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At least 1,081 records · Page 60

Dependency of active pressure and equation of state on stiffness of wall

Autonomous motion and motility are hallmarks of active matter. Active agents, such as biological cells and synthetic colloidal particles, consume internal energy or extract energy from the environment to generate self-propulsion and locomotion. These systems are persistently out of equilibrium due to continuous energy consumption. It is known that pressure is not always a state function for generic active matter. Torque interaction between active constituents and confinement renders the pressure of the system a boundary-dependent property. The mechanical pressure of anisotropic active particles depends on their microscopic interactions with a solid wall. Using self-propelled dumbbells confined by solid walls as a model system, we perform numerical simulations to explore how variations in the wall stiffness influence the mechanical pressure of dry active matter. In contrast to previous findings, we find that mechanical pressure can be independent of the interaction of anisotropic active particles with walls, even in the presence of intrinsic torque interaction. Particularly, the dependency of pressure on the wall stiffness vanishes when the stiffness is above a critical level. In such a limit, the dynamics of dumbbells near the walls are randomized due to the large torque experienced by the dumbbells, leading to the recovery of pressure as a state variable of density.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Field-induced quantum critical point in the itinerant antiferromagnet Ti 3 Cu 4

New phases of matter emerge at the edge of magnetic instabilities, which can occur in materials with moments that are localized, itinerant or intermediate between these extremes. In local moment systems, such as heavy fermions, the magnetism can be tuned towards a zero-temperature transition at a quantum critical point (QCP) via pressure, chemical doping, and, rarely, magnetic field. By contrast, in itinerant moment systems, QCPs are more rare, and they are induced by pressure or doping; there are no known examples of field induced transitions. This means that no universal behaviour has been established across the whole itinerant-to-local moment range—a substantial gap in our knowledge of quantum criticality. Here we report an itinerant antiferromagnet, Ti 3 Cu 4 , that can be tuned to a QCP by a small magnetic field. We see signatures of quantum criticality and the associated non-Fermi liquid behaviour in thermodynamic and transport measurements, while band structure calculations point to an orbital-selective, spin density wave ground state, a consequence of the square net structural motif in Ti 3 Cu 4 . Ti 3 Cu 4 thus provides a platform for the comparison and generalisation of quantum critical behaviour across the whole spectrum of magnetism.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A thermal evaporation–trapping strategy to synthesize flexible and robust oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc–air batteries

Great efforts have been devoted to the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts to accelerate the sluggish kinetics of cathodic oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) in zinc–air batteries (ZABs). Here we report a thermal evaporation–trapping synergistic strategy to fabricate a bifunctional electrocatalyst of flexible N-doped carbon fiber cloth loaded with both CoFe-oxide nanoparticles and single-atom Co/Fe–Nx sites, in which the thermal evaporation process functions in both downsizing CoFe-oxide nanoparticles and trapping the evaporated Co/Fe species to generate Co/Fe–Nx sites. The obtained flexible electrocatalyst, directly serving as an oxygen electrode, displays a small potential gap of 0.542 V for the OER/ORR, large peak power densities (liquid-state ZAB: 237.4 mW cm2 ; solid-state ZAB: 141.1 mW cm2 ), and excellent charge–discharge cycling stability without decay after working more than 770 hours. Furthermore, in situ Raman spectroscopy characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that CoFe2O4 species is responsible for the OER while atomic Fe/Co sites play a key role in the ORR

Zhang, Hong-Bo↗

Data assimilation in operator algebras

We develop an algebraic framework for sequential data assimilation of partially observed dynamical systems. In this framework, Bayesian data assimilation is embedded in a nonabelian operator algebra, which provides a representation of observables by multiplication operators and probability densities by density operators (quantum states). In the algebraic approach, the forecast step of data assimilation is represented by a quantum operation induced by the Koopman operator of the dynamical system. Moreover, the analysis step is described by a quantum effect, which generalizes the Bayesian observational update rule. Projecting this formulation to finite-dimensional matrix algebras leads to computational schemes that are i) automatically positivity-preserving and ii) amenable to consistent data-driven approximation using kernel methods for machine learning. Moreover, these methods are natural candidates for implementation on quantum computers. Applications to the Lorenz 96 multiscale system and the El Niño Southern Oscillation in a climate model show promising results in terms of forecast skill and uncertainty quantification.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Superconductivity with T c ≈ 7 K under pressure for Cu- and Au-doped BaFe 2 As 2

It is noteworthy that chemical substitution of BaFe 2 As 2 (122) with the noble elements Cu and Au gives superconductivity with a maximum T c ≈ 3 K, while Ag substitution (Ag-122) stays antiferromagnetic. For Ba(Fe 1–x TM x ) 2 As 2 , TM = Cu, Au, or Ag, and by doping an amount of x = 0.04, a-lattice parameter slightly increases (0.4%) for all TM dopants, while c-lattice decreases (–0.2%) for TM = Cu, barely moves (0.05%) for Au, and increases (0.2%) for Ag. Despite the naive expectation that the noble elements of group 11 should affect the quantum properties of 122 similarly, they produce significant differences extending to the character of the ground state. For the Ag-122 crystal, evidence of only a filamentary superconductivity is noted with pressure. However, for Au and Cu doping (x ≈ 0.03) we find a substantial improvement in the superconductivity, with T c increasing to 7 K and 7.5 K, respectively, under 20 kbar of pressure. As with the ambient pressure results, the identity of the dopant therefore has a substantial impact on the ground state properties. Further, density functional theory calculations corroborate these results and find evidence of strong electronic scattering for Au and Ag dopants, while Cu is comparatively less disruptive to the 122 electronic structure.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

New value of old knowledge: sulphur-based GaAs surface passivation and potential GaAs application in molecular electronics and spintronics

GaAs is well known for its extremely high electron mobility and direct band gap. Owing to the technological advances in silicon-based technology, GaAs has been limited to niche areas. This paper discusses the application of GaAs in molecular electronics and spintronics as a potential field for considering this amazing but challenging material. GaAs is challenging because its surface is characterized by a high density of surface states, which precludes the utilization of this semiconducting material in mainstream devices. Sulfur(S)-based passivation has been found to be significantly useful for reducing the effect of dangling bonds and was researched thoroughly. GaAs applications in molecular spintronics and electronics can benefit significantly from prior knowledge of GaAs and S interactions because S is a popular functional group for bonding molecular device elements with different semiconductors and metals. In this article, the problem associated with the GaAs surface is discussed in a tutorial form. A wide variety of surface passivation methods has been briefly introduced. We attempted to highlight the significant differences in the S-GaAs interactions for different S passivation methods. We also elaborate on the mechanisms and atomic-scale understanding of the variation in surface chemistry and reconstruction due to various S passivation methods. It is envisioned that GaAs and thiol-terminated molecule-based novel devices can exhibit innovative device characteristics and bring the added advantage of S-based passivation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum Mpemba effect without global symmetries

The Mpemba effect, where a system initially farther from equilibrium relaxes faster than one closer to equilibrium, has been extensively studied in classical systems and recently explored in quantum settings. While previous studies of the quantum Mpemba effect (QME) have largely focused on isolated systems with global symmetries, we argue that the QME is ubiquitous in generic, nonintegrable many-body systems lacking such symmetries, including U(1) charge conservation, spatial symmetries, and even energy conservation. Using paradigmatic models such as the quantum Ising model with transverse and longitudinal fields, we show that the QME can be understood through the energy density of initial states and their inverse participation ratio in the energy eigenbasis. Our findings provide a unified framework for the QME, linking it with classical thermal relaxation.

Bhore, Tanmay [University of Leeds (United Kingdom↗

51 V NMR evidence for interlayer-modulated charge order and a first-order low-temperature transition in CsV 3 ⁢Sb 5

Charge order in the kagome superconductor CsV 3 ⁢Sb 5 exhibits a complex three-dimensional organization and intermediate-temperature anomalies whose bulk character has remained unsettled. We use orientation-dependent 51 V NMR as a site-selective probe to determine the stacking of the charge density wave (CDW) state and its thermal evolution. Below 𝑇 CDW ≈ 94K, the field-linear splitting of the 51 V central transition together with the anisotropy of the Knight shift tensor identify an interlayer-modulated 3⁢𝑞 CDW whose local environments are consistent with a four-layer 2 × 2 × 4 stacking with mixed trihexagonal/Star-of-David distortions, in agreement with synchrotron x-ray determinations. For comparison, RbV 3 ⁢Sb 5 serves as a reference exhibiting a uniform trihexagonal 2 × 2 × 2 stacking, allowing us to isolate features unique to the 2 × 2 × 4 state in CsV 3 ⁢Sb 5 . With 𝐻 0 ∥ 𝑐, the 51 V quadrupolar satellites through the intermediate temperature scale near 𝑇 CO ≈ 65K reorganize into two well-resolved electric-field-gradient manifolds that coexist over a finite interval; their relative spectral weights interchange on cooling while the total integrated satellite intensity remains conserved and 𝜈 𝑄 within each manifold is nearly temperature independent. The coexistence without critical broadening, together with conserved intensity, provides bulk evidence consistent with a first-order charge-order transition near 𝑇 CO . Our measurements do not resolve whether this lower-temperature transition corresponds to a distinct in-plane order or a reorganization of the 3⁢𝑞 state; rather, they delimit this window and provide bulk, site-resolved constraints that connect prior reported anomalies to a thermodynamic first-order transition.

Wang, Xiaoling [California State Univ., East Bay, ↗

Coupling of fully symmetric As phonon to magnetism in Ba(Fe 1-x Au x ) 2 As 2

In this work, we study the coupling of the fully symmetric vibration mode of arsenic atoms to magnetism in a Ba ( Fe 1 - x Au x ) 2 As 2 system by polarization-resolved Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction. In this system, there are two phase transitions: a tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural phase transition at temperature T S and a magnetic phase transition into collinear spin-density wave (SDW) state at temperature T N ( ≤ T S ). T S and T N almost coincide in the pristine compound, whereas they differ by as much as 8 K for compounds with dilute gold substitution for iron. Raman coupling to the A g (As) phonon is forbidden for the X Y scattering geometry in the tetragonal phase above T S , whereas it becomes allowed in the orthorhombic phase below T S : The emerging mode's intensity indicates the lattice orthorhombicity. Furthermore, we find that upon cooling below T S , first, weak A g (As) phonon mode intensity appears in the X Y scattering geometry spectra; however, the mode's intensity is significantly enhanced in the magnetic phase below T N . The A g (As) phonon also shows an asymmetric line shape below T N and an anomalous linewidth broadening upon Au doping. We describe the anomalous behavior of the A g (As) mode in the X Y scattering geometry using a Fano model involving the A g (As) phonon interacting with the B 2 g ( D 4 h )-symmetry-like electron-hole continuum. We conclude that the temperature dependence of light coupling amplitude to the A g (As) phonon follows the evolution of the magnetic order parameter M ( T ) . We propose that the intensity enhancement of the A g (As) phonon in the X Y scattering geometry below T N is due to electronic anisotropy induced by the collinear SDW order parameter.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Charge density waves in Weyl semimetals

Here, we present a theory of charge density wave (CDW) states in Weyl semimetals and their interplay with the chiral anomaly. In particular, we demonstrate a special nature of the shortest-period CDW state, which is obtained when the separation between the Weyl nodes equals exactly half a primitive reciprocal lattice vector. Its topological properties are shown to be distinct from all other Weyl CDW states. We make a connection between this observation and the three-dimensional fractional quantum Hall state, which was recently proposed to exist in magnetic Weyl semimetals.

Sehayek, Dan↗

Interpreting angle-dependent magnetoresistance in layered materials: Application to cuprates

The evolution of the low-temperature electronic structure of the cuprate metals from the overdoped to the underdoped side has recently been addressed through angle-dependant magnetoresistance (ADMR) experiments in La 1.6-x Nd 0.4 Sr x CuO 4 . Here the results show a striking difference between hole dopings p = 0.24 and p = 0.21, which lie on either side of a putative quantum critical point at intermediate p. Motivated by this, we here study the theory of ADMR in correlated layered materials, paying special attention to the role of angle-dependent quasiparticle weights Z k . Such a Z k is expected to characterize a number of popular models of the cuprate materials, particularly when underdoped. Further, in the limit of weak interlayer hopping the quasiparticle weight will affect the c-axis transport measured in ADMR experiments. We show that proper inclusion of the quasiparticle weight does not support an interpretation of the data in terms of a (π,π) spin density wave ordered state, in agreement with the lack of direct evidence for such order. We show that a simple model of Fermi surface reconfiguring across a van Hove point captures many of the striking differences seen between p = 0.21 and p = 0.24. We comment on why such a model may be appropriate for interpreting the ADMR data, despite having a large Fermi surface at p = 0.21, seemingly in contradiction with other evidence for a small Fermi surface at that doping level.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Random-exchange Heisenberg behavior in the electron-doped quasi-one-dimensional spin-1 chain compound AgVP 2 ⁢S 6

Recent theoretical work suggests that a pair-density wave superconducting state can be realized by doping a one-dimensional spin-1 chain. Here, we report the physical properties of single crystals of Mg x Ag 1–x VP 2 S 6 [x = 0, x = 0.017(6), x = 0.067(8), and 0.098(11)] prepared by solid-state synthesis. Single-crystal x-ray-diffraction measurements confirm that Mg 2+ is substituting for Ag + to electron dope the V 3+ zigzag chains. Magnetization measurements reveal that electron doping breaks up the V 3+ chains, resulting in unpaired spins at the chain ends. The Mg x Ag 1–x VP 2 S 6 series is consistent with random-exchange Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain behavior and can be well described by the exchange-coupled pair model at low temperatures. As a result, transport measurements show Mg x Ag 1–x VP 2 S 6 remains insulating in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.098(11), with the band gap decreasing to ~ 0.2 eV at x = 0.098(11).

1-dimensional spin chains↗

Enhanced Pair-Density-Wave Vertices in a Bilayer Hubbard Model at Half Filling

Motivated by the pair-density-wave (PDW) state found in the one-dimensional Kondo-Heisenberg chain, we report on a determinant quantum Monte Carlo study of pair fields for a two-dimensional half-filled Hubbard layer coupled to an itinerant, noninteracting layer with one electron per site. In a specific range of interlayer hopping, the pairing vertex associated with PDW order becomes more attractive than that for uniform d-wave pairing, although both remain subdominant to the leading antiferromagnetic correlations at half filling. In conclusion, our result sheds light on where one potentially may find a PDW state in such a model.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Superconductivity of Ta-Hf and Ta-Zr alloys: Potential alloys for use in superconducting devices

The electronic properties relevant to superconductivity are reported for bulk Ta-Hf and Ta-Zr body centered cubic alloys, in a large part to determine whether their properties are suitable for potential use in superconducting qbits. The body centered cubic unit cell sizes increase with increasing alloying. Here, the results of magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, and heat capacity characterization are reported. While elemental Ta is a type I superconductor, the alloys are type II strong coupling superconductors. Although decreasing the electron count per atom is expected to increase the density of electronic states at the Fermi level and thus the superconducting transition temperature (T c ) in these systems, we find that this is not sufficient to explain the significant increases in the superconducting T c 's observed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Low-depth Clifford circuits approximately solve MaxCut

We introduce a quantum-inspired approximation algorithm for MaxCut based on low-depth Clifford circuits. We start by showing that the solution unitaries found by the adaptive quantum approximation optimization algorithm (ADAPT-QAOA) for the MaxCut problem on weighted fully connected graphs are (almost) Clifford circuits. Motivated by this observation, we devise an approximation algorithm for MaxCut, ADAPT-Clifford, that searches through the Clifford manifold by combining a minimal set of generating elements of the Clifford group. Our algorithm finds an approximate solution of MaxCut on an N -vertex graph by building a depth O ( N ) Clifford circuit. The algorithm has runtime complexity O ( N 2 ) and O ( N 3 ) for sparse and dense graphs, respectively, and space complexity O ( N 2 ) , with improved solution quality achieved at the expense of more demanding runtimes. We implement ADAPT-Clifford and characterize its performance on graphs with positive and signed weights. The case of signed weights is illustrated with the paradigmatic Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model, for which our algorithm finds solutions with ground-state mean energy density corresponding to ∼ 94 % of the Parisi value in the thermodynamic limit. The case of positive weights is investigated by comparing the cut found by ADAPT-Clifford with the cut found with the Goemans-Williamson (GW) algorithm. For both sparse and dense instances we provide copious evidence that, up to hundreds of nodes, ADAPT-Clifford finds cuts of lower energy than GW. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Muñoz-Arias, Manuel H. (ORCID:000000025711029X)↗

In-operando synchrotron experiments of flash sintering carried out in current rate mode

Here, we report first-time results for in-operando flash sintering synchrotron experiments carried out in current rate mode where the specimen, held at a constant temperature, is fed current that is increased at a constant rate. These experiments are unique because the time dependence of the sintering behavior can be stretched out over a longer period (by changing the current rate) than in voltage-to-current experiments in which sintering occurs in a burst at the onset of the flash. Two results are presented: (i) A comparison of temperatures measured with the platinum standard to those predicted by the black body radiation model leading to estimates of the emissivity as a function of porosity whereby emissivity increases from 0.65 to 0.9 as the sample sinters from its green state to full density, and (ii) measurements of the excess lattice expansion as a function of density as the sample sinters continuously while the current is increased. The present work highlights the promise of current rate experiments to obtain results while the sample sinters gradually from its green density to full density (somewhat akin to conventional sintering) for gaining further insights into the mechanisms of flash sintering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A characterization of quantum Kerr optical frequency combs

Quantum Kerr optical frequency combs are generated by pumping a high-Q microresonator with a continuous wave resonant laser. Below threshold, two pump photons are symmetrically up- and down-converted as twin photons via spontaneous four-wave mixing, thereby generating up to a hundred paired channels. Furthermore, these chipscale, high-dimensional and room-temperature systems are expected to play a major role in quantum engineering. However, their theoretical description is still unclear. Here, we present an explicit description of this quantum system via a frequency-bin state and its density operator, and explore the properties of the eigenkets.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗