Feature Papers from Condensed Matter Editorial Board Members

A special issue of Condensed Matter (ISSN 2410-3896). This special issue belongs to the section "Condensed Matter Theory".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 9184

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Rome International Center for Materials Science Superstripes (RICMASS), Via dei Sabelli 119A, 00185 Roma, Italy
Interests: synchrotron radiation research; protein fluctuations; active sites of metalloproteins; origin of life; selected molecules in prebiotic world; quantum phenomena in complex matter; quantum confinement; superstripes in complex matter; lattice complexity in transition metal oxides; high Tc superconductors; valence fluctuation materials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Now that Condensed Matter has officially been accepted for Scopus indexing, I am pleased to announce a new Condensed Matter Special Issue that is quite different from our typical ones, and which will mainly focus on either selected areas of research or special techniques. Being creative in many ways, with this Special Issue, Condensed Matter is compiling a collection of papers submitted exclusively by its Editorial Board Members (EBMs) covering different areas of condensed matter research and its related methods and theory. The main idea behind this Special Issue is to turn the tables and allow our readers to be the judges of our board members.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Bianconi
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 13451 KiB  
Article
The Nature of Pointer States and Their Role in Macroscopic Quantum Coherence
by Philip Turner and Laurent Nottale
Condens. Matter 2024, 9(3), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat9030029 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 937
Abstract
This article begins with an interdisciplinary review of a hydrodynamic approach to understanding the origins and nature of macroscopic quantum phenomena in high-temperature superconductivity, superfluidity, turbulence and biological systems. Building on this review, we consider new theoretical insights into the origin and nature [...] Read more.
This article begins with an interdisciplinary review of a hydrodynamic approach to understanding the origins and nature of macroscopic quantum phenomena in high-temperature superconductivity, superfluidity, turbulence and biological systems. Building on this review, we consider new theoretical insights into the origin and nature of pointer states and their role in the emergence of quantum systems. The approach includes a theory of quantum coherence underpinned by turbulence, generated by a field of pointer states, which take the form of recirculating, spin-1/2 vortices (toroids), interconnected via a cascade of spin-1 vortices. Decoherence occurs when the bosonic network connecting pointer states is disrupted, leading to their localisation. Building further on this work, we explore how quantum particles (in the form of different vortex structures) could emerge as the product of a causal dynamic process, within a turbulent (fractal) spacetime. The resulting particle structures offer new insights into intrinsic spin, the probabilistic nature of the wave function and how we might consider pointer states within the standard “point source” representation of a quantum particle, which intuitively requires a more complexed description. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers from Condensed Matter Editorial Board Members)
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10 pages, 23184 KiB  
Article
Atomic Structure of Mn-Doped CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles for Metal–Air Battery Applications
by Katariina Pussi, Keying Ding, Bernardo Barbiellini, Koji Ohara, Hiroki Yamada, Chuka Onuh, James McBride, Arun Bansil, Ray K. Chiang and Saeed Kamali
Condens. Matter 2023, 8(2), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat8020049 - 24 May 2023
Viewed by 2215
Abstract
We discuss the atomic structure of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles doped with Mn via an analysis based on combining atomic pair distribution functions with high energy X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements. Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles are promising materials for metal–air battery applications. [...] Read more.
We discuss the atomic structure of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles doped with Mn via an analysis based on combining atomic pair distribution functions with high energy X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements. Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles are promising materials for metal–air battery applications. Cobalt ferrites, however, generally show poor electronic conductivity at ambient temperatures, which limits their bifunctional catalytic performance in oxygen electrocatalysis. Our study reveals how the introduction of Mn ions promotes the conductivity of the cobalt ferrite electrode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers from Condensed Matter Editorial Board Members)
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19 pages, 8510 KiB  
Article
Elucidation of Structures, Electronic Properties, and Chemical Bonding of Monophosphorus-Substituted Boron Clusters in Neutral, Negative, and Positively Charged PBn/PBn/PBn+ (n = 4–8)
by Qing-Shan Li, Bingyi Song, Limei Wen, Li-Ming Yang and Eric Ganz
Condens. Matter 2022, 7(4), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat7040066 - 12 Nov 2022
Viewed by 2066
Abstract
This paper reports the computational study of phosphorus-doped boron clusters PBn/PBn/PBn+ (n = 4–8). First, a global search and optimization of these clusters were performed to determine the stable structures. We used [...] Read more.
This paper reports the computational study of phosphorus-doped boron clusters PBn/PBn/PBn+ (n = 4–8). First, a global search and optimization of these clusters were performed to determine the stable structures. We used density functional theory (DFT) methods and ab initio calculations to study the stability of the atomic clusters and to explore the arrangement of stable structures. We found that the lowest energy structures of the smaller phosphorus-doped boron clusters tend to form planar or quasi-planar structures. As additional boron atoms are added to the smallest structures, the boron atoms expand in a zigzag arrangement or in a net-like manner, and the phosphorus atom is arranged on the periphery. For larger structures with seven or eight boron atoms, an unusual umbrella-like structure appears. We calculated the binding energy as well as other energies to study cluster stability. We calculated the ionization energy, electron affinity, and the HOMO–LUMO gaps. In addition, we used the adaptive natural density partitioning program to perform bond analysis so that we have a comprehensive understanding of the bonding. In order to have a suitable connection with the experiment, we simulated the infrared and photoelectron spectra. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers from Condensed Matter Editorial Board Members)
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21 pages, 4357 KiB  
Article
The Evolution of Geometric Structures, Electronic Properties, and Chemical Bonding of Small Phosphorus-Boron Clusters
by Limei Wen, Qingshan Li, Bingyi Song, Liming Yang and Eric Ganz
Condens. Matter 2022, 7(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/condmat7020036 - 14 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2735
Abstract
We report a comprehensive theoretical investigation on phosphorus–boron mixed neutral, anionic, and cationic clusters P2Bn/P2Bn/P2Bn+ (n = 3–7) with two phosphorus atoms and three to seven boron atoms. We [...] Read more.
We report a comprehensive theoretical investigation on phosphorus–boron mixed neutral, anionic, and cationic clusters P2Bn/P2Bn/P2Bn+ (n = 3–7) with two phosphorus atoms and three to seven boron atoms. We reveal the common character of all the structures (i.e., the phosphorus atoms choose to occupy the peripheral position), whereas the boron atoms tend to be in the central and inside position of the ground state phosphorus—boron mixed clusters at each stoichiometry. Any three atoms preferentially form a stable triangle and grow with zigzag shape in a planar network. Interestingly, a series of planar motifs (including tetra-, penta-, and hexa-coordination) have been discovered in the phosphorus–boron clusters. The large binding energies (3.6 to 4.6 eV/atom) and quite large HOMO–LUMO gaps (5 to 10 eV) indicate the high stability of the clusters. The energy differences Δ1E, Δ2E, and energy gaps display oscillating behavior with increasing numbers of boron atoms. The electron affinity (EA) and ionization potential (IP) generally have small variations, with the EA values ranging from 2 to 3 eV, and the IP values ranging from 7 to 9 eV. Chemical bond analysis shows that the existence of multi-center delocalized bonds stabilize the clusters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers from Condensed Matter Editorial Board Members)
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