Condensed Matter Theory

Abstract:

We consider the statistical mechanics of a class of models involving close-packed loops with fugacity n on three-dimensional lattices. The models exhibit phases of two types as a coupling constant is varied: in one, all loops are finite, and in the other, some loops are infinitely extended. We show that the loop models are discretizations of CPn-1 σ models. The finite and infinite loop phases represent, respectively, disordered and ordered phases of the σ model, and we discuss the relationship between loop properties and σ model correlators. On large scales, loops are Brownian in an ordered phase and have a nontrivial fractal dimension at a critical point. We simulate the models, finding continuous transitions between the two phases for n=1,2,3 and first order transitions for n≥4. We also give a renormalization-group treatment of the CPn-1 model that shows how a continuous transition can survive for values of n larger than (but close to) 2, despite the presence of a cubic invariant in the Landau-Ginzburg description. The results we obtain are of broader relevance to a variety of problems, including SU(n) quantum magnets in (2+1) dimensions, Anderson localization in symmetry class C, and the statistics of random curves in three dimensions. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Abstract:

We consider the statistical mechanics of a class of models involving close-packed loops with fugacity $n$ on three-dimensional lattices. The models exhibit phases of two types as a coupling constant is varied: in one, all loops are finite, and in the other, some loops are infinitely extended. We show that the loop models are discretisations of $CP^{n-1}$ $\sigma$ models. The finite and infinite loop phases represent, respectively, disordered and ordered phases of the $\sigma$ model, and we discuss the relationship between loop properties and $\sigma$ model correlators. On large scales, loops are Brownian in an ordered phase and have a non-trivial fractal dimension at a critical point. We simulate the models, finding continuous transitions between the two phases for $n=1,2,3$ and first order transitions for $n\geq 4$. We also give a renormalisation group treatment of the $CP^{n-1}$ model that shows how a continuous transition can survive for values of $n$ larger than (but close to) two, despite the presence of a cubic invariant in the Landau-Ginzburg description. The results we obtain are of broader relevance to a variety of problems, including SU(n) quantum magnets in (2+1) dimensions, Anderson localisation in symmetry class C, and the statistics of random curves in three dimensions.

Abstract:

We study driven flow with exclusion in graphenelike structures. The totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP), a well-known model in its strictly one-dimensional (chain) version, is generalized to cylinder (nanotube) and ribbon (nanoribbon) geometries. A mean-field theoretical description is given for very narrow ribbons ("necklaces") and nanotubes. For specific configurations of bond transmissivity rates, and for a variety of boundary conditions, theory predicts equivalent steady-state behavior between (sublattices on) these structures and chains. This is verified by numerical simulations, to excellent accuracy, by evaluating steady-state currents. We also numerically treat ribbons of general width. We examine the adequacy of this model to the description of electronic transport in carbon nanotubes and nanoribbons or specifically designed quantum-dot arrays.