Early time behavior of the order parameter coupled to a conserved density: A study in a semi-infinite geometry

We study the short time behavior of the order parameter coupled to a conserved field in semi-infinite geometry. The short time exponent, obtained by solving the one loop differential equations for the conserved density and the order parameter, agrees with the prediction from a scaling argument based on short distance expansion. The scaling analysis further shows that this exponent satisfies a scaling relation similar to that known in the case of a nonconserved order parameter without any coupling.Comment: 5 pages, latex, no figure

Work distribution function for a Brownian particle driven by a nonconservative force

We derive the distribution function of work performed by a harmonic force acting on a uniformly dragged Brownian particle subjected to a rotational torque. Following the Onsager and Machlup's functional integral approach, we obtain the transition probability of finding the Brownian particle at a particular position at time $t$ given that it started the journey from a specific location at an earlier time. The difference between the forward and the time-reversed form of the generalized Onsager-Machlup's Lagrangian is identified as the rate of medium entropy production which further helps us develop the stochastic thermodynamics formalism for our model. The probability distribution for the work done by the harmonic trap is evaluated for an equilibrium initial condition. Although this distribution has a Gaussian form, it is found that the distribution does not satisfy the conventional work fluctuation theorem.Comment: 11 pages, 2 EPS figure

Nonequilibrium Growth problems

We discuss the features of nonequilibrium growth problems, their scaling description and their differences from equilibrium problems. The emphasis is on the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation and the renormalization group point of view. Some of the recent developments along these lines are mentioned.Comment: 9 pages, revtex, A brief overview as published in Current Science 77, 394 (1999

Incommensuration in quantum antiferromagnetic chain

A dimerized quantum Heisenberg or XY antiferromagnetic chain has a gap in the spectrum. We show that a weak incommensurate modulation around a dimerized chain produces a zero temperature quantum critical point. As the incommensuration wavelength is varied, there is a transition to a modulated gapless state. The critical behaviour is in the universality class of the classical commensurate-incommensurate (Pokrovsky-Talapov) transition. An analogous metal-insulator transition can also take place for an incommensurate chain.Comment: 5 pages, revtex, no figures, to appear in J. Phys A Letter

Infinite number of exponents for a spin glass transition

We consider the behavior of the overlap of $m (\geq 2)$ paths at the spin glass transition for a directed polymer in a random medium. We show that an infinite number of exponents is required to describe these overlaps. This is done in an $\epsilon = d-2$ expansion without using the replica trick.Comment: Revtex, 1 postscript figure available on request (email: [email protected]). To appear in Phys. Rev. B1 Rapid Communicatio