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At least 181 records · Page 10

Pressure effect on Kohn anomaly and electronic topological transition in single-crystal tantalum

The Kohn anomaly and topological change of the Fermi surface in d -block metals can occur under high pressure with affiliated significant changes in elastic, mechanical, and transport properties. However, our understanding of their origin and associated physical phenomena remains limited both experimentally and theoretically. In this paper, we study the pressure effect on the Kohn anomaly, electronic topological transition (ETT), and the associated anomalies in physical properties of body-centered cubic (bcc) single-crystal tantalum (Ta). The phonon dispersions of Ta crystal were directly measured up to ~47 GPa using high-energy resolution inelastic x-ray scattering in a diamond anvil cell with hydrostatic helium medium. A Kohn anomaly in Ta was observed and became significantly stronger at 47.0 GPa at the reduced wave vector of ~0.7 in the longitudinal acoustic mode along the [ξ ,0,0] direction. Our theoretical and experimental results indicate that the electron-phonon coupling and Fermi surface nesting mainly contribute to the Kohn anomaly, and the latter plays a dominant role at high pressures of 17–47 GPa. First-principles calculations further reveal an ETT with a topology change of the Fermi surface to occur at ~100 GPa in Ta, which causes a softening in the elastic constants ( C 11 and C 44 ) and mechanical properties (shear, Young’s, and bulk moduli). Our study shows that the d-orbital electrons in Ta play a key role in the stability of its electronic topological structure, where electron doping in Ta could significantly depress its ETT and elastic anomaly at high pressures. Finally, it is conceivable that our observed Kohn anomaly and ETT in a representative bcc Ta are much more prevalent in d-block transition metals under compression than previously thought.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Kramers nodal lines and Weyl fermions in SmAlSi

Kramers nodal lines (KNLs) have recently been proposed theoretically as a special type of Weyl line degeneracy connecting time-reversal invariant momenta. KNLs are robust to spin orbit coupling and are inherent to all non-centrosymmetric achiral crystal structures, leading to unusual spin, magneto-electric, and optical properties. However, their existence in in real quantum materials has not been experimentally established. Here we gather the experimental evidence pointing at the presence of KNLs in SmAlSi, a non-centrosymmetric metal that develops incommensurate spin density wave order at low temperature. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations, and magneto-transport methods, we provide evidence suggesting the presence of KNLs, together with observing Weyl fermions under the broken inversion symmetry in the paramagnetic phase of SmAlSi. We discuss the nesting possibilities regarding the emergent magnetic orders in SmAlSi. Our results provide a solid basis of experimental observations for exploring correlated topology in SmAlSi.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural phase transition, s ± -wave pairing, and magnetic stripe order in bilayered superconductor La 3 Ni 2 O 7 under pressure

Motivated by the recently discovered high-T c superconductor La 3 Ni 2 O 7 , we comprehensively study this system using density functional theory and random phase approximation calculations. At low pressures, the Amam phase is stable, containing the Y 2- mode distortion from the Fmmm phase, while the Fmmm phase is unstable. Because of small differences in enthalpy and a considerable Y 2- mode amplitude, the two phases may coexist in the range between 10.6 and 14 GPa, beyond which the Fmmm phase dominates. In addition, the magnetic stripe-type spin order with wavevector (π, 0) was stable at the intermediate region. Pairing is induced in the s ± -wave channel due to partial nesting between the M = (π, π) centered pockets and portions of the Fermi surface centered at the X = (π, 0) and Y = (0, π) points. This resembles results for iron-based superconductors but has a fundamental difference with iron pnictides and selenides. Moreover, our present efforts also suggest La 3 Ni 2 O 7 is qualitatively different from infinite-layer nickelates and cuprate superconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Multi-scale simulations of wind farm performance with complex terrain and weather events

Predicting the response of wind farms to local weather is necessary for optimal design and operation. In this work, simulation and analysis of a frontal passage through a utility scale wind farm is achieved for the first time using a seamless multi-scale modeling approach. A generalized actuator disk (GAD) wind turbine model is used to represent turbine wakes, and results are compared to novel radar observations during the frontal passage. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is employed with a nested grid setup that allows for coupling between multi-scale atmospheric conditions and turbine response. Starting with mesoscale forcing, the atmosphere is dynamically downscaled to the region of interest, where the interaction between turbulent flows and individual wind turbines is simulated with the GAD at10 m resolution. Several improvements are made to the GAD model to mimic realistic turbine operation, including a yawing capability and a power output calculation. Ultimately, the model is able to capture both the dynamics of the frontal passage and the turbine response; predictions show good agreement with observed turbine wake structure, velocity deficit, and power output after accounting for a phase shift in the mesoscale forcing. This study demonstrates the utility of the WRF-GAD framework for simulating wind farm performance under complex atmospheric conditions.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Multi-Scale Simulation of Wind Farm Performance during a Frontal Passage

Predicting the response of wind farms to changing flow conditions is necessary for optimal design and operation. Here in this work, simulation and analysis of a frontal passage through a utility scale wind farm is achieved for the first time using a seamless multi-scale modeling approach. A generalized actuator disk (GAD) wind turbine model is used to represent turbine–flow interaction, and results are compared to novel radar observations during the frontal passage. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is employed with a nested grid setup that allows for coupling between multi-scale atmospheric conditions and turbine response. Starting with mesoscale forcing, the atmosphere is dynamically downscaled to the region of interest, where the interaction between turbulent flows and individual wind turbines is simulated with 10 m grid spacing. Several improvements are made to the GAD model to mimic realistic turbine operation, including a yawing capability and a power output calculation. Ultimately, the model is able to capture both the dynamics of the frontal passage and the turbine response; predictions show good agreement with observed background velocity, turbine wake structure, and power output after accounting for a phase shift in the mesoscale forcing. This study demonstrates the utility of the WRF-GAD model framework for simulating wind farm performance under complex atmospheric conditions.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Illuminating otoliths: New insights for life history of Balistes triggerfishes

Our understanding of fish life-history strategies is informed by key biological processes, such as growth, survival/mortality, recruitment and sexual maturation, used to characterize fish stocks (populations). Characterizing the life-history traits of fish populations requires the application of accurate age estimation for managed species. Grey triggerfish Balistes capriscus and queen triggerfish Balistes vetula are important reef-associated species for commercial and recreational fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean. Both species exhibit a unique reproductive strategy for large-bodied fisheries-targeted reef fishes in that they are nesting benthic spawners and invest substantial energy in defence and care of their benthic nests and fertilized eggs. Until recently, our understanding of the life-history strategies of triggerfishes assumed the main method used to obtain age estimates, increments counted from thin sections of the first dorsal spine, provided an accurate characterization of population age-based parameters. However, results from bomb radiocarbon validation studies on the two Balistes species demonstrated that spines do not provide accurate ages, but sagittal otoliths do. The main goal of the current study was to provide an updated understanding for triggerfish life-history strategies by using otolith-based age estimates to characterize population age structure and growth for grey triggerfish and queen triggerfish from waters of the south-eastern U.S. Atlantic. The current study is the first to report on sex-specific age and growth information for grey triggerfish using the Δ 14 C-validated otolith-based age estimation method and the results indicate that the previous characterization of Balistes species as exhibiting moderately rapid growth and as relatively short-lived, based on spine-derived age estimates, are flawed. Otolith-based ages indicated that grey triggerfish and queen triggerfish are moderately slow-growing and long-lived species, attaining maximum ages of 21 and 40 years, respectively. Management efforts for triggerfishes should evaluate these new insights and incorporate the results of otolith-based age estimation into future population monitoring efforts.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Electronic Properties and Lattice Dynamics Studies of the Nickel-Based Superconductor ThNiAsN

We perform theoretical studies of the newly discovered nickel-based pnictide ThNiAsN. The obtained large density of states may explain the normal-state Sommerfeld coefficient observed by former experiments. The obtained band structure and Fermi surfaces are rather two-dimensional with a small hole-like Fermi surface around X point and three electron-like ones around M point, which share great similarities with LaNiAsO. Meanwhile, the lattice dynamics of ThNiAsN are also studied within density functional perturbation theory (DFPT). The electron-phonon coupling constant is 0.67, suggesting that ThNiAsN is a phonon-mediated superconductor. In the end, as a prototype of nickel-based superconductor, we obtain an effective tight-binding model by means of the maximally localized Wannier function (MLWF). Based on this model, the nesting properties have been studied using Lindhard function for nominal doping and hole doping. We find the hole doping will introduce better nesting properties, making this system a potential candidate to develop magnetic and unconventional superconducting instabilities.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Mapping Soil Cation‐Exchange Capacity using Bayesian Modeling and Proximal Sensors at the Field Scale

Core Ideas A Bayesian inference approach (INLA‐SPDE) was used to map topsoil and subsoil CEC. DEM, gamma‐ray spectrometer and EM induction data were combined to map CEC. Posterior marginal distributions of the model parameters and responses were estimated. Gamma‐ray data performed best in the topsoil, followed by DUALEM421S and elevation. Elevation data performed best in the subsoil, followed by gamma‐ray and DUALEM421S. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) affects soil fertility, acidity, and structural resilience. This is particularly the case in sugarcane growing areas of Australia because the soil there is sandy (>60%), strongly acidic (pH < 5.5), and strongly sodic (exchangeable sodium percentage [ESP] > 15%). Unfortunately, obtaining information on CEC at the field extent is time‐consuming and expensive. Here, we used a digital soil mapping approach to add value to limited (40) topsoil (0–0.3 m) and subsoil (0.6–0.9 m) CEC information. We first collected proximally sensed ancillary data from three sources, including a digital elevation model (DEM), γ‐ray (γ‐ray) spectrometer (RS700) and electromagnetic (EM) induction instruments. We then use a Bayesian inference approach (Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation with Stochastic Partial Differential Equation, INLA‐SPDE) implemented in R software to model the CEC and ancillary data. Accuracy (RMSE), bias (ME), and concordance (Lin's) of models were also generated from the different sources of ancillary data, either in combination or alone. We concluded, overall, that the INLA–SPDE approach could provide estimations of the posterior marginal distributions of the model parameters as well as the model responses as reported by other researchers. We also concluded that using the ancillary data sources in combination was most accurate (e.g., RMSE = 0.72) to predict CEC, least biased (e.g., ME = 0.07) and had the highest concordance (e.g., Lin's = 0.69) in both the topsoil and subsoil than using the ancillary data alone. The best ancillary data, when used alone for mapping CEC in the topsoil, was γ‐ray spectrometry, followed by EM data and elevation. For subsoil CEC, it was elevation, followed by γ‐ray spectrometry and then soil electrical conductivity (EC a ) data. The maps of the credibility interval (CI) indicated that better predictions were achieved in the topsoil and indicated where improvements in prediction could be achieved in the subsoil.

Li, Nan↗

Prediction of s ± -Wave Superconductivity Enhanced by Electronic Doping in Trilayer Nickelates La 4 Ni 3 O 10 under Pressure

Motivated by the recently reported signatures of superconductivity in trilayer La 4 ⁢Ni 3 ⁢O 10 under pressure, here we comprehensively study this system using ab initio and random-phase approximation techniques. Without electronic interactions, the Ni d 3z 2 –r 2 orbitals show a bonding-antibonding and nonbonding splitting behavior via the O p z orbitals inducing a “trimer” lattice in La 4⁢ Ni 3 ⁢O 10 , analogous to the dimers of La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7 . The Fermi surface consists of three electron sheets with mixed e g orbitals, and a hole and an electron pocket made up of the d 3⁢z 2 –r 2 orbital, suggesting a Ni two-orbital minimum model. In addition, we find that superconducting pairing is induced in the s ± -wave channel due to partial nesting between the M = (π,π) centered pockets and portions of the Fermi surface centered at the Γ = (0,0) point. With changing electronic density n, the s ± instability remains leading and its pairing strength shows a domelike behavior with a maximum around n = 4.2 ( ~6.7% electron doping). The superconducting instability disappears at the same electronic density as that in the new 1313 stacking La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7 , correlated with the vanishing of the hole pocket that arises from the trilayer sublattice, suggesting that the high-T c superconductivity of La 3⁢ Ni 2 ⁢O 7 does not originate from a trilayer and monolayer structure. Furthermore, we confirm the experimentally proposed spin state in La 4 ⁢Ni 3 ⁢O 10 with an in-plane (π, π) order and antiferromagnetic coupling between the top and bottom Ni layers, and spin zero in the middle layer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Formulation and solution approach for calibrating activity-based travel demand model-system via microsimulation

This study addresses the problem of calibrating utility-maximizing nested logit activity-based travel demand model-systems. After estimation, it is common practice to use aggregate measurements to calibrate the estimated model-system’s parameters prior to their application in transportation planning, policy making, and operations. However, calibration of activity-based model-systems has received much less attention. Existing calibration approaches are myopic heuristics in the sense that they do not consider the fundamental inter-dependencies among choice-models and do not have a systematic way to adjust model parameters. Also, other purely simulation-based approaches do not perform well in large-scale applications. In this study, we focus on utility-maximizing nested logit activity-based model-systems and calibrating aggregate statistics such as activity shares, mode shares, time-dependent & mode-specific OD flows, and time-dependent & mode-specific sensor counts. We formulate the calibration problem as a simulation-based optimization problem and propose a stochastic gradient-based solution procedure to solve it. The solution procedure relies on microsimulation to calculate expectations of the aggregate statistics of interest to the calibration problem. Additionally, we derive approximate analytical expressions for the gradient of the objective function —that are evaluated through microsimulation on mini-batches of the population. The proposed solution procedure is sensitive to the fundamental structure of the activity-based model-system and is non-myopic in considering the dependencies across its model components. The formulated optimization problem is non-convex, highly nonlinear, and potentially has multiple-minima. Lastly, we show —through a real-world application— that the proposed solution procedure outperforms other state-of-the-art purely simulation-based optimization approaches in terms of computational efficiency, stability, and convergence. We also compare various gradient-based solution algorithms to determine the best algorithm to update the parameters. This work has the potential to facilitate wider and easier application of activity-based model-systems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Observation of Orbital-Selective Dual Modulations in an Anisotropic Antiferromagnetic Kagome Metal TbTi 3 ⁢Bi 4

Orbital selectivity is pivotal in dictating the phase diagrams of multiorbital systems, with prominent examples including the orbital-selective Mott phase and superconductivity. The intercalation of anisotropic layers represents an effective method for enhancing orbital selectivity and thereby shaping the low-energy physics of multiorbital systems. Despite its potential, related experimental studies, especially those elucidating the correlation between orbital selectivity and magnetism, remain limited. In this work, we systematically examine the interplay between orbital selectivity and magnetism in the newly discovered anisotropic kagome TbTi 3 ⁢Bi 4 single crystal, and report the coexistence of orbital-selective dual-band modulations (𝑞 1 ∼ 1/3⁢𝑎*, 𝑞 2 ∼ 0.28⁢𝑏*) within the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state. By combining soft x-ray and vacuum ultraviolet angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, neutron powder diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, and density-functional-theory calculations, we identify these dual-band reconstructions as manifestations of the AFM order driven by a (approximately 1/3, 0.28, 0) nesting instability of the intercalated Tb 5⁢𝑑 𝑥⁢𝑧 orbitals. These orbital-selective modulations induce unusual momentum-dependent band folding and lead to the emergence of Dirac cones only at the $\bar{M}$ 1 point, signaling a topological phase transition in the AFM state. Importantly, the discovery of orbital-selective (approximately 1/3, 0.28, 0) AFM order offers crucial insights into the mechanism underlying the fractional magnetization plateau in this kagome AFM metal. Our findings not only underscore the essential role of both conducting and localized electrons in determining the magnetic orders of Ln⁢Ti 3 ⁢Bi 4 (Ln = lanthanide) kagome metals but also offer a pathway for manipulating magnetism through selective control of anisotropic electronic structures.

Zhang, Renjie [Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Chin↗

Deep-learning-aided forward optical coherence tomography endoscope for percutaneous nephrostomy guidance

Percutaneous renal access is the critical initial step in many medical settings. In order to obtain the best surgical outcome with minimum patient morbidity, an improved method for access to the renal calyx is needed. In our study, we built a forward-view optical coherence tomography (OCT) endoscopic system for percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) guidance. Porcine kidneys were imaged in our experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of the imaging system. Three tissue types of porcine kidneys (renal cortex, medulla, and calyx) can be clearly distinguished due to the morphological and tissue differences from the OCT endoscopic images. To further improve the guidance efficacy and reduce the learning burden of the clinical doctors, a deep-learning-based computer aided diagnosis platform was developed to automatically classify the OCT images by the renal tissue types. Convolutional neural networks (CNN) were developed with labeled OCT images based on the ResNet34, MobileNetv2 and ResNet50 architectures. Nested cross-validation and testing was used to benchmark the classification performance with uncertainty quantification over 10 kidneys, which demonstrated robust performance over substantial biological variability among kidneys. ResNet50-based CNN models achieved an average classification accuracy of 82.6%±3.0%. The classification precisions were 79%±4% for cortex, 85%±6% for medulla, and 91%±5% for calyx and the classification recalls were 68%±11% for cortex, 91%±4% for medulla, and 89%±3% for calyx. Interpretation of the CNN predictions showed the discriminative characteristics in the OCT images of the three renal tissue types. The results validated the technical feasibility of using this novel imaging platform to automatically recognize the images of renal tissue structures ahead of the PCN needle in PCN surgery.

Wang, Chen↗

Angle-dependent magnetoresistance as a sensitive probe of the charge density wave in quasi-one-dimensional semimetal Ta 2 NiSe 7

The behavior of charge density waves (CDWs) in an external magnetic field is dictated by both orbital and Pauli (Zeeman) effects. A quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) system features Q1D Fermi surfaces that allow these effects to be distinguished, which in turn can provide a sensitive probe to the underlying electronic states. Furthermore, we studied the field dependence of an incommensurate CDW in a transition-metal chalcogenide Ta 2 NiSe 7 with a Q1D chain structure. The angle-dependent magnetoresistance (MR) is found to be very sensitive to the relative orientation between the magnetic field and the chain direction. With an applied current fixed along the b axis (the chain direction), the angle-dependent MR shows a striking change of the symmetry below T CDW only for a rotating magnetic field in the ac plane. In contrast, the symmetry axis remains unchanged for other configurations (H in ab and bc planes). The orbital effect conforms to the lattice symmetry, while the Pauli effect in the form of μ B B/ℏv F can be responsible for such symmetry change, provided that the Fermi velocity v F is significantly anisotropic and the nesting vector changes in a magnetic field, which is corroborated by our first-principles calculations. Our results show that the angle-dependent MR is a sensitive transport probe of CDW and can be useful for the study of low-dimensional systems in general.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Incubation Temperature Affects Duckling Body Size and Food Consumption Despite No Effect on Associated Feeding Behaviors

Synopsis Developmental conditions can have consequences for offspring fitness. For example, small changes (<1°C) in average avian incubation temperature have large effects on important post-hatch offspring phenotypes, including growth rate, thermoregulation, and behavior. Furthermore, average incubation temperatures differ among eggs within the same nest, to the extent (i.e., >1°C) that differences in offspring phenotypes within broods should result. A potential consequence of within-nest incubation temperature variation is inequality in behaviors that could cause differences in resource acquisition within broods. To investigate this, we incubated wood duck (Aix sponsa) eggs at one of two ecologically-relevant incubation temperatures (35°C or 36°C), formed mixed-incubation temperature broods after ducklings hatched, and conducted trials to measure duckling behaviors associated with acquisition of heat (one trial) or food (three trials). Contrary to our predictions, we found no effect of incubation temperature on duckling behaviors (e.g., time spent occupying heat source, frequency of feeding bouts). However, we found evidence that ducklings incubated at the higher temperature consumed more food during the 1-h feeding trials, and grew faster in body mass and structural size (culmen and tarsus) throughout the study, than those incubated at the lower temperature. Apparent food consumption during the trials was positively related to culmen length, suggesting that differences in food consumption may be driven by structural size. This could result in positive feedback, which would amplify size differences between offspring incubated at different temperatures. Thus, our study identifies incubation temperature as a mechanism by which fitness-related phenotypic differences can be generated and even amplified within avian broods.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Origin of charge density wave in topological semimetals SrAl 4 and EuAl 4

Topological semimetals in BaAl 4 -type structure show many interesting behaviors, such as charge density wave (CDW) in SrAl 4 and EuAl 4 , but not the isostructural and isovalent BaAl 4 , SrGa 4 , and BaGa 4 . Here using Wannier functions based on density functional theory, we calculate the susceptibility functions with millions of k-points to reach the small q-vector and study the origin and driving force behind the CDW. Our comparative study reveals that the origin of the CDW in SrAl 4 and EuAl 4 is the strong electron-phonon coupling interaction for the transverse acoustic mode at small q-vector along the Γ-Z direction besides the maximum of the real part of the susceptibility function from the nested Fermi surfaces of the Dirac-like bands, which explains well the absence of CDW in the other closely related compounds in a good agreement with experiment. We also connect the different CDW behaviors in the Al compounds to the macroscopic elastic properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Second harmonic Bessel-Gauss beam shaping with elliptic axicon aberrations

The second harmonic (SH) of an axicon generated Bessel-Gauss beam is created through the nonlinear interaction of photons with a crystal, resulting in the energy doubling of the output photons. In this work, we show experimentally that in addition to frequency doubling, the SH of Bessel-Gauss beams under asymmetric aberrations from an elliptic axicon exhibit intriguing beam formation. Particularly, the central region of the SH beam profile is composed of two central spots of various geometries surrounded by nested ellipses; one of which is the configuration of two central gamma dots with similar radius knotted by nested ellipses for a zeroth-order Bessel-Gauss pump. These SH beams consistently maintain their spatial profile throughout propagation, reminiscing the behavior of screw dislocations in wave patterns. Our numerical simulations produce beam dynamics consistent with that of experiments and further implicate the remarkable interweaving of bright spots with dark vortices. This is especially noticeable when the beams dynamically oscillate along the optical axis, resulting in the genesis of spatially polarized beams with a knotted framework. The insights gained from our study establish a novel paradigm for exploring interactions of Bessel-like beams with vortex dynamics. This, in turn, has the potential to spark innovations in optical applications, fostering new methodologies to harness and manipulate complex light structures. Our experimental findings could spur new methods of generating logical states of light and new opportunities for material processing control. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Wang, Tianhong (ORCID:0000000169104201)↗

Potential Lifshitz transition at optimal substitution in nematic pnictide Ba 1 x Sr x Ni 2 As 2

BaNi 2 As 2 is a structural analog of the pnictide superconductor BaFe 2 As 2 , which, like the iron-based superconductors, hosts a variety of ordered phases including charge density waves (CDWs), electronic nematicity, and superconductivity. Upon isovalent Sr substitution on the Ba site, the charge and nematic orders are suppressed, followed by a sixfold enhancement of the superconducting transition temperature (T c ). To understand the mechanisms responsible for enhancement of T c , we present high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements of the Ba 1-x Sr x Ni 2 As 2 series, which agree well with our density functional theory (DFT) calculations throughout the substitution range. Analysis of our ARPES-validated DFT results indicates a Lifshitz transition and reasonably nested electron and hole Fermi pockets near optimal substitution where T c is maximum. These nested pockets host Ni d xz /d yz orbital compositions, which we associate with the enhancement of nematic fluctuations, revealing unexpected connections to the iron-pnictide superconductors. This gives credence to a scenario in which nematic fluctuations drive an enhanced T c .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cluster algebras and the subalgebra constructibility of the seven-particle remainder function

We review various aspects of cluster algebras and the ways in which they appear in the study of loop-level amplitudes in planar N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. In particular, we highlight the different forms of cluster-algebraic structure that appear in this theory’s two-loop MHV amplitudes — considered as functions, symbols, and at the level of their Lie cobracket — and recount how the ‘nonclassical’ part of these amplitudes can be decomposed into specific functions evaluated on the A 2 or A 3 subalgebras of Gr( 4, n ). We then extend this line of inquiry by searching for other subalgebras over which these amplitudes can be decomposed. We focus on the case of seven-particle kinematics, where we show that the nonclassical part of the two-loop MHV amplitude is also constructible out of functions evaluated on the D 5 and A 5 subalgebras of Gr( 4, 7 ), and that these decompositions are themselves decomposable in terms of the same A 4 function. These nested decompositions take an especially canonical form, which is dictated in each case by constraints arising from the automorphism group of the parent algebra.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗