arXiv subjects

A. D'Elia

Publications and source records attributed to A. D'Elia.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Transmon qubit modeling and characterization for Dark Matter search

This study presents the design, simulation, and experimental characterization of a superconducting transmon qubit circuit prototype for potential applications in dark matter detection experiments. We describe a planar circuit design featuring two non-interacting transmon qubits, one with fixed frequency and the other flux tunable. Finite-element simulations were employed to extract key Hamiltonian parameters and optimize component geometries. The qubit was fabricated and then characterized at $20$ mK, allowing for a comparison between simulated and measured qubit parameters. Good agreement was found for transition frequencies and anharmonicities (within 1\% and 10\% respectively) while coupling strengths exhibited larger discrepancies (30\%). We discuss potential causes for measured coherence times falling below expectations ($T_1\sim\,$1-2 \textmu s) and propose strategies for future design improvements. Notably, we demonstrate the application of a hybrid 3D-2D simulation approach for energy participation ratio evaluation, yielding a more accurate estimation of dielectric losses. This work represents an important first step in developing planar Quantum Non-Demolition (QND) single-photon counters for dark matter searches, particularly for axion and dark photon detection schemes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Search for Axion dark matter with the QUAX-LNF tunable haloscope

We report the first experimental results obtained with the new haloscope of the QUAX experiment located at Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati of INFN (LNF). The haloscope is composed of a OFHC Cu resonant cavity cooled down to about 30 mK and immersed in a magnetic field of 8 T. The cavity frequency was varied in a 6 MHz range between 8.831496 and 8.83803 GHz. This corresponds to a previously unprobed mass range between 36.52413 and 36.5511 $μ$eV. We don't observe any excess in the power spectrum and set limits on the axion-photon coupling in this mass range down to $g_{aγγ} < 0.861 \times 10^{-13}$ GeV$^{-1}$ with the confidence level set at $90\%$.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Search for galactic axions with a traveling wave parametric amplifier

A traveling wave parametric amplifier has been integrated in the haloscope of the QUAX experiment. A search for dark matter axions has been performed with a high Q dielectric cavity immersed in a 8 T magnetic field and read by a detection chain having a system noise temperature of about 2.1 K at the frequency of 10.353 GHz. Scanning has been conducted by varying the cavity frequency using sapphire rods immersed into the cavity. At multiple operating frequencies, the sensitivity of the instrument was at the level of viable axion models.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Stepping closer to pulsed single microwave photon detectors for axions search

Axions detection requires the ultimate sensitivity down to the single photon limit. In the microwave region this corresponds to energies in the yJ range. This extreme sensitivity has to be combined with an extremely low dark count rate, since the probability of axions conversion into microwave photons is supposed to be very low. To face this complicated task, we followed two promising approaches that both rely on the use of superconducting devices based on the Josephson effect. The first one is to use a single Josephson junction (JJ) as a switching detector (i.e. exploiting the superconducting to normal state transition in presence of microwave photons). We designed a device composed of a coplanar waveguide terminated on a current biased Josephson junction. We tested its efficiency to pulsed (pulse duration 10 ns) microwave signals, since this configuration is closer to an actual axions search experiment. We show how our device is able to reach detection capability of the order of 10 photons with frequency 8 GHz. The second approach is based on an intrinsically quantum device formed by two resonators coupled only via a superconducting qubit network (SQN). This approach relies on quantum nondemolition measurements of the resonator photons. We show that injecting RF power into the resonator, the frequency position of the resonant drop in the transmission coefficient (S21) can be modulated up to 4 MHz. We anticipate that, once optimized, both the devices have the potential to reach single photon sensitivity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Search for galactic axions with a high-Q dielectric cavity

A haloscope of the QUAX--$aγ$ experiment, composed of an high-Q resonant cavity immersed in a 8 T magnet and cooled to $\sim 4.5$~K is operated to search for galactic axion with mass $m_a\simeq42.8~μ\text{eV}$. The design of the cavity with hollow dielectric cylinders concentrically inserted in a OFHC Cu cavity, allowed us to maintain a loaded quality-factor Q $\sim 300000$ during the measurements in presence of magnetic field. Through the cavity tuning mechanism it was possible to modulate the resonance frequency of the haloscope in the region $10.35337-10.35345$~GHz and thus acquire different dataset at different resonance frequencies. Acquiring each dataset for about 50 minutes, combining them and correcting for the axion's signal estimation-efficiency we set a limit on the axion-photon coupling $g_{aγγ}< 0.731\times10^{-13}$ GeV$^{-1}$ with the confidence level set at $90\%$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Penning Spectroscopy and Structure of Acetylene Oligomers in He Nanodroplets

Embedded atoms or molecules in a photoexcited He nanodroplet are well-known to be ionized through inter-atomic relaxation in a Penning process. In this work, we investigate the Penning ionization of acetylene oligomers occurring from the photoexcitation bands of He nanodroplets. In close analogy to conventional Penning electron spectroscopy by thermal atomic collisions, the n = 2 photoexcitation band plays the role of the metastable atomic $1s2s$ $^{3,1}S$ He$^\ast$. This facilitates electron spectroscopy of acetylene aggregates in the sub-kelvin He environment, providing the following insight into their structure: The molecules in the dopant cluster are loosely bound van der Waals complexes rather than forming covalent compounds. In addition, this work reveals a Penning process stemming from the n = 4 band where charge-transfer from autoionized He in the droplets is known to be the dominant relaxation channel. This allows for excited states of the remnant dopant oligomer Penning-ions to be studied. Hence, we demonstrate Penning ionization electron spectroscopy of doped droplets as an effective technique for investigating dopant oligomers which are easily formed by attachment to the host cluster.

physics.atm-clus↗

arXiv2020

Strain induced orbital dynamics across the Metal Insulator transition in thin VO2/TiO2(001) films

VO2 is a strongly correlated material, which undergoes a reversible metal insulator transition (MIT) coupled to a structural phase transition upon heating (T= 67° C). Since its discovery the nature of the insulating state has long been debated and different solid-state mechanisms have been proposed to explain its nature: Mott-Hubbard correlation, Peierls distortion or a combination of both. Moreover, still now there is a lack of consensus on the interplay between the different degrees of freedom: charge, lattice, orbital and how they contribute to the MIT. In this manuscript we will investigate across the MIT the orbital evolution induced by a tensile strain applied to thin VO2 films. The strained films allowed to study the interplay between orbital and lattice degrees of freedom and to clarify MIT properties.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

The Tuning System for the HIE-ISOLDE High-Beta Quarter Wave Resonator

A new linac using superconducting quarter-wave resonators (QWR) is under construction at CERN in the framework of the HIE-ISOLDE project. The QWRs are made of niobium sputtered on a bulk copper substrate. The working frequency at 4.5 K is 101.28 MHz and they will provide 6 MV/m accelerating gradient on the beam axis with a total maximum power dissipation of 10 W on cavity walls. A tuning system is required in order to both minimize the forward power variation in beam operation and to compensate the unavoidable uncertainties in the frequency shift during the cool-down process. The tuning system has to fulfil a complex combination of RF, structural and thermal requirements. The paper presents the functional specifications and details the tuning system RF and mechanical design and simulations. The results of the tests performed on a prototype system are discussed and the industrialization strategy is presented in view of final production.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2012

Enhanced coupling design of a detuned damped structure for clic

The key feature of the improved coupling design in the Damped Detuned Structure (DDS) is focused on the four manifolds. Rectangular geometry slots and rectangular manifolds are used. This results in a significantly stronger coupling to the manifolds compared to the previous design. We describe the new design together with its wakefield damping properties.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Comparative Wakefield Analysis of a First Prototype of a DDS Structure for CLIC Main Linac

A Damped Detuned Structure (DDS) for CLIC main linac has been proposed as an alternative to the present baseline design which is based on heavy damping. A first prototype, CLIC_DDS_A, for high power tests has been already designed and is under construction. It is also foreseen to design a further prototype, CLIC_DDS_B, to test both the wakefield suppression and high power performances. Wakefield calculations for DDS are, in the early design stage, based on single infinitely periodic cells. Though cell-to-cell interaction is taken into account to calculate the wakefields, it is important to study full structure properties using computational tools. In particular this is fundamental for defining the input parameters for the HOM coupler that is crucial for the performances of DDS. In the following a full analysis of wakefields and impedances based on simulations conducted with finite difference based electromagnetic computer code GdfidL will be presented.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

A High Phase Advance Damped and Detuned Structure for the Main Linacs of Clic

The main accelerating structures for the CLIC are designed to operate at an average accelerating gradient of 100 MV/m. The accelerating frequency has been optimised to 11.994 GHz with a phase advance of 2π/3 of the main accelerating mode. The moderately damped and detuned structure (DDS) design is being studied as an alternative to the strongly damped WDS design. Both these designs are based on the nominal accelerating phase advance. Here we explore high phase advance (HPA) structures in which the group velocity of the rf fields is reduced compared to that of standard (2π/3) structures. The electrical breakdown strongly depends on the fundamental mode group velocity. Hence it is expected that electrical breakdown is less likely to occur in the HPA structures. We report on a study of both the fundamental and dipole modes in a CLIC_DDS_HPA structure, designed to operate at 5π/6 phase advance per cell. Higher order dipole modes in both the standard and HPA structures are also studied.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Recent Progress on a Manifold Damped and Detuned Structure for CLIC

A damped detuned structure for the main X-band linacs of CLIC is being investigated as an alternative design to the present baseline heavily damped structure. In our earlier designs we studied detuned structures, operating at 11.994 GHz, with a range of dipole bandwidths in order to ensure the structure satisfies beam dynamics and rf breakdown constraints. Here we report on the development of a damped and detuned structure which satisfies both constraints. Preparations for high power testing of the structure are also discussed

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2009

Hie-Isolde High Beta Cavity Study and Measurements

The upgrade of the ISOLDE machine at CERN foresees a superconducting linac based on two gap independently phased Nb sputtered Quarter Wave Resonators (QWRs) working at 101.28MHz and producing an accelerating field of 6MV/m on axis. A careful study of the fields in the cavity has been carried out in order to pin down the crucial e-m parameters of the structure such as peak fields, quality factor and e-m power dissipated on the cavity wall. A tuning system with about 200kHz frequency range has been developed in order to cope with fabrication tolerances. In this paper we will report on the cavity simulations. The tuning plate design will be described. Finally the frequency measurements on a cavity prototype at room temperature will be presented.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2009

Compensation of Transverse Field Asymmetry in the High-beta Quarter-wave Resonator of the HIE-ISOLDE Linac at CERN

The superconducting upgrade of the REX-ISOLDE radioactive ion beam (RIB) post-accelerator at CERN will utilise a compact lattice comprising quarter-wave resonators (QWRs) and solenoids, accelerating beams in the mass range 2.5 < A/q < 4.5 to over 10 MeV/u. The short and independently phased quarter-wave structures allow for the acceleration of RIBs over a variable velocity profile and provide an unrivalled longitudinal acceptance when coupled with solenoid focusing. The incorporation of the solenoids into the cryomodule shortens the linac, whilst maximising the acceptance, but the application of solenoid focusing in the presence of asymmetric QWR fields can have consequences for the beam quality. The rotation of an asymmetric beam produces an effective emittance growth in the laboratory reference system. We present modifications of the cavity geometry to optimise the symmetry of the transverse fields in the high-beta QWR. A racetrack shaped beam port is analysed and a modification made to the inner conductor with a geometry that will enable a niobium film to be effectively sputtered onto the cavity surface.

physics.acc-ph↗