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J. M. Arias

Publications and source records attributed to J. M. Arias.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantum Phase Transitions in periodically quenched systems

Quantum phase transitions encompass a variety of phenomena that occur in quantum systems exhibiting several possible symmetries. Traditionally, these transitions are explored by continuously varying a control parameter that connects two different symmetry configurations. Here we propose an alternative approach where the control parameter undergoes abrupt and time-periodic jumps between only two values. This approach yields results surprisingly similar to those obtained by the traditional one and may prove experimentally useful in situations where accessing the control parameter is challenging.

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The extended Lipkin model: proposal for implementation in a quantum platform and machine learning analysis of its phase diagram

We investigate the Extended Lipkin Model (ELM), whose phase diagram mirrors that of the Interacting Boson Approximation model (IBA). Unlike the standard Lipkin model, the ELM (as the IBA) features both first- and second-order quantum shape phase transitions depending on the model parameters. Our goal is to implement the ELM on a quantum platform, leveraging Machine Learning techniques to identify its quantum phase transitions and critical lines. To achieve this, we offer: i) ground state energy calculations using a variational quantum eigensolver; ii) a detailed formulation for ELM dynamics within quantum computing, facilitating experimental exploration of the IBA phase diagram; and iii) a phase diagram determination using various Machine Learning methods. We successfully replicate the ELM ground-state energy using the Adaptive Derivative-Assembled Pseudo-Trotter ansatz Variational Quantum Eigensolver (ADAPT-VQE) algorithm across the entire phase space. Our framework ensures ELM implementation on quantum platforms with controlled errors. Lastly, our ML predictions yield a meaningful phase diagram for the model. Keywords: Quantum Platforms Nuclear Models ADAPT-VQE Quantum Shape Phase Transitions Interacting Boson Approximation Extended Lipkin Model Machine Learning

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At the borderline of shape coexistence: Mo and Ru

Background Even-even isotopes of Mo ($Z=42$) and Ru ($Z=44$) are nuclei close to the subshell closure at $Z=40$, where shape coexistence plays a significant role. As a result, their spectroscopic properties are expected to resemble those of Sr ($Z=38$) and Zr ($Z=40$). Exploring the evolution of these properties as they move away from the subshell closure is of great interest. Purpose The purpose of this study is to reproduce the spectroscopic properties of even-even $^{96-110}_{\phantom{961-}42}$Mo and $^{98-114}_{\phantom{961-}44}$Ru isotopes and to determine the influence of shape coexistence. Method We have employed the interacting boson model with configuration mixing as the framework to calculate all the observables for Mo and Ru isotopes. We have considered two types of configurations: 0-particle-0-hole and 2-particle-2-hole excitations. The model parameters have been determined using a least-squares fitting to match the excitation energies and the $B(E2)$ transition rates. Results We have obtained the excitation energies, $B(E2)$ values, two-neutron separation energies, nuclear radii, and isotope shifts for the entire chain of isotopes. Our theoretical results have shown good agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, we have conducted a detailed analysis of the wave functions and obtained the mean-field energy surfaces and the nuclear deformation parameter, $β$, for all considered isotopes. Conclusions Our findings reveal that shape coexistence plays a significant role in Mo isotopes, with the crossing of intruder and regular configurations occurring at neutron number $60$ ($A=102$), which induces a quantum phase transition. In contrast, in Ru isotopes, the intruder states have minimal influence, remaining at higher energies. However, at neutron number $60$, also a quantum phase transition occurs in Ru isotopes.

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Nuclear Physics in the Era of Quantum Computing and Quantum Machine Learning

In this paper, the application of quantum simulations and quantum machine learning to solve low-energy nuclear physics problems is explored. The use of quantum computing to deal with nuclear physics problems is, in general, in its infancy and, in particular, the use of quantum machine learning in the realm of nuclear physics at low energy is almost nonexistent. We present here three specific examples where the use of quantum computing and quantum machine learning provides, or could provide in the future, a possible computational advantage: i) the determination of the phase/shape in schematic nuclear models, ii) the calculation of the ground state energy of a nuclear shell model-type Hamiltonian and iii) the identification of particles or the determination of trajectories in nuclear physics experiments.

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Two-neutron transfer reactions as a tool to study the interplay between shape coexistence and quantum phase transitions

The goal of this study is to find an observable that could distinguish between both phenomena, shape coexistence and quantum phase transitions. The selected observable to be analyzed is the two-neutron transfer intensity between the 0+ states in the parent and daughter nuclei. The framework in which the study is done is the Interacting Boson Model (IBM), including its version with configuration mixing (IBM-CM). In order to generate the wave functions of the isotope chains of interest, needed for calculating transfer intensities, previous systematic studies with IBM and IBM-CM are taken without changing the parameters. Results for two-neutron transfer intensities are presented for Zr, Hg and Pt isotopic chains using IBM-CM and, moreover, the same is done for Zr, Pt and Sm isotopic chains using IBM with just a single configuration, i.e., without using configuration mixing. In the case of Zr, the two-neutron transfer intensities between the ground states provide a clear observable indicating that normal and intruder configurations coexist in the low-lying spectrum and that they cross at A=98->100, and this could allow to disentangle whether or not shape coexistence is inducing a given QPT. In the case of Pt, where shape coexistence is present and the regular and the intruder configurations cross for the ground state, there is almost no influence in the value of the two-neutron transfer, neither in the case of Hg where the ground state always has regular nature. For the Sm isotope chain that is one of the quantum phase transition paradigms, the value of the two-neutron transfer is strongly affected.

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An overview of the scientific contribution of Andrea Vitturi to Nuclear Physics (being an account of the recent TNP19 meeting held in Padova)

We give an account of the main achievements of the scientific career of Andrea Vitturi so far, that have recently been discussed during the workshop "Theoretical Nuclear Physics in Padova" on the occasion of his retirement from full professor at the University of Padova. He has oftentimes been the driving force behind numerous contributions to nuclear structure and nuclear reactions that are here reviewed: giant resonances, pairing correlations, collective modes, algebraic models, inelastic excitations, electromagnetic response, break-up and transfer reactions, coupled-channel formalism, clustering, subbarrier fusion processes, etc. Among these topics several inspirational works and ideas can be found that we would like to highlight.

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Description of continuum structures in a discrete basis: Three-body resonances and two-nucleon decays

Weakly bound and unbound three-body nuclei are studied by using the pseudostate method within the hyperspherical formalism. After introducing the theoretical framework, the method is applied first to the $\boldsymbol{^9}$Be nucleus, showing a good agreement with the available data for its low-lying dipole response. Then, recent results on the structure and decay of the two-neutron emitters $\boldsymbol{^{26}}$O and $\boldsymbol{^{16}}$Be are presented. In particular, the role of the $\boldsymbol{n}$-$\boldsymbol{n}$ correlation in shaping their properties is discussed.

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Number conserving particle-hole RPA for superfluid nuclei

We present a number conserving particle-hole RPA theory for collective excitations in the transition from normal to superfluid nuclei. The method derives from an RPA theory developed long ago in quantum chemistry using antisymmetric geminal powers, or equivalently number projected HFB states, as reference states. We show within a minimal model of pairing plus monopole interactions that the number conserving particle-hole RPA excitations evolve smoothly across the superfluid phase transition close to the exact results, contrary to particle-hole RPA in the normal phase and quasiparticle RPA in the superfluid phase that require a change of basis at the broken symmetry point. The new formalism can be applied in a straightforward manner to study particle-hole excitations on top of a number projected HFB state.

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Scaling Properties of the Lipkin Model at the Critical Point

The influence of Franco Iachello in Physics during the last 50 years and, in particular, in the use of algebraic methods applied to very different physical problems has been broad, extense and have permeated most branches of Physics, from Nuclear and Molecular to Particle and Condensed Matter physics. Apart of many other contributions, at the beginning of the 2000's he introduced the concept of critical point symmetry and triggered the study of the many faces of quantum phase transitions in nuclei and other mesoscopic systems. In this contribution, we present the analysis of the scaling properties of the Lipkin model spectrum at the phase transition point and we focus on the differences between first and second order quantum phase transitions. Moreover, we explain how the obtained results can be also of application for the interacting boson model.

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An extended Agassi model: algebraic structure, phase diagram, and large size limit

The Agassi model is a schematic two-level model that involves pairing and monopole-monopole interactions. It is, therefore, an extension of the well known Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick (LMG) model. In this paper we review the algebraic formulation of an extension of the Agassi model as well as its bosonic realization through the Schwinger representation. Moreover, a mean-field approximation for the model is presented and its phase diagram discussed. Finally, a $1/j$ analysis, with $j$ proportional to the degeneracy of each level, is worked out to obtain the thermodynamic limit of the ground state energy and some order parameters from the exact Hamiltonian diagonalization for finite$-j$.

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Phase diagram of an extended Agassi model

Background: The Agassi model is an extension of the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model that incorporates the pairing interaction. It is a schematic model that describes the interplay between particle-hole and pair correlations. It was proposed in the 1960's by D. Agassi as a model to simulate the properties of the quadrupole plus pairing model. Purpose: The aim of this work is to extend a previous study by Davis and Heiss generalizing the Agassi model and analyze in detail the phase diagram of the model as well as the different regions with coexistence of several phases. Method: We solve the model Hamiltonian through the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation, introducing two variational parameters that play the role of order parameters. We also compare the HFB calculations with the exact ones. Results: We obtain the phase diagram of the model and classify the order of the different quantum phase transitions appearing in the diagram. The phase diagram presents broad regions where several phases, up to three, coexist. Moreover, there is also a line and a point where four and five phases are degenerated, respectively. Conclusions: The phase diagram of the extended Agassi model presents a rich variety of phases. Phase coexistence is present in extended areas of the parameter space. The model could be an important tool for benchmarking novel many-body approximations.

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$^9$Be+$^{120}$Sn scattering at near-barrier energies within a four body model

Cross sections for elastic and inelastic scattering of the weakly-bound $^9$Be nucleus on a $^{120}$Sn target have been measured at seven bombarding energies around and above the Coulomb barrier. The elastic angular distributions are analyzed with a four-body continuum-discretized coupled-channels (CDCC) calculation, which considers $^9$Be as a three-body projectile ($α$ + $α$ + n). An optical model analysis using the São Paulo potential is also shown for comparison. The CDCC analysis shows that the coupling to the continuum part of the spectrum is important for the agreement with experimental data even at energies around the Coulomb barrier, suggesting that breakup is an important process at low energies. At the highest incident energies, two inelastic peaks are observed at 1.19(5) and 2.41(5) MeV. Coupled-channels (CC) calculations using a rotational model confirm that the first inelastic peak corresponds to the excitation of the 2$_1^+$ state in $^{120}$Sn, while the second one likely corresponds to the excitation of the 3$_1^-$ state.

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Three-body radiative capture reactions

Radiative capture reaction rates for $^6$He, $^9$Be and $^{17}$Ne formation at astrophysical conditions are studied within a three-body model using the analytical transformed harmonic oscillator method to calculate their states. An alternative procedure to estimate these rates from experimental data on low-energy breakup is also discussed

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Excited-state quantum phase transitions in a two-fluid Lipkin model

Background: Composed systems have became of great interest in the framework of the ground state quantum phase transitions (QPTs) and many of their properties have been studied in detail. However, in these systems the study of the so called excited-state quantum phase transitions (ESQPTs) have not received so much attention. Purpose: A quantum analysis of the ESQPTs in the two-fluid Lipkin model is presented in this work. The study is performed through the Hamiltonian diagonalization for selected values of the control parameters in order to cover the most interesting regions of the system phase diagram. [Method:] A Hamiltonian that resembles the consistent-Q Hamiltonian of the interacting boson model (IBM) is diagonalized for selected values of the parameters and properties such as the density of states, the Peres lattices, the nearest-neighbor spacing distribution, and the participation ratio are analyzed. Results: An overview of the spectrum of the two-fluid Lipkin model for selected positions in the phase diagram has been obtained. The location of the excited-state quantum phase transition can be easily singled out with the Peres lattice, with the nearest-neighbor spacing distribution, with Poincaré sections or with the participation ratio. Conclusions: This study completes the analysis of QPTs for the two-fluid Lipkin model, extending the previous study to excited states. The ESQPT signatures in composed systems behave in the same way as in single ones, although the evidences of their presence can be sometimes blurred. The Peres lattice turns out to be a convenient tool to look into the position of the ESQPT and to define the concept of phase in the excited states realm.

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Reactions induced by $^9$Be in a four-body continuum-discretized coupled-channels framework

We investigate the elastic scattering of $^9$Be on $^{208}$Pb at beam energies above (50 MeV) and below (40 MeV) the Coulomb barrier. The reaction is described within a four-body framework using the Continuum-Discretized Coupled-Channels (CDCC) method. The $^9$Be projectile states are generated using the analytical Transformed Harmonic Oscillator (THO) basis in hyperspherical coordinates. Our calculations confirm the importance of continuum effects at low energies.

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$^9$Be scattering within a four-body continuum-discretized coupled-channels framework

The scattering of $^9$Be on $^{208}$Pb is addressed within a four-body Continuum-Discretized Coupled-Channels (CDCC) framework, considering a three-body $α+ α+ n$ projectile plus a structureless target. The projectile states are generated using the analytical Transformed Harmonic Oscillator (THO) basis in hyperspherical coordinates. Both the elastic and breakup channels are described on the same footing. We find a good agreement between our calculations and the experimental data at beam energies around and below the Coulomb barrier.

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Radiative capture reaction for $^{17}$Ne formation within a full three-body model

Background: The breakout from the hot Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxigen (CNO) cycles can trigger the rp-process in type I x-ray bursts. In this environment, a competition between $^{15}\text{O}(α,γ){^{19}\text{Ne}}$ and the two-proton capture reaction $^{15}\text{O}(2p,γ){^{17}\text{Ne}}$ is expected. Purpose: Determine the three-body radiative capture reaction rate for ${^{17}\text{Ne}}$ formation including sequential and direct, resonant and non-resonant contributions on an equal footing. Method: Two different discretization methods have been applied to generate $^{17}$Ne states in a full three-body model: the analytical transformed harmonic oscillator method and the hyperspherical adiabatic expansion method. The binary $p$--$^{15}$O interaction has been adjusted to reproduce the known spectrum of the unbound $^{16}$F nucleus. The dominant $E1$ contributions to the $^{15}\text{O}(2p,γ){^{17}\text{Ne}}$ reaction rate have been calculated from the inverse photodissociation process. Results: Three-body calculations provide a reliable description of $^{17}$Ne states. The agreement with the available experimental data on $^{17}$Ne is discussed. It is shown that the $^{15}\text{O}(2p,γ){^{17}\text{Ne}}$ reaction rates computed within the two methods agree in a broad range of temperatures. The present calculations are compared with a previous theoretical estimation of the reaction rate. Conclusions: It is found that the full three-body model provides a reaction rate several orders of magnitude larger than the only previous estimation. The implications for the rp-process in type I x-ray bursts should be investigated.

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