arXiv subjects

B. Li

Publications and source records attributed to B. Li.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

Euclid preparation LXIII. Simulations and nonlinearities beyond $Λ$CDM. 2. Results from non-standard simulations

The Euclid mission will measure cosmological parameters with unprecedented precision. To distinguish between cosmological models, it is essential to generate realistic mock observables from cosmological simulations that were run in both the standard $Λ$-cold-dark-matter ($Λ$CDM) paradigm and in many non-standard models beyond $Λ$CDM. We present the scientific results from a suite of cosmological N-body simulations using non-standard models including dynamical dark energy, k-essence, interacting dark energy, modified gravity, massive neutrinos, and primordial non-Gaussianities. We investigate how these models affect the large-scale-structure formation and evolution in addition to providing synthetic observables that can be used to test and constrain these models with Euclid data. We developed a custom pipeline based on the Rockstar halo finder and the nbodykit large-scale structure toolkit to analyse the particle output of non-standard simulations and generate mock observables such as halo and void catalogues, mass density fields, and power spectra in a consistent way. We compare these observables with those from the standard $Λ$CDM model and quantify the deviations. We find that non-standard cosmological models can leave significant imprints on the synthetic observables that we have generated. Our results demonstrate that non-standard cosmological N-body simulations provide valuable insights into the physics of dark energy and dark matter, which is essential to maximising the scientific return of Euclid.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Light-Emitting Microfibers from Lotus Root for Eco-friendly Optical Waveguides and Biosensing

Optical biosensors based on micro-/nano-fibers are highly valuable for probing and monitoring liquid environments and bioactivity. Most of current optical biosensors, however, are still based on glass, semiconductors, or metallic materials, which might be not fully suited for biologically-relevant environments. Here, we introduce biocompatible and flexible microfibers from Lotus silk as micro-environmental monitors that exhibit waveguiding of intrinsic fluorescence as well as of coupled light. These features make single-filament monitors excellent building blocks for a variety of sensing functions, including pH-probing and detection of bacterial activity. These results pave the way for the development of new and entirely eco-friendly, potentially multiplexed biosensing platforms.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

New insight into the Rapid Burster by Insight-HXMT

We report the timing and spectral analyses upon of the type II X-ray bursts from the Rapid Burster (MXB 1730--335) observed by Insight-HXMT and Swift/XRT. By stacking the long-duration bursts, we find for the first time that the hard X-rays are lagging than the soft X-rays by 3 seconds. However, such a lag is not visible for the short-duration bursts, probably because of the poor statistics. For all bursts the energy spectrum is found to be non-thermal, thanks to the broad band coverage of Insight-HXMT. These findings put new insights into the type-II bursts and require a temporally showing-up corona for possible interpretation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Constraints on $f(R)$ gravity from tSZE-selected SPT galaxy clusters and weak lensing mass calibration from DES and HST

We present constraints on the $f(R)$ gravity model using a sample of 1,005 galaxy clusters in the redshift range $0.25 - 1.78$ that have been selected through the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (tSZE) from South Pole Telescope (SPT) data and subjected to optical and near-infrared confirmation with the Multi-component Matched Filter (MCMF) algorithm. We employ weak gravitational lensing mass calibration from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Year 3 data for 688 clusters at $z < 0.95$ and from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) for 39 clusters with $0.6 < z < 1.7$. Our cluster sample is a powerful probe of $f(R)$ gravity, because this model predicts a scale-dependent enhancement in the growth of structure, which impacts the halo mass function (HMF) at cluster mass scales. To account for these modified gravity effects on the HMF, our analysis employs a semi-analytical approach calibrated with numerical simulations. Combining calibrated cluster counts with primary cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization anisotropy measurements from the Planck2018 release, we derive robust constraints on the $f(R)$ parameter $f_{R0}$. Our results, $\log_{10} |f_{R0}| < -5.32$ at the 95 % credible level, are the tightest current constraints on $f(R)$ gravity from cosmological scales. This upper limit rules out $f(R)$-like deviations from general relativity that result in more than a $\sim$20 % enhancement of the cluster population on mass scales $M_\mathrm{200c}>3\times10^{14}M_\odot$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Characterization of the optical model of the T2K 3D segmented plastic scintillator detector

The magnetised near detector (ND280) of the T2K long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment has been recently upgraded aiming to satisfy the requirement of reducing the systematic uncertainty from measuring the neutrinonucleus interaction cross section, which is the largest systematic uncertainty in the search for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation. A key component of the upgrade is SuperFGD, a 3D segmented plastic scintillator detector made of approximately 2,000,000 optically-isolated 1 cm3 cubes. It will provide a 3D image of GeV neutrino interactions by combining tracking and stopping power measurements of final state particles with sub-nanosecond time resolution. The performance of SuperFGD is characterized by the precision of its response to charged particles as well as the systematic effects that might affect the physics measurements. Hence, a detailed Geant4 based optical simulation of the SuperFGD building block, i.e. a plastic scintillating cube read out by three wavelength shifting fibers, has been developed and validated with the different datasets collected in various beam tests. In this manuscript the description of the optical model as well as the comparison with data are reported.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Entanglement in multinucleon transfer reactions

Nuclear reactions present an interesting case for studies of the time-evolution of entanglement between complex quantum systems. In this work, the time-dependent nuclear density functional theory is employed to explore entanglement in multinucleon transfer reactions. As an illustrative example, for the reaction $^{40}$Ca $+$ $^{208}$Pb at $E_{\rm lab} = 249$ MeV, in the interval of impact parameters $4.65-7.40$ fm, and the relativistic density functional PC-PK1, we compute the von Neumann entropies, entanglement between fragments, nucleon-number fluctuations, and Shannon entropy for the nucleon-number observable. A simple linear correlation is established between the entanglement and nucleon-number fluctuation of the final fragments. The entanglement between the fragments can be related to the corresponding excitation energies and angular momenta. The relationship between the von Neumann entropy and the Shannon entropy for the nucleon-number observable is analyzed, as well as the time-evolution of the entanglement (nucleon-number fluctuation). The entanglement is also calculated for a range of incident energies and it is shown how, depending on the impact parameter, the entanglement increases with the collision energy.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2024

Time-dependent density functional theory study of induced-fission dynamics of $^{226}$Th

A microscopic finite-temperature model based on time-dependent nuclear density functional theory (TDDFT), is employed to study the induced-fission process of $^{226}$Th. The saddle-to-scission dynamics of this process is explored, starting from various points on the deformation surface of Helmholtz free energy at a temperature that corresponds to the experimental excitation energy, and following self-consistent isentropic fission trajectories as they evolve toward scission. Dissipation effects and the formation of excited fragments are investigated and, in particular, the difference in the evolution of the local temperature along asymmetric and symmetric fission trajectories. The relative entropies and entanglement between fission fragments emerging at scission are analyzed.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2024

Euclid preparation. Simulations and nonlinearities beyond $Λ$CDM. 1. Numerical methods and validation

To constrain models beyond $Λ$CDM, the development of the Euclid analysis pipeline requires simulations that capture the nonlinear phenomenology of such models. We present an overview of numerical methods and $N$-body simulation codes developed to study the nonlinear regime of structure formation in alternative dark energy and modified gravity theories. We review a variety of numerical techniques and approximations employed in cosmological $N$-body simulations to model the complex phenomenology of scenarios beyond $Λ$CDM. This includes discussions on solving nonlinear field equations, accounting for fifth forces, and implementing screening mechanisms. Furthermore, we conduct a code comparison exercise to assess the reliability and convergence of different simulation codes across a range of models. Our analysis demonstrates a high degree of agreement among the outputs of different simulation codes, providing confidence in current numerical methods for modelling cosmic structure formation beyond $Λ$CDM. We highlight recent advances made in simulating the nonlinear scales of structure formation, which are essential for leveraging the full scientific potential of the forthcoming observational data from the Euclid mission.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Gapless spin excitations in a quantum spin liquid state of S=1/2 perfect kagome antiferromagnet

Quantum spin liquids (QSLs) represent an exotic quantum many-body state characterized by the suppression of long-range magnetic order due to strong quantum fluctuations. The kagome spin-1/2 antiferromagnet (AFM) is a prime candidate for realizing QSLs, but its ground state remains an unresolved conundrum. Here we investigate the recently discovered perfect kagome AFM YCu$_3$(OH)$_{6.5}$Br$_{2.5}$ to elucidate two central enigmas surrounding the kagome AFM. Ultra-sensitive torque magnetometry experiments reveal that the intrinsic magnetic susceptibility arising from the kagome layer remains nearly temperature-independent down to exceedingly low temperatures. This observation seemingly implies the emergence of gapless fermionic spin excitations akin to Pauli paramagnetism in metals. However, most strikingly, these results stand in stark contrast to the conspicuous absence of a temperature-linear contribution to the specific heat. These findings appear irreconcilable with the widely-discussed theoretical frameworks assuming fermionic quasiparticles (QPs), instead suggesting a transition of bosonic QPs into a superfluid state with a gapless Goldstone mode. Furthermore, magnetocaloric measurements evince an entropy anomaly, constituting thermodynamic evidence that magnetic fields instigate the opening of a spin gap, driving a quantum phase transition into a 1/9 magnetization plateau state. These results shed light on the nature of the low-energy excitations in zero and strong magnetic fields, providing crucial insights into the long-standing unresolved issues of the ground state of the kagome AFM.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

On the superconducting gap structure of the miassite Rh17S15: Nodal or nodeless?

Recent penetration depth measurement claimed the observation of unconventional superconductivity in the miassite Rh$_{17}$S$_{15}$ single crystals, evidenced by the linear-in-temperature penetration depth at low temperatures, thereby arguing for the presence of the lines of node in its superconducting gap structure. Here we measure the thermal conductivity of Rh$_{17}$S$_{15}$ single crystals down to 110 mK and up to a field of 8 T ($\simeq 0.4H{\rm_{c2}}$). In marked contrast to the penetration depth measurement, we observe a negligible residual linear term $κ_0/T$ in zero field, in line with the nodeless gap structure. The field dependence of $κ_0(H)/T$ shows a profile that is more consistent with either a highly anisotropic gap structure or multiple nodeless gaps with significantly different magnitudes. Moreover, first-principles calculations give two electronic bands with complex shape of Fermi surfaces. These results suggest multigap nodeless superconductivity in this multiband Rh$_{17}$S$_{15}$ superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Euclid: The search for primordial features

Primordial features, in particular oscillatory signals, imprinted in the primordial power spectrum of density perturbations represent a clear window of opportunity for detecting new physics at high-energy scales. Future spectroscopic and photometric measurements from the $Euclid$ space mission will provide unique constraints on the primordial power spectrum, thanks to the redshift coverage and high-accuracy measurement of nonlinear scales, thus allowing us to investigate deviations from the standard power-law primordial power spectrum. We consider two models with primordial undamped oscillations superimposed on the matter power spectrum, one linearly spaced in $k$-space the other logarithmically spaced in $k$-space. We forecast uncertainties applying a Fisher matrix method to spectroscopic galaxy clustering, weak lensing, photometric galaxy clustering, cross correlation between photometric probes, spectroscopic galaxy clustering bispectrum, CMB temperature and $E$-mode polarization, temperature-polarization cross correlation, and CMB weak lensing. We also study a nonlinear density reconstruction method to retrieve the oscillatory signals in the primordial power spectrum. We find the following percentage relative errors in the feature amplitude with $Euclid$ primary probes for the linear (logarithmic) feature model: 21% (22%) in the pessimistic settings and 18% (18%) in the optimistic settings at 68.3% confidence level (CL) using GC$_{\rm sp}$+WL+GC$_{\rm ph}$+XC. Combining all the sources of information explored expected from $Euclid$ in combination with future SO-like CMB experiment, we forecast ${\cal A}_{\rm lin} \simeq 0.010 \pm 0.001$ at 68.3% CL and ${\cal A}_{\rm log} \simeq 0.010 \pm 0.001$ for GC$_{\rm sp}$(PS rec + BS)+WL+GC$_{\rm ph}$+XC+SO-like both for the optimistic and pessimistic settings over the frequency range $(1,\,10^{2.1})$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Ternary quasifission in collisions of actinide nuclei

The microscopic framework of time-dependent covariant density functional theory is applied to a systematic study of ternary quasifission in collisions of pairs of $^{238}$U nuclei. It is shown that the inclusion of octupole degree of freedom in the case of head-to-head collisions, extends the energy window in which ternary quasifission occurs, and greatly enhances the number of nucleons contained in a middle fragment. Dynamical pairing correlations, included here in the time-dependent BCS approximation, prevent the occurrence of ternary quasifission in head-to-head collisions, and have an effect on the location of the energy window in which a middle fragment is formed in tail-to-tail collisions. In the latter case, as well as for tail-to-side collisions, the formation of very heavy neutron-rich systems in certain energy intervals is predicted.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2024

Generalized time-dependent generator coordinate method for induced fission dynamics

The generalized time-dependent generator coordinate method (TD-GCM) is extended to include pairing correlations. The correlated GCM nuclear wave function is expressed in terms of time-dependent generator states and weight functions. The particle-hole channel of the effective interaction is determined by a Hamiltonian derived from an energy density functional, while pairing is treated dynamically in the standard BCS approximation with time-dependent pairing tensor and single-particle occupation probabilities. With the inclusion of pairing correlations, various time-dependent phenomena in open-shell nuclei can be described more realistically. The model is applied to the description of saddle-to-scission dynamics of induced fission. The generalized TDGCM charge yields and total kinetic energy distribution for the fission of 240Pu, are compared to those obtained using the standard time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach, and with available data.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2023

Multiple superconducting phases driven by pressure in the topological insulator GeSb4Te7

Tuning superconductivity in topological materials by means of chemical substitution, electrostatic gating, or pressure is thought to be an effective route towards realizing topological superconductivity with their inherent Majorana fermions, the manipulation of which may form the basis for future topological quantum computing. It has recently been established that the pseudo-binary chalcogenides (ACh)m(Pn2Ch3)n (A = Ge, Mn, Pb, etc.; Pn = Sb or Bi; Ch = Te, Se) may host novel topological quantum states such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect and topological axion states. Here we map out the phase diagram of one member in this series, the topological insulator candidate GeSb4Te7 up to pressures of ~35 GPa, through a combination of electrical resistance measurements, Raman spectroscopy, as well as first-principles calculations. Three distinct superconducting phases emerge under the pressure above ~11, ~17, and ~31 GPa, which are accompanied by concomitant structural transitions, evidenced from the changes in the Raman modes. The first-principles calculations validate the existence of a topological insulating state at ambient pressure and predict two possible structural transitions at 10 and 17 GPa, in agreement with the experimental observations. Overall, our results establish the GeSb4Te7 family of materials as a fertile arena for further exploring various topological phenomena, including topological phase transitions and putative topological superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Searching for X-Ray Counterparts of Degree Wide TeV Halos Around Middle-Aged Pulsars with SRG/eROSITA

Context. Extended gamma-ray TeV emission (TeV halos) around middle-aged pulsars has been detected. A proposed model to explain these TeV halos is that electrons from a degree-wide Pulsar Wind Nebula (PWN) get up-scattered by cosmic microwave background photons through inverse Compton processes. However, no X-ray degree-wide faint diffuse PWNe have been found around these middle-aged pulsars in previous X-ray observations. Aims. We have performed a search for degree wide PWNe around Geminga, PSR B0656+14, B0540+23, J0633+0632, and J0631+1036, using data from the first four consecutive Spectrum Roentgen Gamma/eROSITA all-sky surveys. In order to better understand the mechanisms underlying the formation of TeV halos, we investigated the magnetic field strength in the degree wide neighbourhood of those pulsars. Results. We did not detect degree-wide diffuse emission around Geminga, PSR B0656+14, B0540+23, J0633+0632, and J0631+1036, which can be attributed to being powered by the rotation-powered pulsars. Indeed, a close inspection of the data shows that the pulsars of interest are all embedded in diffuse emission from supernova remnants like the Monogem Ring or the Rosetta Nebula, while PSR B0540+23 is located ~2.5 degrees away from the bright Crab pulsar, which shines out the eROSITA point-spread function up to the position of PSR B0540+23 and thus reduced the sensitivity to search for degree wide bright diffuse X-ray emission strongly. Conclusions. Despite the non-detection of any degree-wide PWN surrounding the analysed pulsars, we set flux upper limits to provide useful information on magnetic field strength and its spatial distribution around those pulsars, providing additional constraints to the proposed theory for the formation of TeV halos around pulsars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Emergent spin-gapped magnetization plateaus in a spin-1/2 perfect kagome antiferromagnet

The two-dimensional (2D) spin-1/2 kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet is believed to host quantum spin liquid (QSL) states with no magnetic order, but its ground state remains largely elusive. An important outstanding question concerns the presence or absence of the 1/9 magnetization plateau, where exotic quantum states, including topological ones, are expected to emerge. Here we report the magnetization of a recently discovered kagome QSL candidate YCu$_3$(OH)$_{6.5}$Br$_{2.5}$ up to 57 T. Above 50 T, a clear magnetization plateau at 1/3 of the saturation moment of Cu$^{2+}$ ions is observed, supporting that this material provides an ideal platform for the kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet. Remarkably, we found another magnetization plateau around 20 T, which is attributed to the 1/9 plateau. The temperature dependence of this plateau reveals the distinct spin gap, whose magnitude estimated by the plateau width is approximately 10% of the exchange interaction. The observation of 1/9 and 1/3 plateaus highlights the emergence of novel states in quantum spin systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

ZrOsSi: A $Z_2$ topological metal with a superconducting ground state

The silicide superconductors (Ta, Nb, Zr)OsSi are among the best candidate materials for investigating the interplay of topological order and superconductivity. Here, we investigate in detail the normal-state topological properties of (Ta, Nb, Zr)OsSi, focusing on ZrOsSi, by employing a combination of $^{29}$Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and first-principles band-structure calculations. We show that, while (Ta, Nb)OsSi behave as almost ideal metals, characterized by weak electronic correlations and a relatively low density of states, the replacement of Ta (or Nb) with Zr expands the crystal lattice and shifts ZrOsSi towards an insulator. Our ab initio calculations indicate that ZrOsSi is a $Z_2$ topological metal with clear surface Dirac cones and properties similar to a doped strong topological insulator.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Euclid: Modelling massive neutrinos in cosmology -- a code comparison

The measurement of the absolute neutrino mass scale from cosmological large-scale clustering data is one of the key science goals of the Euclid mission. Such a measurement relies on precise modelling of the impact of neutrinos on structure formation, which can be studied with $N$-body simulations. Here we present the results from a major code comparison effort to establish the maturity and reliability of numerical methods for treating massive neutrinos. The comparison includes eleven full $N$-body implementations (not all of them independent), two $N$-body schemes with approximate time integration, and four additional codes that directly predict or emulate the matter power spectrum. Using a common set of initial data we quantify the relative agreement on the nonlinear power spectrum of cold dark matter and baryons and, for the $N$-body codes, also the relative agreement on the bispectrum, halo mass function, and halo bias. We find that the different numerical implementations produce fully consistent results. We can therefore be confident that we can model the impact of massive neutrinos at the sub-percent level in the most common summary statistics. We also provide a code validation pipeline for future reference.

astro-ph.CO↗