46,376 research outputs found
Ultracold atoms in optical lattices with random on-site interactions
We consider the physics of lattice bosons affected by disordered on-site
interparticle interactions. Characteristic qualitative changes in the zero
temperature phase diagram are observed when compared to the case of randomness
in the chemical potential. The Mott-insulating regions shrink and eventually
vanish for any finite disorder strength beyond a sufficiently large filling
factor. Furthermore, at low values of the chemical potential both the
superfluid and Mott insulator are stable towards formation of a Bose glass
leading to a possibly non-trivial tricritical point. We discuss feasible
experimental realizations of our scenario in the context of ultracold atoms on
optical lattices.Comment: 4 pages, 3 eps figure
Manipulation of the dynamics of many-body systems via quantum control methods
We investigate how dynamical decoupling methods may be used to manipulate the
time evolution of quantum many-body systems. These methods consist of sequences
of external control operations designed to induce a desired dynamics. The
systems considered for the analysis are one-dimensional spin-1/2 models, which,
according to the parameters of the Hamiltonian, may be in the integrable or
non-integrable limits, and in the gapped or gapless phases. We show that an
appropriate control sequence may lead a chaotic chain to evolve as an
integrable chain and a system in the gapless phase to behave as a system in the
gapped phase. A key ingredient for the control schemes developed here is the
possibility to use, in the same sequence, different time intervals between
control operations.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure
Interface States in Carbon Nanotube Junctions: Rolling up graphene
We study the origin of interface states in carbon nanotube intramolecular
junctions between achiral tubes. By applying the Born-von Karman boundary
condition to an interface between armchair- and zigzag-terminated graphene
layers, we are able to explain their number and energies. We show that these
interface states, costumarily attributed to the presence of topological
defects, are actually related to zigzag edge states, as those of graphene
zigzag nanoribbons. Spatial localization of interface states is seen to vary
greatly, and may extend appreciably into either side of the junction. Our
results give an alternative explanation to the unusual decay length measured
for interface states of semiconductor nanotube junctions, and could be further
tested by local probe spectroscopies
Atomic quantum gases in Kagom\'e lattices
We demonstrate the possibility of creating and controlling an ideal and
\textit{trimerized} optical Kagom\'e lattice, and study the low temperature
physics of various atomic gases in such lattices. In the trimerized Kagom\'e
lattice, a Bose gas exhibits a Mott transition with fractional filling factors,
whereas a spinless interacting Fermi gas at 2/3 filling behaves as a quantum
magnet on a triangular lattice. Finally, a Fermi-Fermi mixture at half filling
for both components represents a frustrated quantum antiferromagnet with a
resonating-valence-bond ground state and quantum spin liquid behavior dominated
by continuous spectrum of singlet and triplet excitations. We discuss the
method of preparing and observing such quantum spin liquid employing molecular
Bose condensates.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Missing affiliations adde
Electronic transport through bilayer graphene flakes
We investigate the electronic transport properties of a bilayer graphene
flake contacted by two monolayer nanoribbons. Such a finite-size bilayer flake
can be built by overlapping two semiinfinite ribbons or by depositing a
monolayer flake onto an infinite nanoribbon. These two structures have a
complementary behavior, that we study and analyze by means of a tight-binding
method and a continuum Dirac model. We have found that for certain energy
ranges and geometries, the conductance of these systems oscillates markedly
between zero and the maximum value of the conductance, allowing for the design
of electromechanical switches. Our understanding of the electronic transmission
through bilayer flakes may provide a way to measure the interlayer hopping in
bilayer graphene.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure
Sympathetic cooling of trapped fermions by bosons in the presence of particle losses
We study the sympathetic cooling of a trapped Fermi gas interacting with an
ideal Bose gas below the critical temperature of the Bose-Einstein
condensation. We derive the quantum master equation, which describes the
dynamics of the fermionic component, and postulating the thermal distribution
for both gases we calculate analytically the rate at which fermions are cooled
by the bosonic atoms. The particle losses constitute an important source of
heating of the degenerate Fermi gas. We evaluate the rate of loss-induced
heating and derive analytical results for the final temperature of fermions,
which is limited in the presence of particle losses.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, EPL style; final versio
Gender equality and modernity in Portugal. An analysis on the obstacles to gender equality in highly qualified professions
In this review article, we argue that the transformations related to the modernisation of Portuguese society triggered by the implementation of democracy did not fully accommodate gender equality. In particular, when we consider the areas where the most progress has been made in keeping with a broadly shared urge for modernisation, education and science; whereas women have contributed to boosting the Portuguese population’s level of education, thus inverting the worst legacy of the dictatorship and developing scientific research, gender inequalities are still visible in highly qualified professions. Reviewing the results of studies from different professions, science, medicine and engineering, our analysis illustrates several factors that hinder not only the recognition of women’s competences and merit at work but also their career opportunities. Some of these factors are rooted in the type of gender ideology that was central to the propaganda of the dictatorship, thereby establishing continuity with the previous regime that seems particularly difficult to break in the absence of women’s voices to raise awareness on gender equality.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Gender inequalities in highly qualified professions: a social psychological analysis
Research in social and political psychology contributes towards understanding the persistence of job market gender segregation prevailing in recent decades, the consequences for those involved and their reactions when having to cope with gender inequality. Within the framework of the literature on shared ideologies that justify and legitimize discrimination against women, this article focuses on Portugal and analyses the particular case of women in two highly qualified professions traditionally carried out by men – politics and medicine. Drawing on the results of quantitative and qualitative studies, our analytical approach demonstrates how while a majority of participants show awareness of the existence of gender inequality in these markedly masculine professions, meritocratic individualism and personal attributions to discrimination are the recurring explanations rather than any gender-based account. These results allow us to highlight the relevance of gender-based analysis as an ideology and furthermore to argue that ignoring this perspective not only diminishes individual responsibility for social change but also perpetuates gender asymmetries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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