arXiv subjects

Liufang Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Liufang Xu.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Unifying Interpretations of Phase Transitions in the Vicsek Model: Correlation Length as a Diagnostic Tool

Vicsek Model is widely used in simulations of dry active matter. We re-examined two typical phase transitions in the original Vicsek model by using the velocity correlation length. One is the noise-driven disordered-to-ordered phase transition driven by noise, which was initially considered as a second-order transition (continuous transition), but was later demonstrated by Chate's detailed study to be a first-order transition. The other one is the disordered-to-ordered phase transition driven by average distance between particles, which is a second-order transition and satisfies the hyper-scaling relation of continuous transitions. We have discovered the change of correlation length during transition indicates a critical point in continuous transition while not in the discontinuous situation. We have also provided a method to classify phase transitions in active matter systems by using the correlation length and summarized previous work within the same framework. Finally, we end up with a potential application in experiments of bactirial swarms and robotic swarms. We hope our work paves the way for both theory and experiment development of active matter.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

Nonequilibrium dynamics and thermodynamics provide the underlying physical mechanism of the perceptual rivalry

Perceptual rivalry, where conflicting sensory information leads to alternating perceptions crucial for associated cognitive function, has attracted researcher's attention for long. Despite progresses being made, recent studies have revealed limitations and inconsistencies in our understanding across various rivalry contexts. We develop a unified physical framework, where perception undergoes a consecutive phase transition process encompassing different multi-state competitions. We reveal the underlying mechanisms of perceptual rivalry by identifying dominant switching paths among perceptual states and quantifying mean perceptual durations, switching frequencies, and proportions of different perceptions. We uncover the underlying nonequilibrium dynamics and thermodynamics by analyzing average nonequilibrium flux and entropy production rate, while associated time series irreversibility reflects the underlying nonequilibrium mechanism of perceptual rivalry and link thermodynamical results with neuro-electrophysiological experiments. Our framework provides a global and physical understanding of brain perception, which may go beyond cognitive science or psychology but embodies the connection with wider fields as decision-making.

q-bio.NC↗

arXiv2022

Quantum correlations of a two-qubit system and the Aubry-André chain in bosonic environments

In this research, we analyze two models using the tensor network algorithm. The quantum correlations of a two-qubit system are first studied in different bosonic reservoirs. Both equilibrium and nonequilibrium scenarios are discussed. Non-Markovian effects can improve the survival time of the quantum correlations significantly and weaken the decoherence effect. Non-Markovian dynamics with existing memory can lead to entanglement rebirth in specific scenarios instead of the eventual entanglement decay or death seen in memoryless Markovian cases. The system reaches a steady state quickest in sub-Ohmic reservoirs and shows the most apparent non-Markovian behavior in super-Ohmic reservoirs. We not only study the impact of the environment on quantum correlations but also how to protect quantum correlations. Starting from a state in which the two ends are maximally entangled, a one-dimensional AA chain model is also studied. We identify distinct phases by monitoring the imbalance dynamics. When the chain is closed, the imbalance dynamics behave differently in various phases, and so does the entanglement evolution between the chain's ends. When the first site couples to a bath, we found the imbalance dynamics can still be an effective indicator to differentiate various phases in an early evolution stage since the imbalance dynamics is only remarkably affected at relatively high temperatures. The distribution of the eigenenergy of the system can account for it. The entanglement of the chain ends decays rapidly in all phases due to one of the ends being coupled to the bath directly. However, the entanglement of the chain ends will persist for a perceptible amount of time in the localization phase if the bath is coupled to the middle site of the chain. Our research shows that one can utilize the disordered environment as a buffer to protect quantum correlations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Noise induced new quasi-period and periods switching

We employ a typical genetic circuit model to explore how noise can influence the dynamic structure. With the increase of a key interactive parameter, the model will deterministically go through two bifurcations and three dynamic structure regions. We find that a new quasi-periodic component, which is not allowed by deterministic dynamics, will be generated by noise inducing in the first two regions, and this quasi-period will be more and more stable along with the noise increasing. Especially, in the second region, the quasi-period will compete with a stable limit cycle and perform a new transient rhythm. Furthermore, we ascertain the entropy production rate (EPR) and the heat dissipation rate (HDR), and discover a minimal value with elucidating theoretically. In the end, we unveil the mechanism of the quasi-periods forming, and show a practical biological instance. We expect that this work is helpful to solve some biological or ecological problems, such as genetic origin of periodical cicadas and population dynamics with fluctuation.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2019

The dynamical and thermodynamical origin of dissipative chaos

Chaos is usually referred to the sensitivity to initial conditions in which the nonlinearity plays a crucial role. Beyond such a mathematical description, the understanding of the underlying physical origin of the chaos is still not very clear. Here we study the dissipative chaos from the perspective of the nonequilibrium dynamics. This was not fully investigated in the traditional chaos theory, despite of the Lorenz's original discovery of chaos from the nonequilibrium atmosphere. We found that the nonequilibriumness as the degree of detailed balance breaking can be quantified by the appearance of the steady state probability flux in the state space. We uncovered that the dynamical origin of the onset and offset of the dissipative chaos such as Lorentz attractor is from the sudden appearance and disappearance of such nonequilibrium flux. We also uncovered that the dissipation associated with the flux quantified by the entropy production rate gives the thermodynamical origin of dissipative chaos. The sharp changes in the degree of nonequilibriumness by the flux and the entropy production rate also provide alternative quantitative indicators for the onset and offset of the dissipative chaos.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Funneled Potential and Flux Landscapes Dictate the Stabilities of both the States and the Flow: Fission Yeast Cell Cycle

We have uncovered that the non-equilibrium network dynamics and global properties are determined by two essential features: the potential landscape and the flux landscape. We have found that the funneled potential landscape is crucial for the stability of the states on the cell cycle, however, the stabilities of the oscillation states cannot guarantee the stable directional flows. We have uncovered that the funneled flux landscape is important for the emergence and maintenance of the stable limit cycle oscillation flow. This work will allow us to identify the key factors and structure elements of the networks in determining the stability, speed and robustness of the fission yeast cell cycle oscillations. We see that the nonequilibriumness characterized by the degree of detailed balance breaking from the energy pump quantified by the flux is the cause of the energy dissipation for initiating and sustaining the replications essential for the origin and evolution of life. Regulating the cell cycle speed is crucial for designing the prevention and curing strategy of cancer.

physics.bio-ph↗