Correlation functions from a unified variational principle: Trial Lie groups

Time-dependent expectation values and correlation functions for many-body quantum systems are evaluated by means of a unified variational principle. It optimizes a generating functional depending on sources associated with the observables of interest. It is built by imposing through Lagrange multipliers constraints that account for the initial state (at equilibrium or off equilibrium) and for the backward Heisenberg evolution of the observables. The trial objects are respectively akin to a density operator and to an operator involving the observables of interest and the sources. We work out here the case where trial spaces constitute Lie groups. This choice reduces the original degrees of freedom to those of the underlying Lie algebra, consisting of simple observables; the resulting objects are labeled by the indices of a basis of this algebra. Explicit results are obtained by expanding in powers of the sources. Zeroth and first orders provide thermodynamic quantities and expectation values in the form of mean-field approximations, with dynamical equations having a classical Lie–Poisson structure. At second order, the variational expression for two-time correlation functions separates–as does its exact counterpart–the approximate dynamics of the observables from the approximate correlations in the initial state. Two building blocks are involved: (i) a commutation matrix which stems from the structure constants of the Lie algebra; and (ii) the second-derivative matrix of a free-energy function. The diagonalization of both matrices, required for practical calculations, is worked out, in a way analogous to the standard RPA. The ensuing structure of the variational formulae is the same as for a system of non-interacting bosons (or of harmonic oscillators) plus, at non-zero temperature, classical Gaussian variables. This property is explained by mapping the original Lie algebra onto a simpler Lie algebra. The results, valid for any trial Lie group, fulfill consistency properties and encompass several special cases: linear responses, static and time-dependent fluctuations, zero- and high-temperature limits, static and dynamic stability of small deviations.     

The second-order dynamic phase transition and Lee--Yang zeros in Eggers urn model

A second-order dynamic phase transition in a non-equilibrium Eggers urn model for the separation of sand is studied. The order parameter, the susceptibility and the stationary probability distribution have been calculated. By applying the Lee-Yang zeros method of equilibrium phase transitions, we study the distributions of the effective partition function zeros and obtain the same result for the model. Thus, the Lee-Yang theory can be applied to a more general non-equilibrium system.     

Information and Entropy Flow in the Kalman–Bucy Filter

We investigate the information theoretic properties of Kalman–Bucy filters in continuous time, developing notions of information supply, storage and dissipation. Introducing a concept of energy, we develop a physical analogy in which the unobserved signal describes a statistical mechanical system interacting with a heat bath. The abstract universe comprising the signal and the heat bath obeys a non-increase law of entropy; however, with the introduction of partial observations, this law can be violated. The Kalman–Bucy filter behaves like a Maxwellian demon in this analogy, returning signal energy to the heat bath without causing entropy increase. This is made possible by the steady supply of new information. In a second analogy the signal and filter interact, setting up a stationary non-equilibrium state, in which energy flows between the heat bath, the signal and the filter without causing any overall entropy increase. We introduce a rate of interactive entropy flow that isolates the statistical mechanics of this flow from marginal effects. Both analogies provide quantitative examples of Landauers Principle.     

Specific heat ratio effects of compressible Rayleigh–Taylor instability studied by discrete Boltzmann method

Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability widely exists in nature and engineering fields. How to better understand the physical mechanism of RT instability is of great theoretical significance and practical value. At present, abundant results of RT instability have been obtained by traditional macroscopic methods. However, research on the thermodynamic non-equilibrium (TNE) effects in the process of system evolution is relatively scarce. In this paper, the discrete Boltzmann method based on non-equilibrium statistical physics is utilized to study the effects of the specific heat ratio on compressible RT instability. The evolution process of the compressible RT system with different specific heat ratios can be analyzed by the temperature gradient and the proportion of the non-equilibrium region. Firstly, as a result of the competition between the macroscopic magnitude gradient and the non-equilibrium region, the average TNE intensity first increases and then reduces, and it increases with the specific heat ratio decreasing; the specific heat ratio has the same effect on the global strength of the viscous stress tensor. Secondly, the moment when the total temperature gradient in y direction deviates from the fixed value can be regarded as a physical criterion for judging the formation of the vortex structure. Thirdly, under the competition between the temperature gradients and the contact area of the two fluids, the average intensity of the non-equilibrium quantity related to the heat flux shows diversity, and the influence of the specific heat ratio is also quite remarkable.     

Matrix Product State Simulations of Non-Equilibrium Steady States and Transient Heat Flows in the Two-Bath Spin-Boson Model at Finite Temperatures

Simulating the non-perturbative and non-Markovian dynamics of open quantum systems is a very challenging many body problem, due to the need to evolve both the system and its environments on an equal footing. Tensor network and matrix product states (MPS) have emerged as powerful tools for open system models, but the numerical resources required to treat finite-temperature environments grow extremely rapidly and limit their applications. In this study we use time-dependent variational evolution of MPS to explore the striking theory of Tamascelli et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 2019, 123, 090402.) that shows how finite-temperature open dynamics can be obtained from zero temperature, i.e., pure wave function, simulations. Using this approach, we produce a benchmark dataset for the dynamics of the Ohmic spin-boson model across a wide range of coupling strengths and temperatures, and also present a detailed analysis of the numerical costs of simulating non-equilibrium steady states, such as those emerging from the non-perturbative coupling of a qubit to baths at different temperatures. Despite ever-growing resource requirements, we find that converged non-perturbative results can be obtained, and we discuss a number of recent ideas and numerical techniques that should allow wide application of MPS to complex open quantum systems.     

大气压非平衡等离子体甲烷干法重整零维数值模拟

大气压非平衡等离子体由于其独特的非平衡特性,可为甲烷和二氧化碳稳定温室气体分子活化和重整提供非热平衡和活化环境.本文采用了零维等离子体化学反应动力学模型,考虑了详细的CH₄/CO₂等离子体化学反应集,重点研究了反应气体CH₄/CO₂摩尔分数(5%—95%)对大气压非平衡等离子体甲烷干法重整制合成气和重要含氧化合物的影响.首先,给出了进料气体不同体积比时电子密度和温度随时间的演化规律,结果表明初始甲烷摩尔分数的提高有利于获得较高的电子密度和电子温度.随后,讨论了主要自由基和离子数密度在不同的甲烷摩尔分数下随着时间的变化规律,并给出了反应气体的转化率、合成气体和重要含氧化合物的选择性.此外,还明确了合成气和含氧化合物主要生成和损耗的化学反应路径,发现甲基和羟基是合成含氧化合物的关键中间体.最后,归纳总结给出了主要等离子体粒子之间的总体等离子体化学反应流程图.     

Forced convection of gaseous slip-flow in porous micro-channels under Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium conditions

Steady laminar forced convection gaseous slip-flow through parallel-plates micro-channel filled with porous medium under Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium (LTNE) condition is studied numerically. We consider incompressible Newtonian gas flow, which is hydrodynamically fully developed while thermally is developing. The Darcy–Brinkman–Forchheimer model embedded in the Navier–Stokes equations is used to model the flow within the porous domain. The present study reports the effect of several operating parameters on velocity slip and temperature jump at the wall. Mainly, the current study demonstrates the effects of: Knudsen number (Kn), Darcy number (Da), Forchheimer number (Γ), Peclet number (Pe), Biot number (Bi), and effective thermal conductivity ratio (K _R) on velocity slip and temperature jump at the wall. Results are given in terms of skin friction (C _f Re ^*) and Nusselt number (Nu). It is found that the skin friction: (1) increases as Darcy number increases; (2) decreases as Forchheimer number or Knudsen number increases. Heat transfer is found to (1) decreases as the Knudsen number, Forchheimer number, or K _R increases; (2) increases as the Peclet number, Darcy number, or Biot number increases.     

C20分子的一个电子输运模型研究

本文构建了Li链为电极的富勒烯C20分子的电子输运模型, 使用非平衡格林函数方法(Non-equilibrium Green's function, NEGF)对构建的Li电极和C20分子构成的分子器件进行了电子输运性质的计算. 计算得出了电子透射谱和电流电压曲线, 分析了产生这个分子器件电子输运性质的原因. 研究计算结果发现,大部分能量的电子是不会穿过器件的, 即使考虑不同偏压,能穿过器件的电子都集中在几个固定的能量上, 且在这几个固定能量上透过率比较高. 计算得出的伏安曲线说明在偏压为1.925V时电流达到最大, 只有在这个偏压周围才有相对明显的电流.     

解析法确定含蜡原油热质耦合的蜡分子扩散速率

蜡分子扩散过程是在热和质的广义热力学"力"耦合驱动下产生广义热力学"流"的结果,其实质是传热和传质同时存在的复杂耦合不可逆过程.基于非平衡态热力学的基本原理,推导出含蜡原油管输过程蜡分子扩散热质传递的线性唯象方程组;依据质量和能量的守恒关系,得到蜡分子扩散的传热一传质微分方程组,利用拉普拉斯变换求解到其解析解,探讨促使蜡分子扩散的动力学原因,分析输量和季节变化的不同工况对扩散速率的影响.