Inertial-Range Behavior of a Passive Scalar Field in a Random Shear Flow: Renormalization Group Analysis of a Simple Model

Infrared asymptotic behavior of a scalar field, passively advected by a random shear flow, is studied by means of the field theoretic renormalization group and the operator product expansion. The advecting velocity is Gaussian, white in time, with correlation function of the form μ d(t-t￠) / k_^^d-1+x\propto\delta(t-t') / k_{\bot}^{d-1+\xi}, where k _⊥=|k _⊥| and k _⊥ is the component of the wave vector, perpendicular to the distinguished direction (‘direction of the flow’)—the d-dimensional generalization of the ensemble introduced by Avellaneda and Majda (Commun. Math. Phys. 131:381, 1990). The structure functions of the scalar field in the infrared range exhibit scaling behavior with exactly known critical dimensions. It is strongly anisotropic in the sense that the dimensions related to the directions parallel and perpendicular to the flow are essentially different. In contrast to the isotropic Kraichnan’s rapid-change model, the structure functions show no anomalous (multi)scaling and have finite limits when the integral turbulence scale tends to infinity. On the contrary, the dependence of the internal scale (or diffusivity coefficient) persists in the infrared range. Generalization to the velocity field with a finite correlation time is also obtained. Depending on the relation between the exponents in the energy spectrum E μ k_^^1-e\mathcal{E} \propto k_{\bot}^{1-\varepsilon} and in the dispersion law w μ k_^^2-h\omega\propto k_{\bot}^{2-\eta}, the infrared behavior of the model is given by the limits of vanishing or infinite correlation time, with the crossover at the ray η=0, ε>0 in the ε–η plane. The physical (Kolmogorov) point ε=8/3, η=4/3 lies inside the domain of stability of the rapid-change regime; there is no crossover line going through this point.     

Critical Hardy–Lieb–Thirring Inequalities for Fourth-Order Operators in Low Dimensions

This paper considers Hardy–Lieb–Thirring inequalities for higher order differential operators. A result for general fourth-order operators on the half-line is developed, and the trace inequality

Non-linear pressure dependence of A-state fluorescence lifetime of formaldehyde

Fluorescence lifetimes of formaldehyde excited at 352 nm ( A₂ – A₁ 4₀¹ band) were measured as a function of bath gas pressure. He, N₂, O₂, CO₂ and HCHO were investigated for the bath gas and the temperature dependence between 298 and 500 K for N₂ and O₂ bath gases was also examined. It was found that the non-linear pressure dependence of the lifetime is successfully reproduced by the model formula

Critical Rotational Speeds in the Gross-Pitaevskii Theory on a Disc with Dirichlet Boundary Conditions

We study the two-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii theory of a rotating Bose gas in a disc-shaped trap with Dirichlet boundary conditions, generalizing and extending previous results that were obtained under Neumann boundary conditions. The focus is on the energy asymptotics, vorticity and qualitative properties of the minimizers in the parameter range |log ε|≪Ω≲ε ⁻²|log ε|⁻¹ where Ω is the rotational velocity and the coupling parameter is written as ε ⁻² with ε≪1. Three critical speeds can be identified. At \varOmega = \varOmega_c1 ~ |loge|\varOmega=\varOmega_{\mathrm{c_{1}}}\sim |\log\varepsilon| vortices start to appear and for |loge| << \varOmega < \varOmega_c2 ~ e^-1|\log\varepsilon|\ll\varOmega< \varOmega_{\mathrm{c_{2}}}\sim \varepsilon^{-1} the vorticity is uniformly distributed over the disc. For \varOmega 3 \varOmega _c2\varOmega\geq\varOmega _{\mathrm{c_{2}}} the centrifugal forces create a hole around the center with strongly depleted density. For Ω≪ε ⁻²|log ε|⁻¹ vorticity is still uniformly distributed in an annulus containing the bulk of the density, but at \varOmega = \varOmega_c3 ~ e^-2|loge|^-1\varOmega=\varOmega_{\mathrm {c_{3}}}\sim\varepsilon ^{-2}|\log\varepsilon |^{-1} there is a transition to a giant vortex state where the vorticity disappears from the bulk. The energy is then well approximated by a trial function that is an eigenfunction of angular momentum but one of our results is that the true minimizers break rotational symmetry in the whole parameter range, including the giant vortex phase.     

Kraus Operator-Sum Representation and Time Evolution of Distribution Functions in Phase-Sensitive Reservoirs

Using the thermal entangled state representation 〈η|, we examine the master equation (ME) describing phase-sensitive reservoirs. We present the analytical expression of solution to the ME, i.e., the Kraus operator-sum representation of density operator ρ is given, and its normalization is also proved by using the IWOP technique. Further, by converting the characteristic function χ(λ) into an overlap between two “pure states” in enlarged Fock space, i.e., χ(λ)=〈η _=−λ |ρ|η ₌₀〉, we consider time evolution of distribution functions, such as Wigner, Q- and P-function. As applications, the photon-count distribution and the evolution of Wigner function of photon-added coherent state are examined in phase-sensitive reservoirs. It is shown that the Wigner function has a negative value when kt\leqslant\frac 12ln( 1+m_￥) \kappa t\leqslant\frac {1}{2}\ln ( 1+\mu_{\infty}) is satisfied, where μ _∞ depends on the squeezing parameter |M|² of environment, and increases as the increase of |M|.     

The Combined Effect of Connectivity and Dependency Links on Percolation of Networks

Percolation theory is extensively studied in statistical physics and mathematics with applications in diverse fields. However, the research is focused on systems with only one type of links, connectivity links. We review a recently developed mathematical framework for analyzing percolation properties of realistic scenarios of networks having links of two types, connectivity and dependency links. This formalism was applied to study Erdős-Rényi (ER) networks that include also dependency links. For an ER network with average degree [`(k)]\bar{k} that is composed of dependency clusters of size s, the fraction of nodes that belong to the giant component, P <sub>∞</sub>, is given by P<sub>￥</sub>=p<sup>s-1</sup>[1-exp(-[`(k)]pP_￥) ]^sP_{\infty}=p^{s-1}[1-\exp{(-\bar{k}pP_{\infty})} ]^{s} where 1−p is the initial fraction of randomly removed nodes. Here, we apply the formalism to the study of random-regular (RR) networks and find a formula for the size of the giant component in the percolation process: P _∞=p ^s−1(1−r ^k ) ^s where r is the solution of r=p ^s (r ^k−1−1)(1−r ^k )+1, and k is the degree of the nodes. These general results coincide, for s=1, with the known equations for percolation in ER and RR networks respectively without dependency links. In contrast to s=1, where the percolation transition is second order, for s>1 it is of first order. Comparing the percolation behavior of ER and RR networks we find a remarkable difference regarding their resilience. We show, analytically and numerically, that in ER networks with low connectivity degree or large dependency clusters, removal of even a finite number (zero fraction) of the infinite network nodes will trigger a cascade of failures that fragments the whole network. Specifically, for any given s there exists a critical degree value, [`(k)]<sub>min</sub>\bar{k}_{\min}, such that an ER network with [`(k)] ￡ [`(k)]_min\bar{k}\leq \bar{k}_{\min} is unstable and collapse when removing even a single node. This result is in contrast to RR networks where such cascades and full fragmentation can be triggered only by removal of a finite fraction of nodes in the network.     

The Small Scales of the Stochastic Navier–Stokes Equations Under Rough Forcing

We prove that the small scale structures of the stochastically forced Navier–Stokes equations approach those of the naturally associated Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process as the scales get smaller. Precisely, we prove that the rescaled kth spatial Fourier mode converges weakly on path space to an associated Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process as |k| . In addition, we prove that the Navier–Stokes equations and the naturally associated Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process induce equivalent transition densities if the viscosity is replaced with hyper-viscosity. This gives a simple proof of unique ergodicity for the hyperviscous Navier–Stokes system. We show how different strengthened hyperviscosity produce varying levels of equivalence.     

Stochastic Porous Media Equations and Self-Organized Criticality: Convergence to the Critical State in all Dimensions

If X = X(t, ξ) is the solution to the stochastic porous media equation in O ì R^d, 1 ￡ d ￡ 3,{\mathcal{O}\subset \mathbf{R}^d, 1\le d\le 3,} modelling the self-organized criticality (Barbu et al. in Commun Math Phys 285:901–923, 2009) and X _c is the critical state, then it is proved that ò^￥₀m(O\O^t₀)dt < ￥,\mathbbP-a.s.{\int^{\infty}_0m(\mathcal{O}{\setminus}\mathcal{O}^t_0)dt<{\infty},\mathbb{P}\hbox{-a.s.}} and lim_t?￥ ò_O|X(t)-X_c|dx = l < ￥, \mathbbP-a.s.{\lim_{t\to{\infty}} \int_\mathcal{O}|X(t)-X_c|d\xi=\ell<{\infty},\ \mathbb{P}\hbox{-a.s.}} Here, m is the Lebesgue measure and O^t_c{\mathcal{O}^t_c} is the critical region {x ? O; X(t,x)=X_c(x)}{\{\xi\in\mathcal{O}; X(t,\xi)=X_c(\xi)\}} and X _c (ξ) ≤ X(0, ξ) a.e. x ? O{\xi\in\mathcal{O}}. If the stochastic Gaussian perturbation has only finitely many modes (but is still function-valued), lim_{t ? ￥} ò_K|X(t)-X_c|dx = 0{\lim_{t \to {\infty}} \int_K|X(t)-X_c|d\xi=0} exponentially fast for all compact K ì O{K\subset\mathcal{O}} with probability one, if the noise is sufficiently strong. We also recover that in the deterministic case ℓ = 0.     

Striped Periodic Minimizers of a Two-Dimensional Model for Martensitic Phase Transitions

In this paper we consider a simplified two-dimensional scalar model for the formation of mesoscopic domain patterns in martensitic shape-memory alloys at the interface between a region occupied by the parent (austenite) phase and a region occupied by the product (martensite) phase, which can occur in two variants (twins). The model, first proposed by Kohn and Müller (Philos Mag A 66(5):697–715, 1992), is defined by the following functional:

The value of the cosmological constant

We make the cosmological constant, Λ, into a field and restrict the variations of the action with respect to it by causality. This creates an additional Einstein constraint equation. It restricts the solutions of the standard Einstein equations and is the requirement that the cosmological wave function possess a classical limit. When applied to the Friedmann metric it requires that the cosmological constant measured today, t _U , be L ~ t_U^-2 ~ 10^-122{\Lambda \sim t_{U}^{-2} \sim 10^{-122}} , as observed. This is the classical value of Λ that dominates the wave function of the universe. Our new field equation determines Λ in terms of other astronomically measurable quantities. Specifically, it predicts that the spatial curvature parameter of the universe is W_k0 o -k/a₀²H²=-0.0055{\Omega _{\mathrm{k0}} \equiv -k/a_{0}^{2}H^{2}=-0.0055} , which will be tested by Planck Satellite data. Our theory also creates a new picture of self-consistent quantum cosmological history.     

Preparation and characterization of organic–inorganic hybrid compound [N(C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Organic–inorganic hybrid sample [N(C₄H₉)₄]₂Cu₂Cl₆ was prepared via the reaction between copper chloride and tetrabutylammonium chloride. The compound was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, IR, Raman, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), DTA-TGA analysis and electrical impedance spectroscopy. DSC studies indicate a presence of one-phase transition at 343 K. The complex impedance of compound [N(C₄H₉)₄]₂Cu₂Cl₆ have been investigated in temperature and frequency ranges 300–380 K and 200 Hz–5 MHz, respectively. The Z′ and Z″ versus frequency plots are well fitted to an equivalent circuit model. The circuits consist of the parallel combination of bulk resistance R _p and constant phase elements CPE. The frequency dependence of the conductivity is interpreted in term of Jonscher's law: s(w) = s_dc + Awⁿ \sigma (\omega ){ } = {\sigma_{\rm{dc}}} + { }A{\omega^n} . The conductivity follows the Arrhenius relation. The variation of the value of these elements with temperatures confirmed the availability of the phase transition at 343 K detected by DSC and electrical measurements.     

The Extreme Points of the Tracial State Space of Noncommutative 3-Spheres

We determine the extreme points of the tracial state space of the noncommutative 3-sphere C^alg(S_q³){C^{\rm alg}(S_{\theta}^{3})} when the deformation parameter θ is an irrational number.     

On the Residual Entropy of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">BEG</Emphasis> Model at the Antiquadrupolar-Ferromagnetic Coexistence Line

We show that the residual entropy, S, for the two-dimensional Blume-Emery-Griffiths model at the antiquadrupolar-ferromagnetic coexistence line satisfies the following bounds ln(l_1,2n,+/l_1,2n-1,+) ￡ S ￡ (lnl_1,k,free)/k\ln(\lambda_{1,2n,+}/\lambda_{1,2n-1,+})\leq S\leq (\ln \lambda_{1,k,\mathit{free}})/k, for all n≥2 and k≥1, where λ _1,n,free and λ _1,n,+ are the largest eigenvalues of the transfer matrices F _n,free and F _n,+, respectively. In particular, we have S=0.439396±0.008670.     

Matryoshka of Special Democratic Forms

Special p-forms are forms which have components ${\varphi_{\mu_1\dots\mu_p}}Special p-forms are forms which have components j_m1...mp{\varphi_{\mu_1\dots\mu_p}} equal to +1, −1 or 0 in some orthonormal basis. A p-form j ? L^p\mathbbR^d{\varphi\in \Lambda^p\mathbb{R}^d} is called democratic if the set of nonzero components {j_m1...mp}{\{\varphi_{\mu_1\dots\mu_p}\}} is symmetric under the transitive action of a subgroup of O(d,\mathbbZ){{\rm O}(d,\mathbb{Z})} on the indices {1, . . . , d}. Knowledge of these symmetry groups allows us to define mappings of special democratic p-forms in d dimensions to special democratic P-forms in D dimensions for successively higher P ≥ p and D ≥ d. In particular, we display a remarkable nested structure of special forms including a U(3)-invariant 2-form in six dimensions, a G₂-invariant 3-form in seven dimensions, a Spin(7)-invariant 4-form in eight dimensions and a special democratic 6-form Ω in ten dimensions. The latter has the remarkable property that its contraction with one of five distinct bivectors, yields, in the orthogonal eight dimensions, the Spin(7)-invariant 4-form. We discuss various properties of this ten dimensional form.     

Cosmological Post-Newtonian Expansions to Arbitrary Order

We prove the existence of a large class of one parameter families of solutions to the Einstein-Euler equations that depend on the singular parameter e = v_T/c{\epsilon=v_T/c} (0 < e < e₀){(0< \epsilon < \epsilon_0)}, where c is the speed of light, and v _T is a typical speed of the gravitating fluid. These solutions are shown to exist on a common spacetime slab M @ [0,T)×\mathbb T³{M\cong [0,T)\times \mathbb {T}^3}, and converge as e\searrow 0{\epsilon \searrow 0} to a solution of the cosmological Poisson-Euler equations of Newtonian gravity. Moreover, we establish that these solutions can be expanded in the parameter e{\epsilon} to any specified order with expansion coefficients that satisfy e{\epsilon}-independent (nonlocal) symmetric hyperbolic equations.     

Asymptotics for Large Time of Global Solutions to the Generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili Equation

We study the large time asymptotic behavior of solutions to the generalized Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) equations $ \left\{\alignedat2 &u_t + u_{xxx} + \sigma\partial_x^{-1}u_{yy}= - (u^{\rho})_x, &;&;\qquad (t,x,y) \in {\bold R}\times {\bold R}^2,\\ \vspace{.5\jot} &u(0,x,y) = u_0 (x,y),&;&; \qquad (x,y) \in{\bold R}^2, \endalignedat \right. \TAG KP $ \left\{\alignedat2 &u_t + u_{xxx} + \sigma\partial_x^{-1}u_{yy}= - (u^{\rho})_x, &;&;\qquad (t,x,y) \in {\bold R}\times {\bold R}^2,\\ \vspace{.5\jot} &u(0,x,y) = u_0 (x,y),&;&; \qquad (x,y) \in{\bold R}^2, \endalignedat \right. \TAG KP where † = 1 or † = m 1. When „ = 2 and † = m 1, (KP) is known as the KPI equation, while „ = 2, † = + 1 corresponds to the KPII equation. The KP equation models the propagation along the x-axis of nonlinear dispersive long waves on the surface of a fluid, when the variation along the y-axis proceeds slowly [10]. The case „ = 3, † = m 1 has been found in the modeling of sound waves in antiferromagnetics [15]. We prove that if „ S 3 is an integer and the initial data are sufficiently small, then the solution u of (KP) satisfies the following estimates: ||u(t)||_￥ ￡ C (1 + |t|)^-1 (log(2+|t|))^k, ||u_x(t)||_￥ ￡ C (1 + |t|)^-1 \|u(t)\|_\infty \le C (1 + |t|)^{-1} (\log (2+|t|))^{\kappa}, \|u_x(t)\|_\infty \le C (1 + |t|)^{-1} for all t ] R, where s = 1 if „ = 3 and s = 0 if „ S 4. We also find the large time asymptotics for the solution.     

Calculation of the structure and vibrational states for anionic forms of Co-, Ni-, and Cu-porphines

The structure and vibrations of neutral porphine metal complexes (Me-P, Me = Co, Ni, Cu) and their d-anionic forms with an additional electron localized in vacant d_x² -_y² - d_x^2 -_y^2 - and d_z² d_z^2 -orbitals are compared based on calculations by a DFT method. It is shown that such electron population causes a significant increase of the electronic charge on the macrocycle rather than on the Me atom and is accompanied by a considerable redistribution of π- and σ-electron densities (ρ_π ρ_σ). A predominant gain of ρ_π (0.49e) is found for the monoanion of Co-P (Co-P^–, d_z² d_z^2 -monoanion); of ρ_σ (0.6e), for Ni-P^–( d_x² -_y² - d_x^2 -_y^2 - monoanion). These features are reflected in both the structure of the anions and the behavior of their vibrational frequencies. The greatest frequency shifts among IR active modes when populating the d_z² d_z^2 - and d_x² -_y² - d_x^2 -_y^2 - orbitals occur for out-of-plane vibrations (>30 cm^–1) and in-plane modes (34–46 cm^–1) involving MeN- and C_αC_m-bonds, respectively. Abnormally large frequency lowering is found for B_1g-type modes (active in the resonance Raman spectrum) involving mainly C_αC_m-, C_βC_β-, C_αC_β-, and MeN-bonds. This is related to a change in the d_π-e_g interaction strength during such vibrations that contributes to a decrease in the corresponding force constants.     

An ab initio molecular dynamics study of ionic conductivity in hexagonal lithium lanthanum titanate oxide La0.5Li0.5TiO3

To date, the fastest lithium ion-conducting solid electrolytes known are the perovskite-type ABO₃ oxide, with A = Li, La and B = Ti, lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) Li_3x La_{( 2 \mathord}

On the Mixing Time of the 2D Stochastic Ising Model with “Plus” Boundary Conditions at Low Temperature

We consider the Glauber dynamics for the 2D Ising model in a box of side L, at inverse temperature β and random boundary conditions τ whose distribution P either stochastically dominates the extremal plus phase (hence the quotation marks in the title) or is stochastically dominated by the extremal minus phase. A particular case is when P is concentrated on the homogeneous configuration identically equal to +  (equal to ?). For β large enough we show that for any ${\varepsilon >0 }We consider the Glauber dynamics for the 2D Ising model in a box of side L, at inverse temperature β and random boundary conditions τ whose distribution P either stochastically dominates the extremal plus phase (hence the quotation marks in the title) or is stochastically dominated by the extremal minus phase. A particular case is when P is concentrated on the homogeneous configuration identically equal to +  (equal to −). For β large enough we show that for any ${\varepsilon >0 }${\varepsilon >0 } there exists c=c(b,e){c=c(\beta,\varepsilon)} such that the corresponding mixing time T _mix satisfies lim_L?￥ P(T_mix 3 exp(cL^e)) = 0{{\rm lim}_{L\to\infty}\,{\bf P}\left(T_{\rm mix}\ge {\rm exp}({cL^\varepsilon})\right) =0}. In the non-random case τ ≡ +  (or τ ≡ −), this implies that T_mix ￡ exp(cL^e){T_{\rm mix}\le {\rm exp}({cL^\varepsilon})}. The same bound holds when the boundary conditions are all +  on three sides and all − on the remaining one. The result, although still very far from the expected Lifshitz behavior T _mix = O(L ²), considerably improves upon the previous known estimates of the form T_mix ￡ exp(c L^{\frac 12 + e}){T_{\rm mix}\le {\rm exp}({c L^{\frac 12 + \varepsilon}})}. The techniques are based on induction over length scales, combined with a judicious use of the so-called “censoring inequality” of Y. Peres and P. Winkler, which in a sense allows us to guide the dynamics to its equilibrium measure.     

Projectile charge and velocity effect on UO2 sputtering in the nuclear stopping regime

Angular distributions and yields of uranium sputtered by slow highly charged Xe^q+ ions (kinetic energy 1.5 keV ￡ E_k ￡ 811.5~{\rm keV}\le E_{k}\le 81  keV, charge state 1≤q≤25) from UO₂ were measured by means of the catcher technique. A charge state effect on the sputtering process is observed at 8 and 81 keV. A deviation from a Acosθ shape (the linear collision cascade theory) is observed in case of Xe^q+ impinging a UO₂ surface at E_k=8 keV. Yields increase linearly with projectile charge state q thus clearly revealing the contribution of potential energy to the sputtering process. In addition, as the kinetic energy of a Xe¹⁰⁺ projectile decreases from 81 keV to 1.5 keV, a velocity effect is clearly observed on the angular distribution.