2,261 research outputs found
On quantum mechanics with a magnetic field on R^n and on a torus T^n, and their relation
We show in elementary terms the equivalence in a general gauge of a
U(1)-gauge theory of a scalar charged particle on a torus T^n = R^n/L to the
analogous theory on R^n constrained by quasiperiodicity under translations in
the lattice L. The latter theory provides a global description of the former:
the quasiperiodic wavefunctions defined on R^n play the role of sections of the
associated hermitean line bundle E on T^n, since also E admits a global
description as a quotient. The components of the covariant derivatives
corresponding to a constant (necessarily integral) magnetic field B = dA
generate a Lie algebra g_Q and together with the periodic functions the algebra
of observables O_Q . The non-abelian part of g_Q is a Heisenberg Lie algebra
with the electric charge operator Q as the central generator; the corresponding
Lie group G_Q acts on the Hilbert space as the translation group up to phase
factors. Also the space of sections of E is mapped into itself by g in G_Q . We
identify the socalled magnetic translation group as a subgroup of the
observables' group Y_Q . We determine the unitary irreducible representations
of O_Q, Y_Q corresponding to integer charges and for each of them an associated
orthonormal basis explicitly in configuration space. We also clarify how in the
n = 2m case a holomorphic structure and Theta functions arise on the associated
complex torus. These results apply equally well to the physics of charged
scalar particles on R^n and on T^n in the presence of periodic magnetic field B
and scalar potential. They are also necessary preliminary steps for the
application to these theories of the deformation procedure induced by Drinfel'd
twists.Comment: Latex2e file, 22 pages. Final version appeared in IJT
A cloud model simulation of space shuttle exhaust clouds in different atmospheric conditions
A three-dimensional cloud model was used to characterize the dominant influence of the environment on the Space Shuttle exhaust cloud. The model was modified to accept the actual heat and moisture from rocket exhausts and deluge water as initial conditions. An upper-air sounding determined the ambient atmosphere in which the cloud could grow. The model was validated by comparing simulated clouds with observed clouds from four actual Shuttle launches. The model successfully produced clouds with dimensions, rise, decay, liquid water contents and vertical motion fields very similar to observed clouds whose dimensions were calculated from 16 mm film frames. Once validated, the model was used in a number of different atmospheric conditions ranging from very unstable to very stable. In moist, unstable atmospheres simulated clouds rose to about 3.5 km in the first 4 to 8 minutes then decayed. Liquid water contents ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 g kg-1 mixing ratios and vertical motions were from 2 to 10 ms-1. An inversion served both to reduce entrainment (and erosion) at the top and to prevent continued cloud rise. Even in the most unstable atmospheres, the ground cloud did not rise beyond 4 km and in stable atmospheres with strong low level inversions the cloud could be trapped below 500 m. Wind shear strongly affected the appearance of both the ground cloud and vertical column cloud. The ambient low-level atmospheric moisture governed the amount of cloud water in model clouds. Some dry atmospheres produced little or no cloud water. One case of a simulated TITAN rocket explosion is also discussed
von Neumann Lattices in Finite Dimensions Hilbert Spaces
The prime number decomposition of a finite dimensional Hilbert space reflects
itself in the representations that the space accommodates. The representations
appear in conjugate pairs for factorization to two relative prime factors which
can be viewed as two distinct degrees freedom. These, Schwinger's quantum
degrees of freedom, are uniquely related to a von Neumann lattices in the phase
space that characterizes the Hilbert space and specifies the simultaneous
definitions of both (modular) positions and (modular) momenta. The area in
phase space for each quantum state in each of these quantum degrees of freedom,
is shown to be exactly , Planck's constant.Comment: 16 page
Wave-packet dynamics in slowly perturbed crystals: Gradient corrections and Berry-phase effects
We present a unified theory for wave-packet dynamics of electrons in crystals
subject to perturbations varying slowly in space and time. We derive the
wave-packet energy up to the first order gradient correction and obtain all
kinds of Berry-phase terms for the semiclassical dynamics and the quantization
rule. For electromagnetic perturbations, we recover the orbital magnetization
energy and the anomalous velocity purely within a single-band picture without
invoking inter-band couplings. For deformations in crystals, besides a
deformation potential, we obtain a Berry-phase term in the Lagrangian due to
lattice tracking, which gives rise to new terms in the expressions for the
wave-packet velocity and the semiclassical force. For multiple-valued
displacement fields surrounding dislocations, this term manifests as a Berry
phase, which we show to be proportional to the Burgers vector around each
dislocation.Comment: 12 pages, RevTe
Factorizations and Physical Representations
A Hilbert space in M dimensions is shown explicitly to accommodate
representations that reflect the prime numbers decomposition of M.
Representations that exhibit the factorization of M into two relatively prime
numbers: the kq representation (J. Zak, Phys. Today, {\bf 23} (2), 51 (1970)),
and related representations termed representations (together with
their conjugates) are analysed, as well as a representation that exhibits the
complete factorization of M. In this latter representation each quantum number
varies in a subspace that is associated with one of the prime numbers that make
up M
Quantum Hall effect in a p-type heterojunction with a lateral surface quantum dot superlattice
The quantization of Hall conductance in a p-type heterojunction with lateral
surface quantum dot superlattice is investigated. The topological properties of
the four-component hole wavefunction are studied both in r- and k-spaces. New
method of calculation of the Hall conductance in a 2D hole gas described by the
Luttinger Hamiltonian and affected by lateral periodic potential is proposed,
based on the investigation of four-component wavefunction singularities in
k-space. The deviations from the quantization rules for Hofstadter "butterfly"
for electrons are found, and the explanation of this effect is proposed. For
the case of strong periodic potential the mixing of magnetic subbands is taken
into account, and the exchange of the Chern numbers between magnetic subands is
discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures; reported at the 15th Int. Conf. on High Magnetic
Fields in Semicond. Phys. (Oxford, UK, 2002
Surfaces containing a family of plane curves not forming a fibration
We complete the classification of smooth surfaces swept out by a
1-dimensional family of plane curves that do not form a fibration. As a
consequence, we characterize manifolds swept out by a 1-dimensional family of
hypersurfaces that do not form a fibration.Comment: Author's post-print, final version published online in Collect. Mat
Order parameter symmetry in ferromagnetic superconductors
We analyze the symmetry and the nodal structure of the superconducting order
parameter in a cubic ferromagnet, such as ZrZn. We demonstrate how the
order parameter symmetry evolves when the electromagnetic interaction of the
conduction electrons with the internal magnetic induction and the spin-orbit
coupling are taken into account. These interactions break the cubic symmetry
and lift the degeneracy of the order parameter. It is shown that the order
parameter which appears immediately below the critical temperature has two
components, and its symmetry is described by {\em co-representations} of the
magnetic point groups. This allows us to make predictions about the location of
the gap nodes.Comment: 12 pages, ReVTeX, submitted to PR
Berry phase, hyperorbits, and the Hofstadter spectrum: semiclassical dynamics in magnetic Bloch bands
We have derived a new set of semiclassical equations for electrons in
magnetic Bloch bands. The velocity and energy of magnetic Bloch electrons are
found to be modified by the Berry phase and magnetization. This semiclassical
approach is used to study general electron transport in a DC or AC electric
field. We also find a close connection between the cyclotron orbits in magnetic
Bloch bands and the energy subbands in the Hofstadter spectrum. Based on this
formalism, the pattern of band splitting, the distribution of Hall conduct-
ivities, and the positions of energy subbands in the Hofstadter spectrum can be
understood in a simple and unified picture.Comment: 26 pages, Revtex, 6 figures included, submitted to Phys.Rev.
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