Two-Dimensional Electrons in a Strong Magnetic Field with Disorder: Divergence of the Localization Length

Electrons on a square lattice with half a flux quantum per plaquette are considered. An effective description for the current loops is given by a two-dimensional Dirac theory with random mass. It is shown that the conductivity and the localization length can be calculated from a product of Dirac Green's functions with the {\it same} frequency. This implies that the delocalization of electrons in a magnetic field is due to a critical point in a phase with a spontaneously broken discrete symmetry. The estimation of the localization length is performed for a generalized model with $N$ fermion levels using a $1/N$--expansion and the Schwarz inequality. An argument for the existence of two Hall transition points is given in terms of percolation theory.Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX, no figure

A Simple Explanation for the X(3872) Mass Shift Observed for Decay to D^{*0} {D^0}bar

We propose a simple explanation for the increase of approximately 3 MeV/c^2 in the mass value of the X(3872) obtained from D^{*0} {D^0}bar decay relative to that obtained from decay to J/psi pi+ pi-. If the total width of the X(3872) is 2-3 MeV, the peak position in the D^{*0} {D^0}bar invariant mass distribution is sensitive to the final state orbital angular momentum because of the proximity of the X(3872) to D^{*0} {D^0}bar threshold. We show that for total width 3 MeV and one unit of orbital angular momentum, a mass shift ~3 MeV/c^2 is obtained; experimental mass resolution should slightly increase this value. A consequence is that spin-parity 2^- is favored for the X(3872).Comment: 3.5 pages, 4 eps figure

Integer Quantum Hall Effect for Lattice Fermions

A two-dimensional lattice model for non-interacting fermions in a magnetic field with half a flux quantum per plaquette and $N$ levels per site is considered. This is a model which exhibits the Integer Quantum Hall Effect (IQHE) in the presence of disorder. It presents an alternative to the continuous picture for the IQHE with Landau levels. The large $N$ limit can be solved: two Hall transitions appear and there is an interpolating behavior between the two Hall plateaux. Although this approach to the IQHE is different from the traditional one with Landau levels because of different symmetries (continuous for Landau levels and discrete here), some characteristic features are reproduced. For instance, the slope of the Hall conductivity is infinite at the transition points and the electronic states are delocalized only at the transitions.Comment: 9 pages, Plain-Te

BD-22 3467, a DAO-type star exciting the nebula Abell 35

Spectral analyses of hot, compact stars with NLTE (non-local thermodynamical equilibrium) model-atmosphere techniques allow the precise determination of photospheric parameters. The derived photospheric metal abundances are crucial constraints for stellar evolutionary theory. Previous spectral analyses of the exciting star of the nebula A 35, BD-22 3467, were based on He+C+N+O+Si+Fe models only. For our analysis, we use state-of-the-art fully metal-line blanketed NLTE model atmospheres that consider opacities of 23 elements from hydrogen to nickel. For the analysis of high-resolution and high-S/N (signal-to-noise) FUV (far ultraviolet, FUSE) and UV (HST/STIS) observations, we combined stellar-atmosphere models and interstellar line-absorption models to fully reproduce the entire observed UV spectrum. The best agreement with the UV observation of BD-22 3467 is achieved at Teff = 80 +/- 10 kK and log g =7.2 +/- 0.3. While Teff of previous analyses is verified, log g is significantly lower. We re-analyzed lines of silicon and iron (1/100 and about solar abundances, respectively) and for the first time in this star identified argon, chromium, manganese, cobalt, and nickel and determined abundances of 12, 70, 35, 150, and 5 times solar, respectively. Our results partially agree with predictions of diffusion models for DA-type white dwarfs. A combination of photospheric and interstellar line-absorption models reproduces more than 90 % of the observed absorption features. The stellar mass is M ~ 0.48 Msun. BD-22 3467 may not have been massive enough to ascend the asymptotic giant branch and may have evolved directly from the extended horizontal branch to the white dwarf state. This would explain why it is not surrounded by a planetary nebula. However, the star, ionizes the ambient interstellar matter, mimicking a planetary nebula.Comment: 13 pages, 17 figure

Lower Bound for the Fermi Level Density of States of a Disordered D-Wave Superconductor in Two Dimensions

We consider a disordered d--wave superconductor in two dimensions. Recently, we have shown in an exact calculation that for a lattice model with a Lorentzian distributed random chemical potential the quasiparticle density of states at the Fermi level is nonzero. As the exact result holds only for the special choice of the Lorentzian, we employ different methods to show that for a large class of distributions, including the Gaussian distribution, one can establish a nonzero lower bound for the Fermi level density of states. The fact that the tails of the distributions are unimportant in deriving the lower bound shows that the exact result obtained before is generic.Comment: 15 preprint pages, no figures, submitted to PR

A Concept for Attribute-Based Authorization on D-Grid Resources

In Germany's D-Grid project numerous Grid communities are working together to provide a common overarching Grid infrastructure. The major aims of D-Grid are the integration of existing Grid deployments and their interoperability. The challenge lies in the heterogeneity of the current implementations: three Grid middleware stacks and different Virtual Organization management approaches have to be embraced to achieve the intended goals. In this article we focus oil the implementation of an attribute-based authorization infrastructure that not only leverages the well-known VO attributes but also campus attributes managed by a Shibboleth federation

Spatial and temporal variation of CO₂ efflux along a disturbance gradient in a miombo woodland in Western Zambia

Carbon dioxide efflux from the soil surface was measured over a period of several weeks within a heterogeneous Brachystegia spp. dominated miombo woodland in Western Zambia. The objectives were to examine spatial and temporal variation of soil respiration along a disturbance gradient from a protected forest reserve to a cut, burned, and grazed area outside, and to relate the flux to various abiotic and biotic drivers. The highest daily mean fluxes (around 12 mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1)) were measured in the protected forest in the wet season and lowest daily mean fluxes (around 1 mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1)) in the most disturbed area during the dry season. Diurnal variation of soil respiration was closely correlated with soil temperature. The combination of soil water content and soil temperature was found to be the main driving factor at seasonal time scale. There was a 75% decrease in soil CO2 efflux during the dry season and a 20% difference in peak soil respiratory flux measured in 2008 and 2009. Spatial variation of CO2 efflux was positively related to total soil carbon content in the undisturbed area but not at the disturbed site. Coefficients of variation of efflux rates between plots decreased towards the core zone of the protected forest reserve. Normalized soil respiration values did not vary significantly along the disturbance gradient. Spatial variation of respiration did not show a clear distinction between the disturbed and undisturbed sites and could not be explained by variables such as leaf area index. In contrast, within plot variability of soil respiration was explained by soil organic carbon content. Three different approaches to calculate total ecosystem respiration (R-eco) from eddy covariance measurements were compared to two bottom-up estimates of R-eco obtained from chambers measurements of soil-and leaf respiration which differed in the consideration of spatial heterogeneity. The consideration of spatial variability resulted only in small changes of R-eco when compared to simple averaging. Total ecosystem respiration at the plot scale, obtained by eddy covariance differed by up to 25% in relation to values calculated from the soil-and leaf chamber efflux measurements but without showing a clear trend