Chiral single-wall gold nanotubes

Based on first-principles calculations we show that gold atoms can form both free-standing and tip-suspended chiral single-wall nanotubes composed of helical atomic strands. Free-standing, infinite (5,5) tube is found to be energetically the most favorable. While energetically less favorable, the experimentally observed (5,3) tube stretching between two tips corresponds to a local minimum in the string tension. Similarly, the (4,3) tube is predicted as a favorable structure yet to be observed experimentally. Analysis of band structure, charge density, and quantum ballistic conductance suggests that the current on these wires is less chiral than expected, and there is no direct correlation between the numbers of conduction channels and helical strands.Comment: Figures provided in eps forma

Test of the isotropy of the speed of light using a continuously rotating optical resonator

We report on a test of Lorentz invariance performed by comparing the resonance frequencies of one stationary optical resonator and one continuously rotating on a precision air bearing turntable. Special attention is paid to the control of rotation induced systematic effects. Within the photon sector of the Standard Model Extension, we obtain improved limits on combinations of 8 parameters at a level of a few parts in $10^{-16}$. For the previously least well known parameter we find $\tilde \kappa_{e-}^{ZZ} =(-1.9 \pm 5.2)\times 10^{-15}$. Within the Robertson-Mansouri-Sexl test theory, our measurement restricts the isotropy violation parameter $\beta -\delta -\frac 12$ to $(-2.1\pm 1.9)\times 10^{-10}$, corresponding to an eightfold improvement with respect to previous non-rotating measurements.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Ab-initio electron transport calculations of carbon based string structures

First-principles calculations show that monatomic strings of carbon have high cohesive energy and axial strength, and exhibit stability even at high temperatures. Due to their flexibility and reactivity, carbon chains are suitable for structural and chemical functionalizations; they form also stable ring, helix, grid and network structures. Analysis of electronic conductance of various infinite, finite and doped string structures reveal fundamental and technologically interesting features. Changes in doping and geometry give rise to dramatic variations in conductance. In even-numbered linear chains strain induces substantial decrease of conductance. The double covalent bonding of carbon atoms underlies their unusual chemical, mechanical and transport properties.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Dynamics of Phononic Dissipation at the Atomic Scale: Dependence on Internal Degrees of Freedom

Dynamics of dissipation of a local phonon distribution to the substrate is a key issue in friction between sliding surfaces as well as in boundary lubrication. We consider a model system consisting of an excited nano-particle which is weakly coupled with a substrate. Using three different methods we solve the dynamics of energy dissipation for different types of coupling between the nano-particle and the substrate, where different types of dimensionality and phonon densities of states were also considered for the substrate. In this paper, we present our analysis of transient properties of energy dissipation via phonon discharge in the microscopic level towards the substrate. Our theoretical analysis can be extended to treat realistic lubricant molecules or asperities, and also substrates with more complex densities of states. We found that the decay rate of the nano-particle phonons increases as the square of the interaction constant in the harmonic approximation.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Thermodynamics of Delta resonances

The thermodynamic potential of a system of pions and nucleons is computed including the piN interactions in the P33 channel. A consistent treatment of the width of the resonance in this channel, the Delta(1232) resonance, is explored in detail. In the low-density limit we recover the leading term of the virial expansion for the thermodynamic potential. An instructive diagrammatic interpretation of the contributions to the total baryon number is presented. Furthermore, we examine within a fireball model the consequences for the pion spectra in heavy-ion collisions at intermediate energies, including the effect of collective flow. A consistent treatment of the Delta width leads to a substantial enhancement of the pion yield at low momenta.Comment: 12 pages, 3 Postscript figures, LaTeX, elsart, epsfig, minor changes, references added, to be published in Physics Letters

Jamming coverage in competitive random sequential adsorption of binary mixture

We propose a generalized car parking problem where cars of two different sizes are sequentially parked on a line with a given probability $q$. The free parameter $q$ interpolates between the classical car parking problem of only one car size and the competitive random sequential adsorption (CRSA) of a binary mixture. We give an exact solution to the CRSA rate equations and find that the final coverage, the jamming limit, of the line is always larger for a binary mixture than for the uni-sized case. The analytical results are in good agreement with our direct numerical simulations of the problem.Comment: 4 pages 2-column RevTeX, Four figures, (there was an error in the previous version. We replaced it (including figures) with corrected and improved version that lead to new results and conclusions

Influence of hydrodynamic interactions on the ballistic deposition of colloidal particles on solid surfaces

The ballistic deposition of particles by taking hydrodynamic interactions (HI) into account has been studied by means of computer simulations. The radial distribution function of the assembly of particles deposited on a plane has been determined as a function of the coverage and compared to experimental data. It appears that the introduction of HI in the model when compared to the ballistic model predictions leads to a better agreement between experiment and simulation in particular for the radial distribution function.Comment: 13 pages To appear in Journal of Chemical Physics. 8 figures available upon reques

Matter induced charge symmetry breaking and pion form factor in nuclear medium

Medium modification of pion form factor has been evaluated in asymmetric nuclear matter. It is shown that both the shape and the pole position of the pion form factor in dense asymmetric nuclear matter is different from its vacuum counterpart with $\rho$-$\omega$ mixing. This is due to the density and asymmetry dependent $\rho$-$\omega$ mixing which could even dominate over its vacuum counterpart in matter. Effect of the in-medium pion factor on experimental observables {\it e.g.}, invariant mass distribution of lepton pairs has been demonstrated.Comment: Final Version to appear in Jour. Phys.

Model of correlated sequential adsorption of colloidal particles

We present results of a new model of sequential adsorption in which the adsorbing particles are correlated with the particles attached to the substrate. The strength of the correlations is measured by a tunable parameter $\sigma$. The model interpolates between free ballistic adsorption in the limit $\sigma\to\infty$ and a strongly correlated phase, appearing for $\sigma\to0$ and characterized by the emergence of highly ordered structures. The phenomenon is manifested through the analysis of several magnitudes, as the jamming limit and the particle-particle correlation function. The effect of correlations in one dimension manifests in the increased tendency to particle chaining in the substrate. In two dimensions the correlations induce a percolation transition, in which a spanning cluster of connected particles appears at a certain critical value $\sigma_c$. Our study could be applicable to more general situations in which the coupling between correlations and disorder is relevant, as for example, in the presence of strong interparticle interactions.Comment: 6 pages, 8 EPS figures. Phys. Rev. E (in press