arXiv subjects

P. Gao

Publications and source records attributed to P. Gao.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Early Release Science of the exoplanet WASP-39b with JWST NIRSpec PRISM

Transmission spectroscopy of exoplanets has revealed signatures of water vapor, aerosols, and alkali metals in a few dozen exoplanet atmospheres. However, these previous inferences with the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes were hindered by the observations' relatively narrow wavelength range and spectral resolving power, which precluded the unambiguous identification of other chemical species$-$in particular the primary carbon-bearing molecules. Here we report a broad-wavelength 0.5-5.5 $\mu$m atmospheric transmission spectrum of WASP-39 b, a 1200 K, roughly Saturn-mass, Jupiter-radius exoplanet, measured with JWST NIRSpec's PRISM mode as part of the JWST Transiting Exoplanet Community Early Release Science Team program. We robustly detect multiple chemical species at high significance, including Na (19$\sigma$), H$_2$O (33$\sigma$), CO$_2$ (28$\sigma$), and CO (7$\sigma$). The non-detection of CH$_4$, combined with a strong CO$_2$ feature, favours atmospheric models with a super-solar atmospheric metallicity. An unanticipated absorption feature at 4$\mu$m is best explained by SO$_2$ (2.7$\sigma$), which could be a tracer of atmospheric photochemistry. These observations demonstrate JWST's sensitivity to a rich diversity of exoplanet compositions and chemical processes.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2021

Quantum spin state transitions in spin-1 equilateral triangular lattice antiferromagnet Na$_2$BaNi(PO$_4$)$_2$

We have grown single crystals of Na$_2$BaNi(PO$_4$)$_2$, a new spin-1 equilateral triangular lattice antiferromagnet (ETLAF), and performed magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements at ultralow temperatures. The main results are (i) at zero magnetic field, Na$_2$BaNi(PO$_4$)$_2$ exhibits a magnetic ordering at 430 mK with a weak ferromagnetic moment along the $c$ axis. This suggests a canted 120$^\circ$ spin structure, which is in a plane including the crystallographic $c$ axis due to the existence of an easy-axis anisotropy and ferromagnetically stacked along the $c$ axis; (ii) with increasing field along the $c$ axis, a 1/3 magnetization plateau is observed which means the canted 120$^\circ$ spin structure is transformed to a up up down (UUD) spin structure. With even higher fields, the UUD phase further evolves to possible V and V' phases; (iii) with increasing field along the $a$ axis, the canted 120$^\circ$ spin structure is possibly transformed to a umbrella phase and a V phase. Therefore, Na$_2$BaNi(PO$_4$)$_2$ is a rare example of spin-1 ETLAF with single crystalline form to exhibit easy-axis spin anisotropy and series of quantum spin state transitions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Design of a V-Ti-Ni alloy with superelastic nano-precipitates

Stress-induced martensitic transformations enable metastable alloys to exhibit enhanced strain hardening capacity, leading to improved formability and toughness. As is well-known from transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels, however, the resulting martensite can limit ductility and fatigue life due to its intrinsic brittleness. In this work, we explore an alloy design strategy that utilizes stress-induced martensitic transformations but does not retain the martensite phase. This strategy is based on the introduction of superelastic nano-precipitates, which exhibit reverse transformation after initial stress-induced forward transformation. To this end, utilizing ab-initio simulations and thermodynamic calculations we designed and produced a V45Ti30Ni25 (at%) alloy. In this alloy, TiNi is present as nano-precipitates uniformly distributed within a ductile V-rich base-centered cubic (bcc) beta matrix, as well as being present as a larger matrix phase. We characterized the microstructure of the produced alloy using various scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The bulk mechanical properties of the alloy are demonstrated through tensile tests, and the reversible transformation in each of the TiNi morphologies were confirmed by in-situ TEM micro-pillar compression experiments, in-situ high-energy diffraction synchrotron cyclic tensile tests, indentation experiments, and differential scanning calorimetry experiments. The observed transformation pathways and variables impacting phase stability are critically discussed

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Constraining the Nature of the PDS 70 Protoplanets with VLTI/GRAVITY

We present K-band interferometric observations of the PDS 70 protoplanets along with their host star using VLTI/GRAVITY. We obtained K-band spectra and 100 $μ$as precision astrometry of both PDS 70 b and c in two epochs, as well as spatially resolving the hot inner disk around the star. Rejecting unstable orbits, we found a nonzero eccentricity for PDS 70 b of $0.17 \pm 0.06$, a near-circular orbit for PDS 70 c, and an orbital configuration that is consistent with the planets migrating into a 2:1 mean motion resonance. Enforcing dynamical stability, we obtained a 95% upper limit on the mass of PDS 70 b of 10 $M_\textrm{Jup}$, while the mass of PDS 70 c was unconstrained. The GRAVITY K-band spectra rules out pure blackbody models for the photospheres of both planets. Instead, the models with the most support from the data are planetary atmospheres that are dusty, but the nature of the dust is unclear. Any circumplanetary dust around these planets is not well constrained by the planets' 1-5 $μ$m spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and requires longer wavelength data to probe with SED analysis. However with VLTI/GRAVITY, we made the first observations of a circumplanetary environment with sub-au spatial resolution, placing an upper limit of 0.3~au on the size of a bright disk around PDS 70 b.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

Absence of long-range order in an $XY$ pyrochlore antiferromagnet Er$_2$AlSbO$_7$

Rare-earth pyrochlores are known to exhibit exotic magnetic phenomena. We report a study of crystal growth and characterizations of a new rare-earth compound Er$_2$AlSbO$_7$, in which Al$^{3+}$ and Sb$^{5+}$ ions share the same positions with a random distribution. The magnetism are studied by magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements at low temperatures down to several tens of milli-kelvin. Different from the other reported Er-based pyrochlores exhibiting distinct magnetically ordered states, a spin-freezing transition is detected in Er$_2$AlSbO$_7$ below 0.37 K, which is primarily ascribed to the inherent structural disorder. A cluster spin-glass state is proposed in view of the frequency dependence of the peak position in the ac susceptibility. In addition, the temperature and field dependence of thermal conductivity indicates rather strong spin fluctuations which is probably due to the phase competition.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Pluto's Haze as a Surface Material

Pluto's atmospheric haze settles out rapidly compared with geological timescales. It needs to be accounted for as a surface material, distinct from Pluto's icy bedrock and from the volatile ices that migrate via sublimation and condensation on seasonal timescales. This paper explores how a steady supply of atmospheric haze might affect three distinct provinces on Pluto. We pose the question of why they each look so different from one another if the same haze material is settling out onto all of them. Cthulhu is a more ancient region with comparatively little present-day geological activity, where the haze appears to simply accumulate over time. Sputnik Planitia is a very active region where glacial convection, as well as sublimation and condensation rapidly refresh the surface, hiding recently deposited haze from view. Lowell Regio is a region of intermediate age featuring very distinct coloration from the rest of Pluto. Using a simple model haze particle as a colorant, we are not able to match the colors in both Lowell Regio and Cthulhu. To account for their distinct colors, we propose that after arrival at Pluto's surface, haze particles may be less inert than might be supposed from the low surface temperatures. They must either interact with local materials and environments to produce distinct products in different regions, or else the supply of haze must be non-uniform in time and/or location, such that different products are delivered to different places.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

Layered semiconductor EuTe 4 with charge density wave order in square tellurium sheets

We report a novel quasi-two dimensional compound of EuTe4 hosting charge density waves (CDW) instability. The compound has a crystallographic structure in a orthorhombic space group Pmmn (No.59) with cell parameters a = 4.6347(2)Å, b = 4.5119(2)Å, c = 15.6747(10)Å at room temperature. The pristine structure contains consecutive near-square Te sheets separated by corrugated Eu-Te slabs. Upon cooling, the compound experiences a phase transition near 255 K. X-ray crystallographic analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements reveal strong structural distortions in the low temperature phase, showing a superstructure with a periodic formation of Te-trimers in the monolayer Te sheets, yielding evidence for the formation of CDW order. The charge transport properties show a semiconducting behavior in the CDW state. Density functional theory calculations reveals a Fermi surface nesting driven instability with a nesting vector in good agreement with the one observed experimentally. Our finding provides a promising system for the study of CDW driven 2D semiconducting mechanisms, which would shed a new light on exploring novel 2D semiconductors with collective electronic states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

A Necessary and Sufficient Condition for Existence of a Rational Point on an Elliptic Curve

In this paper, the proof of the existence of a rational point on an elliptic curve is transformed into the proof of the existence of an integer solution for a Diophantine equation. By a new formula for calculating the number of elements in intersection of two finite sets, a necessary and sufficient condition for existence of a rational point on an elliptic curve is established. This condition is different from L-function in the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture.

math.NT↗

arXiv2015

The First Data Release (DR1) of the LAMOST general survey

The Large sky Area Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) General Survey is a spectroscopic survey that will eventually cover approximately half of the celestial sphere and collect 10 million spectra of stars, galaxies and QSOs. Objects both in the pilot survey and the first year general survey are included in the LAMOST First Data Release (DR1). The pilot survey started in October 2011 and ended in June 2012, and the data have been released to the public as the LAMOST Pilot Data Release in August 2012. The general survey started in September 2012, and completed its first year of operation in June 2013. The LAMOST DR1 includes a total of 1202 plates containing 2,955,336 spectra, of which 1,790,879 spectra have observed signal-to-noise S/N >10. All data with S/N>2 are formally released as LAMOST DR1 under the LAMOST data policy. This data release contains a total of 2,204,696 spectra, of which 1,944,329 are stellar spectra, 12,082 are galaxy spectra and 5,017 are quasars. The DR1 includes not only spectra, but also three stellar catalogues with measured parameters: AFGK-type stars with high quality spectra (1,061,918 entries), A-type stars (100,073 entries), and M stars (121,522 entries). This paper introduces the survey design, the observational and instrumental limitations, data reduction and analysis, and some caveats. Description of the FITS structure of spectral files and parameter catalogues is also provided.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Demonstration of a Near-IR Laser Comb for Precision Radial Velocity Measurements in Astronomy

We describe a successful effort to produce a laser comb around 1.55 $μ$m in the astronomical H band using a method based on a line-referenced, electro-optical-modulation frequency comb. We discuss the experimental setup, laboratory results, and proof of concept demonstrations at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) and the Keck-II telescope. The laser comb has a demonstrated stability of $<$ 200 kHz, corresponding to a Doppler precision of ~0.3 m/s. This technology, when coupled with a high spectral resolution spectrograph, offers the promise of $<$1 m/s radial velocity precision suitable for the detection of Earth-sized planets in the habitable zones of cool M-type stars.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Structural Changes Related to the Magnetic Transitions in Hexagonal InMnO3

Two magnetic ordering transitions are found in InMnO3, the paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition near ~118 K and a lower possible spin rotation transition near ~42 K. Multiple length scale structural measurements reveal enhanced local distortion found to be connected with tilting of the MnO5 polyhedra as temperature is reduced. Strong coupling is observed between the lattice and the spin manifested as changes in the structure near both of the magnetic ordering temperatures (at ~42 K and ~ 118 K). External parameters such as pressure are expected to modify the coupling.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Pressure Dependent Structural Changes and Predicted Electrical Polarization in Perovskite RMnO3

High pressure x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements on RMnO3 (R=Dy, Ho and Lu) reveals that varying structural changes occurs for different R ions. Large lattice changes (orthorhombic strain) occur in DyMnO3 and HoMnO3 while the Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion remains stable. On the other hand, in LuMnO3, Mn-O bond distortions are observed in the region 4-8 GPa with the broad minimum in the JT distortion. High pressure IR measurements indicate that a phonon near 390 cm-1 corresponding to the complex motion of the Mn and O ions changes anomalously for LuMnO3. It softens in the 4-8 GPa region, which is consistent with the structural change in Mn-O bonds and then hardens at high pressures. By contrast, the phonons continuously harden with increasing pressure for DyMnO3 and HoMnO3. DFT calculations show that the E-phase LuMnO3 is the most stable phase up to the 10 GPa pressure examined. Simulations indicate that the distinct structural change under pressure in LuMnO3 can possibly be used to optimize the electric polarization by pressure/strain.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Artificially engineered superlattices of pnictide superconductor

Significant progress has been achieved in fabricating high quality bulk and thinfilm iron-based superconductors. In particular, artificial layered pnictide superlattices offer the possibility of tailoring the superconducting properties and understanding the mechanism of the superconductivity itself. For high field applications, large critical current densities (Jc) and irreversibility fields (Hirr) are indispensable along all crystal directions. On the other hand, the development of superconducting devices such as tunnel junctions requires multilayered heterostructures. Here we show that artificially engineered undoped Ba-122 / Co doped Ba-122 compositionally modulated superlattices produce ab-aligned nanoparticle arrays. These layer and self-assemble along c-axis aligned defects, and combine to produce very large Jc and Hirr enhancements over a wide angular range. We also demonstrate a structurally modulated SrTiO3 (STO) / Co doped Ba-122 superlattice with sharp interfaces. Success in superlattice fabrication involving pnictides will aid the progress of heterostructured systems exhibiting novel interfacial phenomena and device applications.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Ferroelectricity in Single Crystal InMnO3

Single crystal synthesis, structure, electric polarization and heat capacity measurements on hexagonal InMnO3 show that this small R ion in the RMnO3 series is ferroelectric (space group P63cm). Structural analysis of this system reveals a high degree of order within the MnO5 polyhedra but significant distortions in the R-O bond distributions compared to the previously studied materials. Point-charge estimates of the electric polarization yield an electrical polarization of approximately 7.8 micro C/cm^2, 26% larger than the well-studied YMnO3 system. This system with enhanced room temperature polarization values may serve as a possible replacement for YMnO3 in device application.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

High carrier mobility in transparent Ba1-xLaxSnO3 crystals with a wide band gap

We discovered that perovskite (Ba,La)SnO3 can have excellent carrier mobility even though its band gap is large. The Hall mobility of Ba0.98La0.02SnO3 crystals with the n-type carrier concentration of \sim 8-10\times10 19 cm-3 is found to be \sim 103 cm2 V-1s-1 at room temperature, and the precise measurement of the band gap Δof a BaSnO3 crystal shows Δ=4.05 eV, which is significantly larger than those of other transparent conductive oxides. The high mobility with a wide band gap indicates that (Ba,La)SnO3 is a promising candidate for transparent conductor applications and also epitaxial all-perovskite multilayer devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2011

High Pressure Structural Stability of Multiferroic Hexagonal REMnO3

Structural changes in REMnO3 (RE= Y, Ho, Lu) under high pressure were examined by synchrotron x-ray diffraction methods at room temperature. Compression occurs more readily in the ab plane than along the c-axis. Under hydrostatic pressure (~11 GPa), the atoms hold their approximate ambient fractional positions in the unit cell and the spontaneous polarization shows no significant change. With increased pressure, a pressure-induced hexagonal to orthorhombic phase transition was observed starting at ~ 22GPa for Lu(Y)MnO3. A small volume fraction of Lu(Y)MnO3 is converted to the orthorhombic phase when the pressure is increased to 35 GPa and the orthorhombic phase is maintained on pressure release. High pressure IR absorption spectroscopy and Mn K-edge near edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy confirm that the hexagonal P63cm structure is stable below ~20 GPa and the environment around Mn ion is not changed. Shifts in the unoccupied p-band density of states with pressure are observed in the Mn K-Edge spectra. A schematic pressure-temperature phase diagram is given for the small ion REMnO3 system.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2010

Observation of Anomalous Phonons in E-Type Orthorhombic REMnO3

We observe the appearance of a phonon near the lock-in temperature in orthorhombic REMnO3 (RE: Lu and Ho) and anomalous phonon hardening in orthorhombic LuMnO3. The anomalous phonon occurs at the onset of spontaneous polarization. No such changes were found in incommensurate orthorhombic DyMnO3. These observations directly reveal different electric polarization mechanisms in the E-type and IC-type REMnO3.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Optical Evidence for Mixed Phase Behavior in Manganites

Synchrotron infrared measurements were conducted over the range 100 to 8000 cm-1 on a self-doped LaxMnO3-d (x~~0.8) film. From these measurements we determined the conductivity, the effective number of free carriers, and the specific phonon modes as a function of frequency. While the metal-insulator transition temperature (TMI) and the magnetic ordering temperature (TC) approximately coincide, the free carrier density onset occurs at a significantly lower temperature (~~45 K below). This suggests that local distortions exist below TMI and TC which trap the eg conduction electrons. These regions with local distortions constitute an insulating phase which persists for temperatures significantly below TMI and TC. The initial large drop in resistivity is due to the enhanced magnetic ordering while further drops correspond to reductions in the insulating phase which increase the number of free carriers.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗