Spin degree of freedom in two dimensional exciton condensates

We present a theoretical analysis of a spin-dependent multicomponent condensate in two dimensions. The case of a condensate of resonantly photoexcited excitons having two different spin orientations is studied in detail. The energy and the chemical potentials of this system depend strongly on the spin polarization. When electrons and holes are located in two different planes, the condensate can be either totally spin polarized or spin unpolarized, a property that is measurable. The phase diagram in terms of the total density and electron-hole separation is discussed.

The emergence of classical behaviour in magnetic adatoms

A wide class of nanomagnets shows striking quantum behaviour, known as quantum spin tunnelling (QST): instead of two degenerate ground states with opposite magnetizations, a bonding-antibonding pair forms, resulting in a splitting of the ground-state doublet with wave functions linear combination of two classically opposite magnetic states, leading to the quenching of their magnetic moment. Here we study how QST is destroyed and classical behaviour emerges in the case of magnetic adatoms, where, contrary to larger nanomagnets, the QST splitting is in some instances bigger than temperature and broadening. We analyze two different mechanisms for the renormalization of the QST splitting: Heisenberg exchange between different atoms, and Kondo exchange interaction with the substrate electrons. Sufficiently strong spin-substrate and spin-spin coupling renormalize the QST splitting to zero allowing the environmental decoherence to eliminate superpositions between classical states, leading to the emergence of spontaneous magnetization. Importantly, we extract the strength of the Kondo exchange for various experiments on individual adatoms and construct a phase diagram for the classical to quantum transition.

Biogenic opal estimation of deep-sea sediment cores from the Scotia Sea

We present biogenic opal flux records from two deep-sea sites in the Scotia Sea (MD07-3133 and MD07-3134) at decadal-scale resolution, covering the last glacial cycle. Besides conventional and time-consuming biogenic opal measuring methods, we introduce new biogenic opal estimation methods derived from sediment colour b*, wet bulk density, Si/Ti-count ratio, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). All methods capture the biogenic opal amplitude, however, FTIRS - a novel method for marine sediment - yields the most reliable results. 230Th normalization data show strong differences in sediment focusing with intensified sediment focusing during glacial times. At MD07-3134 230Th normalized biogenic opal fluxes vary between 0.2 and 2.5 g/cm2/kyr. Our biogenic opal flux records indicate bioproductivity changes in the Southern Ocean, strongly influenced by sea ice distribution and also summer sea surface temperature changes. South of the Antarctic Polar Front, lowest bioproductivity occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum when upwelling of mid-depth water was reduced and sea ice cover intensified. Around 17 ka, bioproductivity increased abruptly, corresponding to rising atmospheric CO2 contents and decreasing seasonal sea ice coverage.

The gap equations for spin singlet and triplet ferromagnetic superconductors

We derive gap equations for superconductivity in coexistence with ferromagnetism. We treat singlet and triplet states With either equal spin pairing (ESP) or opposite spin pairing (OSP) states, and study the behaviour of these states as a function of exchange splitting. For the s-wave singlet state we find that our gap equations correctly reproduce the Clogston-Chandrasekhar limiting behaviour and the phase diagram of the Baltensperger-Sarma equation (excluding the FFLO region). The singlet superconducting order parameter is shown to be independent of exchange splitting at zero temperature, as is assumed in the derivation of the Clogston-Chandrasekhar limit. P-wave triplet states of the OSP type behave similarly to the singlet state as a function of exchange splitting. On the other hand, ESP triplet states show a very different behaviour. In particular, there is no Clogston-Chandrasekhar limiting and the superconducting critical temperature, T-C, is actually increased by exchange splitting.

Using different structure types of microemulsions for the preparation of poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles by interfacial polymerization

A phase diagram of the pseudoternary system ethyloleate, polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan mono-oleate/sorbitan monolaurate and water with butanol as a cosurfactant was prepared. Areas containing optically isotropic, low viscosity one-phase systems were identified and systems therein designated as w/o droplet-, bicontinuous- or solution-type microemulsions using conductivity, viscosity, cryo-field emission scanning electron microscopy and self-diffusion NMR. Nanoparticles were prepared by interfacial polymerization of selected w/o droplet, bicontinuous- or solution-type microemulsions with ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Morphology of the particles and entrapment of the water-soluble model protein ovalbumin were investigated. Addition of monomer to the different types of microemulsions (w/o droplet, bicontinuous, solution) led to the formation of nanoparticles, which were similar in size (similar to 250 nm), polydispersity index (similar to 0.13), zeta-potential (similar to-17 mV) and morphology. The entrapment of the protein within these particles was up to 95%, depending on the amount of monomer used for polymerization and the type of microemulsion used as a polymerization template. The formation of particles with similar characteristics from templates having different microstructure is surprising, particularly considering that polymerization is expected to occur at the water-oil interface by base-catalysed polymerization. Dynamics within the template (stirring, viscosity) or indeed interfacial phenomena relating to the solid-liquid interface appear to be more important for the determination of nanoparticle morphology and characteristics than the microstructure of the template system. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Orbital currents and charge density waves in a generalized Hubbard ladder

We study a generalized Hubbard model on the two-leg ladder at zero temperature, focusing on a parameter region with staggered flux (SF)/d-density wave (DDW) order. To guide our numerical calculations, we first investigate the location of a SF/DDW phase in the phase diagram of the half-filled weakly interacting ladder using a perturbative renormalization group (RG) and bosonization approach. For hole doping 6 away from half-filling, finite-system density-matrix renormalizationgroup (DMRG) calculations are used to study ladders with up to 200 rungs for intermediate-strength interactions. In the doped SF/DDW phase, the staggered rung current and the rung electron density both show periodic spatial oscillations, with characteristic wavelengths 2/delta and 1/delta, respectively, corresponding to ordering wavevectors 2k(F) and 4k(F) for the currents and densities, where 2k(F) = pi(1 - delta). The density minima are located at the anti-phase domain walls of the staggered current. For sufficiently large dopings, SF/DDW order is suppressed. The rung density modulation also exists in neighboring phases where currents decay exponentially. We show that most of the DMRG results can be qualitatively understood from weak-coupling RG/bosonization arguments. However, while these arguments seem to suggest a crossover from non-decaying correlations to power-law decay at a length scale of order 1/delta, the DMRG results are consistent with a true long-range order scenario for the currents and densities. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Strong electronic correlations in superconducting organic charge transfer salts

We review the role of strong electronic correlations in quasi-two-dimensional organic charge transfer salts such as (BEDT-TTF)(2)X, (BETS)(2)Y, and beta'-[Pd(dmit)(2)](2)Z. We begin by defining minimal models for these materials. It is necessary to identify two classes of material: the first class is strongly dimerized and is described by a half-filled Hubbard model; the second class is not strongly dimerized and is described by a quarter-filled extended Hubbard model. We argue that these models capture the essential physics of these materials. We explore the phase diagram of the half-filled quasi-two-dimensional organic charge transfer salts, focusing on the metallic and superconducting phases. We review work showing that the metallic phase, which has both Fermi liquid and 'bad metal' regimes, is described both quantitatively and qualitatively by dynamical mean field theory (DMFT). The phenomenology of the superconducting state is still a matter of contention. We critically review the experimental situation, focusing on the key experimental results that may distinguish between rival theories of superconductivity, particularly probes of the pairing symmetry and measurements of the superfluid stiffness. We then discuss some strongly correlated theories of superconductivity, in particular the resonating valence bond (RVB) theory of superconductivity. We conclude by discussing some of the major challenges currently facing the field. These include parameterizing minimal models, the evidence for a pseudogap from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments, superconductors with low critical temperatures and extremely small superfluid stiffnesses, the possible spin- liquid states in kappa-(ET)(2)Cu-2(CN)(3) and beta'-[Pd(dmit)(2)](2)Z, and the need for high quality large single crystals.

BCS-BEC crossover in an asymmetric two-component Fermi gas

We discuss the superfluid phase transition of a strongly interacting Fermi gas with unequal ( asymmetric) chemical potentials in two pairing hyperfine states, and map out its phase diagram near the BCS-BEC crossover. Our approach includes the fluctuation contributions of preformed Cooper pairs to the thermodynamic potential at finite temperature. We show that, below a critical difference in chemical potentials between species, a normal gas is unstable towards the formation of either a finite-momentum paired Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov superconducting phase or a uniform superfluid, depending on the asymmetry and interaction strengths. We determine the value of critical chemical potential mismatch, and find that it is consistent with a recent measurement by Zwierlein et al. ( Science, 311 ( 2006) 492).

Design and application of nanoscale actuators using block-copolymers

Block copolymers are versatile designer macromolecules where a “bottom-up” approach can be used to create tailored materials with unique properties. These simple building blocks allow us to create actuators that convert energy from a variety of sources (such as chemical, electrical and heat) into mechanical energy. In this review we will discuss the advantages and potential pitfalls of using block copolymers to create actuators, putting emphasis on the ways in which these materials can be synthesised and processed. Particular attention will be given to the theoretical background of microphase separation and how the phase diagram can be used during the design process of actuators. Different types of actuation will be discussed throughout.

Solvable model for distribution networks on random graphs

We propose a simple model that captures the salient properties of distribution networks, and study the possible occurrence of blackouts, i.e., sudden failings of large portions of such networks. The model is defined on a random graph of finite connectivity. The nodes of the graph represent hubs of the network, while the edges of the graph represent the links of the distribution network. Both, the nodes and the edges carry dynamical two state variables representing the functioning or dysfunctional state of the node or link in question. We describe a dynamical process in which the breakdown of a link or node is triggered when the level of maintenance it receives falls below a given threshold. This form of dynamics can lead to situations of catastrophic breakdown, if levels of maintenance are themselves dependent on the functioning of the net, once maintenance levels locally fall below a critical threshold due to fluctuations. We formulate conditions under which such systems can be analyzed in terms of thermodynamic equilibrium techniques, and under these conditions derive a phase diagram characterizing the collective behavior of the system, given its model parameters. The phase diagram is confirmed qualitatively and quantitatively by simulations on explicit realizations of the graph, thus confirming the validity of our approach. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

Effect of electron-phonon coupling on transmission through Luttinger liquid hybridized with resonant level

We show that electron-phonon coupling strongly affects transport properties of the Luttinger liquid hybridized with a resonant level. Namely, this coupling significantly modifies the effective energy-dependent width of the resonant level in two different geometries, corresponding to the resonant or antiresonant transmission in the Fermi gas. This leads to a rich phase diagram for a metal-insulator transition induced by the hybridization with the resonant level.

Impurity scattering in a Luttinger liquid with electron-phonon coupling

We study the influence of electron-phonon coupling on electron transport through a Luttinger liquid with an embedded weak scatterer or weak link. We derive the renormalization group (RG) equations, which indicate that the directions of RG flows can change upon varying either the relative strength of the electron-electron and electron-phonon coupling or the ratio of Fermi to sound velocities. This results in a rich phase diagram with up to three fixed points: an unstable one with a finite value of conductance and two stable ones, corresponding to an ideal metal or insulator.

Impurity scattering in Luttinger liquid with electron-phonon coupling

We study the influence of electron-phonon coupling on electron transport through a Luttinger liquid with an embedded weak scatterer or weak link. We derive the renormalization group (RG) equations which indicate that the directions of RG flows can change upon varying either the relative strength of the electron-electron and electron-phonon coupling or the ratio of Fermi to sound velocities. This results in the rich phase diagram with up to three fixed points: an unstable one with a finite value of conductance and two stable ones, corresponding to an ideal metal or insulator.

Duality of weak and strong scatterer in a Luttinger liquid coupled to massless bosons

We study electronic transport in a Luttinger liquid with an embedded impurity, which is either a weak scatterer (WS) or a weak link (WL), when interacting electrons are coupled to one-dimensional massless bosons (e.g., acoustic phonons). We find that the duality relation, ?WS?WL=1, between scaling dimensions of the electron backscattering in the WS and WL limits, established for the standard Luttinger liquid, holds in the presence of the additional coupling for an arbitrary fixed strength of boson scattering from the impurity. This means that at low temperatures such a system remains either an ideal insulator or an ideal metal, regardless of the scattering strength. On the other hand, when fermion and boson scattering from the impurity are correlated, the system has a rich phase diagram that includes a metal-insulator transition at some intermediate values of the scattering.

Application of Artificial Intelligence Methods to Computer Design of Inorganic Compounds

In this paper the main problems for computer design of materials, which would have predefined properties, with the use of artificial intelligence methods are presented. The DB on inorganic compound properties and the system of DBs on materials for electronics with completely assessed information: phase diagram DB of material systems with semiconducting phases and DB on acousto-optical, electro-optical, and nonlinear optical properties are considered. These DBs are a source of information for data analysis. Using the DBs and artificial intelligence methods we have predicted thousands of new compounds in ternary, quaternary and more complicated chemical systems and estimated some of their properties (crystal structure type, melting point, homogeneity region etc.). The comparison of our predictions with experimental data, obtained later, showed that the average reliability of predicted inorganic compounds exceeds 80%. The perspectives of computational material design with the use of artificial intelligence methods are considered.