Dynamic response functions for the Holstein-Hubbard model

We present results on the dynamical correlation functions of the particle-hole symmetric Holstein-Hubbard model at zero temperature, calculated using the dynamical mean field theory which is solved by the numerical renormalization group method. We clarify the competing influences of the electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions particularity at the different metal to insulator transitions. The Coulomb repulsion is found to dominate the behaviour in large parts of the metallic regime. By suppressing charge fluctuations, it effectively decouples electrons from phonons. The phonon propagator shows a characteristic softening near the metal to bipolaronic transition but there is very little softening on the approach to the Mott transition.Comment: 13 pages, 19 figure

First- and Second Order Phase Transitions in the Holstein-Hubbard Model

We investigate metal-insulator transitions in the Holstein-Hubbard model as a function of the on-site electron-electron interaction U and the electron-phonon coupling g. We use several different numerical methods to calculate the phase diagram, the results of which are in excellent agreement. When the electron-electron interaction U is dominant the transition is to a Mott-insulator; when the electron-phonon interaction dominates, the transition is to a localised bipolaronic state. In the former case, the transition is always found to be second order. This is in contrast to the transition to the bipolaronic state, which is clearly first order for larger values of U. We also present results for the quasiparticle weight and the double-occupancy as function of U and g.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Magnetic Field Effects on Quasiparticles in Strongly Correlated Local Systems

We show that quasiparticles in a magnetic field of arbitrary strength $H$ can be described by field dependent parameters. We illustrate this approach in the case of an Anderson impurity model and use the numerical renormalization group (NRG) to calculate the renormalized parameters for the levels with spin $\sigma$, $\tilde\epsilon_{\mathrm{d},\sigma}(H)$, resonance width $\tilde\Delta(H)$ and the effective local quasiparticle interaction $\tilde U(H)$. In the Kondo or strong correlation limit of the model the progressive de-renormalization of the quasiparticles can be followed as the magnetic field is increased. The low temperature behaviour, including the conductivity, in arbitrary magnetic field can be calculated in terms of the field dependent parameters using the renormalized perturbation expansion. Using the NRG the field dependence of the spectral density on higher scales is also calculated.Comment: 15 pages, 17 figure

Inelastic cotunneling in quantum dots and molecules with weakly broken degeneracies

We calculate the nonlinear cotunneling conductance through interacting quantum dot systems in the deep Coulomb blockade regime using a rate equation approach based on the T-matrix formalism, which shows in the concerned regions very good agreement with a generalized master equation approach. Our focus is on inelastic cotunneling in systems with weakly broken degeneracies, such as complex quantum dots or molecules. We find for these systems a characteristic gate dependence of the non-equilibrium cotunneling conductance. While on one side of a Coulomb diamond the conductance decreases after the inelastic cotunneling threshold towards its saturation value, on the other side it increases monotonously even after the threshold. We show that this behavior originates from an asymmetric gate voltage dependence of the effective cotunneling amplitudes.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures; revised published versio

Effects of space shuttle launches STS-1 through STS-9 on terrestrial vegetation of John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Space Shuttle launches produce a cloud containing hydrochloric acid (HCl), aluminum oxide (Al203), and other substances. Acidities of less than 0.5 pH have been measured routinely in association with the launch cloud. In an area of about 22 ha regularly exposed to the exhaust cloud during most Shuttle launches, acute vegetation damage has resulted from the first nine Shuttle launches. Changes include loss of sensitive species, loss of plant community structure, reduction in total cover, and replacement of some species by weedy invaders. Community level changes define a retrogressive sequence. One-time impacts to strand and dune vegetation occurred after launches of STS-8 and STS-9. Acute vegetation damage occurred especially to sensitive species. Within six months, however, recovery was nearly complete. Sensitivity of species to the launch cloud was partially predicted by previous laboratory studies. Far-field acidic and dry fallout from the cloud as it rises to stabilization and moves with the prevailing winds causes vegetation spotting. Damage from this deposition is minor; typically at most 1% to 5% of leaf surface area is affected. No plant mortality or community changes have occurred from far-field deposition