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C. Barton

Publications and source records attributed to C. Barton.

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Materials for Quantum Technologies: a Roadmap for Spin and Topology

In this Perspective article, we explore some of the promising spin and topology material platforms (e.g. spins in semi- and superconductors, skyrmionic, topological and 2D materials) being developed for such quantum components as qubits, superconducting memories, sensing, and metrological standards and discuss their figures of merit. Spin- and topology-related quantum phenomena have several advantages, including high coherence time, topological protection and stability, low error rate, relative ease of engineering and control, simple initiation and read-out. However, the relevant technologies are at different stages of research and development, and here we discuss their state-of-the-art, potential applications, challenges and solutions.

cond-mat.mes-hall

The impact of $^{17}$O$+\alpha$ reaction rate uncertainties on the s-process in rotating massive stars

Massive stars are crucial to galactic chemical evolution for elements heavier than iron. Their contribution at early times in the evolution of the Universe, however, is unclear due to poorly constrained nuclear reaction rates. The competing $^{17}$O($\alpha,\gamma$)$^{21}$Ne and $^{17}$O($\alpha,n$)$^{20}$Ne reactions strongly impact weak s-process yields from rotating massive stars at low metallicities. Abundant $^{16}$O absorbs neutrons, removing flux from the s-process, and producing $^{17}$O. The $^{17}$O($\alpha,n$)$^{20}$Ne reaction releases neutrons, allowing continued s-process nucleosynthesis, if the $^{17}$O($\alpha,\gamma$)$^{21}$Ne reaction is sufficiently weak. While published rates are available, they are based on limited indirect experimental data for the relevant temperatures and, more importantly, no uncertainties are provided. The available nuclear physics has been evaluated, and combined with data from a new study of astrophysically relevant $^{21}$Ne states using the $^{20}$Ne($d,p$)$^{21}$Ne reaction. Constraints are placed on the ratio of the ($\alpha,n$)/($\alpha,\gamma$) reaction rates with uncertainties on the rates provided for the first time. The new rates favour the ($\alpha,n$) reaction and suggest that the weak s-process in rotating low-metallicity stars is likely to continue up to barium and, within the computed uncertainties, even to lead.

nucl-ex

Manipulation of magnetic skyrmions in continuous Ir/Co/Pt multilayers

We show that magnetic skyrmions can be stabilized at room temperature in continuous Ir/Co/Pt multilayers on SiO2/Si substrate without prior application of electric current or magnetic field. While decreasing the Co thickness, tuning of the magnetic anisotropy gives rise to a transition from worm-like domain patterns to long and separate stripes. The skyrmions are clearly imaged in both states using Magnetic Force Microscopy. The density of skyrmions can be significantly enhanced after applying the in-plane field procedure. In addition, we have investigated the phase diagram of a sample deposited in the same run, but onto a SiNx membrane using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. Interestingly, this sample shows a different behaviour as function of magnetic field hinting to the influence of strain on the phase diagram of skyrmions in thin film multilayers. Our results provide means to manipulate skyrmion, further allowing for optimized engineering of skyrmion-based devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Tailoring interfacial effect in multilayers with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction by helium ion irradiation

We show a method to control magnetic interfacial effects in multilayers with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) using helium (He$^{+}$) ion irradiation. We report results from SQUID magnetometry, ferromagnetic resonance as well as Brillouin light scattering results on multilayers with DMI as a function of irradiation fluence to study the effect of irradiation on the magnetic properties of the multilayers. Our results show clear evidence of the He$^{+}$ irradiation effects on the magnetic properties which is consistent with interface modification due to the effects of the He$^{+}$ irradiation. This external degree of freedom offers promising perspectives to further improve the control of magnetic skyrmions in multilayers, that could push them towards integration in future technologies.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Impact of statistical uncertainties on the composition of the outer crust of a neutron star

By means of Monte Carlo methods, we perform a full error analysis on the Duflo-Zucker mass model. In particular, we study the presence of correlations in the residuals to obtain a more realistic estimate of the error bars on the predicted binding energies. To further reduce the discrepancies between model prediction and experimental data we also apply a Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network. We show that the root mean square of the model further reduces of roughly 40\%. We then use the resulting models to predict the composition of the outer crust of a non accreting neutron star. We provide a first estimate of the impact of error propagation on the resulting equation of state of the system.

nucl-th