Equivalence between XY and dimerized models

The spin-1/2 chain with XY anisotropic coupling in the plane and the XX isotropic dimerized chain are shown to be equivalent in the bulk. For finite systems we prove that the equivalence is exact in given parity sectors, after taking care of the precise boundary conditions. The proof is given constructively by finding unitary transformations that map the models onto each other. Moreover, we considerably generalized our mapping and showed that even in case of fully site dependent couplings the XY chain can be mapped onto an XX model. This result has potential application in the study of disordered systems

Bipartite entanglement of quantum states in a pair basis

The unambiguous detection and quantification of entanglement is a hot topic of scientific research, though it is limited to low dimensions or specific classes of states. Here we identify an additional class of quantum states, for which bipartite entanglement measures can be efficiently computed, providing new rigorous results. Such states are written in arbitrary $d\times d$ dimensions, where each basis state in the subsystem A is paired with only one state in B. This new class, that we refer to as pair basis states, is remarkably relevant in many physical situations, including quantum optics. We find that negativity is a necessary and sufficient measure of entanglement for mixtures of states written in the same pair basis. We also provide analytical expressions for a tight lower-bound estimation of the entanglement of formation, a central quantity in quantum information.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure

Solvable 2D superconductors with l-wave pairing

We analyze a family of two-dimensional BCS Hamiltonians with general l-wave pairing interactions, classifying the models in this family that are Bethe-ansatz solvable in the finite-size regime. We show that these solutions are characterized by nontrivial winding numbers, associated with topological phases, in some part of the corresponding phase diagrams. By means of a comparative study, we demonstrate benefits and limitations of the mean-field approximation, which is the standard approach in the limit of a large number of particles. The mean-field analysis also allows to extend part of the results beyond integrability, clarifying the peculiarities associable with the integrability itself.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Brane parity orders in the insulating state of Hubbard ladders

The Mott insulating state of the Hubbard model at half-filling could be depicted as a spin liquid of singly occupied sites with holon-doublon quantum fluctuations localized in pairs. In one dimension the behavior is captured by a finite value of the charge parity string correlator, which fails to remain finite when generalized to higher dimensions. We recover a definition of parity brane correlator which may remain nonvanishing in presence of interchain coupling, by assigning an appropriate fractional phase to the parity breaking fluctuations. In case of Hubbard ladders at half-filling, we find that the charge parity brane is non-zero at any repulsive value of interaction. The spin parity brane instead becomes nonvanishing in the even-leg case, in correspondence to the onset of the spin gapped D-Mott phase, which is absent in the odd-leg case. The behavior of the parity correlators is also analyzed by means of a numerical DMRG analysis of the one- and two-leg ladder.Comment: Main article: 5 pages, 1 figure. Supplementary information: 4 pages, 8 figure

Hidden XY structure of the bond-charge Hubbard model

The repulsive one-dimensional Hubbard model with bond-charge interaction (HBC) in the superconducting regime is mapped onto the spin-1/2 XY model with transverse field. We calculate correlations and phase boundaries, realizing an excellent agreement with numerical results. The critical line for the superconducting transition is shown to coincide with the analytical factorization line identifying the commensurate-incommensurate transition in the XY model.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

How hidden orders generate gaps in one-dimensional fermionic systems

We demonstrate that hidden long range order is always present in the gapped phases of interacting fermionic systems on one dimensional lattices. It is captured by correlation functions of appropriate nonlocal charge and/or spin operators, which remain asymptotically finite. The corresponding microscopic orders are classified. The results are confirmed by DMRG numerical simulation of the phase diagram of the extended Hubbard model, and of a Haldane insulator phas

Non-local order parameters for the 1D Hubbard model

We characterize the Mott insulator and Luther-Emery phases of the 1D Hubbard model through correlators that measure the parity of spin and charge strings along the chain. These non-local quantities order in the corresponding gapped phases and vanish at the critical point $U_c=0$. The Mott insulator consists of bound doublon-holon pairs, which in the Luther-Emery phase turn into electron pairs with opposite spins, both unbinding at $U_c$. The behavior of the parity correlators can be captured by an effective free spinless fermion model.Comment: 4 pages; 3 figure

The JRC Nanomaterials Repository - Safe handling of nanomaterials in the sub-sampling facility

The JRC Nanomaterials Repository has been established to respond to an increasing demand for representative nanomaterials (NMs) for testing. The facility serves the scientific community active in nanotechnology, environmental-health-and-safety and regulatory research, by distributing subsamples of test nanomaterials. The service provided by JRC Nanomaterials Repository has underpinned the Testing Programme of the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials, as well as several EU-funded research projects. It contributes to the harmonisation of test methods and enhances the comparability of scientific results. Recently, the JRC Nanomaterials Repository has extended its original range of operation by launching a novel sub-sampling facility. Due to the potential hazards of the handled NMs, this laboratory has been designed to ensure the highest safety levels for the operators and for the environment. The present report describes the set-up of this novel facility, with emphasis on Occupational Health & Safety aspects. It illustrates the complete workflow that leads to the production of those vials that are distributed worldwide as benchmark nanomaterials.JRC.F.2-Consumer Products Safet

Towards the Thermodynamics of Localization Processes

We study the entropy time evolution of a quantum mechanical model, which is frequently used as a prototype for Anderson's localization. Recently Latora and Baranger [V. Latora, M. Baranger, Phys. Rev.Lett. 82, 520(1999)] found that there exist three entropy regimes, a transient regime of passage from dynamics to thermodynamics, a linear in time regime of entropy increase, namely a thermodynamic regime of Kolmogorov kind, and a saturation regime. We use the non-extensive entropic indicator recently advocated by Tsallis [ C. Tsallis, J. Stat. Phys. 52, 479 (1988)] with a mobile entropic index q, and we find that with the adoption of the ``magic'' value q = Q = 1/2 the Kolmogorov regime becomes more extended and more distinct than with the traditional entropic index q = 1. We adopt a two-site model to explain these properties by means of an analytical treatment and we argue that Q =1/2 might be a typical signature of the occurrence of Anderson's localization.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures submitted to Phys. Rev.