Diluted three-dimensional random field Ising model at zero temperature with metastable dynamics.

The influence of vacancy concentration on the behavior of the three-dimensional random field Ising model with metastable dynamics is studied. We have focused our analysis on the number of spanning avalanches which allows us a clear determination of the critical line where the hysteresis loops change from continuous to discontinuous. By a detailed finite-size scaling analysis we determine the phase diagram and numerically estimate the critical exponents along the whole critical line. Finally, we discuss the origin of the curvature of the critical line at high vacancy concentration.

Spin-phonon avalanches in Mn-12 acetate

We report experimental studies and suggest a quantitative model of spin relaxation in Mn12 acetate in a pulsed magnetic field in the temperature range 1.95.0 K. When the field applied along the anisotropy axis is swept at 140 T/s through a nonmagnetized Mn12 acetate sample, the samples magnetization switches, within a few milliseconds, from zero to saturation at a well-defined field whose value depends on temperature but is quantized in units of 0.46 T. A quantitative explanation of the effect is given in terms of a spin-phonon avalanche combined with thermally assisted resonant spin tunneling.

Nuclei beyond the drip line

In the Thomas-Fermi model, calculations are presented for nuclei beyond the nuclear drip line at zero temperature. These nuclei are in equilibrium by the presence of an external gas, as may be envisaged in the astrophysical scenario. We find that there is a limiting asymmetry beyond which these nuclei can no longer be made stable.