Relaxation in open one-dimensional systems

A new master equation to mimic the dynamics of a collection of interacting random walkers in an open system is proposed and solved numerically.In this model, the random walkers interact through excluded volume interaction (single-file system); and the total number of walkers in the lattice can fluctuate because of exchange with a bath.In addition, the movement of the random walkers is biased by an external perturbation. Two models for the latter are considered: (1) an inverse potential (V $\propto$ 1/r), where r is the distance between the center of the perturbation and the random walker and (2) an inverse of sixth power potential ($V \propto 1/r^6$). The calculated density of the walkers and the total energy show interesting dynamics. When the size of the system is comparable to the range of the perturbing field, the energy relaxation is found to be highly non-exponential. In this range, the system can show stretched exponential ($e^{-{(t/\tau_s)}^{\beta}}$) and even logarithmic time dependence of energy relaxation over a limited range of time. Introduction of density exchange in the lattice markedly weakens this non-exponentiality of the relaxation function, irrespective of the nature of perturbation

Morse potential and its relationship with the Coulomb in a position-dependent mass background

We provide some explicit examples wherein the Schr\"odinger equation for the Morse potential remains exactly solvable in a position-dependent mass background. Furthermore, we show how in such a context, the map from the full line $(- \infty, \infty)$ to the half line $(0, \infty)$ may convert an exactly solvable Morse potential into an exactly solvable Coulomb one. This generalizes a well-known property of constant-mass problems.Comment: 9 pages, no figure; final published versio

What role for smart-card data from bus systems?

This paper examines whether data, generated from smart cards used for bus travel, can be put forward as a replacement for, or a complement to, existing transport data sources. Smart-card data possess certain advantages over existing bus ticket machine data and some sample data sources, allowing them to be used for a range of analysis applications that transport service providers may previously have been unable to or found difficult to undertake. To this end, as a new transport data source, the paper firstly reviews the nature of smart-card data. The paper then goes on to examine the impact of smart-card data in relation to two case studies - one concerning its impact on the data collection process and one looking at the impact on travel behaviour analysis

Effective-mass Schroedinger equation and generation of solvable potentials

A one-dimensional Schr\"odinger equation with position-dependent effective mass in the kinetic energy operator is studied in the framework of an $so(2,1)$ algebra. New mass-deformed versions of Scarf II, Morse and generalized P\"oschl-Teller potentials are obtained. Consistency with an intertwining condition is pointed out.Comment: 9 pages, no figure, communication at "2nd International Workshop on Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians in Quantum Physics", Prague, Czech Republic, June 14-16,200

Field Theories on Null Manifolds

We argue that generic field theories defined on null manifolds should have an emergent BMS or conformal Carrollian structure. We then focus on a simple interacting conformal Carrollian theory, viz. Carrollian scalar electrodynamics. We look at weak (on-shell) and strong invariance (off-shell) of its equations of motion under conformal Carrollian symmetries. Helmholtz conditions are necessary and sufficient conditions for a set of equations to arise from a Lagrangian. We investigate whether the equations of motion of Carrollian scalar electrodynamics satisfy these conditions. Then we proposed an action for the electric sector of the theory. This action is the first example for an interacting conformal Carrollian Field Theory. The proposed action respects the finite and infinite conformal Carrollian symmetries in d = 4. We calculate conserved charges corresponding to these finite and infinite symmetries and then rewrite the conserved charges in terms of the canonical variables. We finally compute the Poisson brackets for these charges and confirm that infinite Carrollian conformal algebra is satisfied at the level of charges

Universal power law in the orientational relaxation in thermotropic liquid crystals

We observe a surprisingly general power law decay at short to intermediate times in orientational relaxation in a variety of model systems (both calamitic and discotic, and also discrete) for thermotropic liquid crystals. As all these systems transit across the isotropic-nematic phase boundary, two power law relaxation regimes, separated by a plateau, emerge giving rise to a step-like feature (well-known in glassy liquids) in the single-particle second-rank orientational time correlation function. In contrast to its probable dynamical origin in supercooled liquids, we show that the power law here can originate from the thermodynamic fluctuations of the orientational order parameter, driven by the rapid growth in the second-rank orientational correlation length.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review Letter