Condensed Matter Theory

Abstract:

We propose an experiment to probe the unconventional quantum statistics of quasiparticles in fractional quantum Hall states by measurement of current noise. The geometry we consider is that of a Hall bar where two quantum point contacts introduce two interfering amplitudes for backscattering. Thermal fluctuations of the number of quasiparticles enclosed between the two point contacts introduce current noise, which reflects the statistics of the quasiparticles. We analyze Abelian ν=1/q states and the non-Abelian ν=5/2 state. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

We study, using functional renormalization, two copies of an elastic system pinned by mutually correlated random potentials. Short scale decorrelation depends on a nontrivial boundary layer regime with (possibly multiple) chaos exponents. Large scale mutual displacement correlations behave as [x - x'](2zeta-mu), mu proportional to the difference between Flory (or mean field) and exact roughness exponents zeta. For short range disorder mu>0 and small; e.g., for random bond interfaces mu=5zeta-epsilon, epsilon=4-d, and mu=epsilon{[(2pi)(2)/36]-1} for the one component Bragg glass. Random field (i.e., long range) disorder exhibits finite residual correlations (no chaos mu=0) described by new functional renormalization fixed points. Temperature and dynamic chaos (depinning) are discussed.

Abstract:

We use a lattice Boltzmann method to study pattern formation in chemically reactive binary fluids in the regime where hydrodynamic effects are important. The coupled equations solved by the method are a Cahn-Hilliard equation, modified by the inclusion of a reactive source term, and the Navier-Stokes equations for conservation of mass and momentum. The coupling is twofold, resulting from the advection of the order parameter by the velocity field and the effect of fluid composition on pressure. We study the evolution of the system following a critical quench for a linear and for a quadratic reaction source term. Comparison is made between the high and low viscosity regimes to identify the influence of hydrodynamic flows. In both cases hydrodynamics is found to influence the pathways available for domain growth and the eventual steady states.