Magnetic field effect on the pairing state competition in quasi-one-dimensional organic superconductors (TMTSF)2X

We study the effect of the magnetic field on the pairing state competition in organic conductors (TMTSF)₂X by applying random phase approximation to a quasi-one-dimensional extended Hubbard model. We show that the singlet pairing, triplet pairing and the Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) superconducting states may compete when charge fluctuations coexist with spin fluctuations. This rises a possibility of a consecutive transition from singlet pairing to FFLO state and further to S_z = 1 triplet pairing upon increasing the magnetic field. We also show that the singlet and S_z = 0 triplet components of the gap function in the FFLO state have “d-wave” and “f-wave” forms, respectively, which are strongly mixed.     

Numerical simulation of inductive method for determining spatial distribution of critical current density

The inductive method for measuring the critical current density j_C in a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) thin film has been investigated numerically. In order to simulate the method, a non-axisymmetric numerical code has been developed for analyzing the time evolution of the shielding current density. In the code, the governing equation of the shielding current density is spatially discretized with the finite element method and the resulting first-order ordinary differential system is solved by using the 5th-order Runge–Kutta method with an adaptive step-size control algorithm. By using the code, the threshold current I_T is evaluated for various positions of a coil. The results of computations show that, near a film edge, the accuracy of the estimating formula for j_C is remarkably degraded. Moreover, even the proportional relationship between j_C and I_T will be lost there. Hence, the critical current density near a film edge cannot be estimated by using the inductive method.     

Time-reversal symmetry-breaking in two-band superconductors

Competition between an interband Josephson interaction and a biquadratic interband interaction can break time-reversal symmetry when the interband interactions are very weak compared with the intraband interaction. We demonstrate this using the phenomenological Ginzburg–Landau free energy, taking into account terms essential for this phenomenon. This time-reversal symmetry-breaking state peels away a sheet of an interband phase difference soliton wall. This sheet is the domain wall between two different chiral states. The peeling reduces the formation energy of the domain wall. The domain wall can simultaneously erase the Meissner effect and the specific heat jump when the entropy invokes many domain walls, and its life time is prolonged by a pinning owing to an inhomogeneity such as surface roughness.     

Chirality sensitive effect on surface states in chiral p-wave superconductors

We study the local density of states at the surface of a chiral p-wave superconductor in the presence of a weak magnetic field. As a result, the formation of low-energy Andreev bound states is either suppressed or enhanced by an applied magnetic field, depending on its orientation with respect to the chirality of the p-wave superconductor. Similarly, an Abrikosov vortex, which is situated not too far from the surface, leads to a zero-energy peak of the density of states, if its chirality is the same as that of the superconductor, and to a gap structure for the opposite case. We explain the underlying principle of this effect and propose a chirality sensitive test on unconventional superconductors.     

Electronic state on the surface in the strongly correlated electron systems

In order to clarify the tunneling spectroscopy in high-T_c cuprates, we study electronic state of the surface in the strongly correlated electron systems. First, we obtain Green's function of strongly correlated normal bulk system using the fluctuation exchange (FLEX) approximation. Next, we insert infinite potential into the bulk system and obtain Green's function of surface. We find that the density of states (DOS) in strongly correlated bulk systems are different from that on the surface, and the difference decreases as the magnitude of Coulomb interaction (U) increases.     

A Semiconductor Waveguide-Type Optical Frequency Shifter

A waveguide-type optical frequency shifter based on a rotating half-wave plate is proposed. The underlying principle can be used to realize a bit-rate-free and modulation-code-free optical frequency shifter. The waveguide was formed along the ≪1 1 1> direction on a GaAs (1 1 0) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and reactive ion beam etching (RIBE). A 10-MHz optical frequency shift with 16 V_p-p applied voltage and 22.5% shift efficiency is demonstrated.     

Molecular biology of histidine decarboxylase and prostaglandin receptors

Histamine and prostaglandins (PGs) play a variety of physiological roles as autacoids, which function in the vicinity of their sources and maintain local homeostasis in the body. They stimulate target cells by acting on their specific receptors, which are coupled to trimeric G proteins. For the precise understanding of the physiological roles of histamine and PGs, it is necessary to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in their synthesis as well as their receptor-mediated responses. We cloned the cDNAs for mouse L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and 6 mouse prostanoid receptors (4 PGE(2) receptors, PGF receptor, and PGI receptor). We then characterized the expression patterns and functions of these genes. Furthermore, we established gene-targeted mouse strains for HDC and PG receptors to explore the novel pathophysiological roles of histamine and PGs. We have here summarized our research, which should contribute to progress in the molecular biology of HDC and PG receptors.     

III–V quantum devices and circuits based on nanoscale Schottky gate control of hexagonal quantum wire networks

The concept, the present status, key issues and future prospects of a novel hexagonal binary decision diagram (BDD) quantum circuit approach for III–V quantum large-scale integrated circuits (QLSIs) are presented and discussed. In this approach, the BDD logic circuits are implemented on III–V semiconductor-based hexagonal nanowire networks controlled by nanoscale Schottky gates. The hexagonal BDD QLSIs can operate at delay-power products near the quantum limit in the quantum regime as well as in the many-electron classical regime. To demonstrate the feasibility of the present approach, GaAs Schottky wrap gate (WPG)-based single-electron BDD node devices and their integrated circuits were fabricated and their proper operations were confirmed. Selectively grown InGaAs sub-10 nm quantum wires and their hexagonal networks have been investigated to form high-density hexagonal BDD QLSIs operating in the quantum regime at room temperature.     

Enthalpy Relaxation Study of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Films Based on the Time-Temperature Superposition Principle

Abstract

In the enthalpy relaxation of poly(vinyl chloride), a decrease in enthalpy upon the isothermal ageing was measured using the differential scanning calorimetry method as a function of ageing time (t_A) and ageing temperature. The range of the ageing temperature was from 56?°C (T_g ? 25?°C) to 72?°C (T_g ? 9?°C) where T_g denotes the glass transition temperature. The limiting value of the decrease in enthalpy was determined by applying a stretched exponential function to the measured enthalpy data. The relaxation function (?) was derived from the measured enthalpy and the construction of a master curve was tried by shifting the ? ? t_A curves of the respective ageing temperatures horizontally. Although there was no agreement between the shift factors (a_T) and the relaxation times of the ? ? t_A curves, the superposition was successfully constructed and the a_T values obtained for the poly(vinyl chloride) sample were found to be comparable to those reported for viscoelastic experiments over a broad temperature range above and below T_g carried out for different polymers. The origin of the decrease in enthalpy was briefly discussed in terms of the chain dynamics in the isothermal condition.