We develop a formalism to solve the multicomponent Falicov–Kimball model with dynamical meanfield theory, allowing for all possible crystal-field couplings (including spin-orbit coupling). We apply these techniques to solve models of the intermediate-valence transition [as seen in YbInCu4 and EuNi2(Si1 xGex)2] in the simple limit of no crystal field or spin-orbit coupling. We show results for t...

The phenomenon of parametric down conversion from the vacuum may be understood as a process in classical electrodynamics, in which a nonlinear crystal couples the modes of the pumping field with those of the zeropoint, or “vacuum”, field. This is an entirely local theory of the phenomenon, in contrast with the presently accepted nonlocal theory. The new theory predicts a hitherto unsuspected ph...

We present a mean field theory to describe phase behaviors in mixtures of a polymer and a cholesteric liquid crystal under an external magnetic or electric field. Taking into account a chiral coupling between a polymer and a liquid crystal under the external field, we examine twist-untwist phase transitions and phase separations in the mixtures. It is found that a cholesteric-nematic phase tran...

The electro-optical effect of a magnetically biased ferronematic liquid-crystal film is investigated by using birefringence measurements. When a magnetic field is applied, the threshold voltage of the Freedericksz transition no longer exists. The dependence of the birefringence on the magnetic field strength in the low field regime is presented. A theory that accounts for the results is given.

In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of electric-field tuning of the plasmonic spectrum of a novel gold nanodot array in a liquid crystal matrix. As opposed to previously reported microscopically observed near-field spectral tuning of individual gold nanoparticles, this system exhibits macroscopic far-field spectral tuning. The nanodot-liquid crystal matrix also displays strong anisotrop...

On the basis of static and dynamical density functional theory, a phase-field-crystal model is derived which involves both the translational density and the orientational degree of ordering as well as a local director field. The model exhibits stable isotropic, nematic, smectic A, columnar, plastic-crystalline and orientationally ordered crystalline phases. As far as the dynamics is concerned, ...

We study the interplay of crystal field splitting and Hund coupling in a two-orbital model which captures the essential physics of systems with two electrons or holes in the e(g) shell. We use single site dynamical mean field theory with a recently developed impurity solver, which is able to access strong couplings and low temperatures. The fillings of the orbitals and the location of phase bou...