Observation of electron weak localization and correlation effects in disordered graphene

We have studied the electron transport properties of a disordered graphene sample, where the disorder was intentionally strengthened by Ga⁺ ion irradiation. The magneto-conductance of the sample exhibits a typical two-dimensional electron weak localization behavior, with electron-electron interaction as the dominant dephasing mechanism. The absence of electron anti-weak localization in the sample implies strong intersublattice and/or intervalley scattering caused by the disorders. The temperature and bias-voltage dependencies of conductance clearly reveal the suppression of conductance at low energies, indicating opening of a Coulomb gap due to electron-electron interaction in the disordered graphene sample. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10774172 and 10874220), and the National Basic Research Program of China from the MOST (Grant No. 2006CB921304)     

Anisotropic weak localization of light

We have observed angular anisotropy in weak localization of light from highly scattering, orientationally ordered, nematic liquid crystals. This demonstration of angular anisotropy in a multiple-scattering interference phenomenon was facilitated by a light scattering instrument with extraordinary angular resolution. The measured anisotropies were consistent with a simple model of coherent backscattering generalized for propagation-direction dependent mean free paths.     

Optical conductivity of a hydrogen plasma: weak localization effects

To what extent can collective electron-ion interaction effects influence the electric conductivity of a Coulomb system? This paper is aimed to answer this question for the case of the solid density hydrogen plasma. The thermodynamic Green's function approach is combined with the generalized hydrodynamic theory to develop a self-consistent approximation for the dynamic (frequency dependent) electron-ion collision frequency. On this basis the electric conductivity, skin depth and reflectivity of a dense hydrogen plasma are evaluated at frequencies below the plasma frequency. The results indicate that the percolation metal-insulator transition becomes possible at low plasma densities.     

Femtosecond time-resolved measurements of weak localization of light

Time-resolved backscattering of coherent light from a disordered medium under weak localization conditions has been observed for the first time with femtosecond resolution using a light-gating technique based on second-harmonic generation. The time dependence of the observed enhanced backscattering is consistent with simple diffusion theory.     

Multiple scattering of light by atoms in the weak localization regime

Coherent backscattering is a multiple scattering interference effect which enhances the diffuse reflection off a disordered sample in the backward direction. Classically, the enhanced intensity is twice the average background under well chosen experimental conditions. We show how the quantum internal structure of atomic scatterers leads to a significantly smaller enhancement. Theoretical results for double scattering in the weak localization regime are presented which confirm recent experimental observations.     

Doppler effects of a light source on a metamaterial slab: a rigorous Green's function approach

We apply a (rigorous) Green's function theory to study the Doppler effects of a light source placed on top of a metamaterial slab. When the receiver is in motion with the source and the slab, we find that, in addition to a conventional Doppler mode, there are several other frequency components that do not obey the standard frequency-shift rule. We show that such new effects are caused by the coupling between the radiated electromagnetic waves and the surface modes of the metamaterial slab, whose dispersion relation varies as a function of velocity in the moving reference frame.     

The coulomb potential in a finite slab: Orthorhombic symmetry

The vanishing exponential method is used to calculate the electrostatic potential of a rectangular crystalline slab composed of a finite, regular array of similar point charges, each charge occupying a lattice site of an orthorhombic bravais lattice. The results are used to discuss (a) the behaviour of the potential at and near the slab surface, (b) the potential of an electrically neutral crystal, (c) the relationship between the space averaged microscopic potential of (b) and the macroscopic potential and (d) the limiting case of an electrically neutral infinite slab. It is also proved for this slab system, that the limit in the vanishing exponential method does not in general commute with limit used to define an infinite crystal.     

Random magnetic field and weak localization effects in a dimpled 2D electron gas

We have studied negative magnetoresistance due to the weak localization effects in a 2D electron gas (2DEG) grown on dimpled substrates. Since the 2DEG is sensitive only to the normal component of B, depending on the orientation of the external magnetic field, electrons will move in a spatially inhomogeneous (B perpendicular to the substrate-B_⊥) or sign alternating, random magnetic field (B parallel to the substrate B_∥). A difference in the magnetoresistance at B_∥ and B_⊥ is seen for the sample with a coherence length larger than the spatial periodicity of magnetic field. We believe that the difference in the magnetic flux through the closed electron trajectories at B_∥ and B_⊥, taken into account random character of B_∥, is responsible for this behaviour. Features connected with Aharonov Bohm flux through the different areas on the dimpled surface were observed.     

Pressure effects in the planar solidification of a finite slab: convective cooling and prescribed heat flux boundary conditions

Summary The classical Stefan problem assumes a fixed melting temperature. However, when the solid phase is the one with lower density (e.g., water) the solidification of the system causes an overall volume increase that is often contrasted by the container walls. In that case the growing pressure determines a continuous lowering of the freezing point, and the temperature field as well as the interface motion are strongly affected. This paper is concerned with these aspects of the problem; the planar solidification of a slab of finite thickness, contrasted by an opposing elastic force, is numerically simulated. The effects of two different boundary conditions are analysed. When the solidification is driven by convective cooling, the continuous advancement of the melting front is replaced by an asymptotic behaviour, until thermal equilibrium is attained. When the boundary condition is specified in terms of a prescribed heat flow, the melting front velocity is slowed down by a growing adverse temperature gradient. The influence of various parameters on the process is presented and discussed.     

OPE analysis of the nucleon scattering tensor: a review including weak interactions and finite mass effects

We perform a systematic operator product expansion of the most general form of the nucleon scattering tensorW _μν including electro-magnetic and weak interaction processes. Finite quark masses are taken into account and a number of higher-twist corrections are included. In this way we derive relations between the lowest moments of all 14 structure functions and matrix elements of local operators. Besides reproducing well-known results, new sum rules for parity-violating polarized structure functions and new mass correction terms are obtained.     

Crossover between weak antilocalization and weak localization in a magnetically doped topological insulator

We report transport studies on magnetically doped Bi(2)Se(3) topological insulator ultrathin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The magnetotransport behavior exhibits a systematic crossover between weak antilocalization and weak localization with the change of magnetic impurity concentration, temperature, and magnetic field. We show that the localization property is closely related to the magnetization of the sample, and the complex crossover is due to the transformation of Bi(2)Se(3) from a topological insulator to a topologically trivial dilute magnetic semiconductor driven by magnetic impurities. This work demonstrates an effective way to manipulate the quantum transport properties of the topological insulators by breaking time-reversal symmetry.     

Negative lateral shift of a light beam transmitted through a dielectric slab and interaction of boundary effects

It is found that when a light beam travels through a slab of optically denser dielectric medium in air, the lateral shift of the transmitted beam can be negative. This is a novel phenomenon that is reversed in comparison with the geometrical optic prediction according to Snell's law of refraction. A Gaussian-shaped beam is analyzed in the paraxial approximation, and a comparison with numerical simulations is made. Finally, an explanation for the negativity of the lateral shift is suggested, in terms of the interaction of boundary effects of the slab's two interfaces with air.