Two-threshold model for scaling laws of noninteracting snow avalanches

The sizes of snow slab failure that trigger snow avalanches are power-law distributed. Such a power-law probability distribution function has also been proposed to characterize different landslide types. In order to understand this scaling for gravity-driven systems, we introduce a two-threshold 2D cellular automaton, in which failure occurs irreversibly. Taking snow slab avalanches as a model system, we find that the sizes of the largest avalanches just preceding the lattice system breakdown are power-law distributed. By tuning the maximum value of the ratio of the two failure thresholds our model reproduces the range of power-law exponents observed for land, rock, or snow avalanches. We suggest this control parameter represents the material cohesion anisotropy.     

Avalanches and Self-Organized Criticality in superconductors

We review the use of superconductors as a playground for the experimental study of front roughening and avalanches. Using the magneto-optical technique, the spatial distribution of the vortex density in the sample is monitored as a function of time. The roughness and growth exponents corresponding to the vortex `landscape' are determined and compared to the exponents that characterize the avalanches in the framework of Self-Organized Criticality. For those situations where a thermo-magnetic instability arises, an analytical non-linear and non-local model is discussed, which is found to be consistent to great detail with the experimental results. On anisotropic substrates, the anisotropy regularizes the avalanches.     

Statistical characterization of surface morphologies

We implement and assess several statistical methods for rough surface morphology characterization, which can largely be divided into two classes. The first class is based on estimation of two-point, quadratic statistical functions and includes: estimates of the sample autocovariance function, sample height–height correlation (also, structure) function, and periodogram estimate of the surface power spectrum. The second class incorporates estimation of up to the fourth statistical moments of the local curvature on a fixed scale.We apply these methods first on computer-simulated epitaxial surfaces, which permits the characterization using large sets of “data” and rich statistics. Then we deal with real surfaces, whose roughness profiles are measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In both cases we infer and discuss scaling properties, degree of anisotropy and deviation from Gaussian distribution of surface heights.     

Percolation in Media with Columnar Disorder

We study a generalization of site percolation on a simple cubic lattice, where not only single sites are removed randomly, but also entire parallel columns of sites. We show that typical clusters near the percolation transition are very anisotropic, with different scaling exponents for the sizes parallel and perpendicular to the columns. Below the critical point there is a Griffiths phase where cluster size distributions and spanning probabilities in the direction parallel to the columns have power-law tails with continuously varying non-universal powers. This region is very similar to the Griffiths phase in subcritical directed percolation with frozen disorder in the preferred direction, and the proof follows essentially the same arguments as in that case. But in contrast to directed percolation in disordered media, the number of active (“growth”) sites in a growing cluster at criticality shows a power law, while the probability of a cluster to continue to grow shows logarithmic behavior.     

六方小面相螺旋在各向异性、表面吸附、界面动力学作用下生长的相场

利用定量相场模型研究了强各向异性、表面吸附率以及界面动力学作用条件下六方Ga N螺旋结构的表面形貌与生长机理.通过引入小面相各向异性的相场修正方程,研究了不同各向异性的稳态螺旋形貌,发现各向异性通过改变台阶尖端的曲率作用影响螺旋生长.弱各向异性下稳态螺距及界面动力学特征相对稳定,各向异性较强时尖端的过饱和度随着各向异性的增强而增大,并使得界面平衡态向着有利于螺旋台阶推进的方向移动.研究了表面吸附率对小面相螺旋生长的作用机理,发现吸附率的增加导致了稳态螺旋间距的降低,通过分析螺旋间距随台阶宽度的变化趋势,发现增强的表面吸附和各向异性强度降低了螺旋间距的收敛性,并且具体分析了收敛性误差;通过探讨界面动力学作用条件下螺旋形貌特征以及螺旋间距变化趋势,发现界面动力学系数通过改变稳态螺旋间距与特征指数因子调控螺旋生长的动力学机理,与各向同性相比小面相螺旋生长表现出较低的界面动力学系数依赖性.     

Strain Avalanches in Microsized Single Crystals:Avalanche Size Predicted by a Continuum Crystal Plasticity Model

Plastic deformation of small crystals occurs by power-law distributed strain avalanches whose universality is still debated.In this work we introduce a continuum crystal plasticity model for the deformation of microsized single crystals,which is able to reproduce the main experimental observations such as Row intermittency and statistics of strain avalanches.We report exact predictions for scaling exponents and scaling functions associated with random distribution of avalanche sizes.In this way,the developed model provides a routine for a quantitative characterization of the statistical aspects of strain avalanches in microsized single crystals.     

Shape dependence of the finite-size scaling limit in a strongly anisotropic $\mathsf{O(\infty)}$ model

We discuss the shape dependence of the finite-size scaling limit in a strongly anisotropic O(N) model in the large-N limit. We show that scaling is observed even if an incorrect value for the anisotropy exponent is considered. However, the related exponents may only be effective ones, differing from the correct critical exponents of the model. We discuss the implications of our results for numerical finite-size scaling studies of strongly anisotropic systems.Received: 9 April 2003, Published online: 4 August 2003PACS:   05.70.Jk Critical point phenomena - 64.60.-i General studies of phase transitions     

Generalized anisotropic scaling theory and the transverse meissner transition

We consider a depinning transition in vortex systems with columnar disorder and tilted applied magnetic fields. From scaling arguments and Monte Carlo simulations, we find that this transverse Meissner transition is governed by a fixed point which is anisotropic in all three directions. This generalization of conventional anisotropic scaling means that the correlation length in different directions diverges with different rates, and we derive exact results for the anisotropy exponents. We make predictions which can be tested in experiments on superconductors with columnar disorder.     

The effects of size,shape, and surface composition on the diffusive behaviors of nanoparticles at/across water–oil interfaces via molecular dynamics simulations

We have employed molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the effects of nanoparticles’ structural and chemical properties on their diffusive behaviors at/across the water–benzene interface. Four different nanoparticles were studied: modified hydrocarbon nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 1.2 nm (1.2HCPs), modified hydrocarbon nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 0.6 nm (0.6HCPs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and buckyballs. We found that the diffusion coefficients of 0.6 and 1.2HCP were larger than the corresponding values predicted using the Stokes–Einstein (SE) equation and attributed this deviation to the small particle size and the anisotropy of the interface system. In addition, the observed directional diffusive behaviors for various particles were well-correlated with the derivative of the potential of mean force (PMF), which might indicate an effective driving force for the particles along the direction perpendicular to the interface. We also found that nanoparticles with isotropic shape and uniform surface, e.g., buckyballs, tend to have smaller diffusion coefficients than those of nanoparticles with comparable dimensions but anisotropic shapes and non-uniform surface composition, e.g., SWCNT and 0.6HCP. One possible hypothesis for this behavior is that the “perfect” isotropic shape and uniform surface of buckyballs result in a better-defined “solvation shell” (i.e., a shell of solution molecules), which leads to a larger “effective radius” of the particle, and thus, a reduced diffusion coefficient.     

Parametric resonance in magnetic fluids

A new resonance effect in the nonlinear behaviour of magnetically anisotropic objects in an alternating external magnetic field is proposed. Ferromagnetic particles with a “frozen” magnetic moment (due to a strong magnetic anisotropy), when located in an external alternating magnetic field, are able to rotate (or vibrate) and to transfer energy from the external field to the medium. The numerical solution of the appropriate parametrically driven nonlinear equation shows all types of nonlinear dynamic behaviour, including transition to chaos. The sensitivity of the proposed phenemenon could be used for an experimental analysis of the size distribution of the ferromagnetic particles in a ferrofluid or of the size of “magnetic holes”.     

Are there “dragon-kings” events (i.e. genuine outliers) among extreme avalanches?

Predicting the occurrence and spatial extent of extreme avalanches is a longstanding issue. Using field data pooled from various sites within the same mountain range, authors showed that the avalanche size distribution can be described using either an extreme value distribution or a thick-tailed distribution, which implies that although they are much larger than common avalanches, extreme avalanches belong to the same population of events as “small” avalanches. Yet, when looking at historical records of catastrophic avalanches, archives reveal that a few avalanches had features that made them “extra-ordinary.” Applying avalanche-dynamics or statistical models to simulate these past events runs into considerable difficulty since the model parameters or the statical properties are very different from the values usually set to model extreme avalanches. Were these events genuine outliers (also called “dragon-kings”)? What were their distinctive features? This paper reviews some of the concepts in use to model extreme events, gives examples of processes that were at play in extreme avalanches, and shows that the concept of dragon-king avalanches is of particular relevance to describing some extreme avalanches.     

Dynamical and spatial aspects of sandpile cellular automata

The Bak, Tang, and Wiesenfeld cellular automaton is simulated in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 dimensions. We define a (new) set of scaling exponents by introducing the concept of conditional expectation values. Scaling relations are derived and checked numerically and the critical dimension is discussed. We address the problem of the mass dimension of the avalanches and find that the avalanches are noncompact for dimensions larger than 2. The scaling of the power spectrum derives from the assumption that the instantaneous dissipation rate of the individual avalanches obeys a simple scaling relation. Primarily, the results of our work show that the flow of sand down the slope does not have a 1/f power spectrum in any dimension, although the model does show clear critical behavior with scaling exponents depending on the dimension. The power spectrum behaves as 1/f ² in all the dimensions considered.     

含时空关联噪声的非局域及各向异性Kardar-Parisi -Zhang方程的直接标度分析

将直接标度分析方法推广应用到含时间空间关联噪声的非局域及各向异性KardarParisiZhang方程的动力学标度分析中,分别得到了方程在强耦合区和弱耦合区的标度指数值.在弱耦合区得到的标度指数能与使用动力学重整化方法得到的结果相吻合 关键词： 表面生长 标度分析 KPZ方程     

Kraichnan Flow in a Square: An Example of Integrable Chaos

The Kraichnan flow provides an example of a random dynamical system accessible to an exact analysis. We study the evolution of the infinitesimal separation between two Lagrangian trajectories of the flow. Its long-time asymptotics is reflected in the large deviation regime of the statistics of stretching exponents. Whereas in the flow that is isotropic at small scales the distribution of such multiplicative large deviations is Gaussian, this does not have to be the case in the presence of an anisotropy. We analyze in detail the flow in a two-dimensional periodic square where the anisotropy generally persists at small scales. The calculation of the large deviation rate function of the stretching exponents reduces in this case to the study of the ground state energy of an integrable periodic Schrödinger operator of the Lamé type. The underlying integrability permits to explicitly exhibit the non-Gaussianity of the multiplicative large deviations and to analyze the time-scales at which the large deviation regime sets in. In particular, we indicate how the divergence of some of those time scales when the two Lyapunov exponents become close allows a discontinuity of the large deviation rate function in the parameters of the flow. The analysis of the two-dimensional anisotropic flow permits to identify the general scenario for the appearance of multiplicative large deviations together with the restrictions on its applicability.     

Monte Carlo methods for the study of phase transitions and phase equilibria

Monte Carlo methods can predict macroscopic properties of N-body systems from the (classical) Hamiltonian describing the interactions between the particles and hence can serve as a basic tool of equilibrium statistical mechanics, avoiding uncontrolled approximations. However, a necessary ingredientis the control of finite size effects. For this purpose, the finite size scaling analysis of suitable distribution functions is a powerful tool. The basic ideas of this approach will be discussed, including extensions to critical phenomena where the hyperscaling relation between critical exponents is violated (colloid-polymer mixtures in random media as a realization of the random field Ising model, phase transitions caused by competition of interfacial and surface effects, etc.) Finite size effects on two-phase coexistence cause the existence of a van-der-Waals-like loop, but it has a completely different origin, the “spinodal” reflecting the “droplet evaporation/condensation” transition. Also the possibility to extract interface free energies is discussed.     

Self-organized critical earthquake model with moving boundary

A globally driven self-organized critical model of earthquakes with conservative dynamics has been studied. An open but moving boundary condition has been used so that the origin (epicenter) of every avalanche (earthquake) is at the center of the boundary. As a result, all avalanches grow in equivalent conditions and the avalanche size distribution obeys excellent finite size scaling. Though the recurrence time distribution of the time series of avalanche sizes obeys well both the scaling forms recently observed in analysis of the real data of earthquakes, it is found that the scaling function decays only exponentially in contrast to a generalized gamma distribution observed in the real data analysis. The non-conservative version of the model shows periodicity even with open boundary.     

Thermal and kinetic surface roughening studied by scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy

Recent studies of thermal roughening on Si surfaces and kinetic roughening of some growing films, copper and tungsten, by using scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy are reviewed. A logarithmic divergence of the surface height fluctuations of Si(111) vicinal surfaces is confirmed, in agreement with the theoretical prediction of rough surface in thermal equilibrium. For the kinetically formed rough surfaces, power law dependences of the interface width on the system size are clearly observed. Furthermore, the tungsten films show a short-range scaling regime and a long-range “smooth” regime. The roughness exponents α are compared with theoretical predictions: for the typical Cu electrode position condition (α=1/2), the exponent appears to be close to that found for local growth models, and for tungsten films (0.7～0.8), it is consistent with recent predictions for growth where surface diffusion is predominant.     

分形基底上受限固-固模型动力学性质的数值模拟研究

为了探讨非完整基底结构对生长表面动力学行为的影响,本文在具有相同分形维数而不同谱维数的谢尔宾斯基箭头和蟹状分形基底上对受限固-固(restricted solid-on-solid,RSOS)模型的生长过程进行了大量的数值模拟研究.通过计算表面宽度和饱和表面极值高度的统计行为对生长表面的动力学行为进行了分析.结果表明,分形基底结构对生长表面的动力学行为具有显著的影响.尽管在两种基底上受限固-固模型的表面宽度均表现出很好的动力学标度行为,仍然满足Family-Vicsek标度规律,但由此计算得到的动力学标度指数并不相同.饱和生长表面的极值高度并不能满足三种常用的极值统计分布,即Weibull,Gumbel和Frechet分布,而是能很好地符合Asym2Sig分布.     

The heavy-quark potential in an anisotropic plasma

We determine the hard-loop resummed propagator in an anisotropic QCD plasma in general covariant gauges and define a potential between heavy quarks from the Fourier transform of its static limit. We find that there is stronger attraction on distance scales on the order of the inverse Debye mass for quark pairs aligned along the direction of anisotropy than for transverse alignment.