Nonequilibrium Description Research Articles

Keldysh Field Theory of Dynamical Exciton Condensation Transitions in Nonequilibrium Electron-Hole Bilayers.

Recent experiments have realized steady-state electrical injection of interlayer excitons in electron-hole bilayers subject to a large bias voltage. In the ideal case in which interlayer tunneling is negligibly weak, the system is in quasiequilibrium with a reduced effective band gap. Interlayer tunneling introduces a current and drives the system out of equilibrium. In this work we derive a nonequilibrium field theory description of interlayer excitons in biased electron-hole bilayers. In the large bias limit, we find that p-wave interlayer tunneling reduces the effective band gap and increases the effective temperature for intervalley excitons. We discuss possible experimental implications for InAs/GaSb quantum wells and transition metal dichalcogenide bilayers.

Emergence of cosmic space with Barrow entropy, in non-equilibrium thermodynamic conditions

Recently, Barrow proposed a modified area–entropy relation S=(A/A0)1+Δ/2, where the exponent Δ, ranges 0≤Δ≤1, by taking account of the quantum gravitational deformation effects to the black hole’s surface. In recent literature, this horizon entropy has been adopted to the cosmological context. Following this, we obtained the law of emergence, which describes the dynamics of the universe, with Barrow entropy in the context of equilibrium thermodynamics (unified first law and Clausius relation). However, when considering Barrow entropy (a non-Bekenstein entropy), an additional entropy generation arises owing to the non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The corresponding field equation bears an effective coupling strength, which connects the geometry with an effective energy–momentum tensor. We derived the law of emergence by using the non-equilibrium description of the thermodynamic principle, which accounts for the addition entropy production term. We compared it with that of the equilibrium description. In addition, we checked the consistency of the modified law in the context of entropy maximization. Interestingly, we found that the non-equilibrium entropy generation rate decreases gradually, and the universe evolves to an equilibrium state of maximum entropy corresponding to the de Sitter epoch.

Dynamical fluctuations of a tracer coupled to active and passive particles

We study the induced dynamics of an inertial tracer particle elastically coupled to passive or active Brownian particles. We integrate out the environment degrees of freedom to obtain the exact effective equation of the tracer—a generalized Langevin equation in both cases. In particular, we find the exact form of the dissipation kernel and effective noise experienced by the tracer and compare it with the phenomenological modeling of active baths used in previous studies. We show that the second fluctuation-dissipation relation (FDR) does not hold at early times for both cases. However, at finite times, the tracer dynamics violate (obeys) the FDR for the active (passive) environment. We calculate the linear response formulas in this regime for both cases and show that the passive medium satisfies an equilibrium fluctuation response relation, while the active medium does not—we quantify the extent of this violation explicitly. We show that though the active medium generally renders a nonequilibrium description of the tracer, an effective equilibrium picture emerges asymptotically in the small activity limit of the medium. We also calculate the mean squared velocity and mean squared displacement of the tracer and report how they vary with time.

Order parameters in Dicke model

Dicke model provides describing the superradiance effect when the spontaneous emission of a great number of excited two-level atoms is running in a correlated way due to their interaction via field. The process is identical to a giant dipole emission. Since the ordering takes place, it is interesting to study the possibility for using the terms of phase transition theory in such physical situation. Equilibrium properties of Dicke type models were studied for a long time because of their relevance for explaining some phenomena in matter-field interaction. The existence of an ordered phase in the emitter subsystem together with macroscopic photon mode filling is established, wherein the correct solution requires the Bogolyubov concept of quasiaverages to exclude the phase uncertainty of quasispin component structures <R+> and <R-> (for the concentrated model). In this paper, the behavior of similar order parameters for the non-equilibrium process description is analyzed and using the order parameter <R+R-> associated with the squared electric dipole moment of the emitter complex is substantiated. Such fact justifies <R3> application in the literature devoted to the superradiance theory. The situation with quasiaverages is compared with the problem of uniformity breaking in the numerical modeling.

On Three “Anomalous” Measurements of Nonlinear QPC Conductance

Practical mesoscopic devices based on quantum point contacts (QPCs) must function at operating point involving large internal driving fields. Experimental evidence has accumulated to display anomalous nonlinear features of QPC response beyond the capacities of accepted tunnelling-based models of nonlinear quantum transport. Here, we recall the physical setting of three anomalous QPC experiments and review how, for two of them, a microscopically based nonequilibrium quantum kinetic description—the correct physical boundary conditions being crucial—has already overcome the predictive limitations of standard nonequilibrium mesoscopic models. The third experiment remains a significant challenge to all theorists.

Equilibrium and nonequilibrium description of negative temperature states in a one-dimensional lattice using a wave kinetic approach.

We predict negative temperature states in the discrete nonlinear Schödinger (DNLS) equation as exact solutions of the associated wave kinetic equation. Within the wave kinetic approach, we define an entropy that results monotonic in time and reaches a stationary state, that is consistent with classical equilibrium statistical mechanics. We also perform a detailed analysis of the fluctuations of the actions at fixed wave numbers around their mean values. We give evidence that such fluctuations relax to their equilibrium behavior on a shorter timescale than the one needed for the spectrum to reach the equilibrium state. Numerical simulations of the DNLS equation are shown to be in agreement with our theoretical results. The key ingredient for observing negative temperatures in lattices characterized by two invariants is the boundedness of the dispersion relation.

Preaveraging description of polymer nonequilibrium stretching.

This article focuses on a preaveraging description of polymer nonequilibrium stretching, where a single polymer undergoes a transient process from equilibrium to nonequilibrium steady state by pulling one chain end. The preaveraging method combined with mode analysis reduces the original Langevin equation to a simplified form for both a stretched steady state and an equilibrium state, even in the presence of self-avoiding repulsive interactions spanning a long range. However, the transient stretching process exhibits evolution of a hierarchal regime structure, which means a qualitative temporal change in probabilistic distributions assumed in preaveraging. We investigate the preaveraging method for evolution of the regime structure with consideration of the nonequilibrium work relations and deviations from the fluctuation-dissipation relation.

Non-adiabatic effects of nuclear motion in quantum transport of electrons: A self-consistent Keldysh-Langevin study.

The molecular junction geometry is modeled in terms of nuclear degrees of freedom that are embedded in a stochastic quantum environment of non-equilibrium electrons. The time-evolution of the molecular geometry is governed via a mean force, a frictional force, and a stochastic force, forces arising from many electrons tunneling across the junction for a given nuclear vibration. Conversely, the current-driven nuclear dynamics feed back to the electronic current, which can be captured according to the extended expressions for the current that have explicit dependences on classical nuclear velocities and accelerations. Current-induced nuclear forces and the non-adiabatic electric current are computed using non-equilibrium Green's functions via a timescale separation solution of Keldysh-Kadanoff-Baym equations in the Wigner space. Applying the theory to molecular junctions demonstrated that non-adiabatic corrections play an important role when nuclear motion is considered non-equilibrium and, in particular, showed that non-equilibrium and equilibrium descriptions of nuclear motion produce significantly different current characteristics. It is observed that non-equilibrium descriptions generally produce heightened conductance profiles relative to the equilibrium descriptions and provide evidence that the effective temperature is an effective measure of the steady-state characteristics. Finally, we observe that the non-equilibrium descriptions of nuclear motion can give rise to the Landauer blowtorch effect via the emergence of multi-minima potential energy surfaces in conjunction with non-uniform temperature profiles. The Landauer blowtorch effect and its impact on the current characteristics, waiting times, and the Fano factor are explored for an effective adiabatic potential that morphs between a single, double, and triple potential as a function of voltage.

Quantum Rolling Friction.

An atom moving in a vacuum at constant velocity and parallel to a surface experiences a frictional force induced by the dissipative interaction with the quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. We show that the combination of nonequilibrium dynamics, the anomalous Doppler effect, and spin-momentum locking of light mediates an intriguing interplay between the atom's translational and rotational motion. In turn, this deeply affects the drag force in a way that is reminiscent of classical rolling friction. Our fully non-Markovian and nonequilibrium description reveals counterintuitive features characterizing the atom's velocity-dependent rotational dynamics. These results prompt interesting directions for tuning the interaction and for investigating nonequilibrium dynamics as well as the properties of confined light.

A Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis of the influence of the regenerator on the performance of the cold Stirling engine at different working conditions

The paper presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of the cold alpha-type Stirling engine. The developed mathematical model comprises of Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) set of equations, i.e. continuity, momentum and energy equations. Moreover, the developed mathematical model comprises a non-equilibrium description of the regenerator, by the introduction of the energy conservation equation for the regenerator matrix. It was implemented in the framework of commercial CFD software ANSYS Fluent. The work presents an in-depth analysis of the influence of the numerical mesh and applied turbulence model on the obtained results. The model was used to analyse the influence of the regenerator on the performance of the cold Stirling engine at different operating conditions. It appeared that on an average application of the regenerator increased the engine specific work by 10 J/kg and this increase is significantly higher at a high rotational speed of the engine. At the same time, the engine efficiency averagely was increased by 10 percent points and again this increase was significantly higher at higher rotational speeds of the engine. Especially, the influence of the heat source and sink temperatures on the engine operation were analysed. It appears that the lower are temperatures of a heat source and sink the more pronounced is the presence of the regenerator in the engine. Finally, the influence of the elementary parameters: particle diameter and porosity of the solid matrix which constitute the regenerator filling was investigated. It was shown that for the analysed engine the optimal value of the regenerator packing porosity equals about 0.72 it results in the specific area of the regenerator equal around 1675 m2/m3. Obtained results can be used to analyse the possibility of application of Stirling engines to recover low-temperature exergy of regasified Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which for small regasification units can be alternative for commonly utilised Ambient Air Vaporizers (AAV) and it aside for regasification of LNG it could produce electric energy.

Thermodynamic analysis of modified teleparallel gravity involving higher-order torsion derivative terms

The present study is elaborated to investigate the validity of thermodynamical laws in a modified teleparallel gravity based on higher-order derivative terms of torsion scalar. For this purpose, we consider spatially flat FRW model filled with perfect fluid matter contents. Firstly, we explore the possibility of existence of equilibrium as well as non-equilibrium picture of thermodynamics in this extended version of teleparallel gravity. Here, we present the first law and the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSLT) using Hubble horizon. It is found that non-equilibrium description of thermodynamics exists in this theory with the presence of an extra term called as entropy production term. We also establish GSLT using the logarithmic corrected entropy. Further, by taking the equilibrium picture, we discuss validity of GSLT at Hubble horizon for two different F models. Using Gibbs law and the assumption that temperature of matter within Hubble horizon is similar to itself, We use different choices of scale factor to discuss the GSLT validity graphically in all scenarios. It is found that the GSLT is satisfied for a specified range of free parameters in all cases.

2D self-consistent modeling of arc–electrode interaction in GTAW using a finite volume method

Steady-state 2D simulation of arc welding with a thoriated tungsten cathode and argon plasma is performed using a finite volume method. It is realized by a self-consistent interaction model that includes a chemical and thermal non-equilibrium description of an arc plasma along with a 1D treatment of a sheath-bulk plasma combination layer represented by the boundary cells attached at the cathode–plasma interface. A series of comparisons with experimental data show that with the local effective value of sheath conductivity the arc current is more constricted at the cathode tip, leading to more realistic plasma temperature and voltage results, while no cut-off parameter is needed, which will otherwise set an artificial cathode emission region in the interaction model. Plasma compositions with equilibrium and non-equilibrium methods are compared, leading to the conclusion that the local maximum of electron number density extends from the axis due to strong convective transport while both net ionization and recombination can appear within the LTE regions.

KAPPA: Kinetic approach to physical processes in atmospheres library in C++

KAPPA, an open-source software library for the computation of thermodynamic and transport properties in non-equilibrium gas flows and species production rates, is presented. Thermodynamic properties rely on custom databases which describe the characteristics of atoms and molecules and interaction features. Mixture thermodynamic properties are formulated from species quantities. Species production rates are based on elementary chemical reactions and vibrational energy transitions. Transport properties are derived from kinetic theory which provides relationships for transport coefficients depending on the flow model. Several levels of non-equilibrium flow description are implemented: the detailed state-to-state (STS) approach, multi-temperature and one-temperature models. Sets of transport coefficients depend on the deviation from equilibrium; in the state-to-state model, they include state-resolved diffusion coefficients for each pair of vibrational states. A highly modular, object-oriented application program interface (API) has been developed. The adopted object-oriented programming paradigm (OOP), along with the implemented models of state-resolved physico-chemical relaxation rates, is presented. The design of the library allows it to be easily included in existing CFD codes and is aimed at code reusability and readability.Program Title: KAPPAProgram Files doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/mrx9n35bvs.1Licensing provisions: GNU General Public Licence, version 3.Programming language: C++; developed and tested with Intel Compiler v. 18.x and GNU.External routines/libraries: KAPPA must be linked to yaml-cpp [1] in order to read human-readable database files and to Armadillo [2] for solving algebraic linear systems.Nature of problem: Numerical computation of transport properties and rate exchange coefficients for non-equilibrium reacting flows.Solution method: Non-equilibrium reacting flow is treated by a rigorous state-to-state (STS) kinetic theory approach.Restrictions: At present, KAPPA is validated for computing transport properties and rate exchange coefficients using the state-to-state (STS) approach; 1- and 2-temperature models have still to be validated, but they are already implemented. C++ compiler is mandatory.Unusual features: KAPPA is an open-source object-oriented highly modular and easy-to-maintain C++ software library which implements rigorous mathematical kinetic theory models.Additional comments: KAPPA project adopts Git [3], a free and open source distributed version control system. A public repository dedicated to KAPPA project [4] has been created on github, a web-based hosting service for software development projects using git versioning system. Finally, a comprehensive documentation [5] is provided parsing source code comments by means of doxygen software [6].

Nonequilibrium atom-surface interaction with lossy multilayer structures

The impact of lossy multi-layer structures on nonequilibrium atom-surface interactions is discussed. Specifically, the focus lies on a fully non-Markovian and nonequilibrium description of quantum friction, the fluctuation-induced drag force acting on an atom moving at constant velocity and height above the multi-layer structures. Compared to unstructured bulk material, the drag force for multi-layer systems is considerably enhanced and exhibits different regimes in its velocity and distance dependences. These features are linked to the appearance of coupled interface polaritons within the superlattice structures. Our results are not only useful for an experimental investigation of quantum friction but also highlight a way to tailor the interaction by simply modifying the structural composition of the multi-layer systems.

Thermodynamics in f(T) Gravity with Nonminimal Coupling to Matter

In the present paper, we study the thermodynamics behavior of the field equations for the generalized f(T) gravity with arbitrary coupling between matter and the torsion scalar. In this regard, we explore the verification of the first law of thermodynamics at the apparent horizon of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe in two different perspectives, namely, the nonequilibrium and equilibrium descriptions of thermodynamics. Furthermore, we investigate the validity of the second law of thermodynamics for both descriptions of this scenario with the assumption that the temperature of matter inside the horizon is similar to that of horizon.

Nonequilibrium description of de novo biogenesis and transport through Golgi-like cisternae.

A central issue in cell biology is the physico-chemical basis of organelle biogenesis in intracellular trafficking pathways, its most impressive manifestation being the biogenesis of Golgi cisternae. At a basic level, such morphologically and chemically distinct compartments should arise from an interplay between the molecular transport and chemical maturation. Here, we formulate analytically tractable, minimalist models, that incorporate this interplay between transport and chemical progression in physical space, and explore the conditions for de novo biogenesis of distinct cisternae. We propose new quantitative measures that can discriminate between the various models of transport in a qualitative manner–this includes measures of the dynamics in steady state and the dynamical response to perturbations of the kind amenable to live-cell imaging.

Thermodynamic properties of modified gravity theories

We review thermodynamic properties of modified gravity theories, such as [Formula: see text] gravity and [Formula: see text] gravity, where [Formula: see text] is the scalar curvature and [Formula: see text] is the torsion scalar in teleparallelism. In particular, we explore the equivalence between the equations of motion for modified gravity theories and the Clausius relation in thermodynamics. In addition, thermodynamics of the cosmological apparent horizon is investigated in [Formula: see text] gravity. We show both equilibrium and nonequilibrium descriptions of thermodynamics. It is demonstrated that the second law of thermodynamics in the universe can be met, when the temperature of the outside of the apparent horizon is equivalent to that of the inside of it.

Account of near-cathode sheath in numerical models of high-pressure arc discharges

Three approaches to describing the separation of charges in near-cathode regions of high-pressure arc discharges are compared. The first approach employs a single set of equations, including the Poisson equation, in the whole interelectrode gap. The second approach employs a fully non-equilibrium description of the quasi-neutral bulk plasma, complemented with a newly developed description of the space-charge sheaths. The third, and the simplest, approach exploits the fact that significant power is deposited by the arc power supply into the near-cathode plasma layer, which allows one to simulate the plasma–cathode interaction to the first approximation independently of processes in the bulk plasma. It is found that results given by the different models are generally in good agreement, and in some cases the agreement is even surprisingly good. It follows that the predicted integral characteristics of the plasma–cathode interaction are not strongly affected by details of the model provided that the basic physics is right.

“Hot entanglement”? – A nonequilibrium quantum field theory scrutiny

The possibility of maintaining entanglement in a quantum system at finite, even high, temperatures – the so-called ‘hot entanglement’ – has obvious practical interest, but also requires closer theoretical scrutiny. Since quantum entanglement in a system evolves in time and is continuously subjected to environmental degradation, a nonequilibrium description by way of open quantum systems is called for. To identify the key issues and the contributing factors that may permit ‘hot entanglement’ to exist, or the lack thereof, we carry out a model study of two spatially-separated, coupled oscillators in a shared bath depicted by a finite-temperature scalar field. From the Langevin equations we derived for the normal modes and the entanglement measure constructed from the covariance matrix we examine the interplay between direct coupling, field-induced interaction and finite separation on the structure of late-time entanglement. We show that the coupling between oscillators plays a crucial role in sustaining entanglement at intermediate temperatures and over finite separations. In contrast, the field-induced interaction between the oscillators which is a non-Markovian effect becomes very ineffective at high temperature. We determine the critical temperature above which entanglement disappears to be bounded in the leading order by the inverse frequency of the center-of-mass mode of the reduced oscillator system, a result not unexpected, which rules out hot entanglement in such settings.

Frustrated fragmentation and re-aggregation in nuclei: A non-equilibrium description in spallation

Heavy nuclei bombarded with protons and deuterons in the 1 GeV range have a large probability of undergoing a process of evaporation and fission; less frequently, the prompt emission of few intermediate-mass fragments can also be observed. We employ a recently developed microscopic approach, based on the Boltzmann-Langevin transport equation, to investigate the role of mean-field dynamics and phase-space fluctuations in these reactions. We find that the formation of few IMF's can be confused with asymmetric fission when relying on yield observables, but it can not be assimilated to the statistical decay of a compound nucleus when analysing the dynamics and kinematic observables: it can be described as a fragmentation process initiated by phase-space fluctuations, and successively frustrated by the mean-field resilience. As an extreme situation, which corresponds to non-negligible probability, the number of fragments in the exit channel reduces to two, so that fission-like events are obtained by re-aggregation processes. This interpretation, inspired by nuclear-spallation experiments, can be generalised to heavy-ion collisions from Fermi to relativistic energies, for situations when the system is closely approaching the fragmentation threshold.