Quantum-Mechanically Induced Asymmetry in the Phase Diagrams of Spin-Glass Systems

The spin-1/2 quantum Heisenberg model is studied in all spatial dimensions d by renormalization-group theory. Strongly asymmetric phase diagrams in temperature and antiferromagnetic bond probability p are obtained in dimensions d \geq 3. The asymmetry at high temperatures approaching the pure ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic systems disappears as d is increased. However, the asymmetry at low but finite temperatures remains in all dimensions, with the antiferromagnetic phase receding to the ferromagnetic phase. A finite-temperature second-order phase boundary directly between the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases occurs in d \geq 6, resulting in a new multicritical point at its meeting with the boundaries to the paramagnetic phase. In d=3,4,5, a paramagnetic phase reaching zero temperature intervenes asymmetrically between the ferromagnetic and reentrant antiferromagnetic phases. There is no spin-glass phase in any dimension.Comment: Added discussion of second-order transitions between ordered phases, driven by quenched disorder. 4 pages, 1 figure, 3 tables. Published versio

On Extended Electroweak Symmetries

We discuss extensions of the Standard Model through extending the electroweak gauge symmetry. An extended electroweak symmetry requires a list of extra fermionic and scalar states. The former is necessary to maintain cancellation of gauge anomalies, and largely fixed by the symmetry embedding itself. The latter is usually considered quite arbitrary, so long as a vacuum structure admitting the symmetry breaking is allowed. Anomaly cancellation may be used to link the three families of quarks and leptons together, given a perspective on flavor physics. It is illustrated lately that the kind of models may also have the so-called little Higgs mechanism incorporated. This more or less fixes the scalar sector and take care of the hierarchy problem, making such models of extended electroweak symmetries quite appealing candidates as TeV scale effective field theories.Comment: 1+8 pages of latex with ws-procs9x6.cls; talk presented at Coral Gables Conference 200

Spin swap vs. double occupancy in quantum gates

We propose an approach to realize quantum gates with electron spins localized in a semiconductor that uses double occupancy to advantage. With a fast (non-adiabatic) time control of the tunnelling, the probability of double occupancy is first increased and then brought back exactly to zero. The quantum phase built in this process can be exploited to realize fast quantum operations. We illustrate the idea focusing on the half-swap operation, which is the key two-qubit operation needed to build a CNOT gate.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Infinitely Robust Order and Local Order-Parameter Tulips in Apollonian Networks with Quenched Disorder

For a variety of quenched random spin systems on an Apollonian network, including ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic bond percolation and the Ising spin glass, we find the persistence of ordered phases up to infinite temperature over the entire range of disorder. We develop a renormalization-group technique that yields highly detailed information, including the exact distributions of local magnetizations and local spin-glass order parameters, which turn out to exhibit, as function of temperature, complex and distinctive tulip patterns.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures; updated to reflect minor changes in published versio

Frustrated Further-Neighbor Antiferromagnetic and Electron-Hopping Interactions in the d=3 tJ Model: Finite-Temperature Global Phase Diagrams from Renormalization-Group Theory

The renormalization-group theory of the d=3 tJ model is extended to further-neighbor antiferromagnetic or electron-hopping interactions, including the ranges of frustration. The global phase diagram of each model is calculated for the entire ranges of temperatures, electron densities, and further/first-neighbor interaction strength ratios. In addition to the \tau_{tJ} phase seen in earlier studies of the nearest-neighbor d=3 tJ model, the \tau_{Hb} phase seen before in the d=3 Hubbard model appears both near and away from half-filling. These distinct \tau phases potentially correspond to different (BEC-like and BCS-like) superconducting phases.Comment: Improved figures, added discussions, added references. Published version. 12 pages, 5 figures, 6 table

A Carrot-and-Stick Approach to Environmental Improvement: Marrying Agri-Environmental Payments and Water Quality Regulations

Agri-environmental programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, provide payments to livestock and crop producers to generate broadly defined environmental benefits and to help them comply with federal water quality regulations, such as those that require manure nutrients generated on large animal feeding operations to be spread on cropland at no greater than agronomic rates. We couch these policy options in terms of agri-environmental "carrots" and regulatory "sticks," respectively. The U.S. agricultural sector is likely to respond to these policies in a variety of ways. Simulation analysis suggests that meeting nutrient standards would result in decreased levels of animal production, increased prices for livestock and poultry products, increased levels of crop production, and water quality improvements. However, estimated impacts are not homogeneous across regions. In regions with relatively less cropland per ton of manure produced, the impacts of these policies are more pronounced.Environmental Economics and Policy,