Non-Abelian spin-orbit gauge: Persistent spin helix and quantum square ring

We re-express the Rashba and Dresselhaus interactions as non-Abelian spin-orbit gauges and provide a new perspective in understanding the persistent spin helix [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 236601 (2006)]. A spin-orbit interacting system can be transformed into a free electron gas in the equal-strength Rashba-Dresselhaus [001] linear model, the Dresselhaus [110] linear model, and a one-dimensional system. A general tight-binding Hamiltonian for non-uniform spin-orbit interactions and hoppings along arbitrary directions, within the framework of finite difference method, is obtained. As an application based on this Hamiltonian, a quantum square ring in contact with two ideal leads is found to exhibit four states, insulating, spin-filtering, spin-flipping, and spin-keeping states.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Climate Change and Crop Yield Distribution: Some New Evidence From Panel Data Models

This study examines the impact of climate on the yields of seven major crops in Taiwan based on pooled panel data for 15 prefectures over the 1977-1996 period. Unit-root tests and maximum likelihood methods involving a panel data model are explored to obtain reliable estimates. The results suggest that climate has different impacts on different crops and a gradual increase in crop yield variation is expected as global warming prevails. Policy measures to counteract yield variability should therefore be carefully evaluated to protect farmers from exposure to these long-lasting and increasingly climate-related risks.Yield response, Climate change, Panel data, Unit-root test

Threshold Effects in Cigarette Addiction: An Application of the Threshold Model in Dynamic Panels

We adopt the threshold model of myopic cigarette addiction to US state-level panel data. The threshold model is used to identify the structural effects of cigarette demand determinants across the income stratification. Furthermore, we apply a bootstrap approach to correct for the small-sample bias that arises in the dynamic panel threshold model with fixed effects. Our empirical results indicate that there exists the heterogeneity of smoking dynamics across consumers.Cigarettes demand, price elasticity, threshold regression model, dynamic panel model, bias correction, bootstrap

Is Contract Farming More Profitable and Efficient Than Non-Contract Farming-A Survey Study of Rice Farms In Taiwan

Trade liberalization and globalization has modernized the food retail sector in Taiwan, affecting consumers, producers and trade patterns. These changes have placed significant pressures on farmers and processors including more stringent quality control and product varieties. The government has launched a rice production-marketing contract program in 2005 to assist rice farmers and the agro-business sector to work together as partners. The minimum scale for each contract is 50 hectares of adjacent rice paddies with 50 participants including rice farmers, seedling providers, millers and marketing agents. In order to evaluate the outcome of this program, a survey is conducted in the summer of 2005 after the first (spring) crop is harvested. Information of price and value of output and major variable and fixed inputs are collected along with characteristics of the farmers and farms. The survey results show that the average revenue of a contract farm is about 11 percent higher than an average non-contract farm. The per hectare cost of production in a contract farm is about 13 percent lower and as a result the average profit margin under contract is more than 50 percent above those without contract. A swtiching regression profit frontier model is adopted to further investigate their efficiency performance. The result indicates that an average contract farms is 20 percent more efficient than an average non-contract farm in a comparable operating environment. The result also suggests that although contract farming has potential to improve the profit of smallholders, it is not a sufficient condition for such improvement.Land Economics/Use,

Rashba Spin Interferometer

A spin interferometer utilizing the Rashba effect is proposed. The novel design is composed of a one-dimensional (1D) straight wire and a 1D half-ring. By calculating the norm of the superposed wave function, we derive analytical expressions to describe the spin interference spectrum as a function of the Rashba coupling strength. Presented spin interference results are identified to include (i) the quantum-mechanical 4pi rotation effect, (ii) geometric effect, and (iii) Shubnikov-de Haas-like beating effect.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, appears in the proceedings of the 10th Joint MMM/Intermag Conferenc

Quantum World-line Monte Carlo Method with Non-binary Loops and Its Application

A quantum world-line Monte Carlo method for high-symmetrical quantum models is proposed. Firstly, based on a representation of a partition function using the Matsubara formula, the principle of quantum world-line Monte Carlo methods is briefly outlined and a new algorithm using non-binary loops is given for quantum models with high symmetry as SU(N). The algorithm is called non-binary loop algorithm because of non-binary loop updatings. Secondary, one example of our numerical studies using the non-binary loop updating is shown. It is the problem of the ground state of two-dimensional SU(N) anti-ferromagnets. Our numerical study confirms that the ground state in the small N <= 4 case is a magnetic ordered Neel state, but the one in the large N >= 5 case has no magnetic order, and it becomes a dimer state.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, Invited talk at the 18th Annual Workshop on Recent Developments of Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics, Athens, 7-11 March, 200