arXiv subjects

Joel L. Lebowitz

Publications and source records attributed to Joel L. Lebowitz.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

The grand canonical ABC model: a reflection asymmetric mean field Potts model

We investigate the phase diagram of a three-component system of particles on a one-dimensional filled lattice, or equivalently of a one-dimensional three-state Potts model, with reflection asymmetric mean field interactions. The three types of particles are designated as $A$, $B$, and $C$. The system is described by a grand canonical ensemble with temperature $T$ and chemical potentials $Tλ_A$, $Tλ_B$, and $Tλ_C$. We find that for $λ_A=λ_B=λ_C$ the system undergoes a phase transition from a uniform density to a continuum of phases at a critical temperature $\hat T_c=(2π/\sqrt3)^{-1}$. For other values of the chemical potentials the system has a unique equilibrium state. As is the case for the canonical ensemble for this $ABC$ model, the grand canonical ensemble is the stationary measure satisfying detailed balance for a natural dynamics. We note that $\hat T_c=3T_c$, where $T_c$ is the critical temperature for a similar transition in the canonical ensemble at fixed equal densities $r_A=r_B=r_C=1/3$.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Long-Time Behavior of Macroscopic Quantum Systems: Commentary Accompanying the English Translation of John von Neumann's 1929 Article on the Quantum Ergodic Theorem

The renewed interest in the foundations of quantum statistical mechanics in recent years has led us to study John von Neumann's 1929 article on the quantum ergodic theorem. We have found this almost forgotten article, which until now has been available only in German, to be a treasure chest, and to be much misunderstood. In it, von Neumann studied the long-time behavior of macroscopic quantum systems. While one of the two theorems announced in his title, the one he calls the "quantum H-theorem", is actually a much weaker statement than Boltzmann's classical H-theorem, the other theorem, which he calls the "quantum ergodic theorem", is a beautiful and very non-trivial result. It expresses a fact we call "normal typicality" and can be summarized as follows: For a "typical" finite family of commuting macroscopic observables, every initial wave function $ψ_0$ from a micro-canonical energy shell so evolves that for most times $t$ in the long run, the joint probability distribution of these observables obtained from $ψ_t$ is close to their micro-canonical distribution.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

On Some Classes of Open Two-Species Exclusion Processes

We investigate some properties of the nonequilibrium stationary state (NESS) of a one dimensional open system consisting of first and second class (type 1 and type 2) particles. The dynamics are totally asymmetric but the rates for the different permitted exchanges (10 -> 01, 12 -> 21, and 20 -> 02) need not be equal. The entrance and exit rates of the different species can also be different. We show that for certain classes of rates one can compute the currents and phase diagram, or at least obtain some monotonicity properties. For other classes one can obtain a matrix representation of the NESS; this generalizes previous work in which second class particles can neither enter nor leave the system. We analyze a simple example of this type and establish the existence of a randomly located shock at which the typical density profiles of all three species are discontinuous.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Restricted equilibrium ensembles: Exact equation of state of a model glass

We investigate the thermodynamic properties of a toy model of glasses: a hard-core lattice gas with nearest neighbor interaction in one dimension. The time-evolution is Markovian, with nearest-neighbor and next-nearest neighbor hoppings, and the transition rates are assumed to satisfy detailed balance condition, but the system is non-ergodic below a glass temperature. Below this temperature, the system is in restricted thermal equilibrium, where both the number of sectors, and the number of accessible states within a sector grow exponentially with the size of the system. Using partition functions that sum only over dynamically accessible states within a sector, and then taking a quenched average over the sectors, we determine the exact equation of state of this system.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Heat conduction and phonon localization in disordered harmonic crystals

We investigate the steady state heat current in two and three dimensional isotopically disordered harmonic lattices. Using localization theory as well as kinetic theory we estimate the system size dependence of the current. These estimates are compared with numerical results obtained using an exact formula for the current given in terms of a phonon transmission function, as well as by direct nonequilibrium simulations. We find that heat conduction by high-frequency modes is suppressed by localization while low-frequency modes are strongly affected by boundary conditions. Our {\color{black}heuristic} arguments show that Fourier's law is valid in a three dimensional disordered solid except for special boundary conditions. We also study the pinned case relevant to localization in quantum systems and often used as a model system to study the validity of Fourier's law. Here we provide the first numerical verification of Fourier's law in three dimensions. In the two dimensional pinned case we find that localization of phonon modes leads to a heat insulator.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2010

Phase transitions with four-spin interactions

Using an extended Lee-Yang theorem and GKS correlation inequalities, we prove, for a class of ferromagnetic multi-spin interactions, that they will have a phase transition(and spontaneous magnetization) if, and only if, the external field $h=0$ (and the temperature is low enough). We also show the absence of phase transitions for some nonferromagnetic interactions. The FKG inequalities are shown to hold for a larger class of multi-spin interactions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Normal Typicality and von Neumann's Quantum Ergodic Theorem

We discuss the content and significance of John von Neumann's quantum ergodic theorem (QET) of 1929, a strong result arising from the mere mathematical structure of quantum mechanics. The QET is a precise formulation of what we call normal typicality, i.e., the statement that, for typical large systems, every initial wave function $ψ_0$ from an energy shell is "normal": it evolves in such a way that $|ψ_t> <ψ_t|$ is, for most $t$, macroscopically equivalent to the micro-canonical density matrix. The QET has been mostly forgotten after it was criticized as a dynamically vacuous statement in several papers in the 1950s. However, we point out that this criticism does not apply to the actual QET, a correct statement of which does not appear in these papers, but to a different (indeed weaker) statement. Furthermore, we formulate a stronger statement of normal typicality, based on the observation that the bound on the deviations from the average specified by von Neumann is unnecessarily coarse and a much tighter (and more relevant) bound actually follows from his proof.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Nonequilibrium stationary state of a truncated stochastic NLSE: I. Formulation and mean field approximation

We investigate the stationary state of a model system evolving according to a modified focusing truncated nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) used to describe the envelope of Langmuir waves in a plasma. We restrict the system to have a finite number of normal modes each of which is in contact with a Langevin heat bath at temperature $T$. Arbitrarily large realizations of the field are prevented by restricting each mode to a maximum amplitude. We consider a simple modeling of wave-breaking in which each mode is set equal to zero when it reaches its maximum amplitude. Without wave-breaking the stationary state is given by a Gibbs measure. With wave-breaking the system attains a nonequilibrium stationary state which is the unique invariant measure of the time evolution. A mean field analysis shows that the system exhibits a transition from a regime of low field values at small $|λ|$, to a regime of higher field values at large $|λ|$, where $λ<0$ specifies the strength of the nonlinearity in the focusing case. Field values at large $|λ|$ are significantly smaller with wave-breaking than without wave-breaking.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

On Spin Systems with Quenched Randomness: Classical and Quantum

The rounding of first order phase transitions by quenched randomness is stated in a form which is applicable to both classical and quantum systems: The free energy, as well as the ground state energy, of a spin system on a $d$-dimensional lattice is continuously differentiable with respect to any parameter in the Hamiltonian to which some randomness has been added when $d \leq 2$. This implies absence of jumps in the associated order parameter, e.g., the magnetization in case of a random magnetic field. A similar result applies in cases of continuous symmetry breaking for $d \leq 4$. Some questions concerning the behavior of related order parameters in such random systems are discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Heat transport and phonon localization in mass-disordered harmonic crystals

We investigate the steady state heat current in two and three dimensional disordered harmonic crystals in a slab geometry, connected at the boundaries to stochastic white noise heat baths at different temperatures.The disorder causes short wavelength phonon modes to be localized so the heat current in this system is carried by the extended phonon modes which can be either diffusive or ballistic. Using ideas both from localization theory and from kinetic theory we estimate the contribution of various modes to the heat current and from this we obtain the asymptotic system size dependence of the current. These estimates are compared with results obtained from a numerical evaluation of an exact formula for the current, given in terms of a frequency transmission function, as well as from direct nonequilibrium simulations. These yield a strong dependence of the heat flux on boundary conditions. Our analytical arguments show that for realistic boundary conditions the conductivity is finite in three dimensions but we are not able to verify this numerically, except in the case where the system is subjected to an external pinning potential. This case is closely related to the problem of localization of electrons in a random potential and here we numerically verify that the pinned three dimensional system satisfies Fourier's law while the two dimensional system is a heat insulator. We also investigate the inverse participation ratio of different normal modes.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2009

On the Approach to Thermal Equilibrium of Macroscopic Quantum Systems

We consider an isolated, macroscopic quantum system. Let H be a micro-canonical "energy shell," i.e., a subspace of the system's Hilbert space spanned by the (finitely) many energy eigenstates with energies between E and E + delta E. The thermal equilibrium macro-state at energy E corresponds to a subspace H_{eq} of H such that dim H_{eq}/dim H is close to 1. We say that a system with state vector psi in H is in thermal equilibrium if psi is "close" to H_{eq}. We show that for "typical" Hamiltonians with given eigenvalues, all initial state vectors psi_0 evolve in such a way that psi_t is in thermal equilibrium for most times t. This result is closely related to von Neumann's quantum ergodic theorem of 1929.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2009

Rounding of First Order Transitions in Low-Dimensional Quantum Systems with Quenched Disorder

We prove that the addition of an arbitrarily small random perturbation of a suitable type to a quantum spin system rounds a first order phase transition in the conjugate order parameter in d <= 2 dimensions, or in systems with continuous symmetry in d <= 4. This establishes rigorously for quantum systems the existence of the Imry-Ma phenomenon, which for classical systems was proven by Aizenman and Wehr.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Space Charge Effects in Field Emission: One Dimensional Theory

The current associated with field emission is greatly dependent on the electric field at the emitting electrode. This field is a combination of the electric field in vacuum and the space charge created by the current. The latter becomes more important as the currentdensity increases. Here, a study is performed using a modified classical 1D Child-Langmuir description that allows for exact solutions in order to characterize the contributions due to space charge. Methods to connect the 1D approach to an array of periodic 3D structures are considered.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

Nonequilibrium Stationary Solutions of Thermostated Boltzmann Equation in a Field

We consider a system of particles subjected to a uniform external force E and undergoing random collisions with "virtual" fixed obstacles, as in the Drude model of conductivity. The system is maintained in a nonequilibrium stationary state by a Gaussian thermostat. In a suitable limit the system is described by a self consistent Boltzmann equation for the one particle distribution function f. We find that after a long time f(v,t) approaches a stationary velocity distribution f(v) which vanishes for large speeds, i.e. f(v)=0 for |v|>vmax(E), with vmax(E)~1/|E| as |E| -> 0. In that limit f(v)~exp(-c|v|^3) for fixed v, where c depends on mean free path of the particle. f(v) is computed explicitly in one dimension.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2009

Correlation Inequalities for Quantum Spin Systems with Quenched Centered Disorder

It is shown that random quantum spin systems with centered disorder satisfy correlation inequalities previously proved (arXiv:cond-mat/0612371) in the classical case. Consequences include monotone approach of pressure and ground state energy to the thermodynamic limit. Signs and bounds on the surface pressures for different boundary conditions are also derived for finite range potentials.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Modulated phases of a 1D sharp interface model in a magnetic field

We investigate the ground states of 1D continuum models having short-range ferromagnetic type interactions and a wide class of competing longer-range antiferromagnetic type interactions. The model is defined in terms of an energy functional, which can be thought of as the Hamiltonian of a coarse-grained microscopic system or as a mesoscopic free energy functional describing various materials. We prove that the ground state is simple periodic whatever the prescribed total magnetization might be. Previous studies of this model of frustrated systems assumed this simple periodicity but, as in many examples in condensed matter physics, it is neither obvious nor always true that ground states do not have a more complicated, or even chaotic structure.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Pattern formation in systems with competing interactions

There is a growing interest, inspired by advances in technology, in the low temperature physics of thin films. These quasi-2D systems show a wide range of ordering effects including formation of striped states, reorientation transitions, bubble formation in strong magnetic fields, etc. The origins of these phenomena are, in many cases, traced to competition between short ranged exchange ferromagnetic interactions, favoring a homogeneous ordered state, and the long ranged dipole-dipole interaction, which opposes such ordering on the scale of the whole sample. The present theoretical understanding of these phenomena is based on a combination of variational methods and a variety of approximations, e.g., mean-field and spin-wave theory. The comparison between the predictions of these approximate methods and the results of MonteCarlo simulations are often difficult because of the slow relaxation dynamics associated with the long-range nature of the dipole-dipole interactions. In this note we will review recent work where we prove existence of periodic structures in some lattice and continuum model systems with competing interactions. The continuum models have also been used to describe micromagnets, diblock polymers, etc.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2008

Heat Conduction and Entropy Production in Anharmonic Crystals with Self-Consistent Stochastic Reservoirs

We investigate a class of anharmonic crystals in $d$ dimensions, $d\ge 1$, coupled to both external and internal heat baths of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck type. The external heat baths, applied at the boundaries in the 1-direction, are at specified, unequal, temperatures $\tlb$ and $\trb$. The temperatures of the internal baths are determined in a self-consistent way by the requirement that there be no net energy exchange with the system in the non-equilibrium stationary state (NESS). We prove the existence of such a stationary self-consistent profile of temperatures for a finite system and show it minimizes the entropy production to leading order in $(\tlb -\trb)$. In the NESS the heat conductivity $κ$ is defined as the heat flux per unit area divided by the length of the system and $(\tlb -\trb)$. In the limit when the temperatures of the external reservoirs goes to the same temperature $T$, $κ(T)$ is given by the Green-Kubo formula, evaluated in an equilibrium system coupled to reservoirs all having the temperature $T$. This $κ(T)$ remains bounded as the size of the system goes to infinity. We also show that the corresponding infinite system Green-Kubo formula yields a finite result. Stronger results are obtained under the assumption that the self-consistent profile remains bounded.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗