Dissipative dynamics of a two - level system resonantly coupled to a harmonic mode

We propose an approximation scheme to describe the dynamics of the spin-boson model when the spectral density of the environment shows a peak at a characteristic frequency $\Omega$ which can be very close (or even equal) to the spin Zeeman frequency $\Delta$. Mapping the problem onto a two-state system (TSS) coupled to a harmonic oscillator (HO) with frequency $\omega_0$ we show that the representation of displaced HO states provides an appropriate basis to truncate the Hilbert space of the TSS-HO system and therefore a better picture of the system dynamics. We derive an effective Hamiltonian for the TSS-HO system, and show it furnishes a very good approximation for the system dynamics even when its two subsystems are moderately coupled. Finally, assuming the regime of weak HO-bath coupling and low temperatures, we are able to analytically evaluate the dissipative TSS dynamics.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures; V2: Published versio

Dynamics of large anisotropic spin in a sub-ohmic dissipative environment close to a quantum-phase transition

We investigate the dynamics of a large anisotropic spin whose easy-axis component is coupled to a bosonic bath with a spectral function J(\w)\propto \omega^s. Such a spin complex might be realized in a single-molecular magnet. Using the non-perturbative renormalization group, we calculate the line of quantum-phase transitions in the sub-ohmic regime ($s<1$). These quantum-phase transitions only occur for integer spin $J$. For half-integer $J$, the low temperature fixed-point is identical to the fixed-point of the spin-boson model without quantum-tunneling between the two levels. Short-time coherent oscillations in the spin decay prevail even into the localized phase in the sub-ohmic regime. The influence of the reorganization energy and the recurrence time on the decoherence in the absence of quantum-tunneling is discussed.Comment: 14 pages,7 figure

Quantum dynamics of a qubit coupled with structured bath

The dynamics of an unbiased spin-boson model with Lorentzian spectral density is investigated theoretically in terms of the perturbation theory based on a unitary transformation. The non-equilibrium correlation function $P(t)$ and susceptibility $\chi^{\prime\prime}(\omega)$ are calculated for both the off-resonance case $\Delta\lesssim 0.5\Omega$ and the on-resonance case $\Delta\sim \Omega$. The approach is checked by the Shiba's relation and the sum rule. Besides, the coherent-incoherent transition point $\alpha_c$ can be determined, which has not been demonstrated for the structured bath by previous authors up to our knowledge.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figure

The antiquity of hydrocephalus: the first full palaeo-neuropathological description

The Pathology Museum of the University of Florence houses a rich collection of anatomical specimens and over a hundred waxworks portraying pathological conditions occurring in the nineteenth century, when the museum was established. Clinical and autopsy findings of these cases can still be retrieved from the original museum catalogue, offering a rare opportunity for retrospective palaeo-pathological diagnostics. We present a historical case of severe hydrocephalus backed by modern-day anthropological, radiological and molecular analyses conducted on the skeleton of an 18-month-old male infant deceased in 1831. Luigi Calamai (1796-1851), a wax craftsman of La Specola workshop in Florence, was commissioned to create a life-sized wax model of the child's head, neck and upper thorax. This artwork allows us to appreciate the cranial and facial alterations determined by 30&nbsp;lb of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulated within the cerebral ventricular system. Based on the autopsy report, gross malformations of the neural tube, tumours and haemorrhage could be excluded. A molecular approach proved helpful in confirming sex. We present this case as the so-far most compelling case of hydrocephalus in palaeo-pathological research

Propagation of sound in a Bose Einstein condensate in an optical lattice

We study the propagation of sound waves in a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice. We find that the velocity of propagation of sound wavepackets decreases with increasing optical lattice depth, as predicted by the Bogoliubov theory. The strong interplay between nonlinearities and the periodicity of the external potential raise new phenomena which are not present in the uniform case. Shock waves, for instance, can propagate slower than sound waves, due to the negative curvature of the dispersion relation. Moreover, nonlinear corrections to the Bogoliubov theory appear to be important even with very small density perturbations, inducing a saturation on the amplitude of the sound signal

Phonon distributions of a single bath mode coupled to a quantum dot

The properties of an unconventional, single mode phonon bath coupled to a quantum dot, are investigated within the rotating wave approximation. The electron current through the dot induces an out of equilibrium bath, with a phonon distribution qualitatively different from the thermal one. In selected transport regimes, such a distribution is characterized by a peculiar selective population of few phonon modes and can exhibit a sub-Poissonian behavior. It is shown that such a sub-Poissonian behavior is favored by a double occupancy of the dot. The crossover from a unequilibrated to a conventional thermal bath is explored, and the limitations of the rotating wave approximation are discussed.Comment: 21 Pages, 7 figures, to appear in New Journal of Physics - Focus on Quantum Dissipation in Unconventional Environment

Dipole and Bloch oscillations of cold atoms in a parabolic lattice

The paper studies the dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate loaded into a 1D parabolic optical lattice, and excited by a sudden shift of the lattice center. Depending on the magnitude of the initial shift, the condensate undergoes either dipole or Bloch oscillations. The effects of dephasing and of atom-atom interactions on these oscillations are discussed.Comment: 3 pages, to appear in proceeding of LPHYS'05 conference (July 4-8, 2005, Kyoto, Japan

An Innovative Enhanced Wall to Reduce the Energy Demand in Buildings

Energy saving in buildings is one of most important issues for European countries. Although in the last years many studies have been carried out in order to reach the zero-consumption house the energy rate due to passive solar heating could be further enhanced. This paper proposes a method for increasing the energy rate absorbed by opaque walls by using a two phase loop thermosyphon connecting the internal and the external façade of a prefabricated house wall. The evaporator zone is embedded into the outside facade and the condenser is indoor placed to heat the domestic environment. The thermosyphon has been preliminary designed and implanted into a wall for a prefabricated house in Italy. An original dynamic thermal model of the building equipped with the thermosyphon wall allowed the evolution of the indoor temperature over time and the energy saving rates. The transient behaviour of the building has been simulated during the winter period by using the EnergyPlusTM software. The annual saving on the heating energy is higher than 50% in the case of a low consumption building