Carrier relaxation dynamics in InAs/InGaAlAs quantum dashes

We characterize size-dependent carrier relaxation dynamics of partial laser structures containing quantum dashes by time-resolved degenerate four wave mixing between 1.2 and 1.6 μm.     

Computer simulation of some dynamical properties of the Lorentz gas

We carried out molecular dynamics simulations of a Lorentz gas, consisting of a lone hydrogen molecule moving in a sea of stationary argon atoms. A Lennard-Jones form was assumed for the H₂-Ar potential. The calculations were performed at a reduced temperatureK ^* =kT/_{H 2–Ar} = 4.64 and at reduced densities ^*= _{Ar Ar} ³ in the range 0.074–0.414. The placement of Ar atoms was assumed to be random rather than dictated by equilibrium considerations. We followed the trajectories of many H₂ molecules, each of which is assigned in turn a velocity given by the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution at the temperature of the simulation. Solving the equations of motion classically, we obtained the translational part of the incoherent dynamic structure factor for the H₂ molecule,S _tr(q, ). This was convoluted with the rotational structure factorS _rot(q, ) calculated assuming unhindered rotation to obtain the total structure factorS(q, ). Our results agree well with experimental data on this function obtained by Egelstaffet al. At the highest density ( ^*=0.414) we studied the dependence ofS(q, ) on system size (number of Ar atoms), number of H₂ molecules for which trajectories are generated, and the length of time over which these trajectories are followed.     

External noise and its interaction with spatial degrees of freedom in nonlinear dissipative systems

A brief introduction to the field is given together with an overview of the lectures given at the workshop on External Noise and its Interaction with Spatial Degrees of Freedom in Nonlinear Dissipative Systems organized by the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos, March 28–31, 1988. It is hoped that the publication of papers presented at the workshop in a single issue of theJournal of Statistical Physics will help draw attention to the recent developments in this rapidly area of nonequilibrium phenomena.     

Diffusion reproduction processes

Interesting physics emerges from studying a population of reproducing individuals. Each can be regarded as a random walker, but it can either duplicate or die. Novel features of the collective behavior are quite surprising: if individuals reproduce or die freely, the life expectation is proportional to the size of the population, and if it is kept constant, the center of mass moves in space as if it were a single walker (i.e., the diffusion constant is independent of population's size). Biology-inspired interactions are also considered.     

A Cosmological Model of Holographic Brane Gravity

A cosmological scenario with two branes (A and B) moving in a 5-dimensional bulk is considered. As in the case of ecpyrotic and born-again braneworld models it is possible that the branes collide. The energy-momentum tensor is taken to describe a perfect barotropic fluid on the A-brane and a phenomenological time-dependent cosmological constant on the B-brane. The A-brane is identified with our Universe and its cosmological evolution in the approximation of a homogeneous and isotropic brane is analysed. The dynamics of the radion (a scalar field on the brane) contains information about the proper distance between the branes. It is demonstrated that the deSitter type solutions are obtained for late time evolution of the braneworld and accelerative behaviour is anticipated at the present time.     

Periodical cicadas: A minimal automaton model

The Magicicada spp. life cycles with its prime periods and highly synchronized emergence have defied reasonable scientific explanation since its discovery. During the last decade several models and explanations for this phenomenon appeared in the literature along with a great deal of discussion. Despite this considerable effort, there is no final conclusion about this long standing biological problem. Here, we construct a minimal automaton model without predation/parasitism which reproduces some of these aspects. Our results point towards competition between different strains with limited dispersal threshold as the main factor leading to the emergence of prime numbered life cycles.     

Effects of mass media on opinion spreading in the Sznajd sociophysics model

In this work we consider the influence of mass media in the dynamics of the two-dimensional Sznajd model. This influence acts as an external field, and it is introduced in the model by means of a probability p of the agents to follow the media opinion. We performed Monte Carlo simulations on square lattices with different sizes, and our numerical results suggest a change on the critical behavior of the model, with the absence of the usual phase transition for p>∼0.18. Another effect of the probability p is to decrease the average relaxation times τ, that are log-normally distributed, as in the standard model. In addition, the τ values depend on the lattice size L in a power-law form, τ∼L^α, where the power-law exponent depends on the probability p.     

Rotational invariance in the three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method is dependent on the choice of lattice

The lattice Boltzmann method has recently gained popularity as a tool for simulating complex fluid flows. It uses discrete sets of velocity vectors, or lattices, to create a reduced model of the molecular dynamics of a continuum fluid. While several lattices are believed to behave isotropically, there are reports of qualitatively incorrect results. However, thus far, the reason as to why a lack of isotropy occurs is not known. Based on the hypothesis that lower order lattices may not display rotational invariance, this study tests the isotropy of the D3Q15, D3Q19 and D3Q27 lattices by performing simulations at intermediate Reynolds numbers (50–500) and low Knudsen number (<0.0005) in an axisymmetrical geometry with a nozzle leading to a throat followed by a sudden expansion. The symmetry properties of the results were examined. It was found that at Re ? 250 the D3Q15 and D3Q19 lattices produced different results depending on the plane of the lattice with which the flow was aligned. Lattice planes with fewer than six velocity vectors consistently produced results which were qualitatively different from the planes with six or more velocity vectors. These errors were not observed at Re = 50 or when a D3Q27 lattice was used. They appeared to be independent of grid density, collision operator and Ma. This suggests that the lattices which contain these planes are not fully isotropic and therefore do not properly replicate the behavior of a real fluid in this particular situation, notably downstream from the expansion. Predictions made using these models in more complex geometries may therefore be affected by the orientation of the lattice. When using LBM in CFD simulation (including validation) this study highlights the need for caution to ensure that the solution obtained is independent of the lattice orientation throughout the domain.