Nonuniversal critical phenomena along the lambda line of4He

We present a new calculation of the critical thermal conductivity near the lambda line of⁴He. Static and dynamic effects are properly separated and are calculated within modelF in three dimensions by means of renormalized field theory up to two-loop order. The result provides an appropriate basis for analyzing forthcoming thermal conductivity data and for determining the temperature and pressure dependence of the effective dynamic parameters of⁴He in the entire critical region. This can be used to predict other nonuniversal dynamic critical phenomena above and below the lambda line.     

Nonuniversal critical phenomena along the lambda line of4He

General relations between the critical specific heat above and below the lambda transition of⁴He are derived. The specific heat aboveT is calculated in three dimensions up to two-loop order. The relations can be used to determine the effective renormalized static couplings of modelF without integrating the renormalization-group flow equations. The effect of different normalizations of the couplings is discussed. The theory is applicable both to asymptotic universal and to nonasymptotic nonuniversal properties well away fromT (P) and provides part of the basis for quantitative predictions of other nonuniversal critical phenomena along the lambda line.     

Introduction to colloidal dispersions in external fields

Progress in the research area of colloidal dispersions in external fields within the last years is reviewed. Colloidal dispersions play a pivotal role as model systems for phase transitions in classical statistical mechanics. In recent years the leading role of colloids to realize model systems has become evident not only for equilibrium situations but also far away from equilibrium. By using external fields (such as shear flow, electric, magnetic or laseroptical fields as well as confinement), a colloidal suspension can be brought into nonequilibrium in a controlled way. Various kinds of equilibrium and nonequilibrium phenomena explored by colloidal dispersions are described providing also a guide and summary to this special issue. Particular emphasis is put on the comparison of real-space experiments, computer simulations and statistical theories.     

Nonuniversal properties in the dipolar critical region of uniaxial ferromagnets

The amplitude of the critical isotherm is expressed by microscopic magnetic parameters and the transition temperature. The agreement between calculated and experimental values is good for GdCl₃ and LiTbF₄, whereas for DyEs a discrepancy is observed.     

Flow curves of colloidal dispersions close to the glass transition

The flow curves, viz. the curves of stationary stress under steady shearing, are obtained close to the glass transition in dense colloidal dispersions using asymptotic expansions in the schematic -model of mode coupling theory. The shear thinning of the viscosity in fluid states and the yielding of glassy states is discussed. At the transition between fluid and shear-molten glass, simple and generalized Herschel-Bulkley laws are derived with power law exponents that can be computed for different particle interactions from the equilibrium structure factor.     

Physics of colloidal dispersions in nematic liquid crystals

This article reviews the physics of colloidal dispersions in nematic liquid crystals as a novel challenging type of soft matter. We first investigate the nematic environment of one particle with a radial anchoring of the director at its surface. Three possible structures are identified and discussed in detail; the dipole, the Saturn-ring and the surface-ring configuration. Secondly, we address dipolar and quadrupolar two-particle interactions with the help of a phenomenological theory. Thirdly, we calculate the anisotropic Stokes drag of a particle in a nematic environment which determines the Brownian motion of particles via the Stokes–Einstein relation. We then turn our interest towards colloidal dispersions in complex geometries where we identify the dipolar configuration and study its formation. Finally, we demonstrate that surface-induced nematic order above the nematic-isotropic phase transition results in a strongly attractive but short-range two-particle interaction. Its strength can be controlled by temperature and thereby induce flocculation in an otherwise stabilized dispersion.     

Multiple-scattering suppression in dilute and concentrated colloidal dispersions

Summary We describe the design and operation of an improved two-colour dynamic light scattering (TCDLS) equipment which effectively suppresses multiple scattering and allows the study of the Brownian dynamics of optically turbid samples. The technique operates by cross correlating scattered light of two different colours. With the appropriate scattering geometry, only singly scattered light contributes to the time-dependent part of the measured intensity cross-correlation function thus allowing straightforward interpretation of the data. To test the performance of the instrument we have studied several dilute colloidal suspensions, which, although dilute enough that free diffusion of the particles can be assumed, ranged from quite transparent to distinctly turbid. We have confirmed that the measured cross-correlation functions accurately reflect only single scattering even in the presence of strong multiple scattering. As a first application of the technique, we have performed light scattering measurements on concentrated suspensions of PMMA particles in cis-decalin. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.     

Electrophoresis of colloidal dispersions in the low-salt regime

We study the electrophoretic mobility of spherical charged colloids in a low-salt suspension as a function of the colloidal concentration. Using an effective particle charge and a reduced screening parameter, we map the data for systems with different particle charges and sizes, including numerical simulation data with full electrostatics and hydrodynamics and experimental data for latex dispersions, on a single master curve. We observe two different volume fraction-dependent regimes for the electrophoretic mobility that can be explained in terms of the static properties of the ionic double layer.     

Rhythmic cluster generation in strongly driven colloidal dispersions

We study the response of a nematic colloidal dispersion of rods to a driven probe particle which is dragged with high speed through the dispersion perpendicular to the nematic director. In front of the dragged particle, clusters of rods are generated which rhythmically grow and dissolve by rotational motion. We find evidence for a mesoscopic cluster-cluster correlation length, independent of the imposed drag speed. Our results are based on nonequilibrium Brownian dynamics computer simulations and in line with a dynamical scaling theory.     

A density-matrix approach to critical phenomena

A density-matrix approach to the constrained Hartree-Fock problem is proposed as an alternative to Kümmel's maximum overlap method for the study of critical phenomena, with reference to two different quasi-spin models. Excellent results are obtained.     

Application of the dissipative particle dynamics method to magnetic colloidal dispersions

The validity of the application of the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method to ferromagnetic colloidal dispersions has been investigated by conducting DPD simulations for a two–dimensional system. First, the interaction between dissipative and magnetic particles has been idealized as some model potentials, and DPD simulations have been carried out using such model potentials for a two magnetic particle system. In these simulations, attention has been focused on the collision time for the two particles approaching each other and touching from an initially separated position, and such collision time has been evaluated for various cases of mass and diameter of dissipative particles and model parameters, which are included in defining the equation of motion of dissipative particles. Next, a multi–particle system of magnetic particles has been treated, and particle aggregates have been evaluated, together with the pair correlation function along an applied magnetic field direction. Such characteristics of aggregate structures have been compared with the results of Monte Carlo and Brownian dynamics simulations in order to clarify the validity of the application of the DPD method to particle dispersion systems. The present simulation results have clearly shown that DPD simulations with the model interaction potential presented here give rise to physically reasonable aggregate structures under circumstances of strong magnetic particle–particle interactions as well as a strong external magnetic field, since these aggregate structures are in good agreement with those of Monte Carlo and Brownian dynamics simulations.     

Entanglement in quantum critical phenomena

Entanglement, one of the most intriguing features of quantum theory and a main resource in quantum information science, is expected to play a crucial role also in the study of quantum phase transitions, where it is responsible for the appearance of long-range correlations. We investigate, through a microscopic calculation, the scaling properties of entanglement in spin chain systems, both near and at a quantum critical point. Our results establish a precise connection between concepts of quantum information, condensed matter physics, and quantum field theory, by showing that the behavior of critical entanglement in spin systems is analogous to that of entropy in conformal field theories. We explore some of the implications of this connection.