65 research outputs found
Density dynamics from current auto-correlations at finite time- and length-scales
We consider the increase of the spatial variance of some inhomogeneous,
non-equilibrium density (particles, energy, etc.) in a periodic quantum system
of condensed matter-type. This is done for a certain class of initial quantum
states which is supported by static linear response and typicality arguments.
We directly relate the broadening to some current auto-correlation function at
finite times. Our result is not limited to diffusive behavior, however, in that
case it yields a generalized Einstein relation. These findings facilitate the
approximation of diffusion constants/conductivities on the basis of current
auto-correlation functions at finite times for finite systems. Pursuing this,
we quantitatively confirm the magnetization diffusion constant in a spin chain
which was recently found from non-equilibrium bath scenarios.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Europhys. Let
Heat transport in an open transverse-field Ising chain
The heat conduction in an open transverse-field Ising chain is studied by
using quantization in the Fock space of operators in the weak coupling regimes,
i.e. the coupling is much smaller than the transverse field. The
non-equilibrium steady state is obtained for large size systems coupled to
Markovian baths at its ends. The ballistic transport is observed in the uniform
chain and normal diffusion in the random-exchange chain. {In addition, the
ballistic-diffusive transition is found at the intermediate disorder regime.}
The thermal conductivity is also calculated in the low and high
temperature regimes. It is shown that decays as at
high temperatures.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure
Manipulation of the dynamics of many-body systems via quantum control methods
We investigate how dynamical decoupling methods may be used to manipulate the
time evolution of quantum many-body systems. These methods consist of sequences
of external control operations designed to induce a desired dynamics. The
systems considered for the analysis are one-dimensional spin-1/2 models, which,
according to the parameters of the Hamiltonian, may be in the integrable or
non-integrable limits, and in the gapped or gapless phases. We show that an
appropriate control sequence may lead a chaotic chain to evolve as an
integrable chain and a system in the gapless phase to behave as a system in the
gapped phase. A key ingredient for the control schemes developed here is the
possibility to use, in the same sequence, different time intervals between
control operations.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure
Dephasing-induced diffusive transport in anisotropic Heisenberg model
We study transport properties of anisotropic Heisenberg model in a disordered
magnetic field experiencing dephasing due to external degrees of freedom. In
the absence of dephasing the model can display, depending on parameter values,
the whole range of possible transport regimes: ideal ballistic conduction,
diffusive, or ideal insulating behavior. We show that the presence of dephasing
induces normal diffusive transport in a wide range of parameters. We also
analyze the dependence of spin conductivity on the dephasing strength. In
addition, by analyzing the decay of spin-spin correlation function we discover
a presence of long-range order for finite chain sizes. All our results for a
one-dimensional spin chain at infinite temperature can be equivalently
rephrased for strongly-interacting disordered spinless fermions.Comment: 15 pages, 9 PS figure
From thermal rectifiers to thermoelectric devices
We discuss thermal rectification and thermoelectric energy conversion from
the perspective of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and dynamical systems
theory. After preliminary considerations on the dynamical foundations of the
phenomenological Fourier law in classical and quantum mechanics, we illustrate
ways to control the phononic heat flow and design thermal diodes. Finally, we
consider the coupled transport of heat and charge and discuss several general
mechanisms for optimizing the figure of merit of thermoelectric efficiency.Comment: 42 pages, 22 figures, review paper, to appear in the Springer Lecture
Notes in Physics volume "Thermal transport in low dimensions: from
statistical physics to nanoscale heat transfer" (S. Lepri ed.
Plant trait-mediated drag forces on seedlings of four tidal marsh pioneer species
Salt marshes play an important role in coastal protection by reducing the impact of waves and shoreline erosion risks. While mature vegetation is responsible for the persistence and stability of marsh ecosystems, seedling survival of pioneer species is especially crucial for marsh propagation. Marsh seedlings, however, may be threatened by climate change induced increased coastal storm surge intensity and accompanying (extreme) wave conditions, imposing stronger drag forces on marsh seedlings. We test the hypothesis that drag forces experienced by seedlings increase with horizontal orbital velocity (Uw) in a species-specific manner, and that the drag forces experienced are individual-plant trait-mediated. To test our hypotheses, seedlings of four contrasting pioneer marsh species (Bolboschoenus maritimus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Spartina anglica, and Puccinellia maritima) were exposed to storm wave conditions in a flume, where Uw and experienced drag forces were measured. Linear mixed effect models demonstrated that seedling’s susceptibility to storm wave conditions is at least partly mediated by individual plant traits. Drag forces experienced by seedlings tended to increase with Uw, and with stem length and diameter. The interplay of both traits was complex, with increasing stem length being the most important trait accounting for increases in drag forces experienced at low to moderate Uw, while the stem diameter became more important with increasing Uw. Furthermore, experienced drag forces appeared to be affected by species-specific traits such as rigidity and leaf growth, being highest for Bolboschoenus maritimus and lowest for Puccinellia maritima. Our results provide important mechanistic insights into the drivers of tidal marsh seedling vulnerability to storm wave conditions due to experienced drag, both based on the traits of individual plants and species-specific ones. This type of knowledge is of key importance when modelling saltmarsh establishment and resilience under climate change
Antimicrobial activity of a silver-microfibrillated cellulose biocomposite against susceptible and resistant bacteria
Universal surface-enhanced Raman tags : individual nanorods for measurements from the visible to the infrared (514 – 1064 nm)
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a promising imaging modality for use in a variety of multiplexed tracking and sensing applications in biological environments. However, the uniform production of SERS nanoparticle tags with high yield and brightness still remains a significant challenge. Here, we describe an approach based on the controlled co-adsorption of multiple dye species onto gold nanorods to create tags that can be detected across a much wider range of excitation wavelengths (514 – 1064 nm) compared to conventional approaches that typically focus on a single wavelength. This was achieved without the added complexity of nanoparticle aggregation or growing surrounding metallic shells to further enhance the surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) signal. Correlated Raman and scanning electron microscopy mapping measurements of individual tags were used to clearly demonstrate that strong and reproducible SERRS signals at high particle yields (>92 %) were readily achievable. The polyelectrolyte-wrapped nanorod-dye conjugates were also found to be highly stable as well as non-cytotoxic. To demonstrate the use of these universal tags for the multimodal optical imaging of biological specimens, confocal Raman and fluorescence maps of stained immune cells following nanoparticle uptake were acquired at several excitation wavelengths and compared with dark-field images. The ability to colocalize and track individual optically encoded nanoparticles across a wide range of wavelengths simultaneously will enable the use of SERS alongside other imaging techniques for the real-time monitoring of cell-nanoparticle interactions
Quantum thermal transport in nanostructures
In this colloquia review we discuss methods for thermal transport
calculations for nanojunctions connected to two semi-infinite leads served as
heat-baths. Our emphases are on fundamental quantum theory and atomistic
models. We begin with an introduction of the Landauer formula for ballistic
thermal transport and give its derivation from scattering wave point of view.
Several methods (scattering boundary condition, mode-matching, Piccard and
Caroli formulas) of calculating the phonon transmission coefficients are given.
The nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) method is reviewed and the Caroli
formula is derived. We also give iterative methods and an algorithm based on a
generalized eigenvalue problem for the calculation of surface Green's
functions, which are starting point for an NEGF calculation. A systematic
exposition for the NEGF method is presented, starting with the fundamental
definitions of the Green's functions, and ending with equations of motion for
the contour ordered Green's functions and Feynman diagrammatic expansion. In
the later part, we discuss the treatments of nonlinear effects in heat
conduction, including a phenomenological expression for the transmission, NEGF
for phonon-phonon interactions, molecular dynamics (generalized Langevin) with
quantum heat-baths, and electron-phonon interactions. Some new results are also
shown. We also briefly review the experimental status of the thermal transport
measurements in nanostructures.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figures, over 200 reference
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