Dynamics and topological defects in periodic media

• Grant number: 14/15372-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: October 01, 2014 - September 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Enzo Granato
• Grantee: Enzo Granato
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovações (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

A wide variety of ordered media emerges through the symmetry breaking accompanying a phase transition. The physical properties of these media depend strongly on the existence of topological defects. Such defects are a consequence of the periodicity and stiffness of the ordered media and are also responsible for the mechanism that produces the phase transition. In systems with continuous symmetry, for example, as in crystalline atomic lattices topological defects in the form of dislocations determine most of the plastic properties, both in dynamic and static behavior. In superconductors and superfluids, vortices are the most relevant topological defects. When the symmetry is discrete, as in the case of adsorbed atomic layers on a substrate the relevant topological defect consists of a domain wall or interface, separating different ordered regions of the system. The purpose of the present project is to develop theoretical research on dynamic, topological defects and phase transitions in periodic media. The main focus is on phenomena that occur mainly in granular superconductors and crystal surfaces. The common feature of these apparently distinct systems is the existence of competition between elasticity, periodicity of ordered media and external force. The periodicity of the system allows the formation of topological defects that determine both the dynamics and phase transitions in the system. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GRANATO, E.; YING, S. C.; ELDER, K. R.; ALA-NISSILA, T.. Mass transport of adsorbates near a discontinuous structural phase transition. Physical Review B, v. 94, n. 23, DEC 9 2016. (14/15372-3)

GRANATO, ENZO. Superconductor-insulator transition of Josephson-junction arrays on a honeycomb lattice in a magnetic field. European Physical Journal B, v. 89, n. 3, MAR 14 2016. (14/15372-3)

TRUSHIN, O.; MARAS, E.; STUKOWSKI, A.; GRANATO, E.; YING, S. C.; JONSSON, H.; ALA-NISSILA, T.. Minimum energy path for the nucleation of misfit dislocations in Ge/Si(001) heteroepitaxy. MODELLING AND SIMULATION IN MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, v. 24, n. 3, MAR 2016. (14/15372-3)

GRANATO, ENZO. Magnetic flux disorder and superconductor-insulator transition in nanohole thin films. Physical Review B, v. 94, n. 6, AUG 1 2016. (14/15372-3)

ELDER, K. R.; ACHIM, C. V.; GRANATO, E.; YING, S. C.; ALA-NISSILA, T.. Commensurate-incommensurate transition and domain wall dynamics of adsorbed overlayers on a honeycomb substrate. EPL, v. 116, n. 5, DEC 2016. (14/15372-3)

ELDER, K. R.; CHEN, Z.; ELDER, K. L. M.; HIRVONEN, P.; MKHONTA, S. K.; YING, S. -C.; GRANATO, E.; HUANG, ZHI-FENG; ALA-NISSILA, T.. Honeycomb and triangular domain wall networks in heteroepitaxial systems. Journal of Chemical Physics, v. 144, n. 17, MAY 7 2016. (14/15372-3)