent on the atomic number (Z) and density (ρ) of materials [Alvarez and Macovski, Phys. Med. Biol. 21, 733 (1976)]. Dual-energy imaging is able to identify sample materials even if the materials have similar attenuation coefficients at single-energy spectrum. We use the full model rather than applying one of several applied simplified forms [Alvarez and Macovski, Phys. Med. Biol. 21, 733 (1976); Siddiqui et al., SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2004); Derzhi, U.S. patent application 13/527,660 (2012); Heismann et al., J. Appl. Phys. 94, 2073–2079 (2003); Park and Kim, J. Korean Phys. Soc. 59, 2709 (2011); Abudurexiti et al., Radiol. Phys. Technol. 3, 127–135 (2010); and Kaewkhao et al., J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 109, 1260–1265 (2008)]. This paper describes the tomographic reconstruction of ρ and Z maps of mineralogical samples using the AMTI model. The full model requires precise knowledge of the X-ray energy spectra and calibration of PE and CS constants and exponents of atomic number and energy that were estimated based on fits to simulations and calibration measurements. The estimated ρ and Z images of the samples used in this paper yield average relative errors of 2.62% and 1.19% and maximum relative errors of 2.64% and 7.85%, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the method accounts for the beam hardening effect in density (ρ) and atomic number (Z) reconstructions to a significant extent.
Optimized setup for two-dimensional convection experiments in thin liquid films
Authors: Winkler Michael , Abel Markus
Published: June 2016

We present a novel experimental setup to investigate two-dimensional thermal convection in a freestanding thin liquid film. Such films can be produced in a controlled way on the scale of 5–1000 nm. Our primary goal is to investigate convection patterns and the statistics of reversals in Rayleigh-Bénard convection with varying aspect ratio. Additionally, questions regarding the physics of liquid films under controlled conditions can be investigated, like surface forces, or stability under varying thermodynamical parameters. The film is suspended in a frame which can be adjusted in height and width to span an aspect ratio range of Γ = 0.16–10. The top and bottom frame elements can be set to specific temperature within T = 15 °C to 55 °C. A thickness to area ratio of approximately 108 enables only two-dimensional fluid motion in the time scales relevant for turbulent motion. The chemical composition of the film is well-defined and optimized for film stability and reproducibility and in combination with carefully controlled ambient parameters allows the comparison to existing experimental and numerical data.
Hydrogen bonding and orientation effects on the accommodation of methylamine at the air-water interface
Authors: Hoehn Ross D. , Carignano Marcelo A. , Kais Sabre , Zhu Chongjing , Zhong Jie , Zeng Xiao C. , Francisco Joseph S. , Gladich Ivan
Published: June 2016

Methylamine is an abundant amine compound detected in the atmosphere which can affect the nature of atmospheric aerosol surfaces, changing their chemical and optical properties. Molecular dynamics simulation results show that methylamine accommodation on water is close to unity with the hydrophilic head group solvated in the interfacial environment and the methyl group pointing into the air phase. A detailed analysis of the hydrogen bond network indicates stronger hydrogen bonds between water and the primary amine group at the interface, suggesting that atmospheric trace gases will likely react with the methyl group instead of the solvated amine site. These findings suggest new chemical pathways for methylamine acting on atmospheric aerosols in which the methyl group is the site of orientation specific chemistry involving its conversion into a carbonyl site providing hydrophilic groups for uptake of additional water. This conversion may explain the tendency of aged organic aerosols to form cloud condensation nuclei. At the same time, formation of NH2 radical and formaldehyde is suggested to be a new source for NH2 radicals at aerosol surfaces, other than by reaction of absorbed NH3. The results have general implications for the chemistry of other amphiphilic organics, amines in particular, at the surface of atmospherically relevant aerosols.
Anharmonic densities of states: A general dynamics-based solution
Authors: Jellinek Julius , Aleinikava Darya
Published: June 2016

Density of states is a fundamental physical characteristic that lies at the foundation of statistical mechanics and theoretical constructs that derive from them (e.g., kinetic rate theories, phase diagrams, and others). Even though most real physical systems are anharmonic, the vibrational density of states is customarily treated within the harmonic approximation, or with some partial, often limited, account for anharmonicity. The reason for this is that the problem of anharmonic densities of states stubbornly resisted a general and exact, yet convenient and straightforward in applications, solution. Here we formulate such a solution within both classical and quantum mechanics. It is based on actual dynamical behavior of systems as a function of energy and as observed, or monitored, on a chosen time scale, short or long. As a consequence, the resulting anharmonic densities of states are fully dynamically informed and, in general, time-dependent. As such, they lay the ground for formulation of new statistical mechanical frameworks that incorporate time and are ergodic, by construction, with respect to actual dynamical behavior of systems.
Coherence of Bose-Einstein condensates of dipolar excitons in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures
Authors: Gorbunov A. V. , Timofeev V. B.
Published: June 2016

Experiments relating to studies of the coherence of Bose condensates of dipolar excitons in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures with a wide, single quantum well and a Schottky gate are analyzed. Dipolar excitons were excited by light in an annular trap formed along the perimeter of a window in a metal gate with an applied electric voltage. A dual-beam interference technique involving interference combination of the amplitudes of the luminescence light field, together with subsequent analysis of first order correlators, is used to study the temporal (longitudinal) and spatial (transverse) coherence of the exciton condensates. It is found that the transverse coherence length of an exciton condensate is considerably longer than its thermal De Broglie wavelength. Experimental studies of the luminescence intensity correlator also confirm the coherence of the exciton Bose condensate.
Generalized quantum Fokker-Planck equation for photoinduced nonequilibrium processes with positive definiteness condition
Authors: Jang Seogjoo
Published: June 2016

This work provides a detailed derivation of a generalized quantum Fokker-Planck equation (GQFPE) appropriate for photo-induced quantum dynamical processes. The path integral method pioneered by Caldeira and Leggett (CL) [Physica A 121, 587 (1983)] is extended by utilizing a nonequilibrium influence functional applicable to different baths for the ground and the excited electronic states. Both nonequilibrium and non-Markovian effects are accounted for consistently by expanding the paths in the exponents of the influence functional up to the second order with respect to time. This procedure results in approximations involving only single time integrations for the exponents of the influence functional but with additional time dependent boundary terms that have been ignored in previous works. The boundary terms complicate the derivation of a time evolution equation but do not affect position dependent physical observables or the dynamics in the steady state limit. For an effective density operator with the boundary terms factored out, a time evolution equation is derived, through short time expansion of the effective action and Gaussian integration in analytically continued complex domain of space. This leads to a compact form of the GQFPE with time dependent kernels and additional terms, which renders the resulting equation to be in the Dekker form [Phys. Rep. 80, 1 (1981)]. Major terms of the equation are analyzed for the case of Ohmic spectral density with Drude cutoff, which shows that the new GQFPE satisfies the positive definiteness condition in medium to high temperature limit. Steady state limit of the GQFPE is shown to approach the well-known expression derived by CL in the high temperature and Markovian bath limit and also provides additional corrections due to quantum and non-Markovian effects of the bath.
Capacitive displacement sensor for detecting planar submicrometer motion
Authors: Avramov-Zamurovic Svetlana , Yoo Jae Myung , Dagalakis Nicholas G.
Published: June 2016

This paper describes the design of a very simple displacement sensor that measures the change in the position of an object by sensing the change in capacitance due to the movement of this object in the sensor fringing electric field. Two sensor geometries with small footprints were considered and several sensor variations were built and tested. At distances of approximately 0.5 μm and 30 μm, test results demonstrated that the sensors’ resolution was in the order of tens of nanometers.
A three-layer magnetic shielding for the MAIUS-1 mission on a sounding rocket
Authors: Kubelka-Lange André , Herrmann Sven , Grosse Jens , Lämmerzahl Claus , Rasel Ernst M. , Braxmaier Claus
Published: June 2016

Bose-Einstein-Condensates (BECs) can be used as a very sensitive tool for experiments on fundamental questions in physics like testing the equivalence principle using matter wave interferometry. Since the sensitivity of these experiments in ground-based environments is limited by the available free fall time, the QUANTUS project started to perform BEC interferometry experiments in micro-gravity. After successful campaigns in the drop tower, the next step is a space-borne experiment. The MAIUS-mission will be an atom-optical experiment that will show the feasibility of experiments with ultra-cold quantum gases in microgravity in a sounding rocket. The experiment will create a BEC of 105 87Rb-atoms in less than 5 s and will demonstrate application of basic atom interferometer techniques over a flight time of 6 min. The hardware is specifically designed to match the requirements of a sounding rocket mission. Special attention is thereby spent on the appropriate magnetic shielding from varying magnetic fields during the rocket flight, since the experiment procedures are very sensitive to external magnetic fields. A three-layer magnetic shielding provides a high shielding effectiveness factor of at least 1000 for an undisturbed operation of the experiment. The design of this magnetic shielding, the magnetic properties, simulations, and tests of its suitability for a sounding rocket flight are presented in this article.
Tailored silver grid as transparent electrodes directly written by femtosecond laser
Authors: Zhao Yuan-Yuan , Zheng Mei-Ling , Dong Xian-Zi , Jin Feng , Liu Jie , Ren Xue-Liang , Duan Xuan-Ming , Zhao Zhen-Sheng
Published: June 2016

We present the design and realization of silver grid transparent electrodes (SGTEs) easily fabricated by femtosecond laser direct writing of silver aqueous solution. The fabricated SGTEs with a sheet resistance down to 47 Ω/□ and optical transmittance up to 93% are demonstrated. These sheet resistance and transmittance values are comparable to commercially available indium tin oxide. High uniform morphology of the directly written SGTEs results in the ultra-stable tailored performance parameter at electronic and optical fields. The sheet resistance and transmittance can be tailored precisely by manipulating the filling fraction of the uniform SGTEs. This study provides an approach for creating SGTEs in a controllable fashion, and the SGTEs exhibit high transmittance and low sheet resistance, which could open up new avenues towards widespread application in electronics, photovoltaics, and optoelectronics.
A study of gas sensing behavior of metal-graphene contact with transfer length method
Authors: Li Quanfu , Liu Weihua , Cao Guiming , Li Xin , Wang Xiaoli
Published: June 2016

The gas sensing behavior of a metal-graphene contact is investigated by transfer length method (TLM). By simultaneously measuring the resistance of all channels in a TLM device, the time evolution of the metal-graphene contact resistance and the graphene sheet resistance are obtained. When the device is exposed to 10 ppm ammonia, the response time of the nickel-graphene contact resistance is only one-third of the pure sheet resistance, and the sensitivity of the contact resistance is about 180% and that of the graphene sheet resistance is 100%. The results of this work indicate that the contact resistance can be an effective gas sensing parameter.
Wavenumber shift due to nonlinear plasma and wave interaction
Authors: Gan Chunyun , Xiang Nong , Yu Zhi , Yang Youlei , Ou Jing
Published: June 2016

Wavenumber shift of the ion Bernstein wave has been observed in the particle-in-cell simulations when the input power of the injected wave is sufficiently large. It is demonstrated that the increase of the total kinetic energy of ions, including both the thermal energy related to the random thermal motion and the oscillation energy due to the coherent motion with the wave, gives rise to such change of the wavenumber. However, the velocity distribution function of the ions can approximately be fitted as a Maxwellian distribution function, and thus, the linear dispersion relation still holds, provided that the initial ion temperature is replaced by the effective temperature measured in the simulation.
Polaron-electron assisted giant dielectric dispersion in SrZrO3 high-k dielectric
Authors: Borkar Hitesh , Barvat Arun , Pal Prabir , Shukla A. K. , Pulikkotil J. J. , Kumar Ashok
Published: June 2016

The SrZrO3 is a well known high-k dielectric constant (∼22) and high optical bandgap (∼5.8 eV) material and one of the potential candidates for future generation nanoelectronic logic elements (8 nm node technology) beyond silicon. Its dielectric behavior is fairly robust and frequency independent till 470 K; however, it suffers a strong small-polaron based electronic phase transition (Te) linking 650 to 750 K. The impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed the presence of conducting grains and grain boundaries at elevated temperature which provide energetic mobile charge carriers with activation energy in the range of 0.7 to 1.2 eV supporting the oxygen ions and proton conduction. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements suggest the presence of weak non-stoichiometric O2− anions and hydroxyl species bound to different sites at the surface and bulk. These thermally activated charge carriers at elevated temperature significantly contribute to the polaronic based dielectric anomaly and conductivity. Our dielectric anomaly supports pseudo phase transition due to high degree of change in ZrO6 octahedral angle in the temperature range of 650–750 K, where electron density and phonon vibration affect the dielectric and conductivity properties.
Fourier-transform-based model for carrier transport in semiconductor heterostructures: Longitudinal optical phonon scattering
Authors: Lü X. , Schrottke L. , Grahn H. T.
Published: June 2016

We present scattering rates for electrons at longitudinal optical phonons within a model completely formulated in the Fourier domain. The total intersubband scattering rates are obtained by averaging over the intrasubband electron distributions. The rates consist of the Fourier components of the electron wave functions and a contribution depending only on the intersubband energies and the intrasubband carrier distributions. The energy-dependent part can be reproduced by a rational function, which allows for the separation of the scattering rates into a dipole-like contribution, an overlap-like contribution, and a contribution which can be neglected for low and intermediate carrier densities of the initial subband. For a balance between accuracy and computation time, the number of Fourier components can be adjusted. This approach facilitates an efficient design of complex heterostructures with realistic, temperature- and carrier density-dependent rates.
Angular and internal state distributions of H2+ generated by (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization of H2 using time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Perreault William E. , Mukherjee Nandini , Zare Richard N.
Published: June 2016

We report direct measurement of the anisotropy parameter β for the angular distribution of the photoelectron and photoion in (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization process of H2 X 1Σg+ (v = 0, J = 0) molecules through the intermediate H2 E,F 1Σg+ (v′ = 0, J′ = 0) level (λ = 201.684 nm) using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The time-of-flight spectra were recorded as the direction of polarization of the ionizing laser was varied with respect to the flight axis of the H2 molecular beam and were fitted to an angular distribution in an appropriately rotated coordinate system with the z-axis oriented along the time-of-flight axis. The anisotropy parameter β was found to be 1.72 ± 0.13 by fitting the time-of-flight spectra and agreed with previous measurements. Using secondary ionization with a delayed laser pulse of different wavelength, we also determined the vibrational energy distribution of the ions, showing that 98% ± 4% of the ions are generated in their ground vibrational state, in agreement with the calculated Franck–Condon factors between the H2 E,F 1Σg+ (v′ = 0) and H2+ X 1Σg+ (v″) vibrational levels.
State-to-state mode selectivity in the HD + OH reaction: Perspectives from two product channels
Authors: Zhao Bin , Sun Zhigang , Guo Hua
Published: June 2016

The state-to-state quantum dynamics (Jtot = 0) of the HD + OH(υ2 = 0, 1) reaction is studied using a reactant coordinate based method, which allows the analysis of both the H + DOH and D + HOH channels with a single propagation. The stretching vibration of the newly formed bond, namely, the OD bond in DOH and one OH bond in HOH, is excited, thanks to its strong coupling with the reaction coordinate at the transition state. On the other hand, the vibrational energy deposited into the OH reactant (υ2 = 1) is sequestered during the reaction in the spectator OH mode. The combined effect leads to the excitation of both the OD and OH stretching modes in the DOH product, and the dominance of the (002) normal-mode state population in the HOH product, which in the local-mode picture corresponds to the excitation of both OH bonds with one quantum each. The energy flow in this prototypical tetratomic reaction can be understood in terms of the sudden vector projection model.
Polymer extension under flow: A path integral evaluation of the free energy change using the Jarzynski relation
Authors: Ghosal Aishani , Cherayil Binny J.
Published: June 2016

The Jarzynski relation (and its variants) has provided a route to the experimental evaluation of equilibrium free energy changes based on measurements conducted under arbitrary non-equilibrium conditions. Schroeder and co-workers [Soft Matter 10, 2178 (2014) and J. Chem. Phys. 141, 174903 (2014)] have recently exploited this fact to determine the elastic properties of model DNA from simulations and experiments of chain extension under elongational flow, bypassing the need to make these measurements mechanically using sophisticated optical trapping techniques. In this paper, motivated by these observations, we investigate chain elasticity analytically, using the Jarzynski relation and a finitely extensible nonlinear elastic-type Rouse model within a path integral formalism to calculate (essentially exactly) both the flow-induced free energy change between chain conformations of definite average end-to-end distance, as well as the force-extension curve that follows from it. This curve, based on a new analytic expression, matches the trends in the corresponding curve obtained from a model of chain stretching developed by Marko and Siggia [Macromolecules 28, 8759 (1995)], which itself is in very satisfactory agreement with the numerical and experimental data from the work of Schroeder et al.
A biplex approach to PageRank centrality: From classic to multiplex networks
Authors: Pedroche Francisco , Romance Miguel , Criado Regino
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we present a new view of the PageRank algorithm inspired by multiplex networks. This new approach allows to introduce a new centrality measure for classic complex networks and a new proposal to extend the usual PageRank algorithm to multiplex networks. We give some analytical relations between these new approaches and the classic PageRank centrality measure, and we illustrate the new parameters presented by computing them on real underground networks.
Deep graphs—A general framework to represent and analyze heterogeneous complex systems across scales
Authors: Traxl Dominik , Boers Niklas , Kurths Jürgen
Published: June 2016

Network theory has proven to be a powerful tool in describing and analyzing systems by modelling the relations between their constituent objects. Particularly in recent years, a great progress has been made by augmenting “traditional” network theory in order to account for the multiplex nature of many networks, multiple types of connections between objects, the time-evolution of networks, networks of networks and other intricacies. However, existing network representations still lack crucial features in order to serve as a general data analysis tool. These include, most importantly, an explicit association of information with possibly heterogeneous types of objects and relations, and a conclusive representation of the properties of groups of nodes as well as the interactions between such groups on different scales. In this paper, we introduce a collection of definitions resulting in a framework that, on the one hand, entails and unifies existing network representations (e.g., network of networks and multilayer networks), and on the other hand, generalizes and extends them by incorporating the above features. To implement these features, we first specify the nodes and edges of a finite graph as sets of properties (which are permitted to be arbitrary mathematical objects). Second, the mathematical concept of partition lattices is transferred to the network theory in order to demonstrate how partitioning the node and edge set of a graph into supernodes and superedges allows us to aggregate, compute, and allocate information on and between arbitrary groups of nodes. The derived partition lattice of a graph, which we denote by deep graph, constitutes a concise, yet comprehensive representation that enables the expression and analysis of heterogeneous properties, relations, and interactions on all scales of a complex system in a self-contained manner. Furthermore, to be able to utilize existing network-based methods and models, we derive different representations of multilayer networks from our framework and demonstrate the advantages of our representation. On the basis of the formal framework described here, we provide a rich, fully scalable (and self-explanatory) software package that integrates into the PyData ecosystem and offers interfaces to popular network packages, making it a powerful, general-purpose data analysis toolkit. We exemplify an application of deep graphs using a real world dataset, comprising 16 years of satellite-derived global precipitation measurements. We deduce a deep graph representation of these measurements in order to track and investigate local formations of spatio-temporal clusters of extreme precipitation events.
Rigorous buckling analysis of size-dependent functionally graded cylindrical nanoshells
Authors: Sun Jiabin , Lim C. W. , Zhou Zhenhuan , Xu Xinsheng , Sun Wei
Published: June 2016

This paper presents new analytical solutions for buckling of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and functionally graded (FG) cylindrical nanoshells subjected to compressive and thermal loads. The model applies Eringen's nonlocal differential constitutive relation to describe the size-dependence of nanoshells. Based on Reddy's higher-order shear deformation theory, governing equations are established and solved by separating the variables. The analysis first re-examines the classical buckling of single-walled CNTs. Accurate solutions are established, and it is found that the buckling stress decreases drastically when the nonlocal parameter reaches a certain value. For CNTs with constant wall-thickness, the buckling stress eventually decreases with enhanced size effect. By comparing with CNTs molecular dynamic simulations, the obtained nonlocal parameters are much smaller than those proposed previously. Subsequently, FG cylindrical nanoshells are analyzed, and it is concluded that similar behavior that has been observed for CNTs is also valid for FG cylindrical nanoshells. The paper further discusses in detail the effects of different geometric parameters, material distribution, and temperature field.
Explosive magnetorotational instability in Keplerian disks
Authors: Shtemler Yu. , Liverts E. , Mond M.
Published: June 2016

Differentially rotating disks under the effect of axial magnetic field are prone to a nonlinear explosive magnetorotational instability (EMRI). The dynamic equations that govern the temporal evolution of the amplitudes of three weakly detuned resonantly interacting modes are derived. As distinct from exponential growth in the strict resonance triads, EMRI occurs due to the resonant interactions of an MRI mode with stable Alfvén–Coriolis and magnetosonic modes. Numerical solutions of the dynamic equations for amplitudes of a triad indicate that two types of perturbations behavior can be excited for resonance conditions: (i) EMRI which leads to infinite values of the three amplitudes within a finite time, and (ii) bounded irregular oscillations of all three amplitudes. Asymptotic explicit solutions of the dynamic equations are obtained for EMRI regimes and are shown to match the numerical solutions near the explosion time.
Thickness and temperature depending intermixing of SiOx/SiO2 and SiOxNy/SiO2 superlattices: Experimental observation and thermodynamic modeling
Authors: Zhigunov D. M. , Sarikov A. , Chesnokov Yu. M. , Vasiliev A. L. , Zakharov N. , Kashkarov P. K.
Published: June 2016

Multilayered SiOx/SiO2 and SiOxNy/SiO2 thin films were fabricated using different techniques and subsequently annealed at high temperatures (≥1100 °C) in order to form Si nanocrystals by means of the well-known superlattice approach. The thickness of the SiOx and SiOxNy layers was varied from 1.5 to 5 nm, while for the SiO2 layers it was fixed at 4 nm. Using transmission electron microscopy, we showed that the multilayered structure generally sustains the high temperature annealing for both types of films. However, for samples with ultrathin SiOx or SiOxNy layers a breakdown of the superlattice structure and a complete intermixing of layers were observed at high temperatures. On the contrary, annealing at lower temperature (900 °C) preserves the multilayered structure even of such samples. Theoretical calculations showed that the intermixing of SiOx/SiO2 and SiOxNy/SiO2 superlattices in the ultrathin layers thickness limit may be explained thermodynamically by the gain in the Gibbs free energy, which depends in turn on the annealing temperature.
Note: Single-shot time-domain spectroscopy and spatial profiling of terahertz pulses from intense laser systems
Authors: Zhang T. J. , Jin Z. , Wakamatsu S. , Hosokai T. , Yugami N. , Kodama R.
Published: June 2016

Single-shot terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is presented with directly encoded spatial resolution. A single reflective echelon and multiple semi-cylindrical lenses are used to obtain both the temporal waveform and the spatial distribution of the terahertz field. This system can be used to rapidly characterize terahertz pulses generated by high power pulsed laser systems, which themselves suffer from large pulse energy and spectrum fluctuations.
Tuning the photovoltaic effect of multiferroic CoFe2O4/Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 composite films by magnetic fields
Authors: Pan Dan-Feng , Chen Guang-Yi , Bi Gui-Feng , Zhang Hao , Liu Jun-Ming , Wang Guang-Hou , Wan Jian-Guo
Published: June 2016

The 0–3 type CoFe2O4-Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (CFO-PZT) multiferroic composite films have been prepared by a sol-gel process and spin-coating technique. A confirmable photovoltaic effect is observed under ultraviolet light irradiation. Moreover, this photovoltaic effect can be tuned by external magnetic fields. The maximum magnetic modulation ratios of short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage can reach as high as 13.7% and 12.8% upon the application of 6 kOe DC magnetic field. Through remnant polarization measurements under various magnetic fields and detailed analysis of the energy band structures, we elucidate the mechanism of tuning photovoltaic effect by magnetic fields and attribute it to the combination of two factors. One is the decreased ferroelectric-polarization-induced depolarization electric field and another is the band structure reconstruction at CFO-PZT interfaces, both of which are dominated by the magnetoelectric coupling via interfacial stress transferring at nanoscale. This work makes some attempts of coupling photo-induced effects with magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic materials and will widen the practical ranges of multiferroic-based applications.
Unusual angular dependent magnetoresistance in single-crystalline Co/Pt bilayers
Authors: Xiao X. , Li J. X. , Ding Z. , Liang J. H. , Sun L. , Wu Y. Z.
Published: June 2016

The magnetoresistance (MR) of the single-crystalline Co/Pt(111) bilayers was studied systematically as a function of Co or Pt thickness at room temperature. For Co thickness dCo < 6 nm, the resistances with in-plane magnetization M parallel (R∥) and transverse (R⊥) to current and with a perpendicular M normal (RP) to film show the unconventional behavior of RP>R∥>R⊥. This MR behavior can be attributed to the combination effect of spin Hall MR with RP≈R∥>R⊥ and the geometrical size effect. In addition, the angular dependent magnetoresistance behavior of the (111)-oriented Co/Pt bilayer shows striking difference with that of the (001)-oriented Co/Pt bilayer.
Laser induced structural transformation in chalcogenide based superlattices
Authors: Zallo Eugenio , Wang Ruining , Bragaglia Valeria , Calarco Raffaella
Published: June 2016

Superlattices made of alternating layers of nominal GeTe and Sb2Te3 have been studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy. A structural irreversible transformation into ordered GeSbTe alloy is induced by high power laser light exposure. The intensity ratio of anti-Stokes and Stokes scattering under laser illumination gives a maximum average temperature in the sample of 177 °C. The latter is lower than the growth temperature and of 400 °C necessary by annealing to transform the structure in a GeSbTe alloy. The absence of this configuration after in situ annealing even up to 300 °C evidences an electronic excitation induced-transition which brings the system into a different and stable crystalline state.
Cryogenic testing of the 2.1 GHz five-cell superconducting RF cavity with a photonic band gap coupler cell
Authors: Arsenyev Sergey A. , Temkin Richard J. , Haynes W. Brian , Shchegolkov Dmitry Yu. , Simakov Evgenya I. , Tajima Tsuyoshi , Boulware Chase H. , Grimm Terrence L. , Rogacki Adam R.
Published: June 2016

We present results from cryogenic tests of the multi-cell superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavity with a photonic band gap (PBG) coupler cell. Achieving high average beam currents is particularly desirable for future light sources and particle colliders based on SRF energy-recovery-linacs (ERLs). Beam current in ERLs is limited by the beam break-up instability, caused by parasitic higher order modes (HOMs) interacting with the beam in accelerating cavities. A PBG cell incorporated in an accelerating cavity can reduce the negative effect of HOMs by providing a frequency selective damping mechanism, thus allowing significantly higher beam currents. The multi-cell cavity was designed and fabricated of niobium. Two cryogenic (vertical) tests were conducted. The high unloaded Q-factor was demonstrated at a temperature of 4.2 K at accelerating gradients up to 3 MV/m. The measured value of the unloaded Q-factor was 1.55 × 108, in agreement with prediction.
Concentric nano rings observed on Al-Cu-Fe microspheres
Authors: Li Chunfei , Wang Limin , Hampikian Helen , Bair Matthew , Baker Andrew , Hua Mingjian , Wang Qiongshu , Li Dingqiang
Published: June 2016

It is well known that when particle size is reduced, surface effect becomes important. As a result, micro/nanoparticles tend to have well defined geometric shapes to reduce total surface energy, as opposed to the irregular shapes observed in most bulk materials. The surface of such micro/nanostructures are smooth. Any deviation from a smooth surface implies an increased surface energy which is not energetically favorable. Here, we report an observation of spherical particles in an alloy of Al65Cu20Fe15 nominal composition prepared by arc melting. Such spherical particles stand out from those reported so far due to the decoration of concentric nanorings on the surface. Three models for the formation of these concentric ring patterns are suggested. The most prominent ones assume that the rings are frozen features of liquid motion which could open the door to investigate the kinetics of liquid motion on the micro/nanometer scale.
Note: A calibration method to determine the lumped-circuit parameters of a magnetic probe
Authors: Li Fuming , Chen Zhipeng , Zhu Lizhi , Liu Hai , Wang Zhijiang , Zhuang Ge
Published: June 2016

This paper describes a novel method to determine the lumped-circuit parameters of a magnetic inductive probe for calibration by using Helmholtz coils with high frequency power supply (frequency range: 10 kHz-400 kHz). The whole calibration circuit system can be separated into two parts: “generator” circuit and “receiver” circuit. By implementing the Fourier transform, two analytical lumped-circuit models, with respect to these separated circuits, are constructed to obtain the transfer function between each other. Herein, the precise lumped-circuit parameters (including the resistance, inductance, and capacitance) of the magnetic probe can be determined by fitting the experimental data to the transfer function. Regarding the fitting results, the finite impedance of magnetic probe can be used to analyze the transmission of a high-frequency signal between magnetic probes, cables, and acquisition system.
Asymmetric acoustic transmission through near-zero-index and gradient-index metasurfaces
Authors: Shen Chen , Xie Yangbo , Li Junfei , Cummer Steven A. , Jing Yun
Published: June 2016

We present a design of acoustic metasurfaces yielding asymmetric transmission within a certain frequency band. The design consists of a layer of gradient-index metasurface and a layer of low refractive index metasurface. Incident waves are controlled in a wave vector dependent manner to create strong asymmetric transmission. Numerical simulations show that the approach provides high transmission contrast between the two incident directions within the designed frequency band. This is further verified by experiments. Compared to previous designs, the proposed approach yields a compact and planar device. Our design may find applications in various scenarios such as noise control and therapeutic ultrasound.
Microwave heating behavior and microwave absorption properties of barium titanate at high temperatures
Authors: Kashimura K. , Sugawara H. , Hayashi M. , Mitani T. , Shinohara N.
Published: June 2016

The temperature dependence of the microwave absorption behavior of BaTiO3 particles was investigated over various frequencies and temperatures of 25-1000 ∘C. First, using both the coaxial transmission line method and the cavity perturbation method by a network analyzer, the real and imaginary parts of the relative permittivity of BaTiO3 (εr′ and εr″, respectively) were measured, in order to improve the reliability of the data obtained at 2.45 GHz. The imaginary parts of the relative permittivity as measured by the two methods were explored by their heating behaviors. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the microwave absorption behavior of BaTiO3 particles was investigated for frequencies of 2.0-13.5 GHz and temperatures of 25-1000 ∘C using the coaxial transmission line method.
High-resistive layers obtained through periodic growth and in situ annealing of InGaN by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Ma Ping , Liu Boting , Wu Dongxue , Huang Yuliang , Wang Junxi , Li Jinmin
Published: June 2016

High-resistive layers were obtained by periodic growth and in situ annealing of InGaN. The effect of the annealing temperature of InGaN on the indium content and the material sheet resistive was investigated. The indium content decreased as the increase of in situ annealing temperature. Additionally, the material sheet resistance increased with the increase of the in situ annealing temperature for the annealed samples and reached 2 × 1010Ω/sq in the light and 2 × 1011Ω/sq in the dark when the in situ annealing temperature reached 970∘C. The acquirement of high-resistive layers is attributed to the generation of indium vacancy-related defects. Introducing indium vacancy-related defects to compensate background carriers can be an effective method to grow high-resistance material.
Graphene-based tunable non-foster circuit for VHF applications
Authors: Tian Jing , Nagarkoti Deepak Singh , Rajab Khalid Z. , Hao Yang
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a negative impedance converter (NIC) based on graphene field effect transistors (GFETs) for VHF applications. The NIC is designed following Linvill’s open circuit stable (OCS) topology. The DC modelling parameters of GFET are extracted from a device measured by Meric et al. [IEEE Electron Devices Meeting, 23.2.1 (2010)] Estimated parasitics are also taken into account. Simulation results from Keysight Advanced Design System (ADS) show good NIC performance up to 200 MHz and the value of negative capacitance is directly proportional to the capacitive load. In addition, it has been shown that by varying the supply voltage the value of negative capacitance can also be tuned. The NIC stability has been tested up to 2 GHz (10 times the maximum operation frequency) using Nyquist stability criterion to ensure there are no oscillation issues.
Enhanced high field terahertz emission from plasma wakefields via pulse sharpening by a foil shutter
Authors: Chen Zi-Yu
Published: June 2016

A dual-stage scheme is proposed to generate terahertz (THz) pulses with an extremely high field strength that is in the GV/cm regime from laser-driven plasma wakefields. A thin foil target is employed to act as an optical shutter to sharpen the laser pulse front based on the mechanism of relativistic transparency. The shaped laser pulse then interacts with gaseous density plasmas to generate THz pulses via excitation of net residual transverse currents. Compared to the case of without the foil shutter, THz field strength can be notably enhanced by one order of magnitude. The scheme is numerically demonstrated through one and two dimensional particle-in-cell simulations.
Bias-free spin-wave phase shifter for magnonic logic
Authors: Louis Steven , Lisenkov Ivan , Nikitov Sergei , Tyberkevych Vasyl , Slavin Andrei
Published: June 2016

A design of a magnonic phase shifter operating without an external bias magnetic field is proposed. The phase shifter uses a localized collective spin wave mode propagating along a domain wall “waveguide” in a dipolarly-coupled magnetic dot array with a chessboard antiferromagnetic (CAFM) ground state. It is demonstrated numerically that the remagnetization of a single magnetic dot adjacent to the domain wall waveguide introduces a controllable phase shift in the propagating spin wave mode without significant change to the mode amplitude. It is also demonstrated that a logic XOR gate can be realized in the same system.
Structural and phase transformations in zinc and brass wires under heating with high-density current pulse
Authors: Pervikov A. V.
Published: June 2016

The work is focused on revealing the mechanism of structure and phase transformations in the metal wires under heating with a high-density current pulse (the electric explosion of wires, EEWs). It has been demonstrated on the example of brass and zinc wires that the transition of a current pulse with the density of j ≈ 3.3 × 107 A/cm2 results in homogeneous heating of the crystalline structure of the metal/alloy. It has been determined that under heating with a pulse of high-density current pulse, the electric resistance of the liquid phases of zinc and brass decreases as the temperature increases. The results obtained allow for a conclusion that the presence of the particles of the condensed phase in the expanding products of EEW is the result of overheating instabilities in the liquid metal.
Animal welfare and efficient farming: is conflict inevitable?
Authors: Dawkins Marian Stamp
Published: June 2016

The potential conflicts between animal welfare and efficient farming can often be resolved or at least reduced by showing the financial benefits that improving animal welfare can bring to both society and individual farmers. These benefits include increased profits through: (i) reduced mortality; (ii) improved health; (iii) improved product quality; (iv) improved disease resistance and reduced medication; (v) lower risk of zoonoses and foodborne diseases; (vi) farmer job satisfaction and contributions to Corporate Social Responsibility; and (vii) the ability to command higher prices from consumers. Current conflicts between animal welfare and production may be resolved by future developments in genetics, management practices and new technology. Financial benefits reinforce, rather than replace, ethical arguments for good animal welfare.
Ecophysiology of leaf trichomes
Authors: Bickford Christopher P.
Published: June 2016

This review examines how leaf trichomes influence leaf physiological responses to abiotic environmental drivers. Leaf trichomes are known to modulate leaf traits, particularly radiation absorptance, but studies in recent decades have demonstrated that trichomes have a more expansive role in the plant–environment interaction. Although best known as light reflectors, dense trichome canopies modulate leaf heat balance and photon interception, and consequently affect gas exchange traits. Analysis of published studies shows that dense pubescence generally increases reflectance of visible light and near-infrared and infrared radiation. Reflective trichomes are also protective, reducing photoinhibition and UV-B related damage to leaf photochemistry. Little support exists for a strong trichome effect on leaf boundary layer resistance and transpiration, but recent studies indicate they may play a substantive role in leaf water relations affecting leaf wettability, droplet retention and leaf water uptake. Different lines of evidence indicate that adaxial and abaxial trichomes may function quite differently, even within the same leaf. Overall, this review synthesises and re-examines the diverse array of relevant studies from the past 40 years, illustrating our current understanding of how trichomes influence the energy, carbon and water balance of plants, and highlighting promising areas for future research.
Biodiversity conservation in Sydney Harbour
Authors: Banks Joanne L. , Hutchings Pat , Curley Belinda , Hedge Luke , Creese Bob , Johnston Emma
Published: June 2016

Biodiversity conservation is a major issue in ports and harbours as scientists, managers and the public become increasingly aware of the importance of healthy ecosystems to the wellbeing of urban populations. Sydney’s Harbour provides essential environmental, social and economic values to community, government and industry. Recent systematic reviews of the biological and physical characteristics of Sydney Harbour revealed high environmental and conservation value, especially considering the large numbers of people using its resources. However, like many coastal areas, the harbour has been subject to stressors such as habitat loss, metal, organic and nutrient pollution, the introduction of non-indigenous species, foreshore construction and commercial and recreational fishing. Here we outline the environmental assets of the harbour and the major threats, and report on current and developing conservation strategies. By learning about the progress of environmental management in Sydney Harbour, the difficulties faced and new planning strategies implemented, coastal and harbour environmental managers within the region can be better prepared when faced with similar challenges.
Structure and inhibition analysis of the mouse SAD-B C-terminal fragment
Authors: Ma Hui , Wu Jing-Xiang , Wang Jue , Wang Zhi-Xin , Wu Jia-Wei
Published: June 2016

The SAD (synapses of amphids defective) kinases, including SAD-A and SAD-B, play important roles in the regulation of neuronal development, cell cycle, and energy metabolism. Our recent study of mouse SAD-A identified a unique autoinhibitory sequence (AIS), which binds at the junction of the kinase domain (KD) and the ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain and exerts autoregulation in cooperation with UBA. Here, we report the crystal structure of the mouse SAD-B C-terminal fragment including the AIS and the kinase-associated domain 1 (KA1) at 2.8 Å resolution. The KA1 domain is structurally conserved, while the isolated AIS sequence is highly flexible and solvent-accessible. Our biochemical studies indicated that the SAD-B AIS exerts the same autoinhibitory role as that in SAD-A. We believe that the flexible isolated AIS sequence is readily available for interaction with KD-UBA and thus inhibits SAD-B activity.
Isolation of yeast candidates for efficient sophorolipids production: their production potentials associate to their lineage
Authors: Konishi Masaaki , Fujita Manako , Ishibane Yu , Shimizu Yuki , Tsukiyama Yusuke , Ishida Masashi
Published: June 2016

Eleven biosurfactant-producing strains were newly isolated from environmental samples using a drop-collapse assay and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). According to the TLC analysis, the separation patterns of the glycolipid spots of nine dominant strains corresponded to that of the sophorolipids produced by a Starmerella bombicola type strain. The retention factor values of the spot patterns of two strains were less than those of the others. Two representative major products were purified, and their molecular structures were determined. The major products were identified as diacetylated lactonic and acidic sophorolipids. The fatty acid moieties of both compounds were estimated to be 17-hydroxymethyl hexadecenoic acid. The amounts of glycolipids ranged from 5.0 to 22.9 g/L after 4 d of cultivation. According to a phylogenetic analysis, the strains were identified as Starmerella bombicola and Candida floricola.