SearcharxivSearch

arXiv · cond-mat/0103076

Shaking a Box of Sand

Abstract

We present a simple model of a vibrated box of sand, and discuss its dynamics in terms of two parameters reflecting static and dynamic disorder respectively. The fluidised, intermediate and frozen (`glassy') dynamical regimes are extensively probed by analysing the response of the packing fraction to steady, as well as cyclic, shaking, and indicators of the onset of a `glass transition' are analysed. In the `glassy' regime, our model is exactly solvable, and allows for the qualitative description of ageing phenomena in terms of two characteristic lengths; predictions are also made about the influence of grain shape anisotropy on ageing behaviour.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

Peter F. Stadler, Anita Mehta, Jean-Marc Luck. 2001-10-16. Shaking a Box of Sand. https://doi.org/10.1209/epl%2Fi2002-00539-0

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Random-Matrix Theory of Quantum Size Effects on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in Metal Particles

The distribution function of the local density of states is computed exactly for the Wigner-Dyson ensemble of random Hamiltonians. In the absence of time-reversal symmetry, precise agreement is obtained with the "supersymmetry" theory by Efetov and Prigodin of the NMR lineshape in disordered metal particles. Upon breaking time-reversal symmetry, the variance of the Knight shift in the smallest particles is reduced by a universal factor of 2/3. ***To be published in Physical Review B.****

cond-mat

Andreev Reflection In Ferromagnet-Superconductor Junctions

The transport properties of a ferromagnet-superconductor (FS) junction are studied in a scattering formulation. Andreev reflection at the FS interface is strongly affected by the exchange interaction in the ferromagnet. The conductance G_FS of a ballistic point contact between F and S can be both larger or smaller than the value G_FN with the superconductor in the normal state, depending on the ratio of the exchange and Fermi energies. If the ferromagnet contains a tunnel barrier (I), the conductance G_FIFS exhibits resonances which do not vanish in linear response -- in contrast to the Tomasch oscillations for non-ferromagnetic materials.

cond-mat

Long-Range Energy-Level Interaction in Small Metallic Particles

We consider the energy level statistics of non-interacting electrons which diffuse in a $ d $-dimensional disordered metallic conductor of characteristic Thouless energy $ E_c. $ We assume that the level distribution can be written as the Gibbs distribution of a classical one-dimensional gas of fictitious particles with a pairwise additive interaction potential $ f(\varepsilon ). $ We show that the interaction which is consistent with the known correlation function of pairs of energy levels is a logarithmic repulsion for level separations $ \varepsilon E_c, $ $ f(\varepsilon ) $ vanishes as a power law in $ \varepsilon /E_c $ with exponents $ -{1 \over 2},-2, $ and $ -{3 \over 2} $ for $ d=1,2, $ and 3, respectively. While for $ d=1,2 $ the energy-level interaction is always repulsive, in three dimensions there is long-range level attraction after the short-range logarithmic repulsion.

cond-mat