Magnetic quantum phase transitions of the antiferromagnetic J_{1}-J_{2} Heisenberg model

We obtain the complete phase diagram of the antiferromagnetic $J_{1}$-$J_{2}$ model, $0\leq \alpha = J_2/J1 \leq 1$, within the framework of the $O(N)$ nonlinear sigma model. We find two magnetically ordered phases, one with N\' eel order, for $\alpha \leq 0.4$, and another with collinear order, for $\alpha\geq 0.6$, separated by a nonmagnetic region, for $0.4\leq \alpha \leq 0.6$, where a gapped spin liquid is found. The transition at $\alpha=0.4$ is of the second order while the one at $\alpha=0.6$ is of the first order and the spin gaps cross at $\alpha=0.5$. Our results are exact at $N\rightarrow\infty$ and agree with numerical results from different methods.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Scalar Perturbations in Scalar Field Quantum Cosmology

In this paper it is shown how to obtain the simplest equations for the Mukhanov-Sasaki variables describing quantum linear scalar perturbations in the case of scalar fields without potential term. This was done through the implementation of canonical transformations at the classical level, and unitary transformations at the quantum level, without ever using any classical background equation, and it completes the simplification initiated in investigations by Langlois \cite{langlois}, and Pinho and Pinto-Neto \cite{emanuel2} for this case. These equations were then used to calculate the spectrum index $n_s$ of quantum scalar perturbations of a non-singular inflationary quantum background model, which starts at infinity past from flat space-time with Planckian size spacelike hypersurfaces, and inflates due to a quantum cosmological effect, until it makes an analytical graceful exit from this inflationary epoch to a decelerated classical stiff matter expansion phase. The result is $n_s=3$, incompatible with observations.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, accepted version to Physical Review D 7

Process transparency on construction sites : examples from construction companies in Brazil

Process transparency is the core concept in Visual Management (VM), which is one of the founding blocks of the Toyota Production System. This paper presents the preliminary results of a collaborative research conducted between Brazil and the UK, as part of a research effort focused on the application of Visual Management in construction. How process transparency is realized on construction sites is the main research question of the paper. The use of this concept and the implementation of the transparency theory were investigated through multiple case studies, carried out in nine different construction companies. The findings are explained through six theoretical transparency increasing approaches. The affecting parameters in the application of, the management’s perception of and several methods in process transparency in construction were identified. Further work, especially exploring the functions of process transparency on construction sites and reflecting the worker perception of the issue, is necessary to elaborate the process transparency concept

Particle Creation by a Moving Boundary with Robin Boundary Condition

We consider a massless scalar field in 1+1 dimensions satisfying a Robin boundary condition (BC) at a non-relativistic moving boundary. We derive a Bogoliubov transformation between input and output bosonic field operators, which allows us to calculate the spectral distribution of created particles. The cases of Dirichlet and Neumann BC may be obtained from our result as limiting cases. These two limits yield the same spectrum, which turns out to be an upper bound for the spectra derived for Robin BC. We show that the particle emission effect can be considerably reduced (with respect to the Dirichlet/Neumann case) by selecting a particular value for the oscillation frequency of the boundary position

Finite temperature behavior of strongly disordered quantum magnets coupled to a dissipative bath

We study the effect of dissipation on the infinite randomness fixed point and the Griffiths-McCoy singularities of random transverse Ising systems in chains, ladders and in two-dimensions. A strong disorder renormalization group scheme is presented that allows the computation of the finite temperature behavior of the magnetic susceptibility and the spin specific heat. In the case of Ohmic dissipation the susceptibility displays a crossover from Griffiths-McCoy behavior (with a continuously varying dynamical exponent) to classical Curie behavior at some temperature $T^*$. The specific heat displays Griffiths-McCoy singularities over the whole temperature range. For super-Ohmic dissipation we find an infinite randomness fixed point within the same universality class as the transverse Ising system without dissipation. In this case the phase diagram and the parameter dependence of the dynamical exponent in the Griffiths-McCoy phase can be determined analytically.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figure

A Tale of Two Theories: Quantum Griffiths Effects in Metallic Systems

We show that two apparently contradictory theories on the existence of Griffiths-McCoy singularities in magnetic metallic systems [1,2] are in fact mathematically equivalent. We discuss the generic phase diagram of the problem and show that there is a non-universal crossover temperature range T* < T < W where power law behavior (Griffiths-McCoy behavior) is expect. For T<T* power law behavior ceases to exist due to the destruction of quantum effects generated by the dissipation in the metallic environment. We show that T* is an analogue of the Kondo temperature and is controlled by non-universal couplings.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Magnetic susceptibility anisotropies in a two-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions

The magnetic and thermodynamic properties of the two-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet that incorporates both a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya and pseudo-dipolar interactions are studied within the framework of a generalized nonlinear sigma model (NLSM). We calculate the static uniform susceptibility and sublattice magnetization as a function of temperature and we show that: i) the magnetic-response is anisotropic and differs qualitatively from the expected behavior of a conventional easy-axis QHAF; ii) the Neel second-order phase transition becomes a crossover, for a magnetic field B perpendicular to the CuO(2) layers. We provide a simple and clear explanation for all the recently reported unusual magnetic anisotropies in the low-field susceptibility of La(2)CuO(4), L. N. Lavrov et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 017007 (2001), and we demonstrate explicitly why La(2)CuO(4) can not be classified as an ordinary easy-axis antiferromagnet.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, Revtex4, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Introductory research activities in mathematics education

Se presentan algunas actividades prácticas propuestas en un curso de innovación docente e iniciación a la investigación educativa en el marco de un máster de formación inicial de profesores de matemáticas de secundaria. Se incluyen, entre otros ejemplos, el análisis de un texto breve en el que se describe una clase ideal de matemáticas y el análisis de una sesión de clase video-grabada sobre semejanza de triángulos. Estos ejemplos se introducen con el fin de reflexionar sobre algunos principios didáctico-matemáticos básicos, los cuales permiten introducir criterios de idoneidad didáctica en el estudio de las matemáticas y motivar la búsqueda de fuentes bibliográficas en la base de datos MathEduc.This paper presents some practical activities carried out in a teaching innovation and introduction to educational research course, which is part of a Master’s degree directed to secondary mathematics teachers’ initial e ducation. A mong other examples we include the analysis of a short text describing an ideal mathematics class room and the analysis of a video - recorded lesson on similarity of triangles. These activities serve to reflect on some basic mathematical didactic principles, to introduce educational suitability criteria in the study of mathematics and to motivate the review of literature in the MathEduc database