Engineering topics

Deng, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Deng, Y..

3 records

DOE OSTI2024

Quenched lattice fluctuations in optically driven SrTiO3

Abstract Crystal lattice fluctuations, which are known to influence phase transitions of quantum materials in equilibrium, are also expected to determine the dynamics of light-induced phase changes. However, they have only rarely been explored in these dynamical settings. Here we study the time evolution of lattice fluctuations in the quantum paraelectric SrTiO 3 , in which mid-infrared drives have been shown to induce a metastable ferroelectric state. Crucial in these physics is the competition between polar instabilities and antiferrodistortive rotations, which in equilibrium frustrate the formation of long-range ferroelectricity. We make use of high-intensity mid-infrared optical pulses to resonantly drive the Ti–O-stretching mode at 17 THz, and we measure the resulting change in lattice fluctuations using time-resolved X-ray diffuse scattering at a free-electron laser. After a prompt increase, we observe a long-lived quench in R-point antiferrodistortive lattice fluctuations. Their enhancement and reduction are theoretically explained by considering the fourth-order nonlinear phononic interactions to the driven optical phonon and third-order coupling to lattice strain, respectively. These observations provide a number of testable hypotheses for the physics of light-induced ferroelectricity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Vanishing RKKY interactions in Ce-based cage compounds

Abstract We report the results of thermodynamic measurements in external magnetic field of the cubic Ce-based cage compounds Ce T 2 Cd 20 ( T = Ni,Pd). Our analysis of the heat-capacity data shows that the Γ 7 doublet is the ground state multiplet of the Ce 3+ ions. Consequently, for the Γ 7 doublet it can be theoretically shown that the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interaction between the localized Ce moments mediated by the conduction electrons, must vanish at temperatures much lower than the energy separating the ground state doublet from the first excited Γ 8 quartet. Our findings provide an insight as to why no long range order has been observed in these compounds down to temperatures in the milliKelvin range.

Physics↗

NASA NTRS2010

Magnetic Flux Circulation During Dawn-Dusk Oriented Interplanetary Magnetic Field

Magnetic flux circulation is a primary mode of energy transfer from the solar wind into the ionosphere and inner magnetosphere. For southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), magnetic flux circulation is described by the Dungey cycle (dayside merging, night side reconnection, and magnetospheric convection), and both the ionosphere and inner magnetosphere receive energy. For dawn-dusk oriented IMF, magnetic flux circulation is not well understood, and the inner magnetosphere does not receive energy. Several models have been suggested for possible reconnection patterns; the general pattern is: dayside merging; reconnection on the dayside or along the dawn/dusk regions; and, return flow on dayside only. These models are consistent with the lack of energy in the inner magnetosphere. We will present evidence that the Dungey cycle does not explain the energy transfer during dawn-dusk oriented IMF. We will also present evidence of how magnetic flux does circulate during dawn-dusk oriented IMF, specifically how the magnetic flux reconnects and circulates back.

Mitchell, E. J.↗