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Feng Pan

Publications and source records attributed to Feng Pan.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Electrical-controllable antiferromagnet-based tunnel junction

Electrical-controllable antiferromagnet tunnel junction is a key goal in spintronics, holding immense promise for ultra-dense and ultra-stable antiferromagnetic memory with high processing speed for modern information technology. Here, we have advanced towards this goal by achieving an electrical-controllable antiferromagnet-based tunnel junction of Pt/Co/Pt/Co/IrMn/MgO/Pt. The exchange coupling between antiferromagnetic IrMn and Co/Pt perpendicular magnetic multilayers results in the formation of interfacial exchange bias and exchange spring in IrMn. Encoding information states 0 and 1 is realized through the exchange spring in IrMn, which can be electrically written by spin-orbit torque switching with high cyclability and electrically read by antiferromagnetic tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance. Combining spin-orbit torque switching of both exchange spring andexchange bias, 16 Boolean logic operation is successfully demonstrated. With both memory and logic functionalities integrated into our electrical-controllable antiferromagnetic-based tunnel junction, we chart the course toward high-performance antiferromagnetic logic-in-memory.

physics.app-ph↗

Estimating properties of a quantum state by importance-sampled operator shadows

Measuring properties of quantum systems is a fundamental problem in quantum mechanics. We provide a simple method for estimating the expectation value of observables with an unknown quantum state. The idea is to use a data structure to sample the terms of observables based on the Pauli decomposition proportionally to their importance. We call this technique operator shadow as a shorthand for the procedure of preparing a sketch of an operator to estimate properties. Only when the numbers of observables are small for multiple local observables, the sample complexity of this method is better than the classical shadow technique. However, if we want to estimate the expectation value of a linear combination of local observables, for example the energy of a local Hamiltonian, the sample complexity is better on all parameters. The time complexity to construct the data structure is $2^{O(k)}$ for $k$-local observables, similar to the post-processing time of classical shadows.

quant-ph↗

Observation of non-volatile anomalous Nernst effect in altermagnet with collinear Néel vector

Anomalous Nernst effect (ANE), a widely investigated transverse thermoelectric effect that converts waste heat into electrical energy with remarkable flexibility and integration capability, has been extended to antiferromagnets with non-collinear spin texture recently. ANE in compensated magnet with collinear Néel vector will bring more opportunities to construct magnetic-field-immune and ultrafast transverse thermoelectric converters, but remains unachieved for long. It is due to the degenerated band structure of traditional collinear compensated magnet excludes non-zero Berry curvature. Here, we realize non-volatile ANE in altermagnet Mn5Si3 thin film with collinear Neel vector, whose unique alternating spin-splitting band structure plays vital role in creating non-zero Berry curvature and hotpots of anomalous Nernst conductivity near band intersections. Interestingly, ANE is relatively weak in stoichiometric Mn5Si3, but undergoes a sixfold enhancement through strategically raising the Fermi level by additional Mn doping, indicating sensitive intrinsic influence from specific location of the Fermi level on ANE in altermagnet. Moreover, our investigation reveals a unique Neel-vector-dependent temperature-scaling relationship of anomalous Nernst conductivity in Mn5Si3. Our work not only fills a longstanding gap by confirming the presence of non-volatile ANE in collinear compensated magnet, but also enlightens thermoelectric physics related to exotic spin-splitting band structure in altermagnet.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Crystal design of altermagnetism

Symmetry plays a fundamental role in condensed matter. The unique entanglement between magnetic sublattices and alternating crystal environment in altermagnets provides a unique opportunity for designing magnetic space symmetry. There have been extensive experimental efforts concentrated on tuning the Neel vector to reconstruct altermagnetic symmetry. However, it remains challenging to modulate the altermagnetic symmetry through the crystal aspect. Here, the crystal design of altermagnetism is successfully realized, by breaking glide mirrors and magnetic mirrors of the (0001) crystallographic plane in CrSb films via crystal distortion. We establish a locking relationship between altermagnetic symmetry and the emergent Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) vectors in different CrSb films, realizing unprecedentedly room-temperature spontaneous anomalous Hall effect in an altermagnetic metal. The concept of exchange-coupling torques is broadened to include both antiferromagnetic exchange-coupling torque and DM torque. Their relationship is designable, determining electrical manipulation modes, e.g., field-assisted switching for CrSb(1-100)/Pt and field-free switching for W/CrSb(11-20). Particularly, the unprecedentedly field-free 100-percent switching of Neel vectors is realized by making these two torques parallel or antiparallel, dependent on Neel vector orientation. Besides unravelling the rich mechanisms for electrical manipulation of altermagnetism rooted in broadened concept of exchange-coupling torques, we list other material candidates and propose that crystal design of altermagnetism would bring rich designability to magnonics, topology, etc.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Electrical 180o switching of Néel vector in spin-splitting antiferromagnet

Antiferromagnetic spintronics have attracted wide attention due to its great potential in constructing ultra-dense and ultra-fast antiferromagnetic memory that suits modern high-performance information technology. The electrical 180o switching of Néel vector is a long-term goal for developing electrical-controllable antiferromagnetic memory with opposite Néel vectors as binary "0" and "1". However, the state-of-art antiferromagnetic switching mechanisms have long been limited for 90o or 120o switching of Néel vector, which unavoidably require multiple writing channels that contradicts ultra-dense integration. Here, we propose a deterministic switching mechanism based on spin-orbit torque with asymmetric energy barrier, and experimentally achieve electrical 180o switching of spin-splitting antiferromagnet Mn5Si3. Such a 180o switching is read out by the Néel vector-induced anomalous Hall effect. Based on our writing and readout methods, we fabricate an antiferromagnet device with electrical-controllable high and low resistance states that accomplishes robust write and read cycles. Besides fundamental advance, our work promotes practical spin-splitting antiferromagnetic devices based on spin-splitting antiferromagnet.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Millimeter-scale exfoliation of hBN with tunable flake thickness

As a two-dimensional (2D) dielectric material, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is in high demand for applications in photonics, nonlinear optics, and nanoelectronics. Unfortunately, the high-throughput preparation of macroscopic-scale, high-quality hBN flakes with controlled thickness is an ongoing challenge, limiting device fabrication and technological integration. Here, we present a metal thin-film exfoliation method to prepare hBN flakes with millimeter-scale dimension, near-unity yields, and tunable flake thickness distribution from 1-7 layers, a substantial improvement over scotch tape exfoliation. The single crystallinity and high quality of the exfoliated hBN are demonstrated with optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and second harmonic generation. We further explore a possible mechanism for the effectiveness and selectivity based on thin-film residual stress measurements, density functional theory calculations, and transmission electron microscopy imaging of the deposited metal films. We find that the magnitude of the residual tensile stress induced by thin film deposition plays a key role in determining exfoliated flake thickness in a manner which closely resembles 3D semiconductor spalling. Lastly, we demonstrate that our exfoliated, large-area hBN flakes can be readily incorporated as encapsulating layers for other 2D monolayers. Altogether, this method brings us one step closer to the high throughput, mass production of hBN-based 2D photonic, optoelectronic, and quantum devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

A Tri-Level Optimization Model for Interdependent Infrastructure Network Resilience Against Compound Hazard Events

Resilient operation of interdependent infrastructures against compound hazard events is essential for maintaining societal well-being. To address consequence assessment challenges in this problem space, we propose a novel tri-level optimization model applied to a proof-of-concept case study with fuel distribution and transportation networks -- encompassing one realistic network; one fictitious, yet realistic network; as well as networks drawn from three synthetic distributions. Mathematically, our approach takes the form of a defender-attacker-defender (DAD) model -- a multi-agent tri-level optimization, comprised of a defender, attacker, and an operator acting in sequence. Here, our notional operator may choose proxy actions to operate an interdependent system comprised of fuel terminals and gas stations (functioning as supplies) and a transportation network with traffic flow (functioning as demand) to minimize unmet demand at gas stations. A notional attacker aims to hypothetically disrupt normal operations by reducing supply at the supply terminals, and the notional defender aims to identify best proxy defense policy options which include hardening supply terminals or allowing alternative distribution methods such as trucking reserve supplies. We solve our DAD formulation at a metropolitan scale and present practical defense policy insights against hypothetical compound hazards. We demonstrate the generalizability of our framework by presenting results for a realistic network; a fictitious, yet realistic network; as well as for three networks drawn from synthetic distributions. Additionally, we demonstrate the scalability of the framework by investigating runtime performance as a function of the network size. Steps for future research are also discussed.

eess.SY↗

Antiferromagnetic magnonic charge current generation via ultrafast optical excitation

Néel spin-orbit torque allows a charge current pulse to efficiently manipulate the Néel vector in antiferromagnets, which offers a unique opportunity for ultrahigh density information storage with high speed. However, the reciprocal process of Néel spin-orbit torque, the generation of ultrafast charge current in antiferromagnets has not been demonstrated. Here, we report the experimental observation of charge current generation in antiferromagnetic metallic Mn2Au thin films using ultrafast optical excitation. The ultrafast laser pulse excites antiferromagnetic magnons, resulting in instantaneous non-equilibrium spin polarization at the antiferromagnetic spin sublattices with broken spatial symmetry. Then the charge current is generated directly via spin-orbit fields at the two sublattices, which is termed as the reciprocal phenomenon of Néel spin-orbit torque, and the associated THz emission can be detected at room temperature. Besides the fundamental significance on the Onsager reciprocity, the observed magnonic charge current generation in antiferromagnet would advance the development of antiferromagnetic THz emitter.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Cognition-Mode Aware Variational Representation Learning Framework for Knowledge Tracing

The Knowledge Tracing (KT) task plays a crucial role in personalized learning, and its purpose is to predict student responses based on their historical practice behavior sequence. However, the KT task suffers from data sparsity, which makes it challenging to learn robust representations for students with few practice records and increases the risk of model overfitting. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a Cognition-Mode Aware Variational Representation Learning Framework (CMVF) that can be directly applied to existing KT methods. Our framework uses a probabilistic model to generate a distribution for each student, accounting for uncertainty in those with limited practice records, and estimate the student's distribution via variational inference (VI). In addition, we also introduce a cognition-mode aware multinomial distribution as prior knowledge that constrains the posterior student distributions learning, so as to ensure that students with similar cognition modes have similar distributions, avoiding overwhelming personalization for students with few practice records. At last, extensive experimental results confirm that CMVF can effectively aid existing KT methods in learning more robust student representations. Our code is available at https://github.com/zmy-9/CMVF.

cs.LG↗

Focused Specific Objects NeRF

Most NeRF-based models are designed for learning the entire scene, and complex scenes can lead to longer learning times and poorer rendering effects. This paper utilizes scene semantic priors to make improvements in fast training, allowing the network to focus on the specific targets and not be affected by complex backgrounds. The training speed can be increased by 7.78 times with better rendering effect, and small to medium sized targets can be rendered faster. In addition, this improvement applies to all NeRF-based models. Considering the inherent multi-view consistency and smoothness of NeRF, this paper also studies weak supervision by sparsely sampling negative ray samples. With this method, training can be further accelerated and rendering quality can be maintained. Finally, this paper extends pixel semantic and color rendering formulas and proposes a new scene editing technique that can achieve unique displays of the specific semantic targets or masking them in rendering. To address the problem of unsupervised regions incorrect inferences in the scene, we also designed a self-supervised loop that combines morphological operations and clustering.

cs.CV↗

Counterfactual Monotonic Knowledge Tracing for Assessing Students' Dynamic Mastery of Knowledge Concepts

As the core of the Knowledge Tracking (KT) task, assessing students' dynamic mastery of knowledge concepts is crucial for both offline teaching and online educational applications. Since students' mastery of knowledge concepts is often unlabeled, existing KT methods rely on the implicit paradigm of historical practice to mastery of knowledge concepts to students' responses to practices to address the challenge of unlabeled concept mastery. However, purely predicting student responses without imposing specific constraints on hidden concept mastery values does not guarantee the accuracy of these intermediate values as concept mastery values. To address this issue, we propose a principled approach called Counterfactual Monotonic Knowledge Tracing (CMKT), which builds on the implicit paradigm described above by using a counterfactual assumption to constrain the evolution of students' mastery of knowledge concepts.

cs.AI↗

No Length Left Behind: Enhancing Knowledge Tracing for Modeling Sequences of Excessive or Insufficient Lengths

Knowledge tracing (KT) aims to predict students' responses to practices based on their historical question-answering behaviors. However, most current KT methods focus on improving overall AUC, leaving ample room for optimization in modeling sequences of excessive or insufficient lengths. As sequences get longer, computational costs will increase exponentially. Therefore, KT methods usually truncate sequences to an acceptable length, which makes it difficult for models on online service systems to capture complete historical practice behaviors of students with too long sequences. Conversely, modeling students with short practice sequences using most KT methods may result in overfitting due to limited observation samples. To address the above limitations, we propose a model called Sequence-Flexible Knowledge Tracing (SFKT).

cs.AI↗

qecGPT: decoding Quantum Error-correcting Codes with Generative Pre-trained Transformers

We propose a general framework for decoding quantum error-correcting codes with generative modeling. The model utilizes autoregressive neural networks, specifically Transformers, to learn the joint probability of logical operators and syndromes. This training is in an unsupervised way, without the need for labeled training data, and is thus referred to as pre-training. After the pre-training, the model can efficiently compute the likelihood of logical operators for any given syndrome, using maximum likelihood decoding. It can directly generate the most-likely logical operators with computational complexity $\mathcal O(2k)$ in the number of logical qubits $k$, which is significantly better than the conventional maximum likelihood decoding algorithms that require $\mathcal O(4^k)$ computation. Based on the pre-trained model, we further propose refinement to achieve more accurately the likelihood of logical operators for a given syndrome by directly sampling the stabilizer operators. We perform numerical experiments on stabilizer codes with small code distances, using both depolarizing error models and error models with correlated noise. The results show that our approach provides significantly better decoding accuracy than the minimum weight perfect matching and belief-propagation-based algorithms. Our framework is general and can be applied to any error model and quantum codes with different topologies such as surface codes and quantum LDPC codes. Furthermore, it leverages the parallelization capabilities of GPUs, enabling simultaneous decoding of a large number of syndromes. Our approach sheds light on the efficient and accurate decoding of quantum error-correcting codes using generative artificial intelligence and modern computational power.

quant-ph↗

Managed Geo-Distributed Feature Store: Architecture and System Design

Companies are using machine learning to solve real-world problems and are developing hundreds to thousands of features in the process. They are building feature engineering pipelines as part of MLOps life cycle to transform data from various data sources and materialize the same for future consumption. Without feature stores, different teams across various business groups would maintain the above process independently, which can lead to conflicting and duplicated features in the system. Data scientists find it hard to search for and reuse existing features and it is painful to maintain version control. Furthermore, feature correctness violations related to online (inferencing) - offline (training) skews and data leakage are common. Although the machine learning community has extensively discussed the need for feature stores and their purpose, this paper aims to capture the core architectural components that make up a managed feature store and to share the design learning in building such a system.

cs.LG↗

Affinity Feature Strengthening for Accurate, Complete and Robust Vessel Segmentation

Vessel segmentation is crucial in many medical image applications, such as detecting coronary stenoses, retinal vessel diseases and brain aneurysms. However, achieving high pixel-wise accuracy, complete topology structure and robustness to various contrast variations are critical and challenging, and most existing methods focus only on achieving one or two of these aspects. In this paper, we present a novel approach, the affinity feature strengthening network (AFN), which jointly models geometry and refines pixel-wise segmentation features using a contrast-insensitive, multiscale affinity approach. Specifically, we compute a multiscale affinity field for each pixel, capturing its semantic relationships with neighboring pixels in the predicted mask image. This field represents the local geometry of vessel segments of different sizes, allowing us to learn spatial- and scale-aware adaptive weights to strengthen vessel features. We evaluate our AFN on four different types of vascular datasets: X-ray angiography coronary vessel dataset (XCAD), portal vein dataset (PV), digital subtraction angiography cerebrovascular vessel dataset (DSA) and retinal vessel dataset (DRIVE). Extensive experimental results demonstrate that our AFN outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in terms of both higher accuracy and topological metrics, while also being more robust to various contrast changes. The source code of this work is available at https://github.com/TY-Shi/AFN.

cs.CV↗

Tensor Network Message Passing

When studying interacting systems, computing their statistical properties is a fundamental problem in various fields such as physics, applied mathematics, and machine learning. However, this task can be quite challenging due to the exponential growth of the state space as the system size increases. Many standard methods have significant weaknesses. For instance, message-passing algorithms can be inaccurate and even fail to converge due to short loops. At the same time, tensor network methods can have exponential computational complexity in large graphs due to long loops. This work proposes a new method called ``tensor network message passing.'' This approach allows us to compute local observables like marginal probabilities and correlations by combining the strengths of tensor networks in contracting small sub-graphs with many short loops and the strengths of message-passing methods in globally sparse graphs, thus addressing the crucial weaknesses of both approaches. Our algorithm is exact for systems that are globally tree-like and locally dense-connected when the dense local graphs have limited treewidth. We have conducted numerical experiments on synthetic and real-world graphs to compute magnetizations of Ising models and spin glasses, to demonstrate the superiority of our approach over standard belief propagation and the recently proposed loopy message-passing algorithm. In addition, we discuss the potential applications of our method in inference problems in networks, combinatorial optimization problems, and decoding problems in quantum error correction.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

Rotation and vibration in tetraquarks

A novel approach is introduced for obtaining precise solutions of the pairing Hamiltonian for tetraquarks, which utilizes an algebraic technique in infinite dimensions. The parameters involved in the transition phase are calibrated based on potential tetraquark candidates derived from phenomenology. Our investigation shows that the rotation and vibration transitional theory delivers a more accurate explanation for heavy tetraquarks compared to other methods utilizing the same formalism. To illustrate the concept, we compute the spectra of several tetraquarks, namely charm, bottom, bottom-charm and open charm and bottom systems, and contrast them with those of other particles.

hep-ph↗

Solution-phase single-particle spectroscopy for probing multi-polaronic dynamics in quantum emitters at femtosecond resolution

The development of many optical quantum technologies depends on the availability of solid-state single quantum emitters with near-perfect optical coherence. However, a standing issue that limits systematic improvement is the significant sample heterogeneity and lack of mechanistic understanding of microscopic energy flow at the single emitter level and ultrafast timescales. Here we develop solution-phase single-particle pump-probe spectroscopy with photon correlation detection that captures sample-averaged dynamics in single molecules and/or defect states with unprecedented clarity at femtosecond resolution. We apply this technique to single quantum emitters in two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride, which suffers from significant heterogeneity and low quantum efficiency. From millisecond to nanosecond timescales, the translation diffusion, metastable-state-related bunching shoulders, rotational dynamics, and antibunching features are disentangled by their distinct photon-correlation timescales, which collectively quantify the normalized two-photon emission quantum yield. Leveraging its femtosecond resolution, spectral selectivity and ultralow noise (two orders of magnitude improvement over solid-state methods), we visualize electron-phonon coupling in the time domain at the single defect level, and discover the acceleration of polaronic formation driven by multi-electron excitation. Corroborated with results from a theoretical polaron model, we show how this translates to sample-averaged photon fidelity characterization of cascaded emission efficiency and optical decoherence time. Our work provides a framework for ultrafast spectroscopy in single emitters, molecules, or defects prone to photoluminescence intermittency and heterogeneity, opening new avenues of extreme-scale characterization and synthetic improvements for quantum information applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗