Thermodynamics of a Physical Model Implementing a Maxwell Demon

in Physical Review Letters (2013), 110(4)(040601(5)), 040601-1

We present a physical implementation of a Maxwell demon which consists of a conventional single electron transistor (SET) capacitively coupled to another quantum dot detecting its state. Altogether, the ... [more ▼]

We present a physical implementation of a Maxwell demon which consists of a conventional single electron transistor (SET) capacitively coupled to another quantum dot detecting its state. Altogether, the system is described by stochastic thermodynamics. We identify the regime where the energetics of the SET is not affected by the detection, but where its coarse-grained entropy production is shown to contain a new contribution compared to the isolated SET. This additional contribution can be identified as the information flow generated by the ‘‘Maxwell demon’’ feedback in an idealized limit. [less ▲]

Tuning the Magneto-Optical Response of Nanosize Ferromagnetic Ni Disks Using the Phase of Localized Plasmons

in Physical Review Letters (2013), 111(16), 167401

We explore the influence of the phase of localized plasmon resonances on the magneto-optical activity of nanoferromagnets. We demonstrate that these systems can be described as two orthogonal damped ... [more ▼]

We explore the influence of the phase of localized plasmon resonances on the magneto-optical activity of nanoferromagnets. We demonstrate that these systems can be described as two orthogonal damped oscillators coupled by the spin-orbit interaction. We prove that only the spin-orbit induced transverse plasmon plays an active role on the magneto-optical properties by controlling the relative amplitude and phase lag between the two oscillators. Our theoretical predictions are fully confirmed by magneto-optical Kerr effect and optical extinction measurements in nanostructures of different size and shape. [less ▲]

Electronic structure and van der Waals interactions in the stability and mobility of point defects in semiconductors

in Physical Review Letters (2013), 111(4),

We study the role of electronic structure (band gaps) and long-range van der Waals (vdW) interactions on the stability and mobility of point defects in silicon and heavier semiconductors. Density ... [more ▼]

We study the role of electronic structure (band gaps) and long-range van der Waals (vdW) interactions on the stability and mobility of point defects in silicon and heavier semiconductors. Density functional theory calculations with hybrid functionals that contain part of the Hartree-Fock exchange energy are essential to achieve a reasonable description of defect electronic levels, leading to accurate defect formation energies. However, these functionals significantly overestimate the experimental migration barriers. The inclusion of screened vdW interactions further improves the description of defect formation energies, significantly changes the barrier geometries, and brings migration barrier heights into close agreement with experimental values. These results suggest that hybrid functionals with vdW interactions can be successfully used for predictions in a broad range of materials in which the correct description of both the electronic structure and the long-range electron correlation is essential. © 2013 American Physical Society. [less ▲]

Density-Functional Theory with Screened van der Waals Interactions for the Modeling of Hybrid Inorganic-Organic Systems

in PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS (2012), 108(14),

The electronic properties and the function of hybrid inorganic-organic systems (HIOS) are intimately linked to their interface geometry. Here we show that the inclusion of the many-body collective ... [more ▼]

The electronic properties and the function of hybrid inorganic-organic systems (HIOS) are intimately linked to their interface geometry. Here we show that the inclusion of the many-body collective response of the substrate electrons inside the inorganic bulk enables us to reliably predict the HIOS geometries and energies. This is achieved by the combination of dispersion-corrected density-functional theory (the DFT+ van der Waals approach) [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 073005 (2009)], with the Lifshitz-Zaremba-Kohn theory for the nonlocal Coulomb screening within the bulk. Our method yields geometries in remarkable agreement (approximate to 0.1 angstrom) with normal incidence x-ray standing wave measurements for the 3, 4, 9, 10-perylene-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (C24O6H8, PTCDA) molecule on Cu(111), Ag(111), and Au(111) surfaces. Similarly accurate results are obtained for xenon and benzene adsorbed on metal surfaces. [less ▲]

Accurate and Efficient Method for Many-Body van der Waals Interactions

in PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS (2012), 108(23),

An efficient method is developed for the microscopic description of the frequency-dependent polarizability of finite-gap molecules and solids. This is achieved by combining the Tkatchenko-Scheffler van ... [more ▼]

An efficient method is developed for the microscopic description of the frequency-dependent polarizability of finite-gap molecules and solids. This is achieved by combining the Tkatchenko-Scheffler van der Waals (vdW) method [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 073005 (2009)] with the self-consistent screening equation of classical electrodynamics. This leads to a seamless description of polarization and depolarization for the polarizability tensor of molecules and solids. The screened long-range many-body vdW energy is obtained from the solution of the Schrodinger equation for a system of coupled oscillators. We show that the screening and the many-body vdW energy play a significant role even for rather small molecules, becoming crucial for an accurate treatment of conformational energies for biomolecules and binding of molecular crystals. The computational cost of the developed theory is negligible compared to the underlying electronic structure calculation. [less ▲]

Reply to Comment on Fast and Accurate Modeling of Molecular Atomization Energies with Machine Learning

in Physical Review Letters (2012), 109(5),

[No abstract available]

Nematic-smectic transition under confinement in liquid crystalline colloidal shells

in Physical Review Letters (2011), 106(24), 247801

We carry out the first study of smectic liquid crystalline colloidal shells and investigate how their complex internal structure depends on the director configuration in the nematic phase, preceding the ... [more ▼]

We carry out the first study of smectic liquid crystalline colloidal shells and investigate how their complex internal structure depends on the director configuration in the nematic phase, preceding the smectic phase on cooling. Differences in the free energy cost of director bend and splay give an initial skewed distribution of topological defects in the nematic phase. In the smectic phase, the topological and geometrical constraints of the spherical shell imposed on the developing 1D quasi-long-range order create a conflict that triggers a series of buckling instabilities. Two different characteristic defect patterns arise, one driven by the curvature of the shell, the other by the strong nonuniformities in the director field in the vicinity of the topological defects. [less ▲]

Van der Waals interactions in ionic and semiconductor solids

in Physical Review Letters (2011), 107(24),

Van der Waals (vdW) energy corrected density-functional theory is applied to study the cohesive properties of ionic and semiconductor solids (C, Si, Ge, GaAs, NaCl, and MgO). The required polarizability ... [more ▼]

Van der Waals (vdW) energy corrected density-functional theory is applied to study the cohesive properties of ionic and semiconductor solids (C, Si, Ge, GaAs, NaCl, and MgO). The required polarizability and dispersion coefficients are calculated using the dielectric function obtained from time-dependent density-functional theory. Coefficients for "atoms in the solid" are then calculated from the Hirshfeld partitioning of the electron density. It is shown that the Clausius-Mossotti equation that relates the polarizability and the dielectric function is accurate even for covalently-bonded semiconductors. We find an overall improvement in the cohesive properties of Si, Ge, GaAs, NaCl, and MgO, when vdW interactions are included on top of the Perdew-Burke- Ernzerhof or Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof functionals. The relevance of our findings for other solids is discussed. © 2011 American Physical Society. [less ▲]

Unraveling the stability of polypeptide helices: Critical role of van der Waals interactions

in Physical Review Letters (2011), 106(11),

Folding and unfolding processes are important for the functional capability of polypeptides and proteins. In contrast with a physiological environment (solvated or condensed phases), an in vacuo study ... [more ▼]

Folding and unfolding processes are important for the functional capability of polypeptides and proteins. In contrast with a physiological environment (solvated or condensed phases), an in vacuo study provides well-defined "clean room" conditions to analyze the intramolecular interactions that largely control the structure, stability, and folding or unfolding dynamics. Here we show that a proper consideration of van der Waals (vdW) dispersion forces in density-functional theory (DFT) is essential, and a recently developed DFT+vdW approach enables long time-scale ab initio molecular dynamics simulations at an accuracy close to "gold standard" quantum-chemical calculations. The results show that the inclusion of vdW interactions qualitatively changes the conformational landscape of alanine polypeptides, and greatly enhances the thermal stability of helical structures, in agreement with gas-phase experiments. © 2011 American Physical Society. [less ▲]

Stacking and registry effects in layered materials: The case of hexagonal boron nitride

in Physical Review Letters (2010), 105(4),

The interlayer sliding energy landscape of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is investigated via a van der Waals corrected density functional theory approach. It is found that the main role of the van der ... [more ▼]

The interlayer sliding energy landscape of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is investigated via a van der Waals corrected density functional theory approach. It is found that the main role of the van der Waals forces is to anchor the layers at a fixed distance, whereas the electrostatic forces dictate the optimal stacking mode and the interlayer sliding energy. A nearly free-sliding path is identified, along which band gap modulations of ∼0.6eV are obtained. We propose a simple geometric model that quantifies the registry matching between the layers and captures the essence of the corrugated h-BN interlayer energy landscape. The simplicity of this phenomenological model opens the way to the modeling of complex layered structures, such as carbon and boron nitride nanotubes. © 2010 The American Physical Society. [less ▲]