The anisotropic quantum antiferromagnet on the Sierpiński gasket: Ground state and thermodynamics

We investigate an antiferromagnetic s = 1/2 quantum spin system with anisotropic spin exchange on a fractal lattice, the Sierpiski gasket. We introduce a novel approximative numerical method, the configuration selective diagonalization (CSD) and apply this method to a the Sierpiski gasket with N = 42. Using this and other methods we calculate ground state energies, spin gap, spin-spin correlations and specific heat data and conclude that the s = 1/2 quantum antiferromagnet on the Sierpinski gasket shows a disordered magnetic ground state with on the Sierpinski gasket shows a disordered magnetic ground state with a very short correlation length of and an, albeit very small, spin gap. This conclusion holds for Heisenberg as well a for XY exchange.Received: 18 February 2004, Published online: 20 April 2004PACS: 75.10.-b General theory and models of magnetic ordering - 05.45.Df Fractals - 75.40.Mg Numerical simulation studies     

Coherent backscattering of Bose-Einstein condensates in two-dimensional disorder potentials

We study quantum transport of an interacting Bose-Einstein condensate in a two-dimensional disorder potential. In the limit of a vanishing atom-atom interaction, a sharp cone in the angle-resolved density of the scattered matter wave is observed, arising from constructive interference between amplitudes propagating along reversed scattering paths. Weak interaction transforms this coherent backscattering peak into a pronounced dip, indicating destructive instead of constructive interference. We reproduce this result, obtained from the numerical integration of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, by a diagrammatic theory of weak localization in the presence of nonlinearity.     

Fine structure of the isoscalar giant quadrupole resonance in Ca due to Landau damping?

The fragmentation of the Isoscalar Giant Quadrupole Resonance (ISGQR) in ⁴⁰Ca has been investigated in high energy-resolution experiments using proton inelastic scattering at Ep=200 MeV$E_{\mathrm{p}}=200\text{MeV}$. Fine structure is observed in the region of the ISGQR and its characteristic energy scales are extracted from the experimental data by means of a wavelet analysis. The experimental scales are well described by Random Phase Approximation (RPA) and second-RPA calculations with an effective interaction derived from a realistic nucleon–nucleon interaction by the Unitary Correlation Operator Method (UCOM). In these results characteristic scales are already present at the mean-field level pointing to their origination in Landau damping, in contrast to the findings in heavier nuclei and also to SRPA calculations for ⁴⁰Ca based on phenomenological effective interactions, where fine structure is explained by the coupling to two-particle–two-hole (2p–2h) states.     

Localized states on triangular traps and low-temperature properties of the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg and repulsive Hubbard models

We consider the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg and the repulsive Hubbard model on two N-site one-dimensional lattices, which support dispersionless one-particle states corresponding to localized states on triangular trapping cells. We calculate the degeneracy of the ground states in the subspaces with n ≤ n _max, n _max ∝ N magnons or electrons as well as the contribution of these states (independent localized states) to thermodynamic quantities. Moreover, we discuss another class of low-lying eigenstates (so-called interacting localized states) and calculate their contribution to the partition function. We also discuss the effect of extra interactions, which lift the degeneracy present due to the chirality of the localized states on triangles. The localized states set an extra low-energy scale in the system and lead to a nonzero residual ground-state entropy and to one (or more) additional low-temperature peak(s) in the specific heat. Low-energy degrees of freedom in the presence of perturbations removing degeneracy owing to the chirality can be described in terms of an effective (pseudo)spin-1/2 transverse XX chain.     

Gamow-Teller strength in the exotic odd-odd nuclei 138La and 180Ta and its relevance for neutrino nucleosynthesis

The Gamow-Teller strength distributions below the particle threshold in 138La and 180Ta, deduced from high-resolution measurements of the (3He,t) reaction at 0 degrees, allow us to evaluate the role of charged-current reactions for the production of these extremely rare nuclides in neutrino-nucleosynthesis models. The analysis suggests that essentially all 138La in the Universe can be made that way. Neutrino nucleosynthesis also contributes significantly to the abundance of 180Ta but the magnitude depends on the unknown branching ratio for population of the long-lived isomer.     

Expression of Hepatoma-derived growth factor family members in the adult central nervous system

Background  

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) belongs to a polypeptide family containing five additional members called HDGF related proteins 1–4 (HRP-1 to -4) and Lens epithelial derived growth factor. Whereas some family members such as HDGF and HRP-2 are expressed in a wide range of tissues, the expression of others is very restricted. HRP-1 and -4 are only expressed in testis, HRP-3 only in the nervous system. Here we investigated the expression of HDGF, HRP-2 and HRP-3 in the central nervous system of adult mice on the cellular level by immunohistochemistry. In addition we performed Western blot analysis of various brain regions as well as neuronal and glial cell cultures.     

KB scanning of X‐ray beam for Laue microdiffraction on accelero‐phobic samples: application to in situ mechanically loaded nanowires

A mapping technique has been developed where a sub‐micrometer focused polychromatic X‐ray beam is scanned across a stationary sample instead of scanning the sample in front of the X‐ray microbeam. This method is applied to a gold nanowire during its mechanical loading using the tip of an atomic force microscope. During the loading process, such a sample is `accelero‐phobic', i.e. the sample scanning stages must not to be moved to avoid parasitic additional load. Without beam scanning, only one single position within the sample can be probed during the test. The probed material point may even change because of drifts or movements induced by the test itself. The new scanning approach facilitates the in situ mapping of the entire wire giving access to the evolution of the wire shape as well as to the boundary conditions. This novel scanning technique opens promising perspectives for studies where sample motion is forbidden because of the sample environment.     

A compact autocorrelator for the wavelength range between 4 and 10 μm

A compact autocorrelator suitable for the measurement of the optical pulse length of the infrared free electron laser (IR-FEL) at the S-DALINAC is described. It allows to investigate the energy transfer process from the electrons into the laser light within the undulator of the FEL. The autocorrelator utilizes the second harmonic generation (SHG) and it provides the possibility of a background-free measurement at wavelengths between 4 and 10 μm. Simulations for three different crystals used for SHG show that the largest efficiency for SHG and the best temporal resolution is achieved with a ZnGeP₂ crystal at a length of 2 mm. A test experiment at the free electron laser for infrared experiments confirmed the expected high efficiency of about 7.5% of SHG for the ZnGeP₂ crystal as well as the easy handling and fast adjustment of the system.     

High pressure-induced structural effects in plastic packaging

Today, flexible vacuum packages are predominantly used for products to be subjected to high pressure treatment. However, tray packages with a modified atmosphere are in demand, which provide a high failure rate with respect to gas and water vapour permeability and packaging integrity. Methods to follow permeation processes under high pressure were developed and used together with optical microscopy, confocal scanning laser microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy to identify the mechanisms for changes in permeability and damage to the packaging materials. Single film samples and pouch packages filled with model products were studied. Results indicate a reversible decrease in the coefficients of diffusion and permeation under the impact of high pressure, due to the compression of the polymeric bulk. Irreversible changes in the polymeric materials are associated with gases in the packaging head space, which cause high local temperatures and create damage due to rapid deliberation upon the pressure drop at the end of the high pressure cycle.     

Optimal output mirrors for laser resonators

To minimize the angular divergence of a laser output beam, the lens effect of the output mirror must be taken into account. The optimum focal length is given for symmetric and half-symmetric resonators, and the dependence of the minimum beam divergence on cavity parameters is shown.