Geometry, thermodynamics, and finite-size corrections in the critical Potts model

We establish an intriguing connection between geometry and thermodynamics in the critical q-state Potts model on two-dimensional lattices, using the q-state bond-correlated percolation model (QBCPM) representation. We find that the number of clusters of the QBCPM has an energy-like singularity for q different from 1, which is reached and supported by exact results, numerical simulation, and scaling arguments. We also establish that the finite-size correction to the number of bonds, has no constant term and explains the divergence of related quantities as q --> 4, the multicritical point. Similar analyses are applicable to a variety of other systems.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Universal scaling functions for bond percolation on planar random and square lattices with multiple percolating clusters

Percolation models with multiple percolating clusters have attracted much attention in recent years. Here we use Monte Carlo simulations to study bond percolation on $L_{1}\times L_{2}$ planar random lattices, duals of random lattices, and square lattices with free and periodic boundary conditions, in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, and with various aspect ratio $L_{1}/L_{2}$. We calculate the probability for the appearance of $n$ percolating clusters, $W_{n},$ the percolating probabilities, $P$, the average fraction of lattice bonds (sites) in the percolating clusters, $_{n}$ ($_{n}$), and the probability distribution function for the fraction $c$ of lattice bonds (sites), in percolating clusters of subgraphs with $n$ percolating clusters, $f_{n}(c^{b})$ ($f_{n}(c^{s})$). Using a small number of nonuniversal metric factors, we find that $W_{n}$, $P$, $_{n}$ ($_{n}$), and $f_{n}(c^{b})$ ($f_{n}(c^{s})$) for random lattices, duals of random lattices, and square lattices have the same universal finite-size scaling functions. We also find that nonuniversal metric factors are independent of boundary conditions and aspect ratios.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure

Model-Independent Reionization Observables in the CMB

We represent the reionization history of the universe as a free function in redshift and study the potential for its extraction from CMB polarization spectra. From a principal component analysis, we show that the ionization history information is contained in 5 modes, resembling low-order Fourier modes in redshift space. The amplitude of these modes represent a compact description of the observable properties of reionization in the CMB, easily predicted given a model for the ionization fraction. Measurement of these modes can ultimately constrain the total optical depth, or equivalently the initial amplitude of fluctuations to the 1% level regardless of the true model for reionization.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PRD (rapid communications

Relativistic description of magnetic moments in nuclei with doubly closed shells plus or minus one nucleon

Using the relativistic point-coupling model with density functional PC-PK1, the magnetic moments of the nuclei $^{207}$Pb, $^{209}$Pb, $^{207}$Tl and $^{209}$Bi with a $jj$ closed-shell core $^{208}$Pb are studied on the basis of relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. The corresponding time-odd fields, the one-pion exchange currents, and the first- and second-order corrections are taken into account. The present relativistic results reproduce the data well. The relative deviation between theory and experiment for these four nuclei is 6.1% for the relativistic calculations and somewhat smaller than the value of 13.2% found in earlier non-relativistic investigations. It turns out that the $\pi$ meson is important for the description of magnetic moments, first by means of one-pion exchange currents and second by the residual interaction provided by the $\pi$ exchange.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Integrable impurities in Hubbard chain with the open boundary condition

The Kondo problem of two impurities in 1D strongly correlated electron system within the framework of the open boundary Hubbard chain is solved and the impurities, coupled to the ends of the electron system, are introduced by their scattering matrices with electrons so that the boundary matrices satisfy the reflecting integrability condition. The finite size correction of the ground state energy is obtained due to the impurities. Exact expressions for the low temperature specific heat contributed by the charge and spin parts of the magnetic impurities are derived. The Pauli susceptibility and the Kondo temperature are given explicitly. The Kondo temperature is inversely proportional to the density of electrons.Comment: 6 pages, Revtex, To appear in Europhysics Letter

Comment on "Spontaneous breaking of time-reversal symmetry in the pseudogap state of a high-Tc_c superconductor"

We argue that that in their recent experiment in which they claim to have found evidence for a time-reversal symmetry broken state, Kaminski et al. overlooked small temperature dependent changes in the superstructure of Bi2212. These subtle changes may manifest themselves by changing the final state configurations of the photoemission process and thus invalidate their ultimate conclusions.Comment: Submitted as a comment Kaminski et al. Nature 416 610 (2002). This version with additional reference

Tuning the thermal conductivity of graphene nanoribbons by edge passivation and isotope engineering: a molecular dynamics study

Using classical molecular dynamics simulation, we have studied the effect of edge-passivation by hydrogen (H-passivation) and isotope mixture (with random or supperlattice distributions) on the thermal conductivity of rectangular graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) (of several nanometers in size). We found that the thermal conductivity is considerably reduced by the edge H-passivation. We also find that the isotope mixing can reduce the thermal conductivities, with the supperlattice distribution giving rise to more reduction than the random distribution. These results can be useful in nanoscale engineering of thermal transport and heat management using GNRs.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

The Nernst effect in high-TcT_c superconductors

The observation of a large Nernst signal $e_N$ in an extended region above the critical temperature $T_c$ in hole-doped cuprates provides evidence that vortex excitations survive above $T_c$. The results support the scenario that superfluidity vanishes because long-range phase coherence is destroyed by thermally-created vortices (in zero field), and that the pair condensate extends high into the pseudogap state in the underdoped (UD) regime. We present a series of measurements to high fields $H$ which provide strong evidence for this phase-disordering scenario.Comment: 21 pages, 28 figure