9,530 research outputs found
Two-channel Kondo physics in odd impurity chains
We study odd-membered chains of spin-(1/2) impurities, with each end
connected to its own metallic lead. For antiferromagnetic exchange coupling,
universal two-channel Kondo (2CK) physics is shown to arise at low energies.
Two overscreening mechanisms are found to occur depending on coupling strength,
with distinct signatures in physical properties. For strong inter-impurity
coupling, a residual chain spin-(1/2) moment experiences a renormalized
effective coupling to the leads; while in the weak-coupling regime, Kondo
coupling is mediated via incipient single-channel Kondo singlet formation. We
also investigate models where the leads are tunnel-coupled to the impurity
chain, permitting variable dot filling under applied gate voltages. Effective
low-energy models for each regime of filling are derived, and for even-fillings
where the chain ground state is a spin singlet, an orbital 2CK effect is found
to be operative. Provided mirror symmetry is preserved, 2CK physics is shown to
be wholly robust to variable dot filling; in particular the single-particle
spectrum at the Fermi level, and hence the low-temperature zero-bias
conductance, is always pinned to half-unitarity. We derive a Friedel-Luttinger
sum rule and from it show that, in contrast to a Fermi liquid, the Luttinger
integral is non-zero and determined solely by the `excess' dot charge as
controlled by gate voltage. The relevance of the work to real quantum dot
devices, where inter-lead charge-transfer processes fatal to 2CK physics are
present, is also discussed. Physical arguments and numerical renormalization
group techniques are used to obtain a detailed understanding of these problems.Comment: 21 pages, 19 figure
Living Collection Curation
The necessity to redesign and relandscape the interior of the Temperate Palmhouse at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) created the opportunity to undertake a full curatorial survey of the palms and other plants contained in the Palmhouse. This paper gives the background to, and describes the process of, undertaking the survey. It stresses the need for maximum consultation with all interested parties to decide the fate of existing plants and make recommendations for new plantings. The result was a booklet describing the history and development of the Palmhouse, listings of all existing plants with notes on ethnobotanical use, value in teaching or research and final destination and suggestions for new species to meet the new design along with educational and interpretation opportunities. The resultant survey could act as a model for other projects
Conductance fingerprint of Majorana fermions in the topological Kondo effect
We consider an interacting nanowire/superconductor heterostructure attached
to metallic leads. The device is described by an unusual low-energy model
involving spin-1 conduction electrons coupled to a nonlocal spin-1/2 Kondo
impurity built from Majorana fermions. The topological origin of the resulting
Kondo effect is manifest in distinctive non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior, and
the existence of Majorana fermions in the device is demonstrated unambiguously
by distinctive conductance lineshapes. We study the physics of the model in
detail, using the numerical renormalization group, perturbative scaling and
abelian bosonization. In particular, we calculate the full scaling curves for
the differential conductance in AC and DC fields, onto which experimental data
should collapse. Scattering t-matrices and thermodynamic quantities are also
calculated, recovering asymptotes from conformal field theory. We show that the
NFL physics is robust to asymmetric Majorana-lead couplings, and here we
uncover a duality between strong and weak coupling. The NFL behavior is
understood physically in terms of competing Kondo effects. The resulting
frustration is relieved by inter-Majorana coupling which generates a second
crossover to a regular Fermi liquid.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figure
Lifetime Earnings Variability and Retirement Wealth
This paper explores how earnings variability is related to retirement wealth. Past research has demonstrated that the average American household on the verge of retirement would need to save substantially more, in order to preserve consumption flows in old age. While several socioeconomic factors have been examined that might explain such problems, prior studies have not assessed the role of earnings variability over the lifetime as a potential explanation for poor retirement prospects. Thus two workers having identical levels of average lifetime earnings might have had very different patterns of earnings variability over their lifetimes. Such differences could translate into quite different retirement wealth outcomes. This paper evaluates the effect of earnings variability on retirement wealth using information supplied by respondents to the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). This is a rich and nationally representative dataset on Americans on the verge of retirement, with responses linked to administrative records from the Social Security Administration. Our research illuminates the key links between lifetime earnings variability and retirement wealth.
Subsystem Hazard Analysis Methodology for the Ares I Upper Stage Source Controlled Items
This article describes processes involved in developing subsystem hazard analyses for Source Controlled Items (SCI), specific components, sub-assemblies, and/or piece parts, of the NASA ARES I Upper Stage (US) project. SCIs will be designed, developed and /or procured by Boeing as an end item or an off-the-shelf item. Objectives include explaining the methodology, tools, stakeholders and products involved in development of these hazard analyses. Progress made and further challenges in identifying potential subsystem hazards are also provided in an effort to assist the System Safety community in understanding one part of the ARES I Upper Stage project
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