Abe homotopy classification of topological excitations under the topological influence of vortices

Topological excitations are usually classified by the nth homotopy group πn. However, for topological excitations that coexist with vortices, there are cases in which an element of πn cannot properly describe the charge of a topological excitation due to the influence of the vortices. This is because an element of πn corresponding to the charge of a topological excitation may change when the topological excitation circumnavigates a vortex. This phenomenon is referred to as the action of π₁ on πn. In this paper, we show that topological excitations coexisting with vortices are classified by the Abe homotopy group κn. The nth Abe homotopy group κn is defined as a semi-direct product of π₁ and πn. In this framework, the action of π₁ on πn is understood as originating from noncommutativity between π₁ and πn. We show that a physical charge of a topological excitation can be described in terms of the conjugacy class of the Abe homotopy group. Moreover, the Abe homotopy group naturally describes vortex-pair creation and annihilation processes, which also influence topological excitations. We calculate the influence of vortices on topological excitations for the case in which the order parameter manifold is Sn/K, where Sn is an n-dimensional sphere and K is a discrete subgroup of SO(n+1). We show that the influence of vortices on a topological excitation exists only if n is even and K includes a nontrivial element of O(n)/SO(n).     

Interactions of non-Abelian global strings

Non-Abelian global strings are expected to form during the chiral phase transition. They have orientational zero modes in the internal space, associated with the vector-like symmetry SU_(N)L+R$\mathit{SU}{(N)}_{\mathrm{L}+\mathrm{R}}$ broken in the presence of strings. The interaction among two parallel non-Abelian global strings is derived for general relative orientational zero modes, giving a non-Abelian generalization of the Magnus force. It is shown that when the orientations of the strings are the same, the repulsive force reaches the maximum, whereas when the relative orientation becomes the maximum, no force exists between the strings. For the Abelian case we find a finite volume correction to the known result. The marginal instability of the previously known Abelian η^′${\eta }^{\prime }$ strings is discussed.     

Knots in a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate

We show that knots of spin textures can be created in the polar phase of a spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensate, and discuss experimental schemes for their generation and probe, together with their lifetime.     

Importance of punching and workability in non-oriented electrical steel sheets

In order to reduce energy loss in motors, the use of high-efficiency non-oriented electrical steel sheets and an optimal motor core design are important. It is also crucial to minimize the deterioration of magnetic properties during the motor core manufacturing process. Accordingly, this report evaluates the effects of cutting and clamping methods on the deterioration factors of motor cores. Magnetic properties are largely influenced by both cutting and clamping methods. While it is difficult to avoid cutting and clamping altogether, it is necessary to adopt suitable production conditions and minimize the deterioration involved.     

Study of detonation initiation in hydrogen/air flow

While extensive studies have been conducted concerning the formation of detonation waves in various combustible gaseous mixtures under static conditions since the 1950s, there is very little experimental work on simple flowing systems. In this study, experiments on the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) of a hydrogen–air flow system were carried out to see the effects of tube diameter, equivalence ratio, and flow types in a premixed and non-premixed flow. Tube diameters used were 25, 50, and 100 mm. The premixed experiments show that the larger tube diameter provides a wider range in run-up distance, reduction of L _DDT/D (ratio of the run-up distance, L _DDT to tube diameter), and expansion of the detonable concentration limit by spreading the cell width. The result of the non-premixed experiments show that similar values of the run-up distance to the premixed experiments are obtained at an equivalence ratio of about 1.0, however, fluctuations of DDT occur near the DDT concentration limit. Under laminar flow conditions at a Reynolds number of less than 2,300, the difference between the two systems could not be observed. However, when the Reynolds number increases towards turbulent conditions, the DDT run-up distance decreases compared to that of static flow conditions. This paper is based on work that was presented at the 21st International Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems, Poitiers, France, July 23–27, 2007.     

A new method for the synthesis of novel 1-aryl-3-heteroaryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxalines

The reaction of 3-(2,3-dihydro-4-methyl-3-thioxo-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylmethylene)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline 4 with o-chlorobenzenediazonium chloride gave 3-[α-(o-chlorophenylhydrazono)-2,3-dihydro-4-methyl-3-thioxo-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylmethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoxaline 6 , whose refluxing in phosphoryl chloride/pyridine afforded 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,3-dihydro-4-methyl-3-thioxo-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 7. The reactions of 6 and 7 with nitrous acid resulted in sulfur extrusion to provide 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 8 and 3-[α-(o-chlorophenylhydrazono)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylraethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoxaline 9 , respectively.     

Dry Reforming of Dimethyl Ether with Carbon Dioxide over a Cu-Containing Hybrid Catalyst

Reforming of dimethyl ether with carbon dioxide into synthesis gas has been carried out over a mixed catalyst containing Cu-based methanol decomposition catalyst and alumina. The catalyst is found to show a high activity and selectivity. Catalyst stability and deactivation mechanism was also examined.     

Two-Dimensional Perovskite Oxynitride K2LaTa2O6N with an H+/K+ Exchangeability in Aqueous Solution Forming a Stable Photocatalyst for Visible-Light H2 Evolution

Undoped layered oxynitrides have not been considered as promising H₂-evolution photocatalysts because of the low chemical stability of oxynitrides in aqueous solution. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of a new layered perovskite oxynitride, K₂LaTa₂O₆N, as an exceptional example of a water-tolerant photocatalyst for H₂ evolution under visible light. The material underwent in-situ H⁺/K⁺ exchange in aqueous solution while keeping its visible-light-absorption capability. Protonated K₂LaTa₂O₆N, modified with an Ir cocatalyst, exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward H₂ evolution in the presence of I⁻ as an electron donor and under visible light; the activity was six times higher than Pt/ZrO₂/TaON, one of the best-performing oxynitride photocatalysts for H₂ evolution. Overall water splitting was also achieved using the Ir-loaded, protonated K₂LaTa₂O₆N in combination with Cs-modified Pt/WO₃ as an O₂ evolution photocatalyst in the presence of an I₃⁻/I⁻ shuttle redox couple.