404 research outputs found
Random matrix models for phase diagrams
We describe a random matrix approach that can provide generic and readily
soluble mean-field descriptions of the phase diagram for a variety of systems
ranging from QCD to high-T_c materials. Instead of working from specific
models, phase diagrams are constructed by averaging over the ensemble of
theories that possesses the relevant symmetries of the problem. Although
approximate in nature, this approach has a number of advantages. First, it can
be useful in distinguishing generic features from model-dependent details.
Second, it can help in understanding the `minimal' number of symmetry
constraints required to reproduce specific phase structures. Third, the
robustness of predictions can be checked with respect to variations in the
detailed description of the interactions. Finally, near critical points, random
matrix models bear strong similarities to Ginsburg-Landau theories with the
advantage of additional constraints inherited from the symmetries of the
underlying interaction. These constraints can be helpful in ruling out certain
topologies in the phase diagram. In this Key Issue, we illustrate the basic
structure of random matrix models, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and
consider the kinds of system to which they can be applied.Comment: 29 pages, 2 figures, uses iopart.sty. Author's postprint versio
Strange quark matter: mapping QCD lattice results to finite baryon density by a quasi-particle model
A quasi-particle model is presented which describes QCD lattice results for
the 0, 2 and 4 quark-flavor equation of state. The results are mapped to finite
baryo-chemical potentials. As an application of the model we make a prediction
of deconfined matter with appropriate inclusion of strange quarks and consider
pure quark stars.Comment: invited talk at Strangeness 2000, Berkeley; prepared version for the
proceedings, 5 page
Bulk high-Tc superconductors with drilled holes: how to arrange the holes to maximize the trapped magnetic flux ?
Drilling holes in a bulk high-Tc superconductor enhances the oxygen annealing
and the heat exchange with the cooling liquid. However, drilling holes also
reduces the amount of magnetic flux that can be trapped in the sample. In this
paper, we use the Bean model to study the magnetization and the current line
distribution in drilled samples, as a function of the hole positions. A single
hole perturbs the critical current flow over an extended region that is bounded
by a discontinuity line, where the direction of the current density changes
abruptly. We demonstrate that the trapped magnetic flux is maximized if the
center of each hole is positioned on one of the discontinuity lines produced by
the neighbouring holes. For a cylindrical sample, we construct a polar
triangular hole pattern that exploits this principle; in such a lattice, the
trapped field is ~20% higher than in a squared lattice, for which the holes do
not lie on discontinuity lines. This result indicates that one can
simultaneously enhance the oxygen annealing, the heat transfer, and maximize
the trapped field
Pulsed-field magnetization of drilled bulk high-temperature superconductors: flux front propagation in the volume and on the surface
We present a method for characterizing the propagation of the magnetic flux
in an artificially drilled bulk high-temperature superconductor (HTS) during a
pulsed-field magnetization. As the magnetic pulse penetrates the cylindrical
sample, the magnetic flux density is measured simultaneously in 16 holes by
means of microcoils that are placed across the median plane, i.e. at an equal
distance from the top and bottom surfaces, and close to the surface of the
sample. We discuss the time evolution of the magnetic flux density in the holes
during a pulse and measure the time taken by the external magnetic flux to
reach each hole. Our data show that the flux front moves faster in the median
plane than on the surface when penetrating the sample edge; it then proceeds
faster along the surface than in the bulk as it penetrates the sample further.
Once the pulse is over, the trapped flux density inside the central hole is
found to be about twice as large in the median plane than on the surface. This
ratio is confirmed by modelling
Random matrix model for chiral symmetry breaking and color superconductivity in QCD at finite density
We consider a random matrix model which describes the competition between
chiral symmetry breaking and the formation of quark Cooper pairs in QCD at
finite density. We study the evolution of the phase structure in temperature
and chemical potential with variations of the strength of the interaction in
the quark-quark channel and demonstrate that the phase diagram can realize a
total of six different topologies. A vector interaction representing
single-gluon exchange reproduces a topology commonly encountered in previous
QCD models, in which a low-density chiral broken phase is separated from a
high-density diquark phase by a first-order line. The other five topologies
either do not possess a diquark phase or display a new phase and new critical
points. Since these five cases require large variations of the coupling
constants away from the values expected for a vector interaction, we conclude
that the phase diagram of finite density QCD has the topology suggested by
single-gluon exchange and that this topology is robust.Comment: ReVTeX, 22 pages, 14 figures. An animated gif movie showing the
evolution of the phase diagram with the coupling constants can be viewed at
http://www.nbi.dk/~vdheyden/QCDpd.htm
Shielding efficiency and E(J) characteristics measured on large melt cast Bi-2212 hollow cylinders in axial magnetic fields
We show that tubes of melt cast Bi-2212 used as current leads for LTS magnets
can also act as efficient magnetic shields. The magnetic screening properties
under an axial DC magnetic field are characterized at several temperatures
below the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). Two main shielding properties are
studied and compared with those of Bi-2223, a material that has been considered
in the past for bulk magnetic shields. The first property is related to the
maximum magnetic flux density that can be screened, Blim; it is defined as the
applied magnetic flux density below which the field attenuation measured at the
centre of the shield exceeds 1000. For a cylinder of Bi-2212 with a wall
thickness of 5 mm and a large ratio of length over radius, Blim is evaluated to
1 T at T = 10 K. This value largely exceeds the Blim value measured at the same
temperature on similar tubes of Bi-2223. The second shielding property that is
characterized is the dependence of Blim with respect to variations of the sweep
rate of the applied field, dBapp/dt. This dependence is interpreted in terms of
the power law E = Ec(J/Jc)^n and allows us to determine the exponent n of this
E(J) characteristics for Bi-2212. The characterization of the magnetic field
relaxation involves very small values of the electric field. This gives us the
opportunity to experimentally determine the E(J) law in an unexplored region of
small electric fields. Combining these results with transport and AC shielding
measurements, we construct a piecewise E(J) law that spans over 8 orders of
magnitude of the electric field.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure
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Optimization of air-sparged plutonium oxalate/hydroxide precipitators
The high cost of waste management and experimental work makes numerical modeling an inexpensive and attractive tool for optimizing and understanding complex chemical processes. Multiphase {open_quotes}bubble{close_quotes} columns are used extensively at the Los Alamos Plutonium Facility for a variety of different applications. No moving parts and efficient mixing characteristics allow them to be used in glovebox operations. Initially, a bubble column for oxalate precipitations is being modeled to identify the effect of various design parameters such as, draft tube location, air sparge rate and vessel geometry. Two-dimensional planar and axisymmetric models have been completed and successfully compared to literature data. Also, a preliminary three-dimensional model has been completed. These results are discussed in this report along with future work
Thermodynamics of two-colour QCD and the Nambu Jona-Lasinio model
We investigate two-flavour and two-colour QCD at finite temperature and
chemical potential in comparison with a corresponding Nambu and Jona-Lasinio
model. By minimizing the thermodynamic potential of the system, we confirm that
a second order phase transition occurs at a value of the chemical potential
equal to half the mass of the chiral Goldstone mode. For chemical potentials
beyond this value the scalar diquarks undergo Bose condensation and the diquark
condensate is nonzero. We evaluate the behaviour of the chiral condensate, the
diquark condensate, the baryon charge density and the masses of scalar diquark,
antidiquark and pion, as functions of the chemical potential. Very good
agreement is found with lattice QCD (N_c=2) results. We also compare with a
model based on leading-order chiral effective field theory.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figure
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