Electronic Transport in Unconventional Superconductors

We investigate the electronic transport coefficients in unconventional superconductors at low temperatures, where charge and heat transport are dominated by electron scattering from random lattice defects. We discuss the features of the pairing symmetry, Fermi surface, and excitation spectrum which are reflected in the low temperature heat transport. For temperatures k_B T \la \gamma \ll \Delta_0, where $\gamma$ is the bandwidth of impurity induced Andreev states, certain eigenvalues become {\it universal}, i.e., independent of the impurity concentration and phase shift. Deep in the superconducting phase (k_B T \la \gamma) the Wiedemann-Franz law, with Sommerfeld's value of the Lorenz number, is recovered. We compare our results for theoretical models of unconventional superconductivity in high-T$_c$ and heavy fermion superconductors with experiment. Our findings show that impurities are a sensitive probe of the low-energy excitation spectrum, and that the zero-temperature limit of the transport coefficients provides an important test of the order parameter symmetry.Comment: To appear in the Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Quasiclassical Methods in Superconductivity, eds. D. Rainer and J.A. Sauls, Verditz, Austria (1998

The Debye-Waller factor of stabilized delta-Pu

The Debye-Waller factor has been calculated for stabilized delta-phase plutonium with 5% aluminum. A quasi-harmonic Born-von Karman force model with temperature dependent phonon frequencies was used to calculate the mean-square thermal atomic displacement from absolute zero to 800 K. Implementation of the observed anomalous softening of the long wavelength phonons with increasing temperature cannot account for the softening of the measured thermal parameter at high temperatures nor for its rather high value at low temperatures. The implications for diffraction measurements on delta-phase stabilized plutonium alloys are discussed.Comment: Presented at the conference Plutonium Futures - The Science 200

Global crop production forecasting: An analysis of the data system problems and their solutions

Data related problems in the acquisition and use of satellite data necessary for operational forecasting of global crop production are considered for the purpose of establishing a measurable baseline. For data acquisition the world was divided into 37 crop regions in 22 countries. These regions represent approximately 95 percent of the total world production of the selected crops of interest, i.e., wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice. Targets were assigned to each region. Limited time periods during which data could be taken (windows) were assigned to each target. Each target was assigned to a cloud region. The DSDS was used to measure the success of obtaining data for each target during the specified windows for the regional cloud conditions and the specific alternatives being analyzed. The results of this study suggest several approaches for an operational system that will perform satisfactorily with two LANDSAT type satellites

Analysis and optimization of an omnidirectional direction-finding system

System determines the direction of arrival of an electromagnetic wave with the direction information in a readily usable form. It presents a relatively small physical structure and does not require mechanical positioning