Mechanism of the D’yakonov-Perel’ spin relaxation in frequent electron-electron collisions in a quantum well with a finite width

A precession mechanism of spin relaxation of conduction electrons in a square quantum well is analyzed. The dependence of the spin relaxation time on the width of a quantum well and the height of its barriers is calculated under the assumption that the electron-electron collisions dominate over other processes of carrier scattering.     

Effect of secondary electrons from latent tracks created in YBCO by swift heavy ion irradiation

Swift heavy ions (SHI) with electronic energy loss exceeding a value of 14.4 keVnm⁻¹ create amorphized latent tracks in YBCO type superconductors. In the low fluence regime of an ion beam where tracks do not overlap, a decrease of the superconducting transition temperature as probed through resistivity studies, is not expected due to availability of percolating current paths. The present study however shows T_c decrease by about 1–3 K in thin films of YBCO when irradiated by 250 MeVAg ions at 79 K at a fluence of 5×10¹⁰–1×10¹² ionscm⁻². The highest fluence used in the present study is three times less than the fluence where track overlapping becomes significant. The T_c tends to increase towards the preirradiation value on annealing the films at room temperature. To explain this unusual result, we consider the effect of ion irradiation in inducing materials modification not only through creation of amorphized latent tracks along the ion path, but also through creation of atomic disorder in the oxygen sublattice in the Cu–O chains of YBCO by the secondary electrons. These electrons are emitted radially from the tracks during the passage of the SHI. Considering the correlation between the charge state of copper and its oxygen coordination, we show in particular that the latter process is a consequence of the inelastic interaction of the SHI induced low-energy secondary electrons with the YBCO lattice, which result in chain oxygen disorder and T_c decrease.     

The motion of particle spin in a nonuniform electromagnetic field

We have applied the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation to spin-1 particles interacting with a nonuniform electromagnetic field. This allowed us to simultaneously confirm that the Pomeransky-Khriplovich-Sen’kov theory is valid and that the interaction of spin 1-particles with a weak field is properly described by the Corben-Schwinger equation. We analyzed the possibilities for experimentally testing theoretical conclusions by observing spin oscillations for the planar channeling of particles or nuclei in straight crystals. By carrying out such experiments, we can also detect the spin oscillations produced by electromagnetic interaction and measure the quadrupole moments of short-lived nuclei.     

Radiospectroscopic and dielectric spectra of nanomaterials

The shape of lines in the radiospectroscopic (NMR and EPR) and dielectric spectra of materials formed by nanoparticles (hereafter, nanomaterials) is analyzed theoretically. The theory is developed in the framework of the core and shell model according to which a nanoparticle consists of two regions whose properties are affected and unaffected by the surface, respectively. The changes in the resonance frequency, the relaxation time, and the static permittivity due to the surface tension are taken into account, and the Gaussian and Lorentzian shapes of homogeneously broadened lines are considered. The inhomogeneous broadening of the spectral lines is examined for several types of nanoparticle size distributions. It is demonstrated that the splitting of the initial lines in the spectra of bulk systems into pairs of lines with a decrease in the particle size is a specific feature of the spectra of nanoparticles. The intensities and half-widths of the lines are investigated as functions of the parameters of the size distribution of nanoparticles. The results of theoretical calculations are compared with recent experimental data on the ¹⁷O and ²⁵Mg NMR spectra of nanocrystalline MgO. The theoretical dependences of the intensity, the resonance frequency, and the half-width of the spectral lines are in good agreement with the experimental data. The proposed theory offers a satisfactory explanation of the behavior of the static permittivity in BaTiO₃ ceramic materials with nanometer-sized grains.     

Electronic spectrum of the three-dimensional Penrose lattice

The electronic spectrum of the three-dimensional Penrose lattice with “central” decoration by atoms is investigated using the tight binding model with nearest-neighbor interaction. Inverse participation ratios, higher moments of density probabilities, and fractal dimensions of the system are determined. The WFs are critical (they have a power-law dependence on the distance) at all energies in the band and are multifractal measures leading to the entire spectrum of the exponents. The results show that the system is in the critical state of the metal-insulator transition. On critical WFs, the cubic root temperature dependence of the conductivity is obtained.     

Synchronized whistlers recorded at Varanasi

Some interesting events of synchronized whistlers recorded at low latitude station Varanasi during magnetic storm period of the year 1977 are presented. The dynamic spectrum analysis shows that the component whistlers are Eckersley whistlers having dispersion 10 s^1/2 and 30 s^1/2. An attempt has been made to explain the dynamic spectra using lightning discharge generated from magnetospheric sources     

Broader Societal Issues of Nanotechnology

Nanoscale science and engineering are providing unprecedented understanding and control over the basic building blocks of matter, leading to increased coherence in knowledge, technology, and education. The main reason for developing nanotechnology is to advance broad societal goals such as improved comprehension of nature, increased productivity, better healthcare, and extending the limits of sustainable development and of human potential. This paper outlines societal implication activities in nanotechnology R&D programs. The US National Nanotechnology Initiative annual investment in research with educational and societal implications is estimated at about $30 million (of which National Science Foundation (NSF) awards about $23 million including contributions to student fellowships), and in nanoscale research with relevance to environment at about $50 million (of which NSF awards about $30 million and EPA about $6 million). An appeal is made to researchers and funding organizations worldwide to take timely and responsible advantage of the new technology for economic and sustainable development, to initiate societal implications studies from the beginning of the nanotechnology programs, and to communicate effectively the goals and potential risks with research users and the public.