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At least 91 records · Page 5

Gate-Tunable Single Terahertz Meta-Atom Ultrastrong Light-Matter Coupling

We study the electrical tunability of ultrastrong light-matter interactions between a single terahertz circuit-based complementary split ring resonator (cSRR) and a two-dimensional electron gas. For this purpose, transmission spectroscopy measurements are performed under the influence of a strong magnetic field at different set points for the electric gate bias. The resulting Landau polariton dispersion depends on the applied electric bias, as the gating technique confines the electrons in-plane down to extremely subwavelength dimensions as small as d = 410 nm. This confinement allows for the excitation of standing plasma waves at zero magnetic field and an effective tunability of the electron number coupled to the THz resonator. This allows the normalized coupling strength to be tuned in situ from η = 0.46 down to η = 0.18. This is the first demonstration of terahertz far-field spectroscopy of an electrically tunable interaction between a single terahertz resonator and electrons in a GaAs quantum well heterostructure.

Landau levels↗

Dynamical defects in a two-dimensional Wigner crystal: Self-doping and kinetic magnetism

We study the quantum dynamics of interstitials and vacancies in a two-dimensional Wigner crystal (WC) using a semi-classical instanton method that is asymptotically exact at low density, i.e., in the r s → ∞ limit. Here, the dynamics of these point defects mediates magnetism with much higher energy scales than the exchange energies of the pure WC. Via exact diagonalization of the derived effective Hamiltonians in the single-defect sectors, we find the dynamical corrections to the defect energies. The resulting expression for the interstitial (vacancy) energy extrapolates to 0 at r s = r mit ≈ 70 (r s ≈ 30), suggestive of a self-doping instability to a partially melted WC for some range of r s below r mit . We thus propose a “metallic electron crystal” phase of the two-dimensional electron gas at intermediate densities between a low density insulating WC and a high density Fermi fluid.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Approaching periodic systems in ensemble density functional theory via finite one-dimensional models

Ensemble density functional theory (EDFT) is a generalization of ground-state DFT, which is based on an exact formal theory of finite collections of a system's ground and excited states. EDFT in various forms has been shown to improve the accuracy of calculated energy level differences in isolated model systems, atoms, and molecules, but it is not yet clear how EDFT could be used to calculate band gaps for periodic systems. We extend the application of EDFT toward periodic systems by estimating the thermodynamic limit with increasingly large finite one-dimensional 'particle in a box' systems, which approach the uniform electron gas (UEG). Using ensemble-generalized Hartree and local spin density approximation exchange-correlation functionals, we find that corrections go to zero in the infinite limit, as expected for a metallic system. However, there is a correction to the effective mass, with results comparable to other calculations on 1D, 2D, and 3D UEGs, which indicates promise for non-trivial results from EDFT on periodic systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Topological Phenomena in Artificial Quantum Materials Revealed by Local Chern Markers

A striking example of frustration in physics is Hofstadter’s butterfly, a fractal structure that emerges from the competition between a crystal’s lattice periodicity and the magnetic length of an applied field. Current methods for predicting the topological invariants associated with Hofstadter’s butterfly are challenging or impossible to apply to a range of materials, including those that are disordered or lack a bulk spectral gap. Here, in this work, we demonstrate a framework for predicting a material’s local Chern markers using its position-space description and validate it against experimental observations of quantum transport in artificial graphene in a semiconductor heterostructure, inherently accounting for fabrication disorder strong enough to close the bulk spectral gap. By resolving local changes in the system’s topology, we reveal the topological origins of antidot-localized states that appear in artificial graphene in the presence of a magnetic field. Moreover, we show the breadth of this framework by simulating how Hofstadter’s butterfly emerges from an initially unpatterned 2D electron gas as the system’s potential strength is increased and predict that artificial graphene becomes a topological insulator at the critical magnetic field. Overall, we anticipate that a position-space approach to determine a material’s Chern invariant without requiring prior knowledge of its occupied states or bulk spectral gaps will enable a broad array of fundamental inquiries and provide a novel route to material discovery, especially in metallic, aperiodic, and disordered systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The stable auroral red arc of October 31 - November 1, 1968 and its interaction with the neutral atmosphere

Satellite observations of electron temperature and the topside electron density structure are used to calculate the red arc according to the thermal conduction model. In this model, energy from the magnetosphere flows in the electron gas along geomagnetic field lines into the ionosphere. This energy heats the ambient F-region electrons sufficiently to excite the oxygen atoms to the O I(1D) level by collisional impact giving rise to the 6300 A emission characteristic of the arc. For the 31 October/1 November 1968 red arc, the calculated emission rate, geographical position, and horizontal extent of the red arc are in agreement with the photometric data obtained by airglow observatories. Almost all of the energy conducted into the red arc is ultimately transferred to the neutral gas through elastic and inelastic collisions. This energy drives a large thermal cell and the circulation extends the influence of the arc thousands of kilometers beyond the region of direct heat input. The calculated neutral gas temperature response to electron heating within the arc is small.

Roble, R. G.↗

Radiative Interaction Between Driver and Driven Gases in an Arc-Driven Shock Tube

An electric-arc driven shock tube was operated with hydrogen as the driven gas and either hydrogen or helium as the driver gas. Electron density was measured behind the primary shock wave spectroscopically from the width of the Beta line of hydrogen. The measured electron density values were many times greater than the values calculated by the Rankine - Hugoniot relations. By accounting for the radiative transfer from the driver gas to the driven gas, the measured electron density values were numerically recreated.

Bogdanoff, David W.↗

Statistical mechanics of light elements at high pressure. V Three-dimensional Thomas-Fermi-Dirac theory

A numerical technique for solving the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac (TED) equation in three dimensions, for an array of ions obeying periodic boundary conditions, is presented. The technique is then used to calculate deviations from ideal mixing for an alloy of hydrogen and helium at zero temperature and high presures. Results are compared with alternative models which apply perturbation theory to calculation of the electron distribution, based upon the assumption of weak response of the electron gas to the ions. The TFD theory, which permits strong electron response, always predicts smaller deviations from ideal mixing than would be predicted by perturbation theory. The results indicate that predicted phase separation curves for hydrogen-helium alloys under conditions prevailing in the metallic zones of Jupiter and Saturn are very model dependent.

Macfarlane, J. J.↗

Ion energetics in the Venus nightside ionosphere

Consideration is given to the energetics of the ion gas flowing across the terminator into the Venus nightside ionosphere. Expressions are derived for the transport time of the ion gas (through 1 radian in solar zenith angle), the heat transfer time from the hot electron gas to the ions of an amount equal to the ion thermal energy), and the time required for vertical heat conduction to remove the internal energy of the ion column above a reference altitude, and it is shown that the time constant for transport is an order of magnitude smaller than the electron heat transfer time and comparable to the conduction time, and thus the ion gas is not a vertical conductive steady state. The conversion of bulk flow ion kinetic energy into heat is suggested as the mechanism responsible for the maintenance of the nightside ion temperatures at their observed values. It is thus concluded that the flow of the ion gas is quasi-adiabatic, and that steady-state, vertical, one dimensional energy balance models must be used with caution in the Venus ionosphere.

Knudsen, W. C.↗

Ignition of beam plasma discharge in the electron beam experiment in space

An ignition of beam plasma discharge (BPD) in space was observed in a neutral gas-electron beam interaction experiment by Space Shuttle/Spacelab-1 in 1983. An electron beam of 8 kV 100 mA was injected into a high dense nitrogen gas cloud of 10 to the 23rd molecules which was released during 100 msec from the Orbiter. The appearance of the beam and its surroundings observed by a low-light-level TV camera showed a local ignition of the beam plasma discharge in the gas cloud. The enhanced plasma production, generation of auroral emission, and associated wave emission were also detected by onboard diagnostic instruments.

Sasaki, S.↗

Electronic visualization of gas bearing behavior

Visualization technique produces a visual simulation of gas bearing operation by electronically combining the outputs from the clearance probes used to monitor bearing component motion. Computerized recordings of the probes output are processed, displayed on an oscilloscope screen and recorded with a high-speed motion picture camera.

Evans, R. C.↗

The penetration of soft electrons into the ionosphere

Calculations are presented of energy spectra and angular and spatial distributions of electron fluxes in the ionosphere resulting from precipitation of monoenergetic (E = 25, 50, and 100 eV) electrons. The incident electrons are assumed to be isotropic over the downward direction. It is found that the resulting steady-state electron fluxes above ca. 300 km are highly anisotropic and that the pitch-angle distribution is energy dependent. About 15% of the incident electrons are backscattered elastically to the protonosphere. A much larger number of electrons escapes after they have deposited part of their energy in the atmosphere. The mean energy of the escaping electrons is about half that of the incident electrons. About 50% of the incident energy is absorbed in the atmosphere, the remainder being returned to the protonosphere. The rate of energy absorption is a maximum at heights between 300 and 400 km. Most of the energy is absorbed in ionization and excitation of atomic oxygen; an appreciable amount is absorbed as heat by the ambient electron gas. Altitude profiles are presented for the rates of ionization, excitation, and electron heating caused by soft-electron precipitation.

Mantas, G. P.↗

Transport of gyration-dominated space plasmas of thermal origin. I - Generalized transport equations

Grad's 20-moment set of transport equations has been examined in the limit of strong external magnetic fields. This simplified set of equations describes the transport of mass and parallel momentum as well as the transport of parallel and perpendicular energy and heat flow in the magnetic field direction. The effect of collisions was calculated assuming a modified relaxation model. Wave speeds and normal modes of the simplified set of equations were examined for an ion and electron gas. It was found that four of the ten normal modes are electron thermal-heat waves which approximately decouple from the six ion waves in the system. When low-frequency waves are considered (slow-wave approximation), this allows the electron energy and heat flow equations to be solved separately from the ion equations and in a time-independent fashion. When this was done, it was found that, under certain conditions, these equations predict an infinite electron perpendicular temperature, Te-perpendicular, in the collisionless regime. This occurs whenever Te-perpendicular is greater than the parallel temperature, at any point along collisionless and diverging magnetic field lines. When applied appropriately, the significantly simplified set of equations derived here are well suited for application to a large variety of problems in planetary ionospheres and magnetospheres.

Gombosi, Tamas I.↗

A Measurement of the Neutron Electromagnetic Form Factor Ratio from a Rosenbluth Technique with Simultaneous Detection of Neutrons and Protons

The internal structure of protons and neutrons provides insight into both the dynamical behavior of the constitute quarks and gluons, and emergent properties of the nucleons (such as mass, spin, and electromagnetic distributions). Elastic electron-nucleon scattering can probe the elastic electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon. The electric and magnetic form factors, respectively, encode information about the internal charge and magnetization distributions within the nucleon. Precision data for these form factors, over a broad range of the four-momentum transfer squared, Q^2, can benchmark theoretical models describing the strong interaction of nuclear physics. The Super BigBite Spectrometer (SBS) program in Hall A at Jefferson Lab, is a series of high-precision experiments which seek to significantly extend the Q^2 reach of previous data for the nucleon electromagnetic form factors. The first two experiments of this program are known as G_M^n and the neutron Two Photon Exchange (nTPE) and the data were collected from October 2021 to February 2022. Both experiments were conducted with the simultaneous measurement of D(e,e'n) and D(e,e'p) reactions for quasi-elastic electron-deuteron scattering. The scattered electrons were detected in the BigBite Spectrometer, which features multiple large-acceptance Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors. The Super BigBite Spectrometer provided simultaneous detection of scattered nucleons, and utilized a large acceptance dipole magnet and Hadron Calorimeter (HCal). The G_M^n experiment provides precision measurements of the neutron magnetic form factor, via the ratio method, over a Q^2 range of 3.0 to 13.5 (GeV/c)2. From this data analysis, preliminary values for G_M^n/µ_n G_D are extracted. For Q^2=4.48 (GeV/c)2 we find G_M^n/µ_n G_D=0.9546±0.0132 and for Q^2=4.476 (GeV/c)2 we find G_M^n/µ_n G_D=0.9563±0.0110. These preliminary G_M^n/µ_n G_D values are more precise than existing world data in this Q^2 regime and are consistent with the most recent parameterization of the G_M^n/µ_n G_D world data. The nTPE experiment provides a first measurement of the neutron Rosenbluth Slope and seeks to quantify the two-photon exchange(TPE) contribution to elastic electron-neutron scattering at a fixed Q^2=4.5 (GeV/c)2 with two different beam energies and scattering angle values. For data of the proton form factor ratio, µ_p G_E^p/G_M^p, significant discrepancies exist between values obtained from Rosenbluth Separation and polarization transfer measurement, particularly at large Q^2, and TPE contributions are thought to resolve this discrepancy. The impacts of TPE contributions have not yet been experimentally established for the neutron. From the data analysis presented in this dissertation, a preliminary result for the neutron Rosenbluth Slope is found as S^n=(G_E^n )^2/t_n (G_M^n )^2=0.0916±0.0476 for Q^2=4.48 (GeV/c)2. This value of the neutron Rosenbluth Slope is consistent with the world data extrapolation and the absence of large TPE corrections.

Wertz, Ezekiel [Thomas Jefferson National Accelera↗

Calculation of electron energy flux distributions in noble gases.

The electron flux spectrum has been calculated over the entire range from delta-ray energies to ionization-potential energies. Estimates based on the Born approximation indicate that electron-gas atom elastic losses can be neglected. Gryzinski's (1965) classical cross sections show that electron-thermalized electron interactions can be ignored. Under those conditions the energy degradation is primarily due to the excitation and ionization of background gas.

Lo, R.↗