25,217 research outputs found
Synchronization of extended systems from internal coherence
A condition for the synchronizability of a pair of PDE systems, coupled
through a finite set of variables, is commonly the existence of internal
synchronization or internal coherence in each system separately. The condition
was previously illustrated in a forced-dissipative system, and is here extended
to Hamiltonian systems, using an example from particle physics. Full
synchronization is precluded by Liouville's theorem. A form of synchronization
weaker than "measure synchronization" is manifest as the positional coincidence
of coherent oscillations ("breathers" or "oscillons") in a pair of coupled
scalar field models in an expanding universe with a nonlinear potential, and
does not occur with a variant of the model that does not exhibit oscillons.Comment: version accepted for publication in PRE (paragraph beginning at the
bottom of pg. 5 has been rewritten to suggest unifying principle for
synchronizability, applying to both forced-dissipative and Hamiltonian
systems; other minor changes
Inertial range turbulence in kinetic plasmas
The transfer of turbulent energy through an inertial range from the driving
scale to dissipative scales in a kinetic plasma followed by the conversion of
this energy into heat is a fundamental plasma physics process. A theoretical
foundation for the study of this process is constructed, but the details of the
kinetic cascade are not well understood. Several important properties are
identified: (a) the conservation of a generalized energy by the cascade; (b)
the need for collisions to increase entropy and realize irreversible plasma
heating; and (c) the key role played by the entropy cascade--a dual cascade of
energy to small scales in both physical and velocity space--to convert
ultimately the turbulent energy into heat. A strategy for nonlinear numerical
simulations of kinetic turbulence is outlined. Initial numerical results are
consistent with the operation of the entropy cascade. Inertial range turbulence
arises in a broad range of space and astrophysical plasmas and may play an
important role in the thermalization of fusion energy in burning plasmas.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Physics of Plasmas, DPP Meeting
Special Issu
The magnetic fields of forming solar-like stars
Magnetic fields play a crucial role at all stages of the formation of low
mass stars and planetary systems. In the final stages, in particular, they
control the kinematics of in-falling gas from circumstellar discs, and the
launching and collimation of spectacular outflows. The magnetic coupling with
the disc is thought to influence the rotational evolution of the star, while
magnetised stellar winds control the braking of more evolved stars and may
influence the migration of planets. Magnetic reconnection events trigger
energetic flares which irradiate circumstellar discs with high energy particles
that influence the disc chemistry and set the initial conditions for planet
formation. However, it is only in the past few years that the current
generation of optical spectropolarimeters have allowed the magnetic fields of
forming solar-like stars to be probed in unprecedented detail. In order to do
justice to the recent extensive observational programs new theoretical models
are being developed that incorporate magnetic fields with an observed degree of
complexity. In this review we draw together disparate results from the
classical electromagnetism, molecular physics/chemistry, and the geophysics
literature, and demonstrate how they can be adapted to construct models of the
large scale magnetospheres of stars and planets. We conclude by examining how
the incorporation of multipolar magnetic fields into new theoretical models
will drive future progress in the field through the elucidation of several
observational conundrums.Comment: 55 pages, review article accepted for publication in Reports on
Progress in Physics. Astro-ph version includes additional appendice
Energy dependent Schrödinger operators and complex Hamiltonian systems on Riemann surfaces
We use so-called energy-dependent Schrödinger operators to establish a link between special classes of solutions on N-component systems of evolution equations and finite dimensional Hamiltonian systems on the moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces. We also investigate the phase-space geometry of these Hamiltonian systems and introduce deformations of the level sets associated to conserved quantities, which results in a new class of solutions with monodromy for N-component systems of PDEs.
After constructing a variety of mechanical systems related to the spatial flows of nonlinear evolution equations, we investigate their semiclassical limits. In particular, we obtain semicalssical asymptotics for the Bloch eigenfunctions of the energy dependent Schrödinger operators, which is of importance in investigating zero-dispersion limits of N-component systems of PDEs
Predicted Electronic and Thermodynamic Properties of a Newly Discovered Zn_8Sb_7 Phase
A new binary compound, Zn_8Sb_7, has recently been prepared in nanoparticulate form via solution synthesis. No such phase is known in the bulk phase diagram; instead, one would expect phase separation to the good thermoelectric semiconductors ZnSb and Zn_4Sb_3. Here, density functional calculations are employed to determine the free energies of formation, including effects from vibrations and configurational disorder, of the relevant phases, yielding insight into the phase stability of Zn_8Sb_7. Band structure calculations predict Zn_8Sb_7, much like ZnSb and Zn_4Sb_3, to be an intermetallic semiconductor with similar thermoelectric properties. If sufficient entropy or surface energy exists to stabilize the bulk material, it would be stable in a limited temperature window at high temperature
Entropic Stabilization and Retrograde Solubility in Zn4Sb3
Zn4Sb3 is shown to be entropically stabilized versus decomposition to Zn and
ZnSb though the effects of configurational disorder and phonon free energy.
Single phase stability is predicted for a range of compositions and
temperatures. Retrograde solubility of Zn is predicted on the two-phase
boundary region between Zn4Sb3 and Zn. The complex temperature dependent
solubility can be used to explain the variety of nanoparticle formation
observed in the system: formation of ZnSb on the Sb rich side, Zn on the far Zn
rich side and nano-void formation due to Zn precipitates being reabsorbed at
lower temperatures.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Rotationally Modulated X-ray Emission from T Tauri Stars
We have modelled the rotational modulation of X-ray emission from T Tauri
stars assuming that they have isothermal, magnetically confined coronae. By
extrapolating surface magnetograms we find that T Tauri coronae are compact and
clumpy, such that rotational modulation arises from X-ray emitting regions
being eclipsed as the star rotates. Emitting regions are close to the stellar
surface and inhomogeneously distributed about the star. However some regions of
the stellar surface, which contain wind bearing open field lines, are dark in
X-rays. From simulated X-ray light curves, obtained using stellar parameters
from the Chandra Orion Ultradeep Project, we calculate X-ray periods and make
comparisons with optically determined rotation periods. We find that X-ray
periods are typically equal to, or are half of, the optical periods. Further,
we find that X-ray periods are dependent upon the stellar inclination, but that
the ratio of X-ray to optical period is independent of stellar mass and radius.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Charged Condensate and Helium Dwarf Stars
White dwarf stars composed of carbon, oxygen or heavier elements are expected
to crystallize as they cool down below certain temperatures. Yet, simple
arguments suggest that the helium white dwarf cores may not solidify, mostly
because of zero-point oscillations of the helium ions that would dissolve the
crystalline structure. We argue that the interior of the helium dwarfs may
instead form a macroscopic quantum state in which the charged helium-4 nuclei
are in a Bose-Einstein condensate, while the relativistic electrons form a
neutralizing degenerate Fermi liquid. We discuss the electric charge screening,
and the spectrum of this substance, showing that the bosonic long-wavelength
fluctuations exhibit a mass gap. Hence, there is a suppression at low
temperatures of the boson contribution to the specific heat -- the latter being
dominated by the specific heat of the electrons near the Fermi surface. This
state of matter may have observational signatures.Comment: 10 pages; v2: to appear in JCAP, brief comments and section titles
added, typos correcte
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