9,508 research outputs found
Berry phase effect in anomalous thermoelectric transport
We develop a theory of Berry phase effect in anomalous transport in
ferromagnets driven by statistical forces such as the gradient of temperature
or chemical potential. Here a charge Hall current arises from the Berry phase
correction to the orbital magnetization rather than from the anomalous velocity
which does not exist in the absence of a mechanical force. A finite-temperature
formula for the orbital magnetization is derived, which enables us to provide
an explicit expression for the off-diagonal thermoelectric conductivity, to
establish the Mott relation between the anomalous Nernst and Hall effects, and
to reaffirm the Onsager relations between reciprocal thermoelectric
conductivities. A first-principles evaluation of our expression is carried out
for the material CuCrSeBr, obtaining quantitative agreement
with a recent experiment.Comment: Published version in PR
Half-Heusler Topological Insulators: A First-Principle Study with the Tran-Blaha Modified Becke-Johnson Density Functional
We systematically investigate the topological band structures of half-Heusler
compounds using first-principles calculations. The modified Becke-Johnson
exchange potential together with local density approximation for the
correlation potential (MBJLDA) has been used here to obtain accurate band
inversion strength and band order. Our results show that a large number of
half-Heusler compounds are candidates for three-dimensional topological
insulators. The difference between band structures obtained using the local
density approximation (LDA) and MBJLDA potential is also discussed.Comment: 5 figures, 1 tabl
Strain tuning of topological band order in cubic semiconductors
We theoretically explore the possibility of tuning the topological order of
cubic diamond/zinc-blende semiconductors with external strain. Based on the
tight-binding model, we analyze the evolution of the cubic semiconductor band
structure under hydrostatic or biaxial lattice expansion, by which a generic
guiding principle is established that lattice \emph{expansion} can induce a
topological phase transition of small band-gap cubic semiconductors via a band
inversion, and further breaking of the cubic symmetry leads to a topological
insulating phase. Using density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate
that a prototype topological trivial semiconductor, InSb, is converted to a
nontrivial topological semiconductor with a 2%-3% biaxial lattice expansion.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Half-Heusler Compounds as a New Class of Three-Dimensional Topological Insulators
Using first-principles calculations within density functional theory, we
explore the feasibility of converting ternary half-Heusler compounds into a new
class of three-dimensional topological insulators (3DTI). We demonstrate that
the electronic structure of unstrained LaPtBi as a prototype system exhibits
distinct band-inversion feature. The 3DTI phase is realized by applying a
uniaxial strain along the [001] direction, which opens a bandgap while
preserving the inverted band order. A definitive proof of the strained LaPtBi
as a 3DTI is provided by directly calculating the topological Z2 invariants in
systems without inversion symmetry. We discuss the implications of the present
study to other half-Heusler compounds as 3DTI, which, together with the
magnetic and superconducting properties of these materials, may provide a rich
platform for novel quantum phenomena.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures; Phys. Rev. Lett. (in press
An Investigation of Complex Mode Shapes
This paper presents an investigation of complex mode shape analysis caused by non-linear damping. Nowadays, most academics are accustomed to complex mode shapes, which are a characteristic of most axisymmetric structures. The topic was deeply investigated during the 1980s, sparking the sharpest debates about their physical existence or not. However, after nearly three decades, one question still stands, do we know all about complex mode shapes? This paper takes the dust off this topic again and explores how complex eigenvectors arise when the percentage frequency separation between two mode shapes is the same order of magnitude as the percentage damping. The difference between the past and present investigations relates to the non-linear damping that might arise from joint dynamics under various vibration amplitudes. Hence, the new research question is about the investigation of amplitude-dependent damping on the modal complexity. Why bother? There are several engineering applications in both space and aerospace where axisymmetric structures and joint dynamics can impair the numerical analysis that is currently performed. This paper does not offer any solutions but does expand the research on an unsolved challenge by identifying the questions posed.</p
Twisted Current Algebra: Free Field Representation and Screening Currents
Motivated by applications of twisted current algebras in description of the
entropy of black hole, we investigate the simplest twisted current
algebra . Free field representation of the twisted
algebra and the corresponding twisted Sugawara energy-momentum tensor are
obtained by using three pairs and two scalar fields. Primary
fields and two screening currents of the first kind are presented.Comment: LaTex file 12 pages; Final version for publication in Phys. Letts. B
(a couple of typos on page 7 have been corrected in this version
Detection of lensing substructure using ALMA observations of the dusty galaxy SDP.81
We study the abundance of substructure in the matter density near galaxies
using ALMA Science Verification observations of the strong lensing system
SDP.81. We present a method to measure the abundance of subhalos around
galaxies using interferometric observations of gravitational lenses. Using
simulated ALMA observations, we explore the effects of various systematics,
including antenna phase errors and source priors, and show how such errors may
be measured or marginalized. We apply our formalism to ALMA observations of
SDP.81. We find evidence for the presence of a
subhalo near one of the images, with a significance of in a joint
fit to data from bands 6 and 7; the effect of the subhalo is also detected in
both bands individually. We also derive constraints on the abundance of dark
matter subhalos down to , pushing down to the
mass regime of the smallest detected satellites in the Local Group, where there
are significant discrepancies between the observed population of luminous
galaxies and predicted dark matter subhalos. We find hints of additional
substructure, warranting further study using the full SDP.81 dataset
(including, for example, the spectroscopic imaging of the lensed carbon
monoxide emission). We compare the results of this search to the predictions of
CDM halos, and find that given current uncertainties in the host halo
properties of SDP.81, our measurements of substructure are consistent with
theoretical expectations. Observations of larger samples of gravitational
lenses with ALMA should be able to improve the constraints on the abundance of
galactic substructure.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, Comments are welcom
Underdamped modes in a hydrodynamically coupled microparticle system
When micron-sized particles are trapped in a linear periodic array, for example, by using optical tweezers, they interact only through the hydrodynamic forces between them. This couples the motion of the spheres and it has been predicted that an extended system might behave as an elastic medium that could support underdamped propagating waves. In practice, these underdamped modes can be observed only with massive particles in very stiff traps and very low viscosity fluids. We have been able to realize these conditions by trapping water droplets in air. Even with a system of just two particles we were able to observe the coupled oscillatory motion predicted: underdamping of the symmetric (collective) mode and overdamping of the asymmetric (relative) mode
Recommended from our members
Micro- and macroplastic accumulation in a newly formed Spartina alterniflora colonized estuarine saltmarsh in southeast China
In recent years, there is great concern about plastic pollution due to the identification of several environmental risks associated with microplastics (<5 mm). This study investigated microplastic and macroplastic accumulation patterns in a newly formed Spartina alterniflora colonized saltmarsh of an estuary in southeastern China. Abundance of microplastic and macroplastic particles was in the range of 9600–130725 and 200-4350 n/m2, respectively. Abundances of microplastics and macroplastics were highest at the saltmarsh edge, but the mass of macroplastics was highest in the saltmarsh interior. Mass of microplastics and macroplastics in bareflats was significantly lower than vegetated areas. Although microplastics accounted for 96.3% of total plastic abundance, macroplastics accounted for 90% of total plastic mass. Results showed that S. alterniflora dominated saltmarshes have a strong ability to trap plastic debris, especially macroplastics. Thus, coastal saltmarshes may serve as a transformer of macroplastics to microplastics and consequently as a source of microplastics to the ocean
Current Superalgebra and Non-unitary Conformal Field Theory
Motivated by application of current superalgebras in the study of disordered
systems such as the random XY and Dirac models, we investigate
current superalgebra at general level . We construct its free field
representation and corresponding Sugawara energy-momentum tensor in the
non-standard basis. Three screen currents of the first kind are also presented.Comment: LaTex file 11 page
- …