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At least 1,729 records · Page 96

Superconductor/Ferromagnet Heterostructures: A Platform for Superconducting Spintronics and Quantum Computation

The interplay between superconductivity and ferromagnetism in the superconductor/ferromagnet (SC/FM) heterostructures generates many interesting physical phenomena, including spin-triplet superconductivity, superconducting order parameter oscillation, and topological superconductivity. The unique physical properties make the SC/FM heterostructure as promising platforms for future superconducting spintronics and quantum computation applications. In this article, important research progress of SC/FM heterostructures from superconducting spintronics to quantum computation is reviewed, and it is organized as follows. First, the progress of spin current carriers in SC/FM heterostructures including Bogoliubov quasiparticles, superconducting vortex, and spin-triplet Cooper pairs which might be used for long-range spin transport is discussed. Then, the π Josephson junctions and their application for constructing π qubits are described. Finally, experimental signatures of Majorana states in the SC/FM heterostructures and the theoretically proposed manipulation are briefly reviewed, which could be useful to realize fault-tolerant topological quantum computing.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Epitaxy of Emerging Materials and Advanced Heterostructures for Microelectronics and Quantum Sciences

Abstract Epitaxy, a process to prepare crystalline materials in nanostructures and thin films, is the core technology for preparing high‐quality materials as a key enabler of next‐generation microelectronics and quantum information system. Progress in epitaxy has been expanding the choice of materials and their heterostructures beyond the combinations limited by materials compatibility. However, the improvement of material quality, physical implementation of materials with unique properties, and integration of incommensurate materials in an architecture have been the challenging issues. Emerging materials, including 2D materials and quantum materials, have opened opportunities to study epitaxy mechanisms and realize various functional devices. Acceleration of discovery and progress in epitaxy research should be accomplished by “understanding of epitaxy under various circumstances at multiple length scales” and “integration of experiments and models.” In the perspective, a basic summary of the status of epitaxially grown materials, the challenges in epitaxy research, and integration of modeling epitaxy and ultimate control of the epitaxy process with advanced characterization techniques are discussed.

Materials Science↗

Probing an MeV-scale scalar boson in association with a TeV-Scale top-quark partner at the LHC

Searches for new low-mass matter and mediator particles have actively been pursued at fixed target experiments and at e + e - colliders. It is challenging at the CERN LHC, but they have been searched for in Higgs boson decays and in B meson decays by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations, as well as in a low transverse momentum phenomena from forward scattering processes (e.g., FASER). We propose a search for a new scalar particle in association with a heavy vector-like quark. We consider the scenario in which the top quark (t) couples to a light scalar φ' and a heavy vector-like top quark T. We examine single and pair production of T in pp collisions, resulting in a final state with a top quark that decays purely hadronically, a T which decays semileptonically (T → W + b → ℓ ν b), and a φ' that is very boosted and decays to a pair of collimated photons which can be identified as a merged photon system. The proposed search is expected to achieve a discovery reach with signal significance greater than 5σ (3σ) for m(T) as large as 1.8 (2) TeV and m(φ') as small as 1 MeV, assuming an integrated luminosity of 3000 fb -1 . This search can expand the reach of T, and demonstrates that the LHC can probe low-mass, MeV-scale particles.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

On the implications of positive W mass shift

We investigate the phenomenological implications of the recent W mass measurement by the CDF collaboration, which exhibits tension with the standard model (SM) electroweak fit. Performing the fit to the electroweak observables within the SM effective field theory, we find that the new physics that contributes either to the determination of the electroweak vacuum expectation value, or to the oblique parameters, can improve the agreement with data. The best description is obtained from a fit where flavor universality is not required in the new physics operators, with 2 to 3 σ indications for several nonzero Wilson coefficients. We point out that top partners with order TeV masses could lead to the observed shift in the W mass.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

An SU(5) × U(1)' SUSY GUT with a “vector-like chiral” fourth family to fit all low energy data, including the muon g – 2

An additional generation of quarks and leptons and their SUSY counterparts, which are vector-like under the Standard Model gauge group but are chiral with respect to the new U(1) 3–4 gauge symmetry, are added to the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). We show that this model is a GUT and unifies the three SM gauge couplings and also the additional U(1) 3–4 coupling at a GUT scale of ≈ 5 × 10 16 GeV and explains the experimentally observed deviation of the muon g – 2. We also fit the quark flavor changing processes consistent with the latest experimental data and look at the effect of the new particles on the W boson mass without obviously conflicting with the observed masses of particles, CKM matrix elements, neutrino mixing angles, their mass differences, and the lepton-flavor violating bounds. This model predicts sparticle masses less than 25 TeV, with a gluino mass ≈ 2.3 – 3 TeV consistent with constraints, and one of the neutralinos as the LSP with a mass of ≈ 480 – 580 GeV, which is a potential dark matter candidate. The model is string theory motivated and predicts the VL quarks, leptons, a massive Z' and two Dirac neutrinos at the TeV scale and the branching ratios of μ → eγ, τ → μγ and τ → 3μ with BR(μ → eγ) within reach of future experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

TeV-scale particles and LHC events with dijet pairs

Scalar particles that couple to two up quarks may be produced at the LHC even if they are ultraheavy, in the 8 − 10 TeV mass range. A renormalizable theory that includes a diquark particle of this type (S uu ), two vectorlike quarks (χ 1 , χ 2 ), and a gauge-singlet pseudoscalar, predicts LHC signals involving four or more jets of very high p T . Two remarkable events observed by the CMS experiment, each involving four high-p T jets, may be due to an Suu of mass near 8.5 TeV, and a χ 2 mass of 2.1 TeV. A separate excess reported by CMS in the nonresonant dijet pair search is consistent with a χ 1 mass of 0.95 TeV. This hypothesis may be tested through CMS and ATLAS searches for signals with a pair of dijet resonances of masses clustered around 1 TeV, and separately around 2 TeV, which have 4j invariant masses in the 5 − 8 TeV range. These additional signals would arise from cascade decays of S uu → χ 2 χ 2 , which lead to 5j and 6j events with invariant masses around 8 TeV. Depending on the couplings of the heavy colored particles, additional signals are possible, involving for example highly-boosted top quarks.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Vectorlike leptons and long-lived bosons at the LHC

We study a renormalizable theory that includes a heavy weak-singlet vectorlike lepton, $\tau$', that decays into a pseudoscalar boson and a tau lepton. We show that this can be the dominant decay mode of $\tau$' provided the pseudoscalar couplings deviate from the case of a Nambu-Goldstone boson. For a range of parameters, the pseudoscalar is long-lived, and mainly decays into a photon pair at one loop, or into a tau pair at tree level. Electroweak production of $\tau$' + $\tau$' - leads to a rich phenomenology at colliders, including signals with many taus or photons. We analyze in detail the LHC signal involving two prompt taus and two displaced photon pairs. Particularly interesting is the case where the pseudoscalar has a decay length of a few meters and thus would typically deposit energy in the muon chambers of the CMS or ATLAS detectors.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Leptonic cascade decays of a heavy Higgs boson through vectorlike leptons at the LHC

We demonstrate the potential of fully leptonic cascade decays of a heavy neutral Higgs boson through vectorlike leptons as a simultaneous probe for extended Higgs sectors and extra matter particles at the LHC. The processes we explore are unique in that their event topologies lead to di-boson-like leptonic final states with a lepton pair which does not reconstruct the mass of a gauge boson. By recasting existing $2\ell$ + $E^{\text{miss}}_{R}$ and $3/4\ell$ searches channels using run2 data from the LHC we obtain model independent bounds on the masses of heavy scalars and vectorlike leptons and use these results to explore future prospects at the HL-LHC. Our results can be directly applied to any kind of new physics scenarios sharing the final states and the event topology. For concreteness, we apply our results to a benchmark scenario: a two Higgs doublet model type-II augmented with vectorlike leptons. Remarkably, even with current data the sensitivity of our analysis shows a reach for masses of a heavy neutral Higgs and vectorlike leptons up to 2 TeV and 1.5 TeV, respectively. Even for low tan β ≳ 1, the analysis retains sensitivity to heavy Higgs masses slightly above 1 TeV. The future sensitivities at the HL-LHC extend the reach for heavy Higgses and new leptons to 2.7 TeV and 2 TeV, respectively.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Multi-top signals of vectorlike quarks at the LHC

We point out that events with 6 or more top quarks may be observed at the LHC if certain particles exist at the TeV scale. In a model where a vectorlike quark of charge 2/3 decays into a top quark and a pseudoscalar particle, which subsequently decays into a top-antitop pair, the LHC production cross section for events with 6 top quarks may be above 10 fb. If the pseudoscalar is part of a complex scalar field, then longer cascade decays, involving the scalar partner, may lead to events with 8 or even 10 top quarks. We show that for a region of parameter space the dominant LHC signal in this model is 8 top quarks (i.e., four $t\bar{t}$ pairs). The ensuing signals would be spectacular, including many leptons and b jets. A discovery in that case would allow several cross section measurements that may determine the masses of all three new particles.

Specific BSM Phenomenology↗

Itinerant to relocalized transition of f electrons in the Kondo insulator CeRu 4 Sn 6

In this study, the three-dimensional electronic structure and the nature of Ce 4 f electrons of the Kondo insulator CeRu 4 Sn 6 are investigated by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, utilizing tunable photon energies. Our results reveal (i) the three-dimensional k -space nature of the Fermi surface, (ii) the localized-to-itinerant transition of f electrons occurs at a much high temperature than the hybridization gap opening temperature, and (iii) the "relocalization" of itinerant f electrons below 25 K, which could be the precursor to the establishment of magnetic order.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Comparison of response of superconductivity to impurity concentration in UBe 13 and LuBe 13

Uhlirova et al. reported superconductivity in LuBe 13 and assigned it tentatively to be BCS-type, with specific heat measurements down to 0.45 K showing the partial onset of a bulk transition. In order to check LuBe13 for unconventional behavior, as well as to further characterize the unconventional superconductivity in UBe 13 , we have prepared and characterized down to 0.40 K three arc-melted samples each of MBe 13 , M = Lu, U, using three different purities (99.999%, 99.96%, and 99.8%) of Be but with the same high purity M (Lu or U) for all three. The measurements down to 0.40 K allow the detection of the maximum in the specific heat in all three LuBe 13 samples. The resulting superconducting properties strongly depend on impurity level in UBe 13 (40% decrease in ΔC/T c , 15% decrease in T c mid ) while the three LuBe 13 samples exhibit significantly smaller changes (10% and 5% respectively) with purity. The comparison of properties at the first two levels of purity (99.999% vs 99.96%) is even more disparate: 12% decrease in T c mid in UBe 13 vs no change in LuBe 13 . Furthermore, these results are consistent with previous results that argue for unconventional superconductivity in UBe 13 and are consistent with Uhlirova et al.‘s assignment of LuBe 13 as a conventional, BCS superconductor. More generally, this example of comparing superconducting properties vs-controlled gradations in impurity levels with two compositionally and structurally “matched” superconducting compounds (one conventional and one of to-be-determined coupling behavior) offers a new method for determining unconventional behavior.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Topological d -wave superconductivity in two dimensions

Despite intensive searches for topological superconductors, the realization of topological superconductivity remains under debate. Previous proposals for the topological s-wave, p-wave, and chiral d-wave superconductivity have both advantages and disadvantages. In this review, we discuss two-dimensional topological superconductivity based on the non-chiral d-wave superconductors. It is shown that the noncentrosymmetric d-wave superconductors become topological superconductors under an infinitesimal Zeeman field without fine-tuning of parameters. Additionally, Floquet engineering for introducing the Zeeman field in a controllable way is also proposed. When the two-dimensional noncentrosymmetric superconductors are stacked to recover the global inversion symmetry, the field-induced parity transition may occur, and the high-field odd-parity superconducting state realizes various topological phases depending on the stacking structures. Two-dimensional heterostructures of strongly correlated electron systems, which have been developed by recent experiments, are proposed as a platform of the high-temperature topological superconductivity and the interplay of topology and strong correlations in superconductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Search for a heavy composite Majorana neutrino in events with dilepton signatures from proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

Results are presented of a search for a heavy Majorana neutrino Image 1 decaying into two same-flavor leptons ℓ (electrons or muons) and a quark-pair jet. A model is considered in which the Image 1 is an excited neutrino in a compositeness scenario. The analysis is performed using a sample of proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb − 1 . The data are found to be in agreement with the standard model prediction. For the process in which the Image 1 is produced in association with a lepton, followed by the decay of the Image 1 to a same-flavor lepton and a quark pair, an upper limit at 95% confidence level on the product of the cross section and branching fraction is obtained as a function of the Image 1 mass Image 2 and the compositeness scale Λ. For this model the data exclude the existence of Image 3 (Image 4) for Image 2 below 6.0 (6.1) TeV, at the limit where Image 2 is equal to Λ. For Image 5, values of Λ less than 20 (23) TeV are excluded. These results represent a considerable improvement in sensitivity, covering a larger parameter space than previous searches in Image 6 collisions at 13 TeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Spin-related phenomena in spin 3/2 charge carrier holes systems

Charge carrier holes provide a remarkable system for spintronics and quantum information technology. In this review paper, I discuss spin-related phenomena in three-dimensional and low-dimensional hole systems. Special attention is paid to the mutual transformation of heavy and light holes at the boundary of quantum wells and wires that governs values of parameters defining hole spectra in quantum wells, wires and dots, such as effective masses, g-factors and Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit constants. Recently, topological phenomena in condensed matter systems, such as emergence of Majorana zero modes and non-Abelian phases in the fractional quantum Hall effect, sparked considerable interest of researchers. Charge carrier holes turn out to be a remarkable setting for possible observation of these phenomena and advancing topological quantum computing. I discuss the spectra and wavefunctions of two-dimensional holes in magnetic field. While there is a semiclassical range of parameters when heavy and light holes can be described by equidistant Landau levels, ground-level holes and holes in a few low-lying excited states behave as species completely different from electrons. Especially interesting are crossings in hole spectra in magnetic field. Hole–hole interactions can substantially differ from electron–electron interactions. Apart from the difference in exchange splitting, this shows in possible emergence of even denominator fractional quantum Hall state in the ground hole level in magnetic field. I also briefly discuss spintronic phenomena, such as mutual transformation of angular momentum (spin) of holes and electric current, as well as spin-related interference effects in hole transport. Recent developments in a system of Ge hole quantum dots offer new perspectives for hole-based systems.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Dirac Nodal Line in Hourglass Semimetal Nb 3 SiTe 6

Glide-mirror symmetry in nonsymmorphic crystals can foster the emergence of novel hourglass nodal loop states. Here, we present spectroscopic signatures from angle-resolved photoemission of a predicted topological hourglass semimetal phase in Nb 3 SiTe 6 . Linear band crossings are observed at the zone boundary of Nb 3 SiTe 6 , which could be the origin of the nontrivial Berry phase and are consistent with a predicted glide quantum spin Hall effect; such linear band crossings connect to form a nodal loop. Furthermore, the saddle-like Fermi surface of Nb 3 SiTe 6 observed in our results helps unveil linear band crossings that could be missed. Additionally, in situ alkali-metal doping of Nb 3 SiTe 6 also facilitated the observation of other band crossings and parabolic bands at the zone center correlated with accidental nodal loop states. Overall, our results complete the system's band structure, help explain prior Hall measurements, and suggest the existence of a nodal loop at the zone center of Nb 3 SiTe 6 .

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Hall conductance and the statistics of flux insertions in gapped interacting lattice systems

We study charge transport for zero-temperature infinite-volume gapped lattice systems in two dimensions with short-range interactions. We show that the Hall conductance is locally computable and is the same for all systems that are in the same gapped phase. Here, we provide a rigorous version of Laughlin’s flux-insertion argument, which shows that for short-range entangled systems, the Hall conductance is an integer multiple of e 2 / h . We show that the Hall conductance determines the statistics of flux insertions. For bosonic short-range entangled systems, this implies that the Hall conductance is an even multiple of e 2 / h . Finally, we adapt a proof of quantization of the Thouless charge pump to the case of infinite-volume gapped lattice systems in one dimension.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Particle–hole asymmetry and quantum confinement effects on the magneto-optical response of topological insulator thin-films

Intrinsically broken symmetries in the bulk of topological insulators (TIs) are manifested in their surface states. Despite particle–hole asymmetry in TIs, it has often been assumed that their surface states are characterized by a particle–hole symmetric Dirac energy dispersion. In this work, we demonstrate that the effect of particle–hole asymmetry is essential to correctly describe the energy spectrum and the magneto-optical response in TIs thin-films. In thin-films of TIs with a substantial degree of particle–hole symmetry breaking, such as Sb 2 Te 3 , the longitudinal optical conductivity displays absorption peaks arising from optical transitions between bulk and surface Landau levels for low photon energies. The transition energies between the bulk and surface Landau levels exhibit clearly discernable signatures from those between surface Landau levels due to their distinct magnetic field dependence. Furthermore, bulk contributions to the magneto-optical conductivity in a TI thin-film are enhanced via one type of doping while being suppressed by the other. This asymmetric dependence on the type of doping aids in revealing the particle–hole asymmetry in TI thin-films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗