Nuclear multifragmentation within the framework of different statistical ensembles

The sensitivity of the Statistical Multifragmentation Model to the underlying statistical assumptions is investigated. We concentrate on its micro-canonical, canonical, and isobaric formulations. As far as average values are concerned, our results reveal that all the ensembles make very similar predictions, as long as the relevant macroscopic variables (such as temperature, excitation energy and breakup volume) are the same in all statistical ensembles. It also turns out that the multiplicity dependence of the breakup volume in the micro-canonical version of the model mimics a system at (approximately) constant pressure, at least in the plateau region of the caloric curve. However, in contrast to average values, our results suggest that the distributions of physical observables are quite sensitive to the statistical assumptions. This finding may help deciding which hypothesis corresponds to the best picture for the freeze-out stageComment: 20 pages, 7 figure

Robustness of quantum discord to sudden death

We calculate the dissipative dynamics of two-qubit quantum discord under Markovian environments. We analyze various dissipative channels such as dephasing, depolarizing, and generalized amplitude damping, assuming independent perturbation, in which each qubit is coupled to its own channel. Choosing initial conditions that manifest the so-called sudden death of entanglement, we compare the dynamics of entanglement with that of quantum discord. We show that in all cases where entanglement suddenly disappears, quantum discord vanishes only in the asymptotic limit, behaving similarly to individual decoherence of the qubits, even at finite temperatures. Hence, quantum discord is more robust than the entanglement against to decoherence so that quantum algorithms based only on quantum discord correlations may be more robust than those based on entanglement.Comment: 4 figures, 4 page

Crystallization, data collection and data processing of maltose-binding protein (MalE) from the phytopathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri

Maltose-binding protein is the periplasmic component of the ABC transporter responsible for the uptake of maltose/maltodextrins. The Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri maltose-binding protein MalE has been crystallized at 293 Kusing the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystal belonged to the primitive hexagonal space group P6_122, with unit-cell parameters a = 123.59, b = 123.59, c = 304.20 Å, and contained two molecules in the asymetric unit. It diffracted to 2.24 Å resolution

Noether symmetry for non-minimally coupled fermion fields

A cosmological model where a fermion field is non-minimally coupled with the gravitational field is studied. By applying Noether symmetry the possible functions for the potential density of the fermion field and for the coupling are determined. Cosmological solutions are found showing that the non-minimally coupled fermion field behaves as an inflaton describing an accelerated inflationary scenario, whereas the minimally coupled fermion field describes a decelerated period being identified as dark matter.Comment: Revised version accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Constraining non-minimally coupled tachyon fields by Noether symmetry

A model for a spatially flat homogeneous and isotropic Universe whose gravitational sources are a pressureless matter field and a tachyon field non-minimally coupled to the gravitational field is analyzed. Noether symmetry is used to find the expressions for the potential density and for the coupling function, and it is shown that both must be exponential functions of the tachyon field. Two cosmological solutions are investigated: (i) for the early Universe whose only source of the gravitational field is a non-minimally coupled tachyon field which behaves as an inflaton and leads to an exponential accelerated expansion and (ii) for the late Universe whose gravitational sources are a pressureless matter field and a non-minimally coupled tachyon field which plays the role of dark energy and is the responsible of the decelerated-accelerated transition period.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. Version accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Dimensionality effects in the LDOS of ferromagnetic hosts probed via STM: spin-polarized quantum beats and spin filtering

We theoretically investigate the local density of states (LDOS) probed by a STM tip of ferromagnetic metals hosting a single adatom and a subsurface impurity. We model the system via the two-impurity Anderson Hamiltonian. By using the equation of motion with the relevant Green functions, we derive analytical expressions for the LDOS of two host types: a surface and a quantum wire. The LDOS reveals Friedel-like oscillations and Fano interference as a function of the STM tip position. These oscillations strongly depend on the host dimension. Interestingly, we find that the spin-dependent Fermi wave numbers of the hosts give rise to spin-polarized quantum beats in the LDOS. While the LDOS for the metallic surface shows a damped beating pattern, it exhibits an opposite behavior in the quantum wire. Due to this absence of damping, the wire operates as a spatially resolved spin filter with a high efficiency.Comment: revised tex