Electrical conduction mechanisms of metal / high-T c superconductor (YBCO) interfaces.

Current-voltage characteristics of Au/YBa2Cu3O[Formula: see text] interfaces (Au/YBCO), built on optimally-doped YBCO thin films, grown by pulsed laser deposition, were measured as a function of temperature in the 50 K to 270 K range, for two different resistance states. A non-trivial equivalent circuit model is proposed, which reveals the existence of a highly inhomogeneous scenario composed by two complex layers: one presenting both a non-linear Poole-Frenkel conduction as well as variable range hopping localization effects (probably associated with YBa2Cu3O6) mixed with a minor metallic phase, while the other is also composed by a mixture of YBCO with different oxygen contents, where a metallic ohmic phase still percolates. A microscopic description of the effects produced by the resistance switching is given, showing the evolution of carrier traps, localization effects and dielectric behavior for each state. The dielectric behavior is interpreted in terms of a Maxwell-Wagner scenario.

Selective activation of memristive interfaces in TaO x -based devices by controlling oxygen vacancies dynamics at the nanoscale.

The development of novel devices for neuromorphic computing and non-traditional logic operations largely relies on the fabrication of well controlled memristive systems with functionalities beyond standard bipolar behavior and digital ON-OFF states. In the present work we demonstrate for Ta2O5-based devices that it is possible to selectively activate/deactivate two series memristive interfaces in order to obtain clockwise or counter-clockwise multilevel squared remanent resistance loops, just by controlling both the electroforming process and the (a)symmetry of the applied stimuli, and independently of the nature of the used metallic electrodes. Based on our thorough characterization, analysis and modeling, we show that the physical origin of this electrical behavior relies on controlled oxygen vacancies electromigration between three different nanoscopic zones of the active Ta2O5-x layer: a central one and two quasi-symmetric interfaces with reduced TaO2-h(y) layers. Our devices fabrication process is rather simple as it implies the room temperature deposition of only one CMOS compatible oxide-Ta-oxide-and one metal, suggesting that it might be possible to take advantage of these properties at low cost and with easy scability. The tunable opposite remanent resistance loops circulations with multiple-analogic-intermediate stable states allows mimicking the adaptable synaptic weight of biological systems and presents potential for non-standard logic devices.

First-order insulator-to-metal Mott transition in the paramagnetic 3D system GaTa4Se8.

The nature of the Mott transition in the absence of any symmetry breaking remains a matter of debate. We study the correlation-driven insulator-to-metal transition in the prototypical 3D Mott system GaTa(4)Se(8), as a function of temperature and applied pressure. We report novel experiments on single crystals, which demonstrate that the transition is of first order and follows from the coexistence of two states, one insulating and one metallic, that we toggle with a small bias current. We provide support for our findings by contrasting the experimental data with calculations that combine local density approximation with dynamical mean-field theory, which are in very good agreement.

Non-volatile resistive switching in the dielectric superconductor YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-δ).

We report on the reversible, non-volatile and polarity-dependent resistive switching between superconductor and insulator states at the interfaces of an Au/YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-δ) (YBCO)/Au system. We show that, upon application of electric pulses, the superconducting state of YBCO in regions near the electrodes can be reversibly removed and restored. In addition, four-wire measurements reveal that pulsing also induces significant non-volatile changes in the bulk resistance. We argue that our observations are compatible with a scenario where the switching effect is due to migration of oxygen ions along grain boundaries that control the inter-grain superconducting coupling.

Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid and Coulomb blockade in multiwall carbon nanotubes under pressure.

We report that the conductance of macroscopic multiwall nanotube (MWNT) bundles under pressure shows power laws in temperature and voltage, as corresponding to a network of bulk-bulk connected Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids (LLs). Contrary to individual MWNTs, where the observed power laws are attributed to Coulomb blockade, the measured ratio for the end and bulk obtained exponents, approximately 2.4, can be accounted for only by LL theory. At temperatures characteristic of interband separation, it increases due to thermal population of the conducting sheets unoccupied bands.

Seasonal analysis of air pollution levels in Madrid.

Madrid city has a high density of population and suffers from chronic congestion problems. It means that some pollutants could produce atmospheric emergency situations when weather stability periods last longer. Due to the low level of industry in the region, mobile sources have an important contribution to total emissions. Madrid has a 20-year-old air pollution control network which is composed of 24 permanent stations which control all pollutants and atmospheric variables. This paper analyses inmission values from 1990 to 1997. The analysis covers main pollutant values and their variations within the week and between seasons. The study has a twofold approach: mean-daily values and semi-hourly values. The results allow to draw some conclusions about inmission values in different areas of the city and how traffic-flow contributes to them.