Condensed Matter Theory

Abstract:

Multivalent ions can induce condensation of like-charged polyelectrolytes into compact states, a process that requires different ion valences for different polyelectrolyte species. In this work we examine the condensation behavior in binary anionic polyelectrolyte mixtures consisting of DNA coils and F-actin rods in the presence of monovalent, divalent, and trivalent ions. As expected, monovalent ions do not condense either component and divalent ions selectively condense F-actin rods out of the polyelectrolyte mixture. For trivalent ions, however, we observe a microphase separation between the two polyelectrolytes into coexisting finite-sized F-actin bundles and DNA toroids. Further, by increasing the DNA volume fraction in the mixture, condensed F-actin bundles can be completely destabilized, leading to only DNA condensation within the mixture. We examine a number of possible causes and propose a model based on polyelectrolyte competition for ions.

Abstract:

We use a simple model to describe the nonlinear dynamics of a dense two-dimensional dipolar exciton gas. The model predicts an initial fast expansion due to effective dipole pressure, followed by a much slower diffusion. The model is in very good agreement with recent experimental results. We show that the dipole-pressure-induced expansion strongly constrains the time available for achieving and observing Bose-Einstein quantum statistical effects, indicating a need for spatial exciton traps. We also suggest that nonlinear ballistic exciton transport due to the strong internal dipole pressure is readily achievable. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

In a topological quantum computer, universal quantum computation is performed by dragging quasiparticle excitations of certain two dimensional systems around each other to form braids of their world lines in 2 + 1 dimensional space-time. In this Letter we show that any such quantum computation that can be done by braiding n identical quasiparticles can also be done by moving a single quasiparticle around n - 1 other identical quasiparticles whose positions remain fixed.