5,119 research outputs found
Elimination of negative differential conductance in an asymmetric molecular transistor by an ac-voltage
We analyze resonant tunneling subject to a non-adiabatic time-dependent
bias-voltage through an asymmetric single molecular quantum dot with coupling
between the electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom using a {\em
Tien-Gordon-type} rate equation. Our results clearly exhibit the appearance of
photon-assisted satellites in the current-voltage characteristics and the
elimination of hot-phonon-induced negative differential conductance with
increasing ac driving amplitude for an asymmetric system. This can be ascribed
to an {\em ac-induced suppression} of unequilibrated (hot) phonons in an
asymmetric system.Comment: Accepted by Appl. Phys. Let
Finite-frequency current (shot) noise in coherent resonant tunneling through a coupled-quantum-dot interferometer
We examine the shot noise spectrum properties of coherent resonant tunneling
in coupled quantum dots in both series and parallel arrangements by means of
quantum rate equations and MacDonald's formula. Our results show that, for a
series-CQD with a relatively high dot-dot hopping ,
( denotes the dot-lead tunnel-coupling
strength), the noise spectrum exhibits a dip at the Rabi frequency, ,
in the case of noninteracting electrons, but the dip is supplanted by a peak in
the case of strong Coulomb repulsion; furthermore, it becomes a dip again for a
completely symmetric parallel-CQD by tuning enclosed magnetic-flux.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Multiplier-continuation algorthms for constrained optimization
Several path following algorithms based on the combination of three smooth penalty functions, the quadratic penalty for equality constraints and the quadratic loss and log barrier for inequality constraints, their modern counterparts, augmented Lagrangian or multiplier methods, sequential quadratic programming, and predictor-corrector continuation are described. In the first phase of this methodology, one minimizes the unconstrained or linearly constrained penalty function or augmented Lagrangian. A homotopy path generated from the functions is then followed to optimality using efficient predictor-corrector continuation methods. The continuation steps are asymptotic to those taken by sequential quadratic programming which can be used in the final steps. Numerical test results show the method to be efficient, robust, and a competitive alternative to sequential quadratic programming
Fees on Fees in Funds of Funds
Funds of funds are an increasingly popular avenue for hedge fund investment. Despite the increasing interest in hedge funds as an alternative asset class, the high degree of fund specific risk and the lack of transparency may give fiduciaries pause. In addition, many of the most attractive hedge funds are closed to new investment. Funds of funds resolve these issues by providing investors with diversification across manaager styles and professional oversight of fund operations that can provide the necessary degree of due diligence. In addition, many such funds hold shares in hedge funds otherwise closed to new investment allowing smaller investors access to the most sought-after managers. However, the diversification, oversight and access comes at the cost of a multiplication of fees paid by the investor. One would expect that the information advantage of funds of funds would more than compensate investors for these fees. Unfortunately, individual hedge funds dominate fund of funds on an after-fee return or Sharpe ratio basis. In this paper we argue that the disappointing after-fee performance of some fund of funds may be explained by the nature of this fee arrangement. Fund of funds providers pass on individual hedge fund incentive fees in the form of after-fee returns, although they are in a better position to hedge these fees than are their investors. We examine a new fee arrangement emerging in the industry that may provide better incentives at a lower cost to investors in these funds.
Positive current noise cross-correlations in capacitively coupled double quantum dots with ferromagnetic leads
We examine cross-correlations (CCs) in the tunneling currents through two
parallel interacting quantum dots coupled to four independent ferromagnetic
electrodes. We find that when either one of the two circuits is in the parallel
configuration with sufficiently strong polarization strength, a new mechanism
of dynamical spin blockade, i.e., a spin-dependent bunching of tunneling
events, governs transport through the system together with the inter-dot
Coulomb interaction, leading to a sign-reversal of the zero-frequency current
CC in the dynamical channel blockade regime, and to enhancement of positive
current CC in the dynamical channel anti-blockade regimes, in contrast to the
corresponding results for the case of paramagnetic leads.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure
Measurement of the topological surface state optical conductance in bulk-insulating Sn-doped BiSbTeS single crystals
Topological surface states have been extensively observed via optics in thin
films of topological insulators. However, in typical thick single crystals of
these materials, bulk states are dominant and it is difficult for optics to
verify the existence of topological surface states definitively. In this work,
we studied the charge dynamics of the newly formulated bulk-insulating Sn-doped
BiSbTeS crystal by using time-domain terahertz
spectroscopy. This compound shows much better insulating behavior than any
other bulk-insulating topological insulators reported previously. The
transmission can be enhanced an amount which is 5 of the zero-field
transmission by applying magnetic field to 7 T, an effect which we believe is
due to the suppression of topological surface states. This suppression is
essentially independent of the thicknesses of the samples, showing the
two-dimensional nature of the transport. The suppression of surface states in
field allows us to use the crystal slab itself as a reference sample to extract
the surface conductance, mobility, charge density and scattering rate. Our
measurements set the stage for the investigation of phenomena out of the
semi-classical regime, such as the topological magneto-electric effect.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted in Augus
Gamma-ray Burst Afterglow with Continuous Energy Injection: Signature of a Highly-Magnetized Millisecond Pulsar
We investigate the consequences of a continuously injecting central engine on
the gamma-ray burst afterglow emission, focusing more specifically on a
highly-magnetized millisecond pulsar engine. For initial pulsar parameters
within a certain region of the parameter space, the afterglow lightcurves are
predicted to show a distinctive achromatic bump feature, the onset and duration
of which range from minutes to months, depending on the pulsar and the fireball
parameters. The detection of or upper limits on such features would provide
constraints on the burst progenitor and on magnetar-like central engine models.
An achromatic bump such as that in GRB 000301C afterglow may be caused by a
millisecond pulsar with P0=3.4 millisecond and Bp=2.7e14 Gauss.Comment: 5 pages, emulateapj style, to appear in ApJ Letters, updated with the
accepted version, a few corrections are mad
Confounding Issues in the Deadweight Loss of Gift-Giving
When a gift is given, someone other than the final consumer makes the consumption choice. Thus there is a possibility that the gift will not match the preferences of the receiver, i.e., the gift will represent a wise use of the money given the gift-giver's tastes but not necessarily a wise use of money given the recipient's tastes. In other words, gift giving can result in a deadweight loss. This paper addresses and clarifies the discrepancy between Waldfogel's (1993) finding of a deadweight loss from gift giving and Solnick and Hemenway's (1996) finding of a deadweight gain from gift giving. It also builds on some of the concerns raised by Ruffle and Tykocinski (2000).
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