Time-Delay Polaritonics

Non-linearity and finite signal propagation speeds are omnipresent in nature, technologies, and real-world problems, where efficient ways of describing and predicting the effects of these elements are in high demand. Advances in engineering condensed matter systems, such as lattices of trapped condensates, have enabled studies on non-linear effects in many-body systems where exchange of particles between lattice nodes is effectively instantaneous. Here, we demonstrate a regime of macroscopic matter-wave systems, in which ballistically expanding condensates of microcavity exciton-polaritons act as picosecond, microscale non-linear oscillators subject to time-delayed interaction. The ease of optical control and readout of polariton condensates enables us to explore the phase space of two interacting condensates up to macroscopic distances highlighting its potential in extended configurations. We demonstrate deterministic tuning of the coupled-condensate system between fixed point and limit cycle regimes, which is fully reproduced by time-delayed coupled equations of motion similar to the Lang-Kobayashi equation

Nanosized Sodium-Doped Lanthanum Manganites: Role of the Synthetic Route on their Physical Properties

In this paper we present the results of the synthesis and characterisation of nanocrystalline La1-xNaxMnO3+delta samples. Two synthetic routes were employed: polyacrylamide-based sol-gel and propellant synthesis. Pure, single phase materials were obtained with grain size around 35 nm for the sol-gel samples and around 55 nm for the propellant ones, which moreover present a more broaden grain size distribution. For both series a superparamagnetic behaviour was evidenced by means of magnetisation and EPR measurements with peculiar features ascribable to the different grain sizes and morphology. Preliminary magnetoresistivity measurements show enhanced low-field (< 1 T) magnetoresistance values which suggest an interesting applicative use of these manganites.Comment: 31 Pages 10 Figures to appear in Chem. Mate

Zero Order Estimates for Analytic Functions

The primary goal of this paper is to provide a general multiplicity estimate. Our main theorem allows to reduce a proof of multiplicity lemma to the study of ideals stable under some appropriate transformation of a polynomial ring. In particular, this result leads to a new link between the theory of polarized algebraic dynamical systems and transcendental number theory. On the other hand, it allows to establish an improvement of Nesterenko's conditional result on solutions of systems of differential equations. We also deduce, under some condition on stable varieties, the optimal multiplicity estimate in the case of generalized Mahler's functional equations, previously studied by Mahler, Nishioka, Topfer and others. Further, analyzing stable ideals we prove the unconditional optimal result in the case of linear functional systems of generalized Mahler's type. The latter result generalizes a famous theorem of Nishioka (1986) previously conjectured by Mahler (1969), and simultaneously it gives a counterpart in the case of functional systems for an important unconditional result of Nesterenko (1977) concerning linear differential systems. In summary, we provide a new universal tool for transcendental number theory, applicable with fields of any characteristic. It opens the way to new results on algebraic independence, as shown in Zorin (2010).Comment: 42 page

Grapevine DNA polymorphisms revealed by microsatellite-derived markers from soybean and rice

We report detection of DNA polymorphisms in grapevine by the use of microsatellite-flanking primer pairs from soybean and rice. These “cross species” microsatellite-derived markers were checked for their inheritance patterns in controlled grapevine crosses. They produced multiple bands that segregated and can be scored as individual genetic markers of dominant type. Employed in genetic mapping studies they offer advantages such as improved reproducibility in comparison to commonly used multi-locus marker systems like RAPDs and AFLPs.

Molecular-Level Understanding of the Ro-vibrational Spectra of N2_2O in Gaseous, Supercritical and Liquid SF6_6 and Xe

The transition between the gas-, supercritical-, and liquid-phase behaviour is a fascinating topic which still lacks molecular-level understanding. Recent ultrafast two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy experiments suggested that the vibrational spectroscopy of N$_2$O embedded in xenon and SF$_6$ as solvents provides an avenue to characterize the transitions between different phases as the concentration (or density) of the solvent increases. The present work demonstrates that classical molecular dynamics simulations together with accurate interaction potentials allows to (semi-)quantitatively describe the transition in rotational vibrational infrared spectra from the P-/R-branch lineshape for the stretch vibrations of N$_2$O at low solvent densities to the Q-branch-like lineshapes at high densities. The results are interpreted within the classical theory of rigid-body rotation in more/less constraining environments at high/low solvent densities or based on phenomenological models for the orientational relaxation of rotational motion. It is concluded that classical MD simulations provide a powerful approach to characterize and interpret the ultrafast motion of solutes in low to high density solvents at a molecular level

Directional planar antennae in polariton condensates

We report on the realization of all-optical planar microlensing for exciton-polariton condensates in semiconductor microcavities. We utilize spatial light modulators to structure a nonresonant pumping beam into a planoconcave lens-shape focused onto the microcavity plane. When pumped above condensation threshold, the system effectively becomes a directional polariton antenna, generating an intense focused beam of coherent polaritons away from the pump region. The effects of pump intensity, which regulates the interplay between gain and blueshift of polaritons, as well as the geometry of lens-shaped pump are studied and a strategy to optimize the focusing of the condensate is proposed. Our work underpins the feasibility to guide nonlinear light in microcavities using nonresonant excitation schemes, offering perspectives on optically reprogrammable on-chip polariton circuitry

CAR-T cell. the long and winding road to solid tumors

Adoptive cell therapy of solid tumors with reprogrammed T cells can be considered the "next generation" of cancer hallmarks. CAR-T cells fail to be as effective as in liquid tumors for the inability to reach and survive in the microenvironment surrounding the neoplastic foci. The intricate net of cross-interactions occurring between tumor components, stromal and immune cells leads to an ineffective anergic status favoring the evasion from the host's defenses. Our goal is hereby to trace the road imposed by solid tumors to CAR-T cells, highlighting pitfalls and strategies to be developed and refined to possibly overcome these hurdles

A 'Regent' pedigree update: ancestors, offspring and their confirmed resistance loci

'Regent' is the fungal resistant grapevine cultivar with the highest acreage in Germany and an important resistance donor in international breeding programs. It carries the resistance loci Rpv3.1 as well as Ren3 and Ren9 against downy and powdery mildew, respectively. As the parents of 'Chambourcin', the resistant paternal ancestor of 'Regent', did not coincide with the breeder's information, the germplasm repository of JKI Geilweilerhof was screened to find the missing ancestors. SSR marker analysis revealed that 'Joannes Seyve 11369' and 'Plantet' are the true parents of 'Chambourcin' and not 'Seyve Villard 12-417' and 'Chancellor'. Furthermore, the origin of the resistance loci Ren3 and Ren9 could be traced back to the genotypes 'Seibel 4614' and 'Munson'. Since the breeder Hermann Jaeger mentioned 'Munson' as a direct descendant of Vitis aestivalis Michx. var. linsecomii (Buckley) L. H. Bailey and Vitis rupestris Scheele, one of these wild species might have been the donor of the loci