Magnetization distribution in the transverse Ising chain with energy flux

The zero-temperature transverse Ising chain carrying an energy flux j_E is studied with the aim of determining the nonequilibrium distribution functions, P(M_z) and P(M_x), of its transverse and longitudinal magnetizations, respectively. An exact calculation reveals that P(M_z) is a Gaussian both at j_E=0 and j_E not equal 0, and the width of the distribution decreases with increasing energy flux. The distribution of the order-parameter fluctuations, P(M_x), is evaluated numerically for spin-chains of up to 20 spins. For the equilibrium case (j_E=0), we find the expected Gaussian fluctuations away from the critical point while the critical order-parameter fluctuations are shown to be non-gaussian with a scaling function Phi(x)=Phi(M_x/)=P(M_x) strongly dependent on the boundary conditions. When j_E not equal 0, the system displays long-range, oscillating correlations but P(M_x) is a Gaussian nevertheless, and the width of the Gaussian decreases with increasing j_E. In particular, we find that, at critical transverse field, the width has a j_E^(-3/8) asymptotic in the j_E -> 0 limit.Comment: 8 pages, 5 ps figure

Quantum shock waves in the Heisenberg XY model

We show the existence of quantum states of the Heisenberg XY chain which closely follow the motion of the corresponding semi-classical ones, and whose evolution resemble the propagation of a shock wave in a fluid. These states are exact solutions of the Schroedinger equation of the XY model and their classical counterpart are simply domain walls or soliton-like solutions.Comment: 15 pages,6 figure

Steady-state selection in driven diffusive systems with open boundaries

We investigate the stationary states of one-dimensional driven diffusive systems, coupled to boundary reservoirs with fixed particle densities. We argue that the generic phase diagram is governed by an extremal principle for the macroscopic current irrespective of the local dynamics. In particular, we predict a minimal current phase for systems with local minimum in the current--density relation. This phase is explained by a dynamical phenomenon, the branching and coalescence of shocks, Monte-Carlo simulations confirm the theoretical scenario.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

The Diffusion of the Magnetization Profile in the XX-model

By the $C^*$-algebraic method, we investigate the magnetization profile in the intermediate time of diffusion. We observe a transition from monotone profile to non-monotone profile. This transition is purely thermal.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Comparing electricity transitions:

AbstractThis paper contributes to understanding national variations in using low-carbon electricity sources by comparing the evolution of nuclear, wind and solar power in Germany and Japan. It develops and applies a framework for analyzing low-carbon electricity transitions based on interplay of techno-economic, political and socio-technical processes. We explain why in the 1970s–1980s, the energy paths of the two countries were remarkably similar, but since the 1990s Germany has become a leader in renewables while phasing out nuclear energy, whereas Japan has deployed less renewables while becoming a leader in nuclear power. We link these differences to the faster growth of electricity demand and energy insecurity in Japan, the easier diffusion of onshore wind power technology and the weakening of the nuclear power regime induced by stagnation and competition from coal and renewables in Germany. We show how these changes involve the interplay of five distinct mechanisms which may also play a role in other energy transitions

Probability distribution of magnetization in the one-dimensional Ising model: Effects of boundary conditions

Finite-size scaling functions are investigated both for the mean-square magnetization fluctuations and for the probability distribution of the magnetization in the one-dimensional Ising model. The scaling functions are evaluated in the limit of the temperature going to zero (T -> 0), the size of the system going to infinity (N -> oo) while N[1-tanh(J/k_BT)] is kept finite (J being the nearest neighbor coupling). Exact calculations using various boundary conditions (periodic, antiperiodic, free, block) demonstrate explicitly how the scaling functions depend on the boundary conditions. We also show that the block (small part of a large system) magnetization distribution results are identical to those obtained for free boundary conditions.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure