arXiv subjects

Giuseppe E. Santoro

Publications and source records attributed to Giuseppe E. Santoro.

86 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Velocity plateaus and jumps in carbon nanotube sliding

The friction between concentric carbon nanotubes sliding one inside the other has been widely studied and simulated, but not so far using external force as the driving variable. Our molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that as the pulling force grows, the sliding velocity increases by jumps and plateaus rather than continuously as expected. Dramatic friction peaks (similar to that recently noted by Tangney {\it et al.} in Phys. Rev. Lett. 97 (2006) 195901) which develop around some preferential sliding velocities, are at the origin of this phenomenon. The (stable) rising edge of the peak produces a velocity plateau; the (unstable) dropping edge produces a jump to the nearest stable branch. The outcome is reminiscent of conduction in ionized gases, the plateau correspon ding to a current stabilization against voltage variations, the jump corresponding to a discharge or breakdown.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Solitons and exact velocity quantization of incommensurate sliders

We analyze in some detail the recently discovered velocity quantization phenomena in the classical motion of an idealized one-dimensional solid lubricant, consisting of a harmonic chain interposed between two periodic sliders. The ratio w = v_cm/v_ext of the chain center-of-mass velocity to the externally imposed relative velocity of the sliders is pinned to exact ``plateau'' values for wide ranges of parameters, such as sliders corrugation amplitudes, external velocity, chain stiffness and dissipation, and is strictly determined by the commensurability ratios alone. The phenomenon is caused by one slider rigidly dragging the density solitons (kinks/antikinks) that the chain forms with the other slider. Possible consequences of these results for some real systems are discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Kink plateau dynamics in finite-size lubricant chains

We extend the study of velocity quantization phenomena recently found in the classical motion of an idealized 1D model solid lubricant -- consisting of a harmonic chain interposed between two periodic sliding potentials [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 056101 (2006)]. This quantization is due to one slider rigidly dragging the commensurate lattice of kinks that the chain forms with the other slider. In this follow-up work we consider finite-size chains rather than infinite chains. The finite size (i) permits the development of robust velocity plateaus as a function of the lubricant stiffness, and (ii) allows an overall chain-length re-adjustment which spontaneously promotes single-particle periodic oscillations. These periodic oscillations replace the quasi-periodic motion produced by general incommensurate periods of the sliders and the lubricant in the infinite-size model. Possible consequences of these results for some real systems are discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Hysteresis from dynamically pinned sliding states

We report a surprising hysteretic behavior in the dynamics of a simple one-dimensional nonlinear model inspired by the tribological problem of two sliding surfaces with a thin solid lubricant layer in between. In particular, we consider the frictional dynamics of a harmonic chain confined between two rigid incommensurate substrates which slide with a fixed relative velocity. This system was previously found, by explicit solution of the equations of motion, to possess plateaus in parameter space exhibiting a remarkable quantization of the chain center-of-mass velocity (dynamic pinning) solely determined by the interface incommensurability. Starting now from this quantized sliding state, in the underdamped regime of motion and in analogy to what ordinarily happens for static friction, the dynamics exhibits a large hysteresis under the action of an additional external driving force F_ext. A critical threshold value F_c of the adiabatically applied force F_ext is required in order to alter the robust dynamics of the plateau attractor. When the applied force is decreased and removed, the system can jump to intermediate sliding regimes (a sort of ``dynamic'' stick-slip motion) and eventually returns to the quantized sliding state at a much lower value of F_ext. On the contrary no hysteretic behavior is observed as a function of the external driving velocity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Asymmetric frictional sliding between incommensurate surfaces

We study the frictional sliding of two ideally incommensurate surfaces with a third incommensurate sheet - a sort of extended lubricant - in between. When the mutual ratios of the three periodicities in this sandwich geometry are chosen to be the golden mean ϕ=(1+\sqrt 5)/2, this system is believed to be statically pinned for any choice of system parameters. In the present study we overcome this pinning and force the two "substrates" to slide with a mutual velocity V_ext, analyzing the resulting frictional dynamics. An unexpected feature is an asymmetry of the relative sliding velocity of the intermediate lubricating sheet relative to the two substrates. Strikingly, the velocity asymmetry takes an exactly quantized value which is uniquely determined by the incommensurability ratio, and absolutely insensitive to all other parameters. The reason for quantization of the velocity asymmetry will be addressed. This behavior is compared and contrasted to the corresponding one obtained for a representative cubic irrational, the spiral mean ω.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Exactly quantized dynamics of classical incommensurate sliders

We report peculiar velocity quantization phenomena in the classical motion of an idealized 1D solid lubricant, consisting of a harmonic chain interposed between two periodic sliders. The ratio v_cm/v_ext of the chain center-of-mass velocity to the externally imposed relative velocity of the sliders stays pinned to exact "plateau" values for wide ranges of parameters, such as sliders corrugation amplitudes, external velocity, chain stiffness and dissipation, and is strictly determined by the commensurability ratios alone. The phenomenon is explained by one slider rigidly dragging the kinks that the chain forms with the other slider. Possible consequences of these results for some real systems are discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Quantum annealing of an Ising spin-glass by Green's function Monte Carlo

We present an implementation of Quantum Annealing (QA) via lattice Green's function Monte Carlo (GFMC), focusing on its application to the Ising spin-glass in transverse field. In particular, we study whether or not such method is more effective than the Path-Integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) based QA, as well as classical simulated annealing (CA), previously tested on the same optimization problem. We identify the issue of importance sampling, i.e., the necessity of possessing reasonably good (variational) trial wavefunctions, as the key point of the algorithm. We have considered two possible classes of trial wavefunctions, a mean-field single-site one -- whose optimization is however a very difficult task -- and a Boltzmann-like choice. We performed GFMC-QA runs using such a Boltzmann-like trial wavefunction, finding results for the residual energies that are qualitatively similar to those of CA (but at a much larger computational cost), and definitely worse than PIMC-QA. We conclude that, at present, without a serious effort in constructing reliable importance sampling variational wavefunctions for a quantum glass, GFMC-QA is not a true competitor of PIMC-QA.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2005

Monte Carlo studies of quantum and classical annealing on a double-well

We present results for a variety of Monte Carlo annealing approaches, both classical and quantum, benchmarked against one another for the textbook optimization exercise of a simple one-dimensional double-well. In classical (thermal) annealing, the dependence upon the move chosen in a Metropolis scheme is studied and correlated with the spectrum of the associated Markov transition matrix. In quantum annealing, the Path-Integral Monte Carlo approach is found to yield non-trivial sampling difficulties associated with the tunneling between the two wells. The choice of fictitious quantum kinetic energy is also addressed. We find that a ``relativistic'' kinetic energy form, leading to a higher probability of long real space jumps, can be considerably more effective than the standard one.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2005

Optimization by Quantum Annealing: Lessons from Simple Cases

This paper investigates the basic behavior and performance of simulated quantum annealing (QA) in comparison with classical annealing (CA). Three simple one dimensional case study systems are considered, namely a parabolic well, a double well, and a curved washboard. The time dependent Schrödinger evolution in either real or imaginary time describing QA is contrasted with the Fokker Planck evolution of CA. The asymptotic decrease of excess energy with annealing time is studied in each case, and the reasons for differences are examined and discussed. The Huse-Fisher classical power law of double well CA is replaced with a different power law in QA. The multi-well washboard problem studied in CA by Shinomoto and Kabashima and leading classically to a logarithmic annealing even in the absence of disorder, turns to a power law behavior when annealed with QA. The crucial role of disorder and localization is briefly discussed.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2004

Strong Correlations in Electron Doped Phthalocyanine Conductors Near Half Filling

We propose that electron doped nontransition metal-phthalocyanines (MPc) like ZnPc and MgPc, similar to those very recently reported, should constitute novel strongly correlated metals. Due to orbital degeneracy, Jahn-Teller coupling and Hund's rule exchange, and with a large on-site Coulomb repulsion, these molecular conductors should display, particularly near half filling at two electrons/molecule, very unconventional properties, including Mott insulators, strongly correlated superconductivity, and other intriguing phases.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

Quantum annealing of the Traveling Salesman Problem

We propose a path-integral Monte Carlo quantum annealing scheme for the symmetric Traveling Salesman Problem, based on a highly constrained Ising-like representation, and we compare its performance against standard thermal Simulated Annealing. The Monte Carlo moves implemented are standard, and consist in restructuring a tour by exchanging two links (2-opt moves). The quantum annealing scheme, even with a drastically simple form of kinetic energy, appears definitely superior to the classical one, when tested on a 1002 city instance of the standard TSPLIB.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2004

Non-trivial fixed point in a twofold orbitally degenerate Anderson impurity model

We study the phase diagram of a twofold orbitally degenerate Anderson impurity model which presents a non-trivial fixed point similar to the two-impurity Kondo model one. Remarkably, this fixed point is more robust than the latter one, since it can only be destabilized by orbital or gauge symmetry breaking. The impurity model is interesting per se, but here our interest is rather in the possibility that it might be representative of the behavior of a strongly-correlated lattice model close to a Mott transition. We argue that this lattice model should unavoidably encounter the non-trivial fixed point just before the Mott transition and react to its instability by spontaneous generation of an orbital, spin-orbital or superconducting order parameter.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2002

Theory of Quantum Annealing of an Ising Spin Glass

Probing the lowest energy configuration of a complex system by quantum annealing was recently found to be more effective than its classical, thermal counterpart. Comparing classical and quantum Monte Carlo annealing protocols on the random two-dimensional Ising model we confirm the superiority of quantum annealing relative to classical annealing. We also propose a theory of quantum annealing, based on a cascade of Landau-Zener tunneling events. For both classical and quantum annealing, the residual energy after annealing is inversely proportional to a power of the logarithm of the annealing time, but the quantum case has a larger power which makes it faster

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2002

Sensitivity of the Mott Transition to Non-cubic Splitting of the Orbital Degeneracy: Application to NH3 K3C60

Within dynamical mean-field theory, we study the metal-insulator transition of a twofold orbitally degenerate Hubbard model as a function of a splitting Δof the degeneracy. The phase diagram in the U-Δplane exhibits two-band and one-band metals, as well as the Mott insulator. The correlated two-band metal is easily driven to the insulator state by a strikingly weak splitting Δ<< W of the order of the Kondo-peak width zW, where z << 1 is the metal quasiparticle weight. The possible relevance of this result to the insulator-metal transition in the orthorhombic expanded fulleride NH3 K3C60 is discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗