Electrostatic effects and band-bending in doped topological insulators

We investigate the electrostatic effects in doped topological insulators by developing a self consistent scheme for an interacting tight binding model. The presence of bulk carriers, in addition to surface electrons, generates an intrinsic inhomogeneous charge density in the vicinity of the surface and, as a result, band bending effects are present. We find that electron doping and hole doping produce band bending effects of similar magnitude and opposite signs. The presence of additional surface dopants breaks this approximate electron-hole symmetry and dramatically affects the magnitude of the band bending. Applying a gate potential can generate a depletion zone characterized by a vanishing carrier density. We find that the density profile in the transition zone between the depleted region and the bulk is independent of the applied potential. In thin films the electrostatic effects are strongly dependent on the carrier charge density. In addition, we find that substrate induced potentials can generate a Rashba type spin-orbit coupling in ultra thin topological insulator films. We calculate the profiles of bulk and surface states in topological insulator films and identify the conditions corresponding to both types of states being localized within the same region in space.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figure

Kinks and Mid-Infrared Optical Conductivity from Strong Electron Correlation

We compute the one-particle spectral function and the optical conductivity for the 2-d Hubbard model on a square lattice. The computational method is cellular dynamical mean-field theory (CDMFT) in which a 4-site Hubbard plaquette is embedded in a self-consistent bath. We obtain a `kink' feature in the dispersion of the spectral function and a mid-infrared (mid-IR) absorption peak in the optical conductivity, consistent with experimental data. Of the 256 plaquette states, only a single state which has d$_{x^2-y^2}$ symmetry contributes to the mid-IR, thereby suggesting a direct link with the pseudogap. Local correlations between doubly and singly occupied sites which lower the kinetic energy of a hole are the efficient cause of this effect.Comment: 4.1 pages, 6 figures, published versio

Nodal-antinodal dichotomy from pairing disorder in d-wave superconductors

We study the basic features of the local density of states (LDOS) observed in STM experiments on high-T$_c$ d-wave superconductors in the context of a minimal model of a d-wave superconductor which has {\it weakly} modulated off-diagonal disorder. We show that the low and high energy features of the LDOS are consistent with the observed experimental patterns and in particular, the anisotropic local domain features at high energies. At low energies, we obtain not only the scattering peaks predicted by the octet model, but also weak features that should be experimentally accessible. Finally, we show that the emerging features of the LDOS lose their correspondence with the features of the imposed disorder, as its complexity increases spatially

Emergence of Particle-Hole Symmetry near Optimal Doping in High-Temperature Copper Oxide Superconductors

High-temperature copper oxide superconductors (cuprates) display unconventional physics when they are lightly doped whereas the standard theory of metals prevails in the opposite regime. For example, the thermoelectric power, that is the voltage that develops across a sample in response to a temperature gradient, changes sign abruptly near optimal doping in a wide class of cuprates, a stark departure from the standard theory of metals in which the thermopower vanishes only when one electron exists per site. We show that this effect arises from proximity to a state in which particle-hole symmetry is dynamically generated. The operative mechanism is dynamical spectral weight transfer from states that lie at least 2eV away from the chemical potential. We show that the sign change is reproduced quantitatively within the Hubbard model for moderate values of the on-site repulsion, $U$. For sufficiently large values of on-site repulsion, for example, $U=20t$, ($t$ the hopping matrix element), dynamical spectral weight transfer attenuates and our calculated results for the thermopower are in prefect agreement with exact atomic limit. The emergent particle-hole symmetry close to optimal doping points to pairing in the cuprates being driven by high-energy electronic states.Comment: 7 pages: Published versio

Effectiveness of Regional Innovation Actions:Cases from Small, Low-Innovative Regions

This paper attempts to identify the suitability of centrally and remotely designed innovation-related regional actions, examining the case of regions that started innovative activities from a low development level. Using the case of two Greek regions, the present paper analyses the legacy left to the regional systems by a series of regional innovation programs, whose main priorities were designed centrally without any regional consultation. After a brief presentation of the analysis framework, it discusses the actions of four programs that were implemented in the two cases from 1997 until 2008, namely, the Regional Innovation System (RIS), Regional Innovation Strategy + (RIS+), Innovative Actions, and Innovation Poles. The findings suggest that these programs often provide the means for generating the first steps towards the creation of an Innovation System at regional level; however, because of an economic and knowledge environment that is not matured to support innovation, they create a dependency on publicly funded programs. As a consequence, a vicious circle is created, leading the regional actors to direct most often their applications and actions to the centrally designed priorities, instead of identifying regional needs and priorities and without a systemic view of the industrial and developmental needs of the region. Evidently, this leads to fragmented actions and the inability to sustain those actions after the completion of the programs.</p

Mottness on a triangular lattice

We study the physics on the paramagnetic side of the phase diagram of the cobaltates, $Na_{x}CoO_{2}$, with an implementation of cellular dynamical mean field theory (CDMFT) with the non-crossing approximation (NCA) for the one-band Hubbard model on a triangular lattice. At low doping we find that the low energy physics is dominated by a quasi-dispersionless band. At half-filling, we find a metal-insulator transition at $U_{c}=5.6\pm0.15t$ which depends weakly on the cluster size. The onset of the metallic state occurs through the growth of a coherence peak at the chemical potential. Away from half filling, in the electron-doped regime, the system is metallic with a large, continuous Fermi surface as seen experimentally. Upon hole doping, a quasi non-dispersing band emerges at the top of the lower Hubbard band and controls the low-energy physics. This band is a clear signature of non-Fermi liquid behavior and cannot be captured by any weakly coupled approach. This quasi non-dispersive band, which persists in a certain range of dopings, has been observed experimentally. We also investigate the pseudogap phenomenon in the context of a triangular lattice and we propose a new framework for discussing the pseudogap phenomena in general. This framework involves a momentum-dependent characterization of the low-energy physics and links the appearance of the pseudogap to a reconstruction of the Fermi surface without invoking any long range order or symmetry breaking. Within this framework we predict the existence of a pseudogap for the two dimensional Hubbard model on a triangular lattice in the weakly hole-doped regime.Comment: 14 pages, 21 figure

Breakdown of Strong-Coupling Perturbation Theory in Doped Mott Insulators

We show that doped Mott insulators, such as the copper-oxide superconductors, are asymptotically slaved in that the quasiparticle weight, $Z$, near half-filling depends critically on the existence of the high energy scale set by the upper Hubbard band. In particular, near half filling, the following dichotomy arises: $Z\ne 0$ when the high energy scale is integrated out but Z=0 in the thermodynamic limit when it is retained. Slavery to the high energy scale arises from quantum interference between electronic excitations across the Mott gap. Broad spectral features seen in photoemission in the normal state of the cuprates are argued to arise from high energy slavery.Comment: Published versio

Alternative uses for co-products: Harnessing the potential of valuable compounds from meat processing chains

peer-reviewedOpportunities for exploiting the inherent value of protein-rich meat processing co-products, in the context of increased global demand for protein and for sustainable processing systems, are discussed. While direct consumption maybe the most profitable route for some, this approach is influenced greatly by local and cultural traditions. A more profitable and sustainable approach may be found in recognizing this readily available and under-utilised resource can provide high value components, such as proteins, with targeted high value functionality of relevance to a variety of sectors. Applications in food & beverages, petfood biomedical and nutrition arenas are discussed. Utilization of the raw material in its entirety is a necessary underlying principle in this approach to help maintain minimum waste generation. Understanding consumer attitudes to these products, in particular when used in food or beverage systems, is critical in optimizing commercialization strategies.This work forms part of the ReValueProtein Research Project (Grant Award No. 11/F/043) which is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) both funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2007–2013.Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marin