Optimal Hoeffding bounds for discrete reversible Markov chains

We build optimal exponential bounds for the probabilities of large deviations of sums \sum_{k=1}^nf(X_k) where (X_k) is a finite reversible Markov chain and f is an arbitrary bounded function. These bounds depend only on the stationary mean E_{\pi}f, the end-points of the support of f, the sample size n and the second largest eigenvalue \lambda of the transition matrix

Electronic dynamics and frequency-dependent effects in circularly polarized strong-field physics

We analyze, quantum mechanically, the dynamics of ionization with a strong, circularly polarized, laser field. We show that the main source for non-adiabatic effects is connected to an effective barrier lowering due to the laser frequency. Such non-adiabatic effects manifest themselves through ionization rates and yields that depart up to more than one order of magnitude from a static-field configuration. Beyond circular polarization, these results show the limits of standard instantaneous - static-field like - interpretation of laser-matter interaction and the great need for including time dependent electronic dynamics

Photocurrents in nanotube junctions

Photocurrents in nanotube p-n junctions are calculated using a non-equilibrium Green function quantum transport formalism. The short-circuit photocurrent displays band-to-band transitions and photon-assisted tunneling, and has multiple sharp peaks in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet ranges. The operation of such devices in the nanoscale regime leads to unusual size effects, where the photocurrent scales linearly and oscillates with device length. The oscillations can be related to the density of states in the valence band, a factor that also determines the relative magnitude of the photoresponse for different bands.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitte

Evidence-Informed Case Rates: A New Health Care Payment Model

Suggests a new payment model whereby providers are paid a single, risk-adjusted payment across inpatient and outpatient settings to care for a patient diagnosed with a specific condition

Frictional dynamics of viscoelastic solids driven on a rough surface

We study the effect of viscoelastic dynamics on the frictional properties of a (mean field) spring-block system pulled on a rough surface by an external drive. When the drive moves at constant velocity V, two dynamical regimes are observed: at fast driving, above a critical threshold Vc, the system slides at the drive velocity and displays a friction force with velocity weakening. Below Vc the steady sliding becomes unstable and a stick-slip regime sets in. In the slide-hold-slide driving protocol, a peak of the friction force appears after the hold time and its amplitude increases with the hold duration. These observations are consistent with the frictional force encoded phenomenologically in the rate-and-state equations. Our model gives a microscopical basis for such macroscopic description.Comment: 10 figures, 7 pages, +4 pages of appendi

Discrete Differential Manifolds and Dynamics on Networks

A `discrete differential manifold' we call a countable set together with an algebraic differential calculus on it. This structure has already been explored in previous work and provides us with a convenient framework for the formulation of dynamical models on networks and physical theories with discrete space and time. We present several examples and introduce a notion of differentiability of maps between discrete differential manifolds. Particular attention is given to differentiable curves in such spaces. Every discrete differentiable manifold carries a topology and we show that differentiability of a map implies continuity.Comment: 26 pages, LaTeX (RevTex), GOET-TP 88/9

Transport in the metallic regime of Mn doped III-V Semiconductors

The standard model of Mn doping in GaAs is subjected to a coherent potential approximation (CPA) treatment. Transport coefficients are evaluated within the linear response Kubo formalism. Both normal (NHE) and anomalous contributions (AHE) to the Hall effect are examined. We use a simple model density of states to describe the undoped valence band. The CPA bandstructure evolves into a spin split band caused by the $p-d$ exchange scattering with Mn dopants. This gives rise to a strong magnetoresistance, which decreases sharply with temperature. The temperature ($T$) dependence of the resistance is due to spin disorder scattering (increasing with $T$), CPA bandstructure renormalization and charged impurity scattering (decreasing with $T$). The calculated transport coefficients are discussed in relation to experiment, with a view of assessing the overall trends and deciding whether the model describes the right physics. This does indeed appear to be case, bearing in mind that the hopping limit needs to be treated separately, as it cannot be described within the band CPA.Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev.