Transient localization from the interaction with quantum bosons

We carefully revisit the electron-boson scattering problem, going beyond popular semi-classical treatments. By providing numerically exact results valid at finite temperatures, we demonstrate the existence of a regime of electron-boson scattering where quantum localization processes become relevant despite the absence of extrinsic disorder. Localization in the Anderson sense is caused by the emergent randomness resulting from a large thermal boson population, being effective at transient times before diffusion can set in. Compelling evidence of this transient localization phenomenon is provided by the observation of a distinctive displaced Drude peak (DDP) in the optical absorption and the ensuing suppression of conductivity. Our findings identify a general route for anomalous metallic behavior that can broadly apply in interacting quantum matter

Multifractal current distribution in random diode networks

Recently it has been shown analytically that electric currents in a random diode network are distributed in a multifractal manner [O. Stenull and H. K. Janssen, Europhys. Lett. 55, 691 (2001)]. In the present work we investigate the multifractal properties of a random diode network at the critical point by numerical simulations. We analyze the currents running on a directed percolation cluster and confirm the field-theoretic predictions for the scaling behavior of moments of the current distribution. It is pointed out that a random diode network is a particularly good candidate for a possible experimental realization of directed percolation.Comment: RevTeX, 4 pages, 5 eps figure

Crossover of conductance and local density of states in a single-channel disordered quantum wire

The probability distribution of the mesoscopic local density of states (LDOS) for a single-channel disordered quantum wire with chiral symmetry is computed in two different geometries. An approximate ansatz is proposed to describe the crossover of the probability distributions for the conductance and LDOS between the chiral and standard symmetry classes of a single-channel disordered quantum wire. The accuracy of this ansatz is discussed by comparison with a large-deviation ansatz introduced by Schomerus and Titov in Phys. Rev. B \textbf{67}, 100201(R) (2003).Comment: 19 pages, 5 eps figure

Scaling for the Percolation Backbone

We study the backbone connecting two given sites of a two-dimensional lattice separated by an arbitrary distance $r$ in a system of size $L$. We find a scaling form for the average backbone mass: $\sim L^{d_B}G(r/L)$, where $G$ can be well approximated by a power law for $0\le x\le 1$: $G(x)\sim x^{\psi}$ with $\psi=0.37\pm 0.02$. This result implies that $\sim L^{d_B-\psi}r^{\psi}$ for the entire range $0<r<L$. We also propose a scaling form for the probability distribution $P(M_B)$ of backbone mass for a given $r$. For $r\approx L, P(M_B)$ is peaked around $L^{d_B}$, whereas for $r\ll L, P(M_B)$ decreases as a power law, $M_B^{-\tau_B}$, with $\tau_B\simeq 1.20\pm 0.03$. The exponents $\psi$ and $\tau_B$ satisfy the relation $\psi=d_B(\tau_B-1)$, and $\psi$ is the codimension of the backbone, $\psi=d-d_B$.Comment: 3 pages, 5 postscript figures, Latex/Revtex/multicols/eps

Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Nanographite Ribbons

Electronic and magnetic properties of ribbon-shaped nanographite systems with zigzag and armchair edges in a magnetic field are investigated by using a tight binding model. One of the most remarkable features of these systems is the appearance of edge states, strongly localized near zigzag edges. The edge state in magnetic field, generating a rational fraction of the magnetic flux (\phi= p/q) in each hexagonal plaquette of the graphite plane, behaves like a zero-field edge state with q internal degrees of freedom. The orbital diamagnetic susceptibility strongly depends on the edge shapes. The reason is found in the analysis of the ring currents, which are very sensitive to the lattice topology near the edge. Moreover, the orbital diamagnetic susceptibility is scaled as a function of the temperature, Fermi energy and ribbon width. Because the edge states lead to a sharp peak in the density of states at the Fermi level, the graphite ribbons with zigzag edges show Curie-like temperature dependence of the Pauli paramagnetic susceptibility. Hence, it is shown that the crossover from high-temperature diamagnetic to low-temperature paramagnetic behavior of the magnetic susceptibility of nanographite ribbons with zigzag edges.Comment: 13 pages including 19 figures, submitted to Physical Rev

Driven interfaces in random media at finite temperature : is there an anomalous zero-velocity phase at small external force ?

The motion of driven interfaces in random media at finite temperature $T$ and small external force $F$ is usually described by a linear displacement $h_G(t) \sim V(F,T) t$ at large times, where the velocity vanishes according to the creep formula as $V(F,T) \sim e^{-K(T)/F^{\mu}}$ for $F \to 0$. In this paper, we question this picture on the specific example of the directed polymer in a two dimensional random medium. We have recently shown (C. Monthus and T. Garel, arxiv:0802.2502) that its dynamics for F=0 can be analyzed in terms of a strong disorder renormalization procedure, where the distribution of renormalized barriers flows towards some "infinite disorder fixed point". In the present paper, we obtain that for small $F$, this "infinite disorder fixed point" becomes a "strong disorder fixed point" with an exponential distribution of renormalized barriers. The corresponding distribution of trapping times then only decays as a power-law $P(\tau) \sim 1/\tau^{1+\alpha}$, where the exponent $\alpha(F,T)$ vanishes as $\alpha(F,T) \propto F^{\mu}$ as $F \to 0$. Our conclusion is that in the small force region $\alpha(F,T)<1$, the divergence of the averaged trapping time $\bar{\tau}=+\infty$ induces strong non-self-averaging effects that invalidate the usual creep formula obtained by replacing all trapping times by the typical value. We find instead that the motion is only sub-linearly in time $h_G(t) \sim t^{\alpha(F,T)}$, i.e. the asymptotic velocity vanishes V=0. This analysis is confirmed by numerical simulations of a directed polymer with a metric constraint driven in a traps landscape. We moreover obtain that the roughness exponent, which is governed by the equilibrium value $\zeta_{eq}=2/3$ up to some large scale, becomes equal to $\zeta=1$ at the largest scales.Comment: v3=final versio

Bioadsorption of Pb

Herein, the efficiency of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves as biosorbent for lead and copper was investigated. The particle size distribution was determined by Granulometric analysis and the functional groups were identified by FT-IR spectroscopy. The effects of contact time, pH and initial metal ions concentration were investigated. The experimental kinetic data were well fitted by the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity up to 71 mg g-1 and 37 mg g-1 for Cu2+ and Pb2+ respectively. The selectivity was examined in a binary ions solution where the adsorbent showed preference for lead over copper

Where two fractals meet: the scaling of a self-avoiding walk on a percolation cluster

The scaling properties of self-avoiding walks on a d-dimensional diluted lattice at the percolation threshold are analyzed by a field-theoretical renormalization group approach. To this end we reconsider the model of Y. Meir and A. B. Harris (Phys. Rev. Lett. 63:2819 (1989)) and argue that via renormalization its multifractal properties are directly accessible. While the former first order perturbation did not agree with the results of other methods, we find that the asymptotic behavior of a self-avoiding walk on the percolation cluster is governed by the exponent nu_p=1/2 + epsilon/42 + 110epsilon^2/21^3, epsilon=6-d. This analytic result gives an accurate numeric description of the available MC and exact enumeration data in a wide range of dimensions 2<=d<=6.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Extreme events driven glassy behaviour in granular media

Motivated by recent experiments on the approach to jamming of a weakly forced granular medium using an immersed torsion oscillator [Nature 413 (2001) 407], we propose a simple model which relates the microscopic dynamics to macroscopic rearrangements and accounts for the following experimental facts: (1) the control parameter is the spatial amplitude of the perturbation and not its reduced peak acceleration; (2) a Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann-like form for the relaxation time. The model draws a parallel between macroscopic rearrangements in the system and extreme events whose probability of occurrence (and thus the typical relaxation time) is estimated using extreme-value statistics. The range of validity of this description in terms of the control parameter is discussed as well as the existence of other regimes.Comment: 7 pages, to appear in Europhys. Let