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At least 577 records · Page 32

Negative Refraction in Time-Varying Strongly Coupled Plasmonic-Antenna–Epsilon-Near-Zero Systems

Time-varying metasurfaces are emerging as a powerful instrument for the dynamical control of the electromagnetic properties of a propagating wave. Here we demonstrate an efficient time-varying metasurface based on plasmonic nano-antennas strongly coupled to an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) deeply subwavelength film. The plasmonic resonance of the metal resonators strongly interacts with the optical ENZ modes, providing a Rabi level spitting of ~30%. Optical pumping at frequency ω induces a nonlinear polarization oscillating at 2ω responsible for an efficient generation of a phase conjugate and a negative refracted beam with a conversion efficiency that is more than 4 orders of magnitude greater compared to the bare ENZ film. In this work, the introduction of a strongly coupled plasmonic system therefore provides a simple and effective route towards the implementation of ENZ physics at the nanoscale.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Spin Hall-induced auto-oscillations in ultrathin YIG grown on Pt

We experimentally study nanowire-shaped spin-Hall nano-oscillators based on nanometer-thick epitaxial films of Yttrium Iron Garnet grown on top of a layer of Pt. We show that, although these films are characterized by significantly larger magnetic damping in comparison with the films grown directly on Gadolinium Gallium Garnet, they allow one to achieve spin current-driven auto-oscillations at comparable current densities, which can be an indication of the better transparency of the interface to the spin current. These observations suggest a route for improvement of the flexibility of insulator-based spintronic devices and their compatibility with semiconductor technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Long coherence times in nuclear spin-free vanadyl qubits

Quantum information processing (QIP) offers the potential to create new frontiers in fields ranging from quantum biology to cryptography. Two key figures of merit for electronic spin qubits, the smallest units of QIP, are the coherence time ( T 2 ), the lifetime of the qubit, and the spin–lattice relaxation time (T 1 ), the thermally defined upper limit of T 2 . To achieve QIP, processable qubits with long coherence times are required. Recent studies on (Ph 4 P-d 20 ) 2 [V(C 8 S 8 ) 3 ], a vanadium-based qubit, demonstrate that millisecond T 2 times are achievable in transition metal complexes with nuclear spinfree environments. Applying these principles to vanadyl complexes offers a route to combine the previously established surface compatibility of the flatter vanadyl structures with a long T 2 . Toward those ends, we investigated a series of four qubits, (Ph 4 P) 2 [VO(C 8 S 8 ) 2 ] (1), (Ph 4 P) 2 [VO(β-C 3 S 5 ) 2 ] (2), (Ph 4 P) 2 [VO(α-C 3 S 5 ) 2 ] (3), and (Ph 4 P) 2 [VO(C 3 S 4 O) 2 ] (4), by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and compared the performance of these species with our recently reported set of vanadium tris(dithiolene) complexes. Crucially we demonstrate that solutions of 1–4 in SO 2 , a uniquely polar nuclear spinfree solvent, reveal T 2 values of up to 152(6) μs, comparable to the best molecular qubit candidates. Upon transitioning to vanadyl species from the tris(dithiolene) analogues, we observe a remarkable order of magnitude increase in T 2 , attributed to stronger solute–solvent interactions with the polar vanadium-oxo moiety. Simultaneously, we detect a small decrease in T 2 for the vanadyl analogues relative to the tris(dithiolene) complexes. We attribute this decrease to the absence of one nuclear spinfree ligand, which served to shield the vanadium centers against solvent nuclear spins. Lastly, our results highlight new design principles for long T 1 and T 2 times by demonstrating the efficacy of ligand-based tuning of solute–solvent interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Observation of microwave shielding of ultracold molecules

Harnessing the potential wide-ranging quantum science applications of molecules will require control of their interactions. Here, we used microwave radiation to directly engineer and tune the interaction potentials between ultracold calcium monofluoride (CaF) molecules. By merging two optical tweezers, each containing a single molecule, we probed collisions in three dimensions. The correct combination of microwave frequency and power created an effective repulsive shield, which suppressed the inelastic loss rate by a factor of six, in agreement with theoretical calculations. The demonstrated microwave shielding shows a general route to the creation of long-lived, dense samples of ultracold polar molecules and evaporative cooling.

Anderegg, Loïc↗

Measurements of the momentum-dependence of plasmonic excitations in matter around 1 Mbar using an X-ray free electron laser

We present measurements of the plasmon shift in shock-compressed matter as a function of momentum transfer beyond the Fermi wavevector using an X-ray Free Electron Laser. We eliminate the elastically scattered signal retaining only the inelastic plasmon signal. Our plasmon dispersion agrees with both the random phase approximation (RPA) and static Local Field Corrections (sLFC) for an electron gas at both zero and finite temperature. Further, we find the inclusion of electron-ion collisions through the Born-Mermin Approximation (BMA) to have no effect. Whilst we cannot distinguish between RPA and sLFC within our error bars, our data suggest that dynamic effects should be included for LFC and provide a route forward for higher resolution future measurements.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Tailoring dielectric resonator geometries for directional scattering and Huygens’ metasurfaces

In this paper we describe a methodology for tailoring the design of metamaterial dielectric resonators, which represent a promising path toward low-loss metamaterials at optical frequencies. We first describe a procedure to decompose the far field scattered by subwavelength resonators in terms of multipolar field components, providing explicit expressions for the multipolar far fields. We apply this formulation to confirm that an isolated high-permittivity dielectric cube resonator possesses frequency separated electric and magnetic dipole resonances, as well as a magnetic quadrupole resonance in close proximity to the electric dipole resonance. We then introduce multiple dielectric gaps to the resonator geometry in a manner suggested by perturbation theory, and demonstrate the ability to overlap the electric and magnetic dipole resonances, thereby enabling directional scattering by satisfying the first Kerker condition. We further demonstrate the ability to push the quadrupole resonance away from the degenerate dipole resonances to achieve local behavior. These properties are confirmed through the multipolar expansion and show that the use of geometries suggested by perturbation theory is a viable route to achieve purely dipole resonances for metamaterial applications such as wave-front manipulation with Huygens’ metasurfaces. Our results are fully scalable across any frequency bands where high-permittivity dielectric materials are available, including microwave, THz, and infrared frequencies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Phase-Slip Lines and Anomalous Josephson Effects in Tungsten Nanoscale Cluster-Based Topological Insulator Nanobridges: Implications for Topologically Protected Qubits and Quantum Sensors

Superconducting topological systems formed by a strong 3D topological insulator (TI) in proximity to a conventional s-wave superconductor (SC) have been intensely studied, as they may host Majorana zero modes. However, there are limited experimental realizations of TI-SC systems in which robust superconducting pairing is induced on the surface states of the TI and a topological superconducting state is established. Here, we fabricate a TI-SC system by depositing, via a focused ion beam, tungsten (W) nanoscale clusters on the surface of TI Bi 0.91 Sb 0.09 . We find that the resulting heterostructure supports phase-slip lines (PSLs) that act as effective Josephson junctions (JJs). Here, we probe the response of the system to microwave radiation. We find that for some ac frequencies, and powers, the resulting Shapiro steps’ structure of the voltage–current characteristic exhibits a missing first step and an unexpectedly wide second Shapiro step. The theoretical analysis of the measurements shows that the unusual Shapiro response arises from the interplay between a static JJ and a dynamic one and allows us to identify the conditions under which the missing first step can be attributed to the topological nature of the JJs formed by the PSLs. Our results suggest an approach to induce superconductivity in a TI, a route to realizing highly transparent topological JJs, and show how the response of superconducting systems to microwave radiation can be used to infer the dynamics of PSLs. Highly transparent topological junctions are promising candidates to realize vector field sensors with very high sensitivity. In addition, due to the nontrivial Berry phase of the TI’s surface states such junctions can be in a topological state which is ideal to create topologically protected qubits.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Neutral Silicon Vacancy Centers in Undoped Diamond via Surface Control

Neutral silicon vacancy centers (SiV 0 ) in diamond are promising candidates for quantum applications; however, stabilizing SiV 0 requires high-purity, boron-doped diamond, which is not a readily available material. Here, we demonstrate an alternative approach via chemical control of the diamond surface. We use low-damage chemical processing and annealing in a hydrogen environment to realize reversible and highly stable charge state tuning in undoped diamond. The resulting SiV 0 centers display optically detected magnetic resonance and bulklike optical properties. Controlling the charge state tuning via surface termination offers a route for scalable technologies based on SiV 0 centers, as well as charge state engineering of other defects.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Clean 2D superconductivity in a bulk van der Waals superlattice

Alternative route to a 2D superconductor Single layers of transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit exotic properties, including superconductivity. The usual route to obtaining such samples is to exfoliate a three-dimensional (3D) crystal. Devarakonda et al. instead grew a superlattice comprising alternating layers of the transition metal dichalcogenide hexagonal NbS 2 and the material Ba 3 NbS 5 (see the Perspective by Schoop). The inert Ba 3 NbS 5 layers serve to dissociate the superconducting NbS 2 layers from one another, resulting in 2D superconductivity with high carrier mobility. The combination of high mobility and reduced dimensionality may give rise to exotic quantum phases. Science , this issue p. 231 see also p. 170

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Isovalent Alloying and Heterovalent Substititution as Routes to Accelerate the Development and Optimization of Super-Efficient Halide Perovskite PV Solar Cells

Halide perovskites represent one of the fastest growing photovoltaic (PV) device technologies in the last decade, with research efficiencies among the highest confirmed. However, the research needed to advance tandem perovskite solar cells requires a specialized understanding base, but there is no such base for this young group of materials with the same depth as in semiconductor alloy research. Whereas IV-IV, II-V and II-VI semiconductors have a sophisticated science foundation refined over decades due of their use in electronics, lasers, LEDs and night vision applications, this is not yet the case for halide perovskites. At the same time, these materials behave rather differently than conventional semiconductors. Within the rapidly unfolding field of PV, the emerging halide-perovskite alloy research has largely been based on empiricism. Clearly, a concerted and comprehensive application to halide perovskite alloys of the modern quantum theory of solids brought us over the years a broad understanding of the critical factors enabling conventional inorganic PV could leapfrog the Edisonian, trial-and-error search for solutions to critical problems that are poorly understood. These theory approaches are required to accelerate the progress toward commercially ready hybrid-perovskites by providing a theory-guided experiment component to the EERE investments in this high-priority R&D. During this project we have studied three different rungs on the ladder of knowledge about hybrid perovskites. This kind of single halide perovskites represent the first level of development (rung 1) of solar cells, and includes materials such as APbI 3 , ASnI 3 , APbBr 3 , ASnBr 3 with different A cations, such as methylammonium (MA) with formamidinium (FM). Rung 2 is obtained by mixing B cations (Sn and Pb), and X anions (Cl and Br or I) producing a disordered alloy (A, A’)(M,M’)(X,X’) 3 -space. The most advanced rung corresponds to heterovalent-substitution of halide perovskites, creating an ordered double-perovskite compound. Although the focus of the project was on Rungs 2 and 3, we have made important discoveries regarding the nature of pure perovskites. We’ve observed that cubic perovskites should be modeled by a polymorphous network, instead of the basic single unit cell approach. This leads to the conclusion that perovskites have a fluid-like nature. An article regarding this work has been submitted to Nature Materials. Using the approach described above, we have also simulated alloys of halide perovskites, representing rung 2. We have focused on mixtures of [Cs,FA][Sn,Pb]I 3 with different concentrations, being able to disentangle the structural and electronic factors that determines the variation (bowing) of properties such as band gaps, mixing enthalpies and decomposition energies. For rung 3 compounds, we’ve closely interacted with experimental groups clarifying the chemical routes to obtain a certain compound, and what should be the most stable structure for them. As the final product, and consequent dissemination of the research, we’ve submitted two papers for publication, that are currently under evaluation. The interaction with experimental groups was also an important focus. We have participated in several local, national and international meetings, and reached out more closely to groups from CU Boulder and Arkansas.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Clockwork axions in cosmology. Is chromonatural inflation chrononatural?

Many cosmological models rely on large couplings of axions to gauge fields. Examples include theories of magnetogenesis, inflation on a steep potential, chiral gravitational waves, and chromonatural inflation. Such theories require a mismatch between the axion field range and the mass scale appearing in the aFF~ coupling. This mismatch suggests an underlying monodromy, with the axion winding around its fundamental period a large number of times. We investigate the extent to which this integer can be explained as a product of smaller integers in a UV completion: in the parlance of our times, can the theory be “clockworked”? We argue that a clockwork construction producing a potential μ4cos(ajFa) for an axion of fundamental period Fa will obey the constraint μ < Fa. For a some applications, including chromonatural inflation with sub-Planckian field range, this constraint obstructs a clockwork UV completion. Alternative routes to a large coupling include fields of large charge (an approach limited by strong coupling) or kinetic mixing (requiring a lighter axion). Our results suggest that completions of axion cosmologies that explain the large parameter in the theory potentially alter the phenomenological predictions of the model.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Ab Initio Structure Determination and Photoluminescent Properties of an Efficient, Thermally Stable Blue Phosphor, Ba 2 Y 5 B 5 O 17 :Ce 3+

Here, the crystal structure of a novel barium yttrium borate, Ba 2 Y 5 B 5 O 17 , was determined using a combination of ab initio global optimization algorithms and density functional theory calculations along with Rietveld refinement of high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state route, the structure consists of edge- and corner-sharing Y- and Ba-centered polyhedra along with BO 3 trigonal planes. Ba and Y occupy four crystallographically independent sites with two fully occupied by Y and two having a statistical mixture of Y and Ba. Substituting Ce 3+ into the structure for Y 3+ yields blue photoluminescence ($λ_{\text{em}}$ = 443 nm) upon excitation with UV ($λ_{\text{em}}$ = 365 nm) light. The emission of this new compound is efficient with an external quantum yield of 70% and is stable as a function of temperature with a quenching temperature of ≈400 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Flow distribution analysis on the cooling tube network of ITER thermal shield

Thermal shield (TS) is to be installed between the vacuum vessel or the cryostat and the magnets in ITER tokamak to reduce the thermal radiation load to the magnets operating at 4.2K. The TS is cooled by pressurized helium gas at the inlet temperature of 80K. The cooling tube is welded on the TS panel surface and the composed flow network of the TS cooling tubes is complex. The flow rate in each panel should be matched to the thermal design value for effective radiation shielding. This paper presents one dimensional analysis on the flow distribution of cooling tube network for the ITER TS. The hydraulic cooling tube network is modeled by an electrical analogy. Only the cooling tube on the TS surface and its connecting pipe from the manifold are considered in the analysis model. Considering the frictional factor and the local loss in the cooling tube, the hydraulic resistance is expressed as a linear function with respect to mass flow rate. Sub-circuits in the TS are analyzed separately because each circuit is controlled by its own control valve independently. It is found that flow rates in some panels are insufficient compared with the design values. In order to improve the flow distribution, two kinds of design modifications are proposed. The first one is to connect the tubes of the adjacent panels. This will increase the resistance of the tube on the panel where the flow rate is excessive. The other design suggestion is that an orifice is installed at the exit of tube routing where the flow rate is to be reduced. The analysis for the design suggestions shows that the flow mal-distribution is improved significantly.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Direct current injection and thermocapillary flow for purification of aligned arrays of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Aligned arrays of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs) represent ideal configurations for use of this class of material in high performance electronics. Development of means for removing the metallic SWNTs (m-SWNTs) in as-grown arrays represents an essential challenge. Here, we introduce a simple scheme that achieves this type of purification using direct, selective current injection through interdigitated electrodes into the m-SWNTs, to allow their complete removal using processes of thermocapillarity and dry etching. Experiments and numerical simulations establish the fundamental aspects that lead to selectivity in this process, thereby setting design rules for optimization. Single-step purification of arrays that include thousands of SWNTs demonstrates the effectiveness and simplicity of the procedures. The result is a practical route to large-area aligned arrays of purely s-SWNTs with low-cost experimental setups.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Blue-light-emitting color centers in high-quality hexagonal boron nitride

Light emitters in wide-band-gap semiconductors are of great fundamental interest and have potential as optically addressable qubits. Here we describe a unique color center in high-quality hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with a sharp emission line at 435 nm. The emitters are activated and deactivated by electron beam irradiation and have spectral and temporal characteristics consistent with atomic color centers weakly coupled to lattice vibrations. The emitters are conspicuously absent from commercially available h-BN and are present in only ultrahigh-quality h-BN grown using a high-pressure, high-temperature Ba-B-N flux/solvent, suggesting that these emitters originate from impurities or related defects specific to this unique synthetic route. Lastly, our results imply that the light emission is activated and deactivated by electron beam manipulation of the charge state of an impurity-defect complex.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

CsPbI 3 Nanocrystals Go with the Flow: From Formation Mechanism to Continuous Nanomanufacturing

Despite the groundbreaking advancements in the synthesis of inorganic lead halide perovskite (LHP) nanocrystals (NCs), stimulated from their intriguing size-, composition-, and morphology-dependent optical and optoelectronic properties, their formation mechanism through the hot-injection (HI) synthetic route is not well-understood. Here in this work, for the first time, in-flow HI synthesis of cesium lead iodide (CsPbI 3 ) NCs is introduced and a comprehensive understanding of the interdependent competing reaction parameters controlling the NC morphology (nanocube vs nanoplatelet) and properties is provided. Utilizing the developed flow synthesis strategy, a change in the CsPbI 3 NC formation mechanism at temperatures higher than 150 °C, resulting in different CsPbI 3 morphologies is revealed. Through comparison of the flow- versus flask-based synthesis, deficiencies of batch reactors in reproducible and scalable synthesis of CsPbI 3 NCs with fast formation kinetics are demonstrated. The developed modular flow chemistry route provides a new frontier for high-temperature studies of solution-processed LHP NCs and enables their consistent and reliable continuous nanomanufacturing for next-generation energy technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗