The Chern character of a transversally elliptic symbol and the equivariant index

Let G be a compact Lie group acting on a compact manifold M. In this article, we associate to a G-transversally elliptic symbol on M a G-invariant generalized function on G, constructed in terms of equivariant closed differential forms on the cotangent bundle T ^* M. Oblatum 24-VII-1995     

A Remark on the Use of Differential Forms for the Skyrme Problem

We introduce a formulation of the Skyrme problem using differential forms. By means of this formulation, we prove first that the homothetic map between the standard three-sphere of radius R, S³ _r R⁴, and S³ ₁ is the unique minimizer, modulo isometries, of the Skyrme energy in its homotopy class, for any R less than some critical value R₀ (3/2, 2]. We then establish a stability result for this Skyrme-form problem from which we can recover the result of M. Loss and N. S. Manton which states that this homothetic map is stable only up to R = 2.     

Growth by laser ablation of Ti-based oxide films with different valency states

x La_2/3+yTiO_3-δ perovskite (with δ≤0.5) were deposited by the laser ablation technique from Li_0.33La_0.56TiO₃ targets. Their growth onto MgO substrateswas studied as a function of the oxygen pressure. For films grown in vacuum (10^-6 mbar), a La_0.63TiO_2.5 composition was obtained, meaning that Ti³⁺ alone is present in the films, while Li ions are not incorporated under these conditions. This material shows good electric conductivity (ρ=500 mΩ cm). By contrast, insulating films with a Li_0.1La_0.70TiO₃ composition corresponding to the Ti⁴⁺ species were obtained at high oxygen pressures (>0.05 mbar). For all conditions, textured films were grown with different orientations depending on the temperature and the oxygen pressure. Received: 10 September 1997/Accepted: 24 November 1997     

Positive and negative Hanbury-Brown and Twiss correlations in normal metal-superconducting devices

In the light of the recent analogs of the Hanbury-Brown and Twiss experiments [1] in mesoscopic beam splitters, negative current noise correlations are recalled to be the consequence of an exclusion principle. Here, positive (bosonic) correlations are shown to exist in a fermionic system, composed of a superconductor connected to two normal reservoirs. In the Andreev regime, the correlations can either be positive or negative depending on the reflection coefficient of the beam splitter. For biases beyond the gap, the transmission of quasiparticles favors fermionic correlations. The presence of disorder enhances positive noise correlations. Potential experimental applications are discussed. Received 1 June 1999     

Lead Inclusions in Silicon: Structure, Morphology, and Thermal Behavior

Small inclusions of lead have been embedded in pure silicon by rapid quenching. They are topotactic-truncated octahedra with a smaller aspect ratio than the ones found in aluminum. They appear also on single and multiple twins as a bicrystalline unit with a compound morphology. No overheating has been detected, while undercooling is size dependent and can reach 80 K. These results are compared to the structure, morphology and thermal behavior of lead inclusions in aluminum and other cubic matrices.