Comparative study of theoretical methods for nonequilibrium quantum transport

We present a detailed comparison of three different methods designed to tackle nonequilibrium quantum transport, namely the functional renormalization group (fRG), the time-dependent density matrix renormalization group (tDMRG), and the iterative summation of real-time path integrals (ISPI). For the nonequilibrium single-impurity Anderson model (including a Zeeman term at the impurity site), we demonstrate that the three methods are in quantitative agreement over a wide range of parameters at the particle-hole symmetric point as well as in the mixed-valence regime. We further compare these techniques with two quantum Monte Carlo approaches and the time-dependent numerical renormalization group method.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures; published versio

Dynamical Quasicondensation of Hard-Core Bosons at Finite Momenta

Long-range order in quantum many-body systems is usually associated with equilibrium situations. Here, we experimentally investigate the quasicondensation of strongly-interacting bosons at finite momenta in a far-from-equilibrium case. We prepare an inhomogeneous initial state consisting of one-dimensional Mott insulators in the center of otherwise empty one-dimensional chains in an optical lattice with a lattice constant $d$. After suddenly quenching the trapping potential to zero, we observe the onset of coherence in spontaneously forming quasicondensates in the lattice. Remarkably, the emerging phase order differs from the ground-state order and is characterized by peaks at finite momenta $\pm (\pi/2) (\hbar / d)$ in the momentum distribution function.Comment: See also Viewpoint: Emerging Quantum Order in an Expanding Gas, Physics 8, 99 (2015

Expansion velocity of a one-dimensional, two-component Fermi gas during the sudden expansion in the ballistic regime

We show that in the sudden expansion of a spin-balanced two-component Fermi gas into an empty optical lattice induced by releasing particles from a trap, over a wide parameter regime, the radius $R_n$ of the particle cloud grows linearly in time. This allow us to define the expansion velocity $V_{ex}$ from $R_n=V_{ex}t$. The goal of this work is to clarify the dependence of the expansion velocity on the initial conditions which we establish from time-dependent density matrix renormalization group simulations, both for a box trap and a harmonic trap. As a prominent result, the presence of a Mott-insulating region leaves clear fingerprints in the expansion velocity. Our predictions can be verified in experiments with ultra-cold atoms.Comment: 8 pages 10 figures, version as published with minor stylistic change

Latitudinal variation of the solar photospheric intensity

We have examined images from the Precision Solar Photometric Telescope (PSPT) at the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO) in search of latitudinal variation in the solar photospheric intensity. Along with the expected brightening of the solar activity belts, we have found a weak enhancement of the mean continuum intensity at polar latitudes (continuum intensity enhancement $\sim0.1 - 0.2$ corresponding to a brightness temperature enhancement of $\sim2.5{\rm K}$). This appears to be thermal in origin and not due to a polar accumulation of weak magnetic elements, with both the continuum and CaIIK intensity distributions shifted towards higher values with little change in shape from their mid-latitude distributions. Since the enhancement is of low spatial frequency and of very small amplitude it is difficult to separate from systematic instrumental and processing errors. We provide a thorough discussion of these and conclude that the measurement captures real solar latitudinal intensity variations.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figs, accepted in Ap

Non-dissipative Thermal Transport and Magnetothermal Effect for the Spin-1/2 Heisenberg Chain

Anomalous magnetothermal effects are discussed in the spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain. The energy current is related to one of the non-trivial conserved quantities underlying integrability and therefore both the diagonal and off diagonal dynamical correlations of spin and energy current diverge. The energy-energy and spin-energy current correlations at finite temperatures are exactly calculated by a lattice path integral formulation. The low-temperature behavior of the thermomagnetic (magnetic Seebeck) coefficient is also discussed. Due to effects of strong correlations, we observe the magnetic Seebeck coefficient changes sign at certain interaction strengths and magnetic fields.Comment: 4 pages, references added, typos corrected, Conference proceedings of SPQS 2004, Sendai, Japa

Exact results for nonlinear ac-transport through a resonant level model

We obtain exact results for the transport through a resonant level model (noninteracting Anderson impurity model) for rectangular voltage bias as a function of time. We study both the transient behavior after switching on the tunneling at time t = 0 and the ensuing steady state behavior. Explicit expressions are obtained for the ac-current in the linear response regime and beyond for large voltage bias. Among other effects, we observe current ringing and PAT (photon assisted tunneling) oscillations.Comment: 7 page

Long-time behavior of the momentum distribution during the sudden expansion of a spin-imbalanced Fermi gas in one dimension

We study the sudden expansion of spin-imbalanced ultracold lattice fermions with attractive interactions in one dimension after turning off the longitudinal confining potential. We show that the momentum distribution functions of majority and minority fermions approach stationary values quickly due to a quantum distillation mechanism that results in a spatial separation of pairs and majority fermions. As a consequence, Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) correlations are lost during the expansion. Furthermore, we argue that the shape of the stationary momentum distribution functions can be understood by relating them to the integrals of motion in this integrable quantum system. We discuss our results in the context of proposals to observe FFLO correlations, related to recent experiments by Liao et al., Nature 467, 567 (2010).Comment: 8 pages including supplementary material, 9 eps figures, revised version as published, some text moved to the supplemental materia

Thermomagnetic Power and Figure of Merit for Spin-1/2 Heisenberg Chain

Transport properties in the presence of magnetic fields are numerically studied for the spin-1/2 Heisenberg XXZ chain. The breakdown of the spin-reversal symmetry due to the magnetic field induces the magnetothermal effect. In analogy with the thermoelectric effect in electron systems, the thermomagnetic power (magnetic Seebeck coefficient) is provided, and is numerically evaluated by the exact diagonalization for wide ranges of temperatures and various magnetic fields. For the antiferromagnetic regime, we find the magnetic Seebeck coefficient changes sign at certain temperatures, which is interpreted as an effect of strong correlations. We also compute the thermomagnetic figure of merit determining the efficiency of the thermomagnetic devices for cooling or power generation.Comment: 8 page