Quantum defects (IMAGE)
Caption
At the point at which the energy landscape splits, the high symmetry chain decays into a lower symmetry state when the critical point is passed. In this case, a straight chain decays into a zig-zag configuration when the anisotropy \lambda(t) passes a critical value \lambda_{c}. Where two consecutive ions fall onto the same side, a state of higher energy locally, we observe a defect.
Credit
Fernando Gómez-Ruiz - Donostia International Physics Center
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