6,993 research outputs found
Interplay between optical, viscous and elastic forces on an optically trapped Brownian particle immersed in a viscoelastic fluid
We provide a detailed study of the interplay between the different
interactions which appear in the Brownian motion of a micronsized sphere
immersed in a viscoelastic fluid measured with optical trapping interferometry.
To explore a wide range of viscous, elastic and optical forces, we analyze two
different viscoelastic solutions at various concentrations, which provide a
dynamic polymeric structure surrounding the Brownian sphere. Our experiments
show that, depending of the fluid, optical forces, even if small, slightly
modify the complex modulus at low frequencies. Based on our findings, we
propose an alternative methodology to calibrate this kind of experimental
set-up when non-Newtonian fluids are used. Understanding the influence of the
optical potential is essential for a correct interpretation of the mechanical
properties obtained by optically-trapped probe-based studies of biomaterials
and living matter.Comment: Accepted for publication in Applied Physics Letter
Frenkel Excitons in Random Systems With Correlated Gaussian Disorder
Optical absorption spectra of Frenkel excitons in random one-dimensional
systems are presented. Two models of inhomogeneous broadening, arising from a
Gaussian distribution of on-site energies, are considered. In one case the
on-site energies are uncorrelated variables whereas in the second model the
on-site energies are pairwise correlated (dimers). We observe a red shift and a
broadening of the absorption line on increasing the width of the Gaussian
distribution. In the two cases we find that the shift is the same, within our
numerical accuracy, whereas the broadening is larger when dimers are
introduced. The increase of the width of the Gaussian distribution leads to
larger differences between uncorrelated and correlated disordered models. We
suggest that this higher broadening is due to stronger scattering effects from
dimers.Comment: 9 pages, REVTeX 3.0, 3 ps figures. To appear in Physical Review
Collective dynamics of chemically active particles trapped at a fluid interface
Chemically active colloids generate changes in the chemical composition of
their surrounding solution and thereby induce flows in the ambient fluid which
affect their dynamical evolution. Here we study the many-body dynamics of a
monolayer of active particles trapped at a fluid-fluid interface. To this end
we consider a mean-field model which incorporates the direct pair interaction
(including also the capillary interaction which is caused specifically by the
interfacial trapping) as well as the effect of hydrodynamic interactions
(including the Marangoni flow induced by the response of the interface to the
chemical activity). The values of the relevant physical parameters for typical
experimental realizations of such systems are estimated and various scenarios,
which are predicted by our approach for the dynamics of the monolayer, are
discussed. In particular, we show that the chemically-induced Marangoni flow
can prevent the clustering instability driven by the capillary attraction.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure
Bound states in the continuum driven by AC fields
We report the formation of bound states in the continuum driven by AC fields.
This system consists of a quantum ring connected to two leads. An AC side-gate
voltage controls the interference pattern of the electrons passing through the
system. We model the system by two sites in parallel connected to two
semi-infinite lattices. The energy of these sites change harmonically with
time. We obtain the transmission probability and the local density of states at
the ring sites as a function of the parameters that define the system. The
transmission probability displays a Fano profile when the energy of the
incoming electron matches the driving frequency. Correspondingly, the local
density of states presents a narrow peak that approaches a Dirac delta function
in the weak coupling limit. We attribute these features to the presence of
bound states in the continuum.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
The puzzle of the CNO isotope ratios in AGB carbon stars
Previous determinations of the oxygen isotopic ratios in AGB carbon stars
were at odds with the existing theoretical predictions. We aim to redetermine
the oxygen ratios in these stars using new spectral analysis tools and further
develop discussions on the carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios in order to
elucidate this problem. Oxygen isotopic ratios were derived from spectra in the
K-band in a sample of galactic AGB carbon stars of different spectral types and
near solar metallicity. Synthetic spectra calculated in LTE with spherical
carbon-rich atmosphere models and updated molecular line lists were used. The
CNO isotope ratios derived in a homogeneous way, were compared with theoretical
predictions for low-mass (1.5-3 M_o) AGB stars computed with the FUNS code
assuming extra mixing both during the RGB and AGB phases. For most of the stars
the 16O/17O/18O ratios derived are in good agreement with theoretical
predictions confirming that, for AGB stars, are established using the values
reached after the FDU according to the initial stellar mass. This fact, as far
as the oxygen isotopic ratios are concerned, leaves little space for the
operation of any extra mixing mechanism during the AGB phase. Nevertheless, for
a few stars with large 16O/17O/18O, the operation of such a mechanism might be
required, although their observed 12C/13C and 14N/15N ratios would be difficult
to reconcile within this scenario. Furthermore, J-type stars tend to have lower
16O/17O ratios than the normal carbon stars, as already indicated in previous
studies. Excluding these peculiar stars, AGB carbon stars occupy the same
region as pre-solar type I oxide grains in a 17O/16O vs. 18O/16O diagram,
showing little spread. This reinforces the idea that these grains were probably
formed in low-mass stars during the previous O-rich phases.Comment: Accepted fo publication in A&
Transmission resonances and supercritical states in a one dimensional cusp potential
We solve the two-component Dirac equation in the presence of a spatially one
dimensional symmetric cusp potential. We compute the scattering and bound
states solutions and we derive the conditions for transmission resonances as
well as for supercriticality.Comment: 10 pages. Revtex 4. To appear in Phys Rev.
Enhancing thermoelectric properties of graphene quantum rings
We study the thermoelectric properties of rectangular graphene rings
connected symmetrically or asymmetrically to the leads. A side-gate voltage
applied across the ring allows for the precise control of the electric current
flowing through the system. The transmission coefficient of the rings manifests
Breit-Wigner line-shapes and/or Fano line-shapes, depending on the connection
configuration, the width of nanoribbons forming the ring and the side-gate
voltage. We find that the thermopower and the figure of merit are greatly
enhanced when the chemical potential is tuned close to resonances. Such
enhancement is even more pronounced in the vicinity of Fano like
anti-resonances which can be induced by a side-gate voltage independently of
the geometry. This opens a possibility to use the proposed device as a tunable
thermoelectric generator.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review
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