Replica-symmetric solutions of a dilute Ising ferromagnet in a random field

We use the replica method in order to obtain an expression for the variational free energy of an Ising ferromagnet on a Viana-Bray lattice in the presence of random external fields. Introducing a global order parameter, in the replica-symmetric context, the problem is reduced to the analysis of the solutions of a nonlinear integral equation. At zero temperature, and under some restrictions on the form of the random fields, we are able to perform a detailed analysis of stability of the replica-symmetric solutions. In contrast to the behaviour of the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model for a spin glass in a uniform field, the paramagnetic solution is fully stable in a sufficiently large random field

The fluctuation-dissipation theorem and the linear Glauber model

We obtain exact expressions for the two-time autocorrelation and response functions of the $d$-dimensional linear Glauber model. Although this linear model does not obey detailed balance in dimensions $d\geq 2$, we show that the usual form of the fluctuation-dissipation ratio still holds in the stationary regime. In the transient regime, we show the occurence of aging, with a special limit of the fluctuation-dissipation ratio, $X_{\infty}=1/2$, for a quench at the critical point.Comment: Accepted for publication (Physical Review E

Phase diagram of a model for a binary mixture of nematic molecules on a Bethe lattice

We investigate the phase diagram of a discrete version of the Maier-Saupe model with the inclusion of additional degrees of freedom to mimic a distribution of rodlike and disklike molecules. Solutions of this problem on a Bethe lattice come from the analysis of the fixed points of a set of nonlinear recursion relations. Besides the fixed points associated with isotropic and uniaxial nematic structures, there is also a fixed point associated with a biaxial nematic structure. Due to the existence of large overlaps of the stability regions, we resorted to a scheme to calculate the free energy of these structures deep in the interior of a large Cayley tree. Both thermodynamic and dynamic-stability analyses rule out the presence of a biaxial phase, in qualitative agreement with previous mean-field results

Distintos tipos de constantes en física y aprendizaje significativo de la disciplina

From teaching experience data, some problems referred to the learning of conceptuations of constants that appear in the relation between physical magnitudes, are delimited. Some significative problems are identified. Two general hypothesis and four derived hypothesis are formulated. In order to get more information some questionnaires are prepared. The students' answers are analysed in different groups. Some clues are identified trying to explain the observed behaviours. They are useful as a base for the proposal of teaching strategies

Modos espontáneos de razonar : un análisis de su incidencia sobre el aprendizaje del conocimiento físico a nivel universitario básico

The acquisition of knowledge in different domains may share certain general ways of reasoning; but besides this, each specific domain may require specific ways of reasoning. In this paper we identify and we characterize four manifestations of spontaneous ways of reasoning, and we analize up to what extent they act as obstacles for a meaningful learning of scientific knowledge about simple electric circuits. Finally, we suggest some general ways in which our results may be taken into account into order to improve basic physics teaching at the universities

Statistical models of mixtures with a biaxial nematic phase

We consider a simple Maier-Saupe statistical model with the inclusion of disorder degrees of freedom to mimic the phase diagram of a mixture of rod-like and disc-like molecules. A quenched distribution of shapes leads to the existence of a stable biaxial nematic phase, in qualitative agreement with experimental findings for some ternary lyotropic liquid mixtures. An annealed distribution, however, which is more adequate to liquid mixtures, precludes the stability of this biaxial phase. We then use a two-temperature formalism, and assume a separation of relaxation times, to show that a partial degree of annealing is already sufficient to stabilize a biaxial nematic structure.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure

Spin-glass behaviour on random lattices

The ground-state phase diagram of an Ising spin-glass model on a random graph with an arbitrary fraction $w$ of ferromagnetic interactions is analysed in the presence of an external field. Using the replica method, and performing an analysis of stability of the replica-symmetric solution, it is shown that $w=1/2$, correponding to an unbiased spin glass, is a singular point in the phase diagram, separating a region with a spin-glass phase ($w<1/2$) from a region with spin-glass, ferromagnetic, mixed, and paramagnetic phases ($w>1/2$)