7,371 research outputs found
Generic ordering of structural transitions in quasi-one-dimensional Wigner crystals
We investigate the dependence of the structural phase transitions in an
infinite quasi-one-dimensional system of repulsively interacting particles on
the profile of the confining channel. Three different functional expressions
for the confinement potential related to real experimental systems are used
that can be tuned continuously from a parabolic to a hard-wall potential in
order to find a thorough understanding of the ordering of the chain-like
structure transitions. We resolve the longstanding issue why the most theories
predicted a 1-2-4-3-4 sequence of chain configurations with increasing density,
while some experiments found the 1-2-3-4 sequence.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
From vortex molecules to the Abrikosov lattice in thin mesoscopic superconducting disks
Stable vortex states are studied in large superconducting thin disks (for
numerical purposes we considered with radius R = 50 \xi). Configurations
containing more than 700 vortices were obtained using two different approaches:
the nonlinear Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory and the London approximation. To
obtain better agreement with results from the GL theory we generalized the
London theory by including the spatial variation of the order parameter
following Clem's ansatz. We find that configurations calculated in the London
limit are also stable within the Ginzburg-Landau theory for up to ~ 230
vortices. For large values of the vorticity (typically, L > 100), the vortices
are arranged in an Abrikosov lattice in the center of the disk, which is
surrounded by at least two circular shells of vortices. A Voronoi construction
is used to identify the defects present in the ground state vortex
configurations. Such defects cluster near the edge of the disk, but for large L
also grain boundaries are found which extend up to the center of the disk.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, RevTex4, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Resistance effects due to magnetic guiding orbits
The Hall and magnetoresistance of a two dimensional electron gas subjected to
a magnetic field barrier parallel to the current direction is studied as
function of the applied perpendicular magnetic field. The recent experimental
results of Nogaret {\em et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 84}, 2231 (2000)] for
the magneto- and Hall resistance are explained using a semi-classical theory
based on the Landauer-B\"{u}ttiker formula. The observed positive
magnetoresistance peak is explained as due to a competition between a decrease
of the number of conducting channels as a result of the growing magnetic field,
from the fringe field of the ferromagnetic stripe as it becomes magnetized, and
the disappearance of snake orbits and the subsequent appearance of cycloidlike
orbits.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure
Effect of turbulence on electron cyclotron current drive and heating in ITER
Non-linear local electromagnetic gyrokinetic turbulence simulations of the
ITER standard scenario H-mode are presented for the q=3/2 and q=2 surfaces. The
turbulent transport is examined in regions of velocity space characteristic of
electrons heated by electron cyclotron waves. Electromagnetic fluctuations and
sub-dominant micro-tearing modes are found to contribute significantly to the
transport of the accelerated electrons, even though they have only a small
impact on the transport of the bulk species. The particle diffusivity for
resonant passing electrons is found to be less than 0.15 m^2/s, and their heat
conductivity is found to be less than 2 m^2/s. Implications for the broadening
of the current drive and energy deposition in ITER are discussed.Comment: Letter, 5 pages, 5 figures, for submission to Nuclear Fusio
Structural transitions in vertically and horizontally coupled parabolic channels of Wigner crystals
Structural phase transitions in two vertically or horizontally coupled
channels of strongly interacting particles are investigated. The particles are
free to move in the -direction but are confined by a parabolic potential in
the -direction. They interact with each other through a screened power-law
potential (). In vertically coupled systems the channels
are stacked above each other in the direction perpendicular to the
-plane, while in horizontally coupled systems both channels are aligned
in the confinement direction. Using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations we obtain the
ground state configurations and the structural transitions as a function of the
linear particle density and the separation between the channels. At zero
temperature the vertically coupled system exhibits a rich phase diagram with
continuous and discontinuous transitions. On the other hand the vertically
coupled system exhibits only a very limited number of phase transitions due to
its symmetry. Further we calculated the normal modes for the Wigner crystals in
both cases. From MC simulations we found that in the case of vertically coupled
systems the zigzag transition is only possible for low densities. A
Ginzburg-Landau theory for the zigzag transition is presented, which predicts
correctly the behavior of this transition from which we interpret the
structural phase transition of the Wigner crystal through the reduction of the
Brillouin zone.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figure
Magnetic particles confined in a modulated channel: structural transitions tunable by tilting a magnetic field
The ground state of colloidal magnetic particles in a modulated channel are
investigated as function of the tilt angle of an applied magnetic field. The
particles are confined by a parabolic potential in the transversal direction
while in the axial direction a periodic substrate potential is present. By
using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, we construct a phase diagram for the
different crystal structures as a function of the magnetic field orientation,
strength of the modulated potential and the commensurability factor of the
system. Interestingly, we found first and second order phase transitions
between different crystal structures, which can be manipulated by the
orientation of the external magnetic field. A re-entrant behavior is found
between two- and four-chain configurations, with continuous second order
transitions. Novel configurations are found consisting of frozen in solitons.
By changing the orientation and/or strength of the magnetic field and/or the
strength and the spatial frequency of the periodic substrate potential, the
system transits through different phases.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. E (10 pages, 12 figures
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