8,561 research outputs found
Front Stability in Mean Field Models of Diffusion Limited Growth
We present calculations of the stability of planar fronts in two mean field
models of diffusion limited growth. The steady state solution for the front can
exist for a continuous family of velocities, we show that the selected velocity
is given by marginal stability theory. We find that naive mean field theory has
no instability to transverse perturbations, while a threshold mean field theory
has such a Mullins-Sekerka instability. These results place on firm theoretical
ground the observed lack of the dendritic morphology in naive mean field theory
and its presence in threshold models. The existence of a Mullins-Sekerka
instability is related to the behavior of the mean field theories in the
zero-undercooling limit.Comment: 26 pp. revtex, 7 uuencoded ps figures. submitted to PR
Transient quantum transport in double-dot Aharonov-Bohm interferometers
Real-time nonequilibrium quantum dynamics of electrons in double-dot
Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometers is studied using an exact solution of the
master equation. The building of the coherence between the two electronic paths
shows up via the time-dependent amplitude of the AB oscillations in the
transient transport current, and can be enhanced by varying the applied bias on
the leads, the on-site energy difference between the dots and the asymmetry of
the coupling of the dots to the leads. The transient oscillations of the
transport current do not obey phase rigidity. The circulating current has an
anti-symmetric AB oscillation in the flux. The non-degeneracy of the on-site
energies and the finite bias cause the occupation in each dot to have an
arbitrary flux dependence as the coupling asymmetry is varied.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Effect of periodic parametric excitation on an ensemble of force-coupled self-oscillators
We report the synchronization behavior in a one-dimensional chain of
identical limit cycle oscillators coupled to a mass-spring load via a force
relation. We consider the effect of periodic parametric modulation on the final
synchronization states of the system. Two types of external parametric
excitations are investigated numerically: periodic modulation of the stiffness
of the inertial oscillator and periodic excitation of the frequency of the
self-oscillatory element. We show that the synchronization scenarios are ruled
not only by the choice of parameters of the excitation force but depend on the
initial collective state in the ensemble. We give detailed analysis of
entrainment behavior for initially homogeneous and inhomogeneous states. Among
other results, we describe a regime of partial synchronization. This regime is
characterized by the frequency of collective oscillation being entrained to the
stimulation frequency but different from the average individual oscillators
frequency.Comment: Comments and suggestions are welcom
Mean Field Theory of the Morphology Transition in Stochastic Diffusion Limited Growth
We propose a mean-field model for describing the averaged properties of a
class of stochastic diffusion-limited growth systems. We then show that this
model exhibits a morphology transition from a dense-branching structure with a
convex envelope to a dendritic one with an overall concave morphology. We have
also constructed an order parameter which describes the transition
quantitatively. The transition is shown to be continuous, which can be verified
by noting the non-existence of any hysteresis.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure
Probing Quantum Hall Pseudospin Ferromagnet by Resistively Detected NMR
Resistively Detected Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (RD-NMR) has been used to
investigate a two-subband electron system in a regime where quantum Hall
pseudo-spin ferromagnetic (QHPF) states are prominently developed. It reveals
that the easy-axis QHPF state around the total filling factor can be
detected by the RD-NMR measurement. Approaching one of the Landau level (LL)
crossing points, the RD-NMR signal strength and the nuclear spin relaxation
rate enhance significantly, a signature of low energy spin
excitations. However, the RD-NMR signal at another identical LL crossing point
is surprisingly missing which presents a puzzle
Osteocytes and mechanical loading: The Wnt connection
Bone adapts to the mechanical forces that it experiences. Orthodontic tooth movement harnesses the cellâ and tissueâlevel properties of mechanotransduction to achieve alignment and reorganization of the dentition. However, the mechanisms of action that permit bone resorption and formation in response to loads placed on the teeth are incompletely elucidated, though several mechanisms have been identified. Wnt/Lrp5 signalling in osteocytes is a key pathway that modulates bone tissue's response to load. Numerous mouse models that harbour knockâin, knockout and transgenic/overexpression alleles targeting genes related to Wnt signalling point to the necessity of Wnt/Lrp5, and its localization to osteocytes, for proper mechanotransduction in bone. Alveolar bone is rich in osteocytes and is a highly mechanoresponsive tissue in which components of the canonical Wnt signalling cascade have been identified. As Wntâbased agents become clinically available in the next several years, the major challenge that lies ahead will be to gain a more complete understanding of Wnt biology in alveolar bone so that improved/expedited tooth movement becomes a possibility
Structure and energetics of the Si-SiO_2 interface
Silicon has long been synonymous with semiconductor technology. This unique
role is due largely to the remarkable properties of the Si-SiO_2 interface,
especially the (001)-oriented interface used in most devices. Although Si is
crystalline and the oxide is amorphous, the interface is essentially perfect,
with an extremely low density of dangling bonds or other electrically active
defects. With the continual decrease of device size, the nanoscale structure of
the silicon/oxide interface becomes more and more important. Yet despite its
essential role, the atomic structure of this interface is still unclear. Using
a novel Monte Carlo approach, we identify low-energy structures for the
interface. The optimal structure found consists of Si-O-Si "bridges" ordered in
a stripe pattern, with very low energy. This structure explains several
puzzling experimental observations.Comment: LaTex file with 4 figures in GIF forma
Intrinsic noise-induced phase transitions: beyond the noise interpretation
We discuss intrinsic noise effects in stochastic multiplicative-noise partial
differential equations, which are qualitatively independent of the noise
interpretation (Ito vs. Stratonovich), in particular in the context of
noise-induced ordering phase transitions. We study a model which, contrary to
all cases known so far, exhibits such ordering transitions when the noise is
interpreted not only according to Stratonovich, but also to Ito. The main
feature of this model is the absence of a linear instability at the transition
point. The dynamical properties of the resulting noise-induced growth processes
are studied and compared in the two interpretations and with a reference
Ginzburg-Landau type model. A detailed discussion of new numerical algorithms
used in both interpretations is also presented.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.
Flexible and Stretchable Self-Powered Multi-Sensors Based on the N-Type Thermoelectric Response of Polyurethane/Na-x(Ni-ett)(n) Composites
Flexible and stretchable electronic devices have a broad range of potential uses, from biomedicine, soft robotics, and health monitoring to the internetâofâthings. Unfortunately, finding a robust and reliable power source remains challenging, particularly in offâtheâgrid and maintenanceâfree applications. A soughtâafter development overcome this challenge is the development of autonomous, selfâpowered devices. A potential solution is reported exploiting a promising nâtype thermoelectric compound, poly nickelâethenetetrathiolates (Na_{x}(Niâett)_{n}). Highly stretchable nâtype composite films are obtained by combining Nax(Niâett)n with commercial polyurethane (Lycra). As high as 50 wt% Na_{x}(Niâett)_{n} content composite film can withstand deformations of â500% and show conductivities of â10^{-2} S cm^{-1} and Seebeck coefficients of approx. â40 ”V K^{-1}. These novel materials can be easily synthesized on a large scale with continuous processes. When subjected to a small temperature difference (<20 °C), the films generate sufficient thermopower to be used for sensing strain (gauge factor â20) and visible light (sensitivity factor â36% (kW m^{-2})^{-1}), independent of humidity (sensitivity factor â0.1 (%RH)^{-1}. As a proofâofâconcept, a wearable selfâpowered sensor is demonstrated by using nâtype Na_{x}(Niâett)_{n}/Lycra and PEDOT:PSS/Lycra elements, connected in series by hot pressing, without employing any metal connections, hence preserving good mechanical ductility and ease of processing
THz Transient Photoconductivity of the III-V Dilute Nitride GaPAsN
THz Time-Resolved Photoconductivity is used to probe carrier dynamics in the
dilute III-V nitride GaP0.49As0.47N0.036. In these measurements a femtosecond
optical pump-pulse excites electron-hole pairs, and a delayed THz pulse
measures the change in conductivity. We find the photoconductivity is dominated
by localized carriers. The decay of photoconductivity after excitation is
consistent with bimolecular electron-hole recombination with recombination
constant r = 3.2E-8 +/-0.8E-8 cm3/s. We discuss the implications for
applications in solar energy.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure
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