Quantum Monte Carlo simulations of a particle in a random potential

In this paper we carry out Quantum Monte Carlo simulations of a quantum particle in a one-dimensional random potential (plus a fixed harmonic potential) at a finite temperature. This is the simplest model of an interface in a disordered medium and may also pertain to an electron in a dirty metal. We compare with previous analytical results, and also derive an expression for the sample to sample fluctuations of the mean square displacement from the origin which is a measure of the glassiness of the system. This quantity as well as the mean square displacement of the particle are measured in the simulation. The similarity to the quantum spin glass in a transverse field is noted. The effect of quantum fluctuations on the glassy behavior is discussed.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figures included as eps files, uses RevTeX. Accepted for publication in J. of Physics A: Mathematical and Genera

Quantum fluctuations and glassy behavior: The case of a quantum particle in a random potential

In this paper we expand our previous investigation of a quantum particle subject to the action of a random potential plus a fixed harmonic potential at a finite temperature T. In the classical limit the system reduces to a well-known ``toy'' model for an interface in a random medium. It also applies to a single quantum particle like an an electron subject to random interactions, where the harmonic potential can be tuned to mimic the effect of a finite box. Using the variational approximation, or alternatively, the limit of large spatial dimensions, together with the use the replica method, and are able to solve the model and obtain its phase diagram in the $T - (\hbar^2/m)$ plane, where $m$ is the particle's mass. The phase diagram is similar to that of a quantum spin-glass in a transverse field, where the variable $\hbar^2/m$ plays the role of the transverse field. The glassy phase is characterized by replica-symmetry-breaking. The quantum transition at zero temperature is also discussed.Comment: revised version, 23 pages, revtex, 5 postscript figures in a separate file figures.u

On the melting of the nanocrystalline vortex matter in high-temperature superconductors

Multilevel Monte Carlo simulations of the vortex matter in the highly-anisotropic high-temperature superconductor Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_8$ were performed. We introduced low concentration of columnar defects satisfying $B_\phi\le B$. Both the electromagnetic and Josephson interactions among pancake vortices were included. The nanocrystalline, nanoliquid and homogeneous liquid phases were identified in agreement with experiments. We observed the two-step melting process and also noted an enhancement of the structure factor just prior to the melting transition. A proposed theoretical model is in agreement with our findings.Comment: 4 figure

Interpolation of the Josephson interaction in highly anisotropic superconductors from a solution of the two dimensional sine-Gordon equation

In this paper we solve numerically the two dimensional elliptic sine-Gordon equation with appropriate boundary conditions. These boundary conditions are chosen to correspond to the Josephson interaction between two adjacent pancakes belonging to the same flux-line in a highly anisotropic superconductor. An extrapolation is obtained between the regimes of low and high separation of the pancakes. The resulting formula is a better candidate for use in numerical simulations than previously derived formulas.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figure

The Response of a Hot-Wire Anemometer to a Bubble of Air in Water

The sensitivity of peak voltage drop and duration of the change In sensor voltages due to the impaction of different size bubbles are confuted and measured. Excellent agreement between these is found for bubbles somewhat larger than the sensor diameter and smaller than Its effective length in water streams in a range of 1.5 to 9 feet per second. The method suggests a reliable method for sizing bubbles in a water stream. The effects due to nondirect hits are not treated

Energy Spectrum and Turbulent Scales in a Plane Air Jet

The energy spectra and longitudinal length scales measured in a free plane jet are presented. The actual convective velocity was used in determining the scales. The results show a universal spectral distribution along the axis but no obvious similarity in the large scale motion off the axis. The results are limited to x/D \u3c 60. The measured scales suggest a noticeable increase of the microscale along the lateral coordinate but an essentially constant value along the axis. However the macroscales, increasing linearly along the axis do not show any similarity off the axis

Molecular Dynamics of pancake vortices with realistic interactions: Observing the vortex lattice melting transition

In this paper we describe a version of London Langevin molecular dynamics simulations that allows for investigations of the vortex lattice melting transition in the highly anisotropic high-temperature superconductor material Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$. We include the full electromagnetic interaction as well as the Josephson interaction among pancake vortices. We also implement periodic boundary conditions in all directions, including the z-axis along which the magnetic field is applied. We show how to implement flux cutting and reconnection as an analog to permutations in the multilevel Monte Carlo scheme and demonstrate that this process leads to flux entanglement that proliferates in the vortex liquid phase. The first-order melting transition of the vortex lattice is observed to be in excellent agreement with previous multilevel Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: 4 figure

L’Exil intérieur dans Ulysse

Actes du colloque de Cerisy-la-Salle, 2006International audienc