171 research outputs found
Dynamical Scaling: the Two-Dimensional XY Model Following a Quench
To sensitively test scaling in the 2D XY model quenched from
high-temperatures into the ordered phase, we study the difference between
measured correlations and the (scaling) results of a Gaussian-closure
approximation. We also directly compare various length-scales. All of our
results are consistent with dynamical scaling and an asymptotic growth law , though with a time-scale that depends on the
length-scale in question. We then reconstruct correlations from the
minimal-energy configuration consistent with the vortex positions, and find
them significantly different from the ``natural'' correlations --- though both
scale with . This indicates that both topological (vortex) and
non-topological (``spin-wave'') contributions to correlations are relevant
arbitrarily late after the quench. We also present a consistent definition of
dynamical scaling applicable more generally, and emphasize how to generalize
our approach to other quenched systems where dynamical scaling is in question.
Our approach directly applies to planar liquid-crystal systems.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figure
Random Walks in Logarithmic and Power-Law Potentials, Nonuniversal Persistence, and Vortex Dynamics in the Two-Dimensional XY Model
The Langevin equation for a particle (`random walker') moving in
d-dimensional space under an attractive central force, and driven by a Gaussian
white noise, is considered for the case of a power-law force, F(r) = -
Ar^{-sigma}. The `persistence probability', P_0(t), that the particle has not
visited the origin up to time t, is calculated. For sigma > 1, the force is
asymptotically irrelevant (with respect to the noise), and the asymptotics of
P_0(t) are those of a free random walker. For sigma < 1, the noise is
(dangerously) irrelevant and the asymptotics of P_0(t) can be extracted from a
weak noise limit within a path-integral formalism. For the case sigma=1,
corresponding to a logarithmic potential, the noise is exactly marginal. In
this case, P_0(t) decays as a power-law, P_0(t) \sim t^{-theta}, with an
exponent theta that depends continuously on the ratio of the strength of the
potential to the strength of the noise. This case, with d=2, is relevant to the
annihilation dynamics of a vortex-antivortex pair in the two-dimensional XY
model. Although the noise is multiplicative in the latter case, the relevant
Langevin equation can be transformed to the standard form discussed in the
first part of the paper. The mean annihilation time for a pair initially
separated by r is given by t(r) \sim r^2 ln(r/a) where a is a microscopic
cut-off (the vortex core size). Implications for the nonequilibrium critical
dynamics of the system are discussed and compared to numerical simulation
results.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figur
Calculation of ground states of four-dimensional +or- J Ising spin glasses
Ground states of four-dimensional (d=4) EA Ising spin glasses are calculated
for sizes up to 7x7x7x7 using a combination of a genetic algorithm and
cluster-exact approximation. The ground-state energy of the infinite system is
extrapolated as e_0=-2.095(1). The ground-state stiffness (or domain wall)
energy D is calculated. A D~L^{\Theta} behavior with \Theta=0.65(4) is found
which confirms that the d=4 model has an equilibrium spin-glass-paramagnet
transition for non-zero T_c.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 31 references, revtex; update of reference
Vacancy-assisted domain-growth in asymmetric binary alloys: a Monte Carlo study
A Monte Carlo simulation study of the vacancy-assisted domain-growth in
asymmetric binary alloys is presented. The system is modeled using a
three-state ABV Hamiltonian which includes an asymmetry term, not considered in
previous works. Our simulated system is a stoichiometric two-dimensional binary
alloy with a single vacancy which evolves according to the vacancy-atom
exchange mechanism. We obtain that, compared to the symmetric case, the
ordering process slows down dramatically. Concerning the asymptotic behavior it
is algebraic and characterized by the Allen-Cahn growth exponent x=1/2. The
late stages of the evolution are preceded by a transient regime strongly
affected by both the temperature and the degree of asymmetry of the alloy. The
results are discussed and compared to those obtained for the symmetric case.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Dynamics of orientational ordering in fluid membranes
We study the dynamics of orientational phase ordering in fluid membranes.
Through numerical simulation we find an unusually slow coarsening of
topological texture, which is limited by subdiffusive propagation of membrane
curvature. The growth of the orientational correlation length obeys a
power law with in the late stage. We also discuss
defect profiles and correlation patterns in terms of long-range interaction
mediated by curvature elasticity.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures (1 in color); Eq.(9) correcte
Mutations in Transmembrane Domains 1, 4 and 9 of the Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine Resistance Transporter Alter Susceptibility to Chloroquine, Quinine and Quinidine
Mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine (CQ) resistance transporter (PfCRT) can result in verapamil-reversible CQ resistance and altered susceptibility to other antimalarials. PfCRT contains 10 membrane-spanning domains and is found in the digestive vacuole (DV) membrane of intraerythrocytic parasites. The mechanism by which PfCRT mediates CQ resistance is unclear although it is associated with decreased accumulation of drug within the DV. On the permissive background of the P. falciparum 106/1(K76) parasite line, we used single-step drug selection to generate isogenic clones containing unique pfcrt point mutations that resulted in amino acid changes in PfCRT transmembrane domains 1 (C72R, K76N, K76I and K76T) and 9 (Q352K, Q352R). The resulting changes of charge and hydropathy affected quantitative CQ susceptibility and accumulation as well as the stereospecific responses to quinine and quinidine. These results, together with a previously described S163R mutation in transmembrane domain 4, indicate that transmembrane segments 1, 4 and 9 of PfCRT provide important structural components of a substrate recognition and translocation domain. Charge-affecting mutations within these segments may affect the ability of PfCRT to bind different quinoline drugs and determine their net accumulation in the DV.
© 2006 The Authors
Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Lt
Spin-Peierls transition in NaV2O5 in high magnetic fields
We investigate the magnetic field dependence of the spin-Peierls transition
in NaVO in the field range 16T-30T. The transition temperature exhibits
a very weak variation with the field, suggesting a novel mechanism for the
formation of the spin-Peierls state. We argue that a charge ordering transition
accompanied by singlet formation is consistent with our observations.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, final version to appear in Phys. Rev. B (RC
Low-energy excitations in the three-dimensional random-field Ising model
The random-field Ising model (RFIM), one of the basic models for quenched
disorder, can be studied numerically with the help of efficient ground-state
algorithms. In this study, we extend these algorithm by various methods in
order to analyze low-energy excitations for the three-dimensional RFIM with
Gaussian distributed disorder that appear in the form of clusters of connected
spins. We analyze several properties of these clusters. Our results support the
validity of the droplet-model description for the RFIM.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure
Revival of the spin-Peierls transition in Cu_xZn_(1-x)GeO_3 under pressure
Pressure and temperature dependent susceptibility and Raman scattering
experiments on single crystalline Cu_xZn_(1-x)GeO_3 have shown an unusually
strong increase of the spin-Peierls phase transition temperature upon applying
hydrostatic pressure. The large positive pressure coefficient (7.5 K/GPa) -
almost twice as large as for the pure compound (4.5 K/GPa) - is interpreted as
arising due to an increasing magnetic frustration which decreases the spin-spin
correlation length, and thereby weakens the influence of the non-magnetic
Zn-substitution.Comment: LaTeX, 15 pages, 5 eps figures, Phys. Rev. B, to appea
Scaling and self-averaging in the three-dimensional random-field Ising model
We investigate, by means of extensive Monte Carlo simulations, the magnetic
critical behavior of the three-dimensional bimodal random-field Ising model at
the strong disorder regime. We present results in favor of the two-exponent
scaling scenario, , where and are the
critical exponents describing the power-law decay of the connected and
disconnected correlation functions and we illustrate, using various finite-size
measures and properly defined noise to signal ratios, the strong violation of
self-averaging of the model in the ordered phase.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, to be published in Eur. Phys. J.
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