Maximal Diversity and Zipf's Law.

Zipf's law describes the empirical size distribution of the components of many systems in natural and social sciences and humanities. We show, by solving a statistical model, that Zipf's law co-occurs with the maximization of the diversity of the component sizes. The law ruling the increase of such diversity with the total dimension of the system is derived and its relation with Heaps's law is discussed. As an example, we show that our analytical results compare very well with linguistics and population datasets.

The Interplay between Phase Separation and Gene-Enhancer Communication: A Theoretical Study.

The phase separation occurring in a system of mutually interacting proteins that can bind on specific sites of a chromatin fiber is investigated here. This is achieved by means of extensive molecular dynamics simulations of a simple polymer model that includes regulatory proteins as interacting spherical particles. Our interest is particularly focused on the role played by phase separation in the formation of molecule aggregates that can join distant regulatory elements, such as gene promoters and enhancers, along the DNA. We find that the overall equilibrium state of the system resulting from the mutual interplay between binding molecules and chromatin can lead, under suitable conditions that depend on molecules concentration, molecule-molecule, and molecule-DNA interactions, to the formation of phase-separated molecular clusters, allowing robust contacts between regulatory sites. Vice versa, the presence of regulatory sites can promote the phase-separation process. Different dynamical regimes can generate the enhancer-promoter contact, either by cluster nucleation at binding sites or by bulk spontaneous formation of the mediating cluster to which binding sites are successively attracted. The possibility that such processes can explain experimental live-cell imaging data measuring distances between regulatory sites during time is also discussed.

Probability Distributions with Singularities.

In this paper we review some general properties of probability distributions which exhibit a singular behavior. After introducing the matter with several examples based on various models of statistical mechanics, we discuss, with the help of such paradigms, the underlying mathematical mechanism producing the singularity and other topics such as the condensation of fluctuations, the relationships with ordinary phase-transitions, the giant response associated to anomalous fluctuations, and the interplay with fluctuation relations.

Ordering kinetics of the two-dimensional voter model with long-range interactions.

We study analytically the ordering kinetics of the two-dimensional long-range voter model on a two-dimensional lattice, where agents on each vertex take the opinion of others at distance r with probability P(r)∝r^{-α}. The model is characterized by different regimes, as α is varied. For α>4, the behavior is similar to that of the nearest-neighbor model, with the formation of ordered domains of a typical size growing as L(t)∝sqrt[t], until consensus is reached in a time of the order of NlnN, with N being the number of agents. Dynamical scaling is violated due to an excess of interfacial sites whose density decays as slowly as ρ(t)∝1/lnt. Sizable finite-time corrections are also present, which are absent in the case of nearest-neighbor interactions. For 0<α≤4, standard scaling is reinstated and the correlation length increases algebraically as L(t)∝t^{1/z}, with 1/z=2/α for 3<α<4 and 1/z=2/3 for 0<α<3. In addition, for α≤3, L(t) depends on N at any time t>0. Such coarsening, however, only leads the system to a partially ordered metastable state where correlations decay algebraically with distance, and whose lifetime diverges in the N→∞ limit. In finite systems, consensus is reached in a time of the order of N for any α<4.

Coarsening and metastability of the long-range voter model in three dimensions.

We study analytically the ordering kinetics and the final metastable states in the three-dimensional long-range voter model where N agents described by a Boolean spin variable S_{i} can be found in two states (or opinion) ±1. The kinetics is such that each agent copies the opinion of another at distance r chosen with probability P(r)∝r^{-α} (α>0). In the thermodynamic limit N→∞ the system approaches a correlated metastable state without consensus, namely without full spin alignment. In such states the equal-time correlation function C(r)=〈S_{i}S_{j}〉 (where r is the i-j distance) decreases algebraically in a slow, nonintegrable way. Specifically, we find C(r)∼r^{-1}, or C(r)∼r^{-(6-α)}, or C(r)∼r^{-α} for α>5, 3<α≤5, and 0≤α≤3, respectively. In a finite system metastability is escaped after a time of order N and full ordering is eventually achieved. The dynamics leading to metastability is of the coarsening type, with an ever-increasing correlation length L(t) (for N→∞). We find L(t)∼t^{1/2} for α>5, L(t)∼t^{5/2α} for 4<α≤5, and L(t)∼t^{5/8} for 3≤α≤4. For 0≤α<3 there is not macroscopic coarsening because stationarity is reached in a microscopic time. Such results allow us to conjecture the behavior of the model for generic spatial dimension.

Phase ordering dynamics of the random-field long-range Ising model in one dimension.

We investigate the influence of long-range (LR) interactions on the phase ordering dynamics of the one-dimensional random-field Ising model (RFIM). Unlike the usual RFIM, a spin interacts with all other spins through a ferromagnetic coupling that decays as r^{-(1+σ)}, where r is the distance between two spins. In the absence of LR interactions, the size of coarsening domains R(t) exhibits a crossover from pure system behavior R(t)∼t^{1/2} to an asymptotic regime characterized by logarithmic growth: R(t)∼(lnt)^{2}. The LR interactions affect the preasymptotic regime, which now exhibits ballistic growth R(t)∼t, followed by σ-dependent growth R(t)∼t^{1/(1+σ)}. Additionally, the LR interactions also affect the asymptotic logarithmic growth, which becomes R(t)∼(lnt)^{α(σ)} with α(σ)<2. Thus, LR interactions lead to faster growth than for the nearest-neighbor system at short times. Unexpectedly, this driving force causes a slowing down of the dynamics (α<2) in the asymptotic logarithmic regime. This is explained in terms of a nontrivial competition between the pinning force caused by the random field and the driving force introduced by LR interactions. We also study the spatial correlation function and the autocorrelation function of the magnetization field. The former exhibits superuniversality for all σ, i.e., a scaling function that is independent of the disorder strength. The same holds for the autocorrelation function when σ<1, whereas a signature of the violation of superuniversality is seen for σ>1.

Unveiling Charge-Transport Mechanisms in Electronic Devices Based on Defect-Engineered MoS2 Covalent Networks.

Device performance of solution-processed 2D semiconductors in printed electronics has been limited so far by structural defects and high interflake junction resistance. Covalently interconnected networks of transition metal dichalcogenides potentially represent an efficient strategy to overcome both limitations simultaneously. Yet, the charge-transport properties in such systems have not been systematically researched. Here, the charge-transport mechanisms of printed devices based on covalent MoS2 networks are unveiled via multiscale analysis, comparing the effects of aromatic versus aliphatic dithiolated linkers. Temperature-dependent electrical measurements reveal hopping as the dominant transport mechanism: aliphatic systems lead to 3D variable range hopping, unlike the nearest neighbor hopping observed for aromatic linkers. The novel analysis based on percolation theory attributes the superior performance of devices functionalized with π-conjugated molecules to the improved interflake electronic connectivity and formation of additional percolation paths, as further corroborated by density functional calculations. Valuable guidelines for harnessing the charge-transport properties in MoS2 devices based on covalent networks are provided.

Asymptotic states of Ising ferromagnets with long-range interactions.

It is known that, after a quench to zero temperature (T=0), two-dimensional (d=2) Ising ferromagnets with short-range interactions do not always relax to the ordered state. They can also fall in infinitely long-lived striped metastable states with a finite probability. In this paper, we study how the abundance of striped states is affected by long-range interactions. We investigate the relaxation of d=2 Ising ferromagnets with power-law interactions by means of Monte Carlo simulations at both T=0 and T≠0. For T=0 and the finite system size, the striped metastable states are suppressed by long-range interactions. In the thermodynamic limit, their occurrence probabilities are consistent with the short-range case. For T≠0, the final state is always ordered. Further, the equilibration occurs at earlier times with an increase in the strength of the interactions.

Kinetics of the two-dimensional long-range Ising model at low temperatures.

We study the low-temperature domain growth kinetics of the two-dimensional Ising model with long-range coupling J(r)∼r^{-(d+σ)}, where d=2 is the dimensionality. According to the Bray-Rutenberg predictions, the exponent σ controls the algebraic growth in time of the characteristic domain size L(t), L(t)∼t^{1/z}, with growth exponent z=1+σ for σ<1 and z=2 for σ>1. These results hold for quenches to a nonzero temperature T>0 below the critical temperature T_{c}. We show that, in the case of quenches to T=0, due to the long-range interactions, the interfaces experience a drift which makes the dynamics of the system peculiar. More precisely, we find that in this case the growth exponent takes the value z=4/3, independently of σ, showing that it is a universal quantity. We support our claim by means of extended Monte Carlo simulations and analytical arguments for single domains.

Quasideterministic dynamics, memory effects, and lack of self-averaging in the relaxation of quenched ferromagnets.

We discuss the interplay between the degree of dynamical stochasticity, memory persistence, and violation of the self-averaging property in the aging kinetics of quenched ferromagnets. We show that, in general, the longest possible memory effects, which correspond to the slowest possible temporal decay of the correlation function, are accompanied by the largest possible violation of self-averaging and a quasideterministic descent into the ergodic components. This phenomenon is observed in different systems, such as the Ising model with long-range interactions, including the mean-field, and the short-range random-field Ising model.

Effects of frustration on fluctuation-dissipation relations.

We study numerically the aging properties of the two-dimensional Ising model with quenched disorder considered in our recent paper [Phys. Rev. E 95, 062136 (2017)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.95.062136], where frustration can be tuned by varying the fraction of antiferromagnetic interactions. Specifically, we focus on the scaling properties of the autocorrelation and linear response functions after a quench of the model to a low temperature. We find that the interplay between equilibrium and aging occurs differently in the various regions of the phase diagram of the model. When the quench is made into the ferromagnetic phase the two-time quantities are made by the sum of an equilibrium and an aging part, whereas in the paramagnetic phase these parts combine in a multiplicative way. Scaling forms are shown to be obeyed with good accuracy, and the corresponding exponents and scaling functions are determined and discussed in the framework of what is known in clean and disordered systems.

Influence of thermal fluctuations on the geometry of interfaces of the quenched Ising model.

We study the role of the quench temperature Tf in the phase-ordering kinetics of the Ising model with single spin flip in d=2,3 . Equilibrium interfaces are flat at Tf=0 , whereas at Tf>0 they are curved and rough (above the roughening temperature in d=3 ). We show, by means of scaling arguments and numerical simulations, that this geometrical difference is important for the phase-ordering kinetics as well. In particular, while the growth exponent z=2 of the size of domains L(t) approximately t 1/z is unaffected by Tf, other exponents related to the interface geometry take different values at Tf=0 or Tf>0 . For Tf>0 a crossover phenomenon is observed from an early stage where interfaces are still flat and the system behaves as at Tf=0 , to the asymptotic regime with curved interfaces characteristic of Tf>0 . Furthermore, it is shown that the roughening length, although subdominant with respect to L(t) , produces appreciable correction to scaling up to very long times in d=2 .

Nonlinear response and fluctuation-dissipation relations.

A unified derivation of the off-equilibrium fluctuation dissipation relations (FDRs) is given for Ising and continuous spins to arbitrary order, within the framework of Markovian stochastic dynamics. Knowledge of the FDRs allows one to develop zero field algorithms for the efficient numerical computation of the response functions. Two applications are presented. In the first one, the problem of probing for the existence of a growing cooperative length scale is considered in those cases, like in glassy systems, where the linear FDR is of no use. The effectiveness of an appropriate second order FDR is illustrated in the test case of the Edwards-Anderson spin glass in one and two dimensions. In the second application, the important problem of the definition of an off-equilibrium effective temperature through the nonlinear FDR is considered. It is shown that, in the case of coarsening systems, the effective temperature derived from the second order FDR is consistent with the one obtained from the linear FDR.

Development and regression of a large fluctuation.

We study the evolution leading to (or regressing from) a large fluctuation in a statistical mechanical system. We introduce and study analytically a simple model of many identically and independently distributed microscopic variables n_{m} (m=1,M) evolving by means of a master equation. We show that the process producing a nontypical fluctuation with a value of N=∑_{m=1}^{M}n_{m} well above the average 〈N〉 is slow. Such process is characterized by the power-law growth of the largest possible observable value of N at a given time t. We find similar features also for the reverse process of the regression from a rare state with N≫〈N〉 to a typical one with N≃〈N〉.

Equilibrium structure and off-equilibrium kinetics of a magnet with tunable frustration.

We study numerically a two-dimensional random-bond Ising model where frustration can be tuned by varying the fraction a of antiferromagnetic coupling constants. At low temperatures the model exhibits a phase with ferromagnetic order for sufficiently small values of a, aa_{a}, an antiferromagnetic phase exists. After a deep quench from high temperatures, slow evolution is observed for any value of a. We show that different amounts of frustration, tuned by a, affect the dynamical properties in a highly nontrivial way. In particular, the kinetics is logarithmically slow in phases with ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic order, whereas evolution is faster, i.e., algebraic, when spin-glass order is prevailing. An interpretation is given in terms of the different nature of phase space.

Coarsening and percolation in a disordered ferromagnet.

By studying numerically the phase-ordering kinetics of a two-dimensional ferromagnetic Ising model with quenched disorder (either random bonds or random fields) we show that a critical percolation structure forms at an early stage. This structure is then rendered more and more compact by the ensuing coarsening process. Our results are compared to the nondisordered case, where a similar phenomenon is observed, and they are interpreted within a dynamical scaling framework.

Scaling and universality in the aging kinetics of the two-dimensional clock model.

We study numerically the aging dynamics of the two-dimensional p -state clock model after a quench from an infinite temperature to the ferromagnetic phase or to the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase. The system exhibits the general scaling behavior characteristic of nondisordered coarsening systems. For quenches to the ferromagnetic phase, the value of the dynamical exponents suggests that the model belongs to the Ising-type universality class. Specifically, for the integrated response function chi(t,s) approximately or = s(-a)chif(t/s), we find a(chi) consistent with the value a(chi)=0.28 found in the two-dimensional Ising model.

Test of local scale invariance from the direct measurement of the response function in the Ising model quenched to and below T(C).

In order to check on a recent suggestion that local scale invariance [M. Henkel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 265701 (2001)] might hold when the dynamics is of Gaussian nature, we have carried out the measurement of the response function in the kinetic Ising model with Glauber dynamics quenched to T(C) in d=4, where Gaussian behavior is expected to apply, and in the two other cases of the d=2 model quenched to T(C) and to below T(C), where instead deviations from Gaussian behavior are expected to appear. We find that in the d=4 case there is an excellent agreement between the numerical data, the local scale invariance prediction and the analytical Gaussian approximation. No logarithmic corrections are numerically detected. Conversely, in the d=2 cases, both in the quench to T(C) and to below T(C), sizable deviations of the local scale invariance behavior from the numerical data are observed. These results do support the idea that local scale invariance might miss to capture the non-Gaussian features of the dynamics. The considerable precision needed for the comparison has been achieved through the use of a fast new algorithm for the measurement of the response function without applying the external field. From these high quality data we obtain a=0.27+/-0.002 for the scaling exponent of the response function in the d=2 Ising model quenched to below T(C), in agreement with previous results.

Crossover between Ising and XY -like behavior in the off-equilibrium kinetics of the one-dimensional clock model.

We study the phase-ordering kinetics following a quench to a final temperature Tf of the one-dimensional p-state clock model. We show the existence of a critical value pc=4, where the properties of the dynamics change. At Tf=0, for ppc, instead, the dynamics is dominated by a texture mechanism analogous to the one-dimensional XY model and dynamical scaling is violated. During the phase-ordering process at Tf>0, before equilibration occurs, a crossover between an early XY-like regime and a late Ising-like dynamics is observed for p>pc.

Fluctuation-dissipation relation in an Ising model without detailed balance.

We consider the modified Ising model introduced by de Oliveira, Mendes, and Santos [J. Phys. A 26, 2317 (1993)], where the temperature depends locally on the spin configuration and detailed balance and local equilibrium are not obeyed. We derive a relation between the linear response function and correlation functions that generalizes the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. In the stationary states of the model, which are the counterparts of the Ising equilibrium states, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem breaks down due to the lack of time reversal invariance. In the nonstationary phase-ordering kinetics, the parametric plot of the integrated response function chi(t,t(w)) vs the autocorrelation function is different from that of the kinetic Ising model. However, splitting chi(t,t(w)) into a stationary and an aging term chi(t,t(w)) = chi(st)(t-t(w)) + chi(ag)(t,t(w)), we find chi(ag)(t,t(w)) approximately t(w)(-a(chi)) f(t/t(w)), and a numerical value of a(chi) consistent with a(chi)= 1/4, as in the kinetic Ising model.