Prof Arzhang Ardavan

Abstract:

We consider the nonspherically decaying radiation field that is generated by a polarization current with a superluminally rotating distribution pattern in vacuum, a field that decays with the distance R(P) from its source as R(P)(-1/2), instead of R(P)(-1). It is shown (i) that the nonspherical decay of this emission remains in force at all distances from its source independently of the frequency of the radiation, (ii) that the part of the source that makes the main contribution toward the value of the nonspherically decaying field has a filamentary structure whose radial and azimuthal widths become narrower (as R(P)(-2) and R(P)(-3), respectively) the farther the observer is from the source, (iii) that the loci on which the waves emanating from this filament interfere constructively delineate a radiation subbeam that is nondiffracting in the polar direction, (iv) that the cross-sectional area of each nondiffracting subbeam increases as R(P), instead of R(P)(2), so that the requirements of conservation of energy are met by the nonspherically decaying radiation automatically, and (v) that the overall radiation beam within which the field decays nonspherically consists, in general, of the incoherent superposition of such coherent nondiffracting subbeams. These findings are related to the recent construction and use of superluminal sources in the laboratory and numerical models of the emission from them. We also briefly discuss the relevance of these results to the giant pulses received from pulsars.

Abstract:

We have studied the interlayer resistivity of the prototypical quasi-two-dimensional organic superconductor κ- (BEDT-TTF)2 Cu (NCS)2 as a function of temperature, current, and magnetic field, within the superconducting state. We find a region of nonzero resistivity whose properties are strongly dependent on magnetic field and current density. There is a crossover to non-Ohmic conduction below a temperature that coincides with the two-dimensional vortex solid-vortex liquid transition. We interpret the behavior in terms of a model of current- and thermally driven phase slips caused by the diffusive motion of the pancake vortices which are weakly coupled in adjacent layers, giving rise to a finite interlayer resistance. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

The interlayer magnetoresistance rho(zz) of the organic metal kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu(NCS)(2) is studied in fields of up to 45 T and at temperatures T from 0.5 to 30 K. The peak in rho(zz) seen in in-plane fields, a definitive signature of interlayer coherence, remains to Ts exceeding the Anderson criterion for incoherent transport by a factor approximately 30. Angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations are modeled using an approach based on field-induced quasiparticle paths on a 3D Fermi surface, to yield the T dependence of the scattering rate tau(-1). The results suggest that tau(-1) does not vary strongly over the Fermi surface, and that it has a T(2) dependence due to electron-electron scattering.

Abstract:

A range of fullerenes (C60) functionalized with long alkyl chains have been synthesized and inserted into single-walled carbon nanotubes. The impact of the alkyl chain length and of the type of linker between the addend and the fullerene cage on the geometry of molecular arrays in nanotube has been studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In the presence of functional groups the mean interfullerene separations are significantly increased by 2-8 nm depending on the length of the alkyl chain, but the periodicity of the fullerene arrays is disrupted due to the conformational flexibility of the alkyl groups.

Abstract:

Trimetallic nitride template fullerenes have been deposited onto a variety of substrates in order to elucidate the substrate-fullerene interactions. We have investigated self-assembled island formation and molecular detail of Er3N@C-80 and SC3N@C-80 on Ag/Si(111), Au(111)/mica, Si(111), and Si(001) using variable temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). At room temperature, the fullerenes self-assemble into monolayer-high hexagonal close-packed islands on Ag-passivated Si(I 1 1) whereas annealing at elevated temperatures (250-300 degrees C) is necessary for the self-assembly of close-packed islands on An(111). Intra-molecular resolution of the fullerenes has been achieved at liquid nitrogen temperature on Ag/Si(111) and already at room temperature on Si(001), when the rotation of the fullerenes is frozen. Whereas the bonding between the fullerenes and Si surfaces is mainly covalent, it appears to be mainly vander-Waals on the other surfaces. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.