On the exciton binding energy in a quantum well

We consider a model describing the one-dimensional confinement of an exciton in a symmetrical, rectangular quantum-well structure and derive upper and lower bounds for the binding energy $E_b$ of the exciton. Based on these bounds, we study the dependence of $E_b$ on the width of the confining potential with a higher accuracy than previous reports. For an infinitely deep potential the binding energy varies as expected from $1 Ry$ at large widths to $4 Ry$ at small widths. For a finite potential, but without consideration of a mass mismatch or a dielectric mismatch, we substantiate earlier results that the binding energy approaches the value $1 Ry$ for both small and large widths, having a characteristic peak for some intermediate size of the slab. Taking the mismatch into account, this result will in general no longer be true. For the specific case of a $Ga_{1-x}Al_{x}As/GaAs/Ga_{1-x}Al_{x}As$ quantum-well structure, however, and in contrast to previous findings, the peak structure is shown to survive.Comment: 32 pages, ReVTeX, including 9 figure

Self-consistent approach for the quantum confined Stark effect in shallow quantum wells

A computationally efficient, self-consistent complex scaling approach to calculating characteristics of excitons in an external electric field in quantum wells is introduced. The method allows one to extract the resonance position as well as the field-induced broadening for the exciton resonance. For the case of strong confinement the trial function is represented in factorized form. The corresponding coupled self-consistent equations, which include the effective complex potentials, are obtained. The method is applied to the shallow quantum well. It is shown that in this case the real part of the effective exciton potential is insensitive to changes of external electric field up to the ionization threshold, while the imaginary part has non-analytical field dependence and small for moderate electric fields. This allows one to express the exciton quasi-energy at some field through the renormalized expression for the zero-field bound state.Comment: 13 pages, RevTeX4, 6 figure

Optical Properties of Pentacene and Perfluoropentacene Thin Films

The optical properties of pentacene (PEN) and perfluoropentacene(PFP) thin films on various SiO2 substrates were studied using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. Structural characterization was performed using X-ray reflectivity and atomic force microscopy. A uniaxial model with the optic axis normal to the sample surface was used to analyze the ellipsometry data. A Strong optical anisotropy was observed and enabled the direction of the transition dipole of the absorption bands to be determined. Furthermore, comparison of the optical constants of PEN and PFP thin films with the absorption spectra of the monomers in solution shows significant changes due to the crystalline environment. Relative to the monomer spectrum the HOMO-LUMO transition observed in PEN (PFP) thin film is reduced by 210 meV (280 meV). Surprisingly, a second absorption band in the PFP thin film shows a slight blueshift (40 meV) compared to the spectrum of the monomer with its transition dipole perpendicular to that of the first absorption band.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, submitted to J. Chem. Phy

Axial perturbations of general spherically symmetric spacetimes

The aim of this paper is to present a governing equation for first order axial metric perturbations of general, not necessarily static, spherically symmetric spacetimes. Under the non-restrictive assumption of axisymmetric perturbations, the governing equation is shown to be a two-dimensional wave equation where the wave function serves as a twist potential for the axisymmetry generating Killing vector. This wave equation can be written in a form which is formally a very simple generalization of the Regge-Wheeler equation governing the axial perturbations of a Schwarzschild black hole, but in general the equation is accompanied by a source term related to matter perturbations. The case of a viscous fluid is studied in particular detail.Comment: 16 pages, no figures, minor correction

Monitoring SO2 emission at the Soufriere Hills Volcano: implications for changes in erruptive conditions

FLWINinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Disorder-Induced Resistive Anomaly Near Ferromagnetic Phase Transitions

We show that the resistivity rho(T) of disordered ferromagnets near, and above, the Curie temperature T_c generically exhibits a stronger anomaly than the scaling-based Fisher-Langer prediction. Treating transport beyond the Boltzmann description, we find that within mean-field theory, d\rho/dT exhibits a |T-T_c|^{-1/2} singularity near T_c. Our results, being solely due to impurities, are relevant to ferromagnets with low T_c, such as SrRuO3 or diluted magnetic semiconductors, whose mobility near T_c is limited by disorder.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; V2: with a few clarifications, as publishe

The Stern-Gerlach Experiment Revisited

The Stern-Gerlach-Experiment (SGE) of 1922 is a seminal benchmark experiment of quantum physics providing evidence for several fundamental properties of quantum systems. Based on today's knowledge we illustrate the different benchmark results of the SGE for the development of modern quantum physics and chemistry. The SGE provided the first direct experimental evidence for angular momentum quantization in the quantum world and thus also for the existence of directional quantization of all angular momenta in the process of measurement. It measured for the first time a ground state property of an atom, it produced for the first time a `spin-polarized' atomic beam, it almost revealed the electron spin. The SGE was the first fully successful molecular beam experiment with high momentum-resolution by beam measurements in vacuum. This technique provided a new kinematic microscope with which inner atomic or nuclear properties could be investigated. The original SGE is described together with early attempts by Einstein, Ehrenfest, Heisenberg, and others to understand directional quantization in the SGE. Heisenberg's and Einstein's proposals of an improved multi-stage SGE are presented. The first realization of these proposals by Stern, Phipps, Frisch and Segr\`e is described. The set-up suggested by Einstein can be considered an anticipation of a Rabi-apparatus. Recent theoretical work is mentioned in which the directional quantization process and possible interference effects of the two different spin states are investigated. In full agreement with the results of the new quantum theory directional quantization appears as a general and universal feature of quantum measurements. One experimental example for such directional quantization in scattering processes is shown. Last not least, the early history of the `almost' discovery of the electron spin in the SGE is revisited.Comment: 50pp, 17 fig

The Noncommutative Standard Model and Forbidden Decays

In this contribution we discuss the Noncommutative Standard Model and the associated Standard Model-forbidden decays that can possibly serve as an experimental signature of space-time noncommutativity.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure, Invited talk at 9th Adriatic Meeting and Central European Symposia on Particle Physics and The Universe, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 4-14 Sep 200