Single-valuedness of Aharonov-Bohm scattering wavefunctions

We show explicitly that asymptotic Aharonov-Bohm (AB) scattering wavefunctions are single-valued. It follows that a “hydrodynamical” approach to AB scattering does not lead to any inconsistency, contrary to recently published claims.     

Wave attenuation model for dephasing and measurement of conditional times

Inelastic scattering induces dephasing in mesoscopic systems. An analysis of previous models to simulate inelastic scattering in such systems is presented and a relatively new model based on wave attenuation is introduced. The problem of Aharonov-Bohm (AB) oscillations in conductance of a mesoscopic ring is studied. We show that the conductance is symmetric under flux reversal and the visibility of AB oscillations decays to zero as a function of the incoherence parameter, signaling dephasing. Further the wave attenuation model is applied to a fundamental problem in quantum mechanics, that of the conditional (reflection/transmission) times spent in a given region of space by a quantum particle before scattering off from that region.     

Conductance of metallic nanoribbons with defects

The conductances of two typical metallic graphene nanoribbons with one and two defects are studied using the tight binding model with the surface Green’s function method. The weak scattering impurities, U ～ 1 eV, induce a dip in the conductance near the Fermi energy for the narrow zigzag graphene nanoribbons. As the impurity scattering strength increases, the conductance behavior at the Fermi energy becomes more complicated and depends on the impurity location, the AA and AB sites. The impurity effect then becomes weak and vanishes with the increase in the width of the zigzag graphene nanoribbons (150 nm). For the narrow armchair graphene nanoribbons, the conductance at the Fermi energy is suppressed by the impurities and becomes zero with the increase in impurity scattering strength, U > 100 eV, for two impurities at the AA sites, but becomes constant for the two impurities at the AB sites. As the width of the graphene nanoribbons increases, the impurity effect on the conductance at the Fermi energy depends sensitively on the vacancy location at the AA or AB sites.     

Theoretical analysis of the transmission phase shift of a quantum dot in the presence of Kondo correlations

We study the effects of Kondo correlations on the transmission phase shift of a quantum dot coupled to two leads in comparison with the experimental determinations made by Aharonov-Bohm (AB) quantum interferometry. We propose here a theoretical interpretation of these results based on scattering theory combined with Bethe ansatz calculations. We show that there is a factor of 2 difference between the phase of the S-matrix responsible for the shift in the AB oscillations and the one controlling the conductance. Quantitative agreement is obtained with experimental results for two different values of the coupling to the leads.     

Anomalous Kondo-Switching Effect of a Spin-Flip Quantum Dot Embedded in an Aharonov-Bohm Ring

We theoretically investigate the Kondo effect of a quantum dot embedded in a mesoscopic Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring in the presence of the spin flip processes by means of the one-impurity Anderson Hamiltonian. Based on the slave-boson mean-field theory, we find that in this system the persistent current (PC) sensitively depends on the parity and size of the AB ring and can be tuned by the spin-flip scattering (R). In the small AB ring, the PC issuppressed due to the enhancing R weakening the Kondo resonance.On the contrary, in the large AB ring, with R increasing, the peakof PC firstly moves up to max-peak and then down. Especially, the PCphase shift of ø appears suddenly with the proper value of R, implying the existence of the anomalous Kondo effect in this system. Thus this system may be a candidate for quantum switch.     

A Simple Proof of Magnetic and Electric Aharonov-Bohm Effects

Magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect (AB effect) was studied in hundreds of papers starting with the seminal paper of Aharonov and Bohm (Phys Rev 115:485, 1959). We give a new proof of the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect without using the scattering theory and the theory of inverse boundary value problems. We consider separately the cases of one and several obstacles. The electric AB effect was studied much less. We give the first proof of the electric AB effect in domains with moving boundaries. When the boundary does not move with the time the electric AB effect is absent.     

Optical theorem and Aharonov-Bohm scattering

A rigorous derivation of the optical theorem (OT) from the conservation of probability flux (CPF) is presented for scattering on an arbitrary spherically symmetric potential inN-spatial dimensions (ND). The constructed expression for the OT is found to yield the corresponding well-known results for two- and three-dimensional cases in a rather natural way. The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect is considered as a scattering event of an electron by a magnetic field confined in an infinitely long shielded solenoid and a similar derivation is attempted for an appropriate optical theorem. Our current understanding of the scattering theory is found to be inadequate for the purpose. The reason for this is discussed in some detail.     

X-ray scattering from freely suspended smectic-A films

This work is devoted to a theoretical analysis of specular reflection and diffuse scattering of x-rays from a freely suspended smectic-A film, taking into account its spatial inhomogeneity and deviations of orientational and position ordering in smectic layers from ideal ordering. The results of the calculations are compared with the experimental data on small-angle scattering of x-rays from freely suspended films of 7 AB liquid crystals. It is found that the theoretical results agree with the experimental data.     

Flux-dependent anti-crossing of resonances in parallel non-coupled double quantum dots

We present novel resonant phenomena through parallel non-coupled double quantum dots (QDs) embedded in each arm of an Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring with magnetic flux passing through its center. The electron transmission through this AB ring with each QD formed by two short-range potential barriers is calculated using a scattering matrix at each junction and a transfer matrix in each arm. We show that as the magnetic flux modulates, a distortion of the grid-like square transmission occurs and an anti-crossing of the resonances appears. Hence, the modulation of magnetic flux in this system can have an equivalent effect to the control of inter-dot coupling between the two QDs.     

半导体超晶格的多声子拉曼散射研究

半导体超晶格的多声子拉曼散射研究／张树霖，杨昌黎，侯勇田（北京大学物理系北京１００８７１）彭中灵，李杰，袁诗鑫（中科院上海技物所上海２０００８３）Ｒ．Ｐｌａｎｅｌ（ＭｉｃｒｏｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅｓａｎｄＭｉｃｒｏｅｌｅｃｔｒｏｎｉｃｓＬａｂｏｒａｔｏｒ...     

Spin-polarized transmission through a mesoscopic ring with a magnetic impurity

Based on one-dimensional quantum waveguide theory we study the symmetry of the spin-polarized transmission through an Aharonov–Bohm ring with a magnetic impurity, in which the spin-exchange interaction between an incident electron and the magnetic impurity leads to spin–flip scattering. It shows that for some special Fermi energies, both spin-up and spin-down transmission coefficients are symmetric under the flux reversal in the spin–flip scattering process and the spin-polarized conductance also is symmetric. In above case, AB oscillations of spin-down transmission and reflection are perfectly identical. The effect of the exchange interaction strength and Fermi wave vector on transmission behavior of spin-state electrons is examined.     

Inelastic effects in Aharonov-Bohm molecular interferometers

Inelastic effects arising from electron-phonon coupling in molecular Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometers are studied using the nonequilibrium Green's function method. Results for the magnetoconductance are compared for different values of the electron-phonon coupling strength. At low-bias voltages, the coupling to the phonons does not change the lifetime and leads mainly to scattering phase shifts of the conducting electrons. As a result of these dephasing processes, the magnetoconductance of the molecular AB interferometer becomes more sensitive to the threading magnetic flux as the electron-phonon coupling is increased, opposite to the behavior of an electric gate.     

The effect of nearby bubbles on array gain

The coherent processing of signals from multiple hydrophones in an array offers improvements in angular resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. When the array is steered in a particular direction, the signals arriving from that direction are added in phase, and any signals arriving from other directions are not. Array gain (AG) is a measure of how much the signal arriving from the steering direction is amplified relative to signals arriving from all other directions. The subject of this paper is the manner in which the AG of an acoustic array operating in water that contains air bubbles is affected by scattering from nearby bubbles. The effects of bubbles on acoustic attenuation and dispersion are considered separately from their effects on AG. Acoustic measurements made in bubbly water using the AB Wood tank at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton, in June 2008 show that as bubble density increases, relative phase shifts in individual hydrophone signals increase and signal correlation among the hydrophones is reduced. A theory and numerical simulation linking bubble density at the hydrophone to the AG is in good agreement with the measurements up to the point where multiple scattering becomes important.     

Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Palladium Nanoparticles and Their SPR/SERS Properties

在水溶液中分别以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)和CTAB/柠檬酸钠混合剂为包覆剂合成钯纳米颗粒,并研究其形貌演变．钯纳米颗粒在成核阶段会形成具有不同孪晶结构的晶核,在生长阶段又会选择性的放大某一组晶面,这两个因素导致了钯纳米颗粒形貌的多样性．在合成中CTAB既会影响钯纳米颗粒的成核,也会影响颗粒晶面的选择性生长．通过改变CTAB和还原剂的量可以调控钯纳米颗粒的形貌．溶液中CTAB和还原剂浓度的改变,非常明显地影响合成产物中不同形貌钯纳米颗粒的产率．通过向溶液中引入柠檬酸离子调控纳米颗粒的成核与生长过程,首次合成出了星状钯二十面体和截面为五角星形的钯纳米棒．这些不同形貌的钯纳米颗粒有着不同的表面等离子体共振和表面增强拉曼散射性质．     

Quantum transport through two series Aharonov--Bohm interferometers with zero total magnetic flux

With the help of nonequilibrium Green's function technique, the electronic transport through series Aharonov--Bohm (AB) interferometers is investigated. We obtain the AB interference pattern of the transition probability characterized by the algebraic sum \phi and the difference \theta of two magnetic fluxes, and particularly a general rule of AB oscillation period depending on the ratio of integer quantum numbers of the fluxes. A parity effect is observed, showing the asymmetric AB oscillations with respect to the even and odd quantum numbers of the total flux in antiparallel AB interferometers. It is also shown that the AB flux can shift the Fano resonance peaks of the transmission spectrum.     

How do smectic liquid crystals of different molecular length mix in thin films?

We present a model for the structure of binary mixtures of smectic compounds in freely suspended films of 2-7 layers. The compounds are the hexyl (6AB) and dodecyl (10AB) homologues of p, p'-dialkylazoxybenzene that differ by about 40% in molecular length. X-ray reflectivity indicates that no demixing occurs between 6AB and 10AB molecules, while also there is no indication found of increased roughness at the film surfaces. However, the surface layers are somewhat expanded compared to the interior layers. This can be explained by backfolding of the dodecyl end chains of 10AB molecules at the surface via two gauche kinks, which ensures dense packing. This model is supported by surface tension measurements that indicate an increased amount of alkyl groups at the surfaces.     

Structure of colloidal complexes obtained from neutral/poly- electrolyte copolymers and oppositely charged surfactants

We report on the phase behavior and scattering properties of colloidal complexes made from block copolymers and surfactants. The copolymer is poly(sodium acrylate)-b-poly(acrylamide), hereafter abbreviated as PANa-PAM, with molecular weight 5000 g/mol for the first block and 30000 g/mol for the second. In aqueous solutions and neutral pH, poly(sodium acrylate) is a weak polyelectrolyte, whereas poly(acrylamide) is neutral and in good-solvent conditions. The surfactant is dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and is of opposite charge with respect to the polyelectrolyte block. Combining dynamical light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering, we show that in aqueous solutions PANa-PAM diblocks and DTAB associate into colloidal complexes. For surfactant-to-polymer charge ratios Z lower than a threshold (Z(C) approximately 0.3), the complexes are single surfactant micelles decorated by few copolymers. Above the threshold, the colloidal complexes reveal an original core-shell microstructure. We have found that the core of typical radius 100-200 A is constituted from densely packed surfactant micelles connected by the polyelectrolyte blocks. The outer part of the colloidal complex is a corona and is made from the neutral poly(acrylamide) chains. Typical hydrodynamic sizes for the whole aggregate are around 1000 A. The aggregation numbers expressed in terms of numbers of micelles and copolymers per complex are determined and found to be comprised between 100-400, depending on the charge ratio Z and on the total concentration. We have also shown that the sizes of the complexes depend on the exact procedure of the sample preparation. We propose that the driving mechanism for the complex formation is similar to that involved in the phase separation of homopolyelectrolyte/surfactant systems. With copolymers, the presence of the neutral blocks prevents the macroscopic phase separation from occurring.     

Persistent current and transmission probability in the Aharonov-Bohm ring with an embedded quantum dot

Persistent current and transmission probability in the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring with an embedded quantum dot (QD) are studied using the technique of the scattering matrix. For the first time, we find that the persistent current can arise in the absence of magnetic flux in the ring with an embedded QD. The persistent current and the transmission probability are sensitive to the lead-ring coupling and the short-range potential barrier. It is shown that increasing the lead-ring coupling or the short-range potential barrier causes the suppression of the persistent current and the increasing resonance width of the transmission probability. The effect of the potential barrier on the number of the transmission peaks is also investigated. The dependence of the persistent current and the transmission probability on the magnetic flux exhibits a periodic property with period of the flux quantum.     

A multistep flux-corrected transport scheme

A multistep flux-corrected transport (MFCT) scheme is developed to achieve conservative and monotonic tracer transports for multistep dynamical cores. MFCT extends Zalesak two-time level scheme to any multistep time-differencing schemes by including multiple high-order fluxes in the antidiffusive flux, while computing the two-time level low-order monotone solution. The multistep time-differencing scheme used in this study is the third-order Adams–Bashforth (AB3) scheme implemented in a finite-volume icosahedral shallow-water model. The accuracy of AB3 MFCT is quantified by the shape-preserving advection experiments in non-divergent flow, as well as a cosine bell whose shape changes during advection in shear flow. AB3 MFCT has been shown to be insensitive to time step size. This make AB3 MFCT an attractive transport scheme for explicit high resolution model applications with small time step. MFCT is tested in shallow-water model simulations to demonstrate that the use of MFCT maintains positive-definite tracer transport, while at the same time conserving both fluid mass and tracer mass within round-off errors in the AB3 dynamic core.     

Path integrals and quantum interference effects in a five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory

The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect, the gravitational analogue to the AB effect, and the topological shifts in an AB set-up are derived by evaluating the propagator for a particle in a five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein spacetime via path integrals.