2,844 research outputs found
Low temperature shape relaxation of 2-d islands by edge diffusion
We present a precise microscopic description of the limiting step for low
temperature shape relaxation of two dimensional islands in which activated
diffusion of particles along the boundary is the only mechanism of transport
allowed. In particular, we are able to explain why the system is driven
irreversibly towards equilibrium. Based on this description, we present a
scheme for calculating the duration of the limiting step at each stage of the
relaxation process. Finally, we calculate numerically the total relaxation time
as predicted by our results and compare it with simulations of the relaxation
process.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Exchange between deep donors in semiconductors: a quantum defect approach
Exchange interactions among defects in semiconductors are commonly treated
within effective-mass theory using a scaled hydrogenic wave-function. However
such a wave-function is only applicable to shallow impurities; here we present
a simple but robust generalization to treat deep donors, in which we treat the
long-range part of the wavefunction using the well established quantum defect
theory, and include a model central-cell correction to fix the bound-state
eigenvalue at the experimentally observed value. This allows us to compute the
effect of binding energy on exchange interactions as a function of donor
distance; this is a significant quantity given recent proposals to carry out
quantum information processing using deep donors. As expected, exchange
interactions are suppressed (or increased), compared to the hydrogenic case, by
the greater localization (or delocalization) of the wavefunctions of deep
donors (or `super-shallow' donors with binding energy less then the hydrogenic
value). The calculated results are compared with a simple scaling of the
Heitler-London hydrogenic exchange; the scaled hydrogenic results give the
correct order of magnitude but fail to reproduce quantitatively our
calculations. We calculate the donor exchange in silicon including inter-valley
interference terms for donor pairs along the direction, and also show
the influence of the donor type on the distribution of nearest-neighbour
exchange constants at different concentrations. Our methods can be used to
compute the exchange interactions between two donor electrons with arbitrary
binding energy.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, RevTeX
On the Geometry of Surface Stress
We present a fully general derivation of the Laplace--Young formula and
discuss the interplay between the intrinsic surface geometry and the extrinsic
one ensuing from the immersion of the surface in the ordinary euclidean
three-dimensional space. We prove that the (reversible) work done in a general
surface deformation can be expressed in terms of the surface stress tensor and
the variation of the intrinsic surface metric
Soft methods, hard targets: regional alcohol managers as a policy network
Regional Alcohol Managers (RAMs) was employed in the nine English health regions over 2008–2011. Their mission was to impact on the ‘hard target’ of Alcohol-Related Hospital Admissions (AHRAs) through the ‘soft methods’ of persuasion and influence: working with local partners on evidence-based interventions. Drawing on a qualitative evaluation, this article shows how a central government policy imperative (ARHAs) led to ‘government at a distance’ responses, including the introduction of RAMs. The processes involved in shaping and delivering this function bore the hallmarks of a complex, interactive policy network model, involving individuals whose bearings and roles were flexible and sometimes ambiguous. While there were overlaps and blurring of boundaries, there were three levels of policy network: central government, regional and local. As the ‘network in the middle’, the RAMs were pulled in both directions by conflicting agendas but were also able to have an impact on central and local policy
Perceptions on the role of evidence: an English alcohol policy case study
This paper explores the competing influences which inform public health policy and describes the role that research evidence plays within the policy-making process. In particular it draws on a recent English alcohol policy case study to assess the role of evidence in informing policy and practice. Semi-structured interviews with key national, regional and local policy informants were transcribed and analysed thematically. A strong theme identified was that of the role of evidence. Findings are discussed in the context of competing views on what constitutes appropriate evidence for policy-making
The alcohol improvement programme: evaluation of an initiative to address alcohol-related health harm in England
Aims: The evaluation aimed to assess the impact of The Alcohol Improvement Programme (AIP). This was a UK
Department of Health initiative (April 2008–March 2011) aiming to contribute to the reduction of alcohol-related harm as measured by a reduction in the rate of increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions (ARHAs). Methods: The evaluation (March 2010–September 2011) used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the impact of the AIP on ARHAs, to describe and assess the process of implementation, and to identify elements of the programme which might serve as a ‘legacy’ for the future. Results: There was no evidence that the AIP had an impact on reducing the rise in the rate of ARHAs. The AIP was successfully delivered, increased the priority given to alcohol-related harm on local policy agendas and strengthened the infrastructure for the delivery of interventions. Conclusion: Although there was no measurable short-term impact on the rise in the rate of ARHAs, the AIP helped to set up a strategic response and
a delivery infrastructure as a first, necessary step in working towards that goal. There are a number of valuable elements in the AIP which should be retained and repackaged to fit into new policy contexts
Anisotropic diffusion in continuum relaxation of stepped crystal surfaces
We study the continuum limit in 2+1 dimensions of nanoscale anisotropic
diffusion processes on crystal surfaces relaxing to become flat below
roughening. Our main result is a continuum law for the surface flux in terms of
a new continuum-scale tensor mobility. The starting point is the Burton,
Cabrera and Frank (BCF) theory, which offers a discrete scheme for atomic steps
whose motion drives surface evolution. Our derivation is based on the
separation of local space variables into fast and slow. The model includes: (i)
anisotropic diffusion of adsorbed atoms (adatoms) on terraces separating steps;
(ii) diffusion of atoms along step edges; and (iii) attachment-detachment of
atoms at step edges. We derive a parabolic fourth-order, fully nonlinear
partial differential equation (PDE) for the continuum surface height profile.
An ingredient of this PDE is the surface mobility for the adatom flux, which is
a nontrivial extension of the tensor mobility for isotropic terrace diffusion
derived previously by Margetis and Kohn. Approximate, separable solutions of
the PDE are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figur
Extremely Correlated Quantum Liquids
We formulate the theory of an extremely correlated electron liquid,
generalizing the standard Fermi liquid. This quantum liquid has specific
signatures in various physical properties, such as the Fermi surface volume and
the narrowing of electronic bands by spin and density correlation functions.
We use Schwinger's source field idea to generate equations for the Greens
function for the Hubbard operators. A local (matrix) scale transformation in
the time domain to a quasiparticle Greens function, is found to be optimal.
This transformation allows us to generate vertex functions that are guaranteed
to reduce to the bare values for high frequencies, i.e. are ``asymptotically
free''. The quasiparticles are fractionally charged objects, and we find an
exact Schwinger Dyson equation for their Greens function. We find a hierarchy
of equations for the vertex functions, and further we obtain Ward identities so
that systematic approximations are feasible.
An expansion in terms of the density of holes measured from the Mott Hubbard
insulating state follows from the nature of the theory. A systematic
presentation of the formalism is followed by some preliminary explicit
calculations.Comment: 40 pages, typos remove
Ferromagnetism in the Infinite-U Hubbard Model
We have studied the stability of the ferromagnetic state in the infinite-U
Hubbard model on a square lattice by approximate diagonalization of finite
lattices using the density matrix renormalization group technique. By studying
lattices with up to 5X20 sites, we have found the ferromagnetic state to be
stable below the hole density of 22 percent. Beyond 22 percent of hole doping,
the total spin of the ground state decreased gradually to zero with increasing
hole density.Comment: 13 pages, RevteX 3.0, seven figures appended in uuencoded form,
correcting problems with uuencoded figure
Molecular dynamics simulations of lead clusters
Molecular dynamics simulations of nanometer-sized lead clusters have been
performed using the Lim, Ong and Ercolessi glue potential (Surf. Sci. {\bf
269/270}, 1109 (1992)). The binding energies of clusters forming crystalline
(fcc), decahedron and icosahedron structures are compared, showing that fcc
cuboctahedra are the most energetically favoured of these polyhedral model
structures. However, simulations of the freezing of liquid droplets produced a
characteristic form of ``shaved'' icosahedron, in which atoms are absent at the
edges and apexes of the polyhedron. This arrangement is energetically favoured
for 600-4000 atom clusters. Larger clusters favour crystalline structures.
Indeed, simulated freezing of a 6525-atom liquid droplet produced an imperfect
fcc Wulff particle, containing a number of parallel stacking faults. The
effects of temperature on the preferred structure of crystalline clusters below
the melting point have been considered. The implications of these results for
the interpretation of experimental data is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 18 figues, new section added and one figure added, other
minor changes for publicatio
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