On some non-conformal fractals

This paper presents a simple method of calculating the Hausdorff dimension for a class of non-conformal fractals

The surface adhesion parameter: a measure for wafer bondability

A theory is presented which describes the initial direct wafer bonding process. The effect of surface microroughness on the bondability is studied on the basis of the theory of contact and adhesion of elastic solids. An effective bonding energy, the maximum of which is the specific surface energy of adhesion, is proposed to describe the real binding energy of the bonding interface including the influence of the wafer surface microroughness. Both the effective bonding energy and the real area of contact between rough surfaces depend on a dimensionless surface adhesion parameter, &thetas;. Using the adhesion parameter as a measure, three kinds of wafer contact interfaces can be identified with respect to their bondability; viz. the non-bonding regime (&thetas;>&ap;12), the bonding regime (&thetas;<&ap;1), and the adherence regime (1<&thetas;<12). Experimental data are in agreement with this theor

Scattering by a contact potential in three and lower dimensions

We consider the scattering of nonrelativistic particles in three dimensions by a contact potential $\Omega\hbar^2\delta(r)/ 2\mu r^\alpha$ which is defined as the $a\to 0$ limit of $\Omega\hbar^2\delta(r-a)/2\mu r^\alpha$. It is surprising that it gives a nonvanishing cross section when $\alpha=1$ and $\Omega=-1$. When the contact potential is approached by a spherical square well potential instead of the above spherical shell one, one obtains basically the same result except that the parameter $\Omega$ that gives a nonvanishing cross section is different. Similar problems in two and one dimensions are studied and results of the same nature are obtained.Comment: REVTeX, 9 pages, no figur

Resonances in Ferromagnetic Gratings Detected by Microwave Photoconductivity

We investigate the impact of microwave excited spin excitations on the DC charge transport in a ferromagnetic (FM) grating. We observe both resonant and nonresonant microwave photoresistance. Resonant features are identified as the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and ferromagnetic antiresonance (FMAR). A macroscopic model based on Maxwell and Landau-Lifschitz equations reveals the macroscopic nature of the FMAR. The experimental approach and results provide new insight in the interplay between photonic, spintronic, and charge effects in FM microstructures.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

A novel minimal in vitro system for analyzing HIV-1 Gag mediated budding

A biomimetic minimalist model membrane was used to study the mechanism and kinetics of cell-free in vitro HIV-1 Gag budding from a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV). Real time interaction of Gag, RNA and lipid leading to the formation of mini-vesicles was measured using confocal microscopy. Gag forms resolution limited punctae on the GUV lipid membrane. Introduction of the Gag and urea to a GUV solution containing RNA led to the budding of mini-vesicles on the inside surface of the GUV. The GUV diameter showed a linear decrease in time due to bud formation. Both bud formation and decrease in GUV size were proportional to Gag concentration. In the absence of RNA, addition of urea to GUVs incubated with Gag also resulted in subvesicle formation but exterior to the surface. These observations suggest the possibility that clustering of GAG proteins leads to membrane invagination even in the absence of host cell proteins. The method presented here is promising, and allows for systematic study of the dynamics of assembly of immature HIV and help classify the hierarchy of factors that impact the Gag protein initiated assembly of retroviruses such as HIV.Comment: 27 pages, 9 Figures and 0 Table

Quantized spin excitations in a ferromagnetic microstrip from microwave photovoltage measurements

Quantized spin excitations in a single ferromagnetic microstrip have been measured using the microwave photovoltage technique. Several kinds of spin wave modes due to different contributions of the dipole-dipole and the exchange interactions are observed. Among them are a series of distinct dipole-exchange spin wave modes, which allow us to determine precisely the subtle spin boundary condition. A comprehensive picture for quantized spin excitations in a ferromagnet with finite size is thereby established. The dispersions of the quantized spin wave modes have two different branches separated by the saturation magnetization.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

A Variational Framework for the Simultaneous Segmentation and Object Behavior Classification of Image Sequences

In this paper, we advance the state of the art in variational image segmentation through the fusion of bottom-up segmentation and top-down classification of object behavior over an image sequence. Such an approach is beneficial for both tasks and is carried out through a joint optimization, which enables the two tasks to cooperate, such that knowledge relevant to each can aid in the resolution of the other, thereby enhancing the final result. In particular, classification offers dynamic probabilistic priors to guide segmentation, while segmentation supplies its results to classification, ensuring that they are consistent with prior knowledge. The prior models are learned from training data and updated dynamically, based on segmentations of earlier images in the sequence. We demonstrate the potential of our approach in a hand gesture recognition application, where the combined use of segmentation and classification improves robustness in the presence of occlusion and background complexity

Temperature-dependent striped antiferromagnetism of LaFeAsO in a Green's function approach

We use a Green's function method to study the temperature-dependent average moment and magnetic phase-transition temperature of the striped antiferromagnetism of LaFeAsO, and other similar compounds, as the parents of FeAs-based superconductors. We consider the nearest and the next-nearest couplings in the FeAs layer, and the nearest coupling for inter-layer spin interaction. The dependence of the transition temperature TN and the zero-temperature average spin on the interaction constants is investigated. We obtain an analytical expression for TN and determine our temperature-dependent average spin from zero temperature to TN in terms of unified self-consistent equations. For LaFeAsO, we obtain a reasonable estimation of the coupling interactions with the experimental transition temperature TN = 138 K. Our results also show that a non-zero antiferromagnetic (AFM) inter-layer coupling is essential for the existence of a non-zero TN, and the many-body AFM fluctuations reduce substantially the low-temperature magnetic moment per Fe towards the experimental value. Our Green's function approach can be used for other FeAs-based parent compounds and these results should be useful to understand the physical properties of FeAs-based superconductors.Comment: 12 page

Microwave photovoltage and photoresistance effects in ferromagnetic microstrips

We investigate the dc electric response induced by ferromagnetic resonance in ferromagnetic Permalloy (Ni80Fe20) microstrips. The resulting magnetization precession alters the angle of the magnetization with respect to both dc and rf current. Consequently the time averaged anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) changes (photoresistance). At the same time the time-dependent AMR oscillation rectifies a part of the rf current and induces a dc voltage (photovoltage). A phenomenological approach to magnetoresistance is used to describe the distinct characteristics of the photoresistance and photovoltage with a consistent formalism, which is found in excellent agreement with experiments performed on in-plane magnetized ferromagnetic microstrips. Application of the microwave photovoltage effect for rf magnetic field sensing is discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figure