arXiv subjects

H. Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to H. Zhao.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Satellite Observations of Separator Line Geometry of Three-Dimensional Magnetic Reconnection

Detection of a separator line that connects magnetic nulls and the determination of the dynamics and plasma environment of such a structure can improve our understanding of the three-dimensional (3D) magnetic reconnection process. However, this type of field and particle configuration has not been directly observed in space plasmas. Here we report the identification of a pair of nulls, the null-null line that connects them, and associated fans and spines in the magnetotail of Earth using data from the four Cluster spacecraft. With di and de designating the ion and electron inertial lengths, respectively, the separation between the nulls is found to be ~0.7di and an associated oscillation is identified as a lower hybrid wave with wavelength ~ de. This in situ evidence of the full 3D reconnection geometry and associated dynamics provides an important step toward to establishing an observational framework of 3D reconnection.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2007

In situ evidence for the structure of the magnetic null in a 3D reconnection event in the Earth's magnetotail

Magnetic reconnection is one of the most important processes in astrophysical, space and laboratory plasmas. Identifying the structure around the point at which the magnetic field lines break and subsequently reform, known as the magnetic null point, is crucial to improving our understanding reconnection. But owing to the inherently three-dimensional nature of this process, magnetic nulls are only detectable through measurements obtained simultaneously from at least four points in space. Using data collected by the four spacecraft of the Cluster constellation as they traversed a diffusion region in the Earth's magnetotail on 15 September, 2001, we report here the first in situ evidence for the structure of an isolated magnetic null. The results indicate that it has a positive-spiral structure whose spatial extent is of the same order as the local ion inertial length scale, suggesting that the Hall effect could play an important role in 3D reconnection dynamics.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2005

Enhanced Magnetic Anisotropy of Mn12-acetate

Thin films of the Single Molecule Magnet (Mn12-acetate) have been fabricated on a Si-substrate by the Dip-and-Dry method, a simple and robust technique. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations reveal that homogeneous, thin films of a few molecular layers with smoothness at the molecular level are deposited. Significant changes in magnetic properties of Mn12-acetate exposed to the same solvent were observed in zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization, as well as ac-susceptibility measurements. The blocking temperature was found to increase to TB > 10 K at low magnetic fields, indicating an enhanced magnetic anisotropy.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2005

Universal properties of quasi-one-dimensional excitons in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes and $π$-conjugated polymers

The nature of the primary photoexcitations in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (S-SWCNTs) is of strong current interest. We have studied the emission spectra of S-SWCNTs and two different $π$-conjugated polymers in solutions and films, and have also performed ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy on these systems. The emission spectra relative to the absorption bands are very similar in S-SWCNTs and polymers, with redshifted photoluminescence in films showing exciton migration. The transient photoinduced absorptions (PAs) in SWCNTs and $π$-conjugated polymers are also remarkably similar, with a low energy PA$_1$ and a higher energy PA$_2$ in all cases. Theoretical calculations of excited state absorptions within a correlated $π$-electron Hamiltonian find the same excitonic energy spectrum for S-SWCNTs and $π$-conjugated polymers, illustrating the universal features of quasi-one-dimensional excitons in carbon-based $π$-conjugated systems. In both cases PA$_1$ is an excited state absorption from the optically allowed exciton to a two-photon exciton that occurs below the continuum band threshold. PA$_1$ therefore gives the lower limit of the binding energy of the lowest optical exciton. The binding energy of lowest exciton belonging to the widest S-SWCNTs with diameters $\geq$ 1 nm in films is 0.3--0.4 eV, as determined by both experimental and theoretical methods.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Electroabsorption spectroscopy of single walled nanotubes

We have measured the electric field modulated absorption of a sample of single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) suspended in a solid polyvinyl alcohol matrix. The electroabsorption (EA) spectrum roughly follows the first derivative of the absorption with respect to photon energy, scales quadratically with the electric field strength, and shows a pronounced anisotropy of light polarization with respect to the applied electric field direction. These findings indicate a quadratic Stark effect caused by a change in the polarizability of the excited states, which is common to quasi-one dimensional (1D) excitons in organic semiconductors. The EA spectrum is well described by calculations involving electron-electron interaction in the model Hamiltonian of both zigzag and chiral nanotubes. We have calculated the EA spectra for both zigzag and chiral nanotubes within a model Hamiltonian that includes electron-electron interactions. The calculations reproduce the observed quadratic Stark shift of the lowest optical exciton, as well as the more complicated behavior of the EA spectrum in the energy region that corresponds to the next higher exciton. Our findings show that the low-lying absorption bands in semiconducting SWNT are excitonic in origin, in agreement with transient optical measurements that identify the primary photoexcitations in SWNT as quasi-1D excitons with a substantial binding energy.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2004

Films of Mn12-acetate deposited by low-energy laser ablation

Thin films of the molecular magnet Mn12-acetate, [Mn12 O12(CH3COO)16 (H2O)4] 2CH3COOH 4H2O, have been prepared using a laser ablation technique with a nitrogen laser at low laser energies of 0.8 and 2 mJ. Chemical and magnetic characterizations show that the Mn12-acetate cores remain intact and the films show similar magnetic properties to those of the parent molecular starting material. In addition, the magnetic data exhibit a peak in the magnetization at 27 K indicating the creation of an additional magnetic phase not noted in previous studies of crystalline phases.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2004

Films of Mn12-acetate by Pulsed Laser Evaporation

Films of the molecular nanomagnet, Mn12-acetate, have been deposited using pulsed laser deposition and a novel variant, matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation. The films have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and magnetic hysteresis. The results indicate that an increase in laser energy and/or pulse frequency leads to fragmentation of Mn12, whereas its chemical and magnetic integrity is preserved at low laser energy (200 mJ). This technique allows the fabrication of patterned thin film systems of molecular nanomagnets for fundamental and applied experiments.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2004

Mn12-acetate film pattern generated by photolithography methods

We demonstrate a straightforward way to lithographically fabricate Mn12-acetate (Mn12O12(CH3COO)16(H2O)4 2CH3COOH 4H2O) thin film patterns on Si/SiO2 surfaces, a significant step in light of the chemical volatility of this organic complex. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the film patterns allow the determination of the pattern dimensions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data indicate that the patterned material is the intact Mn12-acetate complex. Magnetic measurements of the Mn12-acetate film confirm that the film properties are reminiscent of crystalline Mn12-acetate, suggesting that this approach can be used to fabricate lithographically patterned devices of Mn12-acetate.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2002

Modulated structures in electroconvection in nematic liquid crystals

Motivated by experiments in electroconvection in nematic liquid crystals with homeotropic alignment we study the coupled amplitude equations describing the formation of a stationary roll pattern in the presence of a weakly-damped mode that breaks isotropy. The equations can be generalized to describe the planarly aligned case if the orienting effect of the boundaries is small, which can be achieved by a destabilizing magnetic field. The slow mode represents the in-plane director at the center of the cell. The simplest uniform states are normal rolls which may undergo a pitchfork bifurcation to abnormal rolls with a misaligned in-plane director.We present a new class of defect-free solutions with spatial modulations perpendicular to the rolls. In a parameter range where the zig-zag instability is not relevant these solutions are stable attractors, as observed in experiments. We also present two-dimensionally modulated states with and without defects which result from the destabilization of the one-dimensionally modulated structures. Finally, for no (or very small) damping, and away from the rotationally symmetric case, we find static chevrons made up of a periodic arrangement of defect chains (or bands of defects) separating homogeneous regions of oblique rolls with very small amplitude. These states may provide a model for a class of poorly understood stationary structures observed in various highly-conducting materials ("prechevrons" or "broad domains").

nlin.PS↗

arXiv1998

Secondary instabilities form a codimension-2 point accompanied by a homoclinic bifurcation

A study of secondary instabilities in ac-driven electroconvection of a planarly aligned nematic liquid crystal is presented. At low frequencies one has a transition from normal rolls to a zig-zag pattern and at high frequencies a direct transition from normal to abnormal rolls. The crossover defines a codimension-2 point. This point is also the origin of a line of homoclinic bifurcations, which enable the transition from zig-zags to abnormal rolls at lower frequencies.

patt-sol↗