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At least 757 records · Page 42

Anticipating decoherence in quantum systems

Large-scale quantum technologies require coherence across distant nodes, necessitating indistinguishable quantum states. However, environmental disorder, including dephasing, spectral diffusion, and spin-bath interactions, undermines coherence. Using statistical methods, we uncover correlations in decoherence channels induced by slowly varying environments. Spectral diffusion serves as a representative demonstration case that can be extended to other remote, disordered systems such as spins in nitrogen-vacancy centers and quantum-dot spin qubits, as well as flux noise in superconducting qubits. In this work, we employ replica-theory-inspired trajectory analysis to reveal predictable temporal structures in decoherence dynamics, and validate these through an anticipatory systems framework with internal prediction of unseen spectral dynamics in multiple quantum systems, showing that this framework could, if implemented, reduce spectral shift by average factors of approximately 2 to 19, depending on emitter stability, thereby enabling enhanced coherence and multi-node synchronization for scalable quantum communication, computation, imaging, and sensing.

Maan, Pranshu [Purdue University]↗

MD simulations of phase stability of PuGa alloys: Effects of primary radiation defects and helium bubbles

We present classical molecular dynamics (MD) with Modified Embedded Atom Model (MEAM) simulations to investigate the role of primary radiation defects and radiogenic helium as factors affecting the phase stability of PuGa alloys in cooling–heating cycles at ambient pressure. The models of PuGa alloys equilibrated at ambient conditions were subjected to cooling–heating cycles in which they were initially cooled down to 100 K and then heated up to 500 K at ambient pressure. The rate of temperature change in the cycles was 10 K/ns. The simulations showed that the initial FCC phase of PuGa alloys undergo polymorphous transition in cooling to a lower symmetry α'-phase. All the alloys undergo direct and reverse polymorphous transitions in the cooling–heating cycles. The alloys containing vacancies shift in both transitions to lower temperatures relative to the defect-free alloys. The radiogenic helium has much less effect on the phase stability compared to that of primary radiation defects (in spite of the fact that helium concentration is twice of that for the primary radiation defects). Lastly, this computational result agrees with experimental data on unconventional stabilization mechanism of PuGa alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Charge-induced phase transition in encapsulated $\mathrm{HfTe_2}$ nanoribbons

Nanotube encapsulation is a powerful technique for coaxing solids into unconventional configurations. By synthesizing materials within the interior confines of hollow nanotubes, lower dimensional morphologies, such as one-dimensional chains or nanoribbons, are favored. We have used carbon nanotube encapsulation to realize ultranarrow, atomically precise HfTe 2 nanoribbons. A local, electron-beam-stimulated transition from the metallic 1T phase to the previously unreported semiconducting 1H phase is observed. Here, we study computationally how charging can drive the phase transition and the stability of the different atomic configurations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Broadband bandpass Purcell filter for circuit quantum electrodynamics

In circuit quantum electrodynamics, qubits are typically measured using dispersively coupled readout resonators. Coupling between each readout resonator and its electrical environment, however, reduces the qubit lifetime via the Purcell effect. Inserting a Purcell filter counters this effect while maintaining high readout fidelity but reduces measurement bandwidth and, thus, limits multiplexing readout capacity. In this Letter, we develop and implement a multi-stage bandpass Purcell filter that yields better qubit protection while simultaneously increasing measurement bandwidth and multiplexed capacity. Here, we report on the experimental performance of our transmission-line-based implementation of this approach, a flexible design that can easily be integrated with current scaled-up, long coherence time superconducting quantum processors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Profiling the local carrier concentration across a semiconductor quantum dot

We profile the local carrier concentration, n, across epitaxial InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) consisting of 3D islands on top of a 2D alloy layer. We use scanning thermoelectric microscopy to measure a profile of the temperature gradient-induced voltage, which is converted to a profile of the local Seebeck coefficient, S. The S profile is then converted to a conduction band-edge profile and compared with Poisson-Schrodinger band-edge simulations. Our combined computational-experimental approach suggests a reduced carrier concentration in the QD center in comparison to that of the 2D alloy layer. The relative roles of free carrier trapping and/or dopant expulsion are discussed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Surface localized magnetism in transition metal doped alumina

Alumina is a structural ceramic that finds many uses in a broad range of applications. It is widely employed in the aerospace and biomedical sectors due to its stability at high temperatures and in harsh chemical environments. Here, we show that magnetism can be induced at alumina surfaces by doping with 3d transition metals. We analyze the electronic structure, spin magnetic moments, and spin density of α-Al 2 O 3 as a function of both dopant species (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and depth using first principles calculations. Our results show that all dopants, with the exception of Sc, produce magnetic moments that are concentrated to the surface of alumina with varying degrees of delocalization. It is seen that all of the dopants are at least meta-stable on the surface and must overcome an energy barrier of 0.19–1.14 eV in order to diffuse from the surface into the bulk. As a result of judiciously doping with select 3$\textit{d}$ transition metals the surface of alumina can be made magnetic. This could lead to novel applications in data storage, catalysis, and biomedical engineering through an added surface functionality.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Coordinate Bethe ansatz computation for low temperature behavior of a triangular lattice of a spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnet

We study the low temperature behavior of a triangular lattice quantum spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnet with single-site anisotropy by using coordinate Bethe ansatz method. We compute the standard two-particle Hermitian Hamiltonian, and obtain the eigenfunctions and eigenvalue of the system. The obtained results show a number of advantages in comparison with many results.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Fourier-transform-based model for carrier transport in semiconductor heterostructures: Longitudinal optical phonon scattering

We present scattering rates for electrons at longitudinal optical phonons within a model completely formulated in the Fourier domain. The total intersubband scattering rates are obtained by averaging over the intrasubband electron distributions. The rates consist of the Fourier components of the electron wave functions and a contribution depending only on the intersubband energies and the intrasubband carrier distributions. The energy-dependent part can be reproduced by a rational function, which allows for the separation of the scattering rates into a dipole-like contribution, an overlap-like contribution, and a contribution which can be neglected for low and intermediate carrier densities of the initial subband. For a balance between accuracy and computation time, the number of Fourier components can be adjusted. This approach facilitates an efficient design of complex heterostructures with realistic, temperature- and carrier density-dependent rates.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Finite-temperature many-body perturbation theory for anharmonic vibrations: Recursions, algebraic reduction, second-quantized reduction, diagrammatic rules, linked-diagram theorem, finite-temperature self-consistent field, and general-order algorithm

A unified theory is presented for finite-temperature many-body perturbation expansions of the anharmonic vibrational contributions to thermodynamic functions, i.e., the free energy, internal energy, and entropy. The theory is diagrammatically size-consistent at any order, as ensured by the linked-diagram theorem proved in this study, and, thus, applicable to molecular gases and solids on an equal footing. It is also a basis-set-free formalism, just like its underlying Bose–Einstein theory, capable of summing anharmonic effects over an infinite number of states analytically. It is formulated by the Rayleigh–Schrödinger-style recursions, generating sum-over-states formulas for the perturbation series, which unambiguously converges at the finite-temperature vibrational full-configuration-interaction limits. Two strategies are introduced to reduce these sum-over-states formulas into compact sum-over-modes analytical formulas. One is a purely algebraic method that factorizes each many-mode thermal average into a product of one-mode thermal averages, which are then evaluated by the thermal Born–Huang rules. Canonical forms of these rules are proposed, dramatically expediting the reduction process. The other is finite-temperature normal-ordered second quantization, which is fully developed in this study, including a proof of thermal Wick’s theorem and the derivation of a normal-ordered vibrational Hamiltonian at finite temperature. The latter naturally defines a finite-temperature extension of size-extensive vibrational self-consistent field theory. These reduced formulas can be represented graphically as Feynman diagrams with resolvent lines, which include anomalous and renormalization diagrams. Two order-by-order and one general-order algorithms of computing these perturbation corrections are implemented and applied up to the eighth order. The results show no signs of Kohn–Luttinger-type nonconvergence.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Zero-energy bound states in the high-temperature superconductors at the two-dimensional limit

Majorana zero modes (MZMs) that obey the non-Abelian statistics have been intensively investigated for potential applications in topological quantum computing. The prevailing signals in tunneling experiments “fingerprinting” the existence of MZMs are the zero-energy bound states (ZEBSs). However, nearly all of the previously reported ZEBSs showing signatures of the MZMs are observed in difficult-to-fabricate heterostructures at very low temperatures and additionally require applied magnetic field. Here, by using in situ scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we detect the ZEBSs upon the interstitial Fe adatoms deposited on two different high-temperature superconducting one-unit-cell iron chalcogenides on SrTiO 3 (001). The spectroscopic results resemble the phenomenological characteristics of the MZMs inside the vortex cores of topological superconductors. Our experimental findings may extend the MZM explorations in connate topological superconductors toward an applicable temperature regime and down to the two-dimensional (2D) limit.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Emitter/absorber interface of CdTe solar cells

The performance of CdTe solar cells can be very sensitive to the emitter/absorber interface, especially for high-efficiency cells with high bulk lifetime. Performance losses from acceptor-type interface defects can be significant when interface defect states are located near mid-gap energies. Numerical simulations show that the emitter/absorber band alignment, the emitter doping and thickness, and the defect properties of the interface (i.e., defect density, defect type, and defect energy) can all play significant roles in the interface recombination. In particular, a type I heterojunction with small conduction-band offset (0.1 eV ≤ ΔE{sub C} ≤ 0.3 eV) can help maintain good cell efficiency in spite of high interface defect density, much like with Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} (CIGS) cells. The basic principle is that positive ΔE{sub C}, often referred to as a “spike,” creates an absorber inversion and hence a large hole barrier adjacent to the interface. As a result, the electron-hole recombination is suppressed due to an insufficient hole supply at the interface. A large spike (ΔE{sub C} ≥ 0.4 eV), however, can impede electron transport and lead to a reduction of photocurrent and fill-factor. In contrast to the spike, a “cliff” (ΔE{sub C} < 0 eV) allows high hole concentration in the vicinity of the interface, which will assist interface recombination and result in a reduced open-circuit voltage. Another way to mitigate performance losses due to interface defects is to use a thin and highly doped emitter, which can invert the absorber and form a large hole barrier at the interface. CdS is the most common emitter material used in CdTe solar cells, but the CdS/CdTe interface is in the cliff category and is not favorable from the band-offset perspective. The ΔE{sub C} of other n-type emitter choices, such as (Mg,Zn)O, Cd(S,O), or (Cd,Mg)Te, can be tuned by varying the elemental ratio for an optimal positive value of ΔE{sub C}. These materials are predicted to yield higher voltages and would therefore be better candidates for the CdTe-cell emitter.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Quantum Divide and Compute: Hardware Demonstrations and Noisy Simulations

Noisy, intermediate-scale quantum computers come with intrinsic limitations in terms of the number of qubits (circuit "width") and decoherence time (circuit "depth") they can have. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate a recently introduced method that breaks a circuit into smaller subcircuits or fragments, and thus makes it possible to run circuits that are either too wide or too deep for a given quantum processor. We investigate the behavior of the method on one of IBM's 20-qubit superconducting quantum processors with various numbers of qubits and fragments. We build noise models that capture decoherence, readout error, and gate imperfections for this particular processor. We then carry out noisy simulations of the method in order to account for the observed experimental results. We find an agreement within 20% between the experimental and the simulated success probabilities, and we observe that recombining noisy fragments yields overall results that can outperform the results without fragmentation.

Ayral, Thomas↗

Topological Structures in Unconventional Scenario for 2D Cuprates

Numerous experimental data point to cuprates as d-d charge transfer unstable systems whose description implies the inclusion of the three many-electron valence states CuO{sub 4}{sup 7−,6−,5−} (nominally Cu{sup 1+,2+,3+}) on an equal footing as a well-defined charge triplet. We introduce a minimal model to describe the charge degree of freedom in cuprates with the on-site Hilbert space reduced to only the three states and make use of the S = 1 pseudospin formalism. The formalism constitutes a powerful method to study complex phenomena in interacting quantum systems characterized by the coexistence and competition of various ordered states. Overall, such a framework provides a simple and systematic methodology to predict and discover new kinds of orders. In particular, the pseudospin formalism provides the most effective way to describe different topological structures, in particular, due to a possibility of a geometrical two-vector description of the on-site states. We introduce and analyze effective pseudospin Hamiltonian with on-site and inter-site charge correlations, two types of a correlated one-particle transfer and two-particle, or the composite boson transfer. The latter is of a principal importance for the HTSC perspectives. The 2D S = 1 pseudospin system is prone to a creation of different topological structures, which form topologically protected inhomogeneous distributions of the eight local S = 1 pseudospin order parameters. We present a short overview of localized topological structures, typical for S = 1 (pseudo)spin systems, focusing on unexpected antiphase domain walls in parent cuprates and so-called quadrupole skyrmion, which are believed to be candidates for a topological charge excitation in parent or underdoped cuprates. Puzzlingly, these unconventional structures can be characterized by an uniform distribution of the mean on-site charge, that makes these invisible for X-rays. Quasi-classical approximation and computer simulation are applied to analyze localized topological defects and evolution of the domain structures in “negative-U” model under charge order-superfluid phase transition.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

2024 roadmap on magnetic microscopy techniques and their applications in materials science

Considering the growing interest in magnetic materials for unconventional computing, data storage, and sensor applications, there is active research not only on material synthesis but also characterisation of their properties. In addition to structural and integral magnetic characterisations, imaging of magnetisation patterns, current distributions and magnetic fields at nano- and microscale is of major importance to understand the material responses and qualify them for specific applications. In this roadmap, we aim to cover a broad portfolio of techniques to perform nano- and microscale magnetic imaging using superconducting quantum interference devices, spin centre and Hall effect magnetometries, scanning probe microscopies, x-ray- and electron-based methods as well as magnetooptics and nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging. The roadmap is aimed as a single access point of information for experts in the field as well as the young generation of students outlining prospects of the development of magnetic imaging technologies for the upcoming decade with a focus on physics, materials science, and chemistry of planar, three-dimensional and geometrically curved objects of different material classes including two-dimensional materials, complex oxides, semi-metals, multiferroics, skyrmions, antiferromagnets, frustrated magnets, magnetic molecules/nanoparticles, ionic conductors, superconductors, spintronic and spinorbitronic materials.

2D materials↗

Photodynamic melting of phase-reversed charge stripes and enhanced condensation

The interplay between charge stripes and pairing has long been a subject of scrutiny in a broad class of unconventional superconductors, as in some cases it is unclear whether this interplay benefits the ensuing superfluidity. Experiments that explore the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of these systems aim to tip the balance toward one phase or the other by selectively coupling to relevant modes. Leveraging the fact that competition between stripes and pairing is not exclusive to fermionic systems, we explore the photoirradiation dynamics of interacting hardcore bosons in which density-wave phase-reversal melting leads to enhanced phase-coherent transport response, as quantified by the dynamic amplification of both the zero-momentum occupancy and the condensate fraction, as well as finite out-of-equilibrium charge stiffness and superfluid weight, for a given system size. Finally, our results, obtained using unbiased methods for an interacting system on a ladder geometry, demonstrate how one can engineer time-dependent perturbations to release suppressed orders, potentially providing insight into the underlying mechanism in related experiments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

6th Annual Midwest Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, January 18-20, 2013, Urbana, Illinois

This document is the program for the 6th Annual Midwest Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, which was held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on January 18-20, 2013. The goals of the conference were to foster a culture in which undergraduate women are encouraged and supported to pursue, and also to succeed in, higher education in physics; to provide career information to students in physics and related fields; to give women the resources, motivation, and confidence to apply to graduate school and successfully complete a Ph.D. program in Physics; to provide information and dispel misconceptions about the application process for graduate school and the diverse employment opportunities in physics and related fields, enabling women to make more informed decisions about their goals and attain them; and to connect female physics students with successful female physicists to whom they can relate and who can act as inspirational role models and mentors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum-mechanical simulation of the IR reflectance spectrum of Mn{sub 3}Al{sub 2}Si{sub 3}O{sub 12} spessartine

The reflectance spectrum of one member of the garnet family, Mn{sub 3}Al{sub 2}Si{sub 3}O{sub 12} spessartine, was computed at the ab initio level with an all electron Gaussian type basis set and the B3LYP Hamiltonian. The static high frequency dielectric constant was obtained by applying the Coupled Perturbed Kohn Sham scheme as implemented in the CRYSTAL code; the Hessian matrix was evaluated numerically starting from the analytical gradients of the total energy with respect to the Cartesian coordinates of the atoms; the oscillator strengths were computed from well localized Wannier functions. An excellent agreement was obtained with the corresponding experimental spectrum, the exception being the very low frequency region.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Millimeter-Wave Superconducting Qubit

Manipulating the electromagnetic spectrum at the single-photon level is fundamental for quantum experiments. In the visible and infrared ranges, this can be accomplished with atomic quantum emitters, and with superconducting qubits such control is extended to the microwave range (below 10 GHz). Meanwhile, the region between these two energy ranges presents an unexplored opportunity for innovation. We bridge this gap by scaling up a superconducting qubit to the millimeter-wave range (near 100 GHz). Working in this energy range greatly reduces sensitivity to thermal noise compared to microwave devices, enabling operation at significantly higher temperatures, up to 1 K. This has many advantages by removing the dependence on rare 3⁢ He for refrigeration, simplifying cryogenic systems, and providing orders-of-magnitude higher cooling power, lending the flexibility needed for novel quantum sensing and hybrid experiments. Using low-loss niobium trilayer junctions, we realize a qubit at 72 GHz cooled to 0.87 K using only 4 ⁢He. We perform Rabi oscillations to establish control over the qubit state, and measure relaxation and dephasing times of 15.8 and 17.4 ns, respectively. This demonstration of a millimeter-wave quantum emitter offers exciting prospects for enhanced sensitivity thresholds in high-frequency photon detection, provides new options for quantum transduction and for scaling up and speeding up quantum computing, enables integration of quantum systems where 3 ⁢He refrigeration units are impractical, and, importantly, paves the way for quantum experiments exploring a novel energy range.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗