Monte Carlo Study of the S=1/2 and S=1 Heisenberg Antiferromagnet on a Spatially Anisotropic Square Lattice

We present a quantum Monte Carlo study of a Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a spatially anisotropic square lattice, where the coupling strength in the x-direction ($J_x$) is different from that in the y-direction ($J_y$). By varying the anisotropy $\alpha$ from 0 to 1, we interpolate between the one-dimensional chain and the two-dimensional isotropic square lattice. Both $S=1/2$ and S=1 systems are considered separately in order to facilitate comparison. The temperature dependence of the uniform susceptibility and the spin-spin correlation length are computed down to very low temperatures for various values of $\alpha$. For S=1, the existence of a quantum critical point at $\alpha^{S=1}_c=0.040(5)$ as well as the scaling of the spin gap is confirmed. Universal quantities predicted from the ${\cal O}(3)$ nonlinear $\sigma$ model agree with our results at $\alpha=0.04$ without any adjustable parameters. On the other hand, the $S=1/2$ results are consistent with $\alpha^{S=1/2}_c=0$, as discussed by a number of previous theoretical studies. Experimental implications for $S=1/2$ compounds such as Sr$_2$CuO$_3$ are also discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

A direct proof of Kim's identities

As a by-product of a finite-size Bethe Ansatz calculation in statistical mechanics, Doochul Kim has established, by an indirect route, three mathematical identities rather similar to the conjugate modulus relations satisfied by the elliptic theta constants. However, they contain factors like $1 - q^{\sqrt{n}}$ and $1 - q^{n^2}$, instead of $1 - q^n$. We show here that there is a fourth relation that naturally completes the set, in much the same way that there are four relations for the four elliptic theta functions. We derive all of them directly by proving and using a specialization of Weierstrass' factorization theorem in complex variable theory.Comment: Latex, 6 pages, accepted by J. Physics

Validation of a model of regulation in the tryptophan operon against multiple experiment data using global optimisation

This paper is concerned with validating a mathematical model of regulation in the tryptophan operon using global optimization. Although a number of models for this biochemical network are proposed, in many cases only qualitative agreement between the model output and experimental data was demonstrated, since very little information is currently available to guide the selection of parameter values for the models. This paper presents a model validating method using both multiple experimental data and global optimization

MgB2 tunnel junctions with native or thermal oxide barriers

MgB2 tunnel junctions (MgB2/barrier/MgB2) were fabricated using a native oxide grown on the bottom MgB2 film as the tunnel barrier. Such barriers therefore survive the deposition of the second electrode at 300oC, even over junction areas of ~1 mm2. Studies of such junctions, and those of the type MgB2/native or thermal oxide/metal (Pb, Au, or Ag) show that tunnel barriers grown on MgB2 exhibit a wide range of barrier heights and widths.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Electron-hole asymmetry in Co- and Mn-doped SrFe2As2

Phase diagram of electron and hole-doped SrFe2As2 single crystals is investigated using Co and Mn substitution at the Fe-sites. We found that the spin-density-wave state is suppressed by both dopants, but the superconducting phase appears only for Co (electron)-doping, not for Mn (hole)-doping. Absence of the superconductivity by Mn-doping is in sharp contrast to the hole-doped system with K-substitution at the Sr sites. Distinct structural change, in particular the increase of the Fe-As distance by Mn-doping is important to have a magnetic and semiconducting ground state as confirmed by first principles calculations. The absence of electron-hole symmetry in the Fe-site-doped SrFe2As2 suggests that the occurrence of high-Tc superconductivity is sensitive to the structural modification rather than the charge doping.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure