2,349 research outputs found
Relaxation of Surface Profiles by Evaporation Dynamics
We present simulations of the relaxation towards equilibrium of one
dimensional steps and sinusoidal grooves imprinted on a surface below its
roughening transition. We use a generalization of the hypercube stacking model
of Forrest and Tang, that allows for temperature dependent
next-nearest-neighbor interactions. For the step geometry the results at T=0
agree well with the t^(1/4) prediction of continuum theory for the spreading of
the step. In the case of periodic profiles we modify the mobility for the tips
of the profile and find the approximate solution of the resulting free boundary
problem to be in reasonable agreement with the T=0 simulations.Comment: 6 pages, Revtex, 5 Postscript figures, to appear in PRB 15, October
199
Topological Constraints at the Theta Point: Closed Loops at Two Loops
We map the problem of self-avoiding random walks in a Theta solvent with a
chemical potential for writhe to the three-dimensional symmetric
U(N)-Chern-Simons theory as N goes to 0. We find a new scaling regime of
topologically constrained polymers, with critical exponents that depend on the
chemical potential for writhe, which gives way to a fluctuation-induced
first-order transition.Comment: 5 pages, RevTeX, typo
Profile scaling in decay of nanostructures
The flattening of a crystal cone below its roughening transition is studied
by means of a step flow model. Numerical and analytical analyses show that the
height profile, h(r,t), obeys the scaling scenario dh/dr = F(r t^{-1/4}). The
scaling function is flat at radii r<R(t) \sim t^{1/4}. We find a one parameter
family of solutions for the scaling function, and propose a selection criterion
for the unique solution the system reaches.Comment: 4 pages, RevTex, 3 eps figure
Polymer-Based Batteries â Flexible and Thin Energy Storage Systems
Batteries have become an integral part of everyday lifeâfrom small coin cells to batteries for mobile phones, as well as batteries for electric vehicles and an increasing number of stationary energy storage applications. There is a large variety of standardized battery sizes (e.g., the familiar AAâbattery or AAAâbattery). Interestingly, all these battery systems are based on a huge number of different cell chemistries depending on the application and the corresponding requirements. There is not one single battery type fulfilling all demands for all imaginable applications. One battery class that has been gaining significant interest in recent years is polymerâbased batteries. These batteries utilize organic materials as the active parts within the electrodes without utilizing metals (and their compounds) as the redoxâactive materials. Such polymerâbased batteries feature a number of interesting properties, like high power densities and flexible batteries fabrication, among many more
Novel continuum modeling of crystal surface evolution
We propose a novel approach to continuum modeling of the dynamics of crystal
surfaces. Our model follows the evolution of an ensemble of step
configurations, which are consistent with the macroscopic surface profile.
Contrary to the usual approach where the continuum limit is achieved when
typical surface features consist of many steps, our continuum limit is
approached when the number of step configurations of the ensemble is very
large. The model can handle singular surface structures such as corners and
facets. It has a clear computational advantage over discrete models.Comment: 4 pages, 3 postscript figure
Decay of one dimensional surface modulations
The relaxation process of one dimensional surface modulations is re-examined.
Surface evolution is described in terms of a standard step flow model.
Numerical evidence that the surface slope, D(x,t), obeys the scaling ansatz
D(x,t)=alpha(t)F(x) is provided. We use the scaling ansatz to transform the
discrete step model into a continuum model for surface dynamics. The model
consists of differential equations for the functions alpha(t) and F(x). The
solutions of these equations agree with simulation results of the discrete step
model. We identify two types of possible scaling solutions. Solutions of the
first type have facets at the extremum points, while in solutions of the second
type the facets are replaced by cusps. Interactions between steps of opposite
signs determine whether a system is of the first or second type. Finally, we
relate our model to an actual experiment and find good agreement between a
measured AFM snapshot and a solution of our continuum model.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures in 9 eps file
The profile of a decaying crystalline cone
The decay of a crystalline cone below the roughening transition is studied.
We consider local mass transport through surface diffusion, focusing on the two
cases of diffusion limited and attachment-detachment limited step kinetics. In
both cases, we describe the decay kinetics in terms of step flow models.
Numerical simulations of the models indicate that in the attachment-detachment
limited case the system undergoes a step bunching instability if the repulsive
interactions between steps are weak. Such an instability does not occur in the
diffusion limited case. In stable cases the height profile, h(r,t), is flat at
radii r<R(t)\sim t^{1/4}. Outside this flat region the height profile obeys the
scaling scenario \partial h/\partial r = {\cal F}(r t^{-1/4}). A scaling ansatz
for the time-dependent profile of the cone yields analytical values for the
scaling exponents and a differential equation for the scaling function. In the
long time limit this equation provides an exact description of the discrete
step dynamics. It admits a family of solutions and the mechanism responsible
for the selection of a unique scaling function is discussed in detail. Finally
we generalize the model and consider permeable steps by allowing direct adatom
hops between neighboring terraces. We argue that step permeability does not
change the scaling behavior of the system, and its only effect is a
renormalization of some of the parameters.Comment: 25 pages, 18 postscript figure
Quantum lattice dynamical effects on the single-particle excitations in 1D Mott and Peierls insulators
As a generic model describing quasi-one-dimensional Mott and Peierls
insulators, we investigate the Holstein-Hubbard model for half-filled bands
using numerical techniques. Combining Lanczos diagonalization with Chebyshev
moment expansion we calculate exactly the photoemission and inverse
photoemission spectra and use these to establish the phase diagram of the
model. While polaronic features emerge only at strong electron-phonon
couplings, pronounced phonon signatures, such as multi-quanta band states, can
be found in the Mott insulating regime as well. In order to corroborate the
Mott to Peierls transition scenario, we determine the spin and charge
excitation gaps by a finite-size scaling analysis based on density-matrix
renormalization group calculations.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Stoichiometry of C, N, P, and Si fluxes in a temperate-climate embayment
Dissolved C, N, P, and Si budgets for Tomales Bay, California, have been used to solve simultaneous stoichiometric equations which describe a plausible material balance for net organic matter reactions in the bay. Dissolved Si and P were both exported hydrographically. Dissolved C and fixed N were imported hydrographically. If we assume that C, N, P, and Si were supplied to the bay as organic detritus and remineralized at a rate required to balance dissolved Si and P exports, we can calculate reasonable rates of denitrification and CO2 gas evasion across the air-water interface. The system is thus interpreted to have been net heterotrophic at the time of our investigation.Fluxes attributed to individual components in the system (benthic respiration, water-column material turnover, biochemical transformations between fixed and gaseous N) were of sufficient magnitude to account for the system-wide net fluxes, although too noisy to allow piecewise derivation of net system fluxes. Denitrification and limitation of primary production by dissolved fixed N in aquatic ecosystems may be symptoms of other system-scale constraints on net C metabolism, rather than themselves being system-level controls of net C metabolism
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