arXiv subjects

Hongwei Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Hongwei Zhang.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Data-Based Optimal Control of Multi-Agent Systems: A Reinforcement Learning Design Approach

This paper studies optimal consensus tracking problem of heterogeneous linear multi-agent systems. By introducing tracking error dynamics, the optimal tracking problem is reformulated as finding a Nash-equilibrium solution of a multi-player games, which can be done by solving associated coupled Hamilton-Jacobi (HJ) equations. A data-based error estimator is designed to obtain the data-based control for the multi-agent systems. Using the quadratic functional to approximate the every agent's value function, we can obtain the optimal cooperative control by input-output (I/O) $Q$-learning algorithm with value iteration technique in the least-square sense. The control law solves the optimal consensus problem for multi-agent systems with measured input-output information, and does not rely on the model of multi-agent systems. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

math.OC↗

arXiv2018

Thermal tuning of the carrier density in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 nanoplates

The tunable carrier density plays a key role in the investigation of novel transport properties in three-dimensional topological semimetals. Here we demonstrate that the carrier density as well as the mobility of Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 nanoplates can be effectively tuned by the in-situ thermal treatment at 350 K for one hour, both showing a non-monotonic evolution with the thermal cycling treatments. The upward shift of Fermi level relative to the Dirac nodes blurs the surface Fermi-arc states, accompanying with an anomalous phase shift of oscillations of bulk states due to the change of topology of electrons. Meanwhile, the peaks of oscillations of bulk longitudinal magnetoresistivity shift at high fields due to their coupling to the oscillations of the surface Fermi-arc states. Our work provides a thermal control knob for manipulations of the quantum states through the carrier density in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 at high temperature.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Small-Deviation Inequalities for Sums of Random Matrices

Random matrices have played an important role in many fields including machine learning, quantum information theory and optimization. One of the main research focuses is on the deviation inequalities for eigenvalues of random matrices. Although there are intensive studies on the large-deviation inequalities for random matrices, only a few of works discuss the small-deviation behavior of random matrices. In this paper, we present the small-deviation inequalities for the largest eigenvalues of sums of random matrices. Since the resulting inequalities are independent of the matrix dimension, they are applicable to the high-dimensional and even the infinite-dimensional cases.

math.PR↗

arXiv2018

de Haas-van Alphen study on three-dimensional topological semimetal pyrite PtBi2

We present the systematic de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) quantum oscillations studies on the recently discovered topological Dirac semimetal pyrite PtBi2 single crystals. Remarkable dHvA oscillations were observed at field as low as 1.5 T. From the analyses of dHvA oscillations, we have extracted high quantum mobility, light effective mass and phase shift factor for Dirac fermions in pyrite PtBi2. From the angular dependence of dHvA oscillations, we have mapped out the topology of the Fermi surface and identified additional oscillation frequencies which were not probed by SdH oscillations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Unified Scheduling for Predictable Communication Reliability in Cellular Networks with D2D Links

Cellular networks with D2D links are increasingly being explored for mission-critical applications (e.g., real-time control and AR/VR) which require predictable communication reliability. Thus it is critical to control interference among concurrent transmissions in a predictable manner to ensure the required communication reliability. To this end, we propose a Unified Cellular Scheduling (UCS) framework that, based on the Physical-Ratio-K (PRK) interference model, schedules uplink, downlink, and D2D transmissions in a unified manner to ensure predictable communication reliability while maximizing channel spatial reuse. UCS also provides a simple, effective approach to mode selection that maximizes the communication capacity for each involved communication pair. UCS effectively uses multiple channels for high throughput as well as resilience to channel fading and external interference. Leveraging the availability of base stations (BSes) as well as high-speed, out-of-band connectivity between BSes, UCS effectively orchestrates the functionalities of BSes and user equipment (UE) for light-weight control signaling and ease of incremental deployment and integration with existing cellular standards. We have implemented UCS using the open-source, standards-compliant cellular networking platform OpenAirInterface. We have validated the OpenAirInterface implementation using USRP B210 software-defined radios and lab deployment. We have also evaluated UCS through high-fidelity, at-scale simulation studies; we observe that UCS ensures predictable communication reliability while achieving a higher channel spatial reuse rate than existing mechanisms, and that the distributed UCS framework enables a channel spatial reuse rate statistically equal to that in the state-of-the-art centralized scheduling algorithm iOrder.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2017

Recognition of Fermi-arc states through the magnetoresistance quantum oscillations in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 nanoplates

The disjointed Fermi-arcs in Weyl semimetals can intertwine with chiral bulk modes and participate in unusual closed magnetic orbits in the presence of a vertical magnetic field. Here we carry out the quantum oscillation study of such unusual Weyl magnetic orbits in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2, a close cousin of Weyl semimetals. We find that extra two-dimensional (2D) quantum oscillations emerge at high field, which superimpose on 3D bulk background and can be attributed to the Weyl magnetic orbits, when the thickness of nanoplates is smaller than the mean free path of the electrons. Further evidence of the 2D quantum oscillations from the Weyl magnetic orbits is provided by the nonlocal detection, which demonstrates an alternative way to study the quantum transport properties of Fermi-arcs under magnetic field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Probing the Chiral Anomaly by Planar Hall Effect in Three-dimensional Dirac Semimetal Cd3As2 Nanoplates

Searching for exotic transport properties in new topological state of matters is an active topic. One of the most fascinating achievements is the chiral anomaly in recently discovered Weyl semimetals (WSMs), which is manifested as a negative longitudinal magnetoresistance (LMR) in the presence of a magnetic field B parallel to an electric field E. Another predicted key effect closely related to the chiral anomaly is the planar Hall effect (PHE), which has not been identified in WSMs so far. Here we carried out the planar Hall measurements on Cd3As2 nanoplates, and found that, accompanied by the large negative LMR, a PHE with non-zero transverse voltage can be developed while tilting the in-plane magnetic field B away from the electric field E. Further experiments reveal that both the PHE and the negative LMR can be suppressed synchronously by increasing the temperature, but still visible at room temperature, indicating the same origin of these two effects. The observation of PHE in Cd3As2 nanoplates gives another transport evidence for the chiral anomaly and provides a deep insight into the chiral charge pumping in Weyl Fermions system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Field induced topological phase transition from a three-dimensional Weyl semimetal to a two-dimensional massive Dirac metal in ZrTe5

Symmetry protected Dirac semimetals can be transformed into Weyl semimetals by breaking the protecting symmetry, leading to many exotic quantum phenomena such as chiral anomaly and anomalous Hall effect. Here we show that, due to the large Zeeman g factor and small band width along b-axis in Dirac semimetal ZrTe5, a magnetic field of about 8 T along b-axis direction may annihilate the Weyl points and open up a two-dimensional (2D) Dirac mass gap, when the Zeeman splitting exceeds the band width along b-axis. This is manifested by a sharp drop of magnetoresistance (MR) above 8 T, which is probably due to additional carriers induced by the orbital splitting of the zeroth Landau level associated with the 2D Dirac point, which is descendant of the original Weyl points. Further evidence of the additional carriers is provided by the Hall effect and different anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) in low and high field regions. Our experiment reveals a probable topological quantum phase transition of field induced Weyl points annihilation in Dirac semimetal ZrTe5 and gives an alternative explanation for the drop of MR at high field.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Cyber-Physical Interference Modeling for Predictable Reliability of Inter-Vehicle Communications

Predictable inter-vehicle communication reliability is a basis for the paradigm shift from the traditional singlevehicle-oriented safety and efficiency control to networked vehicle control. The lack of predictable interference control in existing mechanisms of inter-vehicle communications, however, makes them incapable of ensuring predictable communication reliability. For predictable interference control, we propose the Cyber-Physical Scheduling (CPS) framework that leverages the PRK interference model and addresses the challenges of vehicle mobility to PRK-based scheduling. In particular, CPS leverage physical locations of vehicles to define the gPRK interference model, a geometric approximation of the PRK model, for effective interference relation estimation, and CPS leverages cyber-physical structures of vehicle traffic flows (particularly, spatiotemporal interference correlation as well as macro- and micro-scopic vehicle dynamics) for effective use of the gPRK model. Through experimental analysis with high-fidelity ns-3 and SUMO simulation, we observe that CPS enables predictable reliability while achieving high throughput and low delay in communication. To the best of our knowledge, CPS is the first field deployable method that ensures predictable interference control and thus reliability in inter-vehicle communications.

cs.DC↗

arXiv2017

Intrinsic energy conversion mechanism via telescopic extension and retraction of concentric carbon nanotubes

The conversion of other forms of energy into mechanical work through the geometrical extension and retraction of nanomaterials has a wide variety of potential applications, including for mimicking biomotors. Here, using molecular dynamic simulations, we demonstrate that there exists an intrinsic energy conversion mechanism between thermal energy and mechanical work in the telescopic motions of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs). A DWCNT can inherently convert heat into mechanical work in its telescopic extension process, while convert mechanical energy into heat in its telescopic retraction process. These two processes are thermodynamically reversible. The underlying mechanism for this reversibility is that the entropy changes with the telescopic overlapping length of concentric individual tubes. We find also that the entropy effect enlarges with the decreasing intertube space of DWCNTs. As a result, the spontaneously telescopic motion of a condensed DWCNT can be switched to extrusion by rising the system temperature above a critical value. These findings are important for fundamentally understanding the mechanical behavior of concentric nanotubes, and may have general implications in the application of DWCNTs as linear motors in nanodevices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Extremely large magnetoresistance in a topological semimetal candidate pyrite PtBi2

While pyrite-type PtBi2 with face-centered cubic structure has been predicted to be a three-dimensional (3D) Dirac semimetal, experimental study on its physical properties remains absent. Here we report the angular-dependent magnetoresistance (MR) measurements of PtBi2 single-crystal under high magnetic fields. We observed extreme large unsaturated magnetoresistance (XMR) up to 11.2 million percent at T = 1.8 K in a magnetic field of 33 T, which surpasses the previously reported Dirac materials, such as WTe2, LaSb and NbP. The crystals exhibit an ultrahigh mobility and significant Shubnikov-de Hass (SdH) quantum oscillations with nontrivial Berry's phase. Analysis of Hall resistivity indicates that the XMR can be ascribed to the nearly compensated electron and hole. Our experimental results associated with the ab initio calculations suggest that pyrite PtBi2 is a topological semimetal candidate which might provide a platform for exploring topological materials with XMR in noble metal alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Thickness-tuned transition of band topology in ZrTe5 nanosheets

We report thickness-tuned electrical transport and Hall resistivity in highly anisotropic three-dimensional Dirac semimetal ZrTe5 nanosheets. We find that when the thickness of the nanosheet is blow about 40 nm, the system takes a clear transition from topological semimetal with two bands carriers to a single band with conventional hole carriers. The resistivity peak temperature T* decreases systematically with decreasing thickness down to about 40 nm, then shifts up with the further decrease of the thickness. Analysis of the data below 40 nm indicates that the hole carriers completely dominate the transport in the entire temperature range, regardless of the temperature being below or above T*. By further tracking the carrier density, we find that the Fermi level shifts consecutively downward from conduction band to the valence band as decreasing the thickness. Our experiments unambiguously reveal a highly thickness-tuned transition of band topology in ZrTe5 nanosheets.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Transport evidence for the three-dimensional Dirac semimetal phase in ZrTe5

Topological Dirac semimetal is a newly discovered class of materials and has attracted intense attentions. This material can be viewed as a three-dimensional (3D) analogue of graphene and has linear energy dispersion in bulk, leading to a range of exotic transport properties. Here we report direct quantum transport evidence of 3D Dirac semimetal phase of layered material ZrTe5 by angular dependent magnetoresistance measurements under high magnetic fields up to 31 Tesla. We observed very clear negative longitudinal magnetoresistance induced by chiral anomaly under the condition of the magnetic field aligned only along the current direction. Pronounced Shubnikov-de Hass (SdH) quantum oscillations in both longitudinal magnetoresistance and transverse Hall resistance were observed, revealing anisotropic light cyclotron masses and high mobility of the system. In particular, a nontrivial π-Berry phase in the SdH gives clear evidence for 3D Dirac semimetal phase. Furthermore, we observed clear Landau Level splitting under high magnetic field, suggesting possible splitting of Dirac point into Weyl points due to broken time reversal symmetry. Our results indicate that ZrTe5 is an ideal platform to study 3D massless Dirac and Weyl fermions in a layered compound.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Single Crystal Growth of the New Pressure-induced-superconductor CrAs via Chemical Vapor Transport

Mono-arsenide CrAs, endures a helical anti-ferromagnetic order transition at~ 265 K under ambient pressure. Recently, pressure-induced-superconductivity was discovered vicinity to the helical anti-ferromagnetic order in CrAs[Wei Wu et al., Nature Communications 5, 5508 (2014).]. However, the size of crystal grown via tin flux method is as small as 1 mm in longest dimension. In this work, we report the single crystal growth of CrAs with size of 1 * 5 * 1 mm3 via chemical vapor transport method and its physical properties.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Large low-field positive magnetoresistance in nonmagnetic half-Heusler ScPtBi single crystal

High-quality nonmagnetic half-Heusler ScPtBi single crystals were synthesized by a Bi self-flux method. This compound was revealed to be a hole-dominated semimetal with a large low-field magnetoresistance up to 240% at 2K in a magnetic field of 1T. Magneto-transport measurements demonstrated that the large low-field magnetoresistance effect resulted from the coexistence of field-induced metal-semiconductor transition and weak-antilocalization effect. Moreover, Hall measurements indicated that ScPtBi single crystal showed a high mobility over a wide temperature region even up to room temperature (4050 cm2V-1s-1 at 2K - 2016 cm2V-1s-1 at 300K). These findings not only suggest the nonmagnetic ScPtBi semimetal a potential material candidate for applications in high-sensitivity magnetic sensors, but also are of great significance to comprehensively understand the rare-earth based half-Heusler compounds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

A Multi-Scale Spatiotemporal Perspective of Connected and Automated Vehicles: Applications and Wireless Networking

Wireless communication is a basis of the vision of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). Given the heterogeneity of both wireless communication technologies and CAV applications, one question that is critical to technology road-mapping and policy making is which communication technology is more suitable for a specific CAV application. Focusing on the technical aspect of this question, we present a multi-scale spatiotemporal perspective of wireless communication technologies as well as canonical CAV applications in active safety, fuel economy and emission control, vehicle automation, and vehicular infotainment. Our analysis shows that CAV applications in the regime of small spatiotemporal scale communication requirements are best supported by V2V communications, applications in the regime of large spatiotemporal scale communication requirements are better supported by cellular communications, and applications in the regime of small spatial scale but medium-to-large temporal scale can be supported by both V2V and cellular communications and provide the opportunity of leveraging heterogeneous communication resources.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2014

A Maximal Concurrency and Low Latency Distributed Scheduling Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Existing work that schedules concurrent transmissions collision-free suffers from low channel utilization. We propose the Optimal Node Activation Multiple Access (ONAMA) protocol to achieve maximal channel spatial reuse through a distributed maximal independent set (DMIS) algorithm. To overcome DMIS's excessive delay in finding a maximal independent set, we devise a novel technique called pipelined precomputation that decouples DMIS from data transmission. We implement ONAMA on resource-constrained TelosB motes using TinyOS. Extensive measurements on two testbeds independently attest to ONAMA's superb performance compared to existing work: improving concurrency, throughput, and delay by a factor of 3.7, 3.0, and 5.3, respectively, while still maintaining reliability.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2014

A Mean-Variance Control Framework for Platoon Control Problems: Weak Convergence Results and Applications on Reduction of Complexity

This paper introduces a new approach of treating platoon systems using mean-variance control formulation. The underlying system is a controlled switching diffusion in which the random switching process is a continuous-time Markov chain. This switching process is used to represent random environment and other random factors that cannot be given by stochastic differential equations driven by a Brownian motion. The state space of the Markov chain is large in our setup, which renders practically infeasible a straightforward implementation of the mean-variance control strategy obtained in the literature. By partitioning the states of the Markov chain into sub-groups (or clusters) and then aggregating the states of each cluster as a super state, we are able to obtain a limit system of much reduced complexity. The justification of the limit system is rigorously supported by establishing certain weak convergence results.

math.OC↗