Zero-temperature phase diagram of the second layer of 4^{\bf 4}He adsorbed on graphene

The phase diagram at zero temperature of $^4$He adsorbed on an helium incommensurate triangular solid on top of a single graphene sheet has been obtained using the diffusion Monte Carlo method. We have found that, in accordance with previous experimental and simulation results for graphite, the ground state of $^4$He on this setup is a liquid that, upon compression, transforms into a triangular solid. To define the stability limits of both liquid and solid phases, we considered not only the adsorption energies of the atoms located on the second layer but the average energy of the atoms in both layers. Our results show that the lower density limit for a stable liquid in the second layer is 0.163 $\pm$ 0.005 \AA$^{-2}$ and that the lower limit for the existence of an incommensurate solid on the second layer is 0.186 $\pm$ 0.003 \AA$^{-2}$. Both values are in overall agreement with the results of torsional oscillator experiments and heat capacity measurements on graphite. The 4/7 and 7/12 registered solids are found to be metastable with respect to triangular incommensurate arrangements of the same density.Comment: 7 pages, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

4He adsorbed outside a single carbon nanotube

The phase diagrams of $^4$He adsorbed on the external surfaces of single armchair carbon nanotubes with radii in the range 3.42 -- 10.85 \AA \ are calculated using the diffusion Monte Carlo method. For nanotubes narrower than a (10,10) one, the ground state is an incommensurate solid similar to the one found for H$_2$ on the same substrates. For wider nanotubes, the phase with the minimum energy per particle is a liquid layer. Curved $\sqrt 3 \times \sqrt 3$ registered solids similar to the ones found on graphene and graphite were unstable for all the tubes considered.Comment: 6 pages, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Liquid and solid phases of 3He on graphite

Recent heat-capacity experiments show quite unambiguously the existence of a liquid $^3$He phase adsorbed on graphite. This liquid is stable at an extremely low density, possibly one of the lowest found in Nature. Previous theoretical calculations of the same system, and in strictly two dimensions, agree with the result that this liquid phase is not stable and the system is in the gas phase. We calculated the phase diagram of normal $^3$He adsorbed on graphite at $T=0$ using quantum Monte Carlo methods. Considering a fully corrugated substrate we observe that at densities lower that 0.006 \AA$^{-2}$ the system is a very dilute gas, that at that density is in equilibrium with a liquid of density 0.014 \AA$^{-2}$. Our prediction matches very well the recent experimental findings on the same system. On the contrary, when a flat substrate is considered, no gas-liquid coexistence is found, in agreement with previous calculations. We also report results on the different solid structures, and the corresponding phase transitions that appear at higher densities.Comment: 5 page

Catalysts for regional development: putting territorial coordination in practice

Lack of coordination among agencies at project level and scarce promotion of contracts at micro-scale are critical gaps widely spread in many Latin American regions. We discuss some specific and feasible mechanisms, namely: (i) alliances for rural development and (ii) contract promoters; that may play a catalytic role to deal with the mentioned problems. Based on a continuous improving integral strategy and an effective operative framework, these alliances would be prone to unveil areas for interventions and to channel them into the pipelines of the ministries, financing agencies or private investor initiatives. These alliances can assist in solving tradeoffs between enough economies of scale for enhancing capabilities and sufficient local knowledge. Also, they might reduce capture problems. Contract promoters on the other hand, can be viewed as facilitators for startup businesses. They evolve as enterprise incubators, with expertise for rural areas, projects and marketing; combined with a vision for development. Both catalysts have a synergetic effect for coordinating regional development and should be prominent in rural modernization agendas.Rural development, Catalyst, Experimental, Promoter, Local Governance, Applied Political Economy