General scheme for stable single and multiatom nanomagnets according to symmetry selection rules

At low temperature, information can be stored in the orientation of the localized magnetic moment of an adatom. However, scattering of electrons and phonons with the nanomagnet leads its state to have incoherent classical dynamics and might cause fast loss of the encoded information. Recently, it has been understood that such scattering obeys certain selection rules due to the symmetries of the system. By analyzing the point-group symmetry of the surface, the time-reversal symmetry and the magnitude of the adatom effective spin, we identify which nanomagnets configurations are to be avoided and which are promising to encode a stable bit. A new tool of investigation is introduced and exploited: the quasi-spin quantum number. By means of this tool, our results are easily generalized to a broad class of bipartite cluster configurations where adatoms are coupled through Heisenberg-like interactions. Finally, to make contact with the experiments, numerical simulations have been performed to show how such stable configurations respond to typical scanning tunneling microscopy measurements.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures. Published versio

Effect of a tunnel barrier on the scattering from a Majorana bound state in an Andreev billiard

We calculate the joint distribution $P(S,Q)$ of the scattering matrix $S$ and time-delay matrix $Q=-i\hbar S^\dagger dS/dE$ of a chaotic quantum dot coupled by point contacts to metal electrodes. While $S$ and $Q$ are statistically independent for ballistic coupling, they become correlated for tunnel coupling. We relate the ensemble averages of $Q$ and $S$ and thereby obtain the average density of states at the Fermi level. We apply this to a calculation of the effect of a tunnel barrier on the Majorana resonance in a topological superconductor. We find that the presence of a Majorana bound state is hidden in the density of states and in the thermal conductance if even a single scattering channel has unit tunnel probability. The electrical conductance remains sensitive to the appearance of a Majorana bound state, and we calculate the variation of the average conductance through a topological phase transition.Comment: Contribution for the special issue of Physica E in memory of Markus B\"{u}ttiker. 13 pages, 7 figure

Effect of chiral symmetry on chaotic scattering from Majorana zero modes

In many of the experimental systems that may host Majorana zero modes, a so-called chiral symmetry exists that protects overlapping zero modes from splitting up. This symmetry is operative in a superconducting nanowire that is narrower than the spin-orbit scattering length, and at the Dirac point of a superconductor/topological insulator heterostructure. Here we show that chiral symmetry strongly modifies the dynamical and spectral properties of a chaotic scatterer, even if it binds only a single zero mode. These properties are quantified by the Wigner-Smith time-delay matrix $Q=-i\hbar S^\dagger dS/dE$, the Hermitian energy derivative of the scattering matrix, related to the density of states by $\rho=(2\pi\hbar)^{-1}\,{\rm Tr}\,Q$. We compute the probability distribution of $Q$ and $\rho$, dependent on the number $\nu$ of Majorana zero modes, in the chiral ensembles of random-matrix theory. Chiral symmetry is essential for a significant $\nu$-dependence.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures + appendix (3 pages, 1 figure

Time-delay matrix, midgap spectral peak, and thermopower of an Andreev billiard

We derive the statistics of the time-delay matrix (energy derivative of the scattering matrix) in an ensemble of superconducting quantum dots with chaotic scattering (Andreev billiards), coupled ballistically to $M$ conducting modes (electron-hole modes in a normal metal or Majorana edge modes in a superconductor). As a first application we calculate the density of states $\rho_0$ at the Fermi level. The ensemble average $\langle\rho_0\rangle=\delta_0^{-1}M[\max(0,M+2\alpha/\beta)]^{-1}$ deviates from the bulk value $1/\delta_0$ by an amount depending on the Altland-Zirnbauer symmetry indices $\alpha,\beta$. The divergent average for $M=1,2$ in symmetry class D ($\alpha=-1$, $\beta=1$) originates from the mid-gap spectral peak of a closed quantum dot, but now no longer depends on the presence or absence of a Majorana zero-mode. As a second application we calculate the probability distribution of the thermopower, contrasting the difference for paired and unpaired Majorana edge modes.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Delayed gastric emptying and reduced postprandial small bowel water content of equicaloric whole meal bread versus rice meals in healthy subjects: novel MRI insights

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Postprandial bloating is a common symptom in patients with functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Whole meal bread (WMB) often aggravates such symptoms though the mechanisms are unclear. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor the intragastric fate of a WMB meal (11% bran) compared to a rice pudding (RP) meal. SUBJECTS/METHODS: 12 healthy volunteers completed this randomised crossover study. They fasted overnight and after an initial MRI scan consumed a glass of orange juice with a 2267 kJ WMB or an equicaloric RP meal. Subjects underwent serial MRI scans every 45 min up to 270 min to assess gastric volumes and small bowel water content and completed a GI symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: The MRI intragastric appearance of the two meals was markedly different. The WMB meal formed a homogeneous dark bolus with brighter liquid signal surrounding it. The RP meal separated into an upper, liquid layer and a lower particulate layer allowing more rapid emptying of the liquid compared to solid phase (sieving). The WMB meal had longer gastric half emptying times (132±8 min) compared to the RP meal (104±7 min), P<0.008. The WMB meal was associated with markedly reduced MRI-visible small bowel free mobile water content compared to the RP meal, P<0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: WMB bread forms a homogeneous bolus in the stomach which inhibits gastric sieving and hence empties slower than the equicaloric rice meal. These properties may explain why wheat causes postprandial bloating and could be exploited to design foods which prolong satiation

X-shaped and Y-shaped Andreev resonance profiles in a superconducting quantum dot

The quasi-bound states of a superconducting quantum dot that is weakly coupled to a normal metal appear as resonances in the Andreev reflection probability, measured via the differential conductance. We study the evolution of these Andreev resonances when an external parameter (such as magnetic field or gate voltage) is varied, using a random-matrix model for the $N\times N$ scattering matrix. We contrast the two ensembles with broken time-reversal symmetry, in the presence or absence of spin-rotation symmetry (class C or D). The poles of the scattering matrix in the complex plane, encoding the center and width of the resonance, are repelled from the imaginary axis in class C. In class D, in contrast, a number $\propto\sqrt{N}$ of the poles has zero real part. The corresponding Andreev resonances are pinned to the middle of the gap and produce a zero-bias conductance peak that does not split over a range of parameter values (Y-shaped profile), unlike the usual conductance peaks that merge and then immediately split (X-shaped profile).Comment: Contribution for the JETP special issue in honor of A.F. Andreev's 75th birthday. 9 pages, 8 figure

Assessment of motion of colonic contents in the human colon using MRI tagging

Background We have previously reported a non-invasive, semi-automated technique to assess motility of the wall of the ascending colon (AC) using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This study investigated the feasibility of using a tagged MRI technique to visualise and assess the degree of flow within the human ascending colon in healthy subjects and those suffering from constipation. Methods An open-labelled study of 11 subjects with constipation and 11 subjects without bowel disorders was performed. MRI scans were acquired fasted, then 60 and 120 mins after ingestion of a 500ml macrogol preparation. The amount of free fluid in the small and large bowel was assessed using a heavily T2-weighted MRI sequence. The internal movement of the contents of the AC were visualised using a cine tagged MRI sequence and assessed by a novel analysis technique. Comparisons were made between fasting and postprandial scans within individuals, and between the constipation and control groups. Key results. Macrogol significantly increased the mobile, MR visible water content of the ascending colon at 60 mins post ingestion compared to fasted data (controls p=0.001, constipated group p=0.0039). The contents of the AC showed increased motion in healthy subjects but not in the constipated group with significant differences between groups at 60 minutes (p<0.002) and 120 minutes (p<0.003). Conclusions and inferences. This study successfully demonstrated the use of a novel MRI tagging technique to visualise and assess the motion of ascending colon contents following a 500ml macrogol challenge. Significant differences were demonstrated between healthy and constipated subjects

Colonic response to laxative ingestion as assessed by MRI differs in constipated irritable bowel syndrome compared to functional constipation

Background Functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) share many symptoms but underlying mechanisms may be different. We have developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to measure intestinal volumes, transit, and motility in response to a laxative, Moviprep®. We aim to use these biomarkers to study the pathophysiology in IBS-C and FC. Methods Twenty-four FC and 24 IBS-C were studied. Transit was assessed using the weighted average position score (WAPS) of five MRI marker pills, taken 24 h before MRI scanning. Following baseline scan, participants ingested 1 L of Moviprep® followed by hourly scans. Magnetic resonance imaging parameters and bowel symptoms were scored from 0 to 4 h. Key Results Weighted average position score for FC was 3.6 (2.5–4.2), significantly greater than IBS-C at 2.0 (1.5–3.2), p = 0.01, indicating slower transit for FC. Functional constipation showed greater fasting small bowel water content, 83 (63–142) mL vs 39 (15–70) mL in IBS-C, p 230 min distinguishes FC from IBS-C with low sensitivity of 55% but high specificity of 95%. Conclusion & Inferences Our objective MRI biomarkers allow a distinction between FC and IBS-C

Increased cortical excitability after selective REM sleep deprivation in healthy humans: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

REM sleep has antiepileptogenic properties whereas, its loss is known to have a proconvulsive role. However, the mechanisms underlying the proepileptogenic effects of REM sleep deprivation are yet not fully understood. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of selective REM sleep deprivation (SRD) on cortical excitability in healthy subjects by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)