Inelastic Cotunneling Current and Shot Noise of an Interacting Quantum Dot with Ferromagnetic Correlations

We explore inelastic cotunneling through a strongly Coulomb-blockaded quantum dot attached to two ferromagnetic leads in the weak coupling limit using a generic quantum Langevin equation approach. We first develop a Bloch-type equation microscopically to describe the cotunneling-induced spin relaxation dynamics, and then develop explicit analytical expressions for the local magnetization, current, and its fluctuations. On this basis, we predict a novel zero-bias anomaly of the differential conductance in the absence of a magnetic field for the anti-parallel configuration, and asymmetric peak splitting in a magnetic field. Also, for the same system with large polarization, we find a negative zero-frequency differential shot noise in the low positive bias-voltage region. All these effects are ascribed to rapid spin-reversal due to underlying spin-flip cotunneling.     

Thermal stability and reaction properties of passivated Al/CuO nano-thermite

Thermal stability and reaction properties of Al-CuO system, a mixture of 50-200 nm aluminum nanoparticles passivated by nitrocellulose and 12 nm copper (II) oxide, were investigated with microstructure characterization, differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Transmission electron microscopy observation confirmed that the passivation coating successfully hinders the oxidization. TGA revealed that the passivation shell does not influence the ignition temperature of the thermite reaction. Reaction chemistry of the nano-thermite was elucidated by heating the composite both in inert ambient and vacuum. It was found that the thermite reaction composes of three continuing steps: At 570 °C, Al is oxidized into Al₂O₃ by reacting with CuO, which forms Cu₂O and produces a significant amount of heat. Subsequently two endothermic reactions occur. Starting at 800 °C, alumina reacts with Cu₂O and forms CuAlO₂. Above this temperature CuAlO₂ will decompose and eventually produce alumina, Cu, and O₂ at 1000 °C. Since the nano-thermite reaction pathway differs greatly from bulk thermite reactions, these results are important to develop a nano-thermite platform that can be used for a novel low cost, low temperature, and copper based microjoining and advance IC packaging.     

Density-dependent spin polarization in ultra-low-disorder quantum wires

There is controversy as to whether a one-dimensional (1D) electron gas can spin polarize in the absence of a magnetic field. Together with a simple model, we present conductance measurements on ultra-low-disorder quantum wires supportive of a spin polarization at B=0. A spin energy gap is indicated by the presence of a feature in the range (0.5-0.7)x2e(2)/h in conductance data. Importantly, it appears that the spin gap is not constant but a function of the electron density. Data obtained using a bias spectroscopy technique are consistent with the spin gap widening further as the Fermi level is increased.     

On the relaxation of a medium after excitation with single fast heavy ions

A plasma model of relaxation of a medium in heavy-ion tracks in condensed matter has been proposed. The model is based on the solution of time-dependent equations of radiative-collisional kinetics. The state of the medium, which is described in the framework of the classical model of multiple ionization of target atoms by a field of fast multiply charged ions, is used as the initial condition. The relaxation in the plasma is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. An analysis of the results of the calculations performed has made it possible to determine the range of material parameters at which the plasma model actually changes over to the atomic model and to establish the conditions where the atomic model is a very rough approximation. It is demonstrated that the plasma model adequately describes the X-ray spectra recorded upon interaction of ion beams with condensed targets. An X-ray spectral method based on the plasma model is proposed for diagnosing the plasma in fast-ion tracks. The results obtained can be useful in examining the initial stage of defect formation in solids under irradiation with single fast heavy ions.     

Frequency down-conversion using cascading arrays of coupled nonlinear oscillators

A novel coupling scheme using M≥2 arrays of coupled nonlinear elements arranged in a specific configuration can produce multifrequency patterns or a frequency down-converting effect on an external (input) signal. In such a configuration, each array contains N≥3 nonlinear elements with similar dynamics and each element is coupled unidirectionally within the array. The subsequent arrays in the cascade are coupled in a similar fashion except that the coupling direction is arranged in the opposite direction with respect to that of the preceding array. Previous theoretical work and numerical results have already been reported in [P. Longhini, A. Palacios, V. In, J. Neff, A. Kho, A. Bulsara, Exploiting dynamical symmetry in coupled nonlinear elements for efficient frequency down-conversion, Phys. Rev. E 76 (2007) 026201]. This paper is focused on results of experiments implemented on two distinct systems: the first system is fabricated using discrete component circuits to approximate an overdamped bistable Duffing oscillator described by a quartic potential system, and the second system is built in a microcircuit, where the nonlinearity is described by a hyperbolic tangent function, with the option of applying an external signal to investigate resonant effects. In particular, the circuit implementations for each case use M=2 arrays, but their voltage oscillations already demonstrate that the frequency relations between each of the successive arrays decrease by a rational factor, conforming to earlier theoretical and numerical results for the general case containing M arrays. This behavior is important for efficient frequency down-converting applications which are essential in many communication systems where heterodyning is typically used and it involves multi-step processes with complicated circuitry.     

Modulated spin liquid: a new paradigm for URu2Si2

We argue that near a Kondo breakdown critical point, a spin liquid with spatial modulations can form. Unlike its uniform counterpart, we find that this occurs via a second order phase transition. The amount of entropy quenched when ordering is of the same magnitude as for an antiferromagnet. Moreover, the two states are competitive, and at low temperatures are separated by a first order phase transition. The modulated spin liquid we find breaks Z4 symmetry, as recently seen in the hidden order phase of URu2Si2. Based on this, we suggest that the modulated spin liquid is a viable candidate for this unique phase of matter.     

Holographic dark energy interacting with dark matter in a closed Universe

A cosmological model of an holographic dark energy interacting with dark matter throughout a decaying term of the form Q=3(λ₁ρDE+λ₂ρm)H$Q=3({\lambda }_1{\rho }_{\mathrm{DE}}+{\lambda }_2{\rho }_m)H$ is investigated. General constraint on the parameters of the model are found when accelerated expansion is imposed and we found a phantom scenario, without any reference to a specific equation of state for the dark energy. The behavior of equation of state for dark energy is also discussed.     

Atomistic simulation of laser ablation of gold: Effect of pressure relaxation

The process of ablation of a gold target by femto- and picosecond laser radiation pulses has been studied by numerical simulations using an atomistic model with allowance for the electron subsystem and the dependence of the ion-ion interaction potential on the electron temperature. Using this potential, it is possible to take into account the change in the physical properties of the ion subsystem as a result of heating of the electron subsystem. The results of simulations reveal a significant difference between the characteristics of metal ablation by laser pulses of various durations. For ablation with subpicosecond pulses, two mechanisms of metal fracture related to the evolution of electronic pressure in the system are established.     

Nonlinear polarizability and plasmon resonances in terahertz photoconductivity

The nonlinear polarization of an electron plasma in an incident terahertz (THz) field is examined in an iterated shielded potential approximation. It is found to exhibit resonant behavior when the incident terahertz frequency matches the plasma frequency, with concomitant resonant increase of the dielectric function. Such resonant behavior substantially reduces the effectiveness of the screened impurity scattering potentials, admitting resonant increase of conduction when the THz frequency matches the plasma frequency.