Spectroscopic distinction between the normal state pseudogap and the superconducting gap of cuprate high T_{c} superconductors

We report on broad-band infrared ellipsometry measurements of the c-axis conductivity of underdoped RBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{7-d} (R=Y, Nd, and La) single crystals. Our data provide a detailed account of the spectral weight (SW) redistributions due to the normal state pseudogap (PG) and the superconducting (SC) gap. They show that these phenomena involve different energy scales, exhibit distinct doping dependencies and thus are likely of different origin. In particular, the SW redistribution in the PG state closely resembles the one of a conventional charge- or spin density wave (CDW or SDW) system.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Dipole-active optical phonons in YTiO_3: ellipsometry study and lattice-dynamics calculations

The anisotropic complex dielectric response was accurately extracted from spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements at phonon frequencies for the three principal crystallographic directions of an orthorhombic (Pbnm) YTiO_3 single crystal. We identify all twenty five infrared-active phonon modes allowed by symmetry, 7B_1u, 9B_2u, and 9B_3u, polarized along the c-, b-, and a-axis, respectively. From a classical dispersion analysis of the complex dielectric functions \tilde\epsilon(\omega) and their inverses -1/\tilde\epsilon(\omega) we define the resonant frequencies, widths, and oscillator strengths of the transverse (TO) and longitudinal (LO) phonon modes. We calculate eigenfrequencies and eigenvectors of B_1u, B_2u, and B_3u normal modes and suggest assignments of the TO phonon modes observed in our ellipsometry spectra by comparing their frequencies and oscillator strengths with those resulting from the present lattice-dynamics study. Based on these assignments, we estimate dynamical effective charges of the atoms in the YTiO_3 lattice. We find that, in general, the dynamical effective charges in YTiO_3 lattice are typical for a family of perovskite oxides. By contrast to a ferroelectric BaTiO_3, the dynamical effective charge of oxygen related to a displacement along the c-axis does not show the anomalously large value. At the same time, the dynamical effective charges of Y and ab-plane oxygen exhibit anisotropy, indicating strong hybridization along the a-axis.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Manifestation of pseudogap in ab-plane optical characteristics

A model in which a gap forms in the renormalized electronic density of state (DOS) with missing states recovered just above the pseudogap $\Delta_{pg}$, is able to give a robust description of the striking, triangular like, peak seen in the real part of the optical self-energy of underdoped cuprates. We use this model to explore the effect of the pseudogap on the real part of the optical conductivity and on the partial sum rule associated with it. An important result is that the optical spectral weight redistributes over a much larger frequency window than it does in the DOS.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to Journal of Physics: Condensed Matte

Production of new neutron-rich isotopes of heavy elements in fragmentation reactions of 238^{238}U projectiles at 1 A GeV

The production of heavy neutron-rich nuclei has been investigated using cold fragmentation reactions of $^{238}$U projectiles at relativistic energies. The experiment performed at the high-resolving-power magnetic spectrometer FRS at GSI allowed to identify 45 new heavy neutron-rich nuclei: $^{205}$Pt, $^{207-210}$Au, $^{211-216}$Hg, $^{213-217}$Tl, $^{215-220}$Pb, $^{219-224}$Bi, $^{221-227}$Po, $^{224-229}$At, $^{229-231}$Rn and $^{233}$Fr. The production cross sections of these nuclei were also determined and used to benchmark reaction codes that predict the production of nuclei far from stability.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Ferromagnetism and Lattice Distortions in the Perovskite YTiO3_3

The thermodynamic properties of the ferromagnetic perovskite YTiO$_3$ are investigated by thermal expansion, magnetostriction, specific heat, and magnetization measurements. The low-temperature spin-wave contribution to the specific heat, as well as an Arrott plot of the magnetization in the vicinity of the Curie temperature $T_C\simeq27$ K, are consistent with a three-dimensional Heisenberg model of ferromagnetism. However, a magnetic contribution to the thermal expansion persists well above $T_C$, which contrasts with typical three-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnets, as shown by a comparison with the corresponding model system EuS. The pressure dependences of $T_C$ and of the spontaneous moment $M_s$ are extracted using thermodynamic relationships. They indicate that ferromagnetism is strengthened by uniaxial pressures $\mathbf{p}\parallel \mathbf{a}$ and is weakened by uniaxial pressures $\mathbf{p}\parallel \mathbf{b},\mathbf{c}$ and hydrostatic pressure. Our results show that the distortion along the $a$- and $b$-axes is further increased by the magnetic transition, confirming that ferromagnetism is favored by a large GdFeO$_3$-type distortion. The c-axis results however do not fit into this simple picture, which may be explained by an additional magnetoelastic effect, possibly related to a Jahn-Teller distortion.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figure

Synthesizing and tuning chemical reaction networks with specified behaviours

We consider how to generate chemical reaction networks (CRNs) from functional specifications. We propose a two-stage approach that combines synthesis by satisfiability modulo theories and Markov chain Monte Carlo based optimisation. First, we identify candidate CRNs that have the possibility to produce correct computations for a given finite set of inputs. We then optimise the reaction rates of each CRN using a combination of stochastic search techniques applied to the chemical master equation, simultaneously improving the of correct behaviour and ruling out spurious solutions. In addition, we use techniques from continuous time Markov chain theory to study the expected termination time for each CRN. We illustrate our approach by identifying CRNs for majority decision-making and division computation, which includes the identification of both known and unknown networks.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, appeared the proceedings of the 21st conference on DNA Computing and Molecular Programming, 201

Optical response of ferromagnetic YTiO_3 studied by spectral ellipsometry

We have studied the temperature dependence of spectroscopic ellipsometry spectra of an electrically insulating, nearly stoichiometric YTiO_3 single crystal with ferromagnetic Curie temperature T_C = 30 K. The optical response exhibits a weak but noticeable anisotropy. Using a classical dispersion analysis, we identify three low-energy optical bands at 2.0, 2.9, and 3.7 eV. Although the optical conductivity spectra are only weakly temperature dependent below 300 K, we are able to distinguish high- and low-temperature regimes with a distinct crossover point around 100 K. The low-temperature regime in the optical response coincides with the temperature range in which significant deviations from Curie-Weiss mean field behavior are observed in the magnetization. Using an analysis based on a simple superexchange model, the spectral weight rearrangement can be attributed to intersite d_i^1d_j^1 \longrightarrow d_i^2d_j^0 optical transitions. In particular, Kramers-Kronig consistent changes in optical spectra around 2.9 eV can be associated with the high-spin-state (^3T_1) optical transition. This indicates that other mechanisms, such as weakly dipole-allowed p-d transitions and/or exciton-polaron excitations, can contribute significantly to the optical band at 2 eV. The recorded optical spectral weight gain of 2.9 eV optical band is significantly suppressed and anisotropic, which we associate with complex spin-orbit-lattice phenomena near ferromagnetic ordering temperature in YTiO_3

Spallation Residues in the Reaction 56Fe + p at 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 A GeV

The spallation residues produced in the bombardment of 56}Fe at 1.5, 1.0, 0.75, 0.5 and 0.3 A GeV on a liquid-hydrogen target have been measured using the reverse kinematics technique and the Fragment Separator at GSI (Darmstadt). This technique has permitted the full identification in charge and mass of all isotopes produced with cross-sections larger than 10^{-2} mb down to Z=8. Their individual production cross-sections and recoil velocities at the five energies are presented. Production cross-sections are compared to previously existing data and to empirical parametric formulas, often used in cosmic-ray astrophysics. The experimental data are also extensively compared to different combinations of intra-nuclear cascade and de-excitation models. It is shown that the yields of the lightest isotopes cannot be accounted for by standard evaporation models. The GEMINI model, which includes an asymmetric fission decay mode, gives an overall good agreement with the data. These experimental data can be directly used for the estimation of composition modifications and damages in materials containing iron in spallation sources. They are also useful for improving high precision cosmic-ray measurements.Comment: Submited to Phys. Rev. C (10/2006

Nuclear spins, magnetic moments and quadrupole moments of Cu isotopes from N = 28 to N = 46: probes for core polarization effects

Measurements of the ground-state nuclear spins, magnetic and quadrupole moments of the copper isotopes from 61Cu up to 75Cu are reported. The experiments were performed at the ISOLDE facility, using the technique of collinear laser spectroscopy. The trend in the magnetic moments between the N=28 and N=50 shell closures is reasonably reproduced by large-scale shell-model calculations starting from a 56Ni core. The quadrupole moments reveal a strong polarization of the underlying Ni core when the neutron shell is opened, which is however strongly reduced at N=40 due to the parity change between the $pf$ and $g$ orbits. No enhanced core polarization is seen beyond N=40. Deviations between measured and calculated moments are attributed to the softness of the 56Ni core and weakening of the Z=28 and N=28 shell gaps.Comment: 13 pagers, 19 figures, accepted by Physical Review