arXiv subjects

H. Lin

Publications and source records attributed to H. Lin.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Star/galaxy separation at faint magnitudes: Application to a simulated Dark Energy Survey

We address the problem of separating stars from galaxies in future large photometric surveys. We focus our analysis on simulations of the Dark Energy Survey (DES). In the first part of the paper, we derive the science requirements on star/galaxy separation, for measurement of the cosmological parameters with the Gravitational Weak Lensing and Large Scale Structure probes. These requirements are dictated by the need to control both the statistical and systematic errors on the cosmological parameters, and by Point Spread Function calibration. We formulate the requirements in terms of the completeness and purity provided by a given star/galaxy classifier. In order to achieve these requirements at faint magnitudes, we propose a new method for star/galaxy separation in the second part of the paper. We first use Principal Component Analysis to outline the correlations between the objects parameters and extract from it the most relevant information. We then use the reduced set of parameters as input to an Artificial Neural Network. This multi-parameter approach improves upon purely morphometric classifiers (such as the classifier implemented in SExtractor), especially at faint magnitudes: it increases the purity by up to 20% for stars and by up to 12% for galaxies, at i-magnitude fainter than 23.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

OzDES multi-fibre spectroscopy for the Dark Energy Survey: first-year operation and results

OzDES is a five-year, 100-night, spectroscopic survey on the Anglo-Australian Telescope, whose primary aim is to measure redshifts of approximately 2,500 Type Ia supernovae host galaxies over the redshift range 0.1 < z < 1.2, and derive reverberation-mapped black hole masses for approximately 500 active galactic nuclei and quasars over 0.3 < z < 4.5. This treasure trove of data forms a major part of the spectroscopic follow-up for the Dark Energy Survey for which we are also targeting cluster galaxies, radio galaxies, strong lenses, and unidentified transients, as well as measuring luminous red galaxies and emission line galaxies to help calibrate photometric redshifts. Here we present an overview of the OzDES program and our first-year results. Between Dec 2012 and Dec 2013, we observed over 10,000 objects and measured more than 6,000 redshifts. Our strategy of retargeting faint objects across many observing runs has allowed us to measure redshifts for galaxies as faint as m_r=25 mag. We outline our target selection and observing strategy, quantify the redshift success rate for different types of targets, and discuss the implications for our main science goals. Finally, we highlight a few interesting objects as examples of the fortuitous yet not totally unexpected discoveries that can come from such a large spectroscopic survey.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Nearly-critical spin and charge fluctuations in KFe2As2 observed by high-pressure NMR

We report a high-pressure 75As NMR study on the heavily hole-doped iron pnictide superconductor KFe2As2 (Tc~3.8 K). The low-energy spin fluctuations are found to decrease with applied pressure up to 2 GPa, but then increase again, changing in lockstep with the pressure-induced evolution of Tc. Their diverging nature suggests close proximity to a magnetic quantum critical point at a negative pressure of P~-0.6 GPa. Above 2.4 GPa, the 75As satellite spectra split below 40 K, indicating a breaking of As site symmetry and an incipient charge order. These pressure-controlled phenomena demonstrate the presence of nearly-critical fluctuations in both spin and charge, providing essential input for the origin of superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

A simple and universal setup of quasi-monocolor gamma-ray source

Strict classic 3-D dynamics theory reveals that arbitrarily high center frequency light source can be achieved by flexible application of not-too-strong static electric field and static magnetic field. The magnitudes of the fields are not required to be high.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2015

Mass and galaxy distributions of four massive galaxy clusters from Dark Energy Survey Science Verification data

We measure the weak-lensing masses and galaxy distributions of four massive galaxy clusters observed during the Science Verification phase of the Dark Energy Survey. This pathfinder study is meant to 1) validate the DECam imager for the task of measuring weak-lensing shapes, and 2) utilize DECam's large field of view to map out the clusters and their environments over 90 arcmin. We conduct a series of rigorous tests on astrometry, photometry, image quality, PSF modeling, and shear measurement accuracy to single out flaws in the data and also to identify the optimal data processing steps and parameters. We find Science Verification data from DECam to be suitable for the lensing analysis described in this paper. The PSF is generally well-behaved, but the modeling is rendered difficult by a flux-dependent PSF width and ellipticity. We employ photometric redshifts to distinguish between foreground and background galaxies, and a red-sequence cluster finder to provide cluster richness estimates and cluster-galaxy distributions. By fitting NFW profiles to the clusters in this study, we determine weak-lensing masses that are in agreement with previous work. For Abell 3261, we provide the first estimates of redshift, weak-lensing mass, and richness. In addition, the cluster-galaxy distributions indicate the presence of filamentary structures attached to 1E 0657-56 and RXC J2248.7-4431, stretching out as far as 1 degree (approximately 20 Mpc), showcasing the potential of DECam and DES for detailed studies of degree-scale features on the sky.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Observation of a topological 3D Dirac semimetal phase in high-mobility Cd3As2

Experimental identification of three-dimensional (3D) Dirac semimetals in solid state systems is critical for realizing exotic topological phenomena and quantum transport such as the Weyl phases, high temperature linear quantum magnetoresistance and topological magnetic phases. Using high resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we performed systematic electronic structure studies on well-known compound Cd3As2. For the first time, we observe a highly linear bulk Dirac cone located at the Brillouin zone center projected onto the (001) surface which is consistent with a 3D Dirac semimetal phase in Cd3As2. Remarkably, an unusually high Dirac Fermion velocity up to 10.2 \textrmÅ{\cdot}$eV (1.5 \times 10^{6} ms^-1) is seen in samples where the mobility far exceeds 40,000 cm^2/V.s suggesting that Cd3As2 can be a promising candidate as a hypercone analog of graphene in many device-applications which can also incorporate topological quantum phenomena in a large gap setting. Our experimental identification of this novel topological 3D Dirac semimetal phase, distinct from a 3D topological insulator phase discovered previously, paves the way for exploring higher dimensional relativistic physics in bulk transport and for realizing novel Fermionic matter such as a Fermi arc nodal metal.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

An experimental algorithm for identifying the topological nature of Kondo and mixed valence insulators

Possible topological nature of Kondo and mixed valence insulators has been a recent topic of interest in condensed matter physics. Attention has focused on SmB6, which has long been known to exhibit low temperature transport anomaly, whose origin is of independent interest. We argue that it is possible to resolve the topological nature of surface states by uniquely accessing the surface electronic structure of the low temperature anomalous transport regime through combining state-of-the-art laser- and synchrotron-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with or without spin resolution. A combination of low temperature and ultra-high resolution (laser) which is lacking in previous ARPES studies of this compound is the key to resolve the possible existence of topological surface state in SmB6. Here we outline an experimental algorithm to systematically explore the topological versus trivial or mixed (topological and trivial surface state admixture as in the first 3D TI Bi$_{1-x}$Sb$_x$) nature of the surface states in Kondo and mixed valence insulators. We conclude based on this methodology that the observed topology of the surface Fermi surface in our low temperature data considered within the level of current resolution is consistent with the theoretically predicted topological picture, suggesting a topological origin of the dominant in-gap ARPES signal in SmB6.}

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Determination of the Boltzmann Constant Using the Differential - Cylindrical Procedure

We report in this paper the progresses on the determination of the Boltzmann constant using the acoustic gas thermometer (AGT) of fixed-length cylindrical cavities. First, we present the comparison of the molar masses of pure argon gases through comparing speeds of sound of gases. The procedure is independent from the methodology by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The experimental results show good agreement between both methods. The comparison offers an independent inspection of the analytical results by GC-MS. Second, we present the principle of the novel differential-cylindrical procedure based on the AGT of two fixed-length cavities. The deletion mechanism for some major perturbations is analyzed for the new procedure. The experimental results of the differential-cylindrical procedure demonstrate some major improvements on the first, second acoustic and third virial coefficients, and the excess half-widths. The three acoustic virial coefficients agree well with the stated-of-the-art experimental and theoretical (the ab initio calculation) results. The new method is characterized by much less correction-dependence. The differential-cylindrical procedure results in the preliminary determination of the Boltzmann constant of 1.380 650 6*10^-23 with the relative standard uncertainty of 2.3*10^-6. The new value is in 1.3*10^-6 above the adjusted Boltzmann constant given in CODATA 2010. The resultant gas constant R =8.314 473 J/mol/K with the same the relative standard uncertainty.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2014

Combining Dark Energy Survey Science Verification Data with Near Infrared Data from the ESO VISTA Hemisphere Survey

We present the combination of optical data from the Science Verification phase of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) with near infrared data from the ESO VISTA Hemisphere Survey (VHS). The deep optical detections from DES are used to extract fluxes and associated errors from the shallower VHS data. Joint 7-band ($grizYJK$) photometric catalogues are produced in a single 3 sq-deg DECam field centred at 02h26m$-$04d36m where the availability of ancillary multi-wavelength photometry and spectroscopy allows us to test the data quality. Dual photometry increases the number of DES galaxies with measured VHS fluxes by a factor of $\sim$4.5 relative to a simple catalogue level matching and results in a $\sim$1.5 mag increase in the 80\% completeness limit of the NIR data. Almost 70\% of DES sources have useful NIR flux measurements in this initial catalogue. Photometric redshifts are estimated for a subset of galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts and initial results, although currently limited by small number statistics, indicate that the VHS data can help reduce the photometric redshift scatter at both $z<0.5$ and $z>1$. We present example DES+VHS colour selection criteria for high redshift Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs) at $z\sim0.7$ as well as luminous quasars. Using spectroscopic observations in this field we show that the additional VHS fluxes enable a cleaner selection of both populations with $<$10\% contamination from galactic stars in the case of spectroscopically confirmed quasars and $<0.5\%$ contamination from galactic stars in the case of spectroscopically confirmed LRGs. The combined DES+VHS dataset, which will eventually cover almost 5000 sq-deg, will therefore enable a range of new science and be ideally suited for target selection for future wide-field spectroscopic surveys.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Photometric redshift analysis in the Dark Energy Survey Science Verification data

We present results from a study of the photometric redshift performance of the Dark Energy Survey (DES), using the early data from a Science Verification (SV) period of observations in late 2012 and early 2013 that provided science-quality images for almost 200 sq.~deg.~at the nominal depth of the survey. We assess the photometric redshift performance using about 15000 galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts available from other surveys. These galaxies are used, in different configurations, as a calibration sample, and photo-$z$'s are obtained and studied using most of the existing photo-$z$ codes. A weighting method in a multi-dimensional color-magnitude space is applied to the spectroscopic sample in order to evaluate the photo-$z$ performance with sets that mimic the full DES photometric sample, which is on average significantly deeper than the calibration sample due to the limited depth of spectroscopic surveys. Empirical photo-$z$ methods using, for instance, Artificial Neural Networks or Random Forests, yield the best performance in the tests, achieving core photo-$z$ resolutions $σ_{68} \sim 0.08$. Moreover, the results from most of the codes, including template fitting methods, comfortably meet the DES requirements on photo-$z$ performance, therefore, providing an excellent precedent for future DES data sets.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Compact x-ray source based on burst-mode inverse Compton scattering at 100 kHz

A design for a compact x-ray light source (CXLS) with flux and brilliance orders of magnitude beyond existing laboratory scale sources is presented. The source is based on inverse Compton scattering of a high brightness electron bunch on a picosecond laser pulse. The accelerator is a novel high-efficiency standing-wave linac and RF photoinjector powered by a single ultrastable RF transmitter at x-band RF frequency. The high efficiency permits operation at repetition rates up to 1 kHz, which is further boosted to 100 kHz by operating with trains of 100 bunches of 100 pC charge, each separated by 5 ns. The entire accelerator is approximately 1 meter long and produces hard x-rays tunable over a wide range of photon energies. The colliding laser is a Yb:YAG solid-state amplifier producing 1030 nm, 100 mJ pulses at the same 1 kHz repetition rate as the accelerator. The laser pulse is frequency-doubled and stored for many passes in a ringdown cavity to match the linac pulse structure. At a photon energy of 12.4 keV, the predicted x-ray flux is $5 \times 10^{11}$ photons/second in a 5% bandwidth and the brilliance is $2 \times 10^{12}\mathrm{photons/(sec\ mm^2\ mrad^2\ 0.1\%)}$ in pulses with RMS pulse length of 490 fs. The nominal electron beam parameters are 18 MeV kinetic energy, 10 microamp average current, 0.5 microsecond macropulse length, resulting in average electron beam power of 180 W. Optimization of the x-ray output is presented along with design of the accelerator, laser, and x-ray optic components that are specific to the particular characteristics of the Compton scattered x-ray pulses.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2014

Saddle point singularity and topological phase diagram in a tunable topological crystalline insulator (TCI)

A topological crystalline insulator (TCI) is a new phase of topological matter, which is predicted to exhibit distinct topological quantum phenomena, since space group symmetries replace the role of time-reversal symmetry in the much-studied Z$_2$ topological insulators. Utilizing high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we reveal the momentum space nature of interconnectivity of the Fermi surface pockets leading to a saddle point singularity within the topological surface state alone in the TCI Pb$_{0.7}$Sn$_{0.3}$Se. Moreover, we show that the measured momentum-integrated density of states exhibits pronounced peaks at the saddle point energies, demonstrating the van Hove singularities (VHSs) in the topological surface states, whose surface chemical potential, as we show, can be tuned via surface chemical gating, providing access to the topological correlated physics on the surface. Our experimental data reveal a delicate relationship among lattice constant, band gap and spin-orbit coupling strength associated with the topological phase transition in Pb$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$Se. Furthermore, we explore the robustness of the TCI phase with VHS in Pb$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$Se, which shows a variety of distinct topological phase transitions driven by either thermal instability or broken crystalline symmetry, and thus revealing a rich topological phase diagram connectivity in Pb$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$Se for the first time.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Exact solutions of macroscopic self-consistent electromagnetic fields and microscopic distribution of Vlasov-Maxwell system

Strict mathematics reveals that the strict solution of a Vlasov-Maxwell equation set cannot be of a zero-temperature mathematical form. This universal property of Vlasov-Maxwell system can lead to a closed equation set of three macroscopic quantities: selfconsistent fields E, B and fluid velocity u, and hence their exact solutions.Strict solution of microscoipc distribution governed by self-consistent electromagnetic fields is found to be a universal extension of well-known BGK mode, which corresponds to electrostatic case.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2013

Optimising Spectroscopic and Photometric Galaxy Surveys: Efficient Target Selection and Survey Strategy

The next generation of spectroscopic surveys will have a wealth of photometric data available for use in target selection. Selecting the best targets is likely to be one of the most important hurdles in making these spectroscopic campaigns as successful as possible. Our ability to measure dark energy depends strongly on the types of targets that we are able to select with a given photometric data set. We show in this paper that we will be able to successfully select the targets needed for the next generation of spectroscopic surveys. We also investigate the details of this selection, including optimisation of instrument design and survey strategy in order to measure dark energy. We use color-color selection as well as neural networks to select the best possible emission line galaxies and luminous red galaxies for a cosmological survey. Using the Fisher matrix formalism we forecast the efficiency of each target selection scenario. We show how the dark energy figures of merit change in each target selection regime as a function of target type, survey time, survey density and other survey parameters. We outline the optimal target selection scenarios and survey strategy choices which will be available to the next generation of spectroscopic surveys.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Observation of a bulk 3D Dirac multiplet, Lifshitz transition, and nestled spin states in Na3Bi

Symmetry or topology protected Dirac fermion states in two and three dimensions constitute novel quantum systems that exhibit exotic physical phenomena. However, none of the studied spin-orbit materials are suitable for realizing bulk multiplet Dirac states for the exploration of interacting Dirac physics. Here we present experimental evidence, for the first time, that the compound Na3Bi hosts a bulk spin-orbit Dirac multiplet and their interaction or overlap leads to a Lifshitz transition in momentum space - a condition for realizing interactions involving Dirac states. By carefully preparing the samples at a non-natural-cleavage (100) crystalline surface, we uncover many novel electronic and spin properties in Na3Bi by utilizing high resolution angle- and spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements. We observe two bulk 3D Dirac nodes that locate on the opposite sides of the bulk zone center point $Γ$, which exhibit a Fermi surface Lifshitz transition and a saddle point singularity. Furthermore, our data shows evidence for the possible existence of theoretically predicted weak 2D nontrivial spin-orbit surface state with helical spin polarization that are nestled between the two bulk Dirac cones, consistent with the theoretically calculated (100) surface-arc-modes. Our main experimental observation of a rich multiplet of Dirac structure and the Lifshitz transition opens the door for inducing electronic instabilities and correlated physical phenomena in Na3Bi, and paves the way for the engineering of novel topological states using Na3Bi predicted in recent theory.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Minority-spin $t_{2g}$ states and the degree of spin polarization in ferromagnetic metallic La$_{2-2x}$Sr$_{1+2x}$Mn$_2$O$_7$ ($x=0.38$)

Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we investigate the electronic band structure and Fermi surface of ferromagnetic La$_{2-2x}$Sr$_{1+2x}$Mn$_2$O$_7$ ($x=0.38$). Besides the expected two hole pockets and one electron pocket of majority-spin $e_g$ electrons, we show an extra electron pocket around the $Γ$ point. A comparison with first-principles spin-polarized band-structure calculations shows that the extra electron pocket arises from $t_{2g}$ electrons of minority-spin character, indicating this compound is not a complete half-metallic ferromagnet, with similar expectations for lightly-doped cubic manganites. However, our data suggest that a complete half-metallic state is likely to be reached as long as the bandwidth is mildly reduced. Moreover, the band-resolved capability of ARPES enables us to investigate the band structure effects on spin polarization for different experimental conditions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Oscillatory surface dichroism of an insulating topological insulator Bi2Te2Se

Using circular dichroism-angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (CD-ARPES), we report a study of the effect of angular momentum transfer between polarized photons and topological surface states on the surface of highly bulk insulating topological insulator Bi2Te2Se. The photoelectron dichroism is found to be strongly modulated by the frequency of the helical photons including a dramatic sign-flip. Our results suggest that the observed dichroism and its sign-flip are consequences of strong coupling between the photon field and the spin-orbit nature of the Dirac modes on the surface. Our studies reveal the intrinsic dichroic behavior of topological surface states and point toward the potential utility of bulk insulating topological insulators in device applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Tunneling Tuned Spin Modulations in Ultrathin Topological Insulator Films

Quantitative understanding of the relationship between quantum tunneling and Fermi surface spin polarization is key to device design using topological insulator surface states. By using spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with p-polarized light in topological insulator Bi2Se3 thin films across the metal-to-insulator transition, we observe that for a given film thickness, the spin polarization is large for momenta far from the center of the surface Brillouin zone. In addition, the polarization decreases significantly with enhanced tunneling realized systematically in thin insulating films, whereas magnitude of the polarization saturates to the bulk limit faster at larger wavevectors in thicker metallic films. Our theoretical model calculations capture this delicate relationship between quantum tunneling and Fermi surface spin polarization. Our results suggest that the polarization current can be tuned to zero in thin insulating films forming the basis for a future spin-switch nano-device.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗