arXiv subjects

A. K. Singh

Publications and source records attributed to A. K. Singh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Detection of optical quasi-periodic oscillation in the blazar 3C 454.3

We analyzed 19 years of $R$-band data of the blazar 3C 454.3 from the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) archive, along with new data from its members and from public archives such as those provided by the Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS) and the Steward Observatory projects to search for quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). We detected a QPO of $\sim$ 433 days using Lomb-Scargle periodogram, which lasted from MJD 54980--58450 as detected by the weighted wavelet Z-transform technique, making it one of the most persistent QPOs ever detected in the optical regime. The phase dispersion minimization technique was also performed to further validate this QPO claim. We detected this signal at a global significance of $2.53σ$ across all methodologies. To explain the observed QPO, we have considered both models focused on the accretion disk around the super-massive black hole (SMBH), and those based purely on jet emissions. Plausible jet-based models involve a shock moving down the jet in a helical magnetic field, whereas the SMBH models could involve Lense-Thirring effect-induced jet precession or dual jets in a binary SMBH system. We introduce a novel approach to distinguish genuine QPOs from spurious signals arising from annual seasonal gaps, a common limitation of ground-based observations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Competition between the neutron-proton pair break-ups delineating the level structure of 202Po

High-spin spectroscopic study of $^{202}$Po ($Z$ = 84, $N$ = 118) has been carried out using the $^{195}$Pt($^{12}$C, 5n)$^{202}$Po fusion-evaporation reaction. An extended level scheme has been proposed up to an excitation energy of $E_x\approx$ 8 MeV and angular momentum of 27$\hbar$, with the addition of 57 newly observed $γ$-ray transitions, along with the revisions in the placement of 8 already known transitions and the multipolarities of 4 of these transitions. The energy of the unobserved 8$^+ \rightarrow 6^+$ transition has been proposed to be 9.0(5) keV, which resolves the uncertainty in the excitation energy of the levels above the 6$^{+}$ state. Three new sequences of $M1$ transitions have also been identified in the high excitation energy regime and included in the proposed level scheme. The large-scale shell model calculations for $Z>82$ and $N<126$ valence space have been carried out using PBPOP interaction which explained the overall level scheme for both the positive and negative parity states. The calculations successfully reproduced the purity of the proton $πh_{9/2}$ dominated $8^+$ isomeric state, and also explained the missing $E2$ decay of the ${12}^+$ isomeric state in terms of changing nucleonic configurations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

Multiband Optical Variability of the Blazar 3C 454.3 on Diverse Timescales

Due to its peculiar and highly variable nature, the blazar 3C 454.3 has been extensively monitored by the WEBT team. Here, we present for the first time these long-term optical flux and color variability results using data acquired in B, V, R, and I bands over a time span of $\sim$ 2 decades. We include data from WEBT collaborators and public archives such as SMARTS, Steward Observatory, and ZTF. The data are binned and segmented to study the source over this long term when more regular sampling was available. During our study, the long-term spectral variability reveals a redder when brighter (RWB) trend, which, however, stabilizes at a particular brightness cutoff $\sim$ 14.5 mag in the I-band, after which it saturates and evolves into a complex state. This trend indicates increasing jet emission dominance over accretion disk emission until jet emission completely dominates. Plots of the spectral index variation (following $F_ν \propto ν^{-α}$) reveal a bimodal distribution using a one-day binning. These correlate with two extreme phases of 3C 454.3, an outburst or high flux state and quiescent or low flux state, which are respectively jet and accretion disk dominated. We have also conducted intra-day variability studies of nine light curves and found that six of them are variable. Discrete Correlation Function (DCF) analysis between different optical waveband pairs peak at zero lags, indicating co-spatial emission in different optical bands.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Optimizing Configuration Selection in Reconfigurable-Antenna MIMO Systems: Physics-Inspired Heuristic Solvers

Reconfigurable antenna multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a foundational technology for the continuing evolution of cellular systems, including upcoming 6G communication systems. In this paper, we address the problem of flexible/reconfigurable antenna configuration selection for point-to-point MIMO antenna systems by using physics-inspired heuristics. Firstly, we optimize the antenna configuration to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver by leveraging two basic heuristic solvers, i.e., coherent Ising machines (CIMs), that mimic quantum mechanical dynamics, and quantum annealing (QA), where a real-world QA architecture is considered (D-Wave). A mathematical framework that converts the configuration selection problem into CIM- and QA- compatible unconstrained quadratic formulations is investigated. Numerical and experimental results show that the proposed designs outperform classical counterparts and achieve near-optimal performance (similar to exhaustive search with exponential complexity) while ensuring polynomial complexity. Moreover, we study the optimal antenna configuration that maximizes the end-to-end Shannon capacity. A simulated annealing (SA) heuristic which achieves near-optimal performance through appropriate parameterization is adopted. A modified version of the basic SA that exploits parallel tempering to avoid local maxima is also studied, which provides additional performance gains. Extended numerical studies show that the SA solutions outperform conventional heuristics (which are also developed for comparison purposes), while the employment of the SNR-based solutions is highly sub-optimal.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2024

Formation of nano and micro scale hierarchical structures in MgO and ZnO quantum dots doped LC media: The role of competitive forces

In this paper, we have studied the effect of doping of ZnO and MgO nanoparticles (NPs) in 4-(trans-4-n-hexylcyclo-hexyl) isothiocyanatobenzoate. A thorough comparison of dielectric properties, optoelectronic properties, and calorimetric phase transition properties has been done for MgO and ZnO NP doped LC. We prepare their homogenous mixture of MgO and ZnO NPs in toluene and transfer into cells made of glass and Indium Tin-Oxide (ITO) coated glass. The observed microstructures in the hybrid system can be classified into three main categories: grain like structures formed by aggregation of smaller size MgO nanoparticles while liquid crystal molecules anchor over the surfaces of nanoparticles, the grtu grain-like structures further integrate to form inorganic polymeric type of honeycomb-like mesostructures in presence of glass surface, and flower-like clusters of MgO nanoparticles on ITO surface. The smaller size nanoparticles can maintain the energy balance by allowing the anchoring of liquid crystal molecules over their surfaces whereas the larger size nanoparticles cannot compromise or maintain the energy balance with the liquid crystal molecules and are separated out to nucleate and form bigger size nanoaggregate or clusters. The energy preference of the substrate and nanoparticle's surface to liquid crystal molecules plays an important role in the formation of different types of hierarchical nano- and microstructures. We account the reasons for the formation of nano and micro scale hierarchical structures on the basis of the competition between the forces: NP-NP, LC-LC, NP-LC, Glass/ITO-NP, and Glass/ITO-LC interactions. We observed a considerable change in the dielectric properties, transition temperature, bandgap, and other parameters of LC molecules when MgO NPs are doped, but a minor change occurs when ZnO NPs are doped in LC.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2022

Hybrid quantum-classical chaotic NEMS

We present an exactly solvable model of a hybrid quantum-classical system of a Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center spin (quantum spin) coupled to a nanocantilever (classical) and analyze the enforcement of the regular or chaotic classical dynamics onto the quantum spin dynamics. The main problem we focus in this paper is whether the classical dynamical chaos may induce chaotic effects in the quantum spin dynamics or not. We explore several characteristic criteria of the quantum chaos, such as quantum Poincaré recurrences, generation of coherence and energy level distribution and observe interesting chaotic effects in the spin dynamics. Dynamical chaos imposed in the cantilever dynamics through the kicking pulses induces the stochastic dynamics on the quantum subsystem. We consider a quantum system of two and three levels and show that in a two-level case, type of stochasticity is not conforming all the characteristic features of the quantum chaos and is distinct from it. We also explore the effect of quantum feedback on dynamics of the cantilever and the entire system.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

An Automated Pipeline for Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)

We describe a versatile pipeline for processing the data collected by the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board Indian Multi-wavelength astronomical satellite AstroSat.The UVIT instrument carries out simultaneous astronomical imaging through selected filters / gratings in Far-Ultra-Violet (FUV), Near-Ultra-Violet & visible (VIS) bands of the targeted circular sky field (~ 0.5 deg dia). This pipeline converts the data (Level-1) emanating from UVIT in their raw primitive format supplemented by inputs from the spacecraft sub-systems into UV sky images (& slitless grating spectra) and associated products readily usable by astronomers (Level-2). The primary products include maps of Intensity (rate of photon arrival), error on Intensity and effective Exposure. The pipeline is open source, extensively user configurable with many selectable parameters and its execution is fully automated. The key ingredients of the pipeline includes - extraction of drift in pointing of the spacecraft, and disturbances in pointing due to internal movements; application of various corrections to measured position in the detector for each photon - e.g. differential pointing with respect to a reference frame for shift and add operation, systematic effects and artifacts in the optics of the telescopes and detectors, exposure tracking on the sky, alignment of sky products from multi-episode exposures to generate a consolidated set and astrometry. Detailed logs of operations and intermediate products for every processing stage are accessible via user selectable options. While large number of selectable parameters are available for the user, a well characterized standard default set is used for executing this pipeline at the Payload Operation Centre (POC) for UVIT and selected products are archived and disseminated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) through its ISSDC portal.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2022

Scrambling and quantum feedback in a nanomechanical system

The question of how swiftly entanglement spreads over a system has attracted vital interest. In this regard, the out-of-time ordered correlator (OTOC) is a quantitative measure of the entanglement spreading process. Particular interest concerns the propagation of quantum correlations in the lattice systems, {\it e.g.}, spin chains. In a seminal paper D. A. Roberts, D. Stanford and L. Susskind, J. High Energy Phys. 03, 051, (2015) the concept of the OTOC's radius was introduced. The radius of the OTOC defines the front line reached by the spread of entanglement. Beyond this radius operators commute. In the present work, we propose a model of two nanomechanical systems coupled with two Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center spins. Oscillators are coupled to each other directly while NV spins are not. Therefore, the correlation between the NV spins may arise only through the quantum feedback exerted from the first NV spin to the first oscillator and transferred from the first oscillator to the second oscillator via the direct coupling. Thus nonzero OTOC between NV spins quantifies the strength of the quantum feedback. We show that NV spins cannot exert quantum feedback on classical nonlinear oscillators. We also discuss the inherently quantum case with a linear quantum harmonic oscillator indirectly coupling the two spins and verify that in the classical limit of the oscillator, the OTOC vanishes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Labeling elemental detection sensitivities in part per billion range using conventional geometry synchrotron assisted EDXRF measurements

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) is a widely used non-destructive technique for micro and trace multi-element analysis of materials. Conventional trials show that using laboratory assisted EDXRF measurements, one can obtain elemental detection limits in the range of μg/g to sub-μg/g level. In the present work a quantitative approach has been followed in attempting to explore how is it possible to obtain elemental detection limit in the range of ng/g by using simple EDXRF excitation (45°- 45° geometry) instead of using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) technique, which renders relatively superior detection limits for different elements. In order to accomplish this, we recorded fluorescence spectrum from a standard reference sample (ICP-IV) in similar experimental conditions. The results show that using a very small quantity of sample on top of a thin kapton foil with a thickness ranging between 25-50 μm, as a sample carrier, the EDXRF technique may offer comparable elemental detection limits in contrast to TXRF technique.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Investigation of spin-phonon coupling and local magnetic properties in magnetoelectric Fe2TeO6

Spin-phonon coupling originated from spin-lattice correlation depends upon different exchange interactions in transition metal oxides containing 3d magnetic ions. Spin-lattice coupling can influence the coupling mechanism in magnetoelectric material. To understand the spin-lattice correlation in inverse trirutile Fe2TeO6 (FTO), magnetic properties and phonon spectra are studied. Signature of short-range magnetic correlation induced by 5/2-5/2 dimeric interaction and magnetic anomaly at 150 K is perceived apart from the familiar sharp transition (TN~210K) corresponding to long-range order by magnetization and heat capacity measurement. The magnetic transitions and the spin dynamics are further locally probed by muon spin resonance (μSR) measurement in both zero fields (ZF) and longitudinal field (LF) mode. Three dynamically distinct temperature regimes; (i) T >TN, (ii) TN>T>150 K, and (iii) T<150 K, are observed. A swift change in spin dynamics is realized at 150K by μSR, though previous studies suggest long-range antiferromagnetic order. The observation of renormalization of different Raman modes below 210K suggests the existence of spin-phonon coupling in the material. The coupling strength is quantified as in the range 0.1-1.2 cm-1 following the two-spin cluster approximation. We propose that the spin-phonon coupling is mediated by the Fe-O2-Fe interbilayer exchange play a significant role in ME coupling observed in the material.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

d5-off-centering induced ferroelectric and magnetoelectric correlations in trirutile-Fe2TeO6

We present the rare existence of d5 off-centering, weak ferroelectric polarization and demonstrate its correlation with observed magnetoelectric (ME) properties in the G type (TN~210 K) antiferromagnet Fe2TeO6 (FTO) compound. The origin of ferroelectricity (FE) is associated with both lattice and asymmetric electron density distribution around the ion cores. ME coupling is observed in magnetic field-dependent polarization, ME voltage, and magnetostrain measurements. Short-range magnetic ordering due to intrabilayer dimeric exchange coupling via the double oxygen bridged Fe-O1-Fe pathway is proposed to play a dominating role to exhibit the negative nonlinear magnetic field dependent ME behavior at 300 K. Interbilayer exchange via Fe-O2-Fe pathways dominantly determines the hysteretic nonlinear magnetic field dependent ME response below TN. The observed nonlinear ME coupling signifies magnetoelasticity as manifested in the temperature and magnetic field-dependent strain measurement. Hence the rare existence of ferroelectricity and magnetoelectric coupling by d5 ion is presented in FTO.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Generation of coherence in an exactly solvable nonlinear nanomechanical system

This study is focused on the quantum dynamics of a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center coupled to a nonlinear, periodically driven mechanical oscillator. For a continuous periodic driving that depends on the position of the oscillator, the mechanical motion is described by Mathieu elliptic functions. This solution is employed to study the dynamics of the quantum spin system including environmental effects and to evaluate the purity and the von Neumann entropy of the NV-spin. The unitary generation of coherence is addressed. We observe that the production of coherence through a unitary transformation depends on whether the system is prepared initially in mixed state. Production of coherence is efficient when the system initially is prepared in the region of the separatrix (i.e., the region where classical systems exhibit dynamical chaos). From the theory of dynamical chaos, we know that phase trajectories of the system passing through the homoclinic tangle have limited memory, and therefore the information about the initial conditions is lost. We proved that quantum chaos and diminishing of information about the mixed initial state favors the generation of quantum coherence through the unitary evolution. We introduced quantum distance from the homoclinic tangle and proved that for the initial states permitting efficient generation of coherence, this distance is minimal.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Mean velocity scaling in plane turbulent wall jets

Studies in the literature on plane turbulent wall jets on flat surfaces, have invariably considered either the nozzle initial conditions or the asymptotic conditions far downstream, as scaling parameters for the streamwise variations of length and velocity scales. These choices, however, do not square with the notion of self similarity which is essentially a "local" concept. We first demonstrate that the streamwise variations of velocity and length scales in wall jets show remarkable scaling with local parameters i.e. there appear to be no imposed length and velocity scales. Next, it is shown that the mean velocity profile data suggest existence of two distinct layers - the wall (inner) layer and the full-free jet (outer) layer. Each of these layers scales on the appropriate length and velocity scales and this scaling is observed to be universal i.e. independent of the local friction Reynolds number. Analysis shows that the overlap of these universal scalings leads to a Reynolds-number-dependent power-law velocity variation in the overlap layer. It is observed that the mean-velocity overlap layer corresponds well to the momentum-balance mesolayer and there appears to be no evidence for an inertial overlap; only the meso-overlap is observed. Introduction of an intermediate variable absorbs the Reynolds-number dependence of the length scale in the overlap layer and this leads to a universal power-law overlap profile for mean velocity in terms of the intermediate variable.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2020

Instability and evolution of the magnetic ground state in metallic perovskites GdRh$_3$C$_{1-x}$B$_x$

We report investigations of the structural, magnetic, electrical transport and thermal properties of five compositions of the metallic perovskite GdRh$_3$C$_{1-x}$B$_x$ ($0.00 \le x \le 1.00$). Our results show that all the five compositions undergo magnetic ordering at low temperatures, but the nature of the ordered state is significantly different in the carbon- and the boron-rich compositions, where the former shows signatures of an amplitude-modulated magnetic structure and the latter exhibits evidences of an equal-moment incommensurate antiferromagnetic ordering. We also observe a remarkable field-dependent evolution of conduction carrier polarization in the compositionally disordered compounds. The outcomes indicate that this system is energetically situated in proximity to a magnetic instability where small variations in the control parameter(s), such as lattice constant and/or electron density, lead to considerably different ground states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Growth evolution of self-affine thermally evaporated KBr thin films: A fractal assessment

In this article, fractal concepts were used to explore the thermally evaporated potassium bromide thin films of different thicknesses 200, 300, and 500 nm respectively; grown on aluminium substrates at room temperature. The self-affine or self similar nature of growing surfaces was investigated by autocorrelation function and obtained results are compared with the morphological envelope method. Theoretical estimations revealed that the global surface parameters such as, interface width and lateral correlation length are monotonically decreased with increasing film thickness. Also, from height profile and A-F plots, it has been perceived that irregularity/ complexity of growing layers was significantly influenced by thickness. On the other hand, the fractal dimension and local roughness exponent, estimated by height-height correlation function, do not suggest such dependency.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Coupling between two extreme excitation mode in weakly deformed $^{142}$Eu nucleus

Two opposite parity dipole bandlike structures DB I and DB II of $^{142}$Eu are investigated by the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA), using the fusion evaporation reaction $^{31}$P + $^{116}$Cd @ 148 MeV. The decreasing trend as well as magnitude of the measured $B(M1)$ and $B(E2)$ transition rates of the band DB II has been reproduced well within the shears mechanism with the principal axis cranking model calculations. This calculation reflects the fact that the maximum contribution of the angular momentum of the states in DB II has been generated from the magnetic rotation (MR) phenomenon. The enhanced $B(E1)$ rates of the connecting $E1$ transitions from the states of DB II to DB I are demanding the octupole correlation due to the involvement of the octupole driving pair of orbitals $π{h_{11/2}}$ and $π{d_{5/2}}$ as evident from the quasiparticle alignment ($i_{x}$), the experimental routhians (e$^{'}$) and the calculated neutron and proton quasiparticle energies against the rotational frequency ($ω$).

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Cobalt substitution induced magnetodielectric enhancement in multiferroic Bi2Fe4O9

Antiferromagnetic Bi_{2}Fe_{4}O_{9} (BFO), lightly substituted by cobalt is studied for magnetodielectricity. The substitution causes a substantial decrease in the Neel temperature (T_N) from 250 K (in parent sample, BFO) to 152 K (in 2% Co substituted sample). At the same time, the substituted samples display a pronounced irreversibility in the ZFC-FC magnetization data for T $<$ 370 K and opening of hysteresis in the M-H plot, thus signifying the onset of weak ferromagnetism (FM) and magnetic glassiness. The induced magnetic glassiness is found to slow down the dynamics such that the magnetization decay follows. The dielectric measurement in the same temperature window shows unusual oppression in, for T$\sim$T_N and contrasting nature of tan loss for temperatures above and below T_N, thus hinting a plausible coupling between the magnetic and electric order parameters. A confirmation to this coupling is seen in the magnetodielectric (MD) results, in which it is found that the substitution induces an additional component in the MD, apart from the usual components in BFO. This additional component of MD is found to obey behaviour, with the n values being comparable to 1-p of magnetization. The temperature variation of MD also shows a contrasting behaviour for the parent and 2% Co substituted sample with an enhancement of two times in MD value. In summary, our study shows ME coupling introduced by the magnetic glassiness and its behaviour is very much different from the intrinsic one.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Evidence of the Antimagnetic rotation in an odd-odd nucleus: The case of 142Eu

The present work reported a conclusive evidence for anti-magnetic rotational (AMR) band in an odd-odd nucleus 142Eu. Parity of the states of a quadrupole sequence in 142Eu was firmly identified from polarization measurements using the Indian National Gamma Array and lifetimes of some of the states in the same structure were measured using the Doppler shift attenuation method. The decreasing trends of the deduced quadrupole transition strength B(E2) with spin, along with increasing J(2) / B(E2) values conclusively established the origin of these states as arising from Antimagnetic rotation. The results were well reproduced by numerical calculations within the framework of a semi-classical geometric model.

nucl-ex↗