Transverse josephson plasma mode in T* cuprate superconductors

A transverse optical plasma mode is observed at far-infrared frequencies within the superconducting gap region by measuring the c-axis optical reflectivity for single crystals of T* cuprate superconductors SmLa0.85Sr0.15CuO4-delta and Nd1.4Sr0.4Ce0.2CuO4-delta. These T* cuprates have two different insulating layers sandwiching the superconducting CuO2 planes, leading to two longitudinal plasmons. Also, the transverse mode is directly observed due to the coupling of the infrared radiation with the current perpendicular to the superconducting layers which are regarded as an alternating array of two inequivalent Josephson junctions.     

Absence of residual quasiparticle conductivity in the underdoped cuprate YBa2Cu4O8

We report measurements of the in-plane thermal conductivity kappa of the stoichiometric underdoped cuprate YBa2Cu4O8 (Y124) below 1 K. kappa(T) is shown to follow a simple phononic T3 dependence at the lowest temperature T for both current directions, with a negligible linear quasiparticle contribution. This observation is in marked contrast with behavior reported in optimally doped cuprates, and implies that extended zero-energy (or low-energy) quasiparticles are absent in Y124.     

Heterocyclic effect for optical properties of naphthoquinone-based pigment: 2-methyl-3-heteroarylthio-1,4-naphthalenedione

Three novel naphthoquinone-based heterocyclic pigments, 2-methyl-3-[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)thio-1,4-naphthalenedione, (4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio-1,4-naphthalenedione, and (1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)thio]-1,4-naphthalenedione, are synthesized, and their optical properties in both solution and solid states are investigated. Depending on the heteroarylthio ring in the pigment, variation in optical properties is observed, e.g. characteristic colours for each pigment in the solution and solid states. The achiral pigment containing the 1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl ring exhibits a chiral space group and a CD signal in the solid state.     

Investigation of void formation beneath thin AlN layers by decomposition of sapphire substrates for self-separation of thick AlN layers grown by HVPE

Void formation at the interface between thick AlN layers and (0 0 0 1) sapphire substrates was investigated to form a predefined separation point of the thick AlN layers for the preparation of freestanding AlN substrates by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). By heating 50–200 nm thick intermediate AlN layers above 1400 °C in a gas flow containing H₂ and NH₃, voids were formed beneath the AlN layers by the decomposition reaction of sapphire with hydrogen diffusing to the interface. The volume of the sapphire decomposed at the interface increased as the temperature and time of the heat treatment was increased and as the thickness of the AlN layer decreased. Thick AlN layers subsequently grown at 1450 °C after the formation of voids beneath the intermediate AlN layer with a thickness of 100 nm or above self-separated from the sapphire substrates during post-growth cooling with the aid of voids. The 79 μm thick freestanding AlN substrate obtained using a 200 nm thick intermediate AlN layer had a flat surface with no pits, high optical transparency at wavelengths above 208.1 nm, and a dislocation density of 1.5×10⁸ cm⁻².     

The role of spin-orbit potential in nuclear prolate-shape dominance

It is confirmed, in terms of the Woods-Saxon-Strutinsky method, that the spin-orbit potential plays a decisive role in the predominance of prolate deformation, which has been a long standing problem in nuclear physics. It is originated from the combined effects of the spin-orbit coupling and the diffused surface of the potential, in agreement with the previous work based on a more schematic Nilsson-Strutinsky method. The degree of prolate-shape dominance exhibits an oscillatory behavior with respect to the strength of spin-orbit potential and, the prolate-shape dominance is realized at the proper strength of the spin-orbit potential together with the standard surface diffuseness; this oscillatory behavior disappears in case of small diffuseness corresponding to ellipsoidal cavity. The calculated energy differences between oblate and prolate minima in this Letter are consistent with those of our extensive self-consistent calculations of the Hartree-Fock + BCS method with the Skyrme interaction.     

Experiments to study the beta-effect in atmospheric dynamics

In atmospheric dynamics, it is well known that the beta-effect, namely, the variation of Coriolis force with latitude causes the mid-latitude large-scale tropospheric waves such as the westerlies to propagate vertically into the stratosphere. Although this has been well proved in the theoretical works and atmospheric observations, to test this also in a laboratory we demonstrate here rotating fluid annulus experiments setting a conical bottom in a tank to create an equivalent beta-effect. Three clear evidences of the beta-effect were observed in the wavenumber-2 flow: the wave flow propagated vertically, its critical level rose, and its drift velocity reduced. Then the quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity equation succeeded in describing this phenomenon below a height slightly lower than the critical level, but failed near that level.     

Demonstration of laser-frequency upshift by electron-density modulations in a plasma wakefield

In a plasma wake wave generated by a high power laser, modulations of the electron density take the shape of paraboloidal dense shells, moving almost at the speed of light. A counterpropagating laser pulse is partially reflected from the shells, acting as relativistic flying mirrors, producing a time-compressed frequency-multiplied pulse due to the double Doppler effect. The counterpropagating laser pulse reflection from the plasma wake wave accompanied by its frequency multiplication (with a factor from 50 to 114) was detected in our experiment.     

Experiments to study interactions between baroclinic lower flows and a stably stratified upper layer

Experiments were conducted on a rotating fluid annulus to study the basic interactions between baroclinic lower flows and a stably stratified upper layer. Sufficiently stable stratification is necessary for steady flows to emerge in the lower layer. Upward fluid motions make the baroclinic flows permeate into the upper layer. The stable stratification, however, suppresses upward motions so that zonal fluid velocities decrease with height. In fact, their maximum appears at the top level of the baroclinic lower layer and the sign of the radial temperature gradient changes there; namely, it is warmer on the inner side of the annulus in the upper layer. This temperature profile is reflected in a meridional fluid circulation mixing both layers. In the upper layer of the wave flow, there exists a critical level below and above which the zonal fluid velocities have opposite directions for the wave to have a phase shift of half a wavelength in appearance. The experimental results correspond to real atmospheric phenomena.