100 research outputs found
Measuring global monopole velocities, one by one
We present an estimation of the average velocity of a network of global
monopoles in a cosmological setting using large numerical simulations. In order
to obtain the value of the velocity, we improve some already known methods, and
present a new one. This new method estimates individual global monopole
velocities in a network, by means of detecting each monopole position in the
lattice and following the path described by each one of them. Using our new
estimate we can settle an open question previously posed in the literature:
velocity-dependent one-scale (VOS) models for global monopoles predict two
branches of scaling solutions, one with monopoles moving at subluminal speeds
and one with monopoles moving at luminal speeds. Previous attempts to estimate
monopole velocities had large uncertainties and were not able to settle that
question. Our simulations find no evidence of a luminal branch. We also
estimate the values of the parameters of the VOS model. With our new method we
can also study the microphysics of the complicated dynamics of individual
monopoles. Finally we use our large simulation volume to compare the results
from the different estimator methods, as well as to asses the validity of the
numerical approximations made.Comment: v2: Minor changes. Matches published version. 22 pages, 4 figures.
v3: Erratum added that corrects a mistake in a formula and the corresponding
tables, without modifying the conclussion
Unconventional spin texture of a topologically nontrivial semimetal Sb(110)
The surfaces of antimony are characterized by the presence of spin-split
states within the projected bulk band gap and the Fermi contour is thus
expected to exhibit a spin texture. Using spin-resolved density functional
theory calculations, we determine the spin polarization of the surface bands of
Sb(110). The existence of the unconventional spin texture is corroborated by
the investigations of the electron scattering on this surface. The charge
interference patterns formed around single scattering impurities, imaged by
scanning tunneling microscopy, reveal the absence of direct backscattering
signal. We identify the allowed scattering vectors and analyze their bias
evolution in relation to the surface-state dispersion.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure
Evolution of semilocal string networks: II. Velocity estimators
We continue a comprehensive numerical study of semilocal string networks and their cosmological evolution. These can be thought of as hybrid networks comprised of (non-topological) string segments, whose core structure is similar to that of Abelian Higgs vortices, and whose ends have long--range interactions and behaviour similar to that of global monopoles. Our study provides further evidence of a linear scaling regime, already reported in previous studies, for the typical length scale and velocity of the network. We introduce a new algorithm to identify the position of the segment cores. This allows us to determine the length and velocity of each individual segment and follow their evolution in time. We study the statistical distribution of segment lengths and velocities for radiation- and matter-dominated evolution in the regime where the strings are stable. Our segment detection algorithm gives higher length values than previous studies based on indirect detection methods. The statistical distribution shows no evidence of (anti)correlation between the speed and the length of the segments
Electron-phonon interaction at the Be(0001) surface
We present a first principle study of the electron-phonon (e-p) interaction
at the Be(0001) surface. The real and imaginary part of the e-p self energy are
calculated for the surface state in the binding energy range from the
point to the Fermi level. Our calculation shows an overall good
agreement with several photoemission data measured at high and low
temperatures. Additionally, we show that the energy derivative of real part of
the self-energy presents a strong temperature and energy variation close to
, making it difficult to measure its value just at .Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev. Lett., 5 figure
Evolution of semilocal string networks: large-scale properties
We report on a detailed numerical study of the evolution of semilocal string networks, based on the largest and most accurate field theory simulations of these objects to date. We focus on the large-scale network properties, confirming earlier indications (coming from smaller simulations) that linear scaling is the attractor solution for the entire parameter space of initial conditions that we are able to probe. We also provide a brief comparison of our numerical results with the predictions of a previously developed one-scale model for the overall evolution of these networks. Two subsequent papers will discuss in more detail the analytic modeling of the semilocal segment populations as well as optimized numerical diagnostics
Spin flip lifetimes in superconducting atom chips: BCS versus Eliashberg theory
We investigate theoretically the magnetic spin-flip transitions of neutral
atoms trapped near a superconducting slab. Our calculations are based on a
quantum-theoretical treatment of electromagnetic radiation near dielectric and
metallic bodies. Specific results are given for rubidium atoms near a niobium
superconductor. At the low frequencies typical of the atomic transitions, we
find that BCS theory greatly overestimates coherence effects, which are much
less pronounced when quasiparticle lifetime effects are included through
Eliashberg theory. At 4.2 K, the typical atomic spin lifetime is found to be
larger than a thousand seconds, even for atom-superconductor distances of one
micrometer. This constitutes a large enhancement in comparison with normal
metals.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Cosmological evolution of semilocal string networks
Semilocal strings—a particular limit of electroweak strings—are an interesting example of a stable non-topological defect whose properties resemble those of their topological cousins, the Abrikosov–Nielsen–Olesen vortices. There is, however, one important difference: a network of semilocal strings will contain segments. These are ‘dumbbells’ whose ends behave almost like global monopoles that are strongly attracted to one another. While closed loops of string will eventually shrink and disappear, the segments can either shrink or grow, and a cosmological network of semilocal strings will reach a scaling regime. We discuss attempts to find a ‘thermodynamic’ description of the cosmological evolution and scaling of a network of semilocal strings, by analogy with well-known descriptions for cosmic strings and for monopoles. We propose a model for the time evolution of an overall length scale and typical velocity for the network as well as for its segments, and some supporting (preliminary) numerical evidence
Lifetimes of electrons in the Shockley surface state band of Ag(111)
We present a theoretical many-body analysis of the electron-electron (e-e)
inelastic damping rate of electron-like excitations in the Shockley
surface state band of Ag(111). It takes into account ab-initio band structures
for both bulk and surface states. is found to increase more rapidly as
a function of surface state energy E than previously reported, thus leading to
an improved agreement with experimental data
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