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At least 595 records · Page 33

Core-excited states of SF 6 probed with soft-x-ray femtosecond transient absorption of vibrational wave packets

A vibrational wavepacket in SF 6 is created by impulsive stimulated Raman scattering with a few-cycle infrared pulse and mapped simultaneously onto five sulfur core-excited states using table-top soft x-ray transient absorption spectroscopy between 170 to 200 eV. The femtosecond vibrations induce real-time energy shifts of the x-ray absorption, whose amplitude depend strongly on the nature of the core-excited state. The pump laser intensity is used to control the number of vibrational states in the superposition, thereby accessing core-excited levels for various extensions of the S-F stretching motion. This enables the determination of the relative core-level potential energy gradients for the symmetric stretching mode, in good agreement with TDDFT calculations. This experiment demonstrates a new means of characterizing core-excited potential energy curves.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Coexistent Quantum Channel Characterization Using Spectrally Resolved Bayesian Quantum Process Tomography

The coexistence of quantum and classical signals over the same optical fiber with minimal degradation of the transmitted quantum information is critical for operating large-scale quantum networks over the existing communications infrastructure. In this work, we systematically characterize the quantum channel that results from simultaneously distributing approximate single-photon polarization-encoded qubits and classical light of varying intensities through fiber-optic channels of up to 15 km. Using spectrally resolved quantum process tomography with a Bayesian reconstruction method that we develop, we estimate the full quantum channel from experimental photon counting data, both with and without classical background. Furthermore, although we find the exact channel description to be a weak function of the pump polarization, we nevertheless show that the coexistent fiber-based quantum channel has high process fidelity with an ideal depolarizing channel when the noise is dominated by Raman scattering. These results provide a basis for the future development of quantum repeater designs and quantum error-correcting codes for real-world channels and inform models used in the analysis and simulation of quantum networks.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Controlling spins with surface magnon polaritons

Polaritons in metals, semimetals, semiconductors, and polar insulators can allow for extreme confinement of electromagnetic energy, providing many promising opportunities for enhancing typically weak light-matter interactions such as multipolar radiation, multiphoton spontaneous emission, Raman scattering, and material nonlinearities. These extremely confined polaritons are quasielectrostatic in nature, with most of their energy residing in the electric field. As a result, these “electric” polaritons are far from optimized for enhancing emission of a magnetic nature, such as spin relaxation, which is typically many orders of magnitude slower than corresponding electric decays. Here, we take concepts of “electric” polaritons into magnetic materials, and propose using surface magnon polaritons in negative magnetic permeability materials to strongly enhance spin relaxation in nearby emitters. Specifically, we provide quantitative examples with MnF 2 and FeF 2 , enhancing spin transitions in the THz spectral range. In this work we find that these magnetic polaritons in 100-nm thin films can be confined to lengths over 10 000 times smaller than the wavelength of a photon at the same frequency, allowing for a surprising 12 orders of magnitude enhancement in magnetic dipole transitions. This takes THz spin-flip transitions, which normally occur at timescales on the order of a year, and forces them to occur at sub-ms timescales. Our results suggest an interesting platform for polaritonics at THz frequencies, and more broadly, a way to use polaritons to control light-matter interactions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Pressure tuning of the charge density wave and superconductivity in 2 H -TaS 2

Both the vibrational and electrical transport properties of 2 H -TaS 2 have been investigated at high pressures and low temperatures. In this work, the collapse of the charge-density-wave order at pressures above 7.3 GPa has been verified by Raman scattering, resistivity, and Hall coefficient measurements. For pressures above the critical pressure of 7.3 GPa, the superconducting transition temperature continues to increase and reaches its maximum value at 11.5 GPa, suggesting that it is not a simple competition between the charge-density-wave order and superconductivity. Through the standard resistivity fit in the normal state, the decline of the superconducting transition temperature with increasing pressure up to 47.0 GPa is due to the decrease of interaction strength and the increase of the impurity scattering. These results are very important in understanding the superconducting mechanism of transition-metal dichalcogenides.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Two-magnon bound states in the Kitaev model in a [111] field

It is now well established that the Kitaev honeycomb model in a magnetic field along the [111] direction harbors an intermediate gapless quantum spin liquid (QSL) phase sandwiched between a gapped non-Abelian QSL at low fields $H < H_{c1}$ and a partially polarized phase at high fields $H > H_{c2}$. Here, we analyze the low-field and high-field phases and phase transitions in terms of single- and two-magnon excitations using exact diagonalization and density matrix renormalization group methods. In this work, we find that the energy to create a bound state of two-magnon $Δ_p$ becomes lower than the energy to create a single spin flip $Δ_s$ near $H_{c2}$. In the entire Kitaev spin liquid, $Δ_p < Δ_s$ and both gaps vanish at $H_{c2}$. We make testable predictions for magnon pairing that could be observable in Raman scattering measurements on Kitaev QSL candidate materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Graviton chirality and topological order in the half-filled Landau level

The fractional quantum Hall state at the Landau level filling factor 5/2 is extremely interesting because it is likely the first non-Abelian state, but its precise nature remains unclear after decades of study. Here we demonstrate this can be resolved by studying the chirality of its graviton excitations, using circularly polarized Raman scattering. We discuss the advantage of this bulk probe over the existing edge probes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Hybridization-driven strong anharmonicity in Yb-filled skutterudites

A high-pressure study of the structural and thermal transport properties is carried out on one of the most efficient filled skutterudites, $\mathrm{Yb_{0.3}Co_4Sb_{12}}$, to understand the relatively low thermal conductivity behavior in this family. By combining x-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements, we detect a phase transition at around 12.4 GPa. The mode Grüneisen parameters of the observed phonon modes are obtained from the determined bulk modulus and the phonon frequency shifts with pressure. The strong anharmonicity in this material is demonstrated by the obtained large average Grüneisen parameter. We also find the depressed group velocity within the low-frequency range, the flat guest mode avoided crossing with the acoustic-phonon mode, and the significant contribution of optical phonons. The hybridization of the guest atom and host lattice and the related enhanced anharmonicity are suggested to account for the low lattice thermal conductivity in the studied system. So, these findings provide new insight into how phonon-phonon interactions lower lattice thermal conductivity in this important thermoelectric family.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evidence of distinct nonpolar/polar ordering at long/short ranges in relaxor ferroelectrics

Distinct atomic nonpolar/polar ordering is determined at long, intermediate, and short ranges using synchrotron x-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and pair distribution function data in K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 -doped BaTiO 3 -based relaxor ferroelectrics, viz., (1 - x) Ba 0.9 Sr 0.1 TiO 3 -x KNN 50. Two different polar phases with distinct symmetries are identified at short/intermediate ranges for x = 0.10, where a monoclinic phase at short ranges gradually transforms into a rhombohedral phase at intermediate ranges. Here, in contrast, a nonpolar phase with average cubic symmetry is found to be stable at long ranges for a wide temperature range (100 ≤ T ≤ 500 K). The polar behavior of short/intermediate-range ordering is quantified in terms of the amplitude of ferroelectric phonon mode $Γ^-_4$ (q = 0, 0, 0) (which corresponds to the zone center of the cubic Brillouin zone). The amplitude of the $Γ^-_4$ phonon mode increases with decreasing temperature, suggesting the enhancement of ferroelectric polarization at short/intermediate ranges on lowering temperatures. Enhanced ferroelectric polarization at low temperature is also visible and evident by ferroelectrostriction and is quantified by the increase in magnitude of spontaneous volume ferroelectrostriction. Consequently, Zero thermal expansion is observed at low temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal disorder and phonon softening in the ferroelectric phase transition of lead titanate

We report a molecular dynamics study of ab initio quality of the ferroelectric phase transition in crystalline PbTi⁢O3. We model anharmonicity accurately in terms of potential energy and polarization surfaces trained on density functional theory data with modern machine learning techniques. Our simulations demonstrate that the transition has a strong order-disorder character, in agreement with diffraction experiments, and provide fresh insight into the approach to equilibrium across the phase transition. We find that the emergence and disappearance of the macroscopic polarization is driven by dipolar switching at the nanometer scale. We also computed the infrared optical absorption spectra in both the ferroelectric and the paraelectric phases, finding good agreement with the experimental Raman frequencies. Often, the almost ideal displacive character of the soft mode detected by Raman scattering in the paraelectric phase has been contrasted with the order-disorder character of the transition suggested by diffraction experiments. We settle this issue by showing that the soft mode coexists with a strong Debye relaxation associated with thermal disordering of the dipoles. The Debye relaxation feature is centered at zero frequency and appears near the transition temperature in both the ferroelectric and the paraelectric phases.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Pump depletion and hot-electron generation in long-density-scale-length plasma with shock-ignition high-intensity laser

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations for laser plasma interaction with laser intensity of 10 16 W/cm 2 , plasma density range of 0.01–0.28$n_c$, and scale length of 230–330 $\textit{μ}$m showed significant pump depletion of the laser energy due to stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in the low-density region ($n_e$ = 0.01–0.2$n_c$). The simulations identified hot electrons generated by SRS in the low-density region with moderate energy and by two-plasmon-decay near $n_e$ = 0.25$n_c$ with higher energy. The overall hot electron temperature (46 keV) and conversion efficiency (3%) were consistent with the experiment's measurements. Further, the simulations also showed artificially reducing SBS would lead to stronger SRS and a softer hot-electron spectrum.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Cogeneration of hot electrons from multiple laser-plasma instabilities

Interactions of two plasmon decay (TPD) and side stimulated Raman scattering (SSRS) were studied using 3-D particle-in-cell simulations under ICF-relevant conditions for linearly and circularly polarized lasers. In the linear stage, SSRS took place under n e = 0.235n c and TPD dominated near the quarter-critical density surface and their growth rates agreed with theory. In the nonlinear stage, SSRS reduced TPD through pump depletion. Hot electrons were found to be first accelerated by the SSRS plasma waves and then by TPD plasma waves through a co-generation mechanism. Compared to the linearly polarized case with the same laser intensity, both SSRS and TPD were reduced due to the lower laser amplitude in the circularly-polarized case. As a result, a 30 percent decrease in hot electron flux was observed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Nonlinear transmission of laser light through coronal plasma due to self-induced incoherence

The success of direct laser-driven inertial con nement fusion (ICF) relies critically on the efficient coupling of laser light to plasma. At ignition scale, the absolute stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instability can severely inhibit this coupling by redirecting and strongly depleting laser light. This article describes a new dynamic saturation regime of the absolute SRS instability near one quarter of the critical density. The saturation occurs when spatiotemporal ion-acoustic fluctuations in the plasma density detune the instability resonance. Here, the dynamic saturation mitigates the strong depletion of laser light and enhances its transmission through the instability region, explaining the coupling of laser light to ICF targets at higher plasma densities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Nature of Magnetic Excitations in the High-Field Phase of α–RuCl 3

We present comprehensive electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of in-plane oriented single crystals of α–RuCl 3 , a quasi-two-dimensional material with honeycomb structure, focusing on its high-field spin dynamics. The measurements were performed in magnetic fields up to 16 T, applied along the [110] and [100] directions. Several ESR modes were detected. Combining our findings with recent inelastic neutron- and Raman-scattering data, we identified most of the observed excitations. Most importantly, we show that the low-temperature ESR response beyond the boundary of the magnetically ordered region is dominated by single- and two-particle processes with magnons as elementary excitations. In conclusion, the peculiarities of the excitation spectrum in the vicinity of the critical field are discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Temperature-Dependent Spin-Lattice Relaxation of the Nitrogen-Vacancy Spin Triplet in Diamond

Spin-lattice relaxation within the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center’s electronic ground-state spin triplet limits its coherence times, and thereby impacts its performance in quantum applications. We report measurements of the relaxation rates on the NV center’s $|m_s = 0 \rangle ↔ |m_s = ± 1 \rangle$ and $|m_s = -1 \rangle ↔ |m_s = + 1\rangle$ transitions as a function of temperature from 9 to 474 K in high-purity samples. We show that the temperature dependencies of the rates are reproduced by an ab initio theory of Raman scattering due to second-order spin-phonon interactions, and we discuss the applicability of the theory to other spin systems. Using a novel analytical model based on these results, we suggest that the high-temperature behavior of NV spin-lattice relaxation is dominated by interactions with two groups of quasilocalized phonons centered at 68.2(17) and 167(12) meV.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Structural changes induced by electric currents in a single crystal of Pr 2 CuO 4

We demonstrate an approach to the structural and electronic property modification of perovskites, focusing on Pr 2 CuO 4 , an undoped parent compound of a class of electron-doped copper-oxide superconductors. Currents were passed parallel or perpendicular to the copper oxygen layers with the voltage ramped up until a rapid drop in the resistivity was achieved, a process referred to as “flash.” The current was then further increased tenfold in current-control mode. This state was quenched by immersion into liquid nitrogen. Flash can drive many compounds into different atomic structures with new properties, whereas the quench freezes them into a long-lived state. Single-crystal neutron diffraction of as-grown and modified Pr 2 CuO 4 revealed a √10 ×√10 superlattice due to oxygen-vacancy order. The diffraction peak intensities of the superlattice of the modified sample were significantly enhanced relative to the pristine sample. Raman-active phonons in the modified sample were considerably sharper. Measurements of electrical resistivity, magnetization, and two-magnon Raman scattering indicate that the modification affected only the Pr-O layers, but not the Cu-O planes. These results point to enhanced oxygen-vacancy order in the modified samples well beyond what can be achieved without passing electrical current. Our work opens a new avenue toward electric field/quench control of structure and properties of layered perovskite oxides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Floquet engineering of polaritonic amplification in dispersive photonic time crystals

In this study, we investigate the dynamics of dispersive photonic time crystals (PTCs) and their potential applications for controlling light-matter interaction. Using the Lorentz-Drude as dispersive material model, we analyze the effects of periodic modulation of dispersion parameters through both theoretical and numerical analysis, revealing the emergence of hybrid bandgaps from the interaction of polaritonic branches with distinctive characteristics. Our study demonstrates that dispersive PTCs offer novel excitation channels and amplification possibilities, that require lower modulation frequencies compared to nondispersive systems thus alleviating experimental challenges for the realization of PTCs in the optical regime. These findings pave the way for advancements in polaritonic lasing and resonant Raman scattering.

Classical optics↗

Optimal filtering and generation of entangled photons for quantum applications in the presence of noise

Filtering is commonly used in quantum optics to reject noise photons, and also to enable interference between independent photons. However, filtering the joint spectrum of photon pairs can reduce the inherent coincidence probability or loss-independent heralding efficiency. Here we investigate filtering for multiphoton applications based on entanglement and interference (e.g., quantum teleportation). We multiplex C-band entangled photons and C-band classical communications into the same long-distance fibers, which enables scalable low-loss quantum networking but requires filtering of spontaneous Raman scattering noise from classical light. Using tunable-bandwidth filters, low-jitter detectors, and polarization filters, we distribute wavelength-degenerate time-bin entangled photons in the C band (1536.5 nm) over 25 km/25 km standard fibers (50 km) each carrying 10 Gbit/s C-band classical data signals. Narrow filtering enables milliwatt-level C-band power, which exceeds the power achieved by comparable studies by roughly an order of magnitude and could feasibly support terabit per second classical rates. We evaluate how performance depends on pump and filter bandwidths, multipair emission, filter shapes, loss, phase matching, and how quantum information is measured. We find a trade-off between reducing noise impact and increasing single-mode purity, and discuss mitigation methods toward optimal multiphoton applications. Importantly, these results apply to noise in free space and in quantum devices (sources, frequency converters, switches, detectors, etc.) and provide insight into filter-induced degradation of single-photon purity and rates even in noise-free environments.

Thomas, Jordan M. [Fermilab; Northwestern U.]↗

In situ plasmonic tip preparation and validation techniques for scanning tunneling microscopy

Among the many parts constituting a scanning tunneling microscope, the metallic tip is the component that directly interacts with the specimen and plays a critical role in visualizing the physical quantity of interest. While tip materials such as W and Pt–Ir are commonly used for topographic imaging and their preparation is well-documented, the preparation of plasmonic materials such as Ag for tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is relatively less standardized. Furthermore, we present several in situ Ag tip preparation and validation techniques for the microscopist to use depending on their intended application, including atomic resolution imaging, scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STM), and tip-enhanced Raman spectro-microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. Besides optical applications, these methods are not limited to Ag but also applicable to other STM tip materials.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗