Two particle correlations and orthogonality catastrophe in interacting Fermi systems

The wave function of two fermions, repulsively interacting in the presence of a Fermi sea, is evaluated in detail. We consider large but finite systems in order to obtain an unabiguous picture of the two-particle correlations. As recently pointed out by Anderson, in two or lower dimensions the particles may be correlated even when situated on the Fermi surface. The "partial exclusion principle" for two particles with opposite spin on the same Fermi point is discussed, and related to results from the T-matrix approximation. Particles on different Fermi points are shown to be uncorrelated in dimensions d > 1. Using the results for the two-particle correlations we find that the orthogonality effect induced by adding an extra particle to a (tentative) two-dimensional Fermi liquid is finite.Comment: 25 pages, LATEX, RWTH/ITP-C 10/9

Superconductivity in the attractive Hubbard model: functional renormalization group analysis

We present a functional renormalization group analysis of superconductivity in the ground state of the attractive Hubbard model on a square lattice. Spontaneous symmetry breaking is treated in a purely fermionic setting via anomalous propagators and anomalous effective interactions. In addition to the anomalous interactions arising already in the reduced BCS model, effective interactions with three incoming legs and one outgoing leg (and vice versa) occur. We accomplish their integration into the usual diagrammatic formalism by introducing a Nambu matrix for the effective interactions. From a random-phase approximation generalized through use of this matrix we conclude that the impact of the 3+1 effective interactions is limited, especially considering the effective interactions important for the determination of the order parameter. The exact hierarchy of flow equations for one-particle irreducible vertex functions is truncated on the two-particle level, with higher-order self-energy corrections included in a scheme proposed by Katanin. Using a parametrization of effective interactions by patches in momentum space, the flow equations can be integrated numerically to the lowest scales without encountering divergences. Momentum-shell as well as interaction-flow cutoff functions are used, including a small external field or a large external field and a counterterm, respectively. Both approaches produce momentum-resolved order parameter values directly from the microscopic model. The size of the superconducting gap is in reasonable agreement with expectations from other studies.Comment: 22 pages, 16 figures, references added, some changes in the introductio

Coding in the olfactory system : linking realistic and abstract models

© Metzner; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2014 This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://​creativecommons.​org/​licenses/​by/​2.​0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://​creativecommons.​org/​publicdomain/​zero/​1.​0/​) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated[Poster presentation].In general, theoretical models for the function of the olfactory system can be divided into two broad categories. In one, the seemingly diffuse and unstructured pattern of neuronal connections within the olfactory cortex have been interpreted to suggest that it functions like a kind of an autoassociative neural network. An essential feature of autoassociative networks is their randomly structured connectivity and the special importance of the formation of connection weights in the process of its evolution. On the other hand, a very different functional structure has recently been proposed based on a detailed biologically realistic network model of the olfactory cortex. This work predicts that the olfactory cortex actually has a highly structured connectivity consisting of distinct different although highly spatially overlapping subnetworks, which are only sparsely connected to each otherPeer reviewe

UAG R-268

This study was supported by the Bureau of Land Management through interagency agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under which a multi-year program responding to need of petroleum development of the Alaskan continental shelf is managed by the Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program (OCSEAP) Office. Drawings were done by Debbie Cocci a and Jim Burton. The idea of this project arose during a conversation between George Edwardson, Jr., and one of the Principal Investigators. Rachael Craig and Edna MacLean helped in initiating the project and Mrs. Molly Pederson of the North Slope Borough Inupiaq Language Commission obtained some of the narratives and interviews and provided translations. Teri McClung assisted with transcription of interviews and editing. Finally, the hospitality of the family of Kenneth Toovak during the translation process is gratefully acknowledged.The objective of this program was to extend the data base on ice hazards along the Beaufort Sea coast of Alaska backward in time by using the knowledge and understanding of ice and weather conditions of the local residents. Information for this pilot project was obtained through direct interviews with residents, or from narratives supplied by them. The results of these procedures were evaluated to provide a basis for improving similar efforts in future. Observations of particular interest obtained from these interviews and narratives include (1 ) a description of a major motion of the landfast ice off Harrison Bay in late February, (2) a description of the formation of ice push ridges and ride-up at Cape Halkett during break up, (3) reports of whales traveling inshore of Cross Island during the fall migration and of whales being taken by crews from the Prudhoe Bay area at that time of year, and 4) descriptions of conditions in the nearshore area during summer. In addition information of historical and cultural interest was obtained.Supported by NOAA Contract 03-5-022-55, Task No. 6ABSTRACT -- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -- TABLE OF CONTENTS : INTRODUCTION ; PROCEDURES ; RESULTS ; DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION -- APPENDIX I -- APPENDIX II -- APPENDIX II

Spin lifetimes and strain-controlled spin precession of drifting electrons in zinc blende type semiconductors

We study the transport of spin polarized electrons in n-GaAs using spatially resolved continuous wave Faraday rotation. From the measured steady state distribution, we determine spin relaxation times under drift conditions and, in the presence of strain, the induced spin splitting from the observed spin precession. Controlled variation of strain along [110] allows us to deduce the deformation potential causing this effect, while strain along [100] has no effect. The electric field dependence of the spin lifetime is explained quantitatively in terms of an increase of the electron temperature.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Singular order parameter interaction at nematic quantum critical point in two dimensional electron systems

We analyze the infrared behavior of effective N-point interactions between order parameter fluctuations for nematic and other quantum critical electron systems with a scalar order parameter in two dimensions. The interactions exhibit a singular momentum and energy dependence and thus cannot be represented by local vertices. They diverge for all N greater or equal 4 in a collinear static limit, where energy variables scale to zero faster than momenta, and momenta become increasingly collinear. The degree of divergence is not reduced by any cancellations and renders all N-point interactions marginal. A truncation of the order parameter action at quartic or any other finite order is therefore not justified. The same conclusion can be drawn for the effective action describing fermions coupled to a U(1) gauge field in two dimensions.Comment: 18 pages, 1 figur

Competition of Fermi surface symmetry breaking and superconductivity

We analyze a mean-field model of electrons on a square lattice with two types of interaction: forward scattering favoring a d-wave Pomeranchuk instability and a BCS pairing interaction driving d-wave superconductivity. Tuning the interaction parameters a rich variety of phase diagrams is obtained. If the BCS interaction is not too strong, Fermi surface symmetry breaking is stabilized around van Hove filling, and coexists with superconductivity at low temperatures. For pure forward scattering Fermi surface symmetry breaking occurs typically via a first order transition at low temperatures. The presence of superconductivity reduces the first order character of this transition and, if strong enough, can turn it into a continuous one. This gives rise to a quantum critical point within the superconducting phase. The superconducting gap tends to suppress Fermi surface symmetry breaking. For a relatively strong BCS interaction, Fermi surface symmetry breaking can be limited to intermediate temperatures, or can be suppressed completely by pairing.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure