Attractor Metadynamics in Adapting Neural Networks

Slow adaption processes, like synaptic and intrinsic plasticity, abound in the brain and shape the landscape for the neural dynamics occurring on substantially faster timescales. At any given time the network is characterized by a set of internal parameters, which are adapting continuously, albeit slowly. This set of parameters defines the number and the location of the respective adiabatic attractors. The slow evolution of network parameters hence induces an evolving attractor landscape, a process which we term attractor metadynamics. We study the nature of the metadynamics of the attractor landscape for several continuous-time autonomous model networks. We find both first- and second-order changes in the location of adiabatic attractors and argue that the study of the continuously evolving attractor landscape constitutes a powerful tool for understanding the overall development of the neural dynamics

Stability of Inhomogeneous Superstructures from Renormalized Mean-field Theory of the t--J Model

Using the t--J model (which can also include Coulomb repulsion) and the ``plain vanilla'' renormalized mean-field theory of Zhang et al. (1988), stability of inhomogeneous 4a x 4a superstructures as those observed in cuprates superconductors around hole doping 1/8 is investigated. We find a non-uniform 4a x 4a bond order wave involving simultaneously small (~ 10^-2 t) inhomogeneous staggered plaquette currents as well as a small charge density modulation similar to pair density wave order. On the other hand, no supersolid phase involving a decoupling in the superconducting particle-particle channel is found.Comment: 4 page

Quantum antiferromagnetism and high TCT_C superconductivity: a close connection between the t-J model and the projected BCS Hamiltonian

A connection between quantum antiferromagnetism and high $T_C$ superconductivity is theoretically investigated by analyzing the t-J model and its relationships to the Gutzwiller-projected BCS Hamiltonian. After numerical corroboration via exact diagonalization, it is analytically shown that the ground state of the t-J model at half filling (i.e., the 2D antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model) is entirely equivalent to the ground state of the Gutzwiller-projected BCS Hamiltonian with strong pairing. Combined with the high wavefunction overlap between the ground states of the t-J model and the projected BCS Hamiltonian at moderate doping, this equivalence provides strong support for the existence of superconductivity in the t-J model. The relationship between the ground state of the projected BCS Hamiltonian and Anderson's resonating valence bond state (i.e., the projected BCS ground state) is discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, the final version published in Phys. Rev.

Ultra low energy results and their impact to dark matter and low energy neutrino physics

We present ultra low energy results taken with the novel Spherical Proportional Counter. The energy threshold has been pushed down to about 25 eV and single electrons are clearly collected and detected. To reach such performance low energy calibration systems have been successfully developed: - A pulsed UV lamp extracting photoelectrons from the inner surface of the detector - Various radioactive sources allowing low energy peaks through fluorescence processes. The bench mark result is the observation of a well resolved peak at 270 eV due to carbon fluorescence which is unique performance for such large-massive detector. It opens a new window in dark matter and low energy neutrino search and may allow detection of neutrinos from a nuclear reactor or from supernova via neutrino-nucleus elastic scatteringComment: 14 pages,16 figure

Projected Wavefunctions and High Temperature Superconductivity

We study the Hubbard model with parameters relevant to the cuprates, using variational Monte Carlo with projected d-wave states. For doping 0 < x < 0.35 we obtain a superconductor whose order parameter tracks the observed nonmonotonic Tc(x). The variational parameter Delta_{var}(x) scales with the (pi,0) ``hump'' and T* seen in photoemission. Projection leads to incoherence in the spectral function, and from the singular behavior of its moments we obtain the nodal quasiparticle weight Z which vanishes linearly in x, though the Fermi velocity remains finite as x approaches zero. The Drude weight D_{low} and superfluid density are consistent with experiments, and D_{low} scales with Z.Comment: 4 pages, 5 EPS figures. (1) Many improvements including discussion of n(k) and superfluid density. (2) Added comparison with slave boson mean field theory. (3) Added new reference

Neutron spectroscopy with the Spherical Proportional Counter

A novel large volume spherical proportional counter, recently developed, is used for neutron measurements. Gas mixtures of $N_{2}$ with $C_{2}H_{6}$ and pure $N_{2}$ are studied for thermal and fast neutron detection, providing a new way for the neutron spectroscopy. The neutrons are detected via the ${}^{14}N(n, p)C^{14}$ and ${}^{14}N(n, \alpha)B^{11}$ reactions. Here we provide studies of the optimum gas mixture, the gas pressure and the most appropriate high voltage supply on the sensor of the detector in order to achieve the maximum amplification and better resolution. The detector is tested for thermal and fast neutrons detection with a ${}^{252}Cf$ and a ${}^{241}Am-{}^{9}Be$ neutron source. The atmospheric neutrons are successfully measured from thermal up to several MeV, well separated from the cosmic ray background. A comparison of the spherical proportional counter with the current available neutron counters is also given.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure

Ordering in Two-Dimensional Ising Models with Competing Interactions

We study the 2D Ising model on a square lattice with additional non-equal diagonal next-nearest neighbor interactions. The cases of classical and quantum (transverse) models are considered. Possible phases and their locations in the space of three Ising couplings are analyzed. In particular, incommensurate phases occurring only at non-equal diagonal couplings, are predicted. We also analyze a spin-pseudospin model comprised of the quantum Ising model coupled to XY spin chains in a particular region of interactions, corresponding to the Ising sector's super-antiferromagnetic (SAF) ground state. The spin-SAF transition in the coupled Ising-XY model into a phase with co-existent SAF Ising (pseudospin) long-range order and a spin gap is considered. Along with destruction of the quantum critical point of the Ising sector, the phase digram of the Ising-XY model can also demonstrate a re-entrance of the spin-SAF phase. A detailed study of the latter is presented. The mechanism of the re-entrance, due to interplay of interactions in the coupled model, and the conditions of its appearance are established. Applications of the spin-SAF theory for the transition in the quarter-filled ladder compound NaV2O5 are discussed.Comment: Minor revisions and refs. added; published version of the invited paper in a special issue of "Low Temp. Physics

Gossamer Superconductor, Mott Insulator, and Resonating Valence Bond State in Correlated Electron Systems

Gutzwiller variational method is applied to an effective two-dimensional Hubbard model to examine the recently proposed gossamer superconductor by Laughlin. The ground state at half filled electron density is a gossamer superconductor for smaller intra-site Coulomb repulsion U and a Mott insulator for larger U. The gossamer superconducting state is similar to the resonant valence bond superconducting state, except that the chemical potential is approximately pinned at the mid of the two Hubbard bands away from the half filled