Quantum simulators could provide an alternative to numerical simulations for understanding minimal models of condensed matter systems in a controlled way. Typically, cold atom systems are used to simulate e.g. Hubbard models. In this paper, we discus
s a range of exotic interactions that can be formed when cold Rydberg atoms are loaded into optical lattices with unconventional geometries; such as long-range electron-phonon interactions and extended Coulomb like interactions. We show how these can lead to proposals for quantum simulators for complex condensed matter systems such as superconductors. Continuous time quantum Monte Carlo is used to compare the proposed schemes with the physics found in traditional condensed matter Hamiltonians for systems such as high temperature superconductors.
There are a large number of atomically thin graphitic films with similar structure to graphene. These films have a spread of bandgaps relating to their ionicity, and also to the substrate on which they are grown. Such films could have a range of appl
ications in digital electronics where graphene is difficult to use. I use the dynamical cluster approximation to show how electron-phonon coupling between film and substrate can enhance these gaps in a way that depends on the range and strength of the coupling. One of the driving factors in this effect is the proximity to a charge density wave instability for electrons on a honeycomb lattice. The enhancement at intermediate coupling is sufficiently large that spatially varying substrates and superstrates could be used to create heterostructures in thin graphitic films with position dependent electron-phonon coupling and gaps, leading to advanced electronic components.
A theory is presented for the modification of bandgaps in atomically thin boron nitride (BN) by attractive interactions mediated through phonons in a polarizable substrate, or in the BN plane. Gap equations are solved, and gap enhancements are found
to range up to 70% for dimensionless electron-phonon coupling lambda=1, indicating that a proportion of the measured BN bandgap may have a phonon origin.
Bubbles introduced to the arterial circulation during invasive medical procedures can have devastating consequences for brain function but their effects are currently difficult to quantify. Here we present a Monte-Carlo simulation investigating the i
mpact of gas bubbles on cerebral blood flow. For the first time, this model includes realistic adhesion forces, bubble deformation, fluid dynamical considerations, and bubble dissolution. This allows investigation of the effects of buoyancy, solubility, and blood pressure on embolus clearance. Our results illustrate that blockages depend on several factors, including the number and size distribution of incident emboli, dissolution time and blood pressure. We found it essential to model the deformation of bubbles to avoid overestimation of arterial obstruction. Incorporation of buoyancy effects within our model slightly reduced the overall level of obstruction but did not decrease embolus clearance times. We found that higher blood pressures generate lower levels of obstruction and improve embolus clearance. Finally, we demonstrate the effects of gas solubility and discuss potential clinical applications of the model.
In condensed matter, it is often difficult to untangle the effects of competing interactions, and this is especially problematic for superconductors. Quantum simulators may help: here we show how exploiting the properties of highly excited Rydberg st
ates of cold fermionic atoms in a bilayer lattice can simulate electron-phonon interactions in the presence of strong correlation - a scenario found in many unconventional superconductors. We discuss the core features of the simulator, and use numerics to compare with condensed matter analogues. Finally, we illustrate how to achieve a practical, tunable implementation of the simulation using painted spot potentials.
We propose an approach for quantum simulation of electron-phonon interactions using Rydberg states of cold atoms and ions. We show how systems of cold atoms and ions can be mapped onto electron-phonon systems of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger type. We disc
uss how properties of the simulated Hamiltonian can be tuned and how to read physically relevant properties from the simulator. In particular, use of painted spot potentials offers a high level of tunability, enabling all physically relevant regimes of the electron-phonon Hamiltonian to be accessed.
Polaron spectral functions are computed for highly doped graphene-on-substrate and other atomically thin graphitic systems using the diagrammatic Monte Carlo technique. The specific aim is to investigate the effects of interaction on spectral functio
ns when the symmetry between sub-lattices of a honeycomb lattice has been broken by the substrate or ionicity, inducing a band gap. Introduction of electron-phonon coupling leads to several polaronic features, such as band-flattening and changes in particle lifetimes. At the K point, differences between energies on each sub-lattice increase with electron-phonon coupling, indicating an augmented transport gap, while the spectral gap decreases slightly. Effects of phonon dispersion and long-range interactions are investigated, and found to lead to only quantitative changes in spectra.
A theory is presented for the strong enhancement of graphene-on-substrate bandgaps by attractive interactions mediated through phonons in a polarizable superstrate. It is demonstrated that gaps of up to 1eV can be formed for experimentally achievable
values of electron-phonon coupling and phonon frequency. Gap enhancements range between 1 and 4, indicating possible benefits to graphene electronics through greater bandgap control for digital applications, lasers, LEDs and photovoltaics through the relatively simple application of polarizable materials such as SiO2 and Si3N4.
I introduce several simplified schemes for the approximation of the self-consistency condition of the dynamical cluster approximation. The applicability of the schemes is tested numerically using the fluctuation-exchange approximation as a cluster so
lver for the Hubbard model. Thermodynamic properties are found to be practically indistinguishable from those computed using the full self-consistent scheme in all cases where the non-interacting partial density of states is replaced by simplified analytic forms with matching 1st and 2nd moments. Green functions are also compared and found to be in close agreement, and the density of states computed using Pad{e} approximant analytic continuation shows that dynamical properties can also be approximated effectively. Extensions to two-particle properties and multiple bands are discussed. Simplified approaches to the dynamical cluster approximation should lead to new analytic solutions of the Hubbard and other models.
We discuss the physics of embolic stroke using a minimal model of emboli moving through the cerebral arteries. Our model of the blood flow network consists of a bifurcating tree, into which we introduce particles (emboli) that halt flow on reaching a
node of similar size. Flow is weighted away from blocked arteries, inducing an effective interaction between emboli. We justify the form of the flow weighting using a steady flow (Poiseuille) analysis and a more complicated nonlinear analysis. We discuss free flowing and heavily congested limits and examine the transition from free flow to congestion using numerics. The correlation time is found to increase significantly at a critical value, and a finite size scaling is carried out. An order parameter for non-equilibrium critical behavior is identified as the overlap of blockages flow shadows. Our work shows embolic stroke to be a feature of the cerebral blood flow network on the verge of a phase transition.
