6,216 research outputs found
Quantum Non-Equilibrium Steady States Induced by Repeated Interactions
We study the steady state of a finite XX chain coupled at its boundaries to
quantum reservoirs made of free spins that interact one after the other with
the chain. The two-point correlations are calculated exactly and it is shown
that the steady state is completely characterized by the magnetization profile
and the associated current. Except at the boundary sites, the magnetization is
given by the average of the reservoirs' magnetizations. The steady state
current, proportional to the difference in the reservoirs' magnetizations,
shows a non-monotonous behavior with respect to the system-reservoir coupling
strength, with an optimal current state for a finite value of the coupling.
Moreover, we show that the steady state can be described by a generalized Gibbs
state.Comment: to appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Mass generation for non-Abelian antisymmetric tensor fields in a three-dimensional space-time
Starting from a recently proposed Abelian topological model in (2+1)
dimensions, which involve the Kalb-Ramond two form field, we study a
non-Abelian generalization of the model. An obstruction for generalization is
detected. However we show that the goal is achieved if we introduce a vectorial
auxiliary field. Consequently, a model is proposed, exhibiting a non-Abelian
topological mass generation mechanism in D=3, that provides mass for the
Kalb-Ramond field. The covariant quantization of this model requires ghosts for
ghosts. Therefore in order to quantize the theory we construct a complete set
of BRST and anti-BRST equations using the horizontality condition.Comment: 8 pages. To appear in Physical Review
Multimer formation in 1D two-component gases and trimer phase in the asymmetric attractive Hubbard model
We consider two-component one-dimensional quantum gases at special imbalanced
commensurabilities which lead to the formation of multimer (multi-particle
bound-states) as the dominant order parameter. Luttinger liquid theory supports
a mode-locking mechanism in which mass (or velocity) asymmetry is identified as
the key ingredient to stabilize such states. While the scenario is valid both
in the continuum and on a lattice, the effects of umklapp terms relevant for
densities commensurate with the lattice spacing are also mentioned. These ideas
are illustrated and confronted with the physics of the asymmetric
(mass-imbalanced) fermionic Hubbard model with attractive interactions and
densities such that a trimer phase can be stabilized. Phase diagrams are
computed using density-matrix renormalization group techniques, showing the
important role of the total density in achieving the novel phase. The effective
physics of the trimer gas is as well studied. Lastly, the effect of a parabolic
confinement and the emergence of a crystal phase of trimers are briefly
addressed. This model has connections with the physics of imbalanced
two-component fermionic gases and Bose-Fermi mixtures as the latter gives a
good phenomenological description of the numerics in the strong-coupling
regime.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figure
Prediction of anomalous diffusion and algebraic relaxations for long-range interacting systems, using classical statistical mechanics
We explain the ubiquity and extremely slow evolution of non gaussian
out-of-equilibrium distributions for the Hamiltonian Mean-Field model, by means
of traditional kinetic theory. Deriving the Fokker-Planck equation for a test
particle, one also unambiguously explains and predicts striking slow algebraic
relaxation of the momenta autocorrelation, previously found in numerical
simulations. Finally, angular anomalous diffusion are predicted for a large
class of initial distributions. Non Extensive Statistical Mechanics is shown to
be unnecessary for the interpretation of these phenomena
How do the grains slide in fine-grained zirconia polycrystals at high temperature?
Degradation of mechanical properties of zirconia polycrystals is hardly
discussed in terms of solution-precipitation grain-boundary sliding due to
experimental controversies over imaging of intergranular amorphous phases at
high and room temperatures. Here, the authors applied the techniques of
mechanical spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to shed
light on the amorphization of grain interfaces at high temperature where the
interface-reaction determines the behaviour of fine-grained zirconia
polycrystals. They present mechanical spectroscopy results, which yield
evidences of an intergranular amorphous phase in silica doped and high-purity
zirconia at high temperature. Quenching of zirconia polycrystals reveals an
intergranular amorphous phase on TEM images at room temperature.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure
Supersymmetrization of horizontality condition: nilpotent symmetries for a free spinning relativistic particle
We derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting
Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for a
supersymmetric system of a free spinning relativistic particle within the
framework of superfield approach to BRST formalism. A novel feature of our
present investigation is the consistent and clear supersymmetric modification
of the celebrated horizontality condition for the precise determination of the
proper (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for all the bosonic and fermionic
dynamical variables of our theory which is considered on a (1, 2)-dimensional
supermanifold parameterized by an even (bosonic) variable (\tau) and a pair of
odd (fermionic) variables \theta and \bar\theta (with \theta^2 = \bar\theta^2 =
0,\; \theta \bar\theta + \bar\theta \theta = 0) of the Grassmann algebra. One
of the most important features of our present investigation is the derivation
of (anti-)BRST invariant Curci-Ferrari type restriction which turns out to be
responsible for the absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-)BRST symmetry
transformations and existence of the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangians for
the present theory of a supersymmetric system.Comment: LaTeX file, 24 pages, version to appear in EPJ
Orbital Parameters and Chemical Composition of Four White Dwarfs in Post-Common Envelope Binaries
We present FUSE observations of the hot white dwarfs in the post-common
envelope binaries Feige 24, EUVE J0720-317, BPM 6502, and EUVE J2013+400. The
spectra show numerous photospheric absorption lines which trace the white dwarf
orbital motion. We report the detection of C III, O VI, P V, and Si IV in the
spectra of Feige 24, EUVE J0720-317 and EUVE J2013+400, and the detection of C
III, N II, Si III, Si IV, and Fe III in the spectra of BPM 6502. Abundance
measurements support the possibility that white dwarfs in post-common envelope
binaries accrete material from the secondary star wind. The FUSE observations
of BPM 6502 and EUVE J2013+400 cover a complete binary orbit. We used the FUSE
spectra to measure the radial velocities traced by the white dwarf in the four
binaries, where the zero-point velocity were fixed using the ISM velocities in
the line of sight of the stellar systems. For BPM 6502 we determined a white
dwarf velocity semi-amplitude of K_WD = 18.6+/-0.5km/s, and with the velocity
semi-amplitude of the red dwarf companion (K_RD = 75.2+/-3.1 km/s), we estimate
the mass ratio to be q = 0.25+/-0.01. Adopting a spectroscopic mass
determination for the white dwarf, we infer a low secondary mass of M_RD =
0.14+/-0.01 M_solar. For EUVE J2013+400 we determine a white dwarf velocity
semi-amplitude of K_WD = 36.7+/-0.7 km/s. The FUSE observations of EUVE
J0720-317 cover approximately 30% of the binary period and combined with the
HST GHRS measurements (Vennes et al. 1999, ApJ 523, 386), we update the binary
properties. FUSE observations of Feige 24 cover approximately 60% of the orbit
and we combine this data set with HST STIS (Vennes et al. 2000, ApJ, 544, 423)
data to update the binary properties.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap
Evaluation of herbal cannabis characteristics by medical users: a randomized trial
BACKGROUND: Cannabis, in herbal form, is widely used as self-medication by patients with diseases such as HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis suffering from symptoms including pain, muscle spasticity, stress and insomnia. Valid clinical studies of herbal cannabis require a product which is acceptable to patients in order to maximize adherence to study protocols. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled crossover trial of 4 different herbal cannabis preparations among 8 experienced and authorized cannabis users with chronic pain. Preparations were varied with respect to grind size, THC content and humidity. Subjects received each preparation on a separate day and prepared the drug in their usual way in a dedicated and licensed clinical facility. They were asked to evaluate the products based on appearance (smell, colour, humidity, grind size, ease of preparation and overall appearance) and smoking characteristics (burn rate, hotness, harshness and taste). Five-point Likert scores were assigned to each characteristic. Scores were compared between preparations using ANOVA. RESULTS: Seven subjects completed the study, and the product with highest THC content (12%), highest humidity (14%) and largest grind size (10 mm) was rated highest overall. Significant differences were noted between preparations on overall appearance and colour (p = 0.003). DISCUSSION: While the small size of the study precludes broad conclusions, the study shows that medical cannabis users can appreciate differences in herbal product. A more acceptable cannabis product may increase recruitment and retention in clinical studies of medical cannabis
Thermodynamics of the self-gravitating ring model
We present the phase diagram, in both the microcanonical and the canonical
ensemble, of the Self-Gravitating-Ring (SGR) model, which describes the motion
of equal point masses constrained on a ring and subject to 3D gravitational
attraction. If the interaction is regularized at short distances by the
introduction of a softening parameter, a global entropy maximum always exists,
and thermodynamics is well defined in the mean-field limit. However, ensembles
are not equivalent and a phase of negative specific heat in the microcanonical
ensemble appears in a wide intermediate energy region, if the softening
parameter is small enough. The phase transition changes from second to first
order at a tricritical point, whose location is not the same in the two
ensembles. All these features make of the SGR model the best prototype of a
self-gravitating system in one dimension. In order to obtain the stable
stationary mass distribution, we apply a new iterative method, inspired by a
previous one used in 2D turbulence, which ensures entropy increase and, hence,
convergence towards an equilibrium state
Pressure effects on the magnetic structure in La0.5Ca0.5-xSrxMnO3 (0.1 -< x -< 0.4) manganites
The effect of high pressure (0 - 8 GPa) on the magnetic structure of
polycrystalline samples of La0.5Ca0.5-xSrxMnO3 (0.1 -< x -< 0.4) manganites at
5 K is investigated using neutron diffraction technique. Application of
pressure is found to modify the previously reported magnetic structure,
observed under ambient conditions, in these compounds [I. Dhiman et al., Phys.
Rev. B 77, 094440 (2008)]. In x = 0.1 composition, at 4.6(2) GPa and beyond,
A-type antiferromagnetic structure is found to coexist with CE-type
antiferromagnetic phase, observed at ambient pressure, with TN ~ 150 K. For x =
0.3 sample, as a function of pressure the CE-type phase is fully suppressed at
2.3(1) GPa and A-type antiferromagnetic phase is favored. Further Sr doping at
x = 0.4, the A-type antiferromagnetic phase is observed at ambient pressure and
for T < TN (~ 250K). This phase is retained in the studied pressure range.
However, the magnetic moment progressively reduces with increasing pressure,
indicating the suppression of A-type antiferromagnetic phase. The present study
brings out the fragile nature of the CE-type antiferromagnetic state in half
doped manganites as a function of pressure and disorder \sigma 2. We observe
that pressure required for destabilizing the CE-type antiferromagnetic state is
reduced with increasing disorder \sigma 2. External pressure and changing
A-site ionic radii have analogous effect on the magnetic structure.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, To appear in Physical Review
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