A Characterization of Vacuum

In this note, we use a Killing vector field on a 4-dimensional Lorentzian space-time (M,g), to obtain sufficient conditions for (M,g) to be a vacuum.     

Properties of parallel upper critical field within continuous Ginzburg–Landau model

In this paper, we employ a continuous Ginzburg–Landau model to study the behaviors of the parallel upper critical field of an intrinsically layered superconductor. Near T_c where the order parameter is nearly homogeneous, the parallel upper critical field is found to vary as (1−T/T_c)^1/2. With a well-localized order parameter, the same field temperature dependence holds over the whole temperature range. The profile of the order parameter at the parallel upper critical field is of a Gaussian type, which is consistent with the usual Ginzburg–Landau theory. In addition, the influences of the unit cell dimension and the average effective masses on the parallel upper critical field and the associated order parameter are also addressed.     

Modeling and computation of two phase geometric biomembranes using surface finite elements

Biomembranes consisting of multiple lipids may involve phase separation phenomena leading to coexisting domains of different lipid compositions. The modeling of such biomembranes involves an elastic or bending energy together with a line energy associated with the phase interfaces. This leads to a free boundary problem for the phase interface on the unknown equilibrium surface which minimizes an energy functional subject to volume and area constraints. In this paper we propose a new computational tool for computing equilibria based on an L² relaxation flow for the total energy in which the line energy is approximated by a surface Ginzburg–Landau phase field functional. The relaxation dynamics couple a nonlinear fourth order geometric evolution equation of Willmore flow type for the membrane with a surface Allen–Cahn equation describing the lateral decomposition. A novel system is derived involving second order elliptic operators where the field variables are the positions of material points of the surface, the mean curvature vector and the surface phase field function. The resulting variational formulation uses H¹ spaces, and we employ triangulated surfaces and H¹ conforming quadratic surface finite elements for approximating solutions. Together with a semi-implicit time discretization of the evolution equations an iterative scheme is obtained essentially requiring linear solvers only. Numerical experiments are presented which exhibit convergence and the power of this new method for two component geometric biomembranes by computing equilibria such as dumbbells, discocytes and starfishes with lateral phase separation.     

Existence of Hartree–Fock excited states for atoms and molecules

For neutral and positively charged atoms and molecules, we prove the existence of infinitely many Hartree–Fock critical points below the first energy threshold (that is, the lowest energy of the same system with one electron removed). This is the equivalent, in Hartree–Fock theory, of the famous Zhislin–Sigalov theorem which states the existence of infinitely many eigenvalues below the bottom of the essential spectrum of the N-particle linear Schrödinger operator. Our result improves a theorem of Lions in 1987 who already constructed infinitely many Hartree–Fock critical points, but with much higher energy. Our main contribution is the proof that the Hartree–Fock functional satisfies the Palais–Smale property below the first energy threshold. We then use minimax methods in the N-particle space, instead of working in the one-particle space.     

The Hitchin Functionals and the Topological B-Model at One Loop

The quantization in quadratic order of the Hitchin functional, which defines by critical points a Calabi–Yau structure on a six-dimensional manifold, is performed. The conjectured relation between the topological B-model and the Hitchin functional is studied at one loop. It is found that the genus one free energy of the topological B-model disagrees with the one-loop free energy of the minimal Hitchin functional. However, the topological B-model does agree at one-loop order with the extended Hitchin functional, which also defines by critical points a generalized Calabi–Yau structure. The dependence of the one-loop result on a background metric is studied, and a gravitational anomaly is found for both the B-model and the extended Hitchin model. The anomaly reduces to a volume-dependent factor if one computes for only Ricci-flat Kähler metrics     

Continuum limit of A Z2 lattice gauge theory

Phase diagrams of lattice gauge theories have in several cases lines of first-order transitions ending at points at which continuous (second-order) transitions take place. In the vicinity of this critical point, a continuum field theory may be defined. We have analyzed here a Z₂ gauge plus matter model (which has no formal continuum limit) and identified the critical point with a usual Ø⁴, globally Z₂ invariant, field theory. The analysis relies on a mean field functional formalism and on a loop-wise expansion around it, which is reviewed.     

The Ginzburg–Landau theory and the surface energy of a colour superconductor

We apply the Ginzburg–Landau theory to the colour superconducting phase of a lump of dense quark matter. We calculate the surface energy of a domain wall separating the normal phase from the super phase with the bulk equilibrium maintained by a critical external magnetic field. Because of the symmetry of the problem, we are able to simplify the Ginzburg–Landau equations and express them in terms of two components of the di-quark condensate and one component of the gauge potential. The equations also contain two dimensionless parameters: the Ginzburg–Landau parameter κ and ρ. The main result of this paper is a set of inequalities obeyed by the critical value of the Ginzburg–Landau parameter—the value of κ for which the surface energy changes sign—and its derivative with respect to ρ. In addition we prove a number of inequalities of the functional dependence of the surface energy on the parameters of the problem and obtain a numerical solution of the Ginzburg–Landau equations. Finally a criterion for the types of colour superconductivity (type I or type II) is established in the weak coupling approximation.     

On the critical temperature in the Al5 compounds

Using a generalized form of the Eliashberg gap equations which includes possible variations of the electronic density of states N(?) with energy, we have calculated the critical temperature for a model density of state which consists of a Lorentzian peak superimposed on a constant background density. By changing the value of the width in the Lorentzian form we discuss the change in T_c with disorder. When the width is reduced to zero T_c saturates (T^s_c) to some finite value which we can calculate. In this region, however, T_c drops sharply with increasing width so that the calculated values of T^s_c are much larger than can be achieved in practice.     

Ab initio SCF-Cl studies on the large amplitude bending motion of the water molecule: Rigid,semirigid, and nonrigid bender models for the Hamiltonian

Self-Consistent Field (SCF) and Configuration Interaction (CI) studies are performed on the bending mode of the water molecule using a double zeta plus polarization basis set. The ab initio points are fitted to a three-parameter double minimum potential consisting of a quadratic plus Lorentzian terms. The vibration-rotation energies are then evaluated using the large amplitude Hamiltonian developed by P. R. Bunker and co-workers at various levels of approximations. It is found that the calculated frequencies improve significantly as one proceeds from approximate H_b⁰⁰(ρ) to rigid bender H_b⁰(ρ) [P. R. Bunker and J. M. R. Stone, J. Mol. Spectrosc.41, 310–332 (1972)] to semirigid bender H_b⁰(r, ρ) [P. R. Bunker and P. M. Landsberg, J. Mol. Spectrosc.67, 374–385 (1977)] Hamiltonian. With H_b⁰(r, ρ), the ab initio calculated bending frequency ν₂ differs from the observed value (1595 cm^?1) by 30 cm^?1 and the barrier height is 12 229 cm^?1. It is also shown that ν₂ and its first four overtones are better calculated by 45–98 cm^?1 when the ab initio potential is used directly instead of the three-parameter analytic potential fitted to ab initio data. Finally, rotation bending energy levels are calculated for v₂ ≤ 3 and J ≤ 10 on the basis of a nonrigid bender Hamiltonian of A. R. Hoy and P. R. Bunker [J. Mol. Spectrosc.74, 1–8 (1979)], using the ab initio quadratic force field of P. Hennig, W. P. Kraemer, G. H. F. Diercksen, and G. Strey, [Theor. Chim. Acta47, 233–248 (1978)]. These results show that the accuracy of calculated force constants and frequencies is critically dependent not only on the size of the basis set but also on the number and spacing of the ab initio points used to derive the force field.     

Linear and quadratic magneto-optical effects observed in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films in transmitted light

Magnetic linear dichroism (MLD) is observed in polycrystalline La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ films in transmitted light. The spectral and temperature dependences of the MLD are determined for the energy E of the light wave ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 eV. The experimental spectra are fitted by a sum of Lorentzian curves. The MLD spectrum exhibits more features in comparison to the spectra of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), which we measured earlier using the same film samples. Various temperature behaviors of the intensities of the Lorentzian components centered at different E values have been revealed. This can be related to the effect of the surface states on the magneto-optical characteristics of the samples.     

Non-Fermi-liquid behavior in UCu4+xAl8−x compounds

We report on experimental studies of the Kondo physics and the development of non-Fermi-liquid scaling in UCu_4+xAl_8−x family. We studied 7 different compounds with compositions between x=0 and 2. We measured electrical transport (down to 65 mK) and thermoelectric power (down to 1.8 K) as a function of temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and/or magnetic field.Compounds with Cu content below x=1.25 exhibit long-range antiferromagnetic order at low temperatures. Magnetic order is suppressed with increasing Cu content and our data indicate a possible quantum critical point at x_cr≈1.15. For compounds with higher Cu content, non-Fermi-liquid behavior is observed. Non-Fermi-liquid scaling is inferred from electrical resistivity results for the x=1.25 and 1.5 compounds. For compounds with even higher Cu content, a sharp kink occurs in the resistivity data at low temperatures, and this may be indicative of another quantum critical point that occurs at higher Cu compositions.For the magnetically ordered compounds, hydrostatic pressure is found to increase the Néel temperature, which can be understood in terms of the Kondo physics. For the non-magnetic compounds, application of a magnetic field promotes a tendency toward Fermi-liquid behavior. Thermoelectric power was analyzed using a two-band Lorentzian model, and the results indicate one fairly narrow band (10 meV and below) and a second broad band (around hundred meV). The results imply that there are two relevant energy scales that need to be considered for the physics in this family of compounds.     

Two open universes connected by a wormhole: exact solutions

In this paper, I present a space–time of two open universes connected by a Lorentzian wormhole. The space–time has the following features: (1) it can exactly solve the Einstein equations; (2) the weak energy condition is satisfied everywhere; (3) it has a topology of R²×T_g (g≥2); (4) it has no event horizons.     

Electronic and optical properties of layered chalcogenide FeIn2Se4

We investigated the spectral-dependent dielectric function and temperature-dependent bandgap energy of layered chalcogenide FeIn₂Se₄ crystals. The critical-point energy and Lorentzian broadening were analyzed by fitting second-derivative spectra using the standard critical point model. The temperature effect of the bandgap energy was analyzed based on an analytical model considering both thermal lattice expansion and electron–phonon interactions. We also extensively analyzed the temperature dependence of absorption tails and identified their possible origins. The dielectric functions and absorption coefficient in the photon-energy range of 0.75–4.75 eV were obtained. The results also showed that optical phonon modes associated with the electron–phonon interactions could be closely related to the average phonon energy.     

On the isotropy subalgebras of Lie algebras of conformal vector fields

The conformal isotropy algebra of a point m in an n-manifold with a metric of arbitrary signature is shown to be locally reducible, by a conformal change of the metric, to a homothetic algebra near m iff, by choice of a chart, its constituent vector fields are simultaneously linearisable at m and, for n≥3, a necessary and sufficient condition for this in terms of the first and second derivatives of these fields at m is given. The implications for the Riemannian case and the Lorentzian case are investigated. In contrast to the former, a Lorentzian manifold admitting a conformal vector field that is not linearisable at some point need not be conformally flat. Relevant four-dimensional examples are provided.     

Critical magnetic field ratio of anisotropic magnetic superconductors

The upper critical field, the lower critical field and the critical magnetic field ratio of anisotropic magnetic superconductors are calculated by Ginzburg–Landau theory analytically. The effect of the Ginzburg–Landau parameter (κ₀), magnetic susceptibility (χ) and magnetic-to-anisotropic parameter ratio (θ) on the critical field ratio are considered. We find that the value of critical field ratio increases with increasing κ₀ and θ, and decreases with increasing χ. The highest and the lowest value of critical field ratio is found in the diamagnetic superconductors and the ferromagnetic superconductors, respectively.     

Dynamical Characteristics of a Non-canonical Scalar-Torsion Model of Dark Energy

In this paper, we analyze the phase-space of a model of dark energy in which a non-canonical scalar field (tachyon) non-minimally coupled to torsion scalar in the framework of teleparallelism. Scalar field potential and non-minimal coupling function are chosen as V(?) = V₀?ⁿ and f(?) = ?^N, respectively. We obtain a critical point that behaves like a stable or saddle point depending on the values of N and n. Additionally we find an unstable critical line. We have shown such a behavior of critical points using numerical computations and phase-space trajectories explicitly.     

Theory of resonant forbidden Raman scattering in semiconductors

The Raman tensors for the electric field-induced and wavevector dependent scattering from LO phonons in semiconductors have been calculated near critical points using a perturbation treatment. The resulting expressions have analytic closed forms such that the dependence of the forbidden scattering intensity on the incident photon energy and the applied d.c. electric field can be evaluated from available energy band parameters. The forbidden LO scattering intensity of GaAs in the back scattering configuration has been numerically calculated near the e₁ and E₁ gaps as functions of the incident photon energy and the dc electric field. The result shows strong interference between the two scattering processes. The allowed TO and LO Raman scattering intensities of GaAs were also calculated at a wavelength of 1.06 μm from the SHG and Faust-Henry coefficients, and compared with the forbidden LO intensity.     

Metamagnetic model in a field of arbitrary direction

The free energy of a metamagnetic model, in a magnetic field making an angle θ with the direction of uniaxial anisotropy, is calculated in the context of the mean-field approximation. The tricritical temperature decreases as θ increases, and finally vanishes for θ larger than a certain critical angle. In the (H_∥, H_⊥, T) space there is a line of tricritical points which separates two smoothly joining surfaces of first and of second order phase transitions.