68,472 research outputs found
Carbon Nanotubes in Helically Modulated Potentials
We calculate effects of an applied helically symmetric potential on the low
energy electronic spectrum of a carbon nanotube in the continuum approximation.
The spectrum depends on the strength of this potential and on a dimensionless
geometrical parameter, P, which is the ratio of the circumference of the
nanotube to the pitch of the helix. We find that the minimum band gap of a
semiconducting nanotube is reduced by an arbitrarily weak helical potential,
and for a given field strength there is an optimal P which produces the biggest
change in the band gap. For metallic nanotubes the Fermi velocity is reduced by
this potential and for strong fields two small gaps appear at the Fermi surface
in addition to the gapless Dirac point. A simple model is developed to estimate
the magnitude of the field strength and its effect on DNA-CNT complexes in an
aqueous solution. We find that under typical experimental conditions the
predicted effects of a helical potential are likely to be small and we discuss
several methods for increasing the size of these effects.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review B.
Image quality reduced to comply with arxiv size limitation
Dicke-like quantum phase transition and vacuum entanglement with two coupled atomic ensembles
We study the coherent cooperative phenomena of the system composed of two
interacting atomic ensembles in the thermodynamic limit. Remarkably, the system
exhibits the Dicke-like quantum phase transition and entanglement behavior
although the governing Hamiltonian is fundamentally different from the
spin-boson Dicke Hamiltonian, offering the opportunity for investigating
collective matter-light dynamics with pure matter waves. The model can be
realized with two Bose-Einstein condensates or atomic ensembles trapped in two
optical cavities coupled to each other. The interaction between the two
separate samples is induced by virtual photon exchange
The J1-J2 model: First order phase transition versus deconfinement of spinons
We revisit the phase transition from the N\'eel ordered to a valence bond
solid (VBS) state in the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic Heisenberg
model. In the first part we address the question whether or not this transition
could be an example of a second order phase transition due to a deconfinement
of spinons. We give arguments based on series expansion and spin-wave theory
that this is not the case and the transition is most likely first order. The
method proposed here to detect first order phase transitions seems to be very
sensitive and might be useful in other models as well. In the second part we
analyze possible VBS patterns in the magnetically disordered phase based on
numerical data for different susceptibilities, obtained in the ordered phase,
which test the breaking of lattice symmetries. We conclude that a columnar
dimerization pattern is the most likely candidate.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, small changes, references adde
Cosmic clocks: A Tight Radius - Velocity Relationship for HI-Selected Galaxies
HI-Selected galaxies obey a linear relationship between their maximum
detected radius Rmax and rotational velocity. This result covers measurements
in the optical, ultraviolet, and HI emission in galaxies spanning a factor of
30 in size and velocity, from small dwarf irregulars to the largest spirals.
Hence, galaxies behave as clocks, rotating once a Gyr at the very outskirts of
their discs. Observations of a large optically-selected sample are consistent,
implying this relationship is generic to disc galaxies in the low redshift
Universe. A linear RV relationship is expected from simple models of galaxy
formation and evolution. The total mass within Rmax has collapsed by a factor
of 37 compared to the present mean density of the Universe. Adopting standard
assumptions we find a mean halo spin parameter lambda in the range 0.020 to
0.035. The dispersion in lambda, 0.16 dex, is smaller than expected from
simulations. This may be due to the biases in our selection of disc galaxies
rather than all halos. The estimated mass densities of stars and atomic gas at
Rmax are similar (~0.5 Msun/pc^2) indicating outer discs are highly evolved.
The gas consumption and stellar population build time-scales are hundreds of
Gyr, hence star formation is not driving the current evolution of outer discs.
The estimated ratio between Rmax and disc scale length is consistent with
long-standing predictions from monolithic collapse models. Hence, it remains
unclear whether disc extent results from continual accretion, a rapid initial
collapse, secular evolution or a combination thereof.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, 3 in colour. Published in MNRAS. This v2
corrects wrong journal in the references section (all instances of
"Astrophysics and Space Sciences" should have been ApJ). The Posti+2017 has
also been updated. An erratum has been submitted to MNRA
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