Diagnosing order by disorder in quantum spin systems

In this paper we study the frustrated J1-J2 quantum Heisenberg model on the square lattice for J2 > 2J1, in a magnetic field. In this regime the classical system is known to have a degenerate manifold of lowest energy configurations, where standard thermal order by disorder occurs. In order to study its quantum version we use a path integral formulation in terms of coherent states. We show that the classical degeneracy in the plane transverse to the magnetic field is lifted by quantum fluctuations. Collinear states are then selected, in a similar pattern to that set by thermal order by disorder, leaving a Z2 degeneracy. A careful analysis reveals a purely quantum mechanical effect given by the tunneling between the two minima selected by fluctuations. The effective description contains two planar (XY -like) fields conjugate to the total magnetization and the difference of the two sublattice magnetizations. Disorder in either or both of these fields produces the locking of their conjugate observables. Furthermore, within this scenario we argue that the quantum state is close to a product state.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

Statistical transmutation in doped quantum dimer models

We prove a "statistical transmutation" symmetry of doped quantum dimer models on the square, triangular and kagome lattices: the energy spectrum is invariant under a simultaneous change of statistics (i.e. bosonic into fermionic or vice-versa) of the holes and of the signs of all the dimer resonance loops. This exact transformation enables to define duality equivalence between doped quantum dimer Hamiltonians, and provides the analytic framework to analyze dynamical statistical transmutations. We investigate numerically the doping of the triangular quantum dimer model, with special focus on the topological Z2 dimer liquid. Doping leads to four (instead of two for the square lattice) inequivalent families of Hamiltonians. Competition between phase separation, superfluidity, supersolidity and fermionic phases is investigated in the four families.Comment: 3 figure

Daylight operation of a free space, entanglement-based quantum key distribution system

Many quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations using a free space transmission path are restricted to operation at night time in order to distinguish the signal photons used for a secure key establishment from background light. Here, we present a lean entanglement-based QKD system overcoming that imitation. By implementing spectral, spatial and temporal filtering techniques, we were able to establish a secure key continuously over several days under varying light and weather conditions.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Temporal characterization of individual harmonics of an attosecond pulse train by THz streaking

We report on the global temporal pulse characteristics of individual harmonics in an attosecond pulse train by means of photo-electron streaking in a strong low-frequency transient. The scheme allows direct retrieval of pulse durations and first order chirp of individual harmonics without the need of temporal scanning. The measurements were performed using an intense THz field generated by tilted phase front technique in LiNbO_3 . Pulse properties for harmonics of order 23, 25 and 27 show that the individual pulse durations and linear chirp are decreasing by the harmonic order

Experimental quantum key distribution based on a Bell test

We report on a complete free-space field implementation of a modified Ekert91 protocol for quantum key distribution using entangled photon pairs. For each photon pair we perform a random choice between key generation and a Bell inequality. The amount of violation is used to determine the possible knowledge of an eavesdropper to ensure security of the distributed final key.Comment: 5 pages ReVTeX, 3 figures; version v2 with updated references and minor corrections, author spelling fixe

Construction and evaluation of classifiers for forensic document analysis

In this study we illustrate a statistical approach to questioned document examination. Specifically, we consider the construction of three classifiers that predict the writer of a sample document based on categorical data. To evaluate these classifiers, we use a data set with a large number of writers and a small number of writing samples per writer. Since the resulting classifiers were found to have near perfect accuracy using leave-one-out cross-validation, we propose a novel Bayesian-based cross-validation method for evaluating the classifiers.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/10-AOAS379 the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Coastal bathymetry estimation using an ensemble of synthetic aperture radar images from Sentinel-1

In this study, coastal bathymetry is estimated with a wave ray-tracing algorithm using wave parameters retrieved from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired by the Sentinel-1 satellites. The method relies on the long swell wave’s detection by SAR imagery and the wave’s properties adjustment to the underwater topography, which can be mathematically related using the linear dispersion relation. The ray-tracing algorithm tracks the shoaling waves until the wave breaking zone, using the wavelength and wave direction retrieved from the 2D directional spectra applied at consecutive sub-images. Then, by inverting the linear wave dispersion relationship, the depth is calculated based on the mean wavelength obtained for each sub-image and maintaining the wave period retrieved at the first offshore position, which is computed using a mean depth from an independent bathymetric source. The output of the algorithm is a bathymetric model that results from the interpolation of the depth computed at each tracking position to a uniform grid and the results are compared with bathymetric information from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean. The use of a monthly ensemble of SAR images, instead of individual ones, to reproduce the bathymetry near Aveiro, Portugal, resulted in a smoother topography with lower relative errors, suggesting that the final bathymetric model retrieved from SAR should result from a combination of SAR images. The methodology presented here to infer the bathymetry using space-borne SAR imagery can be useful to retrieve the mean bottom topography (especially in remote areas where the traditional hydrographic surveying methods are not performed regularly) and to reproduce new underwater structures, such as banks, reefs or bars, which are important to detect for the safety of navigation.Peer Reviewe

SOLAR SOFTWARE APPLIED TO DESIGN A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM TO SUPPLY THE ENERGY DEMAND OF AN ITALIAN SCHOOL

This paper has as objective to describe the use of SOLAR 1.1 software todesign a system for supplying a part of the electric demand of a schoolsituated in Umbertide, comparing the use o SOLAR 1.1 to real results of asystem implanted yet. This software version helps also to conduce theeconomic analysis for grid connected or standalone photovoltaic systemsfor the choice of convenient values of investment rate and annuity factorand it calculates the payback period of investment in the photovoltaic plant

Current jumps in flat-band ladders with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions

Localized magnons states, due to flat bands in the spectrum, is an intensely studied phenomenon and can be found in many frustrated magnets of different spatial dimensionality. The presence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interactions may change radically the behavior in such systems. In this context, we study a paradigmatic example of a one-dimensional frustrated antiferromagnet, the sawtooth chain in the presence of DM interactions. Using both path integrals methods and numerical Density Matrix Renormalization Group, we revisit the physics of localized magnons and determine the consequences of the DM interaction on the ground state. We have studied the spin current behavior, finding three different regimes. First, a Luttinger-liquid regime where the spin current shows a step behavior as a function of parameter D, at a low magnetic field. Increasing the magnetic field, the system is in the Meissner phase at the m = 1/2 plateau, where the spin current is proportional to the DM parameter. Finally, further increasing the magnetic field and for finite D there is a small stiffness regime where the spin current shows, at fixed magnetization, a jump to large values at D = 0, a phenomenon also due to the flat band.Fil: Acevedo, Santiago Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pujol, P.. Université Paul Sabatier; Francia. Université de Toulouse; FranciaFil: Lamas, Carlos Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; Argentin

SOLAR 1.1: DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE FOR SELECTING COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS, INCLUDING THE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Photovoltaic energy represents an opportunity to produce electricity in a clean manner. It can be applied in all world places, in particular in the developing countries, where there are places where electricity grids are unreliable or non-existent and is inconvenient to make investments in a grids expansion. In remote locations photovoltaic power supplies often the most economic and cleaner option to produce electric energy. In addition, many developing countries have high radiation levels year round because of their latitude. The software SOLAR 1.1 was developed with purpose of helping the choice of photovoltaic panels available commercially including electric needs calculation for the installation. This new version of program also help to conduce the economic analysis for grid connected or stand alone photovoltaic systems for the choice of convenient values of interest rate and payback period. In this version of the software is possible to select the language among English, Italian and Portuguese. The software choices the panels in its archive that contains more of 250 types of photovoltaic modules made by 35 producers. The selection provides as output three modules, the cheapest for each cell type: monocrystalline, multicrystalline and amorphous. The software archive can be updated adding new item or editing the inserted items. The economic analysis can be operated by SOLAR 1.1 in each of the chosen panels. This analysis gives as output all the values of the costs in the photovoltaic system and the diagrams with the electricity cost and the expected annual saving trend with variation of the amortisation period and for different values of the interest rate and the governmental subsidy rate