arXiv subjects

J. Garcia

Publications and source records attributed to J. Garcia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Fermionic entanglement and quantum correlation measures in molecules

We analyze fermionic entanglement and correlation measures in the ground and the low temperature thermal state of the water molecule as a function of the internuclear distance in the context of the full configuration interaction approach. The aim is to obtain a general entanglement based characterization of the electronic eigenstates. We consider first the spin-up - spin-down partition and the associated Schmidt decomposition, examining the total up-down entanglement of the electronic wave function. We then consider the one- and two-body entanglement derived from the one- and two-body reduced density matrices (DMs), which measure both the deviation of the state from a Slater Determinant (SD) as well as the up-down correlation at the two-body level. All blocks of these DMs are examined. We also introduce and analyze new measures like the up-down two-body mutual information and two types of two-body negativities, the latter measuring the "inner" entanglement of the reduced two-body DMs, i.e., their deviation from a convex mixture of SDs. Finally, the dissociation limit is also analyzed, considering both the exact ground state (GS) as well as the thermal state in the zero temperature limit, representing the projector onto the "GS band" of almost degenerate lowest lying eigenstates.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Cold and eccentric: a high-spectral resolution view of 51 Eri b with VLT/HiRISE

Discovered almost 10 years ago, the giant planet 51 Eridani b is one of the least separated (0.2 arcsec) and faintest (J = 19.74 mag) directly imaged exoplanets known to date. Its atmospheric properties have been thoroughly investigated through low- and medium-resolution spectroscopic observations, enabling robust characterization of the planet's bulk parameters. However, the planet's intrinsically high contrast renders high-resolution spectroscopic observations difficult, despite their potential to yield key measurements essential for a more comprehensive characterization. This study seeks to constrain the planet's radial velocity, enabling a full 3D orbital solution when integrated with previous measurements. We have obtained 4 high-contrast high-resolution (R = 140000) spectroscopic datasets of the planet, collected over a two-year interval with the HiRISE visitor instrument at the VLT to derive the planet's radial velocity. Using self-consistent models of atmosphere, we were able to derive the radial velocity of the planet at each of the 4 epochs. These radial velocity measurements were then used in combination with all existing relative astrometry in order to constrain the orbit of the planet. Our radial velocity measurements allow us to break the degeneracy along the line of sight, making it now possible the unambiguous interpretation of the phase curve of the companion. We further constrain the orbital parameters, particularly the eccentricity, for which we derive e = 0.55 (-0.07, +0.03). The relatively high eccentricity indicates that the system has experienced dynamical interactions induced by an external perturber. We place constraints on the mass and semi-major axis of a hypothetical, unseen outer planet capable of producing the observed high eccentricities.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

The Broadband View of the Bare Seyfert PG 1426+015: Relativistic Reflection, the Soft Excess and the Importance of Oxygen

We present results from a deep, coordinated $XMM$-$Newton$ + $NuSTAR$ observation of the type 1 Seyfert PG 1426+015, a source of particular interest as the most massive reverberation-mapped black hole to date ($\log [M_{\rm{BH}}/M_{\odot}]$ = $9.01^{+0.11}_{-0.16}$). The high-resolution RGS data confirm the 'bare' nature of the source, showing no evidence for absorption beyond the Galactic column, while the broadband spectrum unambiguously reveals the presence of relativistic reflection from the innermost accretion disc (in the form of a relativistically broadened iron emission and associated Compton reflection hump) as well as confirming the presence of the strong soft excess reported previously. We explore whether relativistic reflection can successfully account for the soft excess along with the higher-energy reflection features, utilizing the two most-commonly used reflection codes (REFLIONX, XILLVER). Ultimately we find that both models are able to successfully reproduce the soft excess, though in the case of the XILLVER model this is contingent on reducing the strength of the O VIII line included in the model, as otherwise this feature prevents the model from reproducing the data. The reflection models that successfully reproduce the broadband data imply a relatively high density for the accretion disc of $\log [n_{\rm{e}} / \rm{cm}^{-3}] \sim 18$, consistent with the loose anti-correlation seen from other AGN in the $\log [n_{\rm{e}} / \rm{cm}^{-3}]$ vs $\log[m_{\rm{BH}} \dot{m}^2]$ plane, as well as a moderate-to-high black hole spin of $a^* \gtrsim 0.7$. This preliminary spin constraint is strongly dependent on the assumption that the soft excess is dominated by relativistic reflection.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

CONCERTO: forward modeling of interferograms for calibration

The CarbON [CII] line in post-rEionisation and ReionisaTiOn epoch (CONCERTO) instrument is a low-resolution mapping Fourier-transform spectrometer, based on lumped-element kinetic inductance detector (LEKID) technology, operating at 130- 310 GHz. It was installed on the 12-meter APEX telescope in Chile in April 2021 and operated until December 2022. CONCERTO's main science goal is to constrain the [CII] line fluctuations at high redshift. To reach that goal CONCERTO observed 1.4 deg2 in the COSMOS field. To ensure accurate calibration of the data, we have developed a forward model capable of simulating both the spectral response and the corresponding interferograms for each scan of observation in the COSMOS field. We present the modeling approach that enables us to reproduce the expected instrument outputs under controlled input conditions and provides a framework for the different calibration steps, including the absolute brightness calibration of the spectra. We constructed a dedicated analysis pipeline to characterize the raw interferometric data (interferograms) obtained under a broad range of atmospheric conditions at APEX. Using the forward model, we measured the interferogram alignment with the optical path difference (zero path difference, ZPD) and the relative response of each KID (flatfield). Together, these elements enable a robust characterization of the instrument's spectral brightness calibration.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

Characterization of AF Lep b at high spectral resolution with VLT/HiRISE

Since the recent discovery of the directly imaged super-Jovian planet AF Lep b, several studies have been conducted to characterize its atmosphere and constrain its orbital parameters. AF Lep b has a measured dynamical mass of $3.68 \pm 0.48$ MJup, a radius of $1.3 \pm 0.15$ RJup, a nearly circular orbit in spin-orbit alignment with the host star, a relatively high metallicity, and a near-solar to super-solar C/O ratio. However, key parameters such as the rotational velocity and radial velocity could not be estimated as they require high-resolution spectroscopic data that is impossible to obtain with classical spectrographs. AF Lep b was recently observed with the new HiRISE visitor instrument at the VLT, with the goal of obtaining high-resolution (R~140,000) spectroscopic observations to better constrain the orbital and atmospheric parameters of the young giant exoplanet. We compare the extracted spectrum of AF Lep b to self-consistent atmospheric models using ForMoSA. We then use our measurements of the radial velocity of the planet to provide new constraints on the orbit of the planet. From the forward modeling, we find a C/O ratio that aligns with previous low-resolution analyses, and we confirm the super-solar metallicity. We also confirm unambiguously the presence of methane in the atmosphere of the companion. Based on all available relative astrometry and radial velocity measurements of the host star, we show that two distinct orbital populations are possible for the companion. We derive the radial velocity of AF Lep b to be $10.51 \pm 1.03$ km/s, and show that this value agrees well with one of the two orbital solutions, allowing us to rule out an entire family of orbits. Additionally, assuming that the rotation and orbit are coplanar, the derived planet's rotation rate is consistent with the observed trend of increasing spin velocity with higher planet mass.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

On the singularity of Lie-transform perturbation approach to the guiding-center problem

We present a novel scheme of carrying out the Lie-transform perturbation for the guiding-center motion, with an aim at addressing directly the problem of singularity which exists intrinsically in the determining equation for the generating vector, and which gives rise to the formidable gauge functions in the pure oscillating part of the Lie transformation. Whereas in most applications of Lie-transform perturbation such gauge functions must be approximately solved from some partial differential equations, our scheme, characterized by a staggered determination of the generating vectors, naturally produces the gauge functions through explicit integral over the gyro-angle, leaving no unaccountable error of high order in all the succeeding transformations. Based on such scheme, a formalism of guiding-center transformation has been derived in a unified manner retaining the effects of the strong ExB shearing as well as those of electromagnetic fluctuations.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

CONCERTO at APEX -- On-sky performance in continuum

We present the data-processing algorithms and the performance of CONCERTO (CarbON CII line in post-rEionisation and ReionisaTiOn epoch) in continuum by analysing the data from the commissioning and scientific observations. The beam pattern is characterized by an effective FWHM of 31.9 $\pm$ 0.6" and 34.4 $\pm$ 1.0" for high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) bands. The main beam is slightly elongated with a mean eccentricity of 0.46. Two error beams of $\sim$65" and $\sim$130" are characterized, enabling the estimate of a main beam efficiency of $\sim$0.52. The field of view is accurately reconstructed and presents coherent distortions between the HF and LF arrays. LEKID parameters were robustly determined for 80% of the read tones. Cross-talks between LEKIDs are the first cause of flagging, followed by an excess of eccentricity for $\sim$10% of the LEKIDs, all located in a given region of the field of view. On the 44 scans of Uranus selected for the absolute photometric calibration, 72.5% and 78.2% of the LEKIDs are selected as valid detectors with a probability >70%. By comparing Uranus measurements with a model, we obtain calibration factors of 19.5$\pm$0.6 [Hz/Jy] and 25.6$\pm$0.9 [Hz/Jy] for HF and LF. The point-source continuum measurement uncertainties are 3.0% and 3.4% for HF and LF bands. The RMS of CONCERTO maps is verified to evolve as proportional to the inverse square root of integration time. The measured NEFDs for HF and LF are 115$\pm$2 mJy/beam$\cdot$s$^{1/2}$ and 95$\pm$1 mJy/beam$\cdot$s$^{1/2}$, obtained using CONCERTO data on the COSMOS field for a mean precipitable water vapour and elevation of 0.81 mm and 55.7 deg. CONCERTO demonstrates unique capabilities in fast dual-band spectral mapping with a $\sim$18.5' instantaneous field-of-view. CONCERTO's performance in continuum is perfectly in line with expectations.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

Assessing the Impact of Alpha Particles on Thermal Confinement in JET D-T Plasmas through Global GENE-Tango Simulations

The capability of the global, electromagnetic gyrokinetic GENE code interfaced with the transport Tango solver is exploited to address the impact of fusion alpha particles (in their dual role of fast particles and heating source) on plasma profiles and performance at JET in the discharges with the highest quasi-stationary peak fusion power during the DTE2 experimental campaigns. Employing radially global nonlinear electromagnetic GENE-Tango simulations, we compare results with/without alpha particles and alpha heating. Our findings reveal that alpha particles have a negligible impact on turbulent transport, with GENE-Tango converging to similar plasma profiles regardless of their inclusion as a kinetic species in GENE. On the other hand, alpha heating is found to contribute to the peaking of the electron temperature profiles, leading to a 1keV drop on the on-axis electron temperature when alpha heating is neglected in Tango. The minimal impact of alpha particles on turbulent transport in this JET discharge - despite this being the shot with the highest fusion output - is attributed to the low content of fusion alpha in this discharge. To assess the potential impact of alpha particles on turbulent transport in regimes with higher alpha particle density, as expected in ITER and fusion reactors, we artificially increased the alpha particle concentration to levels expected for ITER. By performing global nonlinear GENE standalone simulations, we found that increasing the alpha particle density beyond five times the nominal value lead to significant overall turbulence destabilization.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

A Segmented Total Energy Detector (sTED) optimized for $(n,\gamma)$ cross-section measurements at n_TOF EAR2

The neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN is a spallation source dedicated to measurements of neutron-induced reaction cross-sections of interest in nuclear technologies, astrophysics, and other applications. Since 2014, Experimental ARea 2 (EAR2) is operational and delivers a neutron fluence of $4\times 10^7$ neutrons per nominal proton pulse, which is 50 times higher than the one of Experimental ARea 1 (EAR1) of $8\times10^5$ neutrons per pulse. The high neutron flux at EAR2 results in high counting rates in the detectors that challenged the previously existing capture detection systems. For this reason, a Segmented Total Energy Detector (sTED) has been developed to overcome the limitations in the detectors response, by reducing the active volume per module and by using a photomultiplier (PMT) optimized for high counting rates. This paper presents the main characteristics of the sTED, including energy and time resolution, response to $\gamma$-rays, and provides as well details of the use of the Pulse Height Weighting Technique (PHWT) with this detector. The sTED has been validated to perform neutron-capture cross-section measurements in EAR2 in the neutron energy range from thermal up to at least 400 keV. The detector has already been successfully used in several measurements at n_TOF EAR2.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

X-ray polarization measurement of the gold standard of radio-quiet active galactic nuclei : NGC 1068

We used the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite to measure, for the first time, the 2-8 keV polarization of NGC 1068. We pointed IXPE for a net exposure time of 1.15 Ms on the target, in addition to two ~ 10 ks each Chandra snapshots in order to account for the potential impact of several ultraluminous X-ray source (ULXs) within IXPE's field-of-view. We measured a 2 - 8 keV polarization degree of 12.4% +/- 3.6% and an electric vector polarization angle of 101{\deg} +/- 8{\deg} at 68% confidence level. If we exclude the spectral region containing the bright Fe K lines and other soft X-ray lines where depolarization occurs, the polarization fraction rises up to 21.3% +/- 6.7% in the 3.5 - 6.0 keV band, with a similar polarization angle. The observed polarization angle is found to be perpendicular to the parsec scale radio jet. Using a combined Chandra and IXPE analysis plus multi-wavelength constraints, we estimated that the circumnuclear "torus" may sustain a half-opening angle of 50{\deg} - 55{\deg} (from the vertical axis of the system). Thanks to IXPE, we have measured the X-ray polarization of NGC 1068 and found comparable results, both in terms of polarization angle orientation with respect to the radio-jet and torus half-opening angle, to the X-ray polarimetric measurement achieved for the other archetypal Compton-thick AGN : the Circinus galaxy. Probing the geometric arrangement of parsec-scale matter in extragalactic object is now feasible thanks to X-ray polarimetry.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

First light of VLT/HiRISE: High-resolution spectroscopy of young giant exoplanets

A major endeavor of this decade is the direct characterization of young giant exoplanets at high spectral resolution to determine the composition of their atmosphere and infer their formation processes and evolution. Such a goal represents a major challenge owing to their small angular separation and luminosity contrast with respect to their parent stars. Instead of designing and implementing completely new facilities, it has been proposed to leverage the capabilities of existing instruments that offer either high contrast imaging or high dispersion spectroscopy, by coupling them using optical fibers. In this work we present the implementation and first on-sky results of the HiRISE instrument at the very large telescope (VLT), which combines the exoplanet imager SPHERE with the recently upgraded high resolution spectrograph CRIRES using single-mode fibers. The goal of HiRISE is to enable the characterization of known companions in the $H$ band, at a spectral resolution of the order of $R = λ/Δλ= 100\,000$, in a few hours of observing time. We present the main design choices and the technical implementation of the system, which is constituted of three major parts: the fiber injection module inside of SPHERE, the fiber bundle around the telescope, and the fiber extraction module at the entrance of CRIRES. We also detail the specific calibrations required for HiRISE and the operations of the instrument for science observations. Finally, we detail the performance of the system in terms of astrometry, temporal stability, optical aberrations, and transmission, for which we report a peak value of $\sim$3.9% based on sky measurements in median observing conditions. Finally, we report on the first astrophysical detection of HiRISE to illustrate its potential.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

A self-sustaining mechanism for Internal Transport Barrier formation in HL-2A tokamak plasmas

The formation of Internal Transport Barrier (ITB) is studied in HL-2A plasmas by means of nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations. A new paradigm for the ITB formation is proposed in which different physics mechanisms play a different role depending on the ITB formation stage. In the early stage, fast ions, introduced by Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) ion system, are found to stabilize the thermal-ion-driven instability by dilution, thus reducing the ion heat fluxes and finally triggering the ITB. Such dilution effects, however, play a minor role after the ITB is triggered as electromagnetic effects are dominant in the presence of established high pressure gradients. We define the concept of ITB self-sustainment, as the low turbulence levels found within the fully formed ITB are consequences of large scale zonal flows, which in turn are fed by a non-linear interplay with large scale high frequency electromagnetic perturbations destabilized by the ITB itself.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

The Double Chooz antineutrino detectors

This article describes the setup and performance of the near and far detectors in the Double Chooz experiment. The electron antineutrinos of the Chooz nuclear power plant were measured in two identically designed detectors with different average baselines of about 400 m and 1050 m from the two reactor cores. Over many years of data taking the neutrino signals were extracted from interactions in the detectors with the goal of measuring a fundamental parameter in the context of neutrino oscillation, the mixing angle θ13. The central part of the Double Chooz detectors was a main detector comprising four cylindrical volumes filled with organic liquids. From the inside towards the outside there were volumes containing gadolinium-loaded scintillator, gadolinium-free scintillator, a buffer oil and, optically separated, another liquid scintillator acting as veto system. Above this main detector an additional outer veto system using plastic scintillator strips was installed. The technologies developed in Double Chooz were inspiration for several other antineutrino detectors in the field. The detector design allowed implementation of efficient background rejection techniques including use of pulse shape information provided by the data acquisition system. The Double Chooz detectors featured remarkable stability, in particular for the detected photons, as well as high radiopurity of the detector components.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Connecting SPHERE and CRIRES+ for the characterisation of young exoplanets at high spectral resolution: status update of VLT/HiRISE

New generation exoplanet imagers on large ground-based telescopes are highly optimised for the detection of young giant exoplanets in the near-infrared, but they are intrinsically limited for their characterisation by the low spectral resolution of their integral field spectrographs ($R<100$). High-dispersion spectroscopy at $R \gg 10^4$ would be a powerful tool for the characterisation of these planets, but there is currently no high-resolution spectrograph with extreme adaptive optics and coronagraphy that would enable such characterisation. With project HiRISE we propose to use fiber coupling to combine the capabilities of two flagship instruments at the Very Large Telescope in Chile: the exoplanet imager SPHERE and the high-resolution spectrograph CRIRES+. The coupling will be implemented at the telescope in early 2023. We provide a general overview of the implementation of HiRISE, of its assembly, integration and testing (AIT) phase in Europe, and a brief assessment of its expected performance based on the final hardware.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2022

Interpreting Radial Correlation Doppler Reflectometry using Gyrokinetic Simulations

A linear response, local model for the DBS amplitude applied to gyrokinetic simulations shows that radial correlation Doppler reflectometry measurements (RCDR, Schirmer et al., Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 49 1019 (2007)) are not sensitive to the average turbulence radial correlation length, but to a correlation length that depends on the binormal wavenumber $k_\perp$ selected by the Doppler backscattering (DBS) signal. Nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations show that the turbulence naturally exhibits a non-separable power law spectrum in wavenumber space, leading to a power law dependence of the radial correlation length with binormal wavenumber $l_r \sim C k_\perp^{-α} (α\approx 1)$ which agrees with the inverse proportionality relationship between the measured $l_r$ and $k_\perp $ in experiments (Fernandez-Marina et al., Nucl. Fusion 54 072001 (2014)). This offers the possibility of characterizing the eddy aspect ratio in the perpendicular plane to the magnetic field and motivates future use of a non-separable turbulent spectrum to quantitatively interpret RCDR and potentially other turbulence diagnostics. The radial correlation length is only measurable when the radial resolution at the cutoff location $W_n$ satisfies $W_n \ll l_r$, while the measurement becomes dominated by $W_n$ for $W_n \gg l_r$. This suggests that $l_r$ is likely inaccessible for electron-scale DBS measurements ($k_\perpρ_s > 1$). The effect of $W_n$ on ion-scale radial correlation lengths could be non-negligible.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2021

CONCERTO at APEX: Installation and first phase of on-sky commissioning

CONCERTO (CarbON CII line in post-rEionisation and ReionisaTiOn) is a large field-of-view (FoV) spectro-imager that has been installed on the Cassegrain Cabin of Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope in April 2021. CONCERTO hosts 2 focal planes and a total number of 4000 Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KID), with an instantaneous FoV of 18.6 arcminutes in the range of 130-310 GHz. The spectral resolution can be easily tuned down to 1 GHz depending on the scientific target. The scientific program of CONCERTO has many objectives, with two main programs focused on mapping the fluctuations of the [CII] line intensity in the reionisation and post-reionisation epoch (4.5<z<8.5), and on studying galaxy clusters via the thermal and kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect. CONCERTO will also measure the dust and molecular gas contents of local and intermediate-redshift galaxies, it will study the Galactic star-forming clouds and finally it will observe the CO intensity fluctuations arising from 0.3<z<2 galaxies. The design of the instrument, installation at APEX and current status of the commissioning phase and science verification will be presented. Also we describe the deployment and first on-sky tests performed between April and June 2021.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

CONCERTO at APEX: installation and technical commissioning

We describe the deployment and first tests on Sky of CONCERTO, a large field-of-view (18.6arc-min) spectral-imaging instrument. The instrument operates in the range 130-310GHz from the APEX 12-meters telescope located at 5100m a.s.l. on the Chajnantor plateau. Spectra with R=1-300 are obtained using a fast (2.5Hz mechanical frequency) Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), coupled to a continuous dilution cryostat with a base temperature of 60mK. Two 2152-pixels arrays of Lumped Element Kinetic Inductance Detectors (LEKID) are installed in the cryostat that also contains the cold optics and the front-end electronics. CONCERTO, installed in April 2021, generates more than 20k spectra per second during observations. We describe the final development phases, the installation and the first results obtained on Sky.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

New plasma regimes with small ELMs and high confinement at the Joint European Torus

New plasma regimes with high confinement, low core impurity accumulation and small Edge localized mode (ELMs) perturbations have been obtained close to ITER conditions in magnetically confined plasmas from the Joint European torus (JET) tokamak. Such regimes are achieved by means of optimized particle fuelling conditions which trigger a self-organize state with a strong increase in rotation and ion temperature and a decrease of the edge density. An interplay between core and edge plasma regions leads to reduced turbulence levels and outward impurity convection. These results pave the way to an attractive alternative to the standard plasmas considered for fusion energy generation in a tokamak with metallic wall environment such as the ones expected in ITER

physics.plasm-ph↗