Condensed Matter Theory

Abstract:

We report a resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study of charge excitations in the quasi-one-dimensional Mott insulator SrCuO2. We observe a continuum of low-energy excitations, the onset of which exhibits a small dispersion of approximately 0.4 eV. Within this continuum, a highly dispersive feature with a large sinusoidal dispersion (approximately 1.1 eV) is observed. We have also measured the optical conductivity, and studied the dynamic response of the extended Hubbard model with realistic parameters, using a dynamical density-matrix renormalization group method. In contrast to earlier work, we do not find a long-lived exciton, but rather these results suggest that the excitation spectrum comprises a holon-antiholon continuum together with a broad resonance.

Abstract:

We discuss the behaviour of a quantum Hall system when two Landau levels with opposite spin and combined filling factor near unity are brought into energetic coincidence using an in-plane component of magnetic field. We focus on the interpretation of recent experiments under these conditions (Phys. Rev. Lett. 86 (2001) 866; Phys. Rev. B 64 (2001) 121305), in which a large resistance anisotropy develops at low temperatures. Modelling the systems involved as Ising quantum Hall ferromagnets, we suggest that this transport anisotropy reflects domain formation induced by a random field arising from isotropic sample surface roughness. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

We present a lattice Boltzmann model to describe the spreading of droplets on topologically patterned substrates. We apply it to model superhydrophobic behaviour on surfaces covered by an array of micron-scale posts. We find that the patterning results in a substantial increase in contact angle, from 110degrees to 156degrees.