CP^1+U(1) Lattice Gauge Theory in Three Dimensions: Phase Structure, Spins, Gauge Bosons, and Instantons

In this paper we study a 3D lattice spin model of CP$^1$ Schwinger-bosons coupled with dynamical compact U(1) gauge bosons. The model contains two parameters; the gauge coupling and the hopping parameter of CP$^1$ bosons. At large (weak) gauge couplings, the model reduces to the classical O(3) (O(4)) spin model with long-range and/or multi-spin interactions. It is also closely related to the recently proposed "Ginzburg-Landau" theory for quantum phase transitions of $s=1/2$ quantum spin systems on a 2D square lattice at zero temperature. We numerically study the phase structure of the model by calculating specific heat, spin correlations, instanton density, and gauge-boson mass. The model has two phases separated by a critical line of second-order phase transition; O(3) spin-ordered phase and spin-disordered phase. The spin-ordered phase is the Higgs phase of U(1) gauge dynamics, whereas the disordered phase is the confinement phase. We find a crossover in the confinement phase which separates dense and dilute regions of instantons. On the critical line, spin excitations are gapless, but the gauge-boson mass is {\it nonvanishing}. This indicates that a confinement phase is realized on the critical line. To confirm this point, we also study the noncompact version of the model. A possible realization of a deconfinement phase on the criticality is discussed for the CP$^N$+U(1) model with larger $N$.Comment: Discussion of finite size scaling, O(4) spin correlation adde

TAILORED MICROSTRUCTURE OF CERAMICS BY USING ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS

The mechanical and functional properties of ceramics can be improved by designing their microstructures, such as grain size, grain geometry, crystallographic orientation, second phase and so on. Tailoring the crystallographic orientation in ceramics is one of effective ways for improving their properties. Layered structure with different crystalline orientation layer by layer has been proposed as an alternative for the design of structural ceramics. Grain sliding during the high temperature deformation depends on the grain boundary structure and misorientation angle between grains. The energy release mechanisms during the crack propagation such as crack deflection and crack bifurcation can improve the crack growth resistance in the laminar ceramics. The residual stress generated in each layer during cooling down from the sintering temperature has an influence on the crack deflection and crack bifurcation, hence the control of the residual stress is important for the crack growth resistance in order to improve the mechanical properties. There are some reports about the laminate composite materials with different components for controlling the thermal expansion coefficients in order to generate the residual stress. Our concept is that the crystalline axis depending on the thermal expansion coefficients aligns for controlling the residual stress in the monolithic ceramics. We controlled the layered structure in the monolithic ceramics, such as alumina and silicon carbide for control the crack deflection. The starting materials were spherical a-Al2O3 powder and a-SiC powder with trigonal and hexagonal crystal structure, respectively. These powders were dispersed in ethanol using an ultrasonic homogenizer and a magnetic stirrer. The suspension was placed in a superconducting magnet with a room temperature bore of 100mm, and then a strong magnetic field of 12T was applied to the suspension to rotate each particle due to the magnetic torque. The magnetic field was maintained in the suspension during the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) at room temperature. The crystalline-oriented laminate ceramics were produced by alternately changing the angle between the vectors E and B, jB-E, layer by layer during EPD in the 12 T magnetic field. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Self-Reduction Rate of a Microtubule

We formulate and study a quantum field theory of a microtubule, a basic element of living cells. Following the quantum theory of consciousness by Hameroff and Penrose, we let the system to reduce to one of the classical states without measurement if certain conditions are satisfied(self-reductions), and calculate the self-reduction time $\tau_N$ (the mean interval between two successive self-reductions) of a cluster consisting of more than $N$ neighboring tubulins (basic units composing a microtubule). $\tau_N$ is interpreted there as an instance of the stream of consciousness. We analyze the dependence of $\tau_N$ upon $N$ and the initial conditions, etc. For relatively large electron hopping amplitude, $\tau_N$ obeys a power law $\tau_N \sim N^b$, which can be explained by the percolation theory. For sufficiently small values of the electron hopping amplitude, $\tau_N$ obeys an exponential law, $\tau_N \sim \exp(c' N)$. By using this law, we estimate the condition for $\tau_N$ to take realistic values $\tau_N$ \raisebox{-0.5ex}{$\stackrel{>}{\sim}$} $10^{-1}$ sec as $N$ \raisebox{-0.5ex} {$\stackrel{>}{\sim}$} 1000.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures, Extended versio

FABRICATION OF POROUS, CRYSTALLINE-ORIENTED TITANIA LAYER ON TRANSPARENT ELECTRODE BY MAGNETIC FIELD-ASSISTED EPD

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are the most extensively investigated systems for the conversion of solar energy into electricity, since it can convert light at longer wavelengths into electricity and can be manufactured using less energy compared to the bulk semiconductor-type cells with a p-n junction. Despite these advantages, DSSC commercialization is still limited because of its low conversion efficiency and low reliability of the liquid electrolyte. The low conversion efficiency is due to the non-uniformity of the electrode components with respect to the packing density of TiO2 particles and film thickness of the electrode. Therefore the research on DSSC in general has been directed toward improving the photo-current and photo-potential. In order to significantly enhance the cell performance, it is important to optimize the photo-anode structure of the DSSC on the basis of its fundamental properties. In this study, crystalline-oriented porous TiO2 thin films were fabricated on indium-tin oxide (ITO) or fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) in a superconducting magnet. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Bending strength of multi‐layered alumina with controlled residual stress

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Investigation of affecting parameters of Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method in (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-Hexagonal BaTiO3 and their properties

Nowadays, eco-friendly materials have been attracting attention worldwide since the legislation of RoHS/WEEE directives in Europe. (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-BaTiO3 (BNT-BT) systems are well known candidate of lead-free piezoelectric materials. However, BNT-BT systems have relatively low piezoelectric constant (d33 ~ 140 pC/N) which is difficult to apply in commercial products. In spite of this problem, BNT-BT systems have good potential because it is easy to apply mass production. Electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) has good advantage in mass production because size and shape of green ceramics is easily controlled by control of electrode. Moreover, it is reported that EPD method can be fabricated textured ceramics using high magnetic field and texture technique is important in enhancing piezoelectric properties. Our final goal is making [111] oriented BNT-BT ceramics which have enhanced piezoelectric properties and appreciate for mass production. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Hadron properties in the nuclear medium

The QCD vacuum shows the dynamical breaking of chiral symmetry. In the hot/dense QCD medium, the chiral order parameter such as $$ is expected to change as function of temperature $T$ and density $\rho$ of the medium, and its experimental detection is one of the main challenges in modern hadron physics. In this article, we discuss theoretical expectations for the in-medium hadron spectra associated with partial restoration of chiral symmetry and the current status of experiments with an emphasis on the measurements of properties of mesons produced in near-ground-state nuclei.Comment: 40 pages, submitted to Reviews of Modern Physic

Analytic Bethe Ansatz for 1-D Hubbard model and twisted coupled XY model

We found the eigenvalues of the transfer matrices for the 1-D Hubbard model and for the coupled XY model with twisted boundary condition by using the analytic Bethe Ansatz method. Under a particular condition the two models have the same Bethe Ansatz equations. We have also proved that the periodic 1-D Hubbard model is exactly equal to the coupled XY model with nontrivial twisted boundary condition at the level of hamiltonians and transfer matrices.Comment: 22 pages, latex, no figure

Excitonic BCS-BEC crossover at finite temperature: Effects of repulsion and electron-hole mass difference

The BCS to Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) crossover of electron-hole (e-h) pairs in optically excited semiconductors is studied using the two-band Hubbard model with both repulsive and attractive interactions. Applying the self-consistent t-matrix approximation combined with a local approximation, we examine the properties of a normal phase and an excitonic instability. The transition temperature from the normal phase to an e-h pair condensed one is studied to clarify the crossover from an e-h BCS-like state to an excitonic Bose-Einstein condensation, which takes place on increasing the e-h attraction strength. To investigate effects of the repulsive interaction and the e-h mass difference, we calculate the transition temperature for various parameters of the interaction strengths, the e-h particle density, and the mass difference. While the transition temperature in the e-h BCS regime is sufficiently suppressed by the repulsive interaction, that of the excitonic BEC is largely insensitive to it. We also show quantitatively that in the whole regime the mass difference leads to large suppression of the transition temperature.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.