Multimode Hong-Ou-Mandel Interferometry

We review some recent experiments based upon multimode two-photon interference of photon pairs created by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The new element provided by these experiments is the inclusion of the transverse spatial profiles of the pump, signal and idler fields. We discuss multimode Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, and show that the transverse profile of the pump beam can be manipulated in order to control two-photon interference. We present the basic theory and experimental results as well as several applications to the field of quantum information.Comment: 20 pages, 14 figures, Brief Review to be published in Modern Physics Letters

Liquid Polymorphism and Double Criticality in a Lattice Gas Model

We analyze the possible phase diagrams of a simple model for an associating liquid proposed previously. Our two-dimensional lattice model combines oreintati onal ice-like interactions and \"{}Van der Waals\"{} interactions which may be repulsive, and in this case represent a penalty for distortion of hydrogen bonds in the presence of extra molecules. These interactions can be interpreted in terms of two competing distances, but not necessarily soft-core. We present mean -field calculations and an exhaustive simulation study for different parameters which represent relative strength of the bonding interaction to the energy penalty for its distortion. As this ratio decreases, a smooth disappearance of the doubl e criticality occurs. Possible connections to liquid-liquid transitions of molecul ar liquids are suggested

Influence of Spin Wave Excitations on the Ferromagnetic Phase Diagram in the Hubbard-Model

The subject of the present paper is the theoretical description of collective electronic excitations, i.e. spin waves, in the Hubbard-model. Starting with the widely used Random-Phase-Approximation, which combines Hartree-Fock theory with the summation of the two-particle ladder, we extend the theory to a more sophisticated single particle approximation, namely the Spectral-Density-Ansatz. Doing so we have to introduce a `screened` Coulomb-interaction rather than the bare Hubbard-interaction in order to obtain physically reasonable spinwave dispersions. The discussion following the technical procedure shows that comparison of standard RPA with our new approximation reduces the occurrence of a ferromagnetic phase further with respect to the phase-diagrams delivered by the single particle theories.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, RevTex4, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

The anisotropic XY model on the inhomogeneous periodic chain

The static and dynamic properties of the anisotropic XY-model $(s=1/2)$ on the inhomogeneous periodic chain, composed of $N$ cells with $n$ different exchange interactions and magnetic moments, in a transverse field $h,$ are determined exactly at arbitrary temperatures. The properties are obtained by introducing the Jordan-Wigner fermionization and by reducing the problem to a diagonalization of a finite matrix of $nth$ order. The quantum transitions are determined exactly by analyzing, as a function of the field, the induced magnetization 1/n\sum_{m=1}^{n}\mu_{m}\left ($j$ denotes the cell, $m$ the site within the cell, $\mu_{m}$ the magnetic moment at site $m$ within the cell) and the spontaneous magnetization $1/n\sum_{m=1}^{n}\left< S_{j,m}^{x},\right>$ which is obtained from the correlations $\left< S_{j,m}^{x}S_{j+r,m}^{x}\right>$ for large spin separations. These results, which are obtained for infinite chains, correspond to an extension of the ones obtained by Tong and Zhong(\textit{Physica B} \textbf{304,}91 (2001)). The dynamic correlations, $\left< S_{j,m}^{z}(t)S_{j^{\prime},m^{\prime}}^{z}(0)\right>$, and the dynamic susceptibility, $\chi_{q}^{zz}(\omega),$ are also obtained at arbitrary temperatures. Explicit results are presented in the limit T=0, where the critical behaviour occurs, for the static susceptibility $\chi_{q}^{zz}(0)$ as a function of the transverse field $h$, and for the frequency dependency of dynamic susceptibility $\chi_{q}^{zz}(\omega)$.Comment: 33 pages, 13 figures, 01 table. Revised version (minor corrections) accepted for publiction in Phys. Rev.

Statistical Fluctuations of Electromagnetic Transition Intensities in pf-Shell Nuclei

We study the fluctuation properties of E2 and M1 transition intensities among T=0,1 states of A = 60 nuclei in the framework of the interacting shell model, using a realistic effective interaction for pf-shell nuclei with a Ni56 as a core. It is found that the B(E2) distributions are well described by the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble of random matrices (Porter-Thomas distribution) independently of the isobaric quantum number T_z. However, the statistics of the B(M1) transitions is sensitive to T_z: T_z=1 nuclei exhibit a Porter-Thomas distribution, while a significant deviation from the GOE statistics is observed for self-conjugate nuclei (T_z=0).Comment: 8 pages, latex, 3 figures (ps format

Sinking properties of some phytoplankton shapes and the relation of form resistance to morphological diversity of plankton – an experimental study

Form resistance (Phi) is a dimensionless number expressing how much slower or faster a particle of any form sinks in a fluid medium than the sphere of equivalent volume. Form resistance factors of PVC models of phytoplankton sinking in glycerin were measured in a large aquarium (0.6 x 0.6 x 0.95 m). For cylindrical forms, a positive relationship was found between Phi and length/ width ratio. Coiling decreased Phi in filamentous forms. Form resistance of Asterionella colonies increased from single cells up to 6-celled colonies than remained nearly constant. For Fragilaria crotonensis chains, no such upper limit to Phi was observed in chains of up to 20 cells ( longer ones were not measured). The effect of symmetry on Phi was tested in 1 - 6-celled Asterionella colonies, having variable angles between the cells, and in Tetrastrum staurogeniaeforme coenobia, having different spine arrangements. In all cases, symmetric forms had considerably higher form resistance than asymmetric ones. However, for Pediastrum coenobia with symmetric/asymmetric fenestration, no difference was observed with respect to symmetry. Increasing number and length of spines on Tetrastrum coenobia substantially increased Phi. For a series of Staurastrum forms, a significant positive correlation was found between arm-length/cell-width ratio and Phi: protuberances increased form resistance. Flagellates (Rhodomonas, Gymnodinium) had a Phi 1. The highest value ( Phi = 8.1) was established for a 20-celled Fragilaria crotonensis chain. Possible origin of the so-called 'vital component' ( a factor that shows how much slower viable populations sink than morphologically similar senescent or dead ones) is discussed, as is the role of form resistance in evolution of high diversity of plankton morphologies

Scalar-Kinetic Branes

This work tries to find out thick brane solutions in braneworld scenarios described by a real scalar field in the presence of a scalar-kinetic term $F(X,\phi)=X\phi^m$ with a single extra dimension, where $X=\frac12\nabla_M\phi\nabla^M\phi$ stands for the standard kinetic term and $m=0,1,2\cdots$. We mainly consider bent branes, namely de Sitter and Anti-de Sitter four-dimensional slices. The solutions of a flat brane are obtained when taking the four-dimensional cosmological constant $\Lambda_4\rightarrow 0$. When the parameter $m=0$, these solutions turn to those of the standard scenario. The localization and spectrum of graviton on these branes are also analyzed.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, accepted by EP