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Liu, X.

Publications and source records attributed to Liu, X..

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Solidarity of signal of measures for the liquid-gas phase transition in the statistical multifragmentation model

A systematic study of system size, N / Z asymmetry, and fragmenting volume effects as well as the Coulomb effect on experimental measures for the nuclear liquid-gas phase transition and the mechanism of phase transition are carried out in the framework of the statistical multifragmentation model (SMM). The measures examined here are the caloric curve, the specific heat capacity ( C v ), the multiplicity derivative (dM / dT), the moment parameters (M2 and γ2), the fluctuation of maximum fragment charge number (NVZ), the Fisher exponent (τ), and the Zipf's law parameter (ξ). A signal for the first-order phase transition for all the measures is observed. A stronger signal is observed in the system with smaller sizes or with more neutron rich or in smaller fragmenting volumes for the caloric curve, Cv, and dM/dT. The phase-transition temperatures are independent of the system size, N / Z asymmetry, fragmenting volume, and Coulomb force, which indicates these measures give a solid signal for the liquid-gas phase transition in SMM. On the other hand, the phase transition temperature and its behavior of the others slightly depend on the size, the N / Z asymmetry and the volume of the system. A negative heat capacity is observed for systems with A s ≥ 100 without the Coulomb force but disappears with the Coulomb. An instructive picture is given in the charge distributions for the observed first-order phase transition.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Enhanced doping efficiency of ultrawide band gap semiconductors by metal-semiconductor junction assisted epitaxy

Ultrawide bandgap semiconductors are important for a broad range of electronic and photonic devices, but their practical application has been limited by poor current conduction. Here, we demonstrate that with controlled tuning of the Fermi level by an in situ metal-semiconductor junction during epitaxy, efficient p-type conduction, which was otherwise impossible, can be achieved for large bandgap aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN). During epitaxy, the Fermi level is pinned away from the valence band edge, which fundamentally reduces the formation energy for substitutional Mg-dopant incorporation while simultaneously increasing the formation energy for compensating defects. In this work, we have demonstrated that Mg-doped Al 0.9 Ga 0.1 N can exhibit free hole concentration 4.5 × 10 &sim;17 cm -3 , with a resistivity < 5 Ω &middot; cm, which is nearly three orders of magnitude lower compared to previous reports. Ultraviolet 280-nm light emitting diodes grown using this method exhibited nearly an order of magnitude improvement in external quantum efficiency compared to those grown using conventional molecular beam epitaxy. Such a unique technique can be extended for the epitaxy/synthesis of a broad range of wide bandgap semiconductors to achieve efficient current conduction that was not previously possible.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Recovery of photoexcited magnetic ordering in Sr 2 IrO 4

The recovery of antiferromagnetic and lattice order of Sr 2 IrO 4 upon laser excitation was measured by time-resolved x-ray diffraction on nanosecond time scales. The in situ measurements of both magnetic and lattice order parameters allow direct comparison of their time evolutions without ambiguity. We found that the magnetic order recovers with two time constants. The fast sub-nanosecond recovery is associated with the re-establishment of three dimensional antiferromagnetic order while the slow sub-nanosecond recovery agrees with the lattice cooling on tens of nanoseconds. The strong oscillating behavior of magnetic order during the long time recovery may be related to complicated dynamics of defect-pinned magnetic domains.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2019

Multi-messenger Astrophysics with Pulsar Timing Arrays: Astro2020 Science White Paper

Pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) are on the verge of detecting low-frequency gravitational waves (GWs)from supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs). With continued observations of a large sampleof millisecond pulsars, PTAs will reach this major milestone within the next decade. Already,SMBHB candidates are being identied by electromagnetic surveys in ever-increasing numbers;upcoming surveys will enhance our ability to detect and verify candidates, and will be instrumentalin identifying the host galaxies of GW sources. Multi-messenger (GW and electromagnetic) obser-vations of SMBHBs will revolutionize our understanding of the co-evolution of SMBHs with theirhost galaxies, the dynamical interactions between binaries and their galactic environments, and thefundamental physics of accretion. Multi-messenger observations can also make SMBHBs `standardsirens' for cosmological distance measurements out to z ~ 0.5 LIGO has already ushered in break-through insights in our knowledge of black holes. The multi-messenger detection of SMBHBs withPTAs will be a breakthrough in the years 2020-2030 and beyond, and prepare us for LISA to helpcomplete our views of black hole demographics and evolution at higher redshifts.

Kelley, L. Z.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Magnetism in iridate heterostructures leveraged by structural distortions

Abstract Fundamental control of magnetic coupling through heterostructure morphology is a prerequisite for rational engineering of magnetic ground states. We report the tuning of magnetic interactions in superlattices composed of single and bilayers of SrIrO 3 inter-spaced with SrTiO 3 in analogy to the Ruddlesden-Popper series iridates. Magnetic scattering shows predominately c -axis antiferromagnetic orientation of the magnetic moments for the bilayer, as in Sr 3 Ir 2 O 7 . However, the magnetic excitation gap, measured by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, is quite different between the two structures, evidencing a significant change in the stability of the competing magnetic phases. In contrast, the single layer iridate hosts a more bulk-like gap. We find these changes are driven by bending of the c -axis Ir-O-Ir bond, which is much weaker in the single layer, and subsequent local environment changes, evidenced through x-ray diffraction and magnetic excitation modeling. Our findings demonstrate how large changes in the magnetic interactions can be tailored and probed in spin-orbit coupled heterostructures by engineering subtle structural modulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Direct Detection of Dimer Orbitals in Ba 5 AlIr 2 O 11

The electronic states of many Mott insulators, including iridates, are often conceptualized in terms of localized atomic states such as the famous "${J}_{\mathrm{eff}}=1/2$ state." Although orbital hybridization can strongly modify such states and dramatically change the electronic properties of materials, probing this process is highly challenging. We directly detect and quantify the formation of dimer orbitals in an iridate material ${\mathrm{Ba}}_{5}{\mathrm{AlIr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{11}$ using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. Sharp peaks corresponding to the excitations of dimer orbitals are observed and analyzed by a combination of density functional theory calculations and theoretical simulations based on an Ir-Ir cluster model. Such partially delocalized dimer states lead to a redefinition of the angular momentum of the electrons and changes in the magnetic and electronic behaviors of the material. We use this to explain the reduction of the observed magnetic moment with respect to predictions based on atomic states. This study opens new directions to study dimerization in a large family of materials, including solids, heterostructures, molecules, and transient states.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Experimental liquid-gas phase transition signals and reaction dynamics

The experimental liquid-gas phase transition signals are examined for the quasiprojectile (QP) reconstructed from the reactions of 40 Ar + 27 Al, 48 Ti, 58 Ni at 47 MeV/nucleon, using measures of caloric curve, multiplicity derivative, moment parameters, and fluctuation of maximum fragment charge number (NVZ). The QP source is reconstructed, using moving source parametrizations on an event-by-event basis. For the determination of the temperature, a quadrupole fluctuation thermometer is used. Deuterons are chosen for the thermometer to minimize the Coulomb and secondary sequential decay effects. Here, a new event-by-event method is proposed for the thermometer to determine the temperature. All measures show a characteristic signature around the temperature T = 9.0 ± 0.4 MeV, which may suggest that the QP system goes into the liquid-gas phase transition at T c = 8.3 ± 0.4 MeV after the Coulomb correction.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ultrafast manipulation of topologically enhanced surface transport driven by mid-infrared and terahertz pulses in Bi 2 Se 3

Topology-protected surface transport of ultimate thinness in three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) is breaking new ground in quantum science and technology. Yet a challenge remains on how to disentangle and selectively control surface helical spin transport from the bulk contribution. Here we use the mid-infrared and terahertz (THz) photoexcitation of exclusive intraband transitions to enable ultrafast manipulation of surface THz conductivity in Bi 2 Se 3 . The unique, transient electronic state is characterized by frequency-dependent carrier relaxations that directly distinguish the faster surface channel than the bulk with no complication from interband excitations or need for reduced bulk doping. We determine the topological enhancement ratio between bulk and surface scattering rates, i.e., γ BS /γ SS ~3.80 in equilibrium. As a result, the ultra-broadband, wavelength-selective pumping may be applied to emerging topological semimetals for separation and control of the protected transport connected with the Weyl nodes from other bulk bands.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Extreme asymmetry of Néel domain walls in multilayered films of the dilute magnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)(As,P)

Here, we report on unconventional perfectly shaped, fully asymmetric ~90° Néel domain walls in multilayered films of the diluted ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)(As,P) with a stepwise variation of P doping. Our results contradict micromagnetic calculations, which favor symmetric domain walls due to crystallographic anisotropy and stray field energy. We demonstrate that both the puzzling uniaxial in-plane anisotropy in the tetragonal multilayered film and the asymmetry of the domain walls could result from Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions that are enhanced by the multiple sharp interfaces between the layers and from anisotropic nonrelativistic exchange coupling. Our finding shows that digital variations of composition during the molecular beam epitaxy can be used to tune the anisotropy and chirality of magnetic multilayers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Ultrafast dynamics of spin and orbital correlations in quantum materials: an energy- and momentum-resolved perspective

Many remarkable properties of quantum materials emerge from states with intricate coupling between the charge, spin and orbital degrees of freedom. Ultrafast photo-excitations of these materials hold great promise for understanding and controlling the properties of these states. Here we introduce time-resolved resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (tr-RIXS) as a means of measuring the charge, spin and orbital excitations out of equilibrium. These excitations encode the correlations and interactions that determine the detailed properties of the states generated. After outlining the basic principles and instrumentation of tr-RIXS, we review our first observations of transient antiferromagnetic correlations in quasi two dimensions in a photo-excited Mott insulator and present possible future routes of this fast-developing technique. The increasing number of X-ray free electron laser facilities not only enables tackling long-standing fundamental scientific problems, but also promises to unleash novel inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Phase engineering of rare earth nickelates by digital synthesis

Here, we report on the electronic and magnetic properties of a series of [m EuNiO 3 /p LaNiO 3 ] superlattices (thickness m and/or p = 1 unit cell) epitaxially grown on single crystalline NdGaO 3 substrates. The structural symmetry of these films has been investigated by the combination of in-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction measurements. The metal-insulator transition and the magnetic transition temperatures of the short-period superlattices with m ≥ p are modified from the corresponding bulk Eu 1–x La x NiO 3 (x=$\frac{p}{m+p}$ ) composition. In contrast to the corresponding bulk doped compound with x = 0.67, the [1 EuNiO 3 /2 LaNiO 3 ] film remains metallic down to at least 2 K without signs of electronic or magnetic transitions. These findings demonstrate the power of the digital synthesis approach to realize electronic and magnetic phases of perovskite nickelates, unattainable in bulk.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

The evolution of orientation relationships during the transformation of a twin-free T-particle to tenfold T-twins in an Al alloy during homogenisation

Highlights: • The ORs of T-phase change continuously during its transformation to tenfold twins. • The changes in ORs are achieved by lattice rotations of T-phase about [010]{sub T} axis. • The OR change of T-phase exhibits a relationship with its cross-section shape. • The OR change of T-phase reduce the interface misfit increased by newly-formed twins. • Rotation of T-particle requires coordinate deformation at the near-interface region. - Abstract: The crystallographic and morphological analysis of T-phase formation in Al alloys was investigated using high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected-area electron diffraction pattern (SAEDP). The results show that the orientation relationships (ORs) of the T-phase change continuously from its original ORs during the transformation of a twin-free T-particle to the tenfold T-twins. These OR changes were achieved by lattice rotations of T-twin domains (T-TDs) about the [010]{sub T}//[010]{sub Al} axis by an angle ranging from 0° to 9°, and this exhibits a relationship with the shape of the cross-sections of the T-phase (T-CSs). The changes in ORs of the T-phase can reduce the increase in interface misfit between the newly-formed T-TDs and the Al matrix. The matrix could only accommodate the rotation of a T-particle at the near-interface region at relatively high temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Epitaxial strain modulated electronic properties of interface controlled nickelate superlattices

For this study, perovskite nickelate heterostructures consisting of single unit cells of EuNiO 3 and LaNiO 3 have been grown on a set of single crystalline substrates by pulsed laser interval deposition to investigate the effect of epitaxial strain on electronic and magnetic properties at the extreme interface limit. Despite the variation of substrate in-plane lattice constants and lattice symmetry, the structural response to heterostructuring is primarily controlled by the presence of the EuNiO 3 layer. In sharp contrast to bulk LaNiO 3 or EuNiO 3 , the superlattices grown under tensile strains exhibit metal-to-insulator transitions (MIT) below room temperature. The onset of magnetic and electronic transitions associated with the MIT can be further separated by application of large tensile strain. Furthermore, these transitions can be entirely suppressed by very small compressive strain. X-ray resonant absorption spectroscopy measurements reveal that such strain-controlled MIT is directly linked to a strain-induced self-doping effect without any chemical doping.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Quantitative Characterization of the Nanoscale Local Lattice Strain Induced by Sr Dopants in La 1.92 Sr 0.08 CuO 4

Here, the nanometer scale lattice deformation brought about by the dopants in the high temperature superconducting cuprate La 2-x Sr x CuO 4 (x = 0.08) was investigated by measuring the associated x-ray diffuse scattering around multiple Bragg peaks. A characteristic diffuse scattering pattern was observed, which can be well described by continuum elastic theory. With the fitted dipole force parameters, the acoustic-type lattice deformation pattern was reconstructed and found to be of similar size to lattice thermal vibration at 7 K. Our results address the long-term concern of dopant introduced local lattice inhomogeneity, and show that the associated nanometer scale lattice deformation is marginal and cannot, alone, be responsible for the patched variation in the spectral gaps observed with scanning tunneling microscopy in the cuprates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗