A Review on Ab Initio Approaches for Multielectron Dynamics

In parallel with the evolution of femtosecond and attosecond laser as well as free-electron laser technology, a variety of theoretical methods have been developed to describe the behavior of atoms, molecules, clusters, and solids under the action of those laser pulses. Here we review major ab initio wave-function-based numerical approaches to simulate multielectron dynamics in atoms and molecules driven by intense long-wavelength and/or ultrashort short-wavelength laser pulses. Direct solution of the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation (TDSE), though its applicability is limited to He, ${\rm H}_2$, and Li, can provide an exact description and has been greatly contributing to the understanding of dynamical electron-electron correlation. Multiconfiguration self-consistent-field (MCSCF) approach offers a flexible framework from which a variety of methods can be derived to treat both atoms and molecules, with possibility to systematically control the accuracy. The equations of motion of configuration interaction coefficients and molecular orbitals for general MCSCF ansatz have recently been derived. Time-dependent extension of the $R$-matrix theory, originally develop for electron-atom collision, can realistically and accurately describe laser-driven complex multielectron atoms.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure

Step Bunching with Alternation of Structural Parameters

By taking account of the alternation of structural parameters, we study bunching of impermeable steps induced by drift of adatoms on a vicinal face of Si(001). With the alternation of diffusion coefficient, the step bunching occurs irrespective of the direction of the drift if the step distance is large. Like the bunching of permeable steps, the type of large terraces is determined by the drift direction. With step-down drift, step bunches grows faster than those with step-up drift. The ratio of the growth rates is larger than the ratio of the diffusion coefficients. Evaporation of adatoms, which does not cause the step bunching, decreases the difference. If only the alternation of kinetic coefficient is taken into account, the step bunching occurs with step-down drift. In an early stage, the initial fluctuation of the step distance determines the type of large terraces, but in a late stage, the type of large terraces is opposite to the case of alternating diffusion coefficient.Comment: 8pages, 16 figure

The Multicomponent KP Hierarchy: Differential Fay Identities and Lax Equations

In this article, we show that four sets of differential Fay identities of an $N$-component KP hierarchy derived from the bilinear relation satisfied by the tau function of the hierarchy are sufficient to derive the auxiliary linear equations for the wave functions. From this, we derive the Lax representation for the $N$-component KP hierarchy, which are equations satisfied by some pseudodifferential operators with matrix coefficients. Besides the Lax equations with respect to the time variables proposed in \cite{2}, we also obtain a set of equations relating different charge sectors, which can be considered as a generalization of the modified KP hierarchy proposed in \cite{3}.Comment: 19 page

Cosmic Sculpture: A new way to visualise the Cosmic Microwave Background

3D printing presents an attractive alternative to visual representation of physical datasets such as astronomical images that can be used for research, outreach or teaching purposes, and is especially relevant to people with a visual disability. We here report the use of 3D printing technology to produce a representation of the all-sky Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) intensity anisotropy maps produced by the Planck mission. The success of this work in representing key features of the CMB is discussed as is the potential of this approach for representing other astrophysical data sets. 3D printing such datasets represents a highly complementary approach to the usual 2D projections used in teaching and outreach work, and can also form the basis of undergraduate projects. The CAD files used to produce the models discussed in this paper are made available.Comment: Accepted for publication in the European Journal of Physic