Phase Diagram of the Attractive Hubbard Model with Inhomogeneous Interactions

The phase diagram of the attractive Hubbard model with spatially inhomogeneous interactions is obtained using a single site dynamical mean field theory like approach. The model is characterized by three parameters: the interaction strength, the active fraction (fraction of sites with the attractive interaction), and electron filling. The calculations indicate that in a parameter regime with intermediate values of interaction strength (compared to the bare bandwidth of the electrons), and intermediate values of the active fraction, "non-BCS" superconductivity is obtained. The results of this work are likely to be relevant to many systems with spatially inhomogeneous superconductivity such as strongly correlated oxides, systems with negative U centers, and, in future, cold atom optical lattices.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, to appear in Physical Review

The complex Sine-Gordon equation as a symmetry flow of the AKNS Hierarchy

It is shown how the complex sine-Gordon equation arises as a symmetry flow of the AKNS hierarchy. The AKNS hierarchy is extended by the ``negative'' symmetry flows forming the Borel loop algebra. The complex sine-Gordon and the vector Nonlinear Schrodinger equations appear as lowest negative and second positive flows within the extended hierarchy. This is fully analogous to the well-known connection between the sine-Gordon and mKdV equations within the extended mKdV hierarchy. A general formalism for a Toda-like symmetry occupying the ``negative'' sector of sl(N) constrained KP hierarchy and giving rise to the negative Borel sl(N) loop algebra is indicated.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, typos corrected, references update

An Efficient Local Search for Partial Latin Square Extension Problem

A partial Latin square (PLS) is a partial assignment of n symbols to an nxn grid such that, in each row and in each column, each symbol appears at most once. The partial Latin square extension problem is an NP-hard problem that asks for a largest extension of a given PLS. In this paper we propose an efficient local search for this problem. We focus on the local search such that the neighborhood is defined by (p,q)-swap, i.e., removing exactly p symbols and then assigning symbols to at most q empty cells. For p in {1,2,3}, our neighborhood search algorithm finds an improved solution or concludes that no such solution exists in O(n^{p+1}) time. We also propose a novel swap operation, Trellis-swap, which is a generalization of (1,q)-swap and (2,q)-swap. Our Trellis-neighborhood search algorithm takes O(n^{3.5}) time to do the same thing. Using these neighborhood search algorithms, we design a prototype iterated local search algorithm and show its effectiveness in comparison with state-of-the-art optimization solvers such as IBM ILOG CPLEX and LocalSolver.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure

Quantum Rod Emission Coupled to Plasmonic Lattice Resonances: A Collective Directional Source of Polarized Light

We demonstrate that an array of optical antennas may render a thin layer of randomly oriented semiconductor nanocrystals into an enhanced and highly directional source of polarized light. The array sustains collective plasmonic lattice resonances which are in spectral overlap with the emission of the nanocrystals over narrow angular regions. Consequently, different photon energies of visible light are enhanced and beamed into definite directions.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Topological Superconductor from the Quantum Hall Phase: Effective Field Theory Description

We derive low-energy effective field theories for the quantum anomalous Hall and topological superconducting phases. The quantum Hall phase is realized in terms of free fermions with nonrelativistic dispersion relation, possessing a global $U(1)$ symmetry. We couple this symmetry with a background gauge field and compute the effective action by integrating out the gapped fermions. In spite of the fact that the corresponding Dirac operator governing the dynamics of the original fermions is nonrelativistic, the leading contribution in the effective action is a usual Abelian $U(1)$ Chern-Simons term. The proximity to a conventional superconductor induces a pairing potential in the quantum Hall state, favoring the formation of Cooper pairs. When the pairing is strong enough, it drives the system to a topological superconducting phase, hosting Majorana fermions. Even though the continuum $U(1)$ symmetry is broken down to a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ one, we can forge fictitious $U(1)$ symmetries that enable us to derive the effective action for the topological superconducting phase, also given by a Chern-Simons theory. To eliminate spurious states coming from the artificial symmetry enlargement, we demand that the fields in the effective action are $O(2)$ instead of $U(1)$ gauge fields. In the $O(2)$ case we have to sum over the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ bundles in the partition function, which projects out the states that are not $\mathbb{Z}_2$ invariants. The corresponding edge theory is the $U(1)/\mathbb{Z}_2$ orbifold, which contains Majorana fermions in its operator content.Comment: 40 pages, 5 figures, journal versio

Agent-based homeostatic control for green energy in the smart grid

With dwindling non-renewable energy reserves and the adverse effects of climate change, the development of the smart electricity grid is seen as key to solving global energy security issues and to reducing carbon emissions. In this respect, there is a growing need to integrate renewable (or green) energy sources in the grid. However, the intermittency of these energy sources requires that demand must also be made more responsive to changes in supply, and a number of smart grid technologies are being developed, such as high-capacity batteries and smart meters for the home, to enable consumers to be more responsive to conditions on the grid in real-time. Traditional solutions based on these technologies, however, tend to ignore the fact that individual consumers will behave in such a way that best satisfies their own preferences to use or store energy (as opposed to that of the supplier or the grid operator). Hence, in practice, it is unclear how these solutions will cope with large numbers of consumers using their devices in this way. Against this background, in this paper, we develop novel control mechanisms based on the use of autonomous agents to better incorporate consumer preferences in managing demand. These agents, residing on consumers' smart meters, can both communicate with the grid and optimise their owner's energy consumption to satisfy their preferences. More specifically, we provide a novel control mechanism that models and controls a system comprising of a green energy supplier operating within the grid and a number of individual homes (each possibly owning a storage device). This control mechanism is based on the concept of homeostasis whereby control signals are sent to individual components of a system, based on their continuous feedback, in order to change their state so that the system may reach a stable equilibrium. Thus, we define a new carbon-based pricing mechanism for this green energy supplier that takes advantage of carbon-intensity signals available on the internet in order to provide real-time pricing. The pricing scheme is designed in such a way that it can be readily implemented using existing communication technologies and is easily understandable by consumers. Building upon this, we develop new control signals that the supplier can use to incentivise agents to shift demand (using their storage device) to times when green energy is available. Moreover, we show how these signals can be adapted according to changes in supply and to various degrees of penetration of storage in the system. We empirically evaluate our system and show that, when all homes are equipped with storage devices, the supplier can significantly reduce its reliance on other carbon-emitting power sources to cater for its own shortfalls. By so doing, the supplier reduces the carbon emission of the system by up to 25% while the consumer reduces its costs by up to 14.5%. Finally, we demonstrate that our homeostatic control mechanism is not sensitive to small prediction errors and the supplier is incentivised to accurately predict its green production to minimise costs

Quebra de dormência de sementes de pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm.).

O fruto do pequizeiro possui grande aceitação na culinária regional, sendo consumido com arroz, frango, feijão, podendo ser usado também na fabricação de licor, sorvetes e picolés (VERA, 2004). Contudo, sua exploração ocorre de forma totalmente extrativista (OLIVEIRA, 2009), tornando esta atividade de grande importância socioeconômica, gerando renda e emprego à população do cerrado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar tratamentos de quebra de dormência de sementes de pequi