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B. Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to B. Zhou.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Energy Spectrum of Cosmic Protons and Helium Nuclei by a Hybrid Measurement at 4300 m a.s.l

The energy spectrum of cosmic Hydrogen and Helium nuclei has been measured, below the so-called "knee", by using a hybrid experiment with a wide field-of-view Cherenkov telescope and the Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) array of the ARGO-YBJ experiment at 4300 m above sea level. The Hydrogen and Helium nuclei have been well separated from other cosmic ray components by using a multi-parameter technique. A highly uniform energy resolution of about 25% is achieved throughout the whole energy range (100 TeV - 700 TeV). The observed energy spectrum is compatible with a single power law with index gamma=-2.63+/-0.06.

astro-ph.HE↗

One-dimensional $α$ condensation of $α$-linear-chain states in ${^{12}{\rm C}}$ and ${^{16}{\rm O}}$

We present a new picture that the $α$-linear-chain structure for ${^{12}{\rm C}}$ and ${^{16}{\rm O}}$ has one-dimensional $α$ condensate character. The wave functions of linear-chain states which are described by superposing a large number of Brink wave functions have extremely large overlaps of nearly $100\%$ with single Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-Röpke (THSR) wave functions, which were proposed to describe the $α$ condensed "gas-like" states. Although this new picture is different from the conventional idea of the spatial localization of $α$ clusters, the density distributions are shown to have localized $α$-clusters which is due to the inter-$α$ Pauli repulsion.

nucl-th↗

Discovery of a Three-dimensional Topological Dirac Semimetal, Na3Bi

Three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) represent a novel state of quantum matter that can be viewed as '3D graphene'. In contrast to two-dimensional (2D) Dirac fermions in graphene or on the surface of 3D topological insulators, TDSs possess 3D Dirac fermions in the bulk. The TDS is also an important boundary state mediating numerous novel quantum states, such as topological insulators, Weyl semi-metals, Axion insulators and topological superconductors. By investigating the electronic structure of Na3Bi with angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we discovered 3D Dirac fermions with linear dispersions along all momentum directions for the first time. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the 3D Dirac fermions in Na3Bi were protected by the bulk crystal symmetry. Our results establish that Na3Bi is the first model system of 3D TDSs, which can also serve as an ideal platform for the systematic study of quantum phase transitions between rich novel topological quantum states.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

The study of neutron activation yields in spallation reaction of 400 MeV/u carbon on a thick lead target

The spallation-neutron yield was studied experimentally by bombarding a thick lead target with 400 MeV/u carbon beam. The data were obtained with the activation analysis method using foils of Au, Mn, Al, Fe and In. The yields of produced isotopes were deduced by analyzing the measured γ spectra of irradiated foils. According to the isotopes yields, the spatial and energy distributions of the neutron field were discussed. The experimental results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations performed by the GEANT4 + FLUKA code.

nucl-ex↗

Generating mid-IR octave-spanning supercontinua and few-cycle pulses with solitons in phase-mismatched quadratic nonlinear crystals

We discuss a novel method for generating octave-spanning supercontinua and few-cycle pulses in the important mid-IR wavelength range. The technique relies on strongly phase-mismatched cascaded second-harmonic generation (SHG) in mid-IR nonlinear frequency conversion crystals. Importantly we here investigate the so-called noncritical SHG case, where no phase matching can be achieved but as a compensation the largest quadratic nonlinearities are exploited. A self-defocusing temporal soliton can be excited if the cascading nonlinearity is larger than the competing material self-focusing nonlinearity, and we define a suitable figure of merit to screen a wide range of mid-IR dielectric and semiconductor materials with large effective second-order nonlinearities $d_{\rm eff}$. The best candidates have simultaneously a large bandgap and a large $d_{\rm eff}$. We show selected realistic numerical examples using one of the promising crystals: in one case soliton pulse compression from 50 fs to 15 fs (1.5 cycles) at $3.0\mic$ is achieved, and at the same time a 3-cycle dispersive wave at $5.0\mic$ is formed that can be isolated using a long-pass filter. In another example we show that extremely broadband supercontinua can form spanning the near-IR to the end of the mid-IR (nearly 4 octaves).

physics.optics↗

Studies on fast triggering and high precision tracking with Resistive Plate Chambers

We report on studies of fast triggering and high-precision tracking using Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs). Two beam tests were carried out with the 180 GeV muon beam at CERN using RPCs with gas gaps of 1.00 or 1.15 mm and equipped with readout strips with 1.27 mm pitch. This is the first beam test of RPCs with fine-pitch readout strips that explores simultaneously precision tracking and triggering capabilities. RPC signals were acquired with precision timing and charge integrating readout electronics at both ends of the strips. The time resolution was measured to be better than 600 ps and the average spatial resolution was found to be 220 um using charge information and 287 um using timing information. The dual-ended readout allows the determination of the average and the difference of the signal arrival times. The average time was found to be independent of the incident particle position along the strip and is useful for triggering purposes. The time difference yielded a determination of the hit position with a precision of 7.5 mm along the strip. These results demonstrate the feasibility using RPCs for fast and high-resolution triggering and tracking.

physics.ins-det↗

Properties and Performance of Two Wide Field of View Cherenkov/Fluorescence Telescope Array Prototypes

A wide field of view Cherenkov/fluorescence telescope array is one of the main components of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory project. To serve as Cherenkov and fluorescence detectors, a flexible and mobile design is adopted for easy reconfiguring of the telescope array. Two prototype telescopes have been constructed and successfully run at the site of the ARGO-YBJ experiment in Tibet. The features and performance of the telescopes are presented.

physics.ins-det↗

Streamlined Calibrations of the ATLAS Precision Muon Chambers for Initial LHC Running

The ATLAS Muon Spectrometer is designed to measure the momentum of muons with a resolution of dp/p = 3% and 10% at 100 GeV and 1 TeV momentum respectively. For this task, the spectrometer employs 355,000 Monitored Drift Tubes (MDTs) arrayed in 1200 Chambers. Calibration (RT) functions convert drift time measurements into tube-centered impact parameters for track segment reconstruction. RT functions depend on MDT environmental parameters and so must be appropriately calibrated for local chamber conditions. We report on the creation and application of a gas monitor system based calibration program for muon track reconstruction in the LHC startup phase.

physics.ins-det↗

The orbital characters of bands in iron-based superconductor BaFe1.85Co0.15As2

The unconventional superconductivity in the newly discovered iron-based superconductors is intimately related to its multi-band/multi-orbital nature. Here we report the comprehensive orbital characters of the low-energy three-dimensional electronic structure in BaFe$_{1.85}$Co$_{0.15}$As$_2$ by studying the polarization and photon energy dependence of angle-resolved photoemission data. While the distributions of the $d_{xz}$, $d_{yz}$, and $d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbitals agree with the prediction of density functional theory, those of the $d_{xy}$ and $d_{x^2-y^2}$ orbitals show remarkable disagreement with theory. Our results point out the inadequacy of the existing band structure calculations, and more importantly, provide a foundation for constructing the correct microscopic model of iron pnictides.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Geometry and optics calibration of WFCTA prototype telescopes using star light

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory project is proposed to study high energy gamma ray astronomy ( 40 GeV-1 PeV ) and cosmic ray physics ( 20 TeV-1 EeV ). The wide field of view Cherenkov telescope array, as a component of the LHAASO project, will be used to study energy spectrum and compositions of cosmic ray by measuring the total Cherenkov light generated by air showers and shower maximum depth. Two prototype telescopes have been in operation since 2008. The pointing accuracy of each telescope is crucial to the direction reconstruction of the primary particles. On the other hand the primary energy reconstruction relies on the shape of the Cherenkov image on the camera and the unrecorded photons due to the imperfect connections between photomultiplier tubes. UV bright stars are used as point-like objects to calibrate the pointing and to study the optical properties of the camera, the spot size and the fractions of unrecorded photons in the insensitive areas of the camera.

astro-ph.IM↗

Out-of-plane momentum and symmetry dependent superconducting gap in Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2

The three-dimensional band structure and superconducting gap of Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 are studied with high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. In contrast to previous results, we have identified three hole-like Fermi surfaces near the zone center with sizable out-of-plane or kz dispersion. The superconducting gap on certain Fermi surface shows significant kz-dependence. Moreover, we found that the superconducting gap sizes are different at the same Fermi momentum for two bands with different spatial symmetries (one odd, one even). Our results provide further information on the rich superconducting gap structure in iron pnictides, and a distinct test for theories.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Electronic structure reconstruction: the driving force behind the magnetic and structural transitions in NaFeAs

The electronic structure of NaFeAs is studied with angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy on high quality single crystals. Large portions of the band structure start to shift around the structural transition temperature, and smoothly evolve as the temperature lowers through the spin density wave transition. Moreover, band folding due to magnetic order emerges around structural transition. Our observation provides direct evidence that the structural and magnetic transitions share the same origin, and are both driven by the electronic structure reconstruction in Fe-based superconductors, instead of Fermi surface nesting.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Mossbauer spectroscopy study of the "mysterious" magnetic transition in lambda-(BETS)2FeCl4

The compound lambda-(BETS)2FeCl4 provides an effective demonstration of the interaction of pi-conduction electron and d-electron localized moment systems in molecular crystalline materials where antiferromagnetic insulating and magnetic field induced superconducting states can be realized. The metal-insulator transition has been thought to be cooperative, involving both the itinerant pi- electron and localized d-electron spins where antiferromagnetic order appears in both systems simultaneously. However, recent specific heat data has indicated otherwise [Akiba et al., J. Phys. Soc. Japan 78,033601(2009)]: although the pi-electron system orders antiferromagnetically and produces a metal-insulator transition, a "mysterious" paramagnetic d-electron state remains. We report 57Fe Mossbauer measurements that support the paramagnetic model, provided the d-electron spins remain in a fast relaxation state below the transition. From the measured hyperfine fields, we also determine the temperature dependence of the pi-d electron exchange field.

cond-mat.str-el↗

High-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering studies of the state-resolved differential cross-section of Compton excitations in helium atoms

The state-resolved differential cross sections for both the 1s2 1S0 - 1s2s 1S0 monopolar transition and the 1s2 1S0 - 1s2p 1P1 dipolar transition of atomic helium have been measured over a large momentum transfer region by the high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) for the first time. The almost perfect match of the present measurement with the theoretical calculations gives a stringent test of the theoretical method and the calculated wavefunctions. Our results demonstrate that high-resolution IXS is a powerful tool for studying the excitations in atoms and molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗

Primary role of the barely occupied states in the charge density wave formation of NbSe2

NbSe2 is a prototypical charge-density-wave (CDW) material, whose mechanism remains mysterious so far. With angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we mapped out the CDW gap and recovered the long-lost nesting condition over a large broken-honeycomb region in the Brillouin zone, which consists of six saddle band point regions with high density of states (DOS), and large regions away from Fermi surface with negligible DOS at the Fermi energy. We show that the major contributions to the CDW come from these barely occupied states rather than the saddle band points. Our findings not only resolve a long standing puzzle, but also overthrow the conventional wisdom that CDW is dominated by regions with high DOS.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Correlation effects of exchange splitting and coexistence of spin-density-wave and superconductivity in single crystalline Sr1-xKxFe2As2

The nature of spin-density wave and its relation with superconductivity are crucial issues in the newly discovered Fe-based high temperature superconductors. Particularly it is unclear whether the superconducting phase and spin density wave (SDW) are truly exclusive from each other as suggested by certain experiments. With angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we here report exchange splittings of the band structures in Sr1-xKxFe2As2 (x=0,0.1,0.2), and the non-rigid-band behaviors of the splitting. Our data on single crystalline superconducting samples unambiguously prove that SDW and superconductivity could coexist in iron-pnictides.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Electronic structure and exotic exchange splitting in spin-density-wave states of BaFe$_2$As$_2$

The magnetic properties in the parent compounds are often intimately related to the microscopic mechanism of superconductivity. Here we report the first direct measurements on the electronic structure of a parent compound of the newly discovered iron-based superconductor, BaFe$_2$As$_2$, which provides a foundation for further studies. We show that the energy of the spin density wave (SDW) in BaFe$_2$As$_2$ is lowered through exotic exchange splitting of the band structure, rather than Fermi surface nesting of itinerant electrons. This clearly demonstrates that a metallic SDW state could be solely induced by interactions of local magnetic moments, resembling the nature of antiferromagnetic order in cuprate parent compounds.

cond-mat.supr-con↗