Quantum transport from the perspective of quantum open systems

By viewing the non-equilibrium transport setup as a quantum open system, we propose a reduced-density-matrix based quantum transport formalism. At the level of self-consistent Born approximation, it can precisely account for the correlation between tunneling and the system internal many-body interaction, leading to certain novel behavior such as the non-equilibrium Kondo effect. It also opens a new way to construct time-dependent density functional theory for transport through large-scale complex systems.     

Development of confocal micro X-ray fluorescence instrument using two X-ray beams

A new confocal micro X-ray fluorescence instrument was developed. This instrument has two independent micro X-ray tubes with Mo targets. A full polycapillary X-ray lens was attached to each X-ray tube. Another half polycapillary lens was attached to a silicon drift X-ray detector (SDD). The focal spots of the three lenses were adjusted to a common position. The effects of the excitation of two X-ray beams were investigated. The instrument enabled highly sensitive three-dimensional X-ray fluorescence analysis. We confirmed that the X-ray fluorescence intensity from the sample increased by applying the two independent X-ray tubes in confocal configuration. Elemental depth profiling of black wheat was demonstrated with the result that each element in the surface coat of a wheat grain showed unique distribution.     

Linear and nonlinear properties of electron-acoustic solitary waves with non-thermal electrons

Propagation of linear and nonlinear electron-acoustic waves (EAWs) in an unmagnetized collisionless plasma consisting of a cold electron fluid, non-thermal hot electrons and stationary ions are investigated. The standard normal-mode analysis is used to study the stability condition of linear (EAWs) waves. For nonlinear (EAWs) waves, a reductive perturbation method was employed to obtain a Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation for the first-order potential. The effects of a non-thermal distribution of hot electrons on the amplitude, width and energy of electrostatic solitary structures are also discussed.     

Quantum secure direct communication network with Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen pairs

We discuss the four requirements for a real point-to-point quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) first, and then present two efficient QSDC network schemes with an N ordered Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen pairs. Any one of the authorized users can communicate another one on the network securely and directly.     

A neighbourhood evolving network model

Many social, technological, biological and economical systems are best described by evolved network models. In this short Letter, we propose and study a new evolving network model. The model is based on the new concept of neighbourhood connectivity, which exists in many physical complex networks. The statistical properties and dynamics of the proposed model is analytically studied and compared with those of Barabási–Albert scale-free model. Numerical simulations indicate that this network model yields a transition between power-law and exponential scaling, while the Barabási–Albert scale-free model is only one of its special (limiting) cases. Particularly, this model can be used to enhance the evolving mechanism of complex networks in the real world, such as some social networks development.     

Theory of main chain nematic polymers with spacers of varying degree of flexibility

Main chain liquid crystal polymers are modelled as either worms or jointed rods. In reality they are composed of mesogenic units (rods) linked by spacers with varying degrees of flexibility. We present a molecular model to describe non-homogeneous nematic polymers. The model takes account of molecular parameters, such as the lengths of the mesogenic group and the spacer units, and the interactions between them. The spacers are found to have an order differing from the mesogenic units. If the spacer is not very long and thus in effect is inflexible, one end of the spacer can retain to some extent the orientation of the other end, allowing orientational correlation between spacers mediated by the intermediate mesogenic unit. This is important in giving the chain a global rod-like behaviour as the nematic field becomes strong or the temperature low. The nematic order of the two components (mesogens and spacers), the nematic-isotropic transition as well as the latent entropy are examined. Furthermore, the anisotropic conformations of the polymers are investigated, which show either rod-like or random walk behaviour. Comparison of our results with experiment is found to be satisfactory.     

Tunable pores in mesoporous silica films studied using a pulsed slow positron beam

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) based on a pulsed slow positron beam was applied to study mesoporous silica films, synthesized using amphiphilic PEO–PPO–PEO triblock copolymers as structure-directing agents. The pore size depends on the loading of different templates. Larger pores were formed in silica films templated by copolymers with higher molecular-weights. Using 2-dimensional PALS, open porosity of silica films was also found to be influenced by the molecular-weight as well as the ratio of hydrophobic PPO moiety of the templates.     

A new three-particle-interaction model to predict the thermodynamic properties of different electrolytes

In this study, Guggenheim charging process, which involves the radial Boltzmann distribution, was introduced to develop a new predictive model with three parameters, ion–ion distance parameter, ion–solvent parameter, and solvation parameter. In this model, the ion–ion and ion–solvent molecule interaction are all included in the charging process, and it is independent of the temperature and solvent. This new model was applied to correlate the experimental data from literatures for 208 electrolytes aqueous solution at T = 298.15 K of which the concentration range is wide. The calculated results agreed well with the experimental ones for most electrolytes, especially for the prediction in high ionic strength. The estimation of solvation parameter S also gave that the solvation tendency for cations and anions follow a trend, which is in consistent with results published in literature. Investigations were also been made in calculations for electrolytes solutions at other temperatures and non-aqueous system, which proved this model was also feasible.