arXiv subjects

A. Reyes

Publications and source records attributed to A. Reyes.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Hall-MHD in driven turbulence FLASH simulations

The origin of magnetic fields in turbulent astrophysical systems has long been a central problem in plasma astrophysics. Fluctuation dynamos are a class of field amplification mechanisms that occur in turbulent magnetohydrodynamics whereby stochastically forced motions of plasma at sufficiently high magnetic Reynolds numbers exponentially amplify magnetic energy. For steady forcing, such dynamos saturate with magnetic energies at a sizable fraction of the turbulent kinetic energy. Although fluctuation dynamo is widely studied within the framework of resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and driven-turbulence numerical simulations, this work explores the difference when the Hall term is included in the magneto-fluid's generalized Ohm's law. The inclusion is motivated in part by recent high energy-density plasma experiments studying fluctuation dynamo that are governed by an extended magnetohydrodynamics (xMHD) ansatz, which includes the Hall term. We first discuss the details of the Hall-MHD implementation in the FLASH code, the tool we use to model xMHD fluctuation dynamo. We then investigate the influence of the Hall term on the fluctuation dynamo in a three-dimensional periodic box, driven with stochastic forcing at the box scale. We compare cases with a Hall term of varying magnitude to no-Hall cases with respect to the magnetic field growth rate, saturation level, and magnetic field structure. The Hall-MHD fluctuation dynamo is found to saturate at lower magnetic energies and with fewer small-scale magnetic structures than the no-Hall cases. Both findings are consistent with the interpretation that the Hall term acts as an additional, non-linear transport term, akin to an enhanced turbulent diffusivity.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

Log-normal Superstatistics Reveals Statistical Resilience in the Panic Response of Confined Ants

We report the emergence of Log-normal Superstatistics in the collective motion of ants confined in a quasi-2D arena and exposed to a panic-inducing stimulus. A data-driven superstatistical Langevin model accurately reproduces the transition from stationary behavior to an organized escape response, characterized by non-Gaussian velocity distributions and a stochastic diffusion coefficient. Our findings show that danger information propagates via a memory-limited, cascade-like mechanism, resulting in a stable cluster formation despite individual memory constraints. These results indicate that a slowly varying diffusivity arises from the multiplicative combination of interaction-mediated processes under confinement, leading naturally to Log-normal fluctuations. The persistence of this statistical structure under panic reveals a form of collective resilience, establishing a mechanistic bridge between Superstatistics and living active matter in confined environments.

q-bio.PE↗

arXiv2026

Measurement of ion acceleration and diffusion in a laser-driven magnetized plasma

Here we present results from an experiment performed at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research. A mono-energetic beam of chromium ions with initial energies of $\sim 450$ MeV was fired through a magnetized interaction region formed by the collision of two counter-propagating laser-ablated plasma jets. While laser interferometry revealed the absence of strong fluid-scale turbulence, acceleration and diffusion of the beam ions was driven by wave-particle interactions. A possible mechanism is particle acceleration by electrostatic, short scale length kinetic turbulence, such as the lower-hybrid drift instability.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Shock Wave Formation in Radiative Plasmas

The temporal evolution of weak shocks in radiative media is theoretically investigated in this work. The structure of radiative shocks has traditionally been studied in a stationary framework. Their systematic classification is complex because layers of optically thin and thick regions alternate to form a radiatively-driven precursor and a temperature-relaxation layer, between which the hydrodynamic shock is embedded. In this work, we analyze the formation of weak shocks when two radiative plasmas with different pressures are put in contact. Applying a reductive perturbative method yields a Burgers-type equation that governs the temporal evolution of the perturbed variables including the radiation field. The conditions upon which optically thin and thick solutions exist have been derived and expressed as a function of the shock strength and Boltzmann number. Below a certain Boltzmann number threshold, weak shocks always become optically thick asymptotically in time, while thin solutions appear as transitory structures. The existence of an optically thin regime is related to the presence of an overdense layer in the compressed material. Scaling laws for the characteristic formation time and shock width are provided for each regime. The theoretical analysis is supported by FLASH simulations, and a comprehensive test-case has been designed to benchmark radiative hydrodynamic codes.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Dynamic effect of electron-number parity in metal nanoparticles

Parity is a ubiquitous notion in science and serves as a fundamental principle for describing a physical system. Nanometer-scale metal objects are predicted to show dramatic differences in physical properties depending on the electron-number parity. However, the identification of the electron-number parity effects in real metal nanoparticles has remained elusive because of the variations in various features of nanoparticles. Here we report the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) detection of the dynamic effect of the electron-number parity in silver nanoparticles. With theoretical modeling of the NMR relaxation in silver nanoparticles, the measured nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate is found to be proportional to the electron-number-parity-dependent susceptibility and to the temperature. This observation demonstrates the electron-number-parity-governed spin dynamics in silver nanoparticles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

yupi: Generation, Tracking and Analysis of Trajectory data in Python

The study of trajectories is often a core task in several research fields. In environmental modelling, trajectories are crucial to study fluid pollution, animal migrations, oil slick patterns or land movements. In this contribution, we address the lack of standardization and integration existing in current approaches to handle trajectory data. Within this scenario, challenges extend from the extraction of a trajectory from raw sensor data to the application of mathematical tools for modeling or making inferences about populations and their environments. This work introduces a generic framework that addresses the problem as a whole, i.e., a software library to handle trajectory data. It contains a robust tracking module aiming at making data acquisition handy, artificial generation of trajectories powered by different stochastic models to aid comparisons among experimental and theoretical data, a statistical kit for analyzing patterns in groups of trajectories and other resources to speed up pre-processing of trajectory data. It is worth emphasizing that this library does not make assumptions about the nature of trajectories (e.g., those from GPS), which facilitates its usage across different disciplines. We validate the software by reproducing key results when modelling dynamical systems related to environmental modelling applications. An example script to facilitate reproduction is presented for each case.

stat.CO↗

arXiv2022

Performance characterization and near-realtime monitoring of MUSE adaptive optics modes at Paranal

The Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) is an integral field spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope Unit Telescope 4, capable of laser guide star assisted and tomographic adaptive optics using the GALACSI module. Its observing capabilities include a wide field (1 square arcmin), ground layer AO mode (WFM-AO) and a narrow field (7.5"x7.5"), laser tomography AO mode (NFM-AO). The latter has had several upgrades in the 4 years since commissioning, including an optimisation of the control matrices for the AO system and a new sub-electron noise detector for its infra-red low order wavefront sensor. We set out to quantify the NFM-AO system performance by analysing $\sim$230 spectrophotometric standard star observations taken over the last 3 years. To this end we expand upon previous work, designed to facilitate analysis of the WFM-AO system performance. We briefly describe the framework that will provide a user friendly, semi-automated way for system performance monitoring during science operations. We provide the results of our performance analysis, chiefly through the measured Strehl ratio and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the core of the point spread function (PSF) using two PSF models, and correlations with atmospheric conditions. These results will feed into a range of applications, including providing a more accurate prediction of the system performance as implemented in the exposure time calculator, and the associated optimization of the scientific output for a given set of limiting atmospheric conditions.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

Strong suppression of heat conduction in a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster turbulent plasmas

Galaxy clusters are filled with hot, diffuse X-ray emitting plasma, with a stochastically tangled magnetic field whose energy is close to equipartition with the energy of the turbulent motions \cite{zweibel1997, Vacca}. In the cluster cores, the temperatures remain anomalously high compared to what might be expected considering that the radiative cooling time is short relative to the Hubble time \cite{cowie1977,fabian1994}. While feedback from the central active galactic nuclei (AGN) \cite{fabian2012,birzan2012,churazov2000} is believed to provide most of the heating, there has been a long debate as to whether conduction of heat from the bulk to the core can help the core to reach the observed temperatures \cite{narayan2001,ruszkowski2002,kunz2011}, given the presence of tangled magnetic fields. Interestingly, evidence of very sharp temperature gradients in structures like cold fronts implies a high degree of suppression of thermal conduction \cite{markevitch2007}. To address the problem of thermal conduction in a magnetized and turbulent plasma, we have created a replica of such a system in a laser laboratory experiment. Our data show a reduction of local heat transport by two orders of magnitude or more, leading to strong temperature variations on small spatial scales, as is seen in cluster plasmas \cite{markevitch2003}.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

An autonomous robot for continuous tracking of millimetric-sized walkers

The precise and continuous tracking of millimetric-sized walkers --such as ants-- is quite important in behavioral studies. However, due to technical limitations, most studies concentrate on trajectories within arenas no more than 100 times bigger than the size of the walker or longer trajectories at the expense of either accuracy or continuity. Our work describes a scientific instrument designed to push the boundaries of precise and continuous motion analysis up to 1000 body lengths or more. It consists of a mobile robotic platform that uses Digital Image Processing techniques to track the targets in real time by calculating their spatial position. During the experiments, all the images are stored, and afterwards processed to estimate with higher precision the path traced by the walkers. Some preliminary results achieved using the proposed tracking system are presented.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2016

Preliminary quantification of freely exploring Atta insularis

In this paper, we study the "free exploration" of individual ants of the species Atta insularis, i.e., their motion on a featureless flat, horizontal surface. Two basic preliminary results emerge from our work (a) the free exploration is super-diffusive and (b) ants tend to turn more frequently to the left than to the right -so we call them "let-handed"-. More statistics is needed, however, to confirm those findings.

q-bio.QM↗

arXiv2016

Persistence of slow fluctuations in the overdoped regime of Ba(Fe1-xRhx)2As2 superconductors

We present nuclear magnetic resonance evidence that very slow ($\leq 1$ MHz) spin fluctuations persist into the overdoped regime of Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Rh$_{x}$)$_2$As$_2$ superconductors. Measurements of the $^{75}$As spin echo decay rate, obtained both with Hahn Echo and Carr Purcell Meiboom Gill pulse sequences, show that the slowing down of spin fluctuations can be described by short-range diffusive dynamics, likely involving domain walls motions separating $(π/a,0)$ from $(0,π/a)$ correlated regions. This slowing down of the fluctuations is weakly sensitive to the external magnetic field and, although fading away with doping, it extends deeply into the overdoped regime.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Uninformed sacrifice: evidence against long-range alarm transmission in foraging ants exposed to a localized perturbation

It is well stablished that danger information can be transmitted by ants through relatively small distances, provoking either a state of alarm when they move away from potentially dangerous stimulus, or charge toward it aggressively. There is almost no knowledge if danger information can be transmitted along large distances. In this paper, we perturb leaf cutting ants of the species Atta insularis while they forage in their natural evioronment at a certain point of the foraging line, so ants make a "U" turn to escape from the danger zone and go back to the nest. Our results strongly suggest that those ants do not transmit "danger information" to other nestmates marching towards the danger area. The individualistic behavior of the ants returning from the danger zone results in a depression of the foraging activity due to the systematic sacrifice of non-informed individuals.

q-bio.PE↗

arXiv2013

Evidence of unconventional low-frequency dynamics in the normal phase of Ba(Fe1-xRhx)2As2 iron-based supercondutors

This work presents 75As NMR spin echo decay rate (1/T2) measurements in Ba(Fe1-xRhx)2As2 superconductors, for 0.041 < x < 0.094. It is shown that 1/T2 increases upon cooling, in the normal phase, suggesting the onset of an unconventional very low-frequency activated dynamic. The correlation times of the fluctuations and their energy barriers are derived. The motion is favored at large Rh content, while it is hindered by the application of a magnetic field perpendicular to the FeAs layers. The same dynamic is observed in the spin-lattice relaxation rate, in a quantitatively consistent manner. These results are discussed in the light of nematic fluctuations involving domain wall motion. The analogies with the behaviour observed in the cuprates are also outlined.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Synthesis of ReN3 thin films by magnetron sputtering

Recently was reported a novel compound between rhenium and nitrogen, announced with ReN2 composition. This compound was synthesized by the high temperature and high pressure method. We found that the diffraction peaks of this compound are in agreement with the x-ray pattern of a rhenium-nitrogen film, under the assumption that the film is oriented on the substrate. The film was prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering, at room temperature, and deposited on a silicon wafer. From the analysis of the diffractograms it could be concluded that both materials share the same structure. By density functional calculation was found that the composition could be ReN3, instead of ReN2, as stated before. The ReN3 fits in the Ama2 (40) orthorhombic space group, and by the existence of N3 anions it should be categorized as an azide; that is, a nitrogen-rich compound. To reach high nitrogen concentrations by sputtering a crucial step is the target-poisoning. Under this regime of deposition is ensured that the compound is formed simultaneously on the substrate and the target. The poisoned target is rarely used because of a reduced sputtering yield, but as shall see, it can be used as a novel synthetic technique.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2009

139La NMR evidence for phase solitons in the ground state of overdoped manganites

Hole doped transition metal oxides are famous due to their extraordinary charge transport properties, such as high temperature superconductivity (cuprates) and colossal magnetoresistance (manganites). Astonishing, the mother system of these compounds is a Mott insulator, whereas important role in the establishment of the metallic or superconducting state is played by the way that holes are self-organized with doping. Experiments have shown that by adding holes the insulating phase breaks into antiferromagnetic (AFM) regions, which are separated by hole rich clumps (stripes) with a rapid change of the phase of the background spins and orbitals. However, recent experiments in overdoped manganites of the La(1-x)Ca(x)MnO(3) (LCMO) family have shown that instead of charge stripes, charge in these systems is organized in a uniform charge density wave (CDW). Besides, recent theoretical works predicted that the ground state is inhomogeneously modulated by orbital and charge solitons, i.e. narrow regions carrying charge (+/-)e/2, where the orbital arrangement varies very rapidly. So far, this has been only a theoretical prediction. Here, by using 139La Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) we provide direct evidence that the ground state of overdoped LCMO is indeed solitonic. By lowering temperature the narrow NMR spectra observed in the AFM phase are shown to wipe out, while for T<30K a very broad spectrum reappears, characteristic of an incommensurate (IC) charge and spin modulation. Remarkably, by further decreasing temperature, a relatively narrow feature emerges from the broad IC NMR signal, manifesting the formation of a solitonic modulation as T->0.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Critical properties of the S=1 spin dimer compound Ba3Mn2O8

Ba3Mn2O8 is a hexagonally coordinated Mn5+ S=1 spin dimer system with small uniaxial single-ion anisotropy. 135,137Ba NMR spectroscopy is used to establish the lower critical field Hc1 of distinct field-induced phases for H parallel to c,H perpendicular to c, and measure the longitudinal (Ml) and transverse (Mt) magnetizations in the vicinity of the quantum critical point (QCP). Ml_parallel (T, Hc1), Ml_perpendicular (T, Hc1) are reproduced by solving a low-energy model for a dilute gas of interacting bosons. Ml_parallel(T goes to 0, H = Hc1) (Ml_perpendicular(T goes to 0, H = Hc1)) follows the expectation for a BEC (Ising-like) QCP.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

Ultrafast non-linear optical signal from a single quantum dot: exciton and biexciton effects

We present results on both the intensity and phase-dynamics of the transient non-linear optical response of a single quantum dot (SQD). The time evolution of the Four Wave Mixing (FWM) signal on a subpicosecond time scale is dominated by biexciton effects. In particular, for the cross-polarized excitation case a biexciton bound state is found. In this latter case, mean-field results are shown to give a poor description of the non-linear optical signal at small times. By properly treating exciton-exciton effects in a SQD, coherent oscillations in the FWM signal are clearly demonstrated. These oscillations, with a period corresponding to the inverse of the biexciton binding energy, are correlated with the phase dynamics of the system's polarization giving clear signatures of non-Markovian effects in the ultrafast regime.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗