Proof of phase separation in the binary-alloy problem: the one-dimensional spinless Falicov-Kimball model

The ground states of the one-dimensional Falicov-Kimball model are investigated in the small-coupling limit, using nearly degenerate perturbation theory. For rational electron and ion densities, respectively equal to $\frac{p}{q}$, $\frac{p_i}{q}$, with $p$ relatively prime to $q$ and $\frac{p_i}{q}$ close enough to $\frac{1}{2}$, we find that in the ground state the ion configuration has period $q$. The situation is analogous to the Peierls instability where the usual arguments predict a period-$q$ state that produces a gap at the Fermi level and is insulating. However for $\frac{p_i}{q}$ far enough from $\frac{1}{2}$, this phase becomes unstable against phase separation. The ground state is a mixture of a period-$q$ ionic configuration and an empty (or full) configuration, where both configurations have the same electron density to leading order. Combining these new results with those previously obtained for strong coupling, it follows that a phase transition occurs in the ground state, as a function of the coupling, for ion densities far enough from $\frac{1}{2}$.Comment: 22 pages, typeset in ReVTeX and one encapsulated postscript file embedded in the text with eps

Dynamical mean-field theory for light fermion--heavy boson mixtures on optical lattices

We theoretically analyze Fermi-Bose mixtures consisting of light fermions and heavy bosons that are loaded into optical lattices (ignoring the trapping potential). To describe such mixtures, we consider the Fermi-Bose version of the Falicov-Kimball model on a periodic lattice. This model can be exactly mapped onto the spinless Fermi-Fermi Falicov-Kimball model at zero temperature for all parameter space as long as the mixture is thermodynamically stable. We employ dynamical mean-field theory to investigate the evolution of the Fermi-Bose Falicov-Kimball model at higher temperatures. We calculate spectral moment sum rules for the retarded Green's function and self-energy, and use them to benchmark the accuracy of our numerical calculations, as well as to reduce the computational cost by exactly including the tails of infinite summations or products. We show how the occupancy of the bosons, single-particle many-body density of states for the fermions, momentum distribution, and the average kinetic energy evolve with temperature. We end by briefly discussing how to experimentally realize the Fermi-Bose Falicov-Kimball model in ultracold atomic systems.Comment: 10 pages with 4 figure

Xenon ion propulsion for orbit transfer

For more than 30 years, NASA has conducted an ion propulsion program which has resulted in several experimental space flight demonstrations and the development of many supporting technologies. Technologies appropriate for geosynchronous stationkeeping, earth-orbit transfer missions, and interplanetary missions are defined and evaluated. The status of critical ion propulsion system elements is reviewed. Electron bombardment ion thrusters for primary propulsion have evolved to operate on xenon in the 5 to 10 kW power range. Thruster efficiencies of 0.7 and specific impulse values of 4000 s were documented. The baseline thruster currently under development by NASA LeRC includes ring-cusp magnetic field plasma containment and dished two-grid ion optics. Based on past experience and demonstrated simplifications, power processors for these thrusters should have approximately 500 parts, a mass of 40 kg, and an efficiency near 0.94. Thrust vector control, via individual thruster gimbals, is a mature technology. High pressure, gaseous xenon propellant storage and control schemes, using flight qualified hardware, result in propellant tankage fractions between 0.1 and 0.2. In-space and ground integration testing has demonstrated that ion propulsion systems can be successfully integrated with their host spacecraft. Ion propulsion system technologies are mature and can significantly enhance and/or enable a variety of missions in the nation's space propulsion program

Time resolution below 100 ps for the SciTil detector of PANDA employing SiPM

The barrel time-of-flight (TOF) detector for the PANDA experiment at FAIR in Darmstadt is planned as a scintillator tile hodoscope (SciTil) using 8000 small scintillator tiles. It will provide fast event timing for a software trigger in the otherwise trigger-less data acquisition scheme of PANDA, relative timing in a multiple track event topology as well as additional particle identification in the low momentum region. The goal is to achieve a time resolution of sigma ~ 100 ps. We have conducted measurements using organic scintillators coupled to Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM). The results are encouraging such that we are confident to reach the required time resolution.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

Lower bound for the segregation energy in the Falicov-Kimball model

In this work, a lower bound for the ground state energy of the Falicov-Kimball model for intermediate densities is derived. The explicit derivation is important in the proof of the conjecture of segregation of the two kinds of fermions in the Falicov-Kimball model, for sufficiently large interactions. This bound is given by a bulk term, plus a term proportional to the boundary of the region devoid of classical particles. A detailed proof is presented for density n=1/2, where the coefficient 10^(-13) is obtained for the boundary term, in two dimensions. With suitable modifications the method can also be used to obtain a coefficient for all densities.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Phase separation due to quantum mechanical correlations

Can phase separation be induced by strong electron correlations? We present a theorem that affirmatively answers this question in the Falicov-Kimball model away from half-filling, for any dimension. In the ground state the itinerant electrons are spatially separated from the classical particles.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Note: text and figure unchanged, title was misspelle

Phase separation and the segregation principle in the infinite-U spinless Falicov-Kimball model

The simplest statistical-mechanical model of crystalline formation (or alloy formation) that includes electronic degrees of freedom is solved exactly in the limit of large spatial dimensions and infinite interaction strength. The solutions contain both second-order phase transitions and first-order phase transitions (that involve phase-separation or segregation) which are likely to illustrate the basic physics behind the static charge-stripe ordering in cuprate systems. In addition, we find the spinodal-decomposition temperature satisfies an approximate scaling law.Comment: 19 pages and 10 figure