Functional renormalization group approach to the singlet-triplet transition in quantum dots

We present a functional renormalization group approach to the zero bias transport properties of a quantum dot with two different orbitals and in presence of Hund's coupling. Tuning the energy separation of the orbital states, the quantum dot can be driven through a singlet-triplet transition. Our approach, based on the approach by Karrasch {\em et al} which we apply to spin-dependent interactions, recovers the key characteristics of the quantum dot transport properties with very little numerical effort. We present results on the conductance in the vicinity of the transition and compare our results both with previous numerical renormalization group results and with predictions of the perturbative renormalization group.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Spin-orbit coupled cold exciton condensates

We analyze theoretically the dynamics of degenerate condensate of cold indirect excitons. We account for both linear spin dependent terms arising from spin-orbit interaction of Rashba and Dresselhaus types and non-linear terms transforming a pair of bright excitons into a pair of dark ones. We show that both terms should lead to the qualitative changes in the dynamics of cold exciton droplets in the real space and time.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure

Density-matrix approach for an interacting polariton system

Using the Lindblad approach we develop a general formalism for theoretical description of a spatially inhomogeneous bosonic system with dissipation provided by the interaction of bosons with a phonon bath. We apply our results to model the dynamics of an interacting one-dimensional polariton system in real space and time, analyzing in detail the role of polariton-polariton and polariton-phonon interactions.Comment: 7 pages + 3 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1103.1336 by other author

Bistability phenomena in one-dimensional polariton wires

We investigate the phenomena of bistability and domain wall propagation in polaritonic systems with dissipation provided by the interaction with incoherent phonon bath. The results on the temperature dependence of the polariton bistability behavior and polariton neuron switching are presented.Comment: 6 pages + 4 figures. Continuation of the work published in Phys. Rev. B 83, 165316 (2011

Phonon-mediated Josephson oscillations in excitonic and polaritonic condensates

We analyze theoretically the role of the exciton-phonon interactions in phenomena related to the Josephson effect between two spatially separated exciton and exciton-polariton condensates. We consider the role of the dephasing introduced by phonons in such phenomena as Josephson tunneling, self-trapping and spontaneous polarization separation. In the regime of cw pumping we find a remarkable bistability effect arising from exciton- exciton interactions as well as regimes of self- sustained regular and chaotic oscillations.Comment: 10 pages, Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Clustering of vacancy defects in high-purity semi-insulating SiC

Positron lifetime spectroscopy was used to study native vacancy defects in semi-insulating silicon carbide. The material is shown to contain (i) vacancy clusters consisting of 4--5 missing atoms and (ii) Si vacancy related negatively charged defects. The total open volume bound to the clusters anticorrelates with the electrical resistivity both in as-grown and annealed material. Our results suggest that Si vacancy related complexes compensate electrically the as-grown material, but migrate to increase the size of the clusters during annealing, leading to loss of resistivity.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Optical properties of carbon nanofiber photonic crystals

Carbon nanofibers (CNF) are used as components of planar photonic crystals. Square and rectangular lattices and random patterns of vertically aligned CNF were fabricated and their properties studied using ellipsometry. We show that detailed information such as symmetry directions and the band structure of these novel materials can be extracted from considerations of the polarization state in the specular beam. The refractive index of the individual nanofibers was found to be n_CNF = 4.1.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Preventive herd management practices and their effect on lamb mortality in Ethiopia.

According to previous studies, lamb mortality is high in the Ethiopian highlands. The present study aims to evaluate the execution of preventive sheep herd health management practices with respect to if, and how, such practices are linked to occurrence of lamb mortality. Interviews were performed with 74 sheep-owning households participating in a capacity development program on livestock and 69 households not participating in such program. To evaluate the impact of combinations of performed practices, a scoring system was developed-the households retrieved a higher score the more desired routines were accomplished. To identify which practices had the highest impact on lamb mortality, a similar score was calculated for each phase of the sheep reproductive year, creating sub-scores for each phase. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between the total number of performed practices and occurrence of lamb mortality, indicating a lower occurrence of lamb mortality the more desired practices implemented. Further analysis of sub-scores showed significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations between a higher number of performed desired practices during gestation period and during lambing. Conclusively, the study indicates that preventive herd management routines are beneficial for lamb survival, foremost when enforced during the gestation period and around lambing-hence, this is where to focus future interventions