Interface Energy in the Edwards-Anderson Model

We numerically investigate the spin glass energy interface problem in three dimensions. We analyze the energy cost of changing the overlap from −1 to +1 at one boundary of two coupled systems (in the other boundary the overlap is kept fixed to +1). We implement a parallel tempering algorithm that simulates finite temperature systems and works with both cubic lattices and parallelepiped with fixed aspect ratio. We find results consistent with a lower critical dimension D _c =2.5. The results show a good agreement with the mean field theory predictions.     

Synthesis of Fluorinated Graphene Oxide and its Amphiphobic Properties

The richly functionalized basal plane bonded to polar organic moieties makes graphene oxide (GO) innately hydrophilic. Here, a methodology to synthesize fluorinated graphene oxide by oxidizing the basal plane of fluorinated graphite, allowing for tunable hydrophobicity of GO, is reported. Fluorine exists as tertiary alkyl fluorides covalently bonded to graphitic carbons, and using magic‐angle spinning (MAS) ¹³C NMR as a primary tool chemical structures for the two types of synthesized fluorinated graphene oxides (FGOs) with significantly different fluorine contents are proposed. The low surface energy of the C–F bond drastically affects GO's wetting behavior, leading to amphiphobicity in its highly fluorinated form. Ease of solution processing enables the fabrication of inks that are spray‐painted on various porous/non‐porous substrates. These coatings maintain amphiphobicity for solvents with surface tensions down to 59 dyn/cm, thus bypassing existing lithographic means to create similar surfaces. The approach towards fluorinating GO and fabricating graphene‐based surfaces with tunable wettability opens the path towards unique, accessible, carbon‐based amphiphobic coatings.     

On reconstructing photon statistics by on/off detectors: Toward the multi-partite case

The propagation of pulses of the pump and its second harmonic in a quadratically nonlinear medium whose linear properties are characterized by a negative refractive index at the pump frequency and by a positive refractive index at the harmonic frequency is considered theoretically. In the case of a low intensity of the interacting waves, the pump and second-harmonic pulses propagate in the opposite directions, but sufficiently powerful pulses can form a simulton—a solitary two-frequency wave propagating in a certain direction as a single whole. Solutions to a set of equations are found which describe the steady-state propagation of a solitary wave and of a nonlinear periodic (cnoidal) wave.     

Application of trilinear SLICING to analyse a single relaxation curve

Determining the time constants and amplitudes of exponential decays from relaxation data is a common task in LF-NMR. In this communication, we present an application of the SLICING algorithm to evaluate its possibilities for solving this problem. The method, originally introduced to compare different samples, is applied here to analyse a single relaxation curve, using the embedding technique. To test this procedure, we acquired data sets from samples of liquids properly separated, and characterized by different relaxation times. The results show a good estimation of parameters, comparable with those obtained applying Marquardt's algorithm, when the components have sufficiently different relaxation times.     

Surface topology investigation for ancient coinage assessment using optical interferometry

In order to demonstrate the capabilities of white-light interferometry depth profiling (WLI-DP) for ancient coinage assessment, we investigated a series of notorious 1786 gold coins, bearing Louis XVIs horned effigy, and allegedly minted in Strasbourg. Scanning electron microscopy as well as WLI-DP observations unambiguously indicate that both previously differentiated single- and double-horned varieties originated from a unique minting tool. Moreover, from topological measurements, we infer that single-horned coins, rather than wearing out into double-horned coins, proceeded from the latter variety during minting by progressive failure of an already altered die. Whereas present observations do not exclude initial forgery, they suggest that protrusions resulted from progressive incidental in-service die deterioration. PACS 81.70.Fy; 07.60.Ly; 61.16.Bg; 81.40.Pq     

Dynamics of entanglement transfer from radiation modes to localized qubits

We address the dynamics of entanglement transfer from two radiation modes to a pair of localized qubits implemented as atoms flying through or trapped in separated cavities. We first generalize previous results to include radiation in entangled mixed states and to describe the effect of cavity mirror transmittance. Then we investigate the transfer process by Monte Carlo Wave Function approach, which allows us to solve the whole system dynamics including cavity mode and atomic decays. We focus on flying modes prepared in coherently correlated states and we find realistic conditions for efficient entanglement transfer out of the weak and strong coupling regimes in the perspective of quantum memories realization.     

Black Hole Quasinormal Modes in the Era of LIGO

After a long wait, gravitational wave astronomy has finally begun. Binary black hole mergers are being detected by LIGO and Virgo, and theorists are starting to receive a wealth of data to be analyzed. At this point, we can at long last begin to test alternative theories of gravity and different models of compact objects. One powerful tool to do this is the perturbative analysis of background spacetimes. The objective of this brief review is to introduce the notion and analysis of black hole quasinormal modes, starting from the linear perturbation theory and including a brief discussion of numerical methods and astrophysical implications in the gravitational wave signals recently detected. With these basic ingredients, more sophisticated analyses and applications are possible.     

The 130Nd↦130Pr↦130Ce decay chain revisited

An investigation of low-lying energy levels of ¹³⁰Pr and ¹³⁰Ce has been made via β-decay. The radioactive parent nuclei were produced via ^94,96Mo + ⁴⁰Ca reactions at 6.8 MeV/nucleon and transported by a He-jet system. Gamma-γ-t, γ-X-t, γ-e^--t coincidence measurements were performed. Internal conversion coefficients have been measured with a magnetic spectrometer. The new β-decay half-life of ¹³⁰Nd has been determined to be 21(3) s. A partial level scheme of ¹³⁰Pr at low-spin has been constructed. The β-decay of ¹³⁰Pr to ¹³⁰Ce suggests the existence of three β-instable isomeric states in ¹³⁰Pr, while only one half-life T _1/2 = 40(4) s has been measured. Based on the present work and low-lying excited states in neighbouring odd-mass nuclei, the spins and parities of isomeric states in ¹³⁰Pr are proposed to be 2⁺, (4,5)⁺ and (7,8^±). The ground state in ¹³⁰Pr is still undetermined. Received: 20 August 2001 / Accepted: 6 November 2001     

First Synthesis of 1,3-Alternate 25,27-Dialkyloxy-5,17-diarylcalix[4]arenes-crown-6 as New Cesium Selective Extractants by Suzuki Cross-coupling Reaction

The synthesis of new 25,27-dialkyloxy-5,17-diarylcalix[4]arenes-crown-6 1a–f in 1,3-alternate conformation by Suzuki cross-coupling reaction is reported. Their conformation was determined using ¹H, ¹³C, 2D NMR and ROESY analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Extraction experiments using a two-phase solvent method involving sodium, potassium or cesium picrate showed good extraction of the cesium cation. The X-ray crystal structures of 1,3-alternate 25,27-dipropoxy-5,17-diphenylcalix[4]arene-crown-6 ether 1a and its cesium picrate complex were established. Solid-state data were used to determine the complexation behavior of these new ligands. The efficiency of calixarenes 1a–f for cesium ion extraction could be ascribed to the rigidity and flatness linkages caused by the aryl groups at the lower rim of the aromatic moieties in the calixarene skeleton. In addition, the introduction of these aromatic moieties in positions 5 and 17 enhanced the solubility of the metal complexes in organic media.