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At least 811 records · Page 45

Search for excited $τ$-leptons and leptoquarks in the final state with $τ$-leptons and jets in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is reported for excited $τ$-leptons and leptoquarks in events with two hadronically decaying $τ$-leptons and two or more jets. The search uses proton-proton ($pp$) collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment during the Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider in 2015–2018. The total integrated luminosity is 139 fb -1 . The excited $τ$-lepton is assumed to be produced and to decay via a four-fermion contact interaction into an ordinary $τ$-lepton and a quark-antiquark pair. The leptoquarks are assumed to be produced in pairs via the strong interaction, and each leptoquark is assumed to couple to a charm or lighter quark and a $τ$-lepton. No excess over the background prediction is observed. Excited $τ$-leptons with masses below 2.8 TeV are excluded at 95% CL in scenarios with the contact interaction scale Λ set to 10 TeV. At the extreme limit of model validity where Λ is set equal to the excited $τ$-lepton mass, excited $τ$-leptons with masses below 4.6 TeV are excluded. Leptoquarks with masses below 1.3 TeV are excluded at 95% CL if their branching ratio to a charm quark and a $τ$-lepton equals 1. The analysis does not exploit flavour-tagging in the signal region.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Robust and ultrafast state preparation by ramping artificial gauge potentials

Abstract The implementation of static artificial magnetic fields in ultracold atomic systems has become a powerful tool, e.g. for simulating quantum-Hall physics with charge-neutral atoms. Taking an interacting bosonic flux ladder as a minimal model, we investigate protocols for adiabatic state preparation via magnetic flux ramps. Considering the fact that it is actually the artificial vector potential (in the form of Peierls phases) that can be experimentally engineered in optical lattices, rather than the magnetic field, we find that the time required for adiabatic state preparation dramatically depends on which pattern of Peierls phases is used. This can be understood intuitively by noting that different patterns of time-dependent Peierls phases that all give rise to the same magnetic field ramp, generally lead to different artificial electric fields during the ramp. As an intriguing result, we find that an optimal choice allows for preparing the ground state almost instantaneously in the non-interacting system, which can be related to the concept of counterdiabatic driving. Remarkably, we find extremely short preparation times also in the strongly-interacting regime. Our findings open new possibilities for robust state preparation in atomic quantum simulators.

Wang, Botao (ORCID:0000000282202452)↗

VLF wave-wave interaction experiments in the magnetosphere

VLF wave-wave interaction experiments were carried out by injecting various forms of VLF pulses into the magnetosphere from a 21.2 km dipole antenna at Siple, Antarctica. The injected signals propagate along a geomagnetic field line and often interact strongly with energetic electrons trapped in the radiation belts near the equator. Signals may be amplified and trigger emissions. These signals may then interact with one another through these energetic electrons. This report is divided into three parts. In the first part, simulations of VLF pulses propagating in the magnetosphere are carried out. In the second part, it is found for the first time that a 10 ms gap in a triggering wave can induce emission, which may then interact with the post-gap signals. In the third part, sideband triggering is reported for the first time.

Chang, D. C. D.↗

Electromagnetic interactions of cosmic rays with nuclei

Parameterizations of single nucleon emission from the electromagnetic interactions of cosmic rays with nuclei are presented. These parameterizations are based upon the most accurate theoretical calculations available today. When coupled with Strong interaction parameterizations, they should be very suitable for use in cosmic ray propagation through intersteller space, the Earth's atmosphere, lunar samples, meteorites and spacecraft walls.

Norbury, John W.↗

Basis Light-Front Quantization: Recent Progress and Future Prospects

Light-front Hamiltonian field theory has advanced to the stage of becoming a viable non-perturbative method for solving forefront problems in strong interaction physics. Physics drivers include hadron mass spectroscopy, generalized parton distribution functions, spin structures of the hadrons, inelastic structure functions, hadronization, particle production by strong external time-dependent fields in relativistic heavy ion collisions, and many more. We review selected recent results and future prospects with basis light-front quantization that include fermion-antifermion bound states in QCD, fermion motion in a strong time-dependent external field and a novel non-perturbative renormalization scheme.

Physics↗

Calcium and zinc differentially affect the structure of lipid membranes

Interactions of calcium (Ca 2+ ) and zinc (Zn 2+ ) cations with biomimetic membranes made of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were studied by small angle neutron diffraction (SAND). Experiments show that the structure of these lipid bilayers is differentially affected by the two divalent cations. Initially, both Ca 2+ and Zn 2+ cause DPPC bilayers to thicken, while further increases in Ca 2+ concentration result in the bilayer thinning, eventually reverting to having the same thickness as pure DPPC. The binding of Zn 2+ , on the other hand, causes the bilayers to swell to a maximum thickness, and the addition of more Zn 2+ does not result in a further thickening of the membrane. Agreement between our results obtained using oriented planar membranes and those from vesicular samples implies that the effect of cations on bilayer thickness is the result of electrostatic interactions, rather than geometrical constraints due to bilayer curvature. This notion is further reinforced by MD simulations. Lastly, the radial distribution functions reveal a strong interaction between Ca 2+ and the phosphate oxygens, while Zn 2+ shows a much weaker binding specificity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Survey of Aspartate Phenylalanine and Glutamate Phenylalanine Interactions in the Protein Data Bank: Searching for Anion Pairs

Protein structures are stabilized using noncovalent interactions. In addition to the traditional noncovalent interactions, newer types of interactions are thought to be present in proteins. One such interaction, an anion pair, in which the positively charged edge of an aromatic ring interacts with an anion, forming a favorable anion quadrupole interaction, has been previously proposed [Jackson, M. R., et al. (2007) J. Phys. Chem. B111, 8242 8249]. To study the role of anion interactions in stabilizing protein structure, we analyzed pairwise interactions between phenylalanine (Phe) and the anionic amino acids, aspartate (Asp) and glutamate (Glu). Particular emphasis was focused on identification of Phe Asp or Glu pairs separated by less than 7 in the high-resolution, nonredundant Protein Data Bank. Simplifying Phe to benzene and Asp or Glu to formate molecules facilitated in silico analysis of the pairs. Kitaura Morokuma energy calculations were performed on roughly 19000 benzene formate pairs and the resulting energies analyzed as a function of distance and angle. Edgewise interactions typically produced strongly stabilizing interaction energies (2 to 7.3 kcal/mol), while interactions involving the ring face resulted in weakly stabilizing to repulsive interaction energies. The strongest, most stabilizing interactions were identified as preferentially occurring in buried residues. Anion pairs are found throughout protein structures, in helices as well as strands. Numerous pairs also had nearby cation interactions as well as potential stacking. While more than 1000 structures did not contain an anion pair, the 3134 remaining structures contained approximately 2.6 anion pairs per protein, suggesting it is a reasonably common motif that could contribute to the overall structural stability of a protein.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Interaction of gases with lunar materials - Apollo 12, 14, and 16 samples

Surface properties of lunar fines samples from the Apollo 12, 14, and 16 missions have been investigated by studying the adsorption of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon monoxide (all at 77 K), and water vapor (at 20 or 22 C) on the samples. Initially the samples were all nonporous and had a uniformly low specific surface area (0.3 to 0.6 sq m/g). Water interacts strongly with the surface of lunar fines, chemisorbing at low pressures followed by a massive adsorption at high pressures. Nitrogen adsorption measurements after the interaction with water showed that the surface properties had undergone a severe alteration as a result of the attack by water vapor. This alteration consisted of a marked increase in the specific surface area and the creation of a pore system. The results are interpreted on the basis of a penetration of water into the damage tracks.

Holmes, H. F.↗

The calculation of supersonic viscous flows using the parabolized Navier-Stokes equations

Solution of the parabolic Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations for supersonic flows is discussed, and compatibility of the PNS method with the triple-deck theory of Stewartson (1974) is demonstrated. Characteristic and stability analyses show that use of an appropriate filter on the pressure term in the x-momentum equation can suppress the departure solutions, giving the usual desired weak interaction solution. An Alternating Direction Explicit procedure, with minimal computer storage requirements compared to the full Navier-Stokes solvers, is proposed to calculate strongly interacting flows using a global iteration procedure for the PNS equations. The PNS equations are used to solve the hypersonic viscous interaction problem, and good agreement is found with experimental results.

Davis, R. T.↗

Numerical simulations of unsteady airfoil-vortex interactions

Numerical methods based on the thin layer Navier-Stokes, Euler and transonic small disturbance equations, all three of which use the perturbation form of an implicit numerical algorithm, are used to formulate the unsteady interactions of a moving vortex with a stationary airfoil. Results are presented for both transonic and subsonic flows, as well as for weak and strong interactions. In general, the results exhibit an overwhelming influence of the vortex on the flow field around the airfoil, especially when the convecting vortex is within one chord of the airfoil. It is noted that even the ostensibly weak interactions produced vortex/shock-induced boundary layer separation.

Srinivasan, G. R.↗

Stopping powers and cross sections due to two-photon processes in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collision

The radiation dose received from high energy galactic cosmic rays (GCR) is a limiting factor in the design of long duration space flights and the building of lunar and martian habitats. It is of vital importance to have an accurate understanding of the interactions of GCR in order to assess the radiation environment that the astronauts will be exposed to. Although previous studies have concentrated on the strong interaction process in GCR, there are also very large effects due to electromagnetic (EM) interactions. In this report we describe our first efforts at understanding these EM production processes due to two-photon collisions. More specifically, we shall consider particle production processes in relativistic heavy ion collisions (RHICs) through two-photon exchange.

Cheung, Wang K.↗

Impact of Ligands on the Ion–Ion Selectivity of Ligand-Appended-Pillar[ n ]arene Channels

Ligand-appended pillar[5]arene (LAP) channels are emerging as a promising platform for ion-selective membranes. In this study, we investigated the ion selectivities of three LAP channels functionalized with distinct ligands: diglycolamine, carbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide, and propionamide phosphonic acid. These ligands were chosen based on their demonstrated affinities for lanthanides in solvent extraction studies. We examined the selectivity of each channel toward a series of monovalent, divalent, and trivalent ions: Li + , Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , La 3+ , Eu 3+ , and Yb 3+ . To quantify ion-channel interactions and the energetics of translocation, we computed the potential of mean force (PMF) profiles for each ion. These PMFs were subsequently recast into permeability coefficients, enabling a direct evaluation of ion permselectivity. Our results reveal distinct selectivity patterns governed by the chemical nature of the appended ligands. The diglycolamine-functionalized channel exhibits strong interactions with monovalent ions, leading to replication of the Li + bulk hydration shell within the channel. This promotes preferential transport Li + ions while effectively excluding divalent and trivalent species. In contrast, the carbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide-functionalized channel displays a reduced selectivity between monovalent ions while similarly exhibiting an effective rejection of divalent and trivalent ions. This arises from steric hindrance around channel-lining oxygens imposed by the ligand's bulky phenyl groups which limits heavy ion coordination and promotes retention of hydration shells effectively increasing effective ion size. The propionamide phosphonic acid-functionalized channel exhibits a different trend, favoring ions with lower hydration free energies, with K + ions showing enhanced permeation. These findings highlight the critical role of ligand-ion interactions in modulating ion selectivity within LAP channels. In particular, the strong coordination exhibited by diglycolamine and propionamide phosphonic acid ligands significantly influences the ion transport energetics and selectivity profiles.

hydration↗

Magnetism and local symmetry breaking in a Mott insulator with strong spin orbit interactions

Study of the combined effects of strong electronic correlations with spin-orbit coupling (SOC) represents a central issue in quantum materials research. Predicting emergent properties represents a huge theoretical problem since the presence of SOC implies that the spin is not a good quantum number. Existing theories propose the emergence of a multitude of exotic quantum phases, distinguishable by either local point symmetry breaking or local spin expectation values, even in materials with simple cubic crystal structure such as Ba 2 NaOsO 6 . Experimental tests of these theories by local probes are highly sought for. Our local measurements designed to concurrently probe spin and orbital/lattice degrees of freedom of Ba 2 NaOsO 6 provide such tests. As a result, we show that a canted ferromagnetic phase which is preceded by local point symmetry breaking is stabilized at low temperatures, as predicted by quantum theories involving multipolar spin interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dilute Paramagnetism and Non-Trivial Topology in Quasicrystal Approximant Fe4Al13

A very fundamental property of both weakly and strongly interacting materials is the nature of their magnetic response. In this work, we detail the growth of crystals of the quasicrystal approximant Fe4Al13 with an Al flux solvent method. We characterize our samples using electrical transport and heat capacity, yielding results consistent with a simple non-magnetic metal. However, magnetization measurements portray an extremely unusual response for a dilute paramagnet and do not exhibit the characteristic Curie behavior expected for a weakly interacting material at high temperature. Electronic structure calculations confirm metallic behavior but also indicate that each isolated band near the Fermi energy hosts non-trivial topologies, including strong, weak, and nodal components, with resultant topological surface states distinguishable from bulk states on the (001) surface. With half-filled flat bands apparent in the calculation, but an absence of long-range magnetic order, the unusual quasi-paramagnetic response suggests the dilute paramagnetic behavior in this quasicrystal approximant is surprising and may serve as a test of the fundamental assumptions that are taken for granted for the magnetic response of weakly interacting systems.

Avers, Keenan E. (ORCID:0000000223441939)↗

Aerosols from anthropogenic and biogenic sources and their interactions – modeling aerosol formation, optical properties, and impacts over the central Amazon basin

The Green Ocean Amazon experiment – GoAmazon 2014–2015 – explored the interactions between natural biogenic forest emissions from central Amazonia and urban air pollution from Manaus. Previous GoAmazon 2014–2015 studies showed that nitrogen oxide (NO x = NO + NO 2 ) and sulfur oxide (SO x ) emissions from Manaus strongly interact with biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), affecting secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. In previous studies, ground-based and aircraft measurements provided evidence of SOA formation and strong changes in aerosol composition and properties. Aerosol optical properties also evolve, and their impacts on the Amazonian ecosystem can be significant. As particles age, some processes, such as SOA production, black carbon (BC) deposition, particle growth and the BC lensing effect change the aerosol optical properties, affecting the solar radiation flux at the surface. This study analyzes data and models SOA formation using the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model to assess the spatial variability in aerosol optical properties as the Manaus plumes interact with the natural atmosphere. The following aerosol optical properties are investigated: single scattering albedo (SSA), asymmetry parameter (g aer ), absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) and scattering Ångström exponent (SAE). These simulations were validated using ground-based measurements at three experimental sites, namely the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory – ATTO (T0a), downtown Manaus (T1), Tiwa Hotel (T2) and Manacapuru (T3), as well as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Gulfstream 1 (G-1) aircraft flights. WRF-Chem simulations were performed over 7 d during March 2014. Results show a mean biogenic SOA (BSOA) mass enrichment of 512 % at the T1 site, 450 % in regions downwind of Manaus, such as the T3 site, and 850 % in areas north of the T3 site in simulations with anthropogenic emissions. The SOA formation is rather fast, with about 80 % of the SOA mass produced in 3–4 h. Comparing the plume from simulations with and without anthropogenic emissions, SSA shows a downwind reduction of approximately 10 %, 11 % and 6 % at the T1, T2 and T3 sites, respectively. Other regions, such as those further downwind of the T3 site, are also affected. The g aer values increased from 0.62 to 0.74 at the T1 site and from 0.67 to 0.72 at the T3 site when anthropogenic emissions are active. During the Manaus plume-aging process, a plume tracking analysis shows an increase in SSA from 0.91 close to Manaus to 0.98 160 km downwind of Manaus as a result of SOA production and BC deposition.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Distributed Quantum Computing with Photons and Atomic Memories

The promise of universal quantum computing requires scalable single- and inter-qubit control interactions. Currently, three of the leading candidate platforms for quantum computing are based on superconducting circuits, trapped ions, and neutral atom arrays. However, these systems have strong interaction with environmental and control noises that introduce decoherence of qubit states and gate operations. Alternatively, photons are well decoupled from the environment and have advantages of speed and timing for quantum computing. Photonic systems have already demonstrated capability for solving specific intractable problems like Boson sampling, but face challenges for practically scalable universal quantum computing solutions because it is extremely difficult for a single photon to “talk” to another deterministically. Here, a universal distributed quantum computing scheme based on photons and atomic-ensemble-based quantum memories is proposed. Taking the established photonic advantages, two-qubit nonlinear interaction is mediated by converting photonic qubits into quantum memory states and employing Rydberg blockade for the controlled gate operation. Spatial and temporal scalability of this scheme is demonstrated further. Furthermore, these results show photon-atom network hybrid approach can be a potential solution to universal distributed quantum computing.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Extreme Correlation and Repulsive Interactions in Highly Excited Atomic Alkali Anions

At high energies, single-photon photodetachment of alkali negative ions populates final states where both the ejected electron and the residual valence electron possess high angular momenta. The photodetached electron interacts strongly with the anisotropic core, and thus the partial cross sections for these channels display non-Wigner threshold behavior reflecting these large, and occasionally repulsive, interactions. Our fully quantum-mechanical theoretical study enables a deeper interpretation of these partial cross sections. Comparisons of the behavior in different channels and between different atomic species—sodium, potassium, and cesium—show the critical role of near degeneracies in the energy spectrum and demonstrate that much of the behavior of the partial photodetachment cross sections stems from the permanent, rather than induced, electric dipole moments of these nearly degenerate channels. This provides a concrete example of a system where negative dispersion forces play a decisive role.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Computational and Experimental Investigation of Interfacial Area in Near-Field Diesel Spray Simulation

The dense spray region in the near-field of diesel fuel injection remains an enigma. This region is difficult to interrogate with light in the visible range and difficult to model due to the rapid interaction between liquid and gas. In particular, modeling strategies that rely on Lagrangian particle tracking of droplets have struggled in this area. To better represent the strong interaction between phases, Eulerian modeling has proven particularly useful. Models built on the concept of surface area density are advantageous where primary and secondary atomization have not yet produced droplets, but rather form more complicated liquid structures. Surface area density, a more general concept than Lagrangian droplets, naturally represents liquid structures, no matter how complex. These surface area density models, however, have not been directly experimentally validated in the past due to the inability of optical methods to elucidate such a quantity. Optical diagnostics traditionally measure near-spherical droplet size far downstream, where the spray is optically thin. Using ultra-small-angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) measurements to measure the surface area and x-ray radiography to measure the density, we have been able to test one of the more speculative parts of Eulerian spray modeling. In conclusion, the modeling and experimental results have been combined to provide insight into near-field spray dynamics.

42 ENGINEERING↗