arXiv subjects

A. Mann

Publications and source records attributed to A. Mann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Annular substructures in the transition disks around LkCa 15 and J1610

We present high resolution millimeter continuum ALMA observations of the disks around the T Tauri stars LkCa 15 and J1610. These disks host dust-depleted inner regions, possibly carved by massive planets, and are of prime interest to study the imprints of planet-disk interactions. While at moderate angular resolution they appear as a broad ring surrounding a cavity, the continuum emission resolves into multiple rings at a resolution of ~60$\times$40 mas (~7.5 au for LkCa 15, ~6 au for J1610) and ~$7\,μ$Jy beam$^{-1}$ rms at 1.3 mm. In addition to a broad extended component, LkCa 15 and J1610 host 3 and 2 narrow rings, respectively, with two bright rings in LkCa 15 being radially resolved. The rings look marginally optically thick, with peak optical depths of ~0.5 (neglecting scattering), in agreement with high angular resolution observations of full disks. We perform hydrodynamical simulations with an embedded, sub-Jovian-mass planet and show that the observed multi-ringed substructure can be qualitatively explained as the outcome of the planet-disk interaction. We note however that the choice of the disk cooling timescale alone can significantly impact the resulting gas and dust distributions around the planet, leading to different numbers of rings and gaps and different spacings between them. We propose that the massive outer disk regions of transition disks are favorable places for planetesimals and possibly second generation planet formation of objects with a lower mass than the planets carving the inner cavity (typically few $M_{\rm Jup}$), and that the annular substructures observed in LkCa 15 and J1610 may be indicative of planetary core formation within dust-rich pressure traps. Current observations are compatible with other mechanisms being at the origin of the observed substructures, in particular with narrow rings generated at the edge of the CO and N$_2$ snowlines.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

The Random Transiter -- EPIC 249706694/HD 139139

We have identified a star, EPIC 249706694 (HD 139139), that was observed during K2 Campaign 15 with the Kepler extended mission that appears to exhibit 28 transit-like events over the course of the 87-day observation. The unusual aspect of these dips, all but two of which have depths of $200 \pm 80$ ppm, is that they exhibit no periodicity, and their arrival times could just as well have been produced by a random number generator. We show that no more than four of the events can be part of a periodic sequence. We have done a number of data quality tests to ascertain that these dips are of astrophysical origin, and while we cannot be absolutely certain that this is so, they have all the hallmarks of astrophysical variability on one of two possible host stars (a likely bound pair) in the photometric aperture. We explore a number of ideas for the origin of these dips, including actual planet transits due to multiple or dust emitting planets, anomalously large TTVs, S- and P-type transits in binary systems, a collection of dust-emitting asteroids, `dipper-star' activity, and short-lived starspots. All transit scenarios that we have been able to conjure up appear to fail, while the intrinsic stellar variability hypothesis would be novel and untested.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

Full-separability and bi-separability of qubits using Bell operators, partial transpose, witnesses and explicit (full/bi) separability

Using the Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) decomposition we suggest new possible choices of Bell operators and entanglement witnesses (EW ) for n (>2) qubits systems for (full/bi) separability. The latter give upper bounds for (full/bi) separability. Also using the HS decomposition, we find explicitly (full/bi) separable forms for some qubits states which give lower bounds for (full/bi) separability. When the lower bounds and upper bounds coincide it means that the EW is optimal. In the case of full separability, the positive transpose method can sometimes give optimal results. As concrete examples, we give results for the GHZ(3),W(3) , and cluster CL(4)states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Complex Rotational Modulation of Rapidly Rotating M-Stars Observed with TESS

We have searched for short periodicities in the light curves of stars with $T_{\rm eff}$ cooler than 4000 K made from 2-minute cadence data obtained in TESS sectors 1 and 2. Herein we report the discovery of 10 rapidly rotating M-dwarfs with highly structured rotational modulation patterns among 10 M dwarfs found to have rotation periods less than 1 day. Star-spot models cannot explain the highly structured periodic variations which typically exhibit between 10 and 40 Fourier harmonics. A similar set of objects was previously reported following K2 observations of the Upper Scorpius association (Stauffer et al. 2017). We examine the possibility that the unusual structured light-curves could stem from absorption by charged dust particles that are trapped in or near the stellar magnetosphere. We also briefly explore the possibilities that the sharp structured features in the lightcurves are produced by extinction by coronal gas, by beaming of the radiation emitted from the stellar surface, or by occultations of spots by a dusty ring that surrounds the star. The latter is perhaps the most promising of these scenarios. Most of the structured rotators display flaring activity, and we investigate changes in the modulation pattern following the largest flares. As part of this study, we also report the discovery of 371 rapidly rotating M-dwarfs with rotational periods below 4 hr, of which the shortest period is 1.63 hr.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

Deep Long Asymmetric Occultation in EPIC 204376071

We have discovered a young M star of mass $0.16\,M_\odot$ and radius $0.63\,R_\odot$, likely in the Upper Sco Association, that exhibits only a single $80\%$ deep occultation of 1-day duration. The star has frequent flares and a low-amplitude rotational modulation, but is otherwise quiet over 160 days of cumulative observation during K2 Campaigns C2 and C15. We discuss how such a deep eclipse is not possible by one star crossing another in any binary or higher-order stellar system in which no mass transfer has occurred. The two possible explanations we are left with are (1) orbiting dust or small particles (e.g., a disk bound to a smaller orbiting body, or unbound dust that emanates from such a body); or (2) a transient accretion event of dusty material near the corotation radius of the star. In either case, the time between such occultation events must be longer than $\sim$80 days. We model a possible orbiting occulter both as a uniform elliptically shaped surface (e.g., an inclined circular disk) and as a `dust sheet' with a gradient of optical depth behind its leading edge. The required masses in such dust features are then $\gtrsim 3 \times 10^{19}$ g and $\gtrsim 10^{19}$ g, for the two cases, respectively.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

Separability of 3-qubits density matrices, related to l(1) and l(2)norms and to unfolding of tensors into matrices

We treat 3-qubits states with maximally disordered subsystems, by using Hilbert-Schmidt decompositions.By using unfolding methods, the tensors are converted into matrices and by applying singular values decompositions to these matrices the number 27 of the Hilbert Schmidt parameters, is reduced to 9 and under the condition that the sum of absolute values of these parameters is not larger than 1, we conclude that the density matrix is fully separable . In another method we divide the 27 Hilbert Schmidt parameters into 9 triads where for each triad we calculate the Frobenius norm of 3 Hilbert-Schmidt parameters. If the sum of nine norms is not larger than 1 then we conclude that the density matrix is fully separable . The condition for biseparability of maximally disordered density matrices is obtained by the use of one qubit density matrix multiplied by Bell entangled states of the other two qubits. If the sum of the nine Frobenius norms for these different triads is not larger than 1, we conclude that the density matrix is biseparable. We analyze the relations between three qubits maximally disordered subsystems density matrices and the method of high order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) and show that this method may improve the sufficient condition for full separability. For three qubits states which include multiplication with the unit matrix we find a simple way to reduce the sum of the absolute values of the Hilbert Schmidt parameters absolute values and get better conditions for their full separability for special cases.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Separability and entanglement of two qubits density matrices using Lorentz transformations

Explicit separability of general two qubits density matrices is related to Lorentz transformations. We use the 4-dimensional form R(u,v=0,1,2,3) of the Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) decomposition of the density matrix. For the generic case in which Lorentz transformations diagonalize R(u,v=0,1,2,3) (into s(0),s(1),s(2),s(3)) we give relations between the R parameters and the s parameters. In particular we consider two cases: a) Two qubits density matrices with one pair of linear terms in the HS decomposition. b) Two qubits density matrices with two or three symmetric pairs of linear terms. Some of the theoretical results are demonstrated by numerical calculations. The four non-generic cases (which may be reduced to case a) are analyzed and the non-generic property is related explicitly to Lorentz velocity beta=1 which is not reachable physically

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Biseparability of 3-qubits density matrices using Hilbert-Schmidt decompositions: Sufficient conditions and explicit expressions

Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) decompositions and Frobenius norms are used to analyze biseparability of 3-qubit systems, with particular emphasis on density matrices with maximally disordered subsystems (MDS) and on the W state mixed with white noise. The biseparable form of a MDS density matrix is obtained by using the Bell states of a 2-qubit subsystem, multiplied by density matrices of the third qubit, which include the relevant HS parameters. Using our methods a sufficient condition and explicit biseparability of the W state mixed with white noise are given. They are compared with the sufficient condition for explicit full separability given in a previous work.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

K2-99: a subgiant hosting a transiting warm Jupiter in an eccentric orbit and a long-period companion

We report the discovery from K2 of a transiting planet in an 18.25-d, eccentric (0.19$\pm$ 0.04) orbit around K2-99, an 11th magnitude subgiant in Virgo. We confirm the planetary nature of the companion with radial velocities, and determine that the star is a metal-rich ([Fe/H] = 0.20$\pm$0.05) subgiant, with mass $1.60^{+0.14}_{-0.10}~M_\odot$ and radius $3.1\pm 0.1~R_\odot$. The planet has a mass of $0.97\pm0.09~M_{\rm Jup}$ and a radius $1.29\pm0.05~R_{\rm Jup}$. A measured systemic radial acceleration of $-2.12\pm0.04~{\rm m s^{-1} d^{-1}}$ offers compelling evidence for the existence of a third body in the system, perhaps a brown dwarf orbiting with a period of several hundred days.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2016

Separability and entanglement of n-qubits and a qubit with a qudit using Hilbert-Schmidt decompositions

Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) decompositions are employed for analyzing systems of n-qubits, and a qubit with a qudit. Negative eigenvalues, obtained by partial-transpose (PT) plus local unitary transformations (PTU) for one qubit from the whole system, are used for indicating inseparability. A sufficient criterion for full separability of the n-qubits and qubit-qudit systems is given. We use the singular value decomposition (SVD) for improving the criterion for full separability. General properties of entanglement and separability are analyzed for a system of a qubit and a qudit and n-qubits systems, with emphasis on maximally disordered subsystems (MDS) (i.e., density matrices rho(MDS) for which tracing over any subsystem gives the unit density matrix). A sufficient condition that rho(MDS) is not separable is that it has an eigenvalue larger than 1/d for a qubit and a qudit, and larger than 1/2^(n-1) for n-qubits system. The PTU transformation does not change the eigenvalues of the n-qubits MDS density matrices for odd n. Thus the Peres-Horodecki criterion does not give any information about entanglement of these density matrices, but this criterion is useful for indicating inseparability for even n. The changes of the entanglement and separability properties of the GHZ state, the Braid entangled state and the W state by mixing them with white noise are analyzed by the use of the present methods. The entanglement and separability properties of the GHZ-diagonal density matrices, composed of mixture of 8 GHZ density matrices with probabilities p(i), is analyzed as function of these probabilities. In some cases we show that the Peres-Horodecki criterion is both sufficient and necessary.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Measuring Unrecorded Measurement

Projective (Von Neumann) Measurement of an operator (i.e. a dynamical variable) selected from a prescribed set of operators is termed unrecorded measurement (URM) when both the selected operator and the measurement outcome are unknown, i.e. "lost". Within classical physics a URM is completely inconsequential: the state is unaffected by measurement. Within quantum physics a measurement leaves a mark. The present study provides protocols that allow retrieval of some of the data lost in a URM.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Explicit constructions of all separable two-qubits density matrices and related problems for three-qubits systems

Explicitly separable density matrices are constructed for all separable two-qubits states based on Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) decompositions. For density matrices which include only two-qubits correlations the number of HS parameters is reduced to 3 by using local rotations, and for two-qubits states which include single qubit measurements, the number of parameters is reduced to 4 by local Lorentz transformations. For both cases we related the absolute values of the HS parameters to probabilities, and the outer products of various Pauli matrices were transformed to pure states density matrices products. Simple necessary and sufficient conditions for separability are derived. We discuss related problems for three qubits. For n-qubits correlation systems the sufficient condition for separability may be improved by local transformations, related to high order singular value decompositions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Finite Linear Spaces, Plane Geometries, Hilbert spaces and Finite Phase Space

Finite plane geometry is associated with finite dimensional Hilbert space. The association allows mapping of q-number Hilbert space observables to the c-number formalism of quantum mechanics in phase space. The mapped entities reflect geometrically based line-point interrelation. Particularly simple formulas are involved when use is made of mutually unbiased bases (MUB) representations for the Hilbert space entries. The geometry specifies a point-line interrelation. Thus underpinning d-dimensional Hilbert space operators (resp. states) with geometrical points leads to operators termed "line operators" underpinned by the geometrical lines. These "line operators", $\hat{L}_j;$ (j designates the line) form a complete orthogonal basis for Hilbert space operators. The representation of Hilbert space operators in terms of these operators form the phase space representation of the d-dimensional Hilbert space. The "line operators" (resp. "line states") are studied in detail. The paper aims at self sufficiency and to this end all relevant notions are explained herewith.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Ultrafast structural and electronic dynamics of the metallic phase in a layered manganite

The transition between different states in manganites can be driven by various external stimuli. Controlling these transitions with light opens the possibility to investigate the microscopic path through which they evolve. We performed femtosecond (fs) transmission electron microscopy on a bi-layered manganite to study its response to ultrafast photoexcitation. We show that a photoinduced temperature jump launches a pressure wave that provokes coherent oscillations of the lattice parameters, detected via ultrafast electron diffraction. Their impact on the electronic structure are monitored via ultrafast electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), revealing the dynamics of the different orbitals in response to specific structural distortions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Choice of measurement as signal

In classical mechanics, performing a measurement without reading the measurement outcome is equivalent to not exploiting the measurement at all. A non-selective measurement in the classical realm carries no information. Here we show that the situation is remarkably different when quantum mechanical systems are concerned. A non-selective measurement on one part of a maximally entangled pair can allow communication between two parties. In the proposed protocol, the signal is encoded in the choice of the measurement basis of one of the communicating parties, while the outcomes of the measurement are irrelevant for the communication and therefore may be discarded. Different choices for the (non-selective) measurement basis correspond to different signals. The scheme is studied in a Hilbert space of odd prime dimension

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Coupling of a high-energy excitation to superconducting quasiparticles in a cuprate from Coherent Charge Fluctuation Spectroscopy

Dynamical information on spin degrees of freedom of proteins or solids can be obtained by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR). A technique with similar versatility for charge degrees of freedom and their ultrafast correlations could move forward the understanding of systems like unconventional superconductors. By perturbing the superconducting state in a high-Tc cuprate using a femtosecond laser pulse, we generate coherent oscillations of the Cooper pair condensate which can be described by an NMR/ESR formalism. The oscillations are detected by transient broad-band reflectivity and found to resonate at the typical scale of Mott physics (2.6 eV), suggesting the existence of a non-retarded contribution to the pairing interaction, as in unconventional (non Migdal-Eliashberg) theories.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Strong contraction of the representations of the three dimensional Lie algebras

For any Inonu-Wigner contraction of a three dimensional Lie algebra we construct the corresponding contractions of representations. Our method is quite canonical in the sense that in all cases we deal with realizations of the representations on some spaces of functions; we contract the differential operators on those spaces along with the representation spaces themselves by taking certain pointwise limit of functions. We call such contractions strong contractions. We show that this pointwise limit gives rise to a direct limit space. Many of these contractions are new and in other examples we give a different proof.

math-ph↗

arXiv2010

PROJECT ICARUS: Son of Daedalus, Flying Closer to Another Star

During the 1970s members of the British Interplanetary Society embarked on a landmark theoretical engineering design study to send a probe to Barnard's star. Project Daedalus was a two-stage vehicle employing electron beam driven inertial confinement fusion engines to reach its target destination. This paper sets out the proposal for a successor interstellar design study called Project Icarus. This is an attempt to redesign the Daedalus vehicle with similar terms of reference. The aim of this study is to evolve an improved engineering design and move us closer to achieving interstellar exploration. Although this paper does not discuss prematurely what design modification are likely to occur some indications are given from the nature of the discussions. This paper is a submission of the Project Icarus Study Group.

physics.pop-ph↗