Critical dynamics of diluted relaxational models coupled to a conserved density (diluted model C)

We consider the influence of quenched disorder on the relaxational critical dynamics of a system characterized by a non-conserved order parameter coupled to the diffusive dynamics of a conserved scalar density (model C). Disorder leads to model A critical dynamics in the asymptotics, however it is the effective critical behavior which is often observed in experiments and in computer simulations and this is described by the full set of dynamical equations of diluted model C. Indeed different scenarios of effective critical behavior are predicted.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Model C critical dynamics of random anisotropy magnets

We study the relaxational critical dynamics of the three-dimensional random anisotropy magnets with the non-conserved n-component order parameter coupled to a conserved scalar density. In the random anisotropy magnets the structural disorder is present in a form of local quenched anisotropy axes of random orientation. When the anisotropy axes are randomly distributed along the edges of the n-dimensional hypercube, asymptotical dynamical critical properties coincide with those of the random-site Ising model. However structural disorder gives rise to considerable effects for non-asymptotic critical dynamics. We investigate this phenomenon by a field-theoretical renormalization group analysis in the two-loop order. We study critical slowing down and obtain quantitative estimates for the effective and asymptotic critical exponents of the order parameter and scalar density. The results predict complex scenarios for the effective critical exponent approaching an asymptotic regime.Comment: 8 figures, style files include

Conservation-laws-preserving algorithms for spin dynamics simulations

We propose new algorithms for numerical integration of the equations of motion for classical spin systems with fixed spatial site positions. The algorithms are derived on the basis of a mid-point scheme in conjunction with the multiple time staging propagation. Contrary to existing predictor-corrector and decomposition approaches, the algorithms introduced preserve all the integrals of motion inherent in the basic equations. As is demonstrated for a lattice ferromagnet model, the present approach appears to be more efficient even over the recently developed decomposition method.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure

Defect-induced condensation and central peak at elastic phase transitions

Static and dynamical properties of elastic phase transitions under the influence of short--range defects, which locally increase the transition temperature, are investigated. Our approach is based on a Ginzburg--Landau theory for three--dimensional crystals with one--, two-- or three--dimensional soft sectors, respectively. Systems with a finite concentration $n_{\rm D}$ of quenched, randomly placed defects display a phase transition at a temperature $T_c(n_{\rm D})$, which can be considerably above the transition temperature $T_c^0$ of the pure system. The phonon correlation function is calculated in single--site approximation. For $T>T_c(n_{\rm D})$ a dynamical central peak appears; upon approaching $T_c(n_{\rm D})$, its height diverges and its width vanishes. Using an appropriate self--consistent method, we calculate the spatially inhomogeneous order parameter, the free energy and the specific heat, as well as the dynamical correlation function in the ordered phase. The dynamical central peak disappears again as the temperatur is lowered below $T_c(n_{\rm D})$. The inhomogeneous order parameter causes a static central peak in the scattering cross section, with a finite $k$ width depending on the orientation of the external wave vector ${\bf k}$ relative to the soft sector. The jump in the specific heat at the transition temperatur of the pure system is smeared out by the influence of the defects, leading to a distinct maximum instead. In addition, there emerges a tiny discontinuity of the specific heat at $T_c(n_{\rm D})$. We also discuss the range of validity of the mean--field approach, and provide a more realistic estimate for the transition temperature.Comment: 11 pages, 11 ps-figures, to appear in PR

Decoherence in Nearly-Isolated Quantum Dots

Decoherence in nearly-isolated GaAs quantum dots is investigated using the change in average Coulomb blockade peak height upon breaking time-reversal symmetry. The normalized change in average peak height approaches the predicted universal value of 1/4 at temperatures well below the single-particle level spacing, but is greatly suppressed for temperature greater than the level spacing, suggesting that inelastic scattering or other dephasing mechanisms dominate in this regime.Comment: Significant revisions to include comparison to theory. Related papers available at http://marcuslab.harvard.ed

Relaxational dynamics in 3D randomly diluted Ising models

We study the purely relaxational dynamics (model A) at criticality in three-dimensional disordered Ising systems whose static critical behaviour belongs to the randomly diluted Ising universality class. We consider the site-diluted and bond-diluted Ising models, and the +- J Ising model along the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition line. We perform Monte Carlo simulations at the critical point using the Metropolis algorithm and study the dynamic behaviour in equilibrium at various values of the disorder parameter. The results provide a robust evidence of the existence of a unique model-A dynamic universality class which describes the relaxational critical dynamics in all considered models. In particular, the analysis of the size-dependence of suitably defined autocorrelation times at the critical point provides the estimate z=2.35(2) for the universal dynamic critical exponent. We also study the off-equilibrium relaxational dynamics following a quench from T=\infty to T=T_c. In agreement with the field-theory scenario, the analysis of the off-equilibrium dynamic critical behavior gives an estimate of z that is perfectly consistent with the equilibrium estimate z=2.35(2).Comment: 38 page

New features of the phase transition to superconducting state in thin films

The Halperin-Lubensky-Ma (HLM) effect of a fluctuation-induced change of the order of phase transition in thin films of type I superconductors with relatively small Ginzburg-Landau number $\kappa$ is considered. Numerical data for the free energy, the order parameter jump, the latent heat, and the specific heat of W, Al and In are presented to reveal the influence of film thickness and material parameters on the properties of the phase transition. We demonstrate for the first time that in contrast to the usual notion the HLM effect occurs in the most distinct way in superconducting films with high critical magnetic field $H_{c0}$ rather than in materials with small $\kappa$. The possibility for an experimental observation of the fluctuation change of the order of superconducting phase transition in superconducting films is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, MikTexTeX, 3 fig, 2 Tables, corrected some typos, Submitted J.Phys:Cond Ma

Deformation of Quantum Dots in the Coulomb Blockade Regime

We extend the theory of Coulomb blockade oscillations to quantum dots which are deformed by the confining potential. We show that shape deformations can generate sequences of conductance resonances which carry the same internal wavefunction. This fact may cause strong correlations of neighboring conductance peaks. We demonstrate the relevance of our results for the interpretation of recent experiments on semiconductor quantum dots.Comment: 4 pages, Revtex, 4 postscript figure

Radiative aspects of lunar materials Final report

Thermal radiation model for lunar material