Introduction to Liquid Crystals
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Phase-Transition Phenomena in Colloidal Systems with Attractive and Repulsive Particle Interactions Agienus Vrij," Marcel H
Faraday Discuss. Chem. SOC.,1990,90, 31-40 Phase-transition Phenomena in Colloidal Systems with Attractive and Repulsive Particle Interactions Agienus Vrij," Marcel H. G. M. Penders, Piet W. ROUW,Cornelis G. de Kruif, Jan K. G. Dhont, Carla Smits and Henk N. W. Lekkerkerker Van't Hof laboratory, University of Utrecht, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands We discuss certain aspects of phase transitions in colloidal systems with attractive or repulsive particle interactions. The colloidal systems studied are dispersions of spherical particles consisting of an amorphous silica core, coated with a variety of stabilizing layers, in organic solvents. The interaction may be varied from (steeply) repulsive to (deeply) attractive, by an appropri- ate choice of the stabilizing coating, the temperature and the solvent. In systems with an attractive interaction potential, a separation into two liquid- like phases which differ in concentration is observed. The location of the spinodal associated with this demining process is measured with pulse- induced critical light scattering. If the interaction potential is repulsive, crystallization is observed. The rate of formation of crystallites as a function of the concentration of the colloidal particles is studied by means of time- resolved light scattering. Colloidal systems exhibit phase transitions which are also known for molecular/ atomic systems. In systems consisting of spherical Brownian particles, liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization may occur. Also gel and glass transitions are found. Moreover, in systems containing rod-like Brownian particles, nematic, smectic and crystalline phases are observed. A major advantage for the experimental study of phase equilibria and phase-separation kinetics in colloidal systems over molecular systems is the length- and time-scales that are involved. -
Phase Transitions in Quantum Condensed Matter
Diss. ETH No. 15104 Phase Transitions in Quantum Condensed Matter A dissertation submitted to the SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ZURICH¨ (ETH Zuric¨ h) for the degree of Doctor of Natural Science presented by HANS PETER BUCHLER¨ Dipl. Phys. ETH born December 5, 1973 Swiss citizien accepted on the recommendation of Prof. Dr. J. W. Blatter, examiner Prof. Dr. W. Zwerger, co-examiner PD. Dr. V. B. Geshkenbein, co-examiner 2003 Abstract In this thesis, phase transitions in superconducting metals and ultra-cold atomic gases (Bose-Einstein condensates) are studied. Both systems are examples of quantum condensed matter, where quantum effects operate on a macroscopic level. Their main characteristics are the condensation of a macroscopic number of particles into the same quantum state and their ability to sustain a particle current at a constant velocity without any driving force. Pushing these materials to extreme conditions, such as reducing their dimensionality or enhancing the interactions between the particles, thermal and quantum fluctuations start to play a crucial role and entail a rich phase diagram. It is the subject of this thesis to study some of the most intriguing phase transitions in these systems. Reducing the dimensionality of a superconductor one finds that fluctuations and disorder strongly influence the superconducting transition temperature and eventually drive a superconductor to insulator quantum phase transition. In one-dimensional wires, the fluctuations of Cooper pairs appearing below the mean-field critical temperature Tc0 define a finite resistance via the nucleation of thermally activated phase slips, removing the finite temperature phase tran- sition. Superconductivity possibly survives only at zero temperature. -
Equations of State and Thermodynamics of Solids Using Empirical Corrections in the Quasiharmonic Approximation
PHYSICAL REVIEW B 84, 184103 (2011) Equations of state and thermodynamics of solids using empirical corrections in the quasiharmonic approximation A. Otero-de-la-Roza* and V´ıctor Luana˜ † Departamento de Qu´ımica F´ısica y Anal´ıtica, Facultad de Qu´ımica, Universidad de Oviedo, ES-33006 Oviedo, Spain (Received 24 May 2011; revised manuscript received 8 October 2011; published 11 November 2011) Current state-of-the-art thermodynamic calculations using approximate density functionals in the quasi- harmonic approximation (QHA) suffer from systematic errors in the prediction of the equation of state and thermodynamic properties of a solid. In this paper, we propose three simple and theoretically sound empirical corrections to the static energy that use one, or at most two, easily accessible experimental parameters: the room-temperature volume and bulk modulus. Coupled with an appropriate numerical fitting technique, we show that experimental results for three model systems (MgO, fcc Al, and diamond) can be reproduced to a very high accuracy in wide ranges of pressure and temperature. In the best available combination of functional and empirical correction, the predictive power of the DFT + QHA approach is restored. The calculation of the volume-dependent phonon density of states required by QHA can be too expensive, and we have explored simplified thermal models in several phases of Fe. The empirical correction works as expected, but the approximate nature of the simplified thermal model limits significantly the range of validity of the results. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.84.184103 PACS number(s): 64.10.+h, 65.40.−b, 63.20.−e, 71.15.Nc I. -
The Superconductor-Metal Quantum Phase Transition in Ultra-Narrow Wires
The superconductor-metal quantum phase transition in ultra-narrow wires Adissertationpresented by Adrian Giuseppe Del Maestro to The Department of Physics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject of Physics Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts May 2008 c 2008 - Adrian Giuseppe Del Maestro ! All rights reserved. Thesis advisor Author Subir Sachdev Adrian Giuseppe Del Maestro The superconductor-metal quantum phase transition in ultra- narrow wires Abstract We present a complete description of a zero temperature phasetransitionbetween superconducting and diffusive metallic states in very thin wires due to a Cooper pair breaking mechanism originating from a number of possible sources. These include impurities localized to the surface of the wire, a magnetic field orientated parallel to the wire or, disorder in an unconventional superconductor. The order parameter describing pairing is strongly overdamped by its coupling toaneffectivelyinfinite bath of unpaired electrons imagined to reside in the transverse conduction channels of the wire. The dissipative critical theory thus contains current reducing fluctuations in the guise of both quantum and thermally activated phase slips. A full cross-over phase diagram is computed via an expansion in the inverse number of complex com- ponents of the superconducting order parameter (equal to oneinthephysicalcase). The fluctuation corrections to the electrical and thermal conductivities are deter- mined, and we find that the zero frequency electrical transport has a non-monotonic temperature dependence when moving from the quantum critical to low tempera- ture metallic phase, which may be consistent with recent experimental results on ultra-narrow MoGe wires. Near criticality, the ratio of the thermal to electrical con- ductivity displays a linear temperature dependence and thustheWiedemann-Franz law is obeyed. -
Density Fluctuations Across the Superfluid-Supersolid Phase Transition in a Dipolar Quantum Gas
PHYSICAL REVIEW X 11, 011037 (2021) Density Fluctuations across the Superfluid-Supersolid Phase Transition in a Dipolar Quantum Gas J. Hertkorn ,1,* J.-N. Schmidt,1,* F. Böttcher ,1 M. Guo,1 M. Schmidt,1 K. S. H. Ng,1 S. D. Graham,1 † H. P. Büchler,2 T. Langen ,1 M. Zwierlein,3 and T. Pfau1, 15. Physikalisches Institut and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany 2Institute for Theoretical Physics III and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany 3MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms, Research Laboratory of Electronics, and Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA (Received 15 October 2020; accepted 8 January 2021; published 23 February 2021) Phase transitions share the universal feature of enhanced fluctuations near the transition point. Here, we show that density fluctuations reveal how a Bose-Einstein condensate of dipolar atoms spontaneously breaks its translation symmetry and enters the supersolid state of matter—a phase that combines superfluidity with crystalline order. We report on the first direct in situ measurement of density fluctuations across the superfluid-supersolid phase transition. This measurement allows us to introduce a general and straightforward way to extract the static structure factor, estimate the spectrum of elementary excitations, and image the dominant fluctuation patterns. We observe a strong response in the static structure factor and infer a distinct roton minimum in the dispersion relation. Furthermore, we show that the characteristic fluctuations correspond to elementary excitations such as the roton modes, which are theoretically predicted to be dominant at the quantum critical point, and that the supersolid state supports both superfluid as well as crystal phonons. -
Equation of State and Phase Transitions in the Nuclear
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics Has the rights of a manuscript Bugaev Kyrill Alekseevich UDC: 532.51; 533.77; 539.125/126; 544.586.6 Equation of State and Phase Transitions in the Nuclear and Hadronic Systems Speciality 01.04.02 - theoretical physics DISSERTATION to receive a scientific degree of the Doctor of Science in physics and mathematics arXiv:1012.3400v1 [nucl-th] 15 Dec 2010 Kiev - 2009 2 Abstract An investigation of strongly interacting matter equation of state remains one of the major tasks of modern high energy nuclear physics for almost a quarter of century. The present work is my doctor of science thesis which contains my contribution (42 works) to this field made between 1993 and 2008. Inhere I mainly discuss the common physical and mathematical features of several exactly solvable statistical models which describe the nuclear liquid-gas phase transition and the deconfinement phase transition. Luckily, in some cases it was possible to rigorously extend the solutions found in thermodynamic limit to finite volumes and to formulate the finite volume analogs of phases directly from the grand canonical partition. It turns out that finite volume (surface) of a system generates also the temporal constraints, i.e. the finite formation/decay time of possible states in this finite system. Among other results I would like to mention the calculation of upper and lower bounds for the surface entropy of physical clusters within the Hills and Dales model; evaluation of the second virial coefficient which accounts for the Lorentz contraction of the hard core repulsing potential between hadrons; inclusion of large width of heavy quark-gluon bags into statistical description. -
States of Matter Lesson
National Aeronautics and Space Administration STATES OF MATTER NASA SUMMER OF INNOVATION LESSON DESCRIPTION UNIT This lesson explores the states of matter Physical Science—States of Matter and their properties. GRADE LEVELS OBJECTIVES 4 – 6 Students will CONNECTION TO CURRICULUM • Simulate the movement of atoms and molecules in solids, liquids, Science and gases TEACHER PREPARATION TIME • Demonstrate the properties of 2 hours liquids including density and buoyancy LESSON TIME NEEDED • Investigate how the density of a 4 hours Complexity: Moderate solid behaves in varying densities of liquids • Construct a rocket powered by pressurized gas created from a chemical reaction between a solid and a liquid NATIONAL STANDARDS National Science Education Standards (NSTA) Science and Technology • Abilities of technological design • Understanding science and technology Physical Science • Position and movement of objects • Properties and changes in properties of matter • Transfer of energy MANAGEMENT For the first activity you may need to enhance prior knowledge about matter and energy from a supplemental handout called “Diagramming Atoms and Molecules in Motion.” At the middle school level, this information about the invisible world of the atom is often presented as a story which we ask them to accept without much ready evidence. Since so many middle school students have not had science experience at the concrete operational level, they are poorly equipped to work at an abstract level. However, in this activity students can begin to see evidence that supports the abstract information you are sharing with them. They can take notes on the first two descriptions as you present on the overhead. Emphasize the spacing of the particles, rather than the number. -
Sounds of a Supersolid A
NEWS & VIEWS RESEARCH hypothesis came from extensive population humans, implying possible mosquito exposure long-distance spread of insecticide-resistant time-series analysis from that earlier study5, to malaria parasites and the potential to spread mosquitoes, worsening an already dire situ- which showed beyond reasonable doubt that infection over great distances. ation, given the current spread of insecticide a mosquito vector species called Anopheles However, the authors failed to detect resistance in mosquito populations. This would coluzzii persists locally in the dry season in parasite infections in their aerially sampled be a matter of great concern because insecticides as-yet-undiscovered places. However, the malaria vectors, a result that they assert is to be are the best means of malaria control currently data were not consistent with this outcome for expected given the small sample size and the low available8. However, long-distance migration other malaria vectors in the study area — the parasite-infection rates typical of populations of could facilitate the desirable spread of mosqui- species Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles ara- malaria vectors. A problem with this argument toes for gene-based methods of malaria-vector biensis — leaving wind-powered long-distance is that the typical infection rates they mention control. One thing is certain, Huestis and col- migration as the only remaining possibility to are based on one specific mosquito body part leagues have permanently transformed our explain the data5. (salivary glands), rather than the unknown but understanding of African malaria vectors and Both modelling6 and genetic studies7 undoubtedly much higher infection rates that what it will take to conquer malaria. -
Machine Learning for Condensed Matter Physics
Review Article Machine Learning for Condensed Matter Physics Edwin A. Bedolla-Montiel1, Luis Carlos Padierna1 and Ram´on Casta~neda-Priego1 1 Divisi´onde Ciencias e Ingenier´ıas,Universidad de Guanajuato, Loma del Bosque 103, 37150 Le´on,Mexico E-mail: [email protected] Abstract. Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) seeks to understand the microscopic interactions of matter at the quantum and atomistic levels, and describes how these interactions result in both mesoscopic and macroscopic properties. CMP overlaps with many other important branches of science, such as Chemistry, Materials Science, Statistical Physics, and High-Performance Computing. With the advancements in modern Machine Learning (ML) technology, a keen interest in applying these algorithms to further CMP research has created a compelling new area of research at the intersection of both fields. In this review, we aim to explore the main areas within CMP, which have successfully applied ML techniques to further research, such as the description and use of ML schemes for potential energy surfaces, the characterization of topological phases of matter in lattice systems, the prediction of phase transitions in off-lattice and atomistic simulations, the interpretation of ML theories with physics- inspired frameworks and the enhancement of simulation methods with ML algorithms. We also discuss in detial the main challenges and drawbacks of using ML methods on CMP problems, as well as some perspectives for future developments. Keywords: machine learning, condensed matter physics Submitted -
Multidisciplinary Design Project Engineering Dictionary Version 0.0.2
Multidisciplinary Design Project Engineering Dictionary Version 0.0.2 February 15, 2006 . DRAFT Cambridge-MIT Institute Multidisciplinary Design Project This Dictionary/Glossary of Engineering terms has been compiled to compliment the work developed as part of the Multi-disciplinary Design Project (MDP), which is a programme to develop teaching material and kits to aid the running of mechtronics projects in Universities and Schools. The project is being carried out with support from the Cambridge-MIT Institute undergraduate teaching programe. For more information about the project please visit the MDP website at http://www-mdp.eng.cam.ac.uk or contact Dr. Peter Long Prof. Alex Slocum Cambridge University Engineering Department Massachusetts Institute of Technology Trumpington Street, 77 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge. Cambridge MA 02139-4307 CB2 1PZ. USA e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] tel: +44 (0) 1223 332779 tel: +1 617 253 0012 For information about the CMI initiative please see Cambridge-MIT Institute website :- http://www.cambridge-mit.org CMI CMI, University of Cambridge Massachusetts Institute of Technology 10 Miller’s Yard, 77 Massachusetts Ave. Mill Lane, Cambridge MA 02139-4307 Cambridge. CB2 1RQ. USA tel: +44 (0) 1223 327207 tel. +1 617 253 7732 fax: +44 (0) 1223 765891 fax. +1 617 258 8539 . DRAFT 2 CMI-MDP Programme 1 Introduction This dictionary/glossary has not been developed as a definative work but as a useful reference book for engi- neering students to search when looking for the meaning of a word/phrase. It has been compiled from a number of existing glossaries together with a number of local additions. -
Glossary of Terms
GLOSSARY OF TERMS For the purpose of this Handbook, the following definitions and abbreviations shall apply. Although all of the definitions and abbreviations listed below may have not been used in this Handbook, the additional terminology is provided to assist the user of Handbook in understanding technical terminology associated with Drainage Improvement Projects and the associated regulations. Program-specific terms have been defined separately for each program and are contained in pertinent sub-sections of Section 2 of this handbook. ACRONYMS ASTM American Society for Testing Materials CBBEL Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. COE United States Army Corps of Engineers EPA Environmental Protection Agency IDEM Indiana Department of Environmental Management IDNR Indiana Department of Natural Resources NRCS USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service SWCD Soil and Water Conservation District USDA United States Department of Agriculture USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service DEFINITIONS AASHTO Classification. The official classification of soil materials and soil aggregate mixtures for highway construction used by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Abutment. The sloping sides of a valley that supports the ends of a dam. Acre-Foot. The volume of water that will cover 1 acre to a depth of 1 ft. Aggregate. (1) The sand and gravel portion of concrete (65 to 75% by volume), the rest being cement and water. Fine aggregate contains particles ranging from 1/4 in. down to that retained on a 200-mesh screen. Coarse aggregate ranges from 1/4 in. up to l½ in. (2) That which is installed for the purpose of changing drainage characteristics. -
The Elastic Constants of a Nematic Liquid Crystal
The Elastic Constants of a Nematic Liquid Crystal Hans Gruler Gordon McKay Laboratory, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 02138, U.S.A. (Z. Naturforsch. 30 a, 230-234 [1975] ; received November 4, 1974) The elastic constants of a nematic liquid and of a solid crystal were derived by comparing the Gibbs free energy with the elastic energy. The expressions for the elastic constants of the nematic and the solid crystal are isomorphic: k oc | D | /1. In the nematic phase | D | and I are the mean field energy and the molecular length. In the solid crystal, | D | and I correspond to the curvature of the potential and to the lattice constant, respectively. The measured nematic elastic constants show the predicted I dependence. 1. Introduction The mean field of the nematic phase was first derived by Maier and Saupe 3: The symmetry of a crystal determines the number D(0,P2) = -(A/Vn2)P2-P2±... (2) of non-vanishing elastic constants. In a nematic liquid crystal which is a uniaxial crystal, we find five 0 is the angle between the length axis of one mole- elastic constants but only three describe bulk pro- cule and the direction of the preferred axis (optical perties 2. Here we calculate the magnitude of these axis). P2 is the second Legendre polynomial and three elastic constants by determining the elastic P2 is one order parameter given by the distribution function f{0): energy density in two different ways. On the one hand the elastic energy density can be expressed by the elastic constants and the curvature of the optical p2 = Tf (@) Po sin e d e/tf (&) sin e d 0 .