5,934 research outputs found
Disordered Topological Insulators via -Algebras
The theory of almost commuting matrices can be used to quantify topological
obstructions to the existence of localized Wannier functions with time-reversal
symmetry in systems with time-reversal symmetry and strong spin-orbit coupling.
We present a numerical procedure that calculates a Z_2 invariant using these
techniques, and apply it to a model of HgTe. This numerical procedure allows us
to access sizes significantly larger than procedures based on studying twisted
boundary conditions. Our numerical results indicate the existence of a metallic
phase in the presence of scattering between up and down spin components, while
there is a sharp transition when the system decouples into two copies of the
quantum Hall effect. In addition to the Z_2 invariant calculation in the case
when up and down components are coupled, we also present a simple method of
evaluating the integer invariant in the quantum Hall case where they are
decoupled.Comment: Added detail regarding the mapping of almost commuting unitary
matrices to almost commuting Hermitian matrices that form an approximate
representation of the sphere. 6 pages, 6 figure
A short proof of stability of topological order under local perturbations
Recently, the stability of certain topological phases of matter under weak
perturbations was proven. Here, we present a short, alternate proof of the same
result. We consider models of topological quantum order for which the
unperturbed Hamiltonian can be written as a sum of local pairwise
commuting projectors on a -dimensional lattice. We consider a perturbed
Hamiltonian involving a generic perturbation that can be written
as a sum of short-range bounded-norm interactions. We prove that if the
strength of is below a constant threshold value then has well-defined
spectral bands originating from the low-lying eigenvalues of . These bands
are separated from the rest of the spectrum and from each other by a constant
gap. The width of the band originating from the smallest eigenvalue of
decays faster than any power of the lattice size.Comment: 15 page
Quasi-Adiabatic Continuation in Gapped Spin and Fermion Systems: Goldstone's Theorem and Flux Periodicity
We apply the technique of quasi-adiabatic continuation to study systems with
continuous symmetries. We first derive a general form of Goldstone's theorem
applicable to gapped nonrelativistic systems with continuous symmetries. We
then show that for a fermionic system with a spin gap, it is possible to insert
-flux into a cylinder with only exponentially small change in the energy
of the system, a scenario which covers several physically interesting cases
such as an s-wave superconductor or a resonating valence bond state.Comment: 19 pages, 2 figures, final version in press at JSTA
Tip Splittings and Phase Transitions in the Dielectric Breakdown Model: Mapping to the DLA Model
We show that the fractal growth described by the dielectric breakdown model
exhibits a phase transition in the multifractal spectrum of the growth measure.
The transition takes place because the tip-splitting of branches forms a fixed
angle. This angle is eta dependent but it can be rescaled onto an
``effectively'' universal angle of the DLA branching process. We derive an
analytic rescaling relation which is in agreement with numerical simulations.
The dimension of the clusters decreases linearly with the angle and the growth
becomes non-fractal at an angle close to 74 degrees (which corresponds to eta=
4.0 +- 0.3).Comment: 4 pages, REVTex, 3 figure
Fractal to Nonfractal Phase Transition in the Dielectric Breakdown Model
A fast method is presented for simulating the dielectric-breakdown model
using iterated conformal mappings. Numerical results for the dimension and for
corrections to scaling are in good agreement with the recent RG prediction of
an upper critical , at which a transition occurs between branching
fractal clusters and one-dimensional nonfractal clusters.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures; corrections to scaling include
Developing a Marketing Mind-Set: Training and Mentoring for County Extension Employees
Marketing the county Extension program is a critical responsibility of the entire county staff. This article describes a unique peer-to-peer training and mentoring program developed to assist county Extension staff in improving marketing skills and successfully developing and implementing a county Extension marketing plan. Data demonstrating success of this program are presented. Additionally, best practices for states wishing to create a similar peer-to-peer program conclude the article
High performance, high density hydrocarbon fuels
The fuels were selected from 77 original candidates on the basis of estimated merit index and cost effectiveness. The ten candidates consisted of 3 pure compounds, 4 chemical plant streams and 3 refinery streams. Critical physical and chemical properties of the candidate fuels were measured including heat of combustion, density, and viscosity as a function of temperature, freezing points, vapor pressure, boiling point, thermal stability. The best all around candidate was found to be a chemical plant olefin stream rich in dicyclopentadiene. This material has a high merit index and is available at low cost. Possible problem areas were identified as low temperature flow properties and thermal stability. An economic analysis was carried out to determine the production costs of top candidates. The chemical plant and refinery streams were all less than 44 cent/kg while the pure compounds were greater than 44 cent/kg. A literature survey was conducted on the state of the art of advanced hydrocarbon fuel technology as applied to high energy propellents. Several areas for additional research were identified
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