Phase diagram of the frustrated, spatially anisotropic S=1 antiferromagnet on a square lattice

We study the S=1 square lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet with spatially anisotropic nearest neighbor couplings $J_{1x}$, $J_{1y}$ frustrated by a next-nearest neighbor coupling $J_{2}$ numerically using the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method and analytically employing the Schwinger-Boson mean-field theory (SBMFT). Up to relatively strong values of the anisotropy, within both methods we find quantum fluctuations to stabilize the N\'{e}el ordered state above the classically stable region. Whereas SBMFT suggests a fluctuation-induced first order transition between the N\'{e}el state and a stripe antiferromagnet for $1/3\leq J_{1x}/J_{1y}\leq 1$ and an intermediate paramagnetic region opening only for very strong anisotropy, the DMRG results clearly demonstrate that the two magnetically ordered phases are separated by a quantum disordered region for all values of the anisotropy with the remarkable implication that the quantum paramagnetic phase of the spatially isotropic $J_{1}$-$J_{2}$ model is continuously connected to the limit of decoupled Haldane spin chains. Our findings indicate that for S=1 quantum fluctuations in strongly frustrated antiferromagnets are crucial and not correctly treated on the semiclassical level.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figure

Contrast Interferometry Using Bose-Einstein Condensates to Measure h/m and the Fine Structure Constant

The kinetic energy of an atom recoiling due to absorption of a photon was measured as a frequency using an interferometric technique called ``contrast interferometry''. Optical standing wave pulses were used as atom-optical elements to create a symmetric three-path interferometer with a Bose-Einstein condensate. The recoil phase accumulated in different paths was measured using a single-shot detection technique. The scheme allows for additional photon recoils within the interferometer and its symmetry suppresses several random and systematic errors including those from vibrations and ac Stark shifts. We have measured the photon recoil frequency of sodium to $7$ppm precision, using a simple realization of this scheme. Plausible extensions should yield a sufficient precision to bring within reach a ppb-level determination of $h/m$ and the fine structure constant $\alpha$

Modeling near-field radiative heat transfer from sharp objects using a general 3d numerical scattering technique

We examine the non-equilibrium radiative heat transfer between a plate and finite cylinders and cones, making the first accurate theoretical predictions for the total heat transfer and the spatial heat flux profile for three-dimensional compact objects including corners or tips. We find qualitatively different scaling laws for conical shapes at small separations, and in contrast to a flat/slightly-curved object, a sharp cone exhibits a local \emph{minimum} in the spatially resolved heat flux directly below the tip. The method we develop, in which a scattering-theory formulation of thermal transfer is combined with a boundary-element method for computing scattering matrices, can be applied to three-dimensional objects of arbitrary shape.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Corrected background information in the introduction, results and discussion unchange

Symmetry breaking in driven and strongly damped pendulum

We examine the conditions for appearance of symmetry breaking bifurcation in damped and periodically driven pendulum in the case of strong damping. We show that symmetry breaking, unlike other nonlinear phenomena, can exist at high dissipation. We prove that symmetry breaking phases exist between phases of symmetric normal and symmetric inverted oscillations. We find that symmetry broken solutions occupy a sufficiently smaller region of pendulum's parameter space in comparison to the statements made in earlier considerations [McDonald and Plischke, Phys. Rev. B 27 (1983) 201]. Our research on symmetry breaking in a strongly damped pendulum is relevant to an understanding of phenomena of dynamic symmetry breaking and rectification in a pure ac driven semiconductor superlattices.Comment: 11 pages, 4 color figures, RevTeX

Maximally-localized Wannier Functions in Antiferromagnetic MnO within the FLAPW Formalism

We have calculated the maximally-localized Wannier functions of MnO in its antiferromagnetic (AFM) rhombohedral unit cell, which contains two formula units. Electron Bloch functions are obtained with the linearized augmented plane-wave method within both the LSD and the LSD+U schemes. The thirteen uppermost occupied spin-up bands correspond in a pure ionic scheme to the five Mn 3d orbitals at the Mn_1 (spin-up) site, and the four O 2s/2p orbitals at each of the O_1 and O_2 sites. Maximal localization identifies uniquely four Wannier functions for each O, which are trigonally-distorted sp^3-like orbitals. They display a weak covalent bonding between O 2s/2p states and minority-spin d states of Mn_2, which is absent in a fully ionic picture. This bonding is the fingerprint of the interaction responsible for the AFM ordering, and its strength depends on the one-electron scheme being used. The five Mn Wannier functions are centered on the Mn_1 site, and are atomic orbitals modified by the crystal field. They are not uniquely defined by the criterion of maximal localization and we choose them as the linear combinations which diagonalize the r^2 operator, so that they display the D_3d symmetry of the Mn_1 site.Comment: 11 pages, 6 PostScript figures. Uses Revtex4. Hi-res figures available from the author

Spin Stiffness in the Hubbard model

The spin stiffness $\rho_{\rm s}$ of the repulsive Hubbard model that occurs in the hydrodynamic theory of antiferromagnetic spin waves is shown to be the same as the thermodynamically defined stiffness involved in twisting the order parameter. New expressions for $\rho_{\rm s}$ are derived, which enable easier interpretation, and connections with superconducting weight and gauge invariance are discussed.Comment: 21 Pages LaTeX2e, to be published in Journal of Physics

CP Violation in the Decay B \to X_d e^+ e^-

The decay $b\to d e^+e^-$ has an amplitude containing comparable contributions proportional to $V_{tb}V_{td}^{*}$, $V_{cb}V_{cd}^{*}$ and $V_{ub}V_{ud}^{*}$. These pieces involve different unitarity phases produced by $c\bar{c}$ and $u\bar{u}$ loops. The simultaneous presence of different CKM phases and different dynamical phases leads to a calculable asymmetry in the partial widths of $b\to d e^+e^-$ and $\bar{b}\to \bar{d} e^+e^-$. Using the effective Hamiltonian of the standard model, we calculate this asymmetry as a function of the $e^+e^-$ invariant mass. The effects of $\rho$, $\omega$ and $J/\psi$ resonances are taken into account in the vacuum polarization of the $u\bar{u}$ and $c\bar{c}$ currents. As a typical result, an asymmetry of $- 5(- 2$ is predicted in the nonresonant domain $1 GeV < m_{e^+e^-} < m_{J/\psi}$, assuming $\eta = 0.34$ and $\rho= 0.3 (-0.3)$. The branching ratio in this domain is $1.2\times 10^{-7} (3.3\times 10^{-7})$. Results are also obtained in the region of the $J/\psi$ resonance, where an asymmetry of $3\times 10^{-3}$ is expected, subject to certain theoretical uncertainties in the $b\to d J/\psi$ amplitude.Comment: 20 pages, LaTeX, 3 eps figures, uses cite.sty, epsf.sty, and amssym.sty. Version to appear in Phys. Rev. D, with some minor addition

Effect of 3d-doping on the electronic structure of BaFe2As2

The electronic structure of BaFe2As2 doped with Co, Ni, and Cu has been studied by a variety of experimental and theoretical methods, but a clear picture of the dopant 3d states has not yet emerged. Herein we provide experimental evidence of the distribution of Co, Ni, and Cu 3d states in the valence band. We conclude that the Co and Ni 3d states provide additional free carriers to the Fermi level, while the Cu 3d states are found at the bottom of the valence band in a localized 3d10 shell. These findings help shed light on why superconductivity can occur in BaFe2As2 doped with Co and Ni but not Cu.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figure

Properties and Detection of Spin Nematic Order in Strongly Correlated Electron Systems

A spin nematic is a state which breaks spin SU(2) symmetry while preserving translational and time reversal symmetries. Spin nematic order can arise naturally from charge fluctuations of a spin stripe state. Focusing on the possible existence of such a state in strongly correlated electron systems, we build a nematic wave function starting from a t-J type model. The nematic is a spin-two operator, and therefore does not couple directly to neutrons. However, we show that neutron scattering and Knight shift experiments can detect the spin anisotropy of electrons moving in a nematic background. We find the mean field phase diagram for the nematic taking into account spin-orbit effects.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures. (v2) References adde

Phenomenology of non-standard Z couplings in exclusive semileptonic b -> s transitions

The rare decays $B\to K^{(*)}\ell^+\ell^-$, $B\to K^{(*)}\nu\bar\nu$ and $B_s\to\mu^+\mu^-$ are analyzed in a generic scenario where New Physics effects enter predominantly via $Z$ penguin contributions. We show that this possibility is well motivated on theoretical grounds, as the $\bar sbZ$ vertex is particularly susceptible to non-standard dynamics. In addition, such a framework is also interesting phenomenologically since the $\bar sbZ$ coupling is rather poorly constrained by present data. The characteristic features of this scenario for the relevant decay rates and distributions are investigated. We emphasize that both sign and magnitude of the forward-backward asymmetry of the decay leptons in $\bar B\to \bar K^*\ell^+\ell^-$, ${\cal A}^{(\bar B)}_{FB}$, carry sensitive information on New Physics. The observable ${\cal A}^{(\bar B)}_{FB}+{\cal A}^{(B)}_{FB}$ is proposed as a useful probe of non-standard CP violation in $\bar sbZ$ couplings.Comment: Minor modifications; version to appear in Phys. Rev.