Electronic Structure, Electron-Phonon Coupling, and Multiband Effects in MgB2

We review the current situation in the theory of superconducting and transport properties of MgB2. First principle calculations of of the electronic structure and electron-phonon coupling are discussed and compared with the experiment. We also present a brief description of the multiband effects in superconductivity and transport, and how these manifest themselves in MgB2. We also mention some yet open questions.Comment: Physica C, in pres

First- principle calculations of magnetic interactions in correlated systems

We present a novel approach to calculate the effective exchange interaction parameters based on the realistic electronic structure of correlated magnetic crystals in local approach with the frequency dependent self energy. The analog of ``local force theorem'' in the density functional theory is proven for highly correlated systems. The expressions for effective exchange parameters, Dzialoshinskii- Moriya interaction, and magnetic anisotropy are derived. The first-principle calculations of magnetic excitation spectrum for ferromagnetic iron, with the local correlation effects from the numerically exact QMC-scheme is presented.Comment: 17 pages, 3 Postscript figure

Exchange Effects in the Invar Hardening: Fe0.65Ni0.35Fe_{0.65}Ni_{0.35} as a test case

An increase of the critical resolved shear stress of Invar alloys (Invar hardening) with a lowering temperature is explained. The effect is caused by a growth of the exchange interaction between dangling $d$-electron states of dislocation cores and paramagnetic obstacles (e.g., Ni atoms in FeNi alloys) which occurs below the Curie temperature. The spins of the two electrons align along the magnetization due to the exchange interaction with the surrounding atoms of the ferromagnetic. The exchange interaction between the dislocations and obstacles is enhanced in Invars due to a strong growth of the magnetic moments of atoms under the action of elastic strains near the dislocation cores. Parameters characterizing the exchange interaction are determined for the case of the Fe$_{0.65}$Ni$_{0.35}$ Invar. The influence of the internal magnetic field on the dislocation detachment from the obstacles is taken into account. The obtained temperature dependence of the critical resolved shear stress in the Fe$_{0.65}$Ni$_{0.35}$ Invar agrees well with the available experimental data. Experiments facilitating a further check of the theoretical model are suggested.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Sensitivity of the Mott Transition to Non-cubic Splitting of the Orbital Degeneracy: Application to NH3 K3C60

Within dynamical mean-field theory, we study the metal-insulator transition of a twofold orbitally degenerate Hubbard model as a function of a splitting \Delta of the degeneracy. The phase diagram in the U-\Delta plane exhibits two-band and one-band metals, as well as the Mott insulator. The correlated two-band metal is easily driven to the insulator state by a strikingly weak splitting \Delta << W of the order of the Kondo-peak width zW, where z << 1 is the metal quasiparticle weight. The possible relevance of this result to the insulator-metal transition in the orthorhombic expanded fulleride NH3 K3C60 is discussed.Comment: revtex, 15 pages including 6 ps figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Lattice QCD Simulations in External Background Fields

We discuss recent results and future prospects regarding the investigation, by lattice simulations, of the non-perturbative properties of QCD and of its phase diagram in presence of magnetic or chromomagnetic background fields. After a brief introduction to the formulation of lattice QCD in presence of external fields, we focus on studies regarding the effects of external fields on chiral symmetry breaking, on its restoration at finite temperature and on deconfinement. We conclude with a few comments regarding the effects of electromagnetic background fields on gluodynamics.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures, minor changes and references added. To appear in Lect. Notes Phys. "Strongly interacting matter in magnetic fields" (Springer), edited by D. Kharzeev, K. Landsteiner, A. Schmitt, H.-U. Ye

Flux Phase as a Dynamic Jahn-Teller Phase: Berryonic Matter in the Cuprates?

There is considerable evidence for some form of charge ordering on the hole-doped stripes in the cuprates, mainly associated with the low-temperature tetragonal phase, but with some evidence for either charge density waves or a flux phase, which is a form of dynamic charge-density wave. These three states form a pseudospin triplet, demonstrating a close connection with the E X e dynamic Jahn-Teller effect, suggesting that the cuprates constitute a form of Berryonic matter. This in turn suggests a new model for the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect as a form of flux phase. A simple model of the Cu-O bond stretching phonons allows an estimate of electron-phonon coupling for these modes, explaining why the half breathing mode softens so much more than the full oxygen breathing mode. The anomalous properties of $O^{2-}$ provide a coupling (correlated hopping) which acts to stabilize density wave phases.Comment: Major Revisions: includes comparisons with specific cuprate phonon modes, 16 eps figures, revte