arXiv subjects

P. Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to P. Zhou.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Robust short-range-ordered nematicity in FeSe evidenced by high-pressure NMR

We report high-pressure $^{77}$Se NMR studies on FeSe single crystals that reveal a prominent inhomogeneous NMR linewidth broadening upon cooling, with the magnetic field applied along the tetragonal [110] direction. The data indicate the existence of short-range-ordered, inhomogeneous electronic nematicity, which has surprisingly long time scales over milliseconds. The short-range order survives temperatures up to $8$ times the structural transition temperature, and remains robust against pressure, in contrast to the strong pressure-dependence of the orbital ordering, structural transition, and the ground state magnetism. Such an extended region of static nematicity in the ($P$,$T$) space of FeSe indicates an enormously large fluctuating regime, and provide fresh insights and constraints to the understanding of electronic nematicity in iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Large gap two dimensional topological insulators: bilayer triangular lattice TlM (M = N, P, As, Sb)

Based on density functional theory and Berry curvature calculations, we predict that p-p band inversion type quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) can be realized in a series of two dimensional (2D) bilayer honeycomb TlM (M = N, P, As, Sb), which can be effectively equivalent to bilayer triangular lattice for low energy electrons. Further topological analysis reveals that the band inversion between pz- and px,y of M atom contributes to the nontrivial topological nature of TlM. The band inversion is independent of spin-orbit coupling which is distinctive from conventional topological insulators (TIs). A tight binding model based on triangle lattice is constructed to describe the QSH states in the systems. Besides the interesting 2D triangular lattice $p-p$ type inversion for the topological mechanism, the maximal local band gap of the systems can reach 550 meV (TlSb), which provides a new choice for future room temperature quantum spin Hall Insulator (QSHI). Considering the advance of the technology of van der Waals passivation, combining with hexagonal materials, such as h-BN, TlMs show great potential for future 2D topological electronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

XMM-Newton observation of the supernova remnant Kes 78 (G32.8-0.1): Evidence for shock-cloud interaction

The Galactic supernova remnant Kes 78 is surrounded by dense molecular clouds, whose projected position overlaps with the extended HESS gamma-ray source HESS J1852-000. The X-ray emission from the remnant has been recently revealed by Suzaku observations, which have shown indications for a hard X-ray component in the spectra, possibly associated with synchrotron radiation. We aim at describing the spatial distribution of the physical properties of the X-ray emitting plasma and at revealing the effects of the interaction of the remnant with the inhomogeneous ambient medium. We also aim at investigating the origin of the gamma-ray emission, which may be Inverse Compton radiation associated with X-ray synchrotron emitting electrons or hadronic emission originating from the impact of high energy protons on the nearby clouds. We analyzed an XMM-Newton EPIC observation of Kes 78 by performing image analysis and spatially resolved spectral analysis on a set of three regions. We tested our findings against the observations of the 12CO and 13CO emission in the environment of the remnant. We revealed the complex X-ray morphology of Kes 78 and found variations of the spectral properties of the plasma, with significantly denser and cooler material at the eastern edge of the remnant, which we interpret as a signature of interaction with a molecular cloud. We also exclude the presence of narrow filaments emitting X-ray synchrotron radiation. Assuming that the very high energy gamma-ray emission is associated with Kes 78, the lack of synchrotron emission rules out a leptonic origin. A hadronic origin is further supported by evidence for interaction of the remnant with a dense molecular cloud in its eastern limb.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Studies of the decays D^0 \rightarrow K_S^0K^-π^+ and D^0 \rightarrow K_S^0K^+π^-

The first measurements of the coherence factor R_{K_S^0Kπ} and the average strong--phase difference δ^{K_S^0Kπ} in D^0 \to K_S^0 K^\mpπ^\pm decays are reported. These parameters can be used to improve the determination of the unitary triangle angle γ in B^- \rightarrow $\widetilde{D}K^-$ decays, where $\widetilde{D}$ is either a D^0 or a D^0-bar meson decaying to the same final state, and also in studies of charm mixing. The measurements of the coherence factor and strong-phase difference are made using quantum-correlated, fully-reconstructed D^0D^0-bar pairs produced in e^+e^- collisions at the ψ(3770) resonance. The measured values are R_{K_S^0Kπ} = 0.70 \pm 0.08 and δ^{K_S^0Kπ} = (0.1 \pm 15.7)$^\circ$ for an unrestricted kinematic region and R_{K*K} = 0.94 \pm 0.12 and δ^{K*K} = (-16.6 \pm 18.4)$^\circ$ for a region where the combined K_S^0 π^\pm invariant mass is within 100 MeV/c^2 of the K^{*}(892)^\pm mass. These results indicate a significant level of coherence in the decay. In addition, isobar models are presented for the two decays, which show the dominance of the K^*(892)^\pm resonance. The branching ratio {B}(D^0 \rightarrow K_S^0K^+π^-)/{B}(D^0 \rightarrow K_S^0K^-π^+) is determined to be 0.592 \pm 0.044 (stat.) \pm 0.018 (syst.), which is more precise than previous measurements.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Proton-proton correlations in distinguishing the two-proton emission mechanism of $^{23}$Al and $^{22}$Mg

The proton-proton momentum correlation functions ($C_{pp}(q)$) for kinematically complete decay channels of $^{23}$Al $\rightarrow$ p + p + $^{21}$Na and $^{22}$Mg $\rightarrow$ p + p + $^{20}$Ne have been measured at the RIKEN RI Beam Factory. From the very different correlation strength of $C_{pp}(q)$ for $^{23}$Al and $^{22}$Mg, the source size and emission time information were extracted from the $C_{pp}(q)$ data by assuming a Gaussian source profile in the correlation function calculation code (CRAB). The results indicated that the mechanism of two-proton emission from $^{23}$Al was mainly sequential emission, while that of $^{22}$Mg was mainly three-body simultaneous emission. By combining our earlier results of the two-proton relative momentum and the opening angle, it is pointed out that the mechanism of two-proton emission could be distinguished clearly.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Nano-optical imaging of WSe2 waveguide modes revealing light-exciton interactions

We report on nano-optical imaging study of WSe2 thin flakes with the scanning near-field optical microscopy (NSOM). The NSOM technique allows us to visualize in real space various waveguide photon modes inside WSe2. By tuning the excitation laser energy, we are able to map the entire dispersion of these waveguide modes both above and below the A exciton energy of WSe2. We found that all the modes interact strongly with WSe2 excitons. The outcome of the interaction is that the observed waveguide modes shift to higher momenta right below the A exciton energy. At higher energies, on the other hand, these modes are strongly damped due to adjacent B excitons or band edge absorptions. The mode-shifting phenomena are consistent with polariton formation in WSe2.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Pinning-depinning mechanism of the contact line during evaporation on chemically patterned surfaces: A lattice Boltzmann study

In this paper, the pinning and depinning mechanism of the contact line during droplet evaporation on chemically stripe-patterned surfaces is numerically investigated using a thermal multiphase lattice Boltzmann (LB) model with liquid-vapor phase change. A local force balance in the context of diffuse interfaces is introduced to explain the equilibrium states of droplets on chemically patterned surfaces. It is shown that, when the contact line is pinned on a hydrophobic-hydrophilic boundary, different contact angles can be interpreted as the variation of the length of the contact line occupied by each component. The stick-slip-jump behavior of evaporating droplets on chemically patterned surfaces is well captured by the LB simulations. Particularly, a slow movement of the contact line is clearly observed during the stick (pinning) mode, which shows that the pinning of the contact line during droplet evaporation on chemically stripe-patterned surfaces is actually a dynamic pinning process and the dynamic equilibrium is achieved by the self-adjustment of the contact lines occupied by each component. Moreover, it is shown that, when the surface tension varies with the temperature, the Marangoni effect has an important influence on the depinning of the contact line, which occurs when the horizontal component (towards the center of the droplet) of the force caused by the Marangoni stress overcomes the unbalanced Young's force towards outside.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2016

Hyperfine coupling of hole and nuclear spins in symmetric GaAs quantum dots

In self assembled III-V semiconductor quantum dots, valence holes have longer spin coherence times than the conduction electrons, due to their weaker coupling to nuclear spin bath fluctuations. Prolonging hole spin stability relies on a better understanding of the hole to nuclear spin hyperfine coupling which we address both in experiment and theory in the symmetric (111) GaAs/AlGaAs droplet dots. In magnetic fields applied along the growth axis, we create a strong nuclear spin polarization detected through the positively charged trion X$^+$ Zeeman and Overhauser splittings. The observation of four clearly resolved photoluminescence lines - a unique property of the (111) nanosystems - allows us to measure separately the electron and hole contribution to the Overhauser shift. The hyperfine interaction for holes is found to be about five times weaker than that for electrons. Our theory shows that this ratio depends not only on intrinsic material properties but also on the dot shape and carrier confinement through the heavy-hole mixing, an opportunity for engineering the hole-nuclear spin interaction by tuning dot size and shape.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Model-independent determination of the strong-phase difference between D^0 and D^0-bar-> K^0_S,L h^+ h^- (h=pi,K) and its impact on the measurement of the CKM angle gamma/phi_3

We report the first determination of the relative strong-phase difference between D^0 -> K^0_S,L K^+ K^- and D^0-bar -> K^0_S,L K^+ K^-. In addition, we present updated measurements of the relative strong-phase difference between D^0 -> K^0_S,L pi^+ pi^- and D^0-bar -> K^0_S,L pi^+ pi^-. Both measurements exploit the quantum coherence between a pair of D^0 and D^0-bar mesons produced from psi(3770) decays. The strong-phase differences measured are important for determining the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle gamma/phi_3 in B^- -> K^- D^0-tilde decays, where D^0-tilde is a D^0 or D^0-bar meson decaying to K^0_S h^+ h^- (h=pi,K), in a manner independent of the model assumed to describe the D^0 -> K^0_S h^+ h^- decay. Using our results, the uncertainty in gamma/phi_3 due to the error on the strong-phase difference is expected to be between 1.7 and 3.9 degrees for an analysis using B^- K^- D^0-tilde D^0-tilde -> K^0_S pi^+ pi^- decays, and between 3.2 and 3.9 degrees for an analysis based on B^- -> K^- D^0-tilde, D^0-tilde -> K^0_S K^+ K^- decays. A measurement is also presented of the CP-odd fraction, F_-, of the decay D^0 -> K^0_S K^+ K^- in the region of the phi -> K^+ K^- resonance. We find that in a region within 0.01 GeV^2/c^4 of the nominal phi mass squared F_- > 0.91 at the 90% confidence level.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Two Dimensional Antiferromagnetic Chern Insulator NiRuCl6

Based on DFT and Berry curvature calculations, we predict that quantum anomalous hall effect (QAHE) can be realized in two dimensional anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) NiRuCl6 with zero net magnetic moment. By tuning spin-orbits coupling (SOC), we find that the topological properties of NiRuCl6 come from its energy band reversal. The results indicate that NiRuCl6 behaves as AFM Chern insulator and its spin-polarized electronic structure and strong spin-orbits coupling (SOC) are the origin of QAHE. Considering the compatibility between AFM and insulator, AFM Chern insulator is more suitable to realize high temperature QAHE because generally Neel temperature of AFM systems is more easily improved than Curie temperature of ferromagnetic (FM) systems. Due to the different magnetic coupling mechanism between FM and AFM Chern insulator, AFM Chern insulator provides a new way to archive high temperature QAHE in experiments.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Spin frustration and magnetic ordering in triangular lattice antiferromagnet Ca$_3$CoNb$_2$O$_9$

We synthesized a quasi-two-dimensional distorted triangular lattice antiferromagnet Ca$_3$CoNb$_2$O$_9$, in which the effective spin of Co$^{2+}$ is 1/2 at low temperatures, whose magnetic properties were studied by dc susceptibility and magnetization techniques. The x-ray diffraction confirms the quality of our powder samples. The large Weiss constant $θ_{CW}\sim$ $-55$ K and the low Neel temperature($T_N\sim$ 1.45 K) give a frustration factor $f$ ($=\midθ_{CW}/T_N \mid$) $\approx$ 38, suggesting that Ca$_3$CoNb$_2$O$_9$ resides in strong frustration regime. Slightly below $T_N$, deviation between the susceptibility data under zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) is observed. A new magnetic state with 1/3 of the saturate magnetization $M_s$ is suggested in the magnetization curve at 0.46 K. Our study indicates that Ca$_3$CoNb$_2$O$_9$ is an interesting material to investigate magnetism in triangular lattice antiferromagnets with weak anisotropy.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Magneto-spectroscopy of excited states in charge-tunable GaAs/AlGaAs [111] quantum dots

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of highly charged and excited electron-hole complexes in strain-free (111) GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots grown by droplet epitaxy. We address the complexes with one of the charge carriers residing in the excited state, namely, the ``hot'' trions X$^{-*}$ and X$^{+*}$, and the doubly negatively charged exciton X$^{2-}$. Our magneto-photoluminescence experiments performed on single quantum dots in the Faraday geometry uncover characteristic emission patterns for each excited electron-hole complex, which are very different from the photoluminescence spectra observed in (001)-grown quantum dots. We present a detailed theory of the fine structure and magneto-photoluminescence spectra of X$^{-*}$, X$^{+*}$ and X$^{2-}$ complexes, governed by the interplay between the electron-hole Coulomb exchange interaction and the heavy-hole mixing, characteristic for these quantum dots with a trigonal symmetry. Comparison between experiment and theory of the magneto-photoluminescence allows for precise charge state identification, as well as extraction of electron-hole exchange interaction constants and $g$-factors for the charge carriers occupying excited states.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Work fluctuations in a nonlinear micromechanical oscillator driven far from thermal equilibrium

We explore fluctuation relations in a periodically driven micromechanical torsional oscillator. In the linear regime where the modulation is weak, we verify that the ratio of the work variance to the mean work is constant, consistent with conventional fluctuation theorems. We then increase the amplitude of the periodic drive so that the response becomes nonlinear and two nonequilibrium oscillation states coexist. Due to interstate transitions, the work variance exhibits a peak at the driving frequency at which the occupation of the two states is equal. Moreover, the work fluctuations depend exponentially on the inverse noise intensity. Our data are consistent with recent theories on systems driven into bistability that predict generic behaviors different from conventional fluctuation theorems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2015

3d Transition Metal Adsorption Induced Vally-polarized Anomalous Hall Effect in Germanene

Based on DFT+U and Berry curvature calculations, we study the electronic structures and topological properties of 3d transition metal (TM) atom (from Ti to Co) adsorbed germanene (TM-germanene). We find that valley-polarized anomalous hall effect (VAHE) can be realized in germanene by adsorbing Cr, Mn, or Co atom on its surface. A finite valley hall voltage can be easily detected in its nanoribbon, which is important for valleytronics devices. Moreover, different valley-polarized current and even reversible valley Hall voltage can be archived by shifting the Fermi energy of the systems. Such versatile features of the systems show potential in next generation electronics devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

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

Different mechanism of two-proton emission from proton-rich nuclei $^{23}$Al and $^{22}$Mg

Two-proton relative momentum ($q_{pp}$) and opening angle ($θ_{pp}$) distributions from the three-body decay of two excited proton-rich nuclei, namely $^{23}$Al $\rightarrow$ p + p + $^{21}$Na and $^{22}$Mg $\rightarrow$ p + p + $^{20}$Ne, have been measured with the projectile fragment separator (RIPS) at the RIKEN RI Beam Factory. An evident peak at $q_{pp}\sim20$ MeV/c as well as a peak in $θ_{pp}$ around 30$^\circ$ are seen in the two-proton break-up channel from a highly-excited $^{22}$Mg. In contrast, such peaks are absent for the $^{23}$Al case. It is concluded that the two-proton emission mechanism of excited $^{22}$Mg is quite different from the $^{23}$Al case, with the former having a favorable diproton emission component at a highly excited state and the latter dominated by the sequential decay process.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

Updated measurements of absolute $D^+$ and $D^0$ hadronic branching fractions and $σ(e^+e^-\to D\overline{D})$ at $E_\mathrm{cm} = 3774$ MeV

Utilizing the full CLEO-c data sample of 818 pb$^{-1}$ of $e^+e^-$ data taken at the $ψ(3770)$ resonance, we update our measurements of absolute hadronic branching fractions of charged and neutral $D$ mesons. We previously reportedresults from subsets of these data. Using a double tag technique we obtain branching fractions for three $D^0$ and six $D^+$ modes, including the reference branching fractions $\mathcal{B} (D^0\to K^-π^+)=(3.934 \pm 0.021 \pm 0.061)\%$ and $\mathcal{B} (D^+ \to K^- π^+π^+)=(9.224 \pm 0.059 \pm 0.157)\%$. The uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. In these measurements we include the effects of final-state radiation by allowing for additional unobserved photons in the final state, and the systematic errors include our estimates of the uncertainties of these effects. Furthermore, using an independent measurement of the luminosity, we obtain the cross sections $σ(e^+e^-\to D^0\overline{D}{}^0)=(3.607\pm 0.017 \pm 0.056) \ \mathrm{nb}$ and $σ(e^+e^-\to D^+D^-)=(2.882\pm 0.018 \pm 0.042) \ \mathrm{nb}$ at a center of mass energy, $E_\mathrm{cm} = 3774 \pm 1$ MeV.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Improved Measurement of Absolute Hadronic Branching Fractions of the Ds+ Meson

The branching fractions of Ds meson decays serve to normalize many measurements of processes involving charm quarks. Using 586 pb^-1 of e+ e- collisions recorded at a center of mass energy of 4.17 GeV, we determine absolute branching fractions for 13 Ds decays in 16 reconstructed final states with a double tag technique. In particular we make a precise measurement of the branching fraction B(Ds -> K- K+ pi+) = (5.55 +- 0.14 +- 0.13)%, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic respectively. We find a significantly reduced value of B(Ds -> pi+ pi0 eta') compared to the world average, and our results bring the inclusively and exclusively measured values of B(Ds -> eta' X)$ into agreement. We also search for CP-violating asymmetries in Ds decays and measure the cross-section of e+ e- -> Ds* Ds at Ecm = 4.17 GeV.

hep-ex↗