Work and information processing in a solvable model of Maxwell's demon

We describe a minimal model of an autonomous Maxwell demon, a device that delivers work by rectifying thermal fluctuations while simultaneously writing information to a memory register. We solve exactly for the steady-state behavior of our model, and we construct its phase diagram. We find that our device can also act as a "Landauer eraser", using externally supplied work to remove information from the memory register. By exposing an explicit, transparent mechanism of operation, our model offers a simple paradigm for investigating the thermodynamics of information processing by small systems.Comment: Main Text (6 pages, 3 figures) + Suppl. Info. (3 pages). To appear in PNA

Three-body model calculations for 16C nucleus

We apply a three-body model consisting of two valence neutrons and the core nucleus $^{14}$C in order to investigate the ground state properties and the electronic quadrupole transition of the $^{16}$C nucleus. The discretized continuum spectrum within a large box is taken into account by using a single-particle basis obtained from a Woods-Saxon potential. The calculated B(E2) value from the first 2$^+$ state to the ground state shows good agreement with the observed data with the core polarization charge which reproduces the experimental B(E2) value for $^{15}$C. We also show that the present calculation well accounts for the longitudinal momentum distribution of $^{15}$C fragment from the breakup of $^{16}$C nucleus. We point out that the dominant ($d_{5/2})^2$ configuration in the ground state of $^{16}$C plays a crucial role for these agreement.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 3 table

Microscopic Study of the Isoscalar Giant Monopole Resonance in Cd, Sn and Pb Isotopes

The isoscalar giant monopole resonance (ISGMR) in Cd, Sn and Pb isotopes has been studied within the self-consistent Skyrme Hartree-Fock+BCS and quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA). Three Skyrme parameter sets are used in the calculations, i.e., SLy5, SkM* and SkP, since they are characterized by different values of the compression modulus in symmetric nuclear matter, namely K=230, 217, and 202 MeV, respectively. We also investigate the effect of different types of pairing forces on the ISGMR in Cd, Sn and Pb isotopes. The calculated peak energies and the strength distributions of ISGMR are compared with available experimental data. We find that SkP fails completely to describe the ISGMR strength distribution for all isotopes due to its low value of the nuclear matter incompressibility, namely K=202 MeV. On the other hand, the SLy5 parameter set, supplemented by an appropriate pairing interaction, gives a reasonable description of the ISGMR in Cd and Pb isotopes. A better description of ISGMR in Sn isotopes is achieved by the SkM* interaction, that has a somewhat softer value of the nuclear incompressibility.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Designing optimal discrete-feedback thermodynamic engines

Feedback can be utilized to convert information into useful work, making it an effective tool for increasing the performance of thermodynamic engines. Using feedback reversibility as a guiding principle, we devise a method for designing optimal feedback protocols for thermodynamic engines that extract all the information gained during feedback as work. Our method is based on the observation that in a feedback-reversible process the measurement and the time-reversal of the ensuing protocol both prepare the system in the same probabilistic state. We illustrate the utility of our method with two examples of the multi-particle Szilard engine.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, submitted to New J. Phy

Hamiltonian Derivations of the Generalized Jarzynski Equalities under Feedback Control

In the presence of feedback control by "Maxwell's demon," the second law of thermodynamics and the nonequilibrium equalities such as the Jarzynski equality need to be generalized. In this paper, we derive the generalized Jarzynski equalities for classical Hamiltonian dynamics based on the Liouville's theorem, which is the same approach as the original proof of the Jarzynski equality [Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 2690 (1997)]. The obtained equalities lead to the generalizations of the second law of thermodynamics for the Hamiltonian systems in the presence of feedback control.Comment: Proceedings of "STATPHYS - Kolkata VII", November 26-30, 2010, Kolkata, Indi

Review of blockchain-based distributed energy: Implications for institutional development

The future of energy is complex, with fluctuating renewable resources in increasingly distributed systems. It is suggested that blockchain technology is a timely innovation with potential to facilitate this future. Peer-to-peer (P2P) microgrids can support renewable energy as well as economically empower consumers and prosumers. However, the rapid development of blockchain and prospects for P2P energy networks is coupled with several grey areas in the institutional landscape. The purpose of this paper is to holistically explore potential challenges of blockchain-based P2P microgrids, and propose practical implications for institutional development as well as academia. An analytical framework for P2P microgrids is developed based on literature review as well as expert interviews. The framework incorporates 1) Technological, 2) Economic, 3) Social, 4) Environmental and 5) Institutional dimensions. Directions for future work in practical and academic contexts are identified. It is suggested that bridging the gap from technological to institutional readiness would require the incorporation of all dimensions as well as their inter-relatedness. Gradual institutional change leveraging community-building and regulatory sandbox approaches are proposed as potential pathways in incorporating this multi-dimensionality, reducing cross-sectoral silos, and facilitating interoperability between current and future systems. By offering insight through holistic conceptualization, this paper aims to contribute to expanding research in building the pillars of a more substantiated institutional arch for blockchain in the energy sector

4D STEM: high efficiency phase contrast imaging using a fast pixelated detector

Phase contrast imaging is widely used for imaging beam sensitive and weak phase objects in electron microscopy. In this work we demonstrate the achievement of high efficient phase contrast imaging in STEM using the pnCCD, a fast direct electron pixelated detector, which records the diffraction patterns at every probe position with a speed of 1000 to 4000 frames per second, forming a 4D STEM dataset simultaneously with the incoherent Z-contrast imaging. Ptychographic phase reconstruction has been applied and the obtained complex transmission function reveals the phase of the specimen. The results using GaN and Ti, Nd- doped BiFeO3 show that this imaging mode is especially powerful for imaging light elements in the presence of much heavier elements

Response Function of Hot Nuclear Matter

We investigate the response function of hot nuclear matter to a small isovector external field using a simplified Skyrme interaction reproducing the value of the symmetry energy coefficient. We consider values of the momentum transfer corresponding to the dipole oscillation in heavy nuclei. We find that while at zero temperature the particle hole interaction is almost repulsive enough to have a sharp (zero sound type) collective oscillation, such is no longer the case at temperatures of a few MeV. As a result a broadening of the dipole resonance occurs, leading to its quasi disappearence by the time the temperature reaches 5 MeV. The sensivity of the temperature evolution of the width when modifying the residual interaction strength is also examined.Comment: 9 pages, IPNO/TH 94-15, DPT-IPN Orsay. Two figures available under reques

Mechanical and chemical spinodal instabilities in finite quantum systems

Self consistent quantum approaches are used to study the instabilities of finite nuclear systems. The frequencies of multipole density fluctuations are determined as a function of dilution and temperature, for several isotopes. The spinodal region of the phase diagrams is determined and it appears that instabilities are reduced by finite size effects. The role of surface and volume instabilities is discussed. It is indicated that the important chemical effects associated with mechanical disruption may lead to isospin fractionation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Time-dependent approach to many-particle tunneling in one-dimension

Employing the time-dependent approach, we investigate a quantum tunneling decay of many-particle systems. We apply it to a one-dimensional three-body problem with a heavy core nucleus and two valence protons. We calculate the decay width for two-proton emission from the survival probability, which well obeys the exponential decay-law after a sufficient time. The effect of the correlation between the two emitted protons is also studied by observing the time evolution of the two-particle density distribution. It is shown that the pairing correlation significantly enhances the probability for the simultaneous diproton decay.Comment: 9 pages, 10 eps figure