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2003-09-29
A common trend in the chemical evolution of Local Group dwarf spheroidals and Damped Ly-alpha systems
We compare chemical abundances of Local Group dwarf spheroidals, obtained from recent UVES/VLT observations, and of high redshift Damped Lyman alpha systems (DLAs), corrected for dust effects. We focus, in particular, on the abundance ratio between alpha-capture elements and iron, alpha/Fe, a well known indicator of chemical evolution. Comparison of the data in the plane alpha/Fe versus Fe/H shows a remarkable similarity between the dwarf spheroidals and the DLAs, suggestive of a common trend in their chemical evolution. At any given metallicity these two distinct types of astronomical targets show alpha/Fe ratios systematically lower than those of Milky Way stars. In terms of chemical evolution models, this suggests that, on average, dSph galaxies and DLA systems are characterized by lower, or more episodic, star formation rates than the Milky Way.
0309765v1
2003-10-15
H_2-bearing damped Lyman-alpha systems as tracers of cosmological chemical evolution
The chemical abundances in damped Lyman-alpha systems (DLAs) show more than 2 orders of magnitude variation at a given epoch, possibly because DLAs arise in a wide variety of host galaxies. This could significantly bias estimates of chemical evolution. We explore the possibility that DLAs in which H_2 absorption is detected may trace cosmological chemical evolution more reliably since they may comprise a narrower set of physical conditions. The 9 known H_2 absorption systems support this hypothesis: metallicity exhibits a faster, more well-defined evolution with redshift than in the general DLA population. The dust-depletion factor and, particularly, H_2 molecular fraction also show rapid increases with decreasing redshift. We comment on possible observational selection effects which may bias this evolution. Larger samples of H_2-bearing DLAs are clearly required and may constrain evolution of the UV background and DLA galaxy host type with redshift.
0310409v2
2004-01-21
Constraints on Early Nucleosynthesis from the Abundance Pattern of a Damped Ly-alpha System at z = 2.626
We have investigated chemical evolution in the young universe by analysing the detailed chemical enrichment pattern of a metal-rich galaxy at high redshift. The recent detection of over 20 elements in the gas-phase of a damped Lyman-alpha absorber (DLA) at z = 2.626 represents an exciting new avenue for exploring early nucleosynthesis. Given a strict upper age of ~2.5 Gyr and a gas-phase metallicity about one third solar, we have shown the DLA abundance pattern to be consistent with the predictions of a chemical evolution model in which the interstellar enrichment is dominated by massive stars with a small contribution from Type Ia supernovae. Discrepancies between the empirical data and the models are used to highlight outstanding issues in nucleosynthesis theory, including a tendency for Type II supernovae models to overestimate the magnitude of the "odd-even" effect at subsolar metallicities. Our results suggest a possible need for supplemental sources of magnesium and zinc, beyond that provided by massive stars.
0401413v1
2004-03-23
The clustering of galaxies around three damped Ly-alpha absorbers at Redshift Three
[Abridged] We present out results on the cross-correlation of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) around three damped \Ly absorbers (DLAs) at redshift three from deep multi-band MOSAIC images obtained at the KPNO 4m. The large area of the MOSAIC images, 0.31 $\deg^2$ allows us to probe the clustering of LBGs on scales up to 20 Mpc co-moving to test whether DLA halos are more or less massive than LBG halos. . We present our survey that covers a total of 1 deg$^2$ and contains $\sim$3,000 LBGs with photometric redshifts between 2.8 and 3.5. Within a redshift slice of width $W_z=0.15$, we find that the DLA-LBG cross-correlation is $1.6\pm 1.3$ times the LBG-LBG autocorrelation. This corresponds to a correlation length of $r_o=5\pm4.5h^{-1}$ (co-moving). The cross-correlation is most significant on scales 5-10 Mpc, and is significantly greater than zero at the $>95$% level from Monte Carlo simulations.
0403544v2
2004-03-31
Cold Neutral Gas in a z=4.2 Damped Lyman-alpha System: The Fuel for Star Formation
We discuss interstellar temperature determinations using the excitation equilibrium of the ^2P levels of Si II and C II. We show how observations of the ^2P_3/2 fine structure levels of Si II and C II (which have significantly different excitation energies, corresponding to ~413 and 92 K, respectively) can be used to limit gas kinetic temperatures. We apply this method to the z=4.224 damped Lyman-alpha system toward the quasar PSS1443+27. The lack of significant absorption out of the SiII ^2P_3/2 level and the presence of very strong C II ^2P_3/2 provides an upper limit to the temperature of the C II*-bearing gas in this system. Assuming a solar Si/C ratio, the observations imply a 2-sigma limit T<954 K for this absorber; a super-solar Si/C ratio gives stricter limits, T<524 K. The observations suggest the presence of a cold neutral medium; such cold gas may serve as the fuel for star formation in this young galaxy.
0404005v2
2004-04-27
Molecular fraction limits in damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems
We have used the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association (BIMA) array to search for redshifted millimetre absorption in a sample of damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems (DLAs). This brings the number of published systems searched from 18 to 30. In 17 cases we reach $3\sigma$ limits of $\tau\leq0.1$, which is a significant improvement over the previous searches and more than sufficient to detect the 4 known redshifted millimetre absorbers ($\tau\gapp1$). While the CO rotational (millimetre) column density limits obtained are weaker than the electronic (optical) limits, they may provide useful limits below the atmospheric cut-off for the Lyman and Werner \MOLH-bands in the UV ($z_{\rm abs}\lapp1.8$). Using a model for the DLA metallicity evolution combined with assumed HCO$^+$/\MOLH ~and CO/\MOLH \~conversion ratios, we use the molecular column density limits to calculate plausible \MOLH ~molecular fraction limits. Finally, we use these results to discuss the feasibility of detecting rotational CO transitions in DLAs with the next generation of large radio telescopes.
0404516v1
2004-08-07
Metals and Dust in Intermediate-redshift Damped Ly-alpha Galaxies
We report spectroscopic observations with the Multiple Mirror Telescope for 11 damped Lyman-alpha absorbers (DLAs) or strong DLA candidates at 0.1 < z < 1.5, including several absorbers discovered in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. In particular, we have measured absorption lines of Zn II, Cr II, Ni II, Fe II, Mn II, Ti II, Ca II, and Si II. These measurements have doubled the sample of Zn and Cr measurements at z < 1. The average relative abundance patterns in these objects are very similar to those found for high-redshift DLAs reported in the literature. Our observations suggest that the dust content, as determined by [Cr/Zn], does not show much change with redshift. We also examine the sample for correlation of [Cr/Zn] with estimates of the quasar reddening. Our data suggest that the global mean metallicity of DLAs, as measured by the gas phase abundance of Zn, at best shows a weak evolution with redshift over the range 0.4 < z <3.9.
0408139v1
2004-09-22
On Detecting the X-ray Silhouette of a Damped Lyman alpha System
We explore the possibility of resolving an image of a damped Lyman alpha (DLA) system in absorption against an extended, diffuse background X-ray source. Typical columns of neutral hydrogen in DLAs are high enough to block out up to ~30% of the soft X-ray flux at an observed photon energy of 0.5 keV, and we find that ~ 1% of the area of extended X-ray sources at z > 1 have their 0.5 keV flux reduced by at least 20%. We discuss the observability of such absorption and find that < 2 arcsecond resolution, and > 300 photons per angular resolution element are required in the 0.3-8 keV band for its detection, and in order to distinguish it from intrinsic surface brightness fluctuations. For the surface brightness of the currently known high-redshift extended X-ray sources, this requires an integration time of a few Msec on Chandra. The detection will be within the reach of a routine observation with a next generation X-ray telescope such as XEUS or Generation X.
0409516v2
2004-10-11
Is the solar corona nonmodally self-heated?
Recently it was pointed out that nonmodally (transiently and/or adiabatically) pre-amplified waves in shear flows, undergoing subsequent viscous damping, can ultimately heat the ambient flow. The key ingredient of this process is the ability of waves to grow, by extracting energy from the spatially inhomogeneous mean flow. In this paper we examine this mechanism in the context of the solar coronal plasma flows. "Self-heating" (SH) processes are examined when both viscous damping and magnetic resistivity are at work. We show that if the plasma viscosity is in the favorable range of values the asymptotic SH rate in these flows can be quite substantial.
0410279v1
2004-10-23
Extended Neutral Gas Around z ~ 0.5 Galaxies: Properties of Damped Lya Absorbing Galaxies
I review current results from searching for galaxies giving rise to damped Lya absorbers (DLAs) at z<1. Using 14 confirmed DLA galaxies, I further show that intermediate-redshift galaxies possess large HI envelope out to 24-30 h^{-1} kpc radius. The photometric and spectral properties of these galaxies confirm that DLA galaxies are drawn from the typical field population, and not from a separate population of low surface brightness or dwarf galaxies. Comparisons of the ISM abundances of the DLA galaxies and the metallicities of the absorbers at large galactic radii suggest that some DLAs originate in the relatively unevolved outskirts of galactic disks.
0410558v1
2004-11-25
Survey for Galaxies Associated with z~3 Damped Lyman alpha Systems I: Spectroscopic Calibration of u'BVRI Photometric Selection
We present a survey for z~3 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) associated with damped Lyman alpha systems (DLAs) with the primary purpose of determining the DLA-LBG cross-correlation. This paper describes the acquisition and analysis of imaging and spectroscopic data of 9 quasar fields having 11 known z~3 DLAs covering an area of 465 arcmin^2. Using deep u'BVRI images, 796 LBG candidates to an apparent R_AB magnitude of 25.5 were photometrically selected from 17,343 sources detected in the field. Spectroscopic observations of 529 LBG candidates using Keck LRIS yielded 339 redshifts. We have conservatively identified 211 z>2 objects with <z>=3.02+/-0.32. We discuss our method of z~3 LBG identification and present a model of the u'BVRI photometric selection function. We use the 339 spectra to evaluate our u'BVRI z~3 Lyman break photometric selection technique.
0411681v1
2005-01-06
Observations of Solar Flare Doppler Shift Oscillations with the Bragg Crystal Spectrometer on Yohkoh
Oscillations in solar coronal loops appear to be a common phenomenon. Transverse and longitudinal oscillations have been observed with both the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer and Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope imaging experiments. Damped Doppler shift oscillations have been observed in emission lines from ions formed at flare temperatures with the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation Spectrometer. These observations provide valuable diagnostic information on coronal conditions and may help refine our understanding of coronal heating mechanisms. I have initiated a study of the time dependence of Doppler shifts measured during flares with the Bragg Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) on Yohkoh. This Letter reports the detection of oscillatory behavior in Doppler shifts measured as a function of time in the emission lines of S XV and Ca XIX. For some flares, both lines exhibit damped Doppler shift oscillations with amplitudes of a few km/s and periods and decay times of a few minutes. The observations appear to be consistent with transverse oscillations. Because the BCS observed continuously for almost an entire solar cycle, it provides numerous flare data sets, which should permit an excellent characterization of the average properties of the oscillations.
0501093v1
2005-03-09
Abundances in Damped Ly-alpha Galaxies
Damped Ly_alpha galaxies provide a sample of young galaxies where chemical abundances can be derived throughout the whole universe with an accuracy comparable to that for the local universe. Despite a large spread in redshift, HI column density and metallicity, DLA galaxies show a remarkable uniformity in the elemental ratios rather suggestive of similar chemical evolution if not of an unique population. These galaxies are characterized by a moderate, if any, enhancement of alpha-elements over Fe-peak elemental abundance with [S/Zn] about 0 and [O/Zn] about 0.2, rather similarly to the dwarfs galaxies in the Local Group. Nitrogen shows a peculiar behaviour with a bimodal distribution and possibly two plateaux. In particular, the plateau at low N abundances ([N/H] < -3), is not observed in other atrophysical sites and might be evidence for primary N production by massive stars.
0503214v1
2005-03-10
Pulsar: repeatable Lagrangian singularity
In general, the interior of radially symmetric self-gravitating sphere is considered in terms of hydrostatic equilibrium (HSE). This approach implies the possibility of the static being of a body. Such a static state is assumed to be the result of asymptotic damping of the process of formation. It is shown here that the damping of this process is impossible: if a sphere vibrates radially, then compressional wave is singular at the centre; dynamical singularity has no intermediate stages of the fading; the HSE-state is unachievable. Self-gravitating sphere perpetually vibrates in essentially singular way, it contains dynamical central region -- pulsatile Lagrangian cavity. Theoretical properties of this cavity indicate that this is a pulsar. A pulsar is common structural feature for every self-gravitating structure.
0503231v2
2005-03-14
Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in Relativistic Tori
Motivated by recent interesting work on p-mode oscillations in axisymmetric hydrodynamic black-hole tori by Rezzolla, Zanotti, and collaborators, I explore the robustness of these oscillations by means of two and three-dimensional relativistic hydrodynamic and MHD simulations. The primary purpose of this investigation is to determine how the amplitudes of these oscillations are affected by the presence of known instabilities of black-hole tori, including the Papaloizou-Pringle instability (PPI) and the magneto-rotational instability (MRI). Both instabilities drive accretion at rates above those considered in Rezzolla's work. The increased accretion can allow wave energy to leak out of the torus into the hole. Furthermore, with the MRI, the presence of turbulence, which is absent in the hydrodynamic simulations, can lead to turbulent damping (or excitation) of modes. The current numerical results are preliminary, but suggest that the PPI and MRI both significantly damp acoustic oscillations in tori.
0503305v1
2005-03-17
The first observed stellar X-ray flare oscillation: Constraints on the flare loop length and the magnetic field
We present the first X-ray observation of an oscillation during a stellar flare. The flare occurred on the active M-type dwarf AT Mic and was observed with XMM-Newton. The soft X-ray light curve (0.2-12 keV) is investigated with wavelet analysis. The flare's extended, flat peak shows clear evidence for a damped oscillation with a period of around 750 s, an exponential damping time of around 2000 s, and an initial, relative peak-to-peak amplitude of around 15%. We suggest that the oscillation is a standing magneto-acoustic wave tied to the flare loop, and find that the most likely interpretation is a longitudinal, slow-mode wave, with a resulting loop length of (2.5 +- 0.2) e10 cm. The local magnetic field strength is found to be (105 +- 50) G. These values are consistent with (oscillation-independent) flare cooling time models and pressure balance scaling laws. Such a flare oscillation provides an excellent opportunity to obtain coronal properties like the size of a flare loop or the local magnetic field strength for the otherwise spatially-unresolved star.
0503384v1
2005-04-25
Emission-line spectroscopy of Damped Lyman Alpha Systems: The case of SBS 1543+593/HS 1543+5921
We report HST/STIS spectroscopy and Gemini/GMOS-N imaging of the Damped Lyman Alpha (DLA) system toward HS 1543+5921 caused by the host star-forming galaxy (SFG) SBS 1543+593. The Gemini image shows new morphological details of this well resolved DLA galaxy. In combination with previous optical spectra, the new UV spectra enable us to compare for the first time, ionized and neutral gas-phase alpha-element abundances derived from emission- and absorption-line spectroscopy, in a bona fide DLA galaxy. The abundances we determine using emission-line diagnostics agree with those from absorption-line diagnostics. We present our results on a metallicity versus redshift diagram that combines local HII regions and SFGs with high-redshift DLAs, and discuss implications for the chemical evolution of galaxies.
0504556v1
2005-04-27
Self-consistent radiative effect on relativistic electromagnetic particle acceleration
We study the radiation damping effect on the relativistic acceleration of electron-positron plasmas with two-and-half-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. Particles are accelerated by Poynting flux via the diamagnetic relativistic pulse accelerator (DRPA), and decelerated by the self-consistently solved radiation damping force. With $\Omega_{ce}/\omega_{pe}\geq 10$, the Lorentz factor of the highest energy particles reaches gamma>100, and the acceleration still continues. The emitted radiation is peaked within few degrees from the direction of Poynting flux and strongly linearly polarized, which may be detectable in gamma-ray burst(GRB) observations. We also show that the DRPA is insensitive to the initial supporting currents.
0504612v2
2005-07-13
UHE neutrino damping in a thermal gas of relic neutrinos
We present a calculation of the damping of an ultra-energetic (UHE) cosmic neutrino travelling through the thermal gas of relic neutrinos, using the formalism of finite-temperature field theory. From the self-energy diagram due to Z exchange, we obtain the annihilation cross section for an UHE neutrino interacting with an antineutrino from the background. This method allows us to derive the full expressions for the UHE neutrino transmission probability, taking into account the momentum of relic neutrinos. We compare our results with the approximations in use in the literature. We discuss the effect of thermal motion on the shape of the absorption dips for different UHE neutrino fluxes as well as in the context of relic neutrino clustering. We find that for ratios of the neutrino mass to the relic background temperature $10^2$ or smaller, the thermal broadening of the absorption lines could significantly affect the determination of the neutrino mass and of the characteristics of the population of UHE sources.
0507333v2
2005-07-25
Post-inflation increase of the cosmological tensor-to-scalar perturbation ratio
We investigate the possibility that the amplitude of scalar density perturbations may be damped after inflation. This would imply that CMB anisotropies do not uniquely fix the amplitude of the perturbations generated during inflation and that the present tensor-to-scalar ratio might be larger than produced in inflation, increasing the prospects of detection of primordial gravitational radiation. It turns out, however, that the damping of density perturbations is hard to achieve.
0507573v3
2005-09-08
Possible Detection of Lyman-alpha Fluorescence from a Damped Lyman Alpha system at Redshift z=2.8
We have detected Lyman-alpha emission from a damped Lyman-alpha system (DLA) that lies near the bright quasar HS1549+1919. The DLA has the same redshift as HS1549+1919 and was discovered in the spectrum of a faint QSO that lies 49" away (380 proper kpc). The emission line's luminosity, double-peaked profile, and small spatial separation from the DLA suggest that it may be fluorescent Lyman-alpha emission from gas that is absorbing the nearby QSO's radiation. If this is the case, our observations show that the DLA has a size of at least 1.5" and that the QSO's luminosity one million years ago was similar to its luminosity today. A survey for similar systems within 1' of bright QSOs would put interesting limits on the mean quasar lifetime.
0509229v1
2005-11-17
Measurement of the Spatial Cross-Correlation Function of Damped Lyman Alpha Systems and Lyman Break Galaxies
We present the first spectroscopic measurement of the spatial cross-correlation function between damped Lyman alpha systems (DLAs) and Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). We obtained deep u'BVRI images of nine QSO fields with 11 known z ~ 3 DLAs and spectroscopically confirmed 211 R < 25.5 photometrically selected z > 2 LBGs. We find strong evidence for an overdensity of LBGs near DLAs versus random, the results of which are similar to that of LBGs near other LBGs. A maximum likelihood cross-correlation analysis found the best fit correlation length value of r_0 = 2.9^(+1.4)_(-1.5) h^(-1)Mpc using a fixed value of gamma = 1.6. The implications of the DLA-LBG clustering amplitude on the average dark matter halo mass of DLAs are discussed.
0511509v1
2006-01-29
Relative abundance pattern along the profile of high redshift Damped Lyman-alpha systems
We investigated abundance ratios along the profiles of six high-redshift Damped Lyman-alpha systems, three of them associated with H2 absorption, and derived optical depths in each velocity pixel. The variations of the pixel abundance ratios were found to be remarkably small and usually smaller than a factor of two within a profile. This result holds even when considering independent sub-clumps in the same system. The depletion factor is significantly enhanced only in those components where H2 is detected. There is a strong correlation between [Fe/S] and [Si/S] abundances ratios, showing that the abundance ratio patterns are definitely related to the presence of dust. The depletion pattern is usually close to the one seen in the warm halo gas of our Galaxy.
0601664v1
2006-02-14
VLT/UVES constraints on the carbon isotope ratio 12C/13C at z=1.15 toward the quasar HE 0515-4414
We analyzed the CI lines associated with the damped Ly-alpha system observed at zabs = 1.15 in the spectrum of HE 0515-4414 to derive the 12C/13C ratio. The spectrum was obtained by means of the UV-Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT). The obtained lower limit 12C/13C > 80 (2sigma C.L.) shows for the first time that the abundance of 13C in the extragalactic intervening clouds is very low. This rules out a significant contribution from intermediate-mass stars to the chemical evolution of matter sampled by this line of sight. The estimated low amount of 13C is in agreement with low abundances of nitrogen observed in damped Ly-alpha systems - the element produced in the same nuclear cycles and from about the same stars as 13C.
0602303v1
2006-06-08
The detectability of HI 21-cm absorption in damped Lyman-alpha systems
In this paper we investigate the possible reasons why HI 21-cm absorption in damped Lyman-alpha systems (DLAs) has only been detected at low redshift... We suggest that the lack of 21-cm absorption detections at high redshift arises from the fact that these DLAs are at similar angular diameter distances to the background quasars (i.e. the distance ratios are always close to unity): Above z~1.6 the covering factor becomes largely independent of the DLA--QSO distance, making the high redshift absorbers much less effective at covering the background continuum emission. At low redshift, small distance ratios are strongly favoured by the 21-cm detections, whereas large ratios are favoured by the non-detections. This mix of distance ratios gives the observed mix of detections and non-detections at z<1.6.In addition to the predominance of large distance ratios and non-detections at high redshift, this strongly suggests that the observed distribution of 21-cm absorption in DLAs is dominated by geometric effects.
0606180v1
2006-07-15
Damping and excitation variations of the solar acoustic modes using LOWL observations
We have used observations made with the helioseismic instrument LOWL collected over $\sim$ 6 years to carry out an independent study of the variations of the p-mode damping and excitation rates with solar activity. We observe significant variations in the mode height, mode width and mode velocity power over a wide range of angular degree values. Their sensitivities to solar activity show clear evidence of frequency dependence, the modes in the frequency range from 2700 and 3300 $\mu$Hz showing the largest variations and exhibiting a maximum change centered around 3100 $\mu$Hz. As for the mode energy supply rate, it is consistent, at the level of precision of the observations, with a zero change along the solar cycle and over the range of studied frequencies. Moreover, the variations with solar activity of each of these parameters are observed to be more or less $\ell$-independent over the range of studied angular degrees. Our results provide the first in-depth confirmation of the findings obtained from GONG measurements for intermediate angular degrees.
0607346v1
2006-09-01
A line profile analysis of the pulsating red giant star epsilon Ophiuchi (G9.5III)
So far, solar-like oscillations have been studied using radial velocity and/or light curve variations, which reveal frequencies of the oscillation modes. Line-profile variations, however, are also a valuable diagnostic to characterise radial and non-radial oscillations, including frequencies, amplitudes, the spherical mode wavenumbers (l,m) and the stellar inclination angle. Here we present a line profile analysis of epsilon Ophiuchi, which is a pulsating red giant. The main differences compared to previous line profile analyses done for heat-driven oscillations are the small amplitudes and the predicted short damping and re-excitation times in red giants. Two line diagnostics have been tested to see whether these are sensitive to the small line profile variations present in red giants. In addition, line profiles have been simulated with short damping and re-excitation times and are compared with the observations. This comparison reveals that non-radial modes are detected in the observed line profile variations of epsilon Ophiuchi. This is rather surprising, as theoretical predictions favours the occurrence of radial modes.
0609043v1
2006-10-11
Determining the neutron star equation of state using the narrow-band gravitational wave detector Schenberg
We briefly review the properties of quasi-normal modes of neutron stars and black holes. We analyse the consequences of a possible detection of such modes via the gravitational waves associated with them, especially addressing our study to the Brazilian spherical antenna, on which a possible detection would occur at 3.0-3.4 kHz. A question related to any putative gravitational wave detection concerns the source that produces it. We argue that, since the characteristic damping times for the gravitational waves of neutron stars and black holes are different, a detection can distinguish between them, and also distinguish the neutron stars oscillating modes. Moreover, since the source can be identified by its characteristic damping time, we are able to extract information about the neutron star or black hole. This information would lead, for example, to a strong constraint in the nuclear matter equation of state, namely the compression modulus should be K=220 MeV.
0610335v1
2006-12-14
Three dimensional numerical simulations of acoustic wave field in the upper convection zone of the Sun
Results of numerical 3D simulations of propagation of acoustic waves inside the Sun are presented. A linear 3D code which utilizes realistic OPAL equation of state was developed by authors. Modified convectively stable standard solar model with smoothly joined chromosphere was used as a background model. High order dispersion relation preserving numerical scheme was used to calculate spatial derivatives. The top non-reflecting boundary condition established in the chromosphere absorbs waves with frequencies greater than the acoustic cut-off frequency which pass to the chromosphere, simulating a realistic situation. The acoustic power spectra obtained from the wave field generated by sources randomly distributed below the photosphere are in good agreement with observations. The influence of the height of the top boundary on results of simulation was studied. It was shown that the energy leakage through the acoustic potential barrier damps all modes uniformly and does not change the shape of the acoustic spectrum. So the height of the top boundary can be used for controlling a damping rate without distortion of the acoustic spectrum. The developed simulations provide an important tool for testing local helioseismology.
0612364v1
2006-12-15
Damp Mergers: Recent Gaseous Mergers without Significant Globular Cluster Formation?
Here we test the idea that new globular clusters (GCs) are formed in the same gaseous ("wet") mergers or interactions that give rise to the young stellar populations seen in the central regions of many early-type galaxies. We compare mean GC colors with the age of the central galaxy starburst. The red GC subpopulation reveals remarkably constant mean colors independent of galaxy age. A scenario in which the red GC subpopulation is a combination of old and new GCs (formed in the same event as the central galaxy starburst) can not be ruled out; although this would require an age-metallicity relation for the newly formed GCs that is steeper than the Galactic relation. However, the data are also well described by a scenario in which most red GCs are old, and few, if any, are formed in recent gaseous mergers. This is consistent with the old ages inferred from some spectroscopic studies of GCs in external systems. The event that induced the central galaxy starburst may have therefore involved insufficient gas mass for significant GC formation. We term such gas-poor events "damp" mergers.
0612415v1
2006-12-21
Accretion of Terrestrial Planets from Oligarchs in a Turbulent Disk
We have investigated the final accretion stage of terrestrial planets from Mars-mass protoplanets that formed through oligarchic growth in a disk comparable to the minimum mass solar nebula (MMSN), through N-body simulation including random torques exerted by disk turbulence due to Magneto-Rotational-Instability. For the torques, we used the semi-analytical formula developed by Laughlin et al.(2004). The damping of orbital eccentricities (in all runs) and type-I migration (in some runs) due to the tidal interactions with disk gas are also included. We found that the orbital eccentricities pumped up by the turbulent torques and associated random walks in semimajor axes tend to delay isolation of planets, resulting in more coagulation of planets than in the case without turbulence. The eccentricities are still damped after planets become isolated. As a result, the number of final planets decreases with increase in strength of the turbulence, while Earth-mass planets with small eccentricities are still formed. In the case of relatively strong turbulence, the number of final planets are 4-5 at 0.5-2AU, which is consistent with Solar system, for relatively wide range of disk surface density (~10^{-4}-10^{-2} times MMSN).
0612619v1
2007-01-18
Models of the Collisional Damping Scenario for Ice Giant Planets and Kuiper Belt Formatio
Chiang et al. 2006, hereafter C06 have recently proposed that the observed structure of the Kuiper belt could be the result of a dynamical instability of a system of ~5 primordial ice giant planets in the outer Solar System. According to this scenario, before the instability occurred, these giants were growing in a highly collisionally damped environment according to the arguments in Goldreich et al. (2004a,b, hereafter G04). Here we test this hypothesis with a series of numerical simulations using a new code designed to incorporate the dynamical effects of collisions. We find that we cannot reproduce the observed Solar System. In particular, G04 and C06 argue that during the instability, all but two of the ice giants would be ejected from the Solar System by Jupiter and Saturn, leaving Uranus and Neptune behind. We find that ejections are actually rare and that instead the systems spread outward. This always leads to a configuration with too many planets that are too far from the Sun. Thus, we conclude that both G04's scheme for the formation of Uranus and Neptune and C06's Kuiper belt formation scenario are not viable in their current forms.
0701544v1
2007-02-05
Ion Charge States in the Fast Solar Wind: New Data Analysis and Theoretical Refinements
We present a further investigation into the increased ionization observed in element charge states in the fast solar wind compared to its coronal hole source regions. Once ions begin to be perpendicularly heated by ion cyclotron waves and execute large gyro-orbits, density gradients in the flow can excite lower hybrid waves that then damp by heating electrons in the parallel direction. We give further analysis of charge state data from polar coronal holes at solar minimum and maximum, and also from equatorial coronal holes. We also consider further the damping of lower hybrid waves by ions and the effect of non-Maxwellian electron distribution functions on the degree of increased ionization, both of which appear to be negligible for the solar wind case considered here. We also suggest that the density gradients required to heat electrons sufficiently to further ionize the solar wind can plausibly result from the turbulent cascade of MHD waves.
0702131v1
1995-10-11
Multiple Transitions to Chaos in a Damped Parametrically Forced Pendulum
We study bifurcations associated with stability of the lowest stationary point (SP) of a damped parametrically forced pendulum by varying $\omega_0$ (the natural frequency of the pendulum) and $A$ (the amplitude of the external driving force). As $A$ is increased, the SP will restabilize after its instability, destabilize again, and so {\it ad infinitum} for any given $\omega_0$. Its destabilizations (restabilizations) occur via alternating supercritical (subcritical) period-doubling bifurcations (PDB's) and pitchfork bifurcations, except the first destabilization at which a supercritical or subcritical bifurcation takes place depending on the value of $\omega_0$. For each case of the supercritical destabilizations, an infinite sequence of PDB's follows and leads to chaos. Consequently, an infinite series of period-doubling transitions to chaos appears with increasing $A$. The critical behaviors at the transition points are also discussed.
9510003v1
1996-03-04
Period Doublings in Coupled Parametrically Forced Damped Pendulums
We study period doublings in $N$ $(N=2,3,4, \dots)$ coupled parametrically forced damped pendulums by varying $A$ (the amplitude of the external driving force) and $c$ (the strength of coupling). With increasing $A$, the stationary point undergoes multiple period-doubling transitions to chaos. We first investigate the two-coupled case with $N=2$. For each period-doubling transition to chaos, the critical set consists of an infinity of critical line segments and the zero-coupling critical point lying on the line $A=A^*_i$ in the $A-c$ plane, where $A^*_i$ is the $i$th transition point for the uncoupled case. We find three kinds of critical behaviors, depending on the position on the critical set. They are the same as those for the coupled one-dimensional maps. Finally, the results of the $N=2$ case are extended to many-coupled cases with $N \geq 3$, in which the critical behaviors depend on the range of coupling.
9603002v1
1996-12-05
Fractal Basins of Attraction Associated with a Damped Newton's Method
An intriguing and unexpected result for students learning numerical analysis is that Newton's method, applied to the simple polynomial z^3 - 1 = 0 in the complex plane, leads to intricately interwoven basins of attraction of the roots. As an example of an interesting open question that may help to stimulate student interest in numerical analysis, we investigate the question of whether a damping method, which is designed to increase the likelihood of convergence for Newton's method, modifies the fractal structure of the basin boundaries. The overlap of the frontiers of numerical analysis and nonlinear dynamics provides many other problems that can help to make numerical analysis courses interesting.
9612010v1
1999-01-28
Intrinsically localized chaos in discrete nonlinear extended systems
The phenomenon of intrinsic localization in discrete nonlinear extended systems, i.e. the (generic) existence of discrete breathers, is shown to be not restricted to periodic solutions but it also extends to more complex (chaotic) dynamical behaviour. We illustrate this with two different forced and damped systems exhibiting this type of solutions: In an anisotropic Josephson junction ladder, we obtain intrinsically localized chaotic solutions by following periodic rotobreather solutions through a cascade of period-doubling bifurcations. In an array of forced and damped van der Pol oscillators, they are obtained by numerical continuation (path-following) methods from the uncoupled limit, where its existence is trivially ascertained, following the ideas of the anticontinuum limit.
9901030v1
1995-03-27
Dynamics of a Strongly Damped Two-Level System: Beyond the DBGA
Dynamics of a dissipative two-level system is studied using quantum relaxation theory. This calculation for the first time goes beyond the commonly used dilute bounce gas approximation (DBGA), even for strong damping. The new results obtained here deviate from the DBGA results at low temperatures, however, the DBGA form is recovered at high temperatures. The results in the parameter regime $ 1/2<\alpha <1$, where the model has connection with the Kondo Hamiltonian, are of particular significance. In this regime, the spin shows a cross-over to a slower exponential relaxation at intermediate times, which is roughly half the relaxation rate at short times, as also observed in Quantum Monte-Carlo simulation of the model. The asymptotic behavior of the spin in the Kondo regime is in agreement with the exact conformal field theory results for the Kondo model. A connection of the dissipative dynamics of the two-level system with the quantum Zeno effect is also presented.
9503133v1
1995-05-23
The phase-dependent linear conductance of a superconducting quantum point contact
The exact expression for the phase-dependent linear conductance of a weakly damped superconducting quantum point contact is obtained. The calculation is performed by summing up the complete perturbative series in the coupling between the electrodes. The failure of any finite order perturbative expansion in the limit of small voltage and small quasi-particle damping is analyzed in detail. In the low transmission regime this nonperturbative calculation yields a result which is at variance with standard tunnel theory. Our result predicts the correct sign of the quasi-particle pair interference term and exhibits an unusual phase-dependence at low temperatures in qualitative agreement with the available experimental data.
9505102v1
1996-02-27
Quasiparticle properties of a coupled quantum wire electron-phonon system
We study leading-order many-body effects of longitudinal optical (LO) phonons on electronic properties of one-dimensional quantum wire systems. We calculate the quasiparticle properties of a weakly polar one dimensional electron gas in the presence of both electron-phonon and electron-electron interactions. The leading-order dynamical screening approximation (GW approximation) is used to obtain the electron self-energy, the quasiparticle spectral function, and the quasiparticle damping rate in our calculation by treating electrons and phonons on an equal footing. Our theory includes effects (within the random phase approximation) of Fermi statistics, Landau damping, plasmon-phonon mode coupling, phonon renormalization, dynamical screening, and impurity scattering. In general, electron-electron and electron-phonon many-body renormalization effects are found to be nonmultiplicative and nonadditive in our theoretical results for quasiparticle properties.
9602143v1
1996-02-29
Dynamical response of a one dimensional quantum wire electron system
We provide a self-contained theoretical analysis of the dynamical response of a one dimensional electron system, as confined in a semiconductor quantum wire, within the random phase approximation. We carry out a detailed comparison with the corresponding two and three dimensional situations, and discuss the peculiarities arising in the one dimensional linear response from the non-existence of low energy single-particle excitations and from the linear nature of the long wavelength plasmon mode. We provide a critical discussion of the analytic properties of the complex dielectric function in the complex frequency plane. We investigate the zeros of the complex dielectric function, and calculate the plasmon dispersion, damping, and plasmon spectral weight in one dimension. We consider finite temperature and impurity scattering effects on one dimensional plasmon dispersion and damping.
9602157v1
1996-08-24
New Universality Class at the Superconductor--Insulator Transition
We study dynamic properties of thin films near the superconductor - insulator transition. We formulate the problem in a phase representation. The key new feature of our model is the assumption of a {\it local} ohmic dissipative mechanism. Coarse graining leads to a Ginzburg-Landau description, with non-ohmic dynamics for the order parameter. For strong enough damping a new universality class is observed. It is characterized by a {\it non-universal} d.c. conductivity, and a damping dependent dynamical critical exponent. The formulation also provides a description of the magnetic field-tuned transition. Several microscopic mechanisms are proposed as the origin of the dissipation.
9608115v1
1996-10-07
Supersymmetric Fokker-Planck strict isospectrality
I report a study of the nonstationary one-dimensional Fokker-Planck solutions by means of the strictly isospectral method of supesymmetric quantum mechanics. The main conclusion is that this technique can lead to a space-dependent (modulational) damping of the spatial part of the nonstationary Fokker-Planck solutions, which I call strictly isospectral damping. At the same time, using an additive decomposition of the nonstationary solutions suggested by the strictly isospectral procedure and by an argument of Englefield [J. Stat. Phys. 52, 369 (1988)], they can be normalized and thus turned into physical solutions, i.e., Fokker-Planck probability densities. There might be applications to many physical processes during their transient period
9610049v2
1997-04-03
Quasiparticle Many-Body Dynamics of Highly Correlated Electronic Systems
The self-consistent theory of the correlation effects in Highly Correlated Systems(HCS) is presented. The novel Irreducible Green's Functions(IGF) method is discused in detail for the Hubbard model and random Hubbard model. The interpolative solution for the quasiparticle spectrum, which is valid for both the atomic and band limit is obtained. The (IGF) method permits to calculate the quasiparticle spectra of many-particle systems with the complicated spectra and strong interaction in a very natural and compact way. The inelastic scattering corrections leads to the damping of the quasiparticles and are the main topic of the present consideration. The calculation of the damping has been done in a self-consistent way for both limits. For the random Hubbard model the weak coupling case has been considered and the self-energy operator has been calculated using the combination of the IGF method and Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA). The other applications of the method to s-f model, Anderson model, Heisenberg antiferromagnet, electron-phonon interaction models are discussed briefly.
9704028v1
1997-12-17
Detecting flux creep in superconducting YBCO thin films via damping of the oscillations of a levitating permanent magnet
The damping of the oscillations of a small permanent magnet (spherical shape, radius 0.1 mm) levitating between two parallel epitaxial YBCO films is measured as a function of oscillation amplitude and temperature. At small amplitudes the dissipation is found to be orders of magnitude lower than in bulk YBCO, Q-factors exceeding one million at low temperatures. With increasing amplitude the dissipation becomes exponentially large, exceeding the bulk values at large drives. We describe our results by calculating the ac shielding currents flowing through trapped flux whose motion gives rise to electric fields. We find dissipation to originate from different mechanisms of flux dynamics.
9712199v1
1998-02-06
Spin polaron damping in the spin-fermion model for cuprate superconductors
A self-consistent, spin rotational invariant Green's function procedure has been developed to calculate the spectral function of carrier excitations in the spin-fermion model for the CuO2 plane. We start from the mean field description of a spin polaron in the Mori-Zwanzig projection method. In order to determine the spin polaron lifetime in the self-consistent Born approximation, the self-energy is expressed by an irreducible Green's function. Both, spin polaron and bare hole spectral functions are calculated. The numerical results show a well pronounced quasiparticle peak near the bottom of the dispersion at (pi/2,pi/2), the absence of the quasiparticle at the Gamma-point, a rather large damping away from the minimum and an asymmetry of the spectral function with respect to the antiferromagnetic Brillouin zone. These findings are in qualitative agreement with photoemission data for undoped cuprates. The direct oxygen-oxygen hopping is responsible for a more isotropic minimum at (pi/2,pi/2).
9802074v1
1998-02-24
Resonant steps and spatiotemporal dynamics in the damped dc-driven Frenkel-Kontorova chain
Kink dynamics of the damped Frenkel-Kontorova (discrete sine-Gordon) chain driven by a constant external force are investigated. Resonant steplike transitions of the average velocity occur due to the competitions between the moving kinks and their radiated phasonlike modes. A mean-field consideration is introduced to give a precise prediction of the resonant steps. Slip-stick motion and spatiotemporal dynamics on those resonant steps are discussed. Our results can be applied to studies of the fluxon dynamics of 1D Josephson-junction arrays and ladders, dislocations, tribology and other fields.
9802251v1
1998-05-09
The resonance peak in cuprate superconductors
We pursue the consequences of a theory in which the resonance peak observed in inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments on underdoped and optimally doped YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ compounds arises from a spin-wave excitation. We find that it is heavily damped, and thus almost not observable, in the normal state, but becomes visible in the superconducting state due to the drastic decrease in spin damping. We show that a spin-fermion model correctly describes the temperature dependence of the peak position for YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$, as well as the doping dependence of the peak position and of the integrated intensity. We explain why no resonance peak has been observed in La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$, and make several predictions concerning resonance peaks in other cuprate superconductors.
9805107v1
1998-05-22
On the driven Frenkel-Kontorova model: I. Uniform sliding states and dynamical domains of different particle densities
The dynamical behavior of a harmonic chain in a spatially periodic potential (Frenkel-Kontorova model, discrete sine-Gordon equation) under the influence of an external force and a velocity proportional damping is investigated. We do this at zero temperature for long chains in a regime where inertia and damping as well as the nearest-neighbor interaction and the potential are of the same order. There are two types of regular sliding states: Uniform sliding states, which are periodic solutions where all particles perform the same motion shifted in time, and nonuniform sliding states, which are quasi-periodic solutions where the system forms patterns of domains of different uniform sliding states. We discuss the properties of this kind of pattern formation and derive equations of motion for the slowly varying average particle density and velocity. To observe these dynamical domains we suggest experiments with a discrete ring of at least fifty Josephson junctions.
9805287v1
1999-01-29
Acoustic radiation controls friction: Evidence from a spring-block experiment
Brittle failures of materials and earthquakes generate acoustic/seismic waves which lead to radiation damping feedbacks that should be introduced in the dynamical equations of crack motion. We present direct experimental evidence of the importance of this feedback on the acoustic noise spectrum of well-controlled spring-block sliding experiments performed on a variety of smooth surfaces. The full noise spectrum is quantitatively explained by a simple noisy harmonic oscillator equation with a radiation damping force proportional to the derivative of the acceleration, added to a standard viscous term.
9901350v2
1999-03-02
d_{x^2-y^2}-Wave Pairing Fluctuations and Pseudo Spin Gap in Two-Dimensional Electron Systems
Pseudogap phenomena of high-T_c cuprates are examined. In terms of AFM (antiferromagnetic) and dSC (d_{x^2-y^2}-wave superconducting) auxiliary fields introduced to integrate out the fermions, the effective action for 2D electron systems with AFM and dSC fluctuations is considered. By the self-consistent renormalization (SCR), the NMR relaxation rate T_1^{-1}, the spin correlation length \xi_\sigma and the pairing correlation length \xi_d are calculated. From this calculation, a mechanism of the pseudogap formation emerges as the region of dominant d-wave short-range order (SRO) over AFM-SRO. When damping for the AFM fluctuation strongly depends on the dSC correlation length through the formation of precursor singlets around (\pi,0) and (0,\pi) points in the momentum space, the pseudogap appears in a region of the normal state characterized by decreasing 1/T_1T and increasing AFM correlation length with decrease in temperature. This reproduces a characteristic feature of the pseudogap phenomena in many underdoped cuprates. When the damping becomes insensitive to the dSC correlation length, the pseudogap region shrinks as in the overdoped cuprates.
9903030v2
1999-03-11
Thermally activated escape rates of uniaxial spin systems with transverse field
Classical escape rates of uniaxial spin systems are characterized by a prefactor differing from and much smaller than that of the particle problem, since the maximum of the spin energy is attained everywhere on the line of constant latitude: theta=const, 0 =< phi =< 2*pi. If a transverse field is applied, a saddle point of the energy is formed, and high, moderate, and low damping regimes (similar to those for particles) appear. Here we present the first analytical and numerical study of crossovers between the uniaxial and other regimes for spin systems. It is shown that there is one HD-Uniaxial crossover, whereas at low damping the uniaxial and LD regimes are separated by two crossovers.
9903192v2
1999-04-19
Numerical analysis of the dissipative two-state system with the density-matrix Hilbert-space-reduction algorithm
Ground state of the dissipative two-state system is investigated by means of the Lanczos diagonalization method. We adopted the Hilbert-space-reduction scheme proposed by Zhang, Jeckelmann and White so as to reduce the overwhelming reservoir Hilbert space to being tractable in computers. Both the implementation of the algorithm and the precision applied for the present system are reported in detail. We evaluate the dynamical susceptibility (resolvent) with the continued-fraction-expansion formula. Through analysing the resolvent over a frequency range, whose range is often called `interesting' frequency, we obtain the damping rate and the oscillation frequency. Our results agree with those of a recent quantum Monte-Carlo study, which concludes that the critical dissipation from oscillatory to over-damped behavior decreases as the tunneling amplitude is strengthened.
9904260v1
1999-05-02
Finite Temperature Time-Dependent Effective Theory For The Goldstone Field In A BCS-Type Superfluid
We extend to finite temperature the time-dependent effective theory for the Goldstone field (the phase of the pair field) $ \theta $ which is appropriate for a superfluid containing one species of fermions with s-wave interactions, described by the BCS Lagrangian. We show that, when Landau damping is neglected, the effective theory can be written as a local time-dependent non-linear Schr\"{o}dinger Lagrangian (TDNLSL) which preserves the Galilean invariance of the zero temperature effective theory and is identified with the superfluid component. We then calculate the relevant Landau terms which are non-local and which destroy the Galilean invariance. We show that the retarded $\theta$-propagator (in momentum space) can be well represented by two poles in the lower-half frequency plane, describing damping with a predicted temperature, frequency and momentum dependence. It is argued that the real parts of the Landau terms can be approximately interpreted as contributing to the normal fluid component.
9905008v2
1999-06-29
Simulation of I-V Hysteresis Branches in An Intrinsic Stack of Josephson Junctions in High $T_c$ Superconductors
I-V characteristics of the high T$_c$ superconductor Bi$_2$Sr$_2$Ca$_1$C$_2$O$_8$ shows a strong hysteresis, producing many branches. The origin of hysteresis jumps is studied by use of the model of multi-layered Josephson junctions proposed by one of the authors (T. K.). The charging effect at superconducting layers produces a coupling between the next nearest neighbor phase-differences, which determines the structure of hysteresis branches. It will be shown that a solution of phase motions is understood as a combination of rotating and oscillating phase-differences, and that, at points of hysteresis jumps, there occurs a change in the number of rotating phase-differences. Effects of dissipation are analyzed. The dissipation in insulating layers works to damp the phase motion itself, while the dissipation in superconducting layers works to damp relative motions of phase-differences. Their effects to hysteresis jumps are discussed.
9906422v1
1999-07-05
The interplay between flattening and damping of single particle spectra in strongly correlated Fermi systems
The self-consistent theory of the fermion condensation, a specific phase transition which results in a rearrangement of the single particle degrees of freedom in strongly correlated Fermi systems is developed. Beyond the phase transition point, the single particle spectra are shown to be flat. The interplay between the flattening and the damping of the single particle spectra at $T\to 0$ is investigated. The width $\gamma(\epsilon)$ of the single particle states is found to grow up linearly with $\epsilon$ over a wide range of energy as in a marginal Fermi liquid. Our results gain insight into the success of the phenomenological theory of the normal states of high-temperature superconductors by Varma et al.
9907061v1
1999-10-19
Zener transitions between dissipative Bloch bands. II: Current Response at Finite Temperature
We extend, to include the effects of finite temperature, our earlier study of the interband dynamics of electrons with Markoffian dephasing under the influence of uniform static electric fields. We use a simple two-band tight-binding model and study the electric current response as a function of field strength and the model parameters. In addition to the Esaki-Tsu peak, near where the Bloch frequency equals the damping rate, we find current peaks near the Zener resonances, at equally spaced values of the inverse electric field. These become more prominenent and numerous with increasing bandwidth (in units of the temperature, with other parameters fixed). As expected, they broaden with increasing damping (dephasing).
9910290v1
1999-11-02
Shifts and widths of collective excitations in trapped Bose gases by the dielectric formalism
We present predictions for the temperature dependent shifts and damping rates. They are obtained by applying the dielectric formalism to a simple model of a trapped Bose gas. Within the framework of the model we use lowest order perturbation theory to determine the first order correction to the results of Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov-Popov theory for the complex collective excitation frequencies, and present numerical results for the temperature dependence of the damping rates and the frequency shifts. Good agreement with the experimental values measured at JILA are found for the m=2 mode, while we find disagreements in the shifts for m=0. The latter point to the necessity of a non-perturbative treatment for an explanation of the temperature-dependence of the m=0 shifts.
9911018v1
2000-06-13
Characteristic features of anharmonic effects in the lattice dynamics of fcc metals
The dispersion in the entire Brillouin zone and the temperature dependence (right up to the melting temperature) of the anharmonic frequency shift and phonon damping in a number of fcc metals is investigated on the basis of microscopic calculations. It is found that the anharmonic effects depend sharply on the wave vector in the directions $\Gamma$-X, X-W, and $\Gamma$-L and, in contrast to bcc metals, the magnitude of the effects is not due to the softness of the initial phonon spectrum. It is shown that the relative frequency shifts and the phonon damping near melting do not exceed 10-20%. The relative role of various anharmonic processes is examined, and the relation between the results obtained and existing experimental data is discussed.
0006205v1
2000-06-20
Collisional damping of the collective oscillations of a trapped Fermi gas
We consider a Fermi gas confined by a harmonic trapping potential and we highlight the role of the Fermi-Dirac statistics by studying frequency and damping of collective oscillations of quadrupole type in the framework of the quantum Boltzmann equation, in which statistical corrections are taken into account in the collisional integral. We are able to describe the crossover from the collisionless regime to the hydrodynamic one by introducing a temperature-dependent relaxation time $\tau_Q$. We show that, in the degenerate regime, the relaxation rate $1/\tau_Q$ exhibits a temperature dependence different from the collision rate $\gamma$. We finally compare the collisional properties of the Fermi gas with the ones of the Bose gas for temperatures above the Bose-Einstein condensation.
0006305v2
2000-06-21
Resonances in the dynamics of $φ^4$ kinks perturbed by ac forces
We study the dynamics of $\phi^4$ kinks perturbed by an ac force, both with and without damping. We address this issue by using a collective coordinate theory, which allows us to reduce the problem to the dynamics of the kink center and width. We carry out a careful analysis of the corresponding ordinary differential equations, of Mathieu type in the undamped case, finding and characterizing the resonant frequencies and the regions of existence of resonant solutions. We verify the accuracy of our predictions by numerical simulation of the full partial differential equation, showing that the collective coordinate prediction is very accurate. Numerical simulations for the damped case establish that the strongest resonance is the one at half the frequency of the internal mode of the kink. In the conclusion we discuss on the possible relevance of our results for other systems, especially the sine-Gordon equation. We also obtain additional results regarding the equivalence between different collective coordinate methods applied to this problem.
0006313v1
2000-07-11
Quantum phase transitions in d-wave superconductors
Motivated by the strong, low temperature damping of nodal quasiparticles observed in some cuprate superconductors, we study quantum phase transitions in d_{x^2-y^2} superconductors with a spin-singlet, zero momentum, fermion bilinear order parameter. We present a complete, group-theoretic classification of such transitions into 7 distinct cases (including cases with nematic order) and analyze fluctuations by the renormalization group. We find that only 2, the transitions to d_{x^2-y^2}+is and d_{x^2-y^2} + i d_{xy} pairing, possess stable fixed points with universal damping of nodal quasiparticles; the latter leaves the gapped quasiparticles along (1,0), (0,1) essentially undamped.
0007170v3
2000-07-12
Frequencies and Damping rates of a 2D Deformed Trapped Bose gas above the Critical Temperature
We derive the equation of motion for the velocity fluctuations of a 2D deformed trapped Bose gas above the critical temperature in the hydrodynamical regime. From this equation, we calculate the eigenfrequencies for a few low-lying excitation modes. Using the method of averages, we derive a dispersion relation in a deformed trap that interpolates between the collisionless and hydrodynamic regimes. We make use of this dispersion relation to calculate the frequencies and the damping rates for monopole and quadrupole mode in both the regimes. We also discuss the time evolution of the wave packet width of a Bose gas in a time dependent as well as time independent trap.
0007210v2
2000-09-01
The Broad Brillouin Doublet and CP of Ktao_3 : Second Sound vs. Two-Phonon Difference Scattering
Low-T Brillouin spectra of the incipient ferroelectric KTaO3 exhibit a broad central peak (CP), and additional Brillouin doublets (BD), that can both be related to phonon-density fluctuations. On the basis of new high-resolution neutron data obtained of low-lying phonon branches, we analysed the phonon-kinetics mechanisms that are possibly the origin of these unusual features. Firstly, transverse acoustic (TA) phonons whose normal damping is faster than the BD frequency can produce hydrodynamic second sound. Secondly, two-phonon difference scattering from low damping thermal transverse phonons contribute to the spectra with either a sharp or a broader doublet, depending on the phonon group velocity and anisotropy of dispersion surfaces. The position of the observed sharp doublet is consistent with both mechanisms, but a comparison of the computed and experimental anisotropies favours the second process.
0009011v1
2000-12-29
Finite Temperature Time-Dependent Effective Theory for the Phase Field in two-dimensional d-wave Neutral Superconductor
We derive finite temperature time-dependent effective actions for the phase of the pairing field, which are appropriate for a 2D electron system with both non-retarded d- and s-wave attraction. As for s-wave pairing the d-wave effective action contains terms with Landau damping, but their structure appears to be different from the s-wave case due to the fact that the Landau damping is determined by the quasiparticle group velocity v_{g}, which for d-wave pairing does not have the same direction as the non-interacting Fermi velocity v_{F}. We show that for d-wave pairing the Landau term has a linear low temperature dependence and in contrast to the s-wave case are important for all finite temperatures. A possible experimental observation of the phase excitations is discussed.
0012511v4
2001-01-23
Ginzburg-Landau theory for the time-dependent phase field in a two-dimensional d-wave superconductor
We derive a finite temperature time-dependent effective theory for the phase $\theta$ of the pairing field, which is appropriate for a 2D conducting electron system with non-retarded d-wave attraction. As for s-wave pairing the effective action contains terms with Landau damping, but their structure appears to be different from the s-wave case due to the fact that the Landau damping is determined by the quasiparticle group velocity $v_g$, which for the d-wave pairing does not have the same direction as the non-interacting Fermi velocity $v_F$. We show that for the d-wave pairing the Landau terms have a linear low temperature dependence and in contrast to the s-wave case are important for all finite temperatures.
0101353v1
2001-06-05
Damping and frequency shift in the oscillations of two colliding Bose-Einstein condensates
We have investigated the center-of-mass oscillations of a Rb87 Bose-Einstein condensate in an elongated magneto-static trap. We start from a trapped condensate and we transfer part of the atoms to another trapped level, by applying a radio-frequency pulse. The new condensate is produced far from its equilibrium position in the magnetic potential, and periodically collides with the parent condensate. We discuss how both the damping and the frequency shift of the oscillations are affected by the mutual interaction between the two condensates, in a wide range of trapping frequencies. The experimental data are compared with the prediction of a mean-field model.
0106072v1
2001-07-12
Ferromagnetism in the Hubbard model
We investigate the possibility and stability of bandferromagnetism in the single-band Hubbard model. This model poses a highly non-trivial many-body problem the general solution of which has not been found up to now. Approximations are still unavoidable. Starting from a simple two-pole ansatz for the spectral density our approach is systematically improved by focusing on the influence of quasiparticle damping and the correct weak-and strong coupling behaviour. The compatibility of the different aproximative steps with decisive moment sum rules is analysed and the importance of a spin-dependent band shift mediated by higher correlation functions is worked out. Results are presented in terms of temperature- and band occupation-dependent quasiparticle densities of states and band structures as well as spontaneous magnetisations, susceptibilities and Curie temperatures for varying electron densities and coupling strengths. Comparison is made to numerically essentially exact Quantum Monte Carlo calculations recently done by other authors using dynamical mean field theory for infinite-dimensional lattices. The main conclusion will be that the Hubbard model provides a qualitatively correct description of bandferromagnetism if quasiparticle damping and selfconsistent spin-dependent bandshifts are properly taken into account.
0107255v1
2001-09-10
Finite temperature theory of the scissors mode in a Bose gas using the moment method
We use a generalized Gross-Pitaevskii equation for the condensate and a semi-classical kinetic equation for the noncondensate atoms to discuss the scissors mode in a trapped Bose-condensed gas at finite temperatures. Both equations include the effect of $C_{12}$ collisions between the condensate and noncondensate atoms. We solve the coupled moment equations describing oscillations of the quadrupole moments of the condensate and noncondensate components to find the collective mode frequencies and collisional damping rates as a function of temperature. Our calculations extend those of Gu\'ery-Odelin and Stringari at T=0 and in the normal phase. They complement the numerical results of Jackson and Zaremba, although Landau damping is left out of our approach. Our results are also used to calculate the quadrupole response function, which is related to the moment of inertia. It is shown explicitly that the moment of inertia of a trapped Bose gas at finite temperatures involves a sum of an irrotational component from the condensate and a rotational component from the thermal cloud atoms.
0109149v1
2002-01-24
Dynamic light scattering from colloidal fractal monolayers
We address experimentally the problem of how the structure of a surface monolayer determines the visco-elasticity of the interface. Optical microscopy and surface quasi--elastic light scattering have been used to characterize aggregation of CaCO$_3$ particles at the air--water interface. The structures formed by cluster-cluster aggregation are two dimensional fractals which grow to eventually form a percolating network. This process is measured through image analysis. On the same system we measure the dynamics of interfacial thermal fluctuations (surface ripplons), and we discuss how the relaxation process is affected by the growing clusters. We show that the structures start damping the ripplons strongly when the two length scales are comparable. No macroscopic surface pressure is measured and this is in contrast to lipid, surfactant or polymer monolayers at concentrations corresponding to surface coverage. This observation and the difficulty in fitting the ripplon spectrum with traditional models suggest that a different physical mechanism might be responsible for the observed damping of ripplons in this system.
0201438v1
2002-08-08
Excitation and damping of collective modes of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a one-dimensional lattice
The mode structure of a Bose-Einstein condensate non-adiabatically loaded into a one-dimensional optical lattice is studied by analyzing the visibility of the interference pattern as well as the radial profile of the condensate after a time-of-flight. A simple model is proposed that predicts the short-time decrease of the visibility as a function of the condensate parameters. In the radial direction, heavily damped oscillations are observed, as well as an increase in the condensate temperature. These findings are interpreted as a re-thermalization due to dissipation of the initial condensate excitations into high-lying modes.
0208162v1
2002-08-12
Spectral Properties of the Generalized Spin-Fermion Models
In order to account for competition and interplay of localized and itinerant magnetic behaviour in correlated many body systems with complex spectra the various types of spin-fermion models have been considered in the context of the Irreducible Green's Functions (IGF) approach. Examples are generalized d-f model and Kondo-Heisenberg model. The calculations of the quasiparticle excitation spectra with damping for these models has been performed in the framework of the equation- of-motion method for two-time temperature Green's Functions within a non-perturbative approach. A unified scheme for the construction of Generalized Mean Fields (elastic scattering corrections) and self-energy (inelastic scattering) in terms of the Dyson equation has been generalized in order to include the presence of the two interacting subsystems of localized spins and itinerant electrons. A general procedure is given to obtain the quasiparticle damping in a self-consistent way. This approach gives the complete and compact description of quasiparticles and show the flexibility and richness of the generalized spin-fermion model concept.
0208227v1
2002-08-13
Itinerant Antiferromagnetism of Correlated Lattice Fermions
The problem of finding of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic "symmetry broken" solutions of the correlated lattice fermion models beyond the mean-field approximation has been investigated. The calculation of the quasiparticle excitation spectra with damping for the single- and multi-orbital Hubbard model has been performed in the framework of the equation- of-motion method for two-time temperature Green's Functions within a non-perturbative approach. A unified scheme for the construction of Generalized Mean Fields (elastic scattering corrections) and self-energy (inelastic scattering) in terms of the Dyson equation has been generalized in order to include the presence of the "source fields". The damping of quasiparticles, which reflects the interaction of the single-particle and collective degrees of freedom has been calculated. The "symmetry broken" dynamical solutions of the Hubbard model, which correspond to various types of itinerant antiferromagnetism has been discussed. This approach complements previous studies and clarifies the nature of the concepts of itinerant antiferromagnetism and "spin-aligning field" of correlated lattice fermions.
0208242v1
2003-01-21
Zero temperature damping of Bose-Einstein condensate oscillations by vortex-antivortex pair creation
We investigate vortex-antivortex pair creation in a supersonically expanding and contracting quasi-2D Bose-Einstein condensate at zero temperature. For sufficiently large amplitude condensate oscillations, pair production provides the leading dissipation mechanism. The condensate oscillations decay in a nonexponential fashion, and the dissipation rate depends strongly on the oscillation amplitude. These features allow to distinguish the decay due to pair creation from other possible damping mechanisms. Experimental observation of the predicted oscillation behavior of the superfluid gas provides a direct confirmation of the hydrodynamical analogy of quantum electrodynamics and quantum vortex dynamics in two spatial dimensions.
0301397v3
2003-02-10
Damped orbital excitations in the titanates
A possible mechanism for the removal of the orbital degeneracy in RTiO3 (where R=La, Y, ...) is considered. The calculation is based on the Kugel-Khomskii Hamiltonian for electrons residing in the t2g orbitals of the Ti ions, and uses a self-consistent pe rturbation expansion in the interaction between the orbital and the spin degrees of freedom. The latter are assumed to be ordered in a Neel state, brought about by delicate interactions that are not included in the Kugel-Khomskii Hamiltonian. Within our model calculations, each of the t2g bands is found to acquire a finite, temperature-dependent dispersion, that lifts the orbital degeneracy. The orbital excitations are found to be heavily damped over a rather wide band. Consequently, they do not participate as a separate branch of excitations in the low-temperature thermodynamics.e
0302182v1
2003-03-20
Energies and damping rates of elementary excitations in spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensed gases
Finite temperature Green's function technique is used to calculate the energies and damping rates of elementary excitations of the homogeneous, dilute, spin-1 Bose gases below the Bose-Einstein condensation temperature both in the density and spin channels. For this purpose the self-consistent dynamical Hartree-Fock model is formulated, which takes into account the direct and exchange processes on equal footing by summing up certain classes of Feynman diagrams. The model is shown to fulfil the Goldstone theorem and to exhibit the hybridization of one-particle and collective excitations correctly. The results are applied to the gases of ^{23}Na and ^{87}Rb atoms.
0303424v3
2003-04-17
Non-Fermi liquid behavior from two-dimensional antiferromagnetic fluctuations: a renormalization-group and large-N analysis
We analyze the Hertz-Moriya-Millis theory of an antiferromagnetic quantum critical point, in the marginal case of two dimensions (d=2,z=2). Up to next-to-leading order in the number of components (N) of the field, we find that logarithmic corrections do not lead to an enhancement of the Landau damping. This is in agreement with a renormalization-group analysis, for arbitrary N. Hence, the logarithmic effects are unable to account for the behavior reportedly observed in inelastic neutron scattering experiments on CeCu_{6-x}Au_x. We also examine the extended dynamical mean-field treatment (local approximation) of this theory, and find that only subdominant corrections to the Landau damping are obtained within this approximation, in contrast to recent claims.
0304415v1
2003-05-21
The path-coalescence transition and its applications
We analyse the motion of a system of particles subjected a random force fluctuating in both space and time, and experiencing viscous damping. When the damping exceeds a certain threshold, the system undergoes a phase transition: the particle trajectories coalesce. We analyse this transition by mapping it to a Kramers problem which we solve exactly. In the limit of weak random force we characterise the dynamics by computing the rate at which caustics are crossed, and the statistics of the particle density in the coalescing phase. Last but not least we describe possible realisations of the effect, ranging from trajectories of raindrops on glass surfaces to animal migration patterns.
0305491v2
2003-05-21
Magnetoresistive response of a high mobility 2DES under electromagnetic wave excitation
Oscillations of the resistance observed under electromagnetic wave excitation in the high mobility GaAs/AlGaAs 2DES are examined as a function of the radiation frequency and the power, utilizing an empirical lineshape based on exponentially damped sinusoids. The fit-analysis indicates the resistance oscillation frequency, F, increases with the radiation frequency, n, at the rate dF/dn = 2.37 mTesla/GHz; the damping parameter, a, is approximately independent of n at constant power; and the amplitude, A, of the oscillations grows slowly with the incident power, at a constant temperature and frequency. The lineshape appears to provide a good description of the data.
0305507v2
2003-06-16
Infrared Spectroscopy of Quantum Crossbars
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy can be used as an important and effective tool for probing periodic networks of quantum wires or nanotubes (quantum crossbars, QCB) at finite frequencies far from the Luttinger liquid fixed point. Plasmon excitations in QCB may be involved in resonance diffraction of incident electromagnetic waves and in optical absorption in the IR part of the spectrum. Direct absorption of external electric field in QCB strongly depends on the direction of the wave vector ${\bf q}.$ This results in two types of $1D\to 2D$ dimensional crossover with varying angle of an incident wave or its frequency. In the case of QCB interacting with semiconductor substrate, capacitive contact between them does not destroy the Luttinger liquid character of the long wave QCB excitations. However, the dielectric losses on a substrate surface are significantly changed due to appearance of additional Landau damping. The latter is initiated by diffraction processes on QCB superlattice and manifests itself as strong but narrow absorption peaks lying below the damping region of an isolated substrate.Submi
0306409v1
2003-06-19
Superradiant light scattering from a moving Bose-Einstein condensate
We investigate the interaction of a moving BEC with a far detuned laser beam. Superradiant Rayleigh scattering arises from the spontaneous formation of a matter-wave grating due to the interference of two wavepackets with different momenta. The system is described by the CARL-BEC model which is a generalization of the Gross-Pitaevskii model to include the self-consistent evolution of the scattered field. The experiment gives evidence of a damping of the matter-wave grating which depends on the initial velocity of the condensate. We describe this damping in terms of a phase-diffusion decoherence process, in good agreement with the experimental results.
0306500v2
2003-07-25
Finite temperature excitations of a trapped Bose-Fermi mixture
We present a detailed study of the low-lying collective excitations of a spherically trapped Bose-Fermi mixture at finite temperature in the collisionless regime. The excitation frequencies of the condensate are calculated self-consistently using the static Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory within the Popov approximation. The frequency shifts and damping rates due to the coupled dynamics of the condensate, noncondensate, and degenerate Fermi gas are also taken into account by means of the random phase approximation and linear response theory. In our treatment, the dipole excitation remains close to the bare trapping frequency for all temperatures considered, and thus is consistent with the generalized Kohn theorem. We discuss in some detail the behavior of monopole and quadrupole excitations as a function of the Bose-Fermi coupling. At nonzero temperatures we find that, as the mixture moves towards spatial separation with increasing Bose-Fermi coupling, the damping rate of the monopole (quadrupole) excitation increases (decreases). This provides us a useful signature to identify the phase transition of spatial separation.
0307638v1
2003-09-18
Memory-function approach to the normal-state optical properties of the Bechgaard salt (TMTSF)_2PF_6
The gauge invariant, two-component optical conductivity model, with a correlation gap structure related to the umklapp scattering processes, is applied to the quasi-one-dimensional electronic systems and compared to the recent measurements on the Bechgaard salt (TMTSF)_2PF_6. The optical response of both the insulating and metallic state is found for the half-filled conduction band, depending on the ratio between the correlation energy scale 2 \Delta^0_2 and the transfer integral in the direction perpendicular to the conducting chains, t_{{\rm b}'}. The estimated value 2 \Delta^0_2/t_{{\rm b}'} agrees reasonably well with the previous experimental and theoretical conclusions. Parallel to the chains the thermally activated conduction electrons in the insulating state are found to exhibit an universal behaviour, accounting for the observed single-particle optical conductivity of the ordered ground state of charge-density-wave systems. The band parameters and the related damping energies suitable to the normal metallic state of (TMTSF)_2PF_6 are estimated from the measured spectra. Not only the spectral weights but also the damping energies clearly indicate an opening of the correlation gap in the charge excitation spectrum
0309419v1
2003-10-03
Effects of electrostatic fields and Casimir force on cantilever vibrations
The effect of an external bias voltage and fluctuating electromagnetic fields on both the fundamental frequency and damping of cantilever vibrations is considered. An external voltage induces surface charges causing cantilever-sample electrostatic attraction. A similar effect arises from charged defects in dielectrics that cause spatial fluctuations of electrostatic fields. The cantilever motion results in charge displacements giving rise to Joule losses and damping. It is shown that the dissipation increases with decreasing conductivity and thickness of the substrate, a result that is potentially useful for sample diagnostics. Fluctuating electromagnetic fields between the two surfaces also induce attractive (Casimir) forces. It is shown that the shift in the cantilever fundamental frequency due to the Casimir force is close to the shift observed in recent experiments of Stipe et al. Both the electrostatic and Casimir forces have a strong effect on the cantilever eigenfrequencies, and both effects depend on the geometry of the cantilever tip. We consider cylindrical, spherical, and ellipsoidal tips moving parallel to a flat sample surface. The dependence of the cantilever effective mass and vibrational frequencies on the geometry of the tip is studied both numerically and analytically.
0310081v1
2003-10-07
Precessional switching of thin nanomagnets: analytical study
We study analytically the precessional switching of the magnetization of a thin macrospin. We analyze its response when subjected to an external field along its in-plane hard axis. We derive the exact trajectories of the magnetization. The switching versus non switching behavior is delimited by a bifurcation trajectory, for applied fields equal to half of the effective anisotropy field. A magnetization going through this bifurcation trajectory passes exactly along the hard axis and exhibits a vanishing characteristic frequency at that unstable point, which makes the trajectory noise sensitive. Attempting to approach the related minimal cost in applied field makes the magnetization final state unpredictable. We add finite damping in the model as a perturbative, energy dissipation factor. For a large applied field, the system switches several times back and forth. Several trajectories can be gone through before the system has dissipated enough energy to converge to one attracting equilibrium state. For some moderate fields, the system switches only once by a relaxation dominated precessional switching. We show that the associated switching field increases linearly with the damping parameter. The slope scales with the square root of the effective anisotropy. Our simple concluding expressions are useful to assess the potential application of precessional switching in magnetic random access memories.
0310147v1
2003-11-27
Temperature dependent Bogoliubov approximation in the classical fields approach to weakly interacting Bose gas
A classical fields approximation to the finite temperature microcanonical thermodynamics of weakly interacting Bose gas is applied to the idealized case of atoms confined in a box with periodic boundary conditions. We analyze in some detail the microcanonical temperature in the model. We also analyze the spectral properties of classical amplitudes of the plane waves -- the eigenmodes of the time averaged one--particle density matrix. Looking at the zero momentum component -- the order parameter of the condensate, we obtain the nonperturbative results for the chemical potential. Analogous analysis of the other modes yields nonperturbative temperature dependent Bogoliubov frequencies and their damping rates. Damping rates are linear functions of momenta in the phonon range and show more complex behavior for the particle sector. Where available, we make comparison with the analytic estimates of these quantities.
0311622v1
2003-12-29
Plasmon attenuation and optical conductivity of a two-dimensional electron gas
In a ballistic two-dimensional electron gas, the Landau damping does not lead to plasmon attenuation in a broad interval of wave vectors q << k_F. Similarly, it does not contribute to the optical conductivity \sigma (\omega, q) in a wide domain of its arguments, E_F > \omega > qv_F, where E_F, k_F and v_F are, respectively, the Fermi energy, wavevector and velocity of the electrons. We identify processes that result in the plasmon attenuation in the absence of Landau damping. These processes are: the excitation of two electron-hole pairs, phonon-assisted excitation of one pair, and a direct plasmon-phonon conversion. We evaluate the corresponding contributions to the plasmon linewidth and to the optical conductivity.
0312684v3
2004-03-05
Mode-coupling theory and molecular dynamics simulation for heat conduction in a chain with transverse motions
We study heat conduction in a one-dimensional chain of particles with longitudinal as well as transverse motions. The particles are connected by two-dimensional harmonic springs together with bending angle interactions. The problem is analyzed by mode-coupling theory and compared with molecular dynamics. We find very good, quantitative agreement for the damping of modes between a full mode-coupling theory and molecular dynamics result, and a simplified mode-coupling theory gives qualitative description of the damping. The theories predict generically that thermal conductance diverges as N^{1/3} as the size N increases for systems terminated with heat baths at the ends. The N^{2/5} dependence is also observed in molecular dynamics which we attribute to crossover effect.
0403162v1
2004-03-21
Evidence for Superfluidity in a Resonantly Interacting Fermi Gas
We observe collective oscillations of a trapped, degenerate Fermi gas of $^6$Li atoms at a magnetic field just above a Feshbach resonance, where the two-body physics does not support a bound state. The gas exhibits a radial breathing mode at a frequency of 2837(05) Hz, in excellent agreement with the frequency of $\nu_H\equiv\sqrt{10\nu_x\nu_y/3}=2830(20)$ Hz predicted for a {\em hydrodynamic} Fermi gas with unitarity limited interactions. The measured damping times and frequencies are inconsistent with predictions for both the collisionless mean field regime and for collisional hydrodynamics. These observations provide the first evidence for superfluid hydrodynamics in a resonantly interacting Fermi gas.
0403540v2
2004-03-22
Parametric Driving of Dark Solitons in Atomic Bose-Einstein Condensates
A dark soliton oscillating in an elongated harmonically-confined atomic Bose-Einstein condensate continuously exchanges energy with the sound field. Periodic optical `paddles' are employed to controllably enhance the sound density and transfer energy to the soliton, analogous to parametric driving. In the absence of damping, the amplitude of the soliton oscillations can be dramatically reduced, whereas with damping, a driven soliton equilibrates as a stable dark soliton with lower energy, thereby extending the soliton lifetime up to the lifetime of the condensate.
0403566v2
2004-04-09
Network-Induced Oscillatory Behavior in Material Flow Networks
Network theory is rapidly changing our understanding of complex systems, but the relevance of topological features for the dynamic behavior of metabolic networks, food webs, production systems, information networks, or cascade failures of power grids remains to be explored. Based on a simple model of supply networks, we offer an interpretation of instabilities and oscillations observed in biological, ecological, economic, and engineering systems. We find that most supply networks display damped oscillations, even when their units - and linear chains of these units - behave in a non-oscillatory way. Moreover, networks of damped oscillators tend to produce growing oscillations. This surprising behavior offers, for example, a new interpretation of business cycles and of oscillating or pulsating processes. The network structure of material flows itself turns out to be a source of instability, and cyclical variations are an inherent feature of decentralized adjustments.
0404226v1
2004-04-28
Dynamics of the Electro-Reflective Response of TaS3
We have observed a large (~1%) change in infrared reflectance of the charge-density-wave (CDW) conductor, orthorhombic TaS3, when its CDW is depinned. The change is concentrated near one current contact. Assuming that the change in reflectance is proportional to the degree of CDW polarization, we have studied the dynamics of CDW repolarization through position dependent measurements of the variation of the electro-reflectance with the frequency of square wave voltages applied to the sample, and have found that the response could be characterized as a damped harmonic oscillator with a distribution of relaxation (i.e. damping) times. The average relaxation time, which increases away from the contacts, varies with applied voltage as t0 ~ 1/V^p with p ~ 3/2, but the distribution of times broadens as the voltage approaches the depinning threshold. Very low resonant frequencies (~ 1 kHz) indicate a surprisingly large amount of inertia, which is observable in the time dependence of the change in reflectance as a polarity dependent delay of ~ 100 microsec.
0404690v1
2004-05-06
Damping of the de Haas-van Alphen oscillations in the superconducting state of MgB_2
The de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) signal arising from orbits on the $\pi$ Fermi surface sheet of the two-gap superconductor MgB$_2$ has been observed in the vortex state below $H_{c2}$. An extra attenuation of the dHvA signal, beyond those effects described in the conventional Lifshitz-Kosevich expression, is seen due to the opening of the superconducting gap. Our data show that the $\pi$ band gap is still present up to $H_{c2}$. The data are compared to current theories of dHvA oscillations in the superconducting state which allow us to extract estimates for the evolution of the $\pi$ band gap with magnetic field. Contrary to results for other materials, we find that the most recent theories dramatically underestimate the damping in MgB$_2$.
0405120v1
2004-05-26
Magnetic droplets in a metal close to a ferromagnetic quantum critical point
Using analytical and path integral Monte Carlo methods, we study the susceptibility $\chi_{dc}(T)$ of a spin-S impurity with XY rotational symmetry embedded in a metal. Close to a ferromagnetic quantum critical point, the impurity polarizes conduction electrons in its vicinity and forms a large magnetic droplet with moment M>>S. At not too low temperatures, the strongly damping paramagnon modes of the conduction electrons suppress large quantum fluctuations (or spin flips) of this droplet. We show that the susceptibility follows the law $\chi_{dc}(T)=(M^{2}/T)[1-(\pi g)^{-1}\ln(gE_{0}/T)]$, where the parameter g>>1 describes the strong damping by conduction electrons, and E_0 is the bandwidth of paramagnon modes. At exponentially low temperatures T << T_{*} ~ E_{0}\exp(-\pi g/2) we show that spin flips cannot be ignored. In this regime we find that $\chi_{dc}(T) \approx \chi_{dc}(0) [1-(2/3)(T/T_{*})^2]$, where $\chi_{dc}(0)\sim M^{2}/T_{*}$ is finite and exponentially large in g. We also discuss these effects in the context of the multi-channel Kondo impurity model.
0405618v2
2004-06-29
Pairing gaps in atomic gases at the BCS-BEC crossover
Strong evidence for pairing and superfluidity has recently been found in atomic Fermi gases at the BCS-BEC crossover both in collective modes and RF excitation energies. It is argued that the scale for the effective pairing gaps measured in RF experiments is set by the lowest quasiparticle in-gap excitation energies. These are calculated at the BCS-BEC crossover from semiclassical solutions to the Bogoliubov-deGennes equations. The strong damping of the radial breathing mode observed in the BCS limit occur when the lowest quasiparticle excitation energies coincide with the radial frequency, which indicates that a coupling between them take place.
0406714v3
2004-08-26
Decoherence of Rabi oscillations in a single quantum dot
We develop a realistic model of Rabi oscillations in a quantum-dot photodiode. Based in a multi-exciton density matrix formulation we show that for short pulses the two-level models fails and higher levels should be taken into account. This affects some of the experimental conclusions, such as the inferred efficiency of the state rotation (population inversion) and the deduced value of the dipole interaction. We also show that the damping observed cannot be explained using \emph{constant} rates with fixed pulse duration. We demonstrate that the damping observed is in fact induced by an off-resonant excitation to or from the continuum of wetting layer states. Our model describes the nonlinear decoherence behavior observed in recent experiments.
0408570v2
2004-08-28
Breakdown of Hydrodynamics in the Radial Breathing Mode of a Strongly-Interacting Fermi Gas
We measure the magnetic field dependence of the frequency and damping time for the radial breathing mode of an optically trapped, Fermi gas of $^6$Li atoms near a Feshbach resonance. The measurements address the apparent discrepancy between the results of Kinast et al., [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 92}, 150402 (2004)] and those of Bartenstein et al., [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 92}, 203201 (2004)]. Over the range of magnetic field from 770 G to 910 G, the measurements confirm the results of Kinast et al. Close to resonance, the measured frequencies are in excellent agreement with predictions for a unitary hydrodynamic gas. At a field of 925 G, the measured frequency begins to decrease below predictions. For fields near 1080 G, we observe a breakdown of hydrodynamic behavior, which is manifested by a sharp increase in frequency and damping rate. The observed breakdown is in qualitative agreement with the sharp transition observed by Bartenstein et al., at 910 G.
0408634v2
2004-10-01
Magnetic Properties of Cuprate Perovskites
The magnetic susceptibility of underdoped yttrium and lanthanum cuprates is interpreted based on the self-consistent solution of the t-J model of a Cu-O plane. The calculations reproduce correctly the frequency dependencies of the susceptibility in YBa2Cu3O_{7-y} and La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO4 attributing their dissimilarity to the difference in the damping of spin excitations. In YBa2Cu3O_{7-y} these excitations are well defined at the antiferromagnetic wave vector Q=(\pi,\pi) even in the normal state which manifests itself in a pronounced maximum -- the resonance peak -- in the susceptibility. In La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO4 the spin excitations are overdamped which leads to a broad low-frequency feature in the susceptibility. The low-frequency incommensurability in the magnetic response is attributed to a dip in the magnon damping at Q. The calculated concentration and temperature dependencies of the incommensurability parameter conform with experimental observations. Generally the incommensurate magnetic response is not accompanied with an inhomogeneity of the carrier density.
0410009v1
2004-11-12
Microwave induced resistance oscillations on a high-mobility 2DEG: absorption/reflection and temperature damping experiments
In this work we address experimentally a number of unresolved issues related to microwave induced resistance oscillations (MIRO) and the zero-resistance states observed recently on very high-mobility 2D electron gases in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures. In particular, we examine electrodynamic effects via reflection/absorption experiments and study the exact waveform of MIRO and their damping due to temperature. It is shown that electrodynamic effects due to metallic-like reflection and plasmons are important producing a wide cyclotron resonance line and a number of oscillations which do not coincide with the MIRO. To describe the MIRO waveform a simple model was employed involving radiation-induced scattering with displacement. A very good correlation was found between the temperature dependencies of the quantum lifetime from MIRO and the transport scattering time from the electron mobility. The results are compared with measurements of Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations down to 30 mK on the same sample.
0411338v1
2004-11-17
Path integral derivation of Bloch-Redfield equations for a qubit weakly coupled to a heat bath: Application to nonadiabatic transitions
Quantum information processing has greatly increased interest in the phenomenon of environmentally-induced decoherence. The spin boson model is widely used to study the interaction between a spin-modelling a quantum particle moving in a double well potential-and its environment-modelled by a heat bath of harmonic oscillators. This paper extends a previous analysis of the static spin boson study to the driven spin boson case, with the derivation of an exact integro-differential equation for the time evolution of the propagator of the reduced spin density matrix. This is the first main result. By specializing to weak damping we then obtain the next result, a set of Bloch-Redfield equations for the equilibrium fixed spin initial condition. Finally we show that these equations can be used to solve the classic dissipative Landau-Zener problem and illustrate these solutions for the weak damping case. The effect of dissipation is seen to be minimised as the speed of passage is increased, implying that qubits need to be switched as fast as possible.
0411443v1