A new approach to strongly correlated fermion systems: the spin-particle-hole coherent-state path integral

We describe a new path integral approach to strongly correlated fermion systems, considering the Hubbard model as a specific example. Our approach is based on the introduction of spin-particle-hole coherent states which generalize the spin-1/2 coherent states by allowing the creation of a hole or an additional particle. The action of the fermion system $S[\gamma^*,\gamma;{\bf\Omega}]$ can be expressed as a function of two Grassmann variables ($\gamma_\uparrow$,$\gamma_\downarrow$) describing particles propagating in the lower and upper Hubbard bands, and a unit vector field ${\bf\Omega}$ whose dynamics arises from spin fluctuations. In the strong correlation limit, $S[\gamma^*,\gamma;{\bf\Omega}]$ can be truncated to quartic order in the fermionic fields and used as the starting point of a strong-coupling diagrammatic expansion in $t/U$ ($t$ being the intersite hopping amplitude and $U$ the on-site Coulomb repulsion). We discuss possible applications of this formalism and its connection to the t-J model and the spin-fermion model.Comment: 20 pages RevTex, 10 figure

A methodology for investigating dust model performance using synergistic EARLINET/AERONET dust concentration retrievals

Systematic measurements of dust concentration profiles at a continental scale were recently made possible by the development of synergistic retrieval algorithms using combined lidar and sun photometer data and the establishment of robust remote-sensing networks in the framework of Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network (ACTRIS)/European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). We present a methodology for using these capabilities as a tool for examining the performance of dust transport models. The methodology includes considerations for the selection of a suitable data set and appropriate metrics for the exploration of the results. The approach is demonstrated for four regional dust transport models (BSC-DREAM8b v2, NMMB/BSC-DUST, DREAMABOL, DREAM8-NMME-MACC) using dust observations performed at 10 ACTRIS/EARLINET stations. The observations, which include coincident multi-wavelength lidar and sun photometer measurements, were processed with the Lidar-Radiometer Inversion Code (LIRIC) to retrieve aerosol concentration profiles. The methodology proposed here shows advantages when compared to traditional evaluation techniques that utilize separately the available measurements such as separating the contribution of dust from other aerosol types on the lidar profiles and avoiding model assumptions related to the conversion of concentration fields to aerosol extinction values. When compared to LIRIC retrievals, the simulated dust vertical structures were found to be in good agreement for all models with correlation values between 0.5 and 0.7 in the 1–6 km range, where most dust is typically observed. The absolute dust concentration was typically underestimated with mean bias values of -40 to -20 μg m−3 at 2 km, the altitude of maximum mean concentration. The reported differences among the models found in this comparison indicate the benefit of the systematic use of the proposed approach in future dust model evaluation studies

Cirrus crystal fall velocity estimates using the Match method with ground-based lidars: first investigation through a case study

Cirrus ice particle sedimentation velocity (<i>v</i><sub>s</sub>) is one of the critical variables for the parameterization of cirrus properties in a global climate model (GCM). In this study a methodology to estimate cirrus properties, such as crystal mean fall speed, through successive lidar measurements is evaluated. This "Match" technique has been applied on cirrus cloud observations and then tested with measurements from two ground-based lidars located in the Mediterranean area. These systems, with similar instrumental characteristics, are installed at the Observatory of Haute Provence (OHP, 43.9° N, 5.7° E) in France and at Rome Tor Vergata (RTV, 41.8° N, 12.6° E) in Italy. At a distance of approximately 600 km, the two lidar stations have provided systematic measurements for several years and are along a typical direction of an air path. A test case of an upper tropospheric cirrus, observed over both sites during the night between 13 and 14 March 2008, has been selected and the feasibility of the Match-cirrus approach investigated through this case. The analysis through lidar principal parameters (vertical location, geometrical thickness and optical depth) reveals a case of a thin sub-visible cirrus (SVC) located around the tropopause. A first range of values for <i>v</i><sub>s</sub> (1.4–1.9 cm s<sup>−1</sup>, consistent with simple-shaped small crystals) has been retrieved with a simplified approach (adiabatic transport and "frozen" microphysical conditions inside the cirrus). The backward trajectory analysis suggests a type of cirrus formed by large-scale transport processes (adiabatic cooling of moist air masses coming from the subtropical area around Mexico gulf), which is characterized by a long atmospheric lifetime and horizontal extension of several hundred km. The analysis of this case study reveals that many uncertainties reduce the confidence of the retrieved estimates of the crystal fall velocity. However, this paper allows for assessing the technique feasibility by identifying the main critical issues for future similar investigations. <br><br> This study shows that such approach is feasible; however, the methodology should be improved and some directions have been suggested for future campaigns

Comparison of the aerosol optical properties and size distribution retrieved by sun photometer with in situ measurements at midlatitude

Aerosols influence the Earth radiative budget through scattering and absorption of solar radiation. Several methods are used to investigate aerosol properties and thus quantify their direct and indirect impacts on climate. At the Puy de Dôme station, continuous high-altitude near-surface in situ measurements and low-altitude ground-based remote sensing atmospheric column measurements give the opportunity to compare the aerosol extinction measured with both methods over a 1-year period. To our knowledge, it is the first time that such a comparison is realised with continuous measurements of a high-altitude site during a long-term period. This comparison addresses to which extent near-surface in situ measurements are representative of the whole atmospheric column, the aerosol mixing layer (ML) or the free troposphere (FT). In particular, the impact of multi-aerosol layers events detected using lidar backscatter profiles is analysed. A good correlation between in situ aerosol extinction coefficient and aerosol optical depth (AOD) measured by the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometer is observed with a correlation coefficient around 0.80, indicating that the in situ measurements station is representative of the overall atmospheric column. After filtering for multilayer cases and correcting for each layer optical contribution (ML and FT), the atmospheric structure seems to be the main factor influencing the comparison between the two measurement techniques. When the site lies in the ML, the in situ extinction represents 45 % of the sun photometer ML extinction while when the site lies within the FT, the in situ extinction is more than 2 times higher than the FT sun photometer extinction. Moreover, the assumption of a decreasing linear vertical aerosol profile in the whole atmosphere has been tested, significantly improving the instrumental agreement. Remote sensing retrievals of the aerosol particle size distributions (PSDs) from the sun photometer observations are then compared to the near-surface in situ measurements, at dry and at ambient relative humidities. When in situ measurements are considered at dry state, the in situ fine mode diameters are 44 % higher than the sun-photometer-retrieved diameters and in situ volume concentrations are 20 % lower than those of the sun-photometer-retrieved fine mode concentration. Using a parameterised hygroscopic growth factor applied to aerosol diameters, the difference between in situ and retrieved diameters grows larger. Coarse mode in situ diameters and concentrations show a good correlation with retrieved PSDs from remote sensing

A Lidar at Clermont-Ferrand—France to describe the boundary layer dynamics, aerosols, cirrus and tropospheric water vapor

A Rayleigh-Mie-Raman LIDAR provides vertical profiles of tropospheric variables at Clermont-Ferrand (France) since 2008, in order to describe the boundary layer dynamics, tropospheric aerosols, cirrus and water vapor. It is included in the EARLINET network. We performed hardware/software developments in order to upgrade the quality, calibration and improve automation. We present an overview of the system and some examples of measurements and a preliminary geophysical analysis of the data

A Lidar at Clermont-Ferrand—France to describe the boundary layer dynamics, aerosols, cirrus and tropospheric water vapor

A Rayleigh-Mie-Raman LIDAR provides vertical profiles of tropospheric variables at Clermont-Ferrand (France) since 2008, in order to describe the boundary layer dynamics, tropospheric aerosols, cirrus and water vapor. It is included in the EARLINET network. We performed hardware/software developments in order to upgrade the quality, calibration and improve automation. We present an overview of the system and some examples of measurements and a preliminary geophysical analysis of the data

A case of severe weather over the western Mediterranean: satellite observation and numerical simulations

On 26 September 2006, a strong mesoscale storm, with some resemblance to a polar low, hit Italy. This event is investigated from an observational and numerical point of view. AMSU (Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit) satellite observations show strong precipitation over eastern Italy early in the day that followed the reinforcement of a strastospheric intrusion upstream. A more detailed description of the intrusion is provided by fine scale PV fields obtained by the MIMOSA (‘Modele Isentropique de transport Mesoechelle de l’Ozone Stratosphérique par Advection’) model. Besides, a numerical simulation is conducted with the French research model Méso-NH. Two initial and coupling fields set (ECMWF and ARPEGE analyses) are used to run Méso-NH to investigate the case study. Three interactively 2-way nested domains are used with horizontal mesh sizes of 32 and 8 km by a mass-flux convection scheme, whereas for the inner grid with mesh size of 2 km, convection is assumed to be explicitly resolved. The case is validated against both infrared and microwave satellite observations by using the so-called model-to-satellite approach

The 26 September 2006 mesoscale storm over the western Mediterranean Sea: satellite observations and numerical simulations

On 26 September 2006, a strong mesoscale storm, with some resemblance to a polar low, hit south-eastern Italy. Intense precipitation was detected by AMSU satellite observations at 02 UTC 26 Sept. This event is investigated from a numerical point of view. We aim at: • demonstrating the ability of the high-resolution PV advection model MIMOSA to characterize stratospheric intrusions at very fine scale, and reaching well below the 350K isentropic level. • assessing the ability of ARPEGE to produce realistic precipitation fields for intense and localized precipitating events with the improved description of the stratospheric intrusion given by MIMOSA