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C. Zhong

Publications and source records attributed to C. Zhong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Unveiling new quantum phases in the Shastry-Sutherland compound SrCu2(BO3)2up to the saturation magnetic field

Under magnetic fields, quantum magnets often undergo exotic phase transitions with various kinds of order. The discovery of a sequence of fractional magnetization plateaus in the Shastry-Sutherland compound SrCu2(BO3)2 has played a central role in the high-field research on quantum materials, but so far this system could only be probed up to half the saturation value of the magnetization. Here, we report the first experimental and theoretical investigation of this compound up to the saturation magnetic field of 140 T and beyond. Using ultrasound and magnetostriction techniques combined with extensive tensor-network calculations (iPEPS), several spin-supersolid phases are revealed between the 1/2 plateau and saturation (1/1 plateau). Quite remarkably, the sound velocity of the 1/2 plateau exhibits a drastic decrease of -50%, related to the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic instability of the checkerboard-type magnon crystal. The unveiled nature of this paradigmatic quantum system is a new milestone for exploring exotic quantum states of matter emerging in extreme conditions.

cond-mat.str-el

Study on SiPM performance at low temperatures between $-60^{\circ}$C and $-20^{\circ}$C

Radon is the main background source of dark matter and neutrino experiments. Radon concentration ($\rm mBq/m^3$) measurement by liquid scintillation detector is a highly sensitive method at low temperatures using silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) arrays. The SiPM performance characteristics are closely related to the lower detection limit of the detector. In this study, we built an automatic and accurate low-temperature measurement system to study the single photoelectron spectrum, SPE resolution, optical crosstalk, and after-pulse of the SiPM at different temperatures. As a result, we obtained the variation trend of the SiPM parameters at different temperatures, and the SiPM optimal working conditions were obtained, which can improve the detector's sensitivity

physics.ins-det

Direct photon emission and influence of dynamical wave packets in an extended quantum molecular dynamics model

Direct photon produced from first proton-neutron ($p$-$n$) collision during the early stage of heavy ion reaction is a sensitive probe to reflect energy and momentum distribution of nucleons. In this work, we embedded the hard photon production channel in an extended quantum molecular dynamics (EQMD) model, and took the direct photon as a possible probe to improve namely the Fermi motion in the EQMD model. A possible scheme is offered to handle the dynamical wave packet width within incoherent bremsstrahlung process. Direct photons calculated by our modified EQMD were compared with data of $^{14}$N + $^{12}$C at beam energies $E/A$ = 20, 30 and 40 MeV, and it is found that the yield, inverse slope and angular distribution of direct photons could be reasonably reproduced. In addition, asymmetric reaction systems of $^{4}$He + C and $^{4}$He + Zn at $E/A$ = 53 MeV are also simulated in this work. It is found that the symmetric angular distribution in the nucleon-nucleon ($N$-$N$) center-of-mass (c.m.) frame and the velocity of $ the γ$-emission source can be reasonably obtained from our method although there is some quantitative differences.

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Collision system size scan of collective flows in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Initial geometrical distribution and fluctuation can affect the collective expansion in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. This effect may be more evident in small system (such as B + B) than in large one (Pb + Pb). This work presents the collision system dependence of collective flows and discusses about effects on collective flows from initial fluctuations in a framework of a multiphase transport model. The results shed light on system scan on experimental efforts to small system physics.

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Collective flows of $α$-clustering $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ + $^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ by using different flow analysis methods

Recently the ratio of triangular flow to the elliptic flow ($v_3/v_2$) of hadrons was proposed as a probe to detect the pattern of $α$-clustering $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$+$^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at relativistic energy by a participant plane method (Phys. Rev. C 95, 064904 (2017)). In experimental event plane method, Q-cumulant method and two-particle correlation method with rapidity gap always were used for measurement of collective flow only by means of momentum space. By comparing collective flow through the different methods, the ratio of $v_3/v_2$ could be taken as an experimental probe to distinguish different $α$-clustering structure of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$.

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$Ω$ and $ϕ$ in Au + Au ~collisions at \srt~= 200 and 11.5 GeV from a multiphase transport model

Within the framework of a multiphase transport model, we study the production and properties of $Ω$ and $ϕ$ in Au + Au collisions with a new set of parameters for $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and with the original set of parameters for $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 11.5 GeV, respectively. The AMPT model with the string melting version provides a reasonable description at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and while the AMPT model with default version describes the data well at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 11.5 GeV. It indicates that the system created at top RHIC energy is dominated by partonic interaction and while the hadronic interaction becomes important at lower beam energy, such as $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 11.5 GeV. The comparison of $N(Ω^++Ω^-)/[2N(ϕ)]$ ratio between data and calculations further supports the argument. Our calculations can generally describe the data of nuclear modification factor as well as elliptic flow.

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Nuclear cluster structure effect on elliptic and triangular flows in heavy-ion collisions

The initial geometry effect on collective flows, which are inherited from initial projectile structure, is studied in relativistic heavy-ion collisions of $^{12}$C + Au by using a multi-phase transport model (AMPT). Elliptic flow ($v_2$) and triangular flow ($v_3$) which are significantly resulted from the chain and triangle structure of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ with three-$α$ clusters, respectively, in central $^{12}\mathrm{C}$+$^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ collisions are compared with the flow from the Woods-Saxon distribution of nucleons in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$. $v_3/v_2$ is proposed as a probe to distinguish the pattern of $α$-clustered $^{12}\mathrm{C}$. This study demonstrates that the initial geometry of the collision zone inherited from nuclear structure can be explored by collective flow at the final stage in heavy-ion collisions.

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Beam energy dependence of Hanbury-Brown-Twiss radii from a blast-wave model

The beam energy dependence of correlation lengths (the Hanbury-Brown-Twiss radii) is calculated by using a blast-wave model and the results are comparable with those from RHIC-STAR beam energy scan data as well as the LHC-ALICE measurements. A set of parameter for the blast-wave model as a function of beam energy under study are obtained by fit to the HBT radii at each energy point. The transverse momentum dependence of HBT radii is presented with the extracted parameters for Au + Au collision at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = $ 200 GeV and for Pb+Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV. From our study one can learn that particle emission duration can not be ignored while calculating the HBT radii with the same parameters. And tuning kinetic freeze-out temperature in a range will result in system lifetime changing in the reverse direction as it is found in RHIC-STAR experiment measurements.

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$ϕ$-meson production at forward/backward rapidity in high-energy nuclear collisions from a multiphase transport model

Within the framework of a multiphase transport model (AMPT), the $ϕ$-meson production is studied in d+Au collisions at \srt = {200} GeV in the forward (d-going, $1.2<y<2.2$) and backward (Au-going, $-2.2<y<-1.2$) direction. The AMPT model with string melting version (parton cascade turning-on) describes the experimental data well, while the pure hadronic transport scenario of the AMPT model underestimates the $ϕ$-meson production rate in comparison with the data. Detailed investigations including the rapidity, transverse momentum and collision system size dependencies of $ϕ$-meson nuclear modification factor indicate that a combination of the initial state effect and a follow-up parton cascade is required in the AMPT model to describe the data. Similar calculations are also present in p+Pb collisions at \srt = {5.02} TeV and p+p collisions at \srt = {2.76} TeV. The findings from a comparison of AMPT model study with the data are consistent with that at RHIC energy.

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Production and ratio of $π$, K, p and $Λ$ in Pb + Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV

The particle production and their ratios for $π$, $K$, $p$, and $Λ$ are studied in Pb + Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV based on a blast-wave model with thermal equilibrium mechanism. The transverse momentum spectra of the above mentioned particles at the kinetic freeze-out stage are discussed. The modification of the inverse slope of pion transverse momentum spectrum due to resonance decay has also been investigated. In addition, we found that the anti-particles to particles ratio as well as kaons to pions ratio agree with the data by the LHC-ALICE Collaboration reasonably well, while the $p/π$ ratio is overestimated by a factor of 1.5, similar to those from other thermal model calculations. It is found that the ratios of $p/π$ and $K/π$ are dominated by the radial flow but slightly affected by the baryon chemical potential. Our study thus constrains the parameters at the chemical and kinetic freeze-out stages within the framework of thermal model in Pb + Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV, and will help better understand the properties of the dense and hot matter created in high-energy heavy-ion collisions at freeze-out stage.

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Extraction of dihadron-jet correlations with rigorous flow-background subtraction in a multiphase transport model

Dihadron azimuthal correlations in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$=200 GeV have been explored by using a multi-phase transport (AMPT) model. In order to obtain the contributions from jet-medium interactions, the combined harmonic flow background is subtracted from the raw dihadron correlation functions. The signals are compared in three associated transverse momentum ($p_{T}^{assoc}$) bins: 0.2-0.8 GeV/c, 0.8-1.4 GeV/c and 1.4-2.0 GeV/c from central to semi-peripheral geometries. The medium modifications are observed from changes in the signal shape and the relative jet contribution has been obtained within the change in the centrality from peripheral to central one. A strong $p_{T}^{assoc}$ dependence of the RMS width of jet correlation function is observed within the central geometry bin, i.e. 0-10$%$.

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Nonflow contribution to Dihadron Azimuthal Correlations in 200 GeV/c Au+Au Collisions

Dihadron azimuthal correlations in 200 GeV/c Au+Au have been simulated by a multi-phase transport (AMPT) model. Contribution from jet-medium interaction to correlation function is obtained by subtracting the combined harmonic flow background from the raw dihadron correlation function. Signals in centralities of 0-10%, 20-40% and 50-80% are compared in three associated transverse momentum ($p_{T}^{assoc}$) bins: 0.2-0.8 GeV/c, 0.8-1.4 GeV/c and 1.4-2.0 GeV/c. An obvious medium modification impact can be seen from the signal shape change and relative jet contribution in the above events, which shows different behaviors between central and peripheral events, and among different $p_{T}^{assoc}$ ranges in central events. More detailed $p_{T}^{assoc}$ dependence of the derived nonflow contribution is studied in central 0-10% events, in which a strong $p_{T}^{assoc}$ dependence of RMS width is observed. We also calculated that relative jet contributions in peripheral and central collisions in the above mentioned cases.

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Initial fluctuation effect on harmonic flow in high-energy heavy-ion collisions

Within the framework of a multi-phase transport model, harmonic flows $v_n$ (n = 2, 3 and 4) are investigated for Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and Pb + Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV. The event-by-event geometry fluctuations significantly contribute to harmonic flows. Triangular flow ($v_3$) originates from initial triangularity ($ε_3$) and is developed by partonic interactions. The conversion efficiency ($v_n/ε_n$) decreases with harmonic order and increases with partonic interaction cross section. A mass ordering in the low $p_T$ region and number of constitute quark scaling in the middle $p_T$ region seem to work roughly for $n$-th harmonic flows at both energies. All features of harmonic flows show similar qualitative behaviors at RHIC and LHC energies, which implies that the formed partonic matters are similar at the two energies.

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System-size scan of dihadron azimuthal correlations in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions

System-size dependence of dihadron azimuthal correlations in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collision is simulated by a multi-phase transport model. The structure of correlation functions and yields of associated particles show clear participant path-length dependences in collision systems with a partonic phase. The splitting parameter and root-mean-square width of away-side correlation functions increase with collision system size from $^{14}$N+$^{14}$N to $^{197}$Au+$^{197}$Au collisions. The double-peak structure of away-side correlation functions can only be formed in sufficient "large" collision systems under partonic phase. The contrast between the results with partonic phase and with hadron gas could suggest some hints to study onset of deconfinment.

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Forward-backward elliptic anisotropy correlation in parton cascade

A potential experimental probe, forward-backward elliptic anisotropy correlation ($C_{FB} $), has been proposed by Liao and Koch to distinguish the jet and true elliptic flow contribution to the measured elliptic flow ($v_2$) in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Jet and flow fluctuation contribution to elliptic flow is investigated within the framework of a multi-phase transport model using the $C_{FB} $ probe. We found that the $C_{FB} $ correlation is remarkably different and is about two times of that proposed by Liao and Koch. It originates from the correlation between fluctuation of forward and backward elliptic flow at low transverse momentum, which is mainly due to the initial correlation between fluctuation of forward and backward eccentricity. This results in an amendment of the $C_{FB}$ by a term related to the correlation between fluctuation of forward and backward elliptic flow. Our results suggest that a suitable rapidity gap for $C_{FB} $ correlation studies should be around $\pm$ 3.5.

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Collision system size dependence of dihadron azimuthal correlations in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions

The system size dependence of dihadron azimuthal correlations in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collision is simulated by a multi-phase transport model. The structure of correlation functions and yields of associated particles show clear participant path-length dependences in collision systems with a partonic phase. The splitting parameter ($D$) and Root Mean Square Width ($Δϕ_{rms}$) of away side correlation functions increase with collision system size from $^{14}$N+$^{14}$N to $^{197}$Au+$^{197}$Au collisions. The double-peak structure of away side correlation functions can only be formed in sufficient "large" collision systems. These properties provide some hints to study onset of deconfinement, which is related to the QCD phase boundary and QCD critical point, by an energy-size scan.

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Reaction plane angle dependence of dihadron azimuthal correlations from a multiphase transport model calculation

Dihadron azimuthal angle correlations relative to the reaction plane have been investigated in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV using a multi-phase transport model (AMPT). Such reaction plane azimuthal angle dependent correlations can shed light on path-length effect of energy loss of high transverse momentum particles propagating through the hot dense medium. The correlations vary with the trigger particle azimuthal angle with respect to the reaction plane direction, $ϕ_{s}=ϕ_{T}-Ψ_{EP}$, which is consistent with the experimental observation by the STAR collaboration. The dihadron azimuthal angle correlation functions on the away side of the trigger particle present a distinct evolution from a single peak to a broad, possibly double peak, structure when the trigger particle direction goes from in-plane to out-of-plane of the reaction plane. The away-side angular correlation functions are asymmetric with respect to the back-to-back direction in some regions of $ϕ_{s}$, which could provide insight on testing $v_{1}$ method to reconstruct the reaction plane. In addition, both the root-mean-square width ($W_{rms}$) of the away-side correlation distribution and the splitting parameter $D$ between the away-side double peaks increase slightly with $ϕ_{s}$, and the average transverse momentum of the away-side associated hadrons shows a strong $ϕ_{s}$ dependence. Our results indicate that strong parton cascade and resultant energy loss could play an important role for the appearance of a double-peak structure in the dihadron azimuthal angular correlation function on the away side of the trigger particle.

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Breaking of the number-of-constituent-quark scaling for identified-particle elliptic flow as a signal of phase change in low-energy data taken at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC)

We argue that measurements of identified-particle elliptic flow in a wide energy range could shed light on the possible phase change in high-energy heavy ion collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). When the hadronization process is dominated by quark coalescence, the number-of-constituent-quark (NCQ) scaling for the identified-particle elliptic flow can serve as a probe for studying the strong interacting partonic matter. In the upcoming RHIC low-energy runs, the NCQ scaling behavior may be broken because of the change of the effective degrees of freedom of the hot dense matter, which corresponds to the transition from the dominant partonic phase to the dominant hadronic phase. A multiphase transport model is used to present the dependence of NCQ scaling behavior on the different hadronization mechanisms.

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