733 research outputs found
Theory of Inelastic Electron Tunneling from a Localized Spin in the Impulsive Approximation
A simple expression for the conductance steps in the inelastic electron
tunneling from spin excitations in a single magnetic atom adsorbed on a
non-magnetic metal surfaces is derived. The inelastic coupling between the
tunneling electron and the spin is via the exchange coupling and is treated in
an impulsive approximation using the Tersoff-Hamann approximation for the
tunneling between the tip and the sample. Our results for conductance steps
justify the analysis carried out by Hirjebedin et al. [Science 317, 1199
(2007)] of observed step-like conductances by inelastic electron tunneling from
spin excitations in a single magnetic adatom using a simple spin matrix
element. In addition, our result gives a simple expression for the magnitudes
of conductance steps and their lateral spatial variation with respect to the
tip position, which can be calculated directly from spin-polarized wave
functions at the Fermi level of the sample
A simplified density functional theory method for charged adsorbates on an ultrathin, insulating film supported by a metal substrate
A simplified density functional theory (DFT) method for charged adsorbates on
an ultrathin, insulating film supported by a metal substrate is developed and
presented. This new method is based on a previous DFT development that uses a
perfect conductor (PC) model to approximate the electrostatic response of the
metal substrate, while the film and the adsorbate are both treated fully within
DFT [I. Scivetti and M. Persson, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 25,
355006 (2013)]. The missing interactions between the metal substrate and the
insulating film in the PC approximation are modelled by a simple force field
(FF). The parameters of the PC model and the force field are obtained from DFT
calculations of the film and the substrate, here shown explicitly for a NaCl
bilayer supported by a Cu(100) surface. In order to obtain some of these
parameters and the polarisability of the force field, we have to include an
external, uniformly charged plane in the DFT calculations, which has required
the development of a periodic DFT formalism to include such a charged plane in
the presence of a metal substrate. This extension and implementation should be
of more general interest and applicable to other challenging problems, for
instance, in electrochemistry. As illustrated for the gold atom on the NaCl
bilayer supported by a Cu(100) surface, our new DFT-PC-FF method allows us to
handle different charge states of adsorbates in a controlled and accurate
manner with a considerable reduction of the computational time. In addition, it
is now possible to calculate vertical transition and reorganisation energies
for charging and discharging of adsorbates that cannot be obtained by current
DFT methodologies that include the metal substrate. We find that the computed
vertical transition energy for charging of the gold adatom is in good agreement
with experiments
Theoretical study of electron states in Au chains on NiAl(110)
We have carried out a density functional study of unoccupied, resonance
states in a single Au atom, dimers, a trimer and infinite Au chains on the
NiAl(110) surface. Two inequivalent orientations of the ad-chains with
substantially different interatomic distances were considered. From the study
of the evolution of the electron states in an Au chain from being isolated to
adsorbed, we find that the resonance states derive from the 6 states of the
Au atoms, which hybridize strongly with the substrate states and develop a
-like polarization. The calculated resonance states and LDOS images were
analyzed in a simple tight-binding, resonance model. This model clarifies (1)
the physics of direct and substrate-mediated adatom-adatom interactions and (2)
the physics behind the enhancements of the LDOS at the ends of the adatom
chains, and (3) the physical meaning of the "particle-in-box" model used in the
analysis of observed resonance states. The calculated effective mass and band
bottom energy are in good agreement with experimental data obtained from
scanning tunnelling spectroscopy
Time Consistency of Fiscal and Monetary Policy: A Solution
This paper demonstrates how time consistency of the Ramsey policyâthe optimal fiscal and monetary policy under commitmentâcan be achieved. Each government should leave its successor with a unique maturity structure for the nominal and indexed debt, such that the marginal benefit of a surprise inflation exactly balances the marginal cost. Unlike in earlier papers on the topic, the result holds for quite a general Ramsey policy, including time varying polices with positive inflation and positive nominal interest rates. We compare our results with those in Persson, Persson, and Svensson (1987), Calvo and Obstfeld (1990), and Alvarez, Kehoe, and Neumeyer (2004).time consistency; Ramsey policy; surprise inflation
The Effects on Sick Leave of Changes in the Sickness Insurance System
In order to get a more complete picture of how labor supply is affected by economic incentives, the effects on absenteeism and not just on contracted hours should be taken into account. In particular, absenteeism due to sick leave can be considerable. In this paper we examine whether the level of sick leave compensation affects sick leave behavior. Using time-series data for Sweden spanning a long period (1955â99) with numerous changes of the compensation level, we generally find strong effects of the expected sign. Reforms implying more generous compensation for sick leave tend to be associated with permanent increases in total sick leave per person employed and vice versa. These findings are reinforced in a panel study covering the 1983â91 period.Absenteeism; Labor supply; Sick leave; Sickness insurance; Social security
A Model of Income Insurance and Social Norms
A large literature on ex ante moral hazard in income insurance emphasizes that the individual can affect the probability of an income loss by choice of lifestyle and hence, the degree of risk-taking. The much smaller literature on moral hazard ex post mainly analyzes how a âmoral hazard constraintâ can make the individual abstain from fraud (âmimickingâ). The present paper instead presents a model of moral hazard ex post without a moral hazard constraint; the individual's ability and willingÂness to work is represented by a continuous stochastic variable in the utility function, and the extent of moral hazard depends on the generosity of the insurance system. Our model is also well suited for analyzing social norms concerning work and benefit dependency.Moral Hazard; Sick Pay Insurance; Labor Supply; Asymmetric Information Â
The Gains from Pension Reform
We characterize pension systems along three dimensions: 1) actuarial vs. non-actuarial, 2) funded vs. pay-as-you-go, 3) defined-contribution vs. defined-benefit. Increasing the degree of actuarial fairness, by strengthening the linkage between contributions and benefits, reduces labor market distortions and may increase welfare in a Pareto-efficiency sense. Increasing the degree of funding implies mainly a redistribution of income among generations, although a partial shift to funding also provides better risk-return combinations for individuals. Shifting from defined-benefit to defined-contribution schemes (with fixed contribution rates) shifts the income risk from workers and taxpayers to pensioners.Social security; Funding
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