37,675 research outputs found
Structural transitions in biomolecules - a numerical comparison of two approaches for the study of phase transitions in small systems
We compare two recently proposed methods for the characterization of phase
transitions in small systems. The usefulness of these techniques is evaluated
for the case of structural transition in alanine-based peptides.Comment: Accepted for publication in Int. J. Mol. Sci., to appear in a special
issue devoted to R.S. Berr
Weyl Semimetal in a Topological Insulator Multilayer
We propose a simple realization of the three-dimensional (3D) Weyl semimetal
phase, utilizing a multilayer structure, composed of identical thin films of a
magnetically-doped 3D topological insulator (TI), separated by
ordinary-insulator spacer layers. We show that the phase diagram of this system
contains a Weyl semimetal phase of the simplest possible kind, with only two
Dirac nodes of opposite chirality, separated in momentum space, in its
bandstructure. This particular type of Weyl semimetal has a finite anomalous
Hall conductivity, chiral edge states, and occurs as an intermediate phase
between an ordinary insulator and a 3D quantum anomalous Hall insulator with a
quantized Hall conductivity, equal to per TI layer. We find that the
Weyl semimetal has a nonzero DC conductivity at zero temperature and is thus an
unusual metallic phase, characterized by a finite anomalous Hall conductivity
and topologically-protected edge states.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, published versio
Weyl superconductors
We study the physics of the superconducting variant of Weyl semimetals, which
may be realized in multilayer structures comprising topological insulators and
superconductors. We show how superconductivity can split each Weyl node into
two. The resulting Bogoliubov Weyl nodes can be pairwise independently
controlled, allowing to access a set of phases characterized by different
numbers of bulk Bogoliubov Weyl nodes and chiral Majorana surface modes. We
analyze the physics of vortices in such systems, which trap zero energy
Majorana modes only under certain conditions. We finally comment on possible
experimental probes, thereby also exploiting the similarities between Weyl
superconductors and 2-dimensional p + ip superconductors.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure
Random solids and random solidification: What can be learned by exploring systems obeying permanent random constraints?
In many interesting physical settings, such as the vulcanization of rubber,
the introduction of permanent random constraints between the constituents of a
homogeneous fluid can cause a phase transition to a random solid state. In this
random solid state, particles are permanently but randomly localized in space,
and a rigidity to shear deformations emerges. Owing to the permanence of the
random constraints, this phase transition is an equilibrium transition, which
confers on it a simplicity (at least relative to the conventional glass
transition) in the sense that it is amenable to established techniques of
equilibrium statistical mechanics. In this Paper I shall review recent
developments in the theory of random solidification for systems obeying
permanent random constraints, with the aim of bringing to the fore the
similarities and differences between such systems and those exhibiting the
conventional glass transition. I shall also report new results, obtained in
collaboration with Weiqun Peng, on equilibrium correlations and
susceptibilities that signal the approach of the random solidification
transition, discussing the physical interpretation and values of these
quantities both at the Gaussian level of approximation and, via a
renormalization-group approach, beyond.Comment: Paper presented at the "Unifying Concepts in Glass Physics" workshop,
International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy (September
15-18, 1999
Inf-convolution of G-expectations
In this paper we will discuss the optimal risk transfer problems when risk
measures are generated by G-expectations, and we present the relationship
between inf-convolution of G-expectations and the inf-convolution of drivers G.Comment: 23 page
Stability of Majorana Fermions in Proximity-Coupled Topological Insulator Nanowires
It has been shown previously that a finite-length topological insulator
nanowire, proximity-coupled to an ordinary bulk s-wave superconductor and
subject to a longitudinal applied magnetic field, realizes a one-dimensional
topological superconductor with an unpaired Majorana fermion (MF) localized at
each end of the nanowire. Here, we study the stability of these MFs with
respect to various perturbations that are likely to occur in a physical
realization of the proposed device. We show that the unpaired Majorana fermions
persist in this system for any value of the chemical potential inside the bulk
band gap of order 300 meV in BiSe by computing the Majorana number.
From this calculation, we also show that the unpaired Majorana fermions persist
when the magnetic flux through the nanowire cross-section deviates
significantly from half flux quantum. Lastly, we demonstrate that the unpaired
Majorana fermions persist in strongly disordered wires with fluctuations in the
on-site potential ranging in magnitude up to several times the size of the bulk
band gap. These results suggest this solid-state system should exhibit unpaired
Majorana fermions under accessible conditions likely important for experimental
study or future applications.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figure
Spin Berry phase in the Fermi arc states
Unusual electronic property of a Weyl semi-metallic nanowire is revealed. Its
band dispersion exhibits multiple subbands of partially flat dispersion,
originating from the Fermi arc states. Remarkably, the lowest energy flat
subbands bear a finite size energy gap, implying that electrons in the Fermi
arc surface states are susceptible of the spin Berry phase. This is shown to be
a consequence of spin-to-surface locking in the surface electronic states. We
verify this behavior and the existence of spin Berry phase in the low-energy
effective theory of Fermi arc surface states on a cylindrical nanowire by
deriving the latter from a bulk Weyl Hamiltonian. We point out that in any
surface state exhibiting a spin Berry phase pi, a zero-energy bound state is
formed along a magnetic flux tube of strength, hc/(2e). This effect is
highlighted in a surfaceless bulk system pierced by a dislocation line, which
shows a 1D chiral mode along the dislocation line.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure
Spin and Charge Structure of the Surface States in Topological Insulators
We investigate the spin and charge densities of surface states of the
three-dimensional topological insulator , starting from the continuum
description of the material [Zhang {\em et al.}, Nat. Phys. 5, 438 (2009)]. The
spin structure on surfaces other than the 111 surface has additional complexity
because of a misalignment of the contributions coming from the two sublattices
of the crystal. For these surfaces we expect new features to be seen in the
spin-resolved ARPES experiments, caused by a non-helical spin-polarization of
electrons at the individual sublattices as well as by the interference of the
electron waves emitted coherently from two sublattices. We also show that the
position of the Dirac crossing in spectrum of surface states depends on the
orientation of the interface. This leads to contact potentials and surface
charge redistribution at edges between different facets of the crystal.Comment: Use the correct spin operator. Changes affect the surface states spin
structure, but not the spectru
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