Showing papers in "International Journal of Modern Physics B in 2010"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the quantum fidelity approach to quantum phase transitions in a pedagogical manner, and relate all established but scattered results on the leading term of the fidelity into a systematic theoretical framework, which might provide an alternative paradigm for understanding quantum critical phenomena.
Abstract: We review the quantum fidelity approach to quantum phase transitions in a pedagogical manner. We try to relate all established but scattered results on the leading term of the fidelity into a systematic theoretical framework, which might provide an alternative paradigm for understanding quantum critical phenomena. The definition of the fidelity and the scaling behavior of its leading term, as well as their explicit applications to the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising model and the Lipkin–Meshkov–Glick model, are introduced at the graduate-student level. Besides, we survey also other types of fidelity approach, such as the fidelity per site, reduced fidelity, thermal-state fidelity, operator fidelity, etc; as well as relevant works on the fidelity approach to quantum phase transitions occurring in various many-body systems.
456 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of experimental aspects of superconductor-insulator transition in disordered films that are effectively two-dimensional is presented, in particular the evidence for quantum critical behavior in various types of transitions.
Abstract: Superconductor-insulator transitions, especially in thin films, can provide the simplest examples of the continuous quantum phase transition paradigm. Quantum phase transitions differ from thermal phase transitions in that they occur at zero temperature when the ground state of a system is changed in response to a variation of an external parameter of the Hamiltonian. In the example of the superconductor-insulator transition, this control parameter could be the parallel or perpendicular magnetic field, disorder, or charge density. Quantum phase transitions are studied through measurements at nonzero temperature of physical behaviors influenced by the quantum fluctuations associated with the transition. This review will focus on experimental aspects of superconductor-insulator transition in disordered films that are effectively two-dimensional. In particular, the evidence for quantum critical behavior in the various types of transitions will be presented. The various theoretical scenarios for the transitio...
114 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a pedagogical review of electrical resistance in superconductors is presented, where the authors introduce the idea of the superconducting order parameter as a condensate wave function and introduce vortices as topological excitations with quantized phase winding.
Abstract: In this pedagogical review, we discuss how electrical resistance can arise in superconductors. Starting with the idea of the superconducting order parameter as a condensate wave function, we introduce vortices as topological excitations with quantized phase winding, and we show how phase slips occur when vortices cross the sample. Superconductors exhibit non-zero electrical resistance under circumstances where phase slips occur at a finite rate. For one-dimensional superconductors or Josephson junctions, phase slips can occur at isolated points in space-time. Phase slip rates may be controlled by thermal activation over a free-energy barrier, or in some circumstances, at low temperatures, by quantum tunneling through a barrier. We present an overview of several phenomena involving vortices that have direct implications for the electrical resistance of superconductors, including the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition for vortex-proliferation in thin films, and the effects of vortex pinning in bulk type II superconductors on the nonlinear resistivity of these materials in an applied magnetic field. We discuss how quantum fluctuations can cause phase slips and review the non-trivial role of dissipation on such fluctuations. We present a basic picture of the superconductor-to-insulator quantum phase transitions in films, wires, and Josephson junctions. We point out related problems in superfluid helium films and systems of ultra-cold trapped atoms. While our emphasis is on theoretical concepts, we also briefly describe experimental results, and we underline some of the open questions.
59 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the structure and evolution of force chains, related physical processes and three corresponding characteristic time scales, and proposed three dimensionless numbers for the measurement of the relative importance of forces.
Abstract: When a load is applied to a dense granular material, the stress is largely transmitted by relatively rigid, heavily stressed chains of particles forming a sparse network of larger contact forces. Force chains act as the key determinant of mechanical properties such as stability, elasticity and flowability. To understand the structure and evolution of force chains, related physical processes and three corresponding characteristic time scales are analyzed in this study. We also propose three dimensionless numbers for the measurement of the relative importance of force chains. To solely study the effect of particle surface friction on force chains, uniaxial compression tests of 11,000 equal-sized particles in 2D were numerically simulated using the discrete element method. By proposing three conditions to define a force chain, the chain length distribution is found in the form of a power law. The exponent of 1.744 is independent of the surface friction. Although these results were obtained from partially crystallized jammed packings, they provide new insight into the physical processes and the structure of force chains, and thus will be helpful in the interpretation of force chains in other dense granular systems.
56 citations
TL;DR: On diffusively coupled HH networks, it is found that for short delay lengths, there always exists an intermediate noise level by which the noise-induced spatial dynamics is maximally ordered, hence implying the possibility of SCR in the system.
Abstract: We study the phenomenon of spatial coherence resonance (SCR) on Hodgkin–Huxley (HH) neuronal networks that are characterized with information transmission delay. In particular, we examine the ability of additive Gaussian noise to optimally extract a particular spatial frequency of excitatory waves in diffusive and small-world networks on which information transmission amongst directly connected neurons is not instantaneous. On diffusively coupled HH networks, we find that for short delay lengths, there always exists an intermediate noise level by which the noise-induced spatial dynamics is maximally ordered, hence implying the possibility of SCR in the system. Importantly thereby, the noise level warranting optimally ordered excitatory waves increases linearly with the increasing delay time, suggesting that extremely long delays might nevertheless preclude the observation of SCR on diffusive networks. Moreover, we find that the small-world topology introduces another obstacle for the emergence of ordered spatial dynamics out of noise because the magnitude of SCR fades progressively as the fraction of rewired links increases, hence evidencing decoherence of noise-induced spatial dynamics on delayed small-world HH networks. Presented results thus provide insights that could facilitate the understanding of the joint impact of noise and information transmission delay on realistic neuronal networks.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the autocorrelation function of the light emitted by a microcavity containing a semiconductor quantum well in the nonstationary regime was investigated and an analytical expression in the weak pumping and strong coupling regime was derived.
Abstract: The autocorrelation function of the light emitted by a microcavity containing a semiconductor quantum well in the nonstationary regime is investigated. An analytical expression in the weak pumping and strong coupling regime is derived. Furthermore, it is shown that the initial entangled state can be deduced from the nonstationary autocorrelation function.
48 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the phenomena related to nonequilibrium electron relaxation in bulk and nano-scale metallic samples is presented, and conditions of its validity and nonvalidity, its modifications for nano-systems, and open problems in this field are discussed.
Abstract: The present paper is a review of the phenomena related to nonequilibrium electron relaxation in bulk and nano-scale metallic samples. The workable Two-Temperature Model (TTM) based on Boltzmann–Bloch–Peierls kinetic equation has been applied to study the ultra-fast (femto-second) electronic relaxation in various metallic systems. The advent of new ultra-fast (femto-second) laser technology and pump-probe spectroscopy has produced wealth of new results for micro- and nano-scale electronic technology. The aim of this paper is to clarify the TTM, conditions of its validity and nonvalidity, its modifications for nano-systems, to sum-up the progress, and to point out open problems in this field. We also give a phenomenological integro-differential equation for the kinetics of nondegenerate electrons that goes beyond the TTM.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the basic concepts of the self-consistent theory of Anderson localization in the case of electrons in disordered solids, the regimes of weak and strong localization are discussed, and the scaling theory of the Anderson localization transition is reviewed.
Abstract: The self-consistent theory of Anderson localization of quantum particles or classical waves in disordered media is reviewed. After presenting the basic concepts of the theory of Anderson localization in the case of electrons in disordered solids, the regimes of weak and strong localization are discussed. Then the scaling theory of the Anderson localization transition is reviewed. The renormalization group theory is introduced and results and consequences are presented. It is shown how scale-dependent terms in the renormalized perturbation theory of the inverse diffusion coefficient lead in a natural way to a self-consistent equation for the diffusion coefficient. The latter accounts quantitatively for the static and dynamic transport properties except for a region near the critical point. Several recent applications and extensions of the self-consistent theory, in particular for classical waves, are discussed.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the null spike as a singularity, the following amplitude pattern as a ground state, and the phase cone as the manifestation of a stabilizing vortex.
Abstract: Interactions by mutual excitation in neural populations in human and animal brains create a mesoscopic order parameter that is recorded in brain waves (electroencephalogram, EEG). Spatially and spectrally distributed oscillations are imposed on the background activity by inhibitory feedback in the gamma range (30–80 Hz). Beats recur at theta rates (3–7 Hz), at which the order parameter transiently approaches zero and microscopic activity becomes disordered. After these null spikes, the order parameter resurges and initiates a frame bearing a mesoscopic spatial pattern of gamma amplitude modulation that governs the microscopic activity, and that is correlated with behavior. The brain waves also reveal a spatial pattern of phase modulation in the form of a cone. Using the formalism of the dissipative many-body model of brain, we describe the null spike as a singularity, the following amplitude pattern as a ground state, and the phase cone as the manifestation of a stabilizing vortex.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an overview is given of the new theories and experiments on the phase diagram of type II superconductors, which in recent years have progressed from the Abrikosov mean field theory to the "vortex matter" picture.
Abstract: An overview is given of the new theories and experiments on the phase diagram of type II superconductors, which in recent years have progressed from the Abrikosov mean field theory to the "vortex matter" picture. We then detail some theoretical tools which allow to describe the melting of the vortex lattice, the collective pinning and creep theory, and the Bragg glass theory. It is followed by a short presentation of other glass phases of vortices, as well as phases of moving vortices.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this article, general slip boundary condition is used to solve the viscous incompressible flows induced by a stretching sheet and a similarity solution is developed by shooting method using Runge-Kutta algorithm.
Abstract: General slip boundary condition is used to solve the viscous incompressible flows induced by a stretching sheet. These flow problems corresponds to the planar and axisymmetric stretching. A similarity solution is developed by shooting method using Runge–Kutta algorithm. The results are graphically displayed and discussed under the influence of slip parameter and critical shear rate. The comparison of stretching flow problem subject to Navier's boundary condition in the planar case is made with the available numerical results in the literature.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the applications of the symmetry principles to quantum and statistical physics in connection with some other branches of science and demonstrate the connection and interrelation of these conceptual advances of the many-body physics and to try to show explicitly that those concepts, though different in details, have certain common features.
Abstract: In the present interdisciplinary review, we focus on the applications of the symmetry principles to quantum and statistical physics in connection with some other branches of science. The profound and innovative idea of quasiaverages formulated by N. N. Bogoliubov, gives the so-called macro-objectivation of the degeneracy in the domain of quantum statistical mechanics, quantum field theory and quantum physics in general. We discuss the complementary unifying ideas of modern physics, namely: spontaneous symmetry breaking, quantum protectorate and emergence. The interrelation of the concepts of symmetry breaking, quasiaverages and quantum protectorate was analyzed in the context of quantum theory and statistical physics. The chief purposes of this paper were to demonstrate the connection and interrelation of these conceptual advances of the many-body physics and to try to show explicitly that those concepts, though different in details, have certain common features. Several problems in the field of statistical physics of complex materials and systems (e.g., the chirality of molecules) and the foundations of the microscopic theory of magnetism and superconductivity were discussed in relation to these ideas.
TL;DR: In this article, the existence of superconducting phases is considered in a wide range of systems, prominent examples being conduction electrons in metals, ultra-cold atoms in a trap, nuclear matter and dense quark systems.
Abstract: An overview is given of our present understanding of superconductivity with spontaneously broken translation symmetry in polarized Fermi systems. The existence of "crystalline" superconducting phases is considered in a wide range of systems, prominent examples being conduction electrons in metals, ultra-cold atoms in a trap, nuclear matter and dense quark systems. The underlying physics is delineated and theoretical approaches to the inhomogeneous phases and their properties are discussed. From the experimental side, it is argued that superconductivity with imbalance-induced order parameters is realized in layered organic compounds and potentially in heavy-fermion systems.
TL;DR: Weak localization has been applied to measure dephasing, spin-orbit scattering, tunneling times, etc. as discussed by the authors gives a brief survey of different applications of weak localization with a focus on magnetic impurities.
Abstract: The resistance of two-dimensional electron systems such as thin disordered films shows deviations from Boltzmann theory, which are caused by quantum corrections and are called weak localization. The theoretical origin of weak localization is the Langer–Neal graph in Kubo formalism. It represents an interference experiment with conduction electrons split into pairs of waves interfering in the back-scattering direction. The intensity of the interference (integrated over the time) can easily be measured by the resistance of the film. The application of a magnetic field B destroys the phase coherence after a time which is proportional to 1/B. For a field of 1 T this time is of the order of 1 ps. Therefore with a dc experiment, one can measure characteristic times of the electron system in the range of picoseconds. Weak localization has been applied to measure dephasing, spin-orbit scattering, tunneling times, etc. One important field of application is the investigation of magnetic systems and magnetic impurities by measuring the magnetic dephasing time and its temperature dependence. Here the Kondo maximum of spin-flip scattering, spin-fluctuations, Fermi liquid behavior and magnetic d-resonances have been investigated. Another field is the detection of magnetic moments for very dilute alloys and surface impurities. This article given a brief survey of different applications of weak localization with a focus on magnetic impurities.
TL;DR: In this article, a nanocrystalline forsterite (Mg2SiO4) powder was successfully synthesized by mechanochemical route and subsequent annealing, where the starting materials were talc and magnesium carbonate powders.
Abstract: Pure nanocrystalline forsterite (Mg2SiO4) powder was successfully synthesized by mechanochemical route and subsequent annealing. The starting materials were talc (Mg3Si4 O10(OH)2) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) powders. To produce forsterite powder, first talc and magnesium carbonate powders were calcined at 1200°C for 1 h and 700°C for 2 h, respectively. After that the mixture of obtained powders was milled by a planetary ball mill, and then annealed at 1000°C and 1200°C for 1 h. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were utilized to characterize the initial and prepared powders. The results showed that a single phase nanocrystalline forsterite powder with a crystallite size of 49 nm was obtained after 40 h milling and subsequent annealing at 1000°C for 1 h.
TL;DR: In this article, a self-contained and pedagogical review of entanglement in Valence-Bond-Solid (VBS) states defined on a lattice or a graph is presented.
Abstract: This article reviews the quantum entanglement in Valence-Bond-Solid (VBS) states defined on a lattice or a graph. The subject is presented in a self-contained and pedagogical way. The VBS state was first introduced in the celebrated paper by I. Affleck, T. Kennedy, E. H. Lieb and H. Tasaki (abbreviation AKLT is widely used). It became essential in condensed matter physics and quantum information (measurement-based quantum computation). Many publications have been devoted to the subject. Recently entanglement was studied in the VBS state. In this review, we start with the definition of a general AKLT spin chain and the construction of VBS ground state. In order to study entanglement, a block subsystem is introduced and described by the density matrix. Density matrices of 1-dimensional models are diagonalized and the entanglement entropies (the von Neumann entropy and Renyi entropy) are calculated. In the large block limit, the entropies also approach finite limits. Study of the spectrum of the density matrix led to the discovery that the density matrix is proportional to a projector.
TL;DR: In this paper, the dynamical mean field theory (DMFT) was applied to interacting disordered lattice fermions to capture Anderson localization and Mott insulating phases on the level of oneparticle correlation functions.
Abstract: We review recent progress in our theoretical understanding of strongly correlated fermion systems in the presence of disorder. Results were obtained by the application of a powerful nonperturbative approach, the dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT), to interacting disordered lattice fermions. In particular, we demonstrate that DMFT combined with geometric averaging over disorder can capture Anderson localization and Mott insulating phases on the level of one-particle correlation functions. Results are presented for the ground state phase diagram of the Anderson–Hubbard model at half-filling, both in the paramagnetic phase and in the presence of antiferromagnetic order. We find a new antiferromagnetic metal which is stabilized by disorder. Possible realizations of these quantum phases with ultracold fermions in optical lattices are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the scaling theory of disordered electrons with electron-electron interactions and show how to adjust the microscopic Fermi-liquid theory to the presence of disorder.
Abstract: The metal–insulator transition (MIT) observed in a two-dimensional dilute electron liquid raises the question about the applicability of the scaling theory of disordered electrons, the approach pioneered by Phil Anderson and his collaborators,8 for the description of this transition. In this context, we review here the scaling theory of disordered electrons with electron–electron interactions. We start with the disordered Fermi liquid, and show how to adjust the microscopic Fermi-liquid theory to the presence of disorder. Then we describe the non-linear sigma model (NLSM) with interactions. This model has a direct relation with the disordered Fermi liquid, but can be more generally applicable, since it is a minimal model for disordered interacting electrons. The discussion is mostly about the general structure of the theory emphasizing the connection of the scaling parameters entering the NLSM with conservation laws. Next, we show that the MIT, as described by the NLSM with interactions, is a quantum phas...
TL;DR: This work presents a mathematical formulation of error synthesis modeling for multi-axis system with the general joint series that is intuitive and easy to understand the effect of origin offset of local coordinates and squareness error with reference to the measurement coordinate.
Abstract: Improving position accuracy of multi-axis machine tools is widely researched. The best known and widely used parametric approach models the direct kinematics of the work-piece and tool kinematic chain and use error synthesis modeling composed of homogeneous transform matrix (HTM). With respect to five axis machine tools, the increase in the number of axis and consideration of different configuration make computation of error matrices difficult and result in long error equations. In addition it becomes difficult to interpret the physical meaning of error terms in these equations. This work presents a mathematical formulation of error synthesis modeling for multi-axis system with the general joint series. This formula can be applied to all possible configurations. The geometric model for an arbitrary joint is defined which is applicable to either prismatic or rotary joint. The error synthesis model for any configuration can be computed from the kinematic chains of a series of arbitrary joints. The proposed model consists of combination of error components of each local axis. Hence it is intuitive and easy to understand the effect of origin offset of local coordinates and squareness error with reference to the measurement coordinate.
TL;DR: A survey of recent studies of biaxial liquid crystals (LCs), whose nematic and/or smectic-A phases do not possess optical uniaxiaXiality (viz., more than one optical axis exists), is given in this paper.
Abstract: A survey of recent studies of biaxial liquid crystals (LCs), whose nematic and/or smectic-A phases do not possess optical uniaxiality (viz., more than one optical axis exists), is given in this review. In particular, we emphasize on how Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can help to advance the understanding of phase biaxiality in general, and to examine recent debates on the existence of biaxial nematic phase reported in low molecular mass bent-core or V-shaped mesogens. A general discussion of orientational order parameters is detailed, particularly in smectic-C (SmC) and biaxial nematic phases. How these orientational order parameters can be determined by various techniques such as NMR, IR absorbance and Raman scattering studies, will be mentioned. Recent X-ray observations of SmC clusters in the nematic phase of V-shaped mesogens are highlighted and contrasted with probable theory. Moreover, deuterium and carbon-13 NMR techniques are briefly reviewed, and their possible utilization to ident...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the progress made during the past three decades in finite size scaling analysis of the critical phenomena of the Anderson transition and the scaling theory of localization and the Anderson model of localization are briefly sketched.
Abstract: This chapter describes the progress made during the past three decades in the finite size scaling analysis of the critical phenomena of the Anderson transition. The scaling theory of localization and the Anderson model of localization are briefly sketched. The finite size scaling method is described. Recent results for the critical exponents of the different symmetry classes are summarised. The importance of corrections to scaling are emphasised. A comparison with experiment is made, and a direction for future work is suggested.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed to create materials with a desired refraction coefficient in a bounded domain D ⊂ ℝ3 by embedding many small balls with constant refraction coefficients into a given material.
Abstract: It is proposed to create materials with a desired refraction coefficient in a bounded domain D ⊂ ℝ3 by embedding many small balls with constant refraction coefficients into a given material. The number of small balls per unit volume around every point x ∈ D, i.e., their density distribution, is calculated, as well as the constant refraction coefficients in these balls. Embedding into D small balls with these refraction coefficients according to the calculated density distribution creates in D a material with a desired refraction coefficient.
TL;DR: In this paper, the velocity and impact angles of shot particles in a fine particle peening (FPP) process were analyzed by using a high-speed camera, and it was shown that the velocity depended on a peening pressure.
Abstract: In this study, the peening behavior of shot particles in a fine particle peening (FPP) process such as velocity and impact angles were analyzed by using a high-speed-camera. Results showed that the velocity of shot particles depended on a peening pressure; the higher the peening pressure, the higher the particle velocity. The particle velocity measured in this study was approximately 120 m/s; this was much higher than that of the conventional shot peening (SP) process. This was because the air resistance of shot particles in the FPP process was higher than that of shot particles in the SP process. In order to discuss the surface modification effect of the FPP process, commercial-grade pure iron treated by the FPP process was characterized by micro-Vickers hardness tester and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thickness of hardened layer treated with higher peening pressure was much higher than that of the lower pressure treated one. The unique microstructure with stratification patterns, which was harder than that of the other part, was observed near the specimen surface. The reason for the microstructural changes by the FPP treatment was discussed based on the kinetic energy of shot particles.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of two types of oil palm fibres (bunch and fruit) on mechanical properties of polyester composites is examined in the current work considering different volume fractions.
Abstract: The effect of two types of oil palm fibres (bunch and fruit) on mechanical properties of polyester composites is examined in the current work considering different volume fractions. Tensile, compression, and flexural properties of the composites were investigated. In addition to that, tensile strengths were calculated theoretically using Hirsch model. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the fracture mechanism of the specimens. Single fibre pull-out tests were performed to determine the interfacial shear strength between polyester resin and both types of oil palm fibres. Results revealed that both types of oil palm fibres enhanced the mechanical performance of polyester composites. At a higher volume fraction (40–50%), tensile strength of the polyester composite was improved, i.e., 2.5 times improvement in the tensile strength value. Experimental tensile strength values of oil palm bunch/polyester composites have a good correlation with the theoretical results, especially at low volume fractions of fibre. Flexural strength of polyester worsened with oil palm fibres at all volume fractions of fibre.
TL;DR: In this article, a nonlinear evolutionary dynamic equation for the stock markets is derived from Maximum Generalized Entropy Principle, by which the structural evolution of the stock market system is demonstrated.
Abstract: As one of the most important financial markets and one of the main parts of economic system, the stock market has become the research focus in economics. The stock market is a typical complex open system far from equilibrium. Many available models that make huge contribution to researches on market are strong in describing the market however, ignoring strong nonlinear interactions among active agents and weak in reveal underlying dynamic mechanisms of structural evolutions of market. From econophysical perspectives, this paper analyzes the complex interactions among agents and defines the generalized entropy in stock markets. Nonlinear evolutionary dynamic equation for the stock markets is then derived from Maximum Generalized Entropy Principle. Simulations are accordingly conducted for a typical case with the given data, by which the structural evolution of the stock market system is demonstrated. Some discussions and implications are finally provided.
TL;DR: Theoretical developments concerning the high transition temperature cuprate superconductors are reviewed in this paper, where the authors present a theoretical analysis of superconductivity in superconducting materials.
Abstract: Theoretical developments concerning the high transition temperature cuprate superconductors are reviewed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of ultrasonic nano-crystal surface modification (UNSM) technology on the variation of mechanical properties under static load variation were investigated. And the results showed that the grain size of SKD-61 surface treated by UNSM becomes very fine to nano-scale crystal and structure is observed till certain depth.
Abstract: At first, the specimens of SKD-61 are prepared and tested to verify the effects of ultrasonic nano-crystal surface modification (UNSM) technology on the variation of mechanical properties under static load variation. 20 kHz frequency was applied to the ball tip, and the applied static forces were changed three kinds of load level 40, 60, and 80 N, respectively. The grain size of SKD-61 surface treated by UNSM becomes very fine to nano-scale crystal and structure is observed till certain depth. The compressive residual stress becomes -810, -1200 and -1400 MPa to a 150 µm depth after the UNSM process according to three kinds of load level 40, 60, and 80 N, respectively. Fatigue limits of 107 cycles are increased by 8.3, 11.2, and 17.9% after UNSM at the smooth specimen according to three kinds of load level, respectively. Interior-originating fracture, fish-eye crack, occurs after UNSM because of a nano structured modification by a surface plastic deformation and compressive residual stress in the case of t...
TL;DR: In this article, the binding energy of a Cooper pair is shown to be real and equal to the BCS energy gap for all T ≤ Tc for a one-component superconductor.
Abstract: Employing the Bethe–Salpeter equation (BSE) and the Matsubara recipe, and invoking both the electron–electron and the hole–hole scattering channels, we establish that the binding energy (W) of a Cooper pair (CP) is real, and equals the BCS energy gap (Δ) for all T ≤ Tc for a one-component superconductor. Given that the BCS theory is a generalization of the Hartree–Fock theory (generalized to allow for particle number fluctuations), the cognescenti would expect this result as a direct consequence of Koopman's theorem, proved for and well-known in the latter theory. However, this theorem is seldom mentioned in the literature on superconductivity; on the contrary, there is the statement in well-known texts that the binding energy of a CP becomes imaginary when the above-stated scattering channels are invoked for their formation. The importance of |W| = |Δ| for high-Tc superconductors is brought out by replacing the one-particle propagator in the BSE by a superpropagator — a field-theoretic construct apt for dealing with composite superconductors (CSs). A set of generalized BCS equations is thus obtained which, with the input of the multiple gaps of a CS, enables one to calculate its Tc uniquely. Applications of these equations will be taken up in a subsequent paper.
TL;DR: In this article, the size-dependent band-gap and dielectric constant of low dimensional materials were modeled without any adjustable parameter and the predicted results correspond to experimental and computer simulation results of Si nanocrystals.
Abstract: Based on the consideration on size-dependent temperature Tm(D) where D denotes the diameter of nanoparticles and nanowires or the thickness of thin films, the size-dependent band-gap ΔEg(D) and dielectric constant e(D) of low dimensional materials are modeled without any adjustable parameter. The model predicts an increase of the band-gap and a decrease of dielectric constant with drop of Si nanocrystals' size. The predicted results correspond to experimental and computer simulation results of Si nanocrystals.
TL;DR: In this article, reactive element Dy doped β-NiAl coatings were prepared by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD), which led to the grain refinement microstructure and Dy segregated mainly at grain boundaries.
Abstract: β-NiAl as a promising oxidation resistant coating material due to it high melting point and good oxidation resistant, however it reveals poor cyclic oxidation performance. In this paper, reactive element Dy doped β-NiAl coatings were prepared by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD). Dy doping led to the grain refinement microstructure and Dy segregated mainly at grain boundaries. Cyclic oxidation behaviors of the coatings at 1100°C were investigated. The 0.05at.% Dy and 0.1at.% Dy doped coatings exhibited lower oxidation rate and better cyclic oxidation performance, as compared to the undoped coating. The effects of Dy addition on the morphologies and growth mechanism of the oxide scale were discussed.