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At least 55 records · Page 3

Chiral superconductivity from a parent Chern band and its non-Abelian generalization

Here, we propose a minimal model starting from a parent Chern band with quartic dispersion that can describe the spin-valley polarized electrons in rhombohedral tetralayer graphene. The interplay between repulsive and attractive interactions on top of that parent Chern band is studied. We conduct standard self-consistent mean-field calculations, and find a rich phase diagram that consists of metal, quantum anomalous Hall crystal, chiral topological superconductor, as well as trivial gapped Bose-Einstein condensate. In particular, there exists a topological phase transition from the chiral superconductor to the Bose-Einstein condensate at zero temperature. Motivated by the recent experimental and theoretical studies of composite Fermi liquid in rhombohedral stacked multilayer graphene, we further generalize the physical electron model to its composite fermion counterpart based on a field theory analysis. The chiral superconductor phase of the composite fermion becomes the non-abelian Moore-Read quantum Hall phase. We argue that a chiral (pseudo-)spin liquid phase can emerge in the vicinity of this Moore-Read quantum Hall phase. Our work suggests rhombohedral multilayer graphene as a potential platform for rich correlated topological phases.

Wang, Yan-Qi [University of Maryland, College Park↗

Reaching quantum critical point by adding nonmagnetic disorder in single crystals of superconductor (Ca 𝑥 ⁢Sr 1−𝑥 ) 3 ⁢Rh 4 ⁢Sn 13

The Remeika series superconductor, (Ca 𝑥 ⁢Sr 1−𝑥 ) 3 ⁢Rh 4 ⁢Sn 13 , shows a rare nonmagnetic quantum critical point (QCP) associated with the continuous charge-density wave (CDW) and structural transition under the “dome” of superconductivity achieved by tuning composition and applying pressure. Here, we use a nonmagnetic pointlike disorder induced by 2.5 MeV electron irradiation to suppress the CDW and drive the system to and even beyond the QCP. This conclusion is based on a clear evolution of temperature-dependent resistivity, 𝜌⁡(𝑇), from the Fermi liquid to the non-Fermi liquid regime with increasing amount of disorder. Starting on the CDW side, below the suggested QCP concentration of 𝑥 𝑐 =0.9, added disorder resulted in a progressively larger linear term and a reduced quadratic term in 𝜌⁡(𝑇). Nearly perfect 𝑇−linear dependence is observed at the dose at which long-range CDW order is suppressed to 𝑇=0, consistent with the expectations. We refine the QCP location in this system and place it in the interval between 𝑥=0.75 and 0.85. Our results strongly support the concept that the disorder can tune the system to the quantum critical regime and even beyond. It follows from the argument by Imry and Ma that any ordered phase is unstable toward quenched disorder. Introduced in a controlled way, this disorder becomes a nonthermal tuning parameter likely applicable to a variety of different systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Single-Crystal Diffuse Neutron Scattering Study of the Dipole-Octupole Quantum Spin-Ice Candidate Ce 2⁢ Zr 2 ⁢O 7 : No Apparent Octupolar Correlations Above 𝑇 = 0.05 K

The insulating magnetic pyrochlore Ce 2 ⁢Zr 2 ⁢O 7 has gained attention as a quantum spin-ice candidate with dipole-octupole character that arises from the crystal-electric-field ground-state doublet for the Ce 3+ Kramers ion. This dipole-octupole character permits both spin-ice phases based on magnetic dipoles and those based on more-exotic octupoles. This work reports low-temperature neutron diffraction measurements on single-crystal Ce 2 ⁢Zr 2⁢ O 7 with 𝑄 coverage both at low 𝑄, where the magnetic form factor for dipoles is near maximal, and at high 𝑄, covering the region where the magnetic form factor for Ce 3+ octupoles is near maximal. This study was motivated by recent powder neutron diffraction studies of other Ce-based dipole-octupole pyrochlores, Ce 2 ⁢Sn 2 ⁢O 7 and Ce 2 ⁢Hf 2 ⁢O 7 , which each showed temperature-dependent diffuse diffraction at high 𝑄, interpreted as arising from octupolar correlations. Our measurements use an optimized single-crystal diffuse scattering instrument that allows us to screen against strong Bragg scattering from Ce 2 ⁢Zr 2 ⁢O 7 . The temperature-difference neutron diffraction reveals a low-𝑄 peak consistent with dipolar spin-ice correlations reported in previous work, and an alternation between positive and negative net intensity at higher 𝑄. These features are consistent with our numerical-linked-cluster calculations using pseudospin interaction parameters previously reported for Ce 2 ⁢Zr 2⁢ O 7 , Ce 2 ⁢Sn 2 ⁢O 7 , and Ce 2 ⁢Hf 2 ⁢O 7 . Importantly, neither the measured data nor any of the NLC calculations show evidence for increased scattering at high 𝑄 resulting from octupolar correlations. We conclude that at the lowest attainable temperature for our measurements (𝑇 = 0.05 K), scattering from octupolar correlations in Ce 2 ⁢Zr 2 ⁢O 7 is not present in the neutron diffraction signal on the level of our observation threshold of around 0.1% of the low-𝑄 dipole scattering. We compare these results to those obtained earlier on powder Ce 2 ⁢Sn 2 ⁢O 7 and Ce 2⁢ Hf 2⁢ O 7 , and to low-energy inelastic neutron scattering from single-crystal Ce 2 ⁢Zr 2 ⁢O 7 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting GaSb-Based Type-I Quantum Well Diode Lasers

The GaSb-based epitaxially regrown monolithic diode PCSELs operating near 2 μm at room temperature in continuous wave regime and generating 30 mW of output power from 200 μm diameter aperture have been designed and fabricated. Here, the devices demonstrated CW threshold current density of about 500 A/cm 2 . The laser output power was enhanced thanks to increased buried void area fill-factor in the photonic crystal layer with multiple voids per unit cell. The PCSEL generated ultra-low divergence donut shape beams at the currents near threshold. At higher injection currents, the device brightness was limited by excitation of the higher order lateral modes. Generation of the vector-vortex beams of different types by different band edge states of the buried photonic crystal was observed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Thermal Stability of the Dot-in-Well Gain Medium for Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Lasers

Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) embedded in InGaAs quantum wells (QWs) are used as active regions for photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs). An epitaxial regrowth method is developed to fabricate the dot-in-well (DWELL) PCSELs. Here, the epitaxial regrowth starts with the growth of a partial laser structure containing bottom cladding, waveguide, active region, and the photonic crystal (PC) layer. The PC layer is patterned to realize the cavity. Subsequently a top cladding layer is regrown to complete the laser structure. During the regrowth of the top cladding layer, the partial laser structure is subjected to high growth temperatures in excess of 600 °C resulting in an unintentional annealing of the active region. This annealing of the active region can alter the QDs by changing their size resulting in a blue shift in photoluminescence (PL) and narrowing PL emission. This effect results in the misaligning of the gain peak and the cavity resonance, resulting in sub-optimal lasing performance. DWELL active regions are known to have better thermal stability compared to both QDs and QWs and could be an ideal candidate for regrown PCSELs. We successfully demonstrate an optically-pumped epitaxially-regrown DWELL PCSEL with an emission wavelength of 1230 nm operating at room temperature. Furthermore, the DWELL active region shows excellent emission wavelength stability and intensity despite the high temperature regrowth process.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

High photon-phonon pair generation rate in a two-dimensional optomechanical crystal

Integrated optomechanical systems are a leading platform for manipulating, sensing, and distributing quantum information, but are limited by residual optical heating. Here, we demonstrate a two-dimensional optomechanical crystal (OMC) geometry with increased thermal anchoring and a mechanical mode at 7.4 GHz, well aligned with the operation range of cryogenic microwave hardware and piezoelectric transducers. The eight times better thermalization than current one-dimensional OMCs, large optomechanical coupling rates, g 0 /2π ≈ 880 kHz, and high optical quality factors, Q opt = 2.4 × 10 5 , allow ground-state cooling (n m = 0.32) of the acoustic mode from 3 K and entering the optomechanical strong-coupling regime. In pulsed sideband asymmetry measurements, we show ground-state operation (n m < 0.45) at temperatures below 10 mK, with repetition rates up to 3 MHz, generating photon-phonon pairs at ≈ 147 kHz. Our results extend optomechanical system capabilities and establish a robust foundation for future microwave-to-optical transducers with entanglement rates exceeding state-of-the-art superconducting qubit decoherence rates.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

EPR investigation of Ti2+ in SrCl2 single crystals.

The observation of 'double quantum' transitions which made it possible to determine the charge state of Ti as 2+ is reported. The EPR spectrum observed at 1.2 K is presented in a graph. The first derivative of the absorption is shown vs the magnetic field. The hyperfine patterns for the Ti-47 and Ti-49 isotopes are identified. Spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Ti(2+) in various cubic hosts are listed.

Herrington, J. R.↗

A review of quantum imaging methods and enabling technologies

The field of quantum imaging has recently seen an explosion of new methods and techniques. At the heart of most quantum imaging approaches are three enabling technologies: the source of the quantum light, the detectors that turn sensing into imaging, and the method by which the quantum nature of light is leveraged to improve the desired measurement. This review addresses the dominant and emerging technologies in each of these components as well as details concerning the implementations of various quantum imaging methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spatial quantum-interference landscapes of multi-site-controlled quantum dots coupled to extended photonic cavity modes

Abstract A compact platform to integrate emitters in a cavity-like support is to embed quantum dots (QDs) in a photonic crystal (PhC) structure, making them promising candidates for integrated quantum photonic circuits. The emission properties of QDs can be modified by tailored photonic structures, relying on the Purcell effect or strong light-matter interactions. However, the effects of photonic states on spatial features of exciton emissions in these systems are rarely explored. Such effect is difficult to access due to random positions of self-assembled QDs in PhC structures, and the fact that quantum well excitons’ wavefunctions resemble photonic states in a conventional distributed Bragg reflector cavity system. In this work, we instead observe a spatial signature of exciton emission using site-controlled QDs embedded in PhC cavities. In particular, we observe the detuning-dependent spatial repulsion of the QD exciton emissions by polarized imaging of the micro-photoluminescence, dependent on the controlled QD’s position in a spatially extended photonic pattern. The observed effect arises due to the quantum interference between QD decay channel in a spatially-extended cavity mode. Our findings suggest that integration of site-controlled QDs in tailored photonic structures can enable spatially distributed single-photon sources and photon switches.

Physics↗

Device response principles and the impact on energy resolution of epitaxial quantum dot scintillators with monolithic photodetector integration

Abstract Epitaxial quantum dot (QD) scintillator crystals with picosecond-scale timing and high light yield have been created for medical imaging, high energy physics and national security applications. Monolithic photodetector (PD) integration enables the sensing of photons generated within the waveguiding crystal and allows a wide range of scintillator-photodetector coupling geometries. Until recently, these doubly novel devices have suffered from complex, high variance responses to monoenergetic sources which significantly reduces their precision and accuracy. The principles governing the overall device response have now been discerned and embodied by an expression derived within a geometrical optics framework which considers optical properties, surface roughness and photodetector coupling geometry. Response variation due to these factors was sufficiently reduced to obtain material-related energy resolution values of 2.4% with alpha particles. These findings place energy resolution alongside luminescence timescale, photon yield, and radiation hardness as outstanding properties of these engineered materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Strain tuning of vestigial three-state Potts nematicity in a correlated antiferromagnet

Electronic nematicity is a state of matter in which rotational symmetry is spontaneously broken and translational symmetry is preserved. In strongly correlated materials, nematicity often emerges from fluctuations of a multicomponent primary order, such as spin or charge density waves, and is termed vestigial nematicity. One widely studied example is Ising nematicity, which arises as a vestigial order of collinear antiferromagnetism in the tetragonal iron pnictide superconductors. Because nematic directors in crystals are restricted by the underlying crystal symmetry, recently identified quantum materials with three-fold rotational symmetry offer a new platform to investigate nematic order with three-state Potts character. Here, in this study, we demonstrate strain control of three-state Potts nematicity as a vestigial order of zigzag antiferromagnetism in FePSe 3 . Optical linear dichroism measurements reveal the nematic state and demonstrate the rotation of the nematic director by uniaxial strain. We show that the nature of the nematic phase transition can also be controlled by strain, inducing a smooth crossover transition between a Potts nematic transition and an Ising nematic flop transition. Elastocaloric measurements demonstrate the signatures of two coupled phase transitions, indicating that the vestigial nematic transition is separated from the antiferromagnetic transition. This establishes FePSe 3 as a system to explore three-state Potts vestigial nematicity.

Hwangbo, Kyle↗

Correlated States of Two-dimensional Electron Systems in AlAs Quantum Wells

Two-dimensional (2D) carrier systems confined to modulation-doped semiconductor hetero-structures provide a nearly ideal testing ground for exploring new physical phenomena. At low temperatures and in the presence of a strong magnetic field, these systems exhibit fascinating, often unexpected, many-body states, arising from the strong electron-electron interaction. In our work, we studied various many-body states of different 2D systems. These included 2D electron and hole systems confined to GaAs and also to AlAs quantum wells, including wide quantum wells where the charge distribution is bilayer like. We observed and reported new phenomena in these systems, including new (even-denominator) fractional quantum Hall states, Wigner crystal solid phases, and composite fermion compressible states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum Transduction with Abundant Elements for Cleaner Energy

This three-year project established a new approach to calculating crystal field coefficients for rare-earth elements in solids, especially for quantum applications such as transduction. Crystal field values of erbium doping several oxide hosts were presented. In addition stoichiometric materials, erbium oxide and cerium vanadate and phosphate, were simulated to understand their properties for quantum information. A fundamental enhancement to transduction enabled by magnon interaction was presented, along with magnon calculations in several oxide hosts and 2D materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗