24,080 research outputs found
Vorton Formation
In this paper we present the first analytic model for vorton formation. We
start by deriving the microscopic string equations of motion in Witten's
superconducting model, and show that in the relevant chiral limit these
coincide with the ones obtained from the supersonic elastic models of Carter
and Peter. We then numerically study a number of solutions of these equations
of motion and thereby suggest criteria for deciding whether a given
superconducting loop configuration can form a vorton. Finally, using a recently
developed model for the evolution of currents in superconducting strings we
conjecture, by comparison with these criteria, that string networks formed at
the GUT phase transition should produce no vortons. On the other hand, a
network formed at the electroweak scale can produce vortons accounting for up
to 6% of the critical density. Some consequences of our results are discussed.Comment: 41 pages; color figures 3-6 not included, but available from authors.
To appear in Phys. Rev.
Magnetically assisted self-injection and radiation generation for plasma based acceleration
It is shown through analytical modeling and numerical simulations that
external magnetic fields can relax the self-trapping thresholds in plasma based
accelerators. In addition, the transverse location where self-trapping occurs
can be selected by adequate choice of the spatial profile of the external
magnetic field. We also find that magnetic-field assisted self-injection can
lead to the emission of betatron radiation at well defined frequencies. This
controlled injection technique could be explored using state-of-the-art
magnetic fields in current/next generation plasma/laser wakefield accelerator
experiments.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Plasma Physics and
Controlled Fusio
Transport properties of a two impurity system: a theoretical approach
A system of two interacting cobalt atoms, at varying distances, was studied
in a recent scanning tunneling microscope experiment by Bork et. al.[Nature
Phys. 7, 901 (2011)]. We propose a microscopic model that explains, for all
experimentally analyzed interatomic distances, the physics observed in these
experiments. Our proposal is based on the two-impurity Anderson model, with the
inclusion of a two-path geometry for charge transport. This many-body system is
treated in the finite-U slave boson mean-field approximation and the
logarithmic-discretization embedded-cluster approximation. We physically
characterize the different charge transport regimes of this system at various
interatomic distances and show that, as in the experiments, the features
observed in the transport properties depend on the presence of two impurities
but also on the existence of two conducting channels for electron transport. We
interpret the splitting observed in the conductance as the result of the
hybridization of the two Kondo resonances associated with each impurity.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Social Effects in Science: Modelling Agents for a Better Scientific Practice
Science is a fundamental human activity and we trust its results because it
has several error-correcting mechanisms. Its is subject to experimental tests
that are replicated by independent parts. Given the huge amount of information
available, scientists have to rely on the reports of others. This makes it
possible for social effects to influence the scientific community. Here, an
Opinion Dynamics agent model is proposed to describe this situation. The
influence of Nature through experiments is described as an external field that
acts on the experimental agents. We will see that the retirement of old
scientists can be fundamental in the acceptance of a new theory. We will also
investigate the interplay between social influence and observations. This will
allow us to gain insight in the problem of when social effects can have
negligible effects in the conclusions of a scientific community and when we
should worry about them.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure
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