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At least 91 records · Page 5

Entanglement and confinement in coupled quantum systems

We study some general properties of coupled quantum systems. We consider simple interactions between two copies of identical Hamiltonians such as the SYK model, Pauli spin chains with random magnetic field and harmonic oscillators. Such couplings make the ground states close to the thermofield double states of the uncoupled Hamiltonians. For the coupled SYK model, we push the numerical computation further towards the thermodynamic limit so that an extrapolation in the size of the system is possible. We find good agreement between the extrapolated numerical result and the analytic result in the large-q limit. We also consider the coupled gauged matrix model and vector model, and argue that the deconfinement is associated with the loss of the entanglement, similarly to the previous observation for the coupled SYK model. The understanding of the microscopic mechanism of the confinement/deconfinement transition enables us to estimate the quantum entanglement precisely, and backs up the dual gravity interpretation which relates the deconfinement to the disappearance of the wormhole. Our results demonstrate the importance of the entanglement between the color degrees of freedom in the emergence of the bulk geometry from quantum field theory via holography.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Lithium-Ion Battery Life Model with Electrode Cracking and Early-Life Break-in Processes

This paper develops a physically justified reduced-order capacity fade model from accelerated calendar- and cycle-aging data for 32 lithium-ion (Li-ion) graphite/nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells. The large data set reveals temperature-, charge C-rate-, depth-of-discharge-, and state of charge (SOC)-dependent degradation patterns that would be unobserved in a smaller test matrix. Model structure is informed by incremental capacity analysis that shows loss of lithium inventory and cathode-material loss as the dominant capacity fade mechanisms. The model includes terms attributable to solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) growth, electrode cracking, cycling-driven acceleration of SEI growth, and "break-in" mechanisms that slightly decrease or increase available Li inventory early in life. The study explores what mathematical couplings of these mechanisms best describe calendar aging, cycle aging, and mixed calendar/cycle aging. Various approaches are discussed for extracting relevant stress factors from complex cycling profiles to predict lifetime during real-world battery loads using models trained on constant-current laboratory test results. The complexity of the present human-driven model identification process motivates future work in machine learning to more widely search and statistically discern the optimal model that correctly extrapolates capacity fade based on physical knowledge.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Woven ceramic matrix composite surrogate model based on physics-informed recurrent neural network

A recurrent neural network (RNN) based surrogate model is developed to emulate the nonlinear constitutive behavior of woven ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) driven by matrix damage at multiple length scales. Physics-informed constraints are introduced into the surrogate model through regularization to ground the prediction in physics and improve its predictive capabilities. Training data is generated using the multiscale generalized method of cells (MSGMC) approach coupled with a matrix damage model. This coupling permits simulating the nonlinear behavior of woven CMCs based on constituent response at the micro-, meso-, and macroscales. The multiscale repeating unit cell is loaded under non-monotonic conditions including multiple load / unload cycles and tension / compression. The fiber volume fraction as well as the intra- and intertow void volume fractions are also varied in the generation of training data. Therefore, the RNN-based surrogate model is tasked with predicting, as a function of variable input strain sequence and fiber and void volume fractions, the resulting stress versus strain response while satisfying physical constraints such as positive semi-definiteness of the tangent stiffness matrix and linear elastic unloading. Further, the trained surrogate model effectively matches the stress versus strain response and successfully predicts the tangent modulus throughout the loading regime. Neural network based surrogate models can offer efficient alternatives to running computationally intensive multiscale material models to simulate the nonlinear response of large structural models. Therefore the presented work provides evidence towards the feasibility of developing, training, and running such models for CMCs with complex architectures, nonlinear multiaxial material response, and under non-monotonic loading conditions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Windowed multipole representation of R -matrix cross sections

Nuclear cross sections are basic inputs to any nuclear computation. Campaigns of experiments are fitted with the parametric R-matrix model of quantum nuclear interactions, and the resulting cross sections are documented—both pointwise and as resonance parameters (with uncertainties)—in standard evaluated nuclear data libraries (ENDF, JEFF, BROND, JENDL, CENDL, TENDL): these constitute our common knowledge of fundamental low-energy nuclear cross sections. In the past decade, a collaborative effort has been deployed to establish a new nuclear cross-section library format—the Windowed Multipole Library—with the goal of considerably reducing the computational cost of cross-section calculations in nuclear transport simulations. This work lays the theoretical foundations underpinning these efforts. From general R-matrix scattering theory, we derive the windowed multipole representation of nuclear cross sections. Though physically and mathematically equivalent to R-matrix cross sections, the windowed multipole representation is particularly well suited for subsequent temperature treatment of angle-integrated cross sections, in particular Doppler broadening, which is the averaging of cross sections over the thermal motion of the target atoms. Doppler broadening is of critical importance in neutron transport applications, as it ensures the stability of many nuclear reactors (negative thermal reactivity). Yet, Doppler broadening of nuclear cross sections has been a considerable bottleneck for nuclear transport computations, often requiring memory-costly pretabulations. We show that the windowed multipole representation can perform accurate Doppler broadening analytically (up to the first reaction threshold), from which we derive cross-section temperature derivatives to any order—all computable on the fly (without precalculations stored in memory). Furthermore, we here establish a way of converting the R-matrix resonance parameters uncertainty (covariance matrices) into windowed multipole parameters uncertainty. We show that generating stochastic nuclear cross sections by sampling from the resulting windowed multipole covariance matrix can reproduce the cross-section uncertainty in the original nuclear data file. The windowed multipole representation is therefore a novel nuclear physics formalism able to generate Doppler broadened stochastic nuclear cross sections on the fly, unlocking breakthrough computational gains for nuclear computations. Through this foundational paper, we hope to make the windowed multipole representation accessible, reproducible, and usable for the nuclear physics community, as well as provide the theoretical basis for future research on expanding its capabilities.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Strong coupling expansion of free energy and BPS Wilson loop in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 superconformal models with fundamental hypermultiplets

As a continuation of the study (in arXiv:2102.07696 and arXiv:2104.12625 ) of strong-coupling expansion of non-planar corrections in \( \mathcal{N} \) = 2 4d superconformal models we consider two special theories with gauge groups SU( N ) and Sp(2 N ). They contain N -independent numbers of hypermultiplets in rank 2 antisymmetric and fundamental representations and are planar-equivalent to the corresponding \( \mathcal{N} \) = 4 SYM theories. These \( \mathcal{N} \) = 2 theories can be realised on a system of N D3-branes with a finite number of D7-branes and O7-plane; the dual string theories should be particular orientifolds of AdS 5 × S 5 superstring. Starting with the localization matrix model representation for the \( \mathcal{N} \) = 2 partition function on S 4 we find exact differential relations between the 1 /N terms in the corresponding free energy F and the \( \frac{1}{2} \) -BPS Wilson loop expectation value \( \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle \) and also compute their large ’t Hooft coupling ( λ » 1) expansions. The structure of these expansions is different from the previously studied models without fundamental hypermultiplets. In the more tractable Sp(2 N ) case we find an exact resummed expression for the leading strong coupling terms at each order in the 1 /N expansion. We also determine the exponentially suppressed at large λ contributions to the non-planar corrections to F and \( \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle \) and comment on their resurgence properties. We discuss dual string theory interpretation of these strong coupling expansions.

1/N expansion↗

Investigation of Ga 2 O 3 as a new transparent conductive oxide for photovoltaics applications

This small innovation project intended to leverage recent activity and advances in ultrawide-bandgap oxide power electronics toward the investigation of Ga 2 O 3 as a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) for use in photovoltaics (PV). Ga 2 O 3 ’s theoretical advantage over incumbent TCOs is its very large bandgap of 4.8 eV, ensuring optical transparency of photons with λ ≥ 260 nm, effectively the full terrestrial solar spectrum. At the time of proposal writing, literature on Ga 2 O 3 as a TCO/optical material was relatively sparse — what little existed was focused on for UV sensors and/or emitters, with none related to PV. As such, this project was intended to help determine the potential of Ga 2 O 3 as a PV-oriented TCO by investigating its deposition using tools common to the PV and electronics industries — atomic layer deposition (ALD) and RF sputtering (RS), both of which are already used in PV manufacturing — and its resultant optical and electronic properties. Final project goals were to test its application to Si and III-V solar cells. Controllable film thickness and excellent uniformity was established for both methods deposition methods, with ALD providing higher precision for thinner films and RS more effective for growing thicker films. The as-deposited films were found to be amorphous in nature. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) confirmed bandgaps of at least 4.8 eV and non-parasitic absorption across both AM0 and AM1.5G spectra; a refractive index approaching the expected value of 1.8 was also observed, with some degree of tunability based on process parameters. Using this initial optical data, a transfer matrix model, which interfaces with in-house EQE and LIV models, was developed to simulate Ga 2 O 3 optical effects on various solar cells, included potential in antireflection coatings (ARCs). Despite promising optical properties, the resultant resistivity / conductivity metrics did not meet expectations, regardless of deposition process. Although thick RS-deposited films, using both undoped and 1 at% Ge (n-type) doped sintered targets — demonstrated high net carrier concentrations (via C-V), and low specific resistance Ohmic contacts were demonstrated, transmission line measurements (TLM) showed very high resistivity. Further analysis indicated high vertical film conductivity, but very low lateral conductivity. Deeper characterization revealed a relatively high density of nano/microcrystalline inclusions that were ostensibly the source of the vertical conductivity, with the amorphous matrix serving as an effective insulator (likely due to high concentrations of electronic trap states). Despite extensive work to increase film polycrystallinity — demonstrated via high temperature annealing — sufficient lateral conductivity for TCO use was not achieved. The final phase of the project shifted focus toward investigation of ALD-deposited Ga 2 O 3 ’s potential as a passivant and/or passivating contact for both Si and III-V solar cells, with expectation of performance similar to Al 2 O 3 . However, initial rounds of testing using our baseline ALD process yielded minimal (but not quite zero) passivation of both GaInP and Si surfaces. Dielectric passivation is well-known to be highly process sensitive; given the unoptimized nature of the process used, this work was deemed inconclusive. The final outlook with respect to feasibility of Ga 2 O 3 as a PV-oriented TCO is, ultimately, still uncertain. The work performed in this project confirmed the optical properties and deposition methods, but the achieved electrical properties do not meet technological needs; literature reports in recent years are somewhat inconsistent and potentially untrustworthy, but generally appear to be in line with our results. At the very least it is clear that, should Ga 2 O 3 still be under consideration for PV TCO and/or selective contact applications, a significant amount of optimization and study is still needed.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Strong Induced Circular Dichroism in a Hybrid Lead‐Halide Semiconductor Using Chiral Amino Acids for Crystallite Surface Functionalization

Abstract Chirality is a desired property in functional semiconductors for optoelectronic, catalytic, and spintronic applications. Here, introducing enantiomerically‐pure 3‐aminobutyric acid (3‐ABA) into thin films of the 1D semiconductor dimethylammonium lead iodide (DMAPbI 3 ) is found to result in strong circular dichroism (CD) in the optical absorption. X‐ray diffraction and grazing incidence small angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) are applied to gain molecular‐scale insights into the chirality transfer mechanism, which is attributed to a chiral surface modification of DMAPbI 3 crystallites. This study demonstrates that the CD signal strength can be controlled by the amino‐acid content relative to the crystallite surface area. The CD intensity is tuned by the composition of the precursor solution and the spin‐coating time, thereby achieving anisotropy factors ( g abs ) as high as 1.75 × 10 –2 . Grazing incidence wide angle scattering reveals strong preferential ordering that can be suppressed via tailored synthesis conditions. Different contributions to the chiroptical properties are resolved by a detailed analysis of the CD signal utilizing an approach based on the Mueller matrix model. This report of a novel class of chiral hybrid semiconductors with precise control over their optical activity presents a promising approach for the design of circularly polarized light detectors and emitters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Comments on the entanglement spectrum of de Sitter space

We argue that the Schwarzschild-de Sitter black hole entropy formula does not imply that the entanglement spectrum of the vacuum density matrix of de Sitter space is flat. Specifically, we show that the expectation value of a random projection operator of dimension d >> 1, on a Hilbert space of dimension D >> d and in a density matrix ρ = e –K with strictly positive spectrum, is $\frac{d}{D} \large{(}1 + o \large{(}\frac{1}{\sqrt{d}}\large{)}$, independent of the spectrum of the density matrix. In addition, for a suitable class of spectra the asymptotic estimates Tr (ρK) ~ ln D – o(1) and Tr [ρ(K – $\langle$K$\rangle$) 2 ] = a $\langle$K$\rangle$ are compatible for any order one constant a. We discuss a simple family of matrix models and projections that can replicate such modular Hamiltonians and the SdS entropy formula.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Partial deconfinement at strong coupling on the lattice

We provide evidence for partial deconfinement — the deconfinement of a SU(M) subgroup of the SU(N) gauge group — by using lattice Monte Carlo simulations. We take matrix models as concrete examples. By appropriately fixing the gauge, we observe that the M × M submatrices deconfine. This gives direct evidence for partial deconfinement at strong coupling. We discuss the applications to QCD and holography.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Microscopic entropy of rotating electrically charged AdS 4 black holes from field theory localization

We employ supersymmetric localization to determine the exact partition function of 3d N = 2 gauge theories on a background given by a round S 2 fibered over a circle and certain complexified background fields. The Coulomb branch localization locus includes monopole configurations, and the partition function reduces to a matrix model. We consider the partition function of the ABJM theory on this background as an explicit case. We verify that the large-N limit of the ABJM theory partition function produces, in the Cardy limit, the entropy function of the dual rotating, electrically charged asymptotically AdS 4 supersymmetric black holes and thus provides a microscopic explanation for the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Low-dimensional de Sitter quantum gravity

We study aspects of Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) quantum gravity in two-dimensional nearly de Sitter (dS) spacetime, as well as pure de Sitter quantum gravity in three dimensions. These are each theories of boundary modes, which include a reparameterization field on each connected component of the boundary as well as topological degrees of freedom. In two dimensions, the boundary theory is closely related to the Schwarzian path integral, and in three dimensions to the quantization of coadjoint orbits of the Virasoro group. Using these boundary theories we compute loop corrections to the wavefunction of the universe, and investigate gravitational contributions to scattering. Along the way, we show that JT gravity in dS2 is an analytic continuation of JT gravity in Euclidean AdS2, and that pure gravity in dS3 is a continuation of pure gravity in Euclidean AdS3. We define a genus expansion for de Sitter JT gravity by summing over higher genus generalizations of surfaces used in the Hartle-Hawking construction. Assuming a conjecture regarding the volumes of moduli spaces of such surfaces, we find that the de Sitter genus expansion is the continuation of the recently discovered AdS genus expansion. Then both may be understood as coming from the genus expansion of the same double-scaled matrix model, which would provide a non-perturbative completion of de Sitter JT gravity.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

On the planar limit of 3d $$ {\mathrm{T}}_{\rho}^{\sigma}\left[\mathrm{SU}\left(\mathrm{N}\right)\right] $$

A bstract We discuss a limit of 3d $$ {T}_{\rho}^{\sigma}\left[\mathrm{SU}(N)\right] $$ T ρ σ SU N quiver gauge theories in which the number of nodes is large and the ranks scale quadratically with the length of the quiver. The sphere free energies and topologically twisted indices are obtained using supersymmetric localization. Both scale quartically with the length of the quiver and quadratically with N , with trilogarithm functions depending on the quiver data as coefficients. The IR SCFTs have well-behaved supergravity duals in Type IIB, and the free energies match precisely with holographic results. Previously discussed theories with N 2 ln N scaling arise as limiting cases. Each balanced 3d quiver theory is linked to a 5d parent, whose matrix model is related and dominated by the same saddle point, leading to close relations between BPS observables.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

BPS Wilson loop in $\mathcal{N}$ = 2 superconformal SU(N) “orientifold” gauge theory and weak-strong coupling interpolation

We consider the expectation value \( \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle \) of the circular BPS Wilson loop in \( \mathcal{N} \) = 2 superconformal SU( N ) gauge theory containing a vector multiplet coupled to two hypermultiplets in rank-2 symmetric and antisymmetric representations. This theory admits a regular large N expansion, is planar-equivalent to \( \mathcal{N} \) = 4 SYM theory and is expected to be dual to a certain orbifold/orientifold projection of AdS 5 × S 5 superstring theory. On the string theory side \( \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle \) is represented by the path integral expanded near the same AdS 2 minimal surface as in the maximally supersymmetric case. Following the string theory argument in [5], we suggest that as in the \( \mathcal{N} \) = 4 SYM case and in the \( \mathcal{N} \) = 2 SU( N ) × SU( N ) superconformal quiver theory discussed in [19], the coefficient of the leading non-planar 1/ N 2 correction in \( \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle \) should have the universal λ 3/2 scaling at large ’t Hooft coupling. We confirm this prediction by starting with the localization matrix model representation for \( \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle \) . We complement the analytic derivation of the λ 3/2 scaling by a numerical high-precision resummation and extrapolation of the weak-coupling expansion using conformal mapping improved Padé analysis.

1/N Expansion↗

Exact QFT duals of AdS black holes

We construct large N saddle points of the matrix model for the $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 Yang- Mills index dual to the BPS black holes in AdS 5 × S 5 , in two different setups. When the two complex chemical potentials for the angular momenta are collinear, we find linear eigenvalue distributions which solve the large N saddle point equation. When the chemical potentials are not collinear, we find novel solutions given by areal eigenvalue distributions after slightly reformulating the saddle point problem. We also construct a class of multi-cut saddle points, showing that they sometimes admit nontrivial filling fractions. As a byproduct, we find that the Bethe ansatz equation emerges from our saddle point equation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Probing supersymmetric black holes with surface defects

It has long been conjectured that the large N deconfinement phase transition of $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 SU(N) super-Yang-Mills corresponds via AdS/CFT to the Hawking-Page transition in which black holes dominate the thermal ensemble, and quantitative evidence of this has come through the recent matching of the superconformal index of $\frac{1}{16}$-BPS states to the supersymmetric black hole entropy. Here we introduce the half-BPS Gukov-Witten surface defect as a probe of the superconformal index, which also serves as an order parameter for the deconfinement transition. This can be studied directly in field theory as a modification of the usual unitary matrix model or in the dual description as a D3-brane probe in the background of a (complex) supersymmetric black hole. Using a saddle point approximation, we determine our defect index in the large N limit as a simple function of the chemical potentials and show independently that it is reproduced by the renormalized action of the brane in the black hole background. Along the way, we also comment on the Cardy limit and the thermodynamics of the D3-brane in the generalized ensemble. The defect index sharply distinguishes between the confining and the deconfining phases of the gauge theory and thus is a supersymmetric non-perturbative order parameter for these large N phase transitions which deserves further investigation. Finally, our work provides an example where the properties of a black hole coupled to an external system can be analyzed precisely.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Towards quantum black hole microstates

Abstract We study the cohomology of local BPS operators in$$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 4 Yang-Mills theory. The finiteNcohomologies consist of the graviton part (subject to the stringy exclusion principle) and the rest which may describe black hole microstates in quantum AdS/CFT. We construct an infinite tower of non-graviton cohomologies in the SU(2) theory and study to what extent they simulate quantum black holes. We find signals for partial no-hair behaviors by showing that certain gravitons are forbidden to dress these cohomologies. This is in qualitative agreement with the perturbative hairs allowed around black holes, which also leads us to a natural setup to construct hairy BPS black holes. The cohomologies are simpler to study in the BMN matrix model truncation of the classical field theory.

Physics↗

Soft theorems in matrix theory

We show that the Banks-Fischler-Shenker-Susskind matrix model for M-theory obeys the leading and subleading soft theorems expected from eleven-dimensional supergravity. The subleading soft theorem implies the amplitude is Lorentz symmetric. This is argued for general four point amplitudes, but only for restricted kinematics for five and higher point amplitudes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The endpoint of partial deconfinement

We study the matrix quantum mechanics of two free hermitian N × N matrices subject to a singlet constraint in the microcanonical ensemble. This is the simplest example of a theory that at large N has a confinement/deconfinement transition. In the microcanonical ensemble, it also exhibits partial deconfinement with a Hagedorn density of states. We argue that the entropy of these configurations, based on a combinatorial counting of Young diagrams, are dominated by Young diagrams that have the VKLS shape. When the shape gets to the maximal depth allowed for a Young diagram of SU(N), namely N, we argue that the system stops exhibiting the Hagedorn behavior. The number of boxes (energy) at the transition is N 2 /4, independent of the charge of the state.

1/N Expansion↗