Field Induced Magnetic Ordering and Single-ion Anisotropy in the Quasi-1D Haldane Chain Compound SrNi2V2O8: A Single Crystal investigation

Field-induced magnetic ordering in the Haldane chain compound SrNi$_{2}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$ and effect of anisotropy have been investigated using single crystals. Static susceptibility, inelastic neutron scattering, high-field magnetization, and low temperature heat-capacity studies confirm a non-magnetic spin-singlet ground state and a gap between the singlet ground state and triplet excited states. The intra-chain exchange interaction is estimated to be $J \sim 8.9{\pm}$0.1 meV. Splitting of the dispersions into two modes with minimum energies 1.57 and 2.58 meV confirms the existence of single-ion anisotropy $D(S^z){^2}$. The value of {\it D} is estimated to be $-0.51{\pm}0.01$ meV and the easy axis is found to be along the crystallographic {\it c}-axis. Field-induced magnetic ordering has been found with two critical fields [$\mu_0H_c^{\perp c} = 12.0{\pm}$0.2 T and $\mu_0H_c^{\parallel c} = 20.8{\pm}$0.5 T at 4.2 K]. Field-induced three-dimensional magnetic ordering above the critical fields is evident from the heat-capacity, susceptibility, and high-field magnetization study. The Phase diagram in the {\it H-T} plane has been obtained from the high-field magnetization. The observed results are discussed in the light of theoretical predictions as well as earlier experimental reports on Haldane chain compounds

Evolution of antiferromagnetic domains in the all-in-all-out ordered pyrochlore Nd2_2Zr2_2O7_7

We report the observation of magnetic domains in the exotic, antiferromagnetically ordered all-in-all-out state of Nd$_2$Zr$_2$O$_7$, induced by spin canting. The all-in-all-out state can be realized by Ising-like spins on a pyrochlore lattice and is established in Nd$_2$Zr$_2$O$_7$ below 0.31 K for external magnetic fields up to 0.14 T. Two different spin arrangements can fulfill this configuration which leads to the possibility of magnetic domains. The all-in-all-out domain structure can be controlled by an external magnetic field applied parallel to the [111] direction. This is a result of different spin canting mechanism for the two all-in-all-out configurations for such a direction of the magnetic field. The change of the domain structure is observed through a hysteresis in the magnetic susceptibility. No hysteresis occurs, however, in case the external magnetic field is applied along [100].Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. B, 6 pages, 6 figure

Spinon Confinement in the One-Dimensional Ising-Like Antiferromagnet SrCo2V2O8

For quasi-one dimensional quantum spin systems theory predicts the occurrence of a confinement of spinon excitation due to interchain couplings. Here we investigate the system SrCo2V2O8, a realization of the weakly-coupled Ising-like XXZ antiferromagnetic chains, by terahertz spectroscopy with and without applied magnetic field. At low temperatures a series of excitations is observed, which split in a Zeeman-like fashion in an applied magnetic field. These magnetic excitations are identified as the theoretically predicted spinon-pair excitations. Using a one dimensional Schr\"odinger equation with a linear confinement potential imposed by weak interchain couplings, the hierarchy of the confined spinons can be fully described.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

An Improved Slant Path Attenuation Prediction Method in Tropical Climates

An improved method for predicting slant path attenuation in tropical climates is presented in this paper. The proposed approach is based on rain intensity data R_0.01 (mm/h) from 37 tropical and equatorial stations; and is validated by using the measurement data from a few localities in tropical climates. The new method seems to accurately predict the slant path attenuation in tropical localities, and the comparative tests seem to show significant improvement in terms of the RMS of the relative error variable compared to the RMS obtained with the SAM, Crane, and ITU-R prediction models

Consequences of critical interchain couplings and anisotropy on a Haldane chain

Effects of interchain couplings and anisotropy on a Haldane chain have been investigated by single crystal inelastic neutron scattering and density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the model compound SrNi$_2$V$_2$O$_8$. Significant effects on low energy excitation spectra are found where the Haldane gap ($\Delta_0 \approx 0.41J$; where $J$ is the intrachain exchange interaction) is replaced by three energy minima at different antiferromagnetic zone centers due to the complex interchain couplings. Further, the triplet states are split into two branches by single-ion anisotropy. Quantitative information on the intrachain and interchain interactions as well as on the single-ion anisotropy are obtained from the analyses of the neutron scattering spectra by the random phase approximation (RPA) method. The presence of multiple competing interchain interactions is found from the analysis of the experimental spectra and is also confirmed by the DFT calculations. The interchain interactions are two orders of magnitude weaker than the nearest-neighbour intrachain interaction $J$ = 8.7~meV. The DFT calculations reveal that the dominant intrachain nearest-neighbor interaction occurs via nontrivial extended superexchange pathways Ni--O--V--O--Ni involving the empty $d$ orbital of V ions. The present single crystal study also allows us to correctly position SrNi$_2$V$_2$O$_8$ in the theoretical $D$-$J_{\perp}$ phase diagram [T. Sakai and M. Takahashi, Phys. Rev. B 42, 4537 (1990)] showing where it lies within the spin-liquid phase.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables PRB (accepted). in Phys. Rev. B (2015

Properties of wood polymer nanocomposites impregnated with ST-co-EDA/nanoclay

Study has been made on manufactured wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNC) from Sesendok wood through impregnation of Styrene (ST), Ethyldimethylamine (EDA) and Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay. The impregnation process of the wood samples by vacuum-pressure method with in-situ polymerization of prepolymer mixture was used. The wood samples structural properties were investigated with Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) found to be extensively changed upon ST-co-EDA/MMT impregnated. The mechanical properties of the WPNC samples were significantly increased by ST-co-EDA/MMT treatment. Thermal properties of WPNC samples were also evaluated using themogravimetric analysis (TGA) and an improvement in thermal stability was found for WPNC. WPNC has shown excellent resistance against weathering effect while exposed to surrounding. WPNC can be used to replace plastic and synthetice materials for its excellent properties and high market demand of the modern society

Quantum temporal correlations and entanglement via adiabatic control of vector solitons

It is shown that optical pulses with a mean position accuracy beyond the standard quantum limit can be produced by adiabatically expanding an optical vector soliton followed by classical dispersion management. The proposed scheme is also capable of entangling positions of optical pulses and can potentially be used for general continuous-variable quantum information processing.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, v2: accepted by Physical Review Letters, v3: minor editing and shortening, v4: included the submitted erratu

Experiments with Podded Propulsors in Static Azimuthing Conditions

The paper presents a comprehensive experimental study of the variations of propulsive characteristics of puller and pusher podded propulsors in static azimuthing open water conditions. A custom designed six-component global dynamometer and a three-component pod dynamometer were used to measure the propulsive performance of a podded unit in pusher and puller configurations in a towing tank. The unit was tested to measure the forces on the whole unit in the three co-ordinate directions as well as thrust and torque of the propeller for a range of advance coefficients combined with the range of static azimuthing angles from +30° to –30° with 5° and 10° increments. The variations in propulsive performance of the unit with change of azimuthing angle and advance speed in the two configurations were examined. The results of the measurements are presented as changes of forces and moments of the propulsor unit with advance coefficients and azimuthing angles. The results illustrate that the axial and side forces and the steering moment are complex functions of the azimuthing angles both for puller and pusher propulsors

Magnetic soft modes in the locally distorted triangular antiferromagnet alpha-CaCr2O4

In this paper we explore the phase diagram and excitations of a distorted triangular lattice antiferromagnet. The unique two-dimensional distortion considered here is very different from the 'isosceles'-type distortion that has been extensively investigated. We show that it is able to stabilize a 120{\deg} spin structure for a large range of exchange interaction values, while new structures are found for extreme distortions. A physical realization of this model is \alpha-CaCr2O4 which has 120{\deg} structure but lies very close to the phase boundary. This is verified by inelastic neutron scattering which reveals unusual roton-like minima at reciprocal space points different from those corresponding to the magnetic order.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures and lots of spin-wave

Effects of geometry variations on the performance of podded propulsors

This paper presents results and analyses of an experimental study into the effects of geometric parameters on the propulsive characteristics of puller and pusher podded propulsors in straight course open water conditions. Five geometric parameters were chosen for the current study and a design of experiment technique was used to design a series of 16 pods that combined the parameters. Tests on the 16 different pod-strut-propeller combinations in puller and pusher configurations were completed using a custom designed podded propeller test rig. The dynamometry consisted of a six-component global dynamometer and a three-component pod dynamometer. The test rig was used to measure the thrust and torque of the propellers, and forces and moments on the whole unit in the three orthogonal directions. The design of experiment analysis technique was then used to identify the most significant geometric parameters and interaction of parameters that affect propeller thrust, torque and efficiency as well as unit thrust and efficiency in both the puller and pusher configurations. An uncertainty analysis of the measurements is also presented