Renyi Entropy and Parity Oscillations of the Anisotropic Spin-s Heisenberg Chains in a Magnetic Field

Using the density matrix renormalization group, we investigate the Renyi entropy of the anisotropic spin-s Heisenberg chains in a z-magnetic field. We considered the half-odd integer spin-s chains, with s=1/2,3/2 and 5/2, and periodic and open boundary conditions. In the case of the spin-1/2 chain we were able to obtain accurate estimates of the new parity exponents $p_{\alpha}^{(p)}$ and $p_{\alpha}^{(o)}$ that gives the power-law decay of the oscillations of the $\alpha-$Renyi entropy for periodic and open boundary conditions, respectively. We confirm the relations of these exponents with the Luttinger parameter $K$, as proposed by Calabrese et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 095701 (2010)]. Moreover, the predicted periodicity of the oscillating term was also observed for some non-zero values of the magnetization $m$. We show that for $s>1/2$ the amplitudes of the oscillations are quite small, and get accurate estimates of $p_{\alpha}^{(p)}$ and $p_{\alpha}^{(o)}$ become a challenge. Although our estimates of the new universal exponents $p_{\alpha}^{(p)}$ and $p_{\alpha}^{(o)}$ for the spin-3/2 chain are not so accurate, they are consistent with the theoretical predictions.Comment: revised version, accepted to PRB. 9 pages, 3 Figures, 4 Table

Coexistence of Pairing Tendencies and Ferromagnetism in a Doped Two-Orbital Hubbard Model on Two-Leg Ladders

Using the Density Matrix Renormalization Group and two-leg ladders, we investigate an electronic two-orbital Hubbard model including plaquette diagonal hopping amplitudes. Our goal is to search for regimes where charges added to the undoped state form pairs, presumably a precursor of a superconducting state.For the electronic density $\rho=2$, i.e. the undoped limit, our investigations show a robust $(\pi,0)$ antiferromagnetic ground state, as in previous investigations. Doping away from $\rho=2$ and for large values of the Hund coupling $J$, a ferromagnetic region is found to be stable. Moreover, when the interorbital on-site Hubbard repulsion is smaller than the Hund coupling, i.e. for $U'<J$ in the standard notation of multiorbital Hubbard models, our results indicate the coexistence of pairing tendencies and ferromagnetism close to $\rho=2$. These results are compatible with previous investigations using one dimensional systems. Although further research is needed to clarify if the range of couplings used here is of relevance for real materials, such as superconducting heavy fermions or pnictides, our theoretical results address a possible mechanism for pairing that may be active in the presence of short-range ferromagnetic fluctuations.Comment: 8 pages, 4 Fig

Minimum Length from Quantum Mechanics and Classical General Relativity

We derive fundamental limits on measurements of position, arising from quantum mechanics and classical general relativity. First, we show that any primitive probe or target used in an experiment must be larger than the Planck length, $l_P$. This suggests a Planck-size {\it minimum ball} of uncertainty in any measurement. Next, we study interferometers (such as LIGO) whose precision is much finer than the size of any individual components and hence are not obviously limited by the minimum ball. Nevertheless, we deduce a fundamental limit on their accuracy of order $l_P$. Our results imply a {\it device independent} limit on possible position measurements.Comment: 8 pages, latex, to appear in the Physical Review Letter

Lattice dynamics and phonon softening in Ni-Mn-Al Heusler alloys

Inelastic and elastic neutron scattering have been used to study a single crystal of the Ni$_{54}$Mn$_{23}$Al$_{23}$ Heusler alloy over a broad temperature range. The paper reports the first experimental determination of the low-lying phonon dispersion curves for this alloy system. We find that the frequencies of the TA$_2$ modes are relatively low. This branch exhibits an anomaly (dip) at a wave number $\xi_{0} ={1/3}\approx 0.33$, which softens with decreasing temperature. Associated with this anomalous dip at $\xi_{0}$, an elastic central peak scattering is also present. We have also observed satellites due to the magnetic ordering.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in the Physical Review

Avaliação do potencial de estirpes de rizóbio em fixar nitrogênio associadas ao feijão-caupi em Petrolina-PE.

O feijão-caupi é uma cultura leguminosa de grande importância para a alimentação humana, constituindo-se em uma fonte de proteína para a maioria da população rural. A eficiência de diferentes estirpes de rizóbio em fixar o nitrogênio atmosférico em associação com o feijão-caupi foi testada ao nível de campo na Estação Experimental da Caatinga, da Embrapa Semi-Árido, localizada no município de Petrolina-PE (09o23'S e 40o30'W, altitude: 350 m). O experimento foi implantado em condições de sequeiro, com delineamento de blocos ao acaso e seis repetições, constando de seis tratamentos, sendo quatro estirpes de rizóbio - BR 3267, BR 3299, BR 33o1 e BR 3302, uma dose de nitrogênio mineral - 50 kg ha-1 e uma testemunha. Aos trinta dias após o plantio, o número e peso seco de nódulos, peso de matéria seca e concentração de nitrogênio na parte aérea da planta foram determinados. Todas as estirpes superaram significativamente o tratamento testemunha, tanto em número como em peso seco de nódulos, denotando uma alta eficiência em nodular as raízes de feijão-caupi em relação às estirpes de rizóbio existentes no solo da área experimental

Unfolding Rates for the Diffusion-Collision Model

In the diffusion-collision model, the unfolding rates are given by the likelihood of secondary structural cluster dissociation. In this work, we introduce an unfolding rate calculation for proteins whose secondary structural elements are $\alpha$-helices, modeled from thermal escape over a barrier which arises from the free energy in buried hydrophobic residues. Our results are in good agreement with currently accepted values for the attempt rate.Comment: Shorter version of cond-mat/0011024 accepted for publication in PR