Effects of point defects on the phase diagram of vortex states in high-Tc superconductors in B//c axis

The phase diagram for the vortex states of high-$T_{\rm c}$ superconductors with point defects in $\vec{B} \parallel c$ axis is drawn by large-scale Monte Carlo simulations. The vortex slush (VS) phase is found between the vortex glass (VG) and vortex liquid (VL) phases. The first-order transition between this novel normal phase and the VL phase is characterized by a sharp jump of the density of dislocations. The first-order transition between the Bragg glass (BG) and VG or VS phases is also clarified. These two transitions are compared with the melting transition between the BG and VL phases.Comment: 4 pages, 9 eps figures (included in text), uses revtex.sty, overall changes with several additional data points, though conclusion is unchange

Infinitesimal incommensurate stripe phase in an axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model in two dimensions

An axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising (ANNNI) model is studied by using the non-equilibrium relaxation method. We find that the incommensurate stripe phase between the ordered phase and the paramagnetic phase is negligibly narrow or may vanish in the thermodynamic limit. The phase transition is the second-order transition if approached from the ordered phase, and it is of the Kosterlitz-Thouless type if approached from the paramagnetic phase. Both transition temperatures coincide with each other within the numerical errors. The incommensurate phase which has been observed previously is a paramagnetic phase with a very long correlation length (typically $\xi\ge 500$). We could resolve this phase by treating very large systems ($\sim 6400\times 6400$), which is first made possible by employing the present method.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures. To appear in Phys.Rev.

A quantum Monte Carlo algorithm realizing an intrinsic relaxation

We propose a new quantum Monte Carlo algorithm which realizes a relaxation intrinsic to the original quantum system. The Monte Carlo dynamics satisfies the dynamic scaling relation $\tau\sim \xi^z$ and is independent of the Trotter number. Finiteness of the Trotter number just appears as the finite-size effect. An infinite Trotter number version of the algorithm is also formulated, which enables us to observe a true relaxation of the original system. The strategy of the algorithm is a compromise between the conventional worldline local flip and the modern cluster loop flip. It is a local flip in the real-space direction and is a cluster flip in the Trotter direction. The new algorithm is tested by the transverse-field Ising model in two dimensions. An accurate phase diagram is obtained.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

The antiferromagnetic order in an F-AF random alternating quantum spin chain : (CH_3)_2 CHNH_3 Cu(Cl_x Br_{1-x})_3

A possibility of the uniform antiferromagnetic order is pointed out in an S=1/2 ferromagnetic (F) - antiferromagnetic (AF) random alternating Heisenberg quantum spin chain compound: (CH_3)_2 CHNH_3 Cu(Cl_x Br_{1-x})_3. The system possesses the bond alternation of strong random bonds that take +/- 2J and weak uniform AF bonds of -J. In the pure concentration limits, the model reduces to the AF-AF alternation chain at x=0 and to the F-AF alternation chain at x=1. The nonequilibrium relaxation of large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations exhibits critical behaviors of the uniform AF order in the intermediate concentration region, which explains the experimental observation of the magnetic phase transition. The present results suggest that the uniform AF order may survive even in the presence of the randomly located ferromagnetic bonds.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Entanglement Mean Field Theory and the Curie-Weiss Law

The mean field theory, in its different hues, form one of the most useful tools for calculating the single-body physical properties of a many-body system. It provides important information, like critical exponents, of the systems that do not yield to an exact analytical treatment. Here we propose an entanglement mean field theory (EMFT) to obtain the behavior of the two-body physical properties of such systems. We apply this theory to predict the phases in paradigmatic strongly correlated systems, viz. the transverse anisotropic XY, the transverse XX, and the Heisenberg models. We find the critical exponents of different physical quantities in the EMFT limit, and in the case of the Heisenberg model, we obtain the Curie-Weiss law for correlations. While the exemplary models have all been chosen to be quantum ones, classical many-body models also render themselves to such a treatment, at the level of correlations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Disorder Driven Melting of the Vortex Line Lattice

We use Monte Carlo simulations of the 3D uniformly frustrated XY model, with uncorrelated quenched randomness in the in-plane couplings, to model the effect of random point pins on the vortex line phases of a type II superconductor. We map out the phase diagram as a function of temperature T and randomness strength p for fixed applied magnetic field. We find that, as p increases to a critical value p_c, the first order vortex lattice melting line turns parallel to the T axis, and continues smoothly down to low temperature, rather than ending at a critical point. The entropy jump across this line at p_c vanishes, but the transition remains first order. Above this disorder driven transition line, we find that the helicity modulus parallel to the applied field vanishes, and so no true phase coherent vortex glass exists.Comment: 4 pages, 6 eps figure

A Novel RNA-Recognition-Motif Protein Is Required for Premeiotic G1/S-Phase Transition in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The molecular mechanism for meiotic entry remains largely elusive in flowering plants. Only Arabidopsis SWI1/DYAD and maize AM1, both of which are the coiled-coil protein, are known to be required for the initiation of plant meiosis. The mechanism underlying the synchrony of male meiosis, characteristic to flowering plants, has also been unclear in the plant kingdom. In other eukaryotes, RNA-recognition-motif (RRM) proteins are known to play essential roles in germ-cell development and meiosis progression. Rice MEL2 protein discovered in this study shows partial similarity with human proline-rich RRM protein, deleted in Azoospermia-Associated Protein1 (DAZAP1), though MEL2 also possesses ankyrin repeats and a RING finger motif. Expression analyses of several cell-cycle markers revealed that, in mel2 mutant anthers, most germ cells failed to enter premeiotic S-phase and meiosis, and a part escaped from the defect and underwent meiosis with a significant delay or continued mitotic cycles. Immunofluorescent detection revealed that T7 peptide-tagged MEL2 localized at cytoplasmic perinuclear region of germ cells during premeiotic interphase in transgenic rice plants. This study is the first report of the plant RRM protein, which is required for regulating the premeiotic G1/S-phase transition of male and female germ cells and also establishing synchrony of male meiosis. This study will contribute to elucidation of similarities and diversities in reproduction system between plants and other species