Topological Superconductivity in Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3)

A topological superconductor (TSC) is characterized by the topologically protected gapless surface state that is essentially an Andreev bound state consisting of Majorana fermions. While a TSC has not yet been discovered, the doped topological insulator Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3), which superconducts below ～3 K, has been predicted to possess a topological superconducting state. We report that the point-contact spectra on the cleaved surface of superconducting Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) present a zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) which signifies unconventional superconductivity. Theoretical considerations of all possible superconducting states help us conclude that this ZBCP is due to Majorana fermions and gives evidence for a topological superconductivity in Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3). In addition, we found an unusual pseudogap that develops below ～20 K and coexists with the topological superconducting state.     

Correlative sparsity structures and semidefinite relaxations for concave cost transportation problems with change of variables

We present a hierarchy of semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxations for solving the concave cost transportation problem (CCTP), which is known to be NP-hard, with p suppliers and q demanders. In particular, we study cases in which the cost function is quadratic or square-root concave. The key idea of our relaxation methods is in the change of variables to CCTPs, and due to this, we can construct SDP relaxations whose matrix variables are of size O((min {p, q}) ^ω ) in the relaxation order ω. The sequence of optimal values of SDP relaxations converges to the global minimum of the CCTP as the relaxation order ω goes to infinity. Furthermore, the size of the matrix variables can be reduced to O((min {p, q}) ^ω-1 ), ω ≥  2 by using Reznick’s theorem. Numerical experiments were conducted to assess the performance of the relaxation methods.     

Determination of the rate constants of the reactions of NO3 radical with CF3I and I(2P3/2)

The rate constant of the reaction of NO₃ radical with CF₃I was determined by a relative rate method using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer smog chamber with a long path length gas cell. As a result, the upper limit of the rate constant was determined to be <2.2 × 10^?18 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in 100 Torr of total pressure at 298 K, which suggests that CF₃I emitted into the atmosphere accumulates during night. The rate constant of the reaction of NO₃ with I(²P_3/2) was also measured using time‐resolved cavity ring‐down spectroscopy. The rate constant showed no pressure dependence in the range of 100–500 Torr of total pressure at 298 K and was determined to be (3.9 ± 1.0) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The present result is different from the previous ones and is about half of that reported most recently. From this rate constant, it is likely that the reaction of NO₃ radical with I(²P_3/2) does not have a much influence on the loss of I(²P_3/2) and the formation cycle of IO radical in the atmosphere. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 649–660, 2012     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of ALnO2 (A=Cu or Ag; Ln=rare earths) with the delafossite structure

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of ternary rare earth oxides ALnO₂ (A=Cu or Ag; Ln=rare earths) have been investigated. CuLnO₂ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) were synthesized by the direct solid state reaction of Cu₂O and Ln₂O₃, and AgLnO₂ (Ln=Tm, Yb, Lu) were obtained by the cation-exchange reaction of NaLnO₂ and AgNO₃ in a KNO₃ flux. These compounds crystallized in the delafossite-type structure with the rhombohedral 3R type (space group: R-3m). Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that these compounds are paramagnetic down to 1.8 K. Specific heat measurements down to 0.4 K indicated that CuNdO₂ ordered antiferromagnetically at 0.8 K.     

Instrumental Requirements for Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurement Using NIR Spectroscopy

The magnitude of spectral change in blood glucose measurements with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is investigated. Spectral change is estimated by simulation of light propagation in skin tissue and measurements of absorbance spectra of aqueous glucose solution. Required sensitivity of spectrophotometers for monitoring change in the blood glucose concentration as small as 10 mg/dL has been obtained using the estimated change in the absorbance spectrum and mean pathlength of light in tissue.     

Automatic Deformation Analysis in Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry Using One Speckle Interferogram of Deformed Object

We propose a new fringe analysis method that uses only one speckle interferogram of a deformed object to obtain phase change distribution by deformation. This method uses cos^-1 operations to extract absolute, not signed, values of new phase after deformation. Considering the phase changes in a small local area, true phase changes retain almost the same value by assuming a continuous deformation in the area. This retention determines the sign of the new phase. From the new phase and the initial phase, the phase change distribution by the deformation can be obtained. Experimental results show the usefulness of this method.     

Determination of the Asymmetry Parameter and Scattering Coefficient of Turbid Media from Spatially Resolved Reflectance Measurements

We present a technique for determining the asymmetry parameter and scattering coefficient of turbid media from spatially resolved reflectance measurements. This technique will contribute to the development of medical applications in which it is necessary to predict the distribution and propagation of light in tissue. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, we derived correlations which relate the reduced scattering coefficient and the asymmetry parameter to the relative reflectance curve. Initial estimates of the optical properties are obtained from these correlations. Final values are obtained by adjusting the optical parameters and repeating the Monte Carlo simulations until the simulated reflectance pattern matches the measured reflectance pattern. Preliminary experimental results indicate that this technique can be used to determine the asymmetry parameter to within 10% and the reduced scattering coefficient to within 5%.     

Polymerization and photoinitiation behavior in the light-cured dental composite resins

The polymerization behavior and photoinitiation process in the visible light-cured dental composite resins were studied using ESR and IR spectroscopies. The concentration of methacryl propagating radical corresponded to the transmittance of irradiated light. While the radical was stable and long-lived in the cured resin, its concentration quickly decreased in the oral cavity due to the ventilation of atmospheric oxygen accompanied by respiration. Camphorquinone radical in the presence of tertiary amine easily initiated the radical polymerization. A decrease in monomer consumption was explained by the inhibition effect of oxygen in the photoinitiation process. Post-curing by the residual radical proceeded effectively in the deeper part of the resin.