arXiv subjects

Q. Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Q. Chen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Revisiting the Kitaev material candidacy of Ir4+ double perovskite iridates

Quantum magnets with significant bond-directional Ising interactions, so-called Kitaev materials, have attracted tremendous attention recently in the search for exotic spin liquid states. Here we present a comprehensive set of measurements that enables us to investigate the crystal structures, Ir$^{4+}$ single ion properties, and magnetic ground states of the double perovskite iridates La$_2B$IrO$_6$ ($B$ $=$ Mg, Zn) and $A_2$CeIrO$_6$ ($A$ $=$ Ba, Sr) with a large nearest neighbor distance $>$ 5 Angstroms between Ir$^{4+}$ ions. Our neutron powder diffraction data on Ba$_2$CeIrO$_6$ can be refined in the cubic space group Fm$\bar{3}$m, while the other three systems are characterized by weak monoclinic structural distortions. Despite the variance in the non-cubic crystal field experienced by the Ir$^{4+}$ ions in these materials, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering are consistent with $J_{\rm eff}$ $=$ 1/2 moments in all cases. Furthermore, neutron scattering and resonant magnetic x-ray scattering show that these systems host A-type antiferromagnetic order. These electronic and magnetic ground states are consistent with expectations for face-centered-cubic magnets with significant antiferromagnetic Kitaev exchange, which indicates that spacing magnetic ions far apart may be a promising design principle for uncovering additional Kitaev materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

On "Quantum interference with slits" and its "revisited"

Marcella in 2002 published a "quantum-mechanical" treatment of the famous single- and double-slit interference experiment in classical wave optics by a simple assumption that quantum mechanical wave function is a constant anywhere within a slit. Rothman and Boughn in 2011 commented that Marcella introduced no quantum physics into the problem other than\ a symbol substitution $p=\hbar k$, and the used essentially the classical wave optics. In present comment, we point out that though Marcella made a fundamental mistake, the problem is nevertheless remediable to give the satisfactory quantum mechanical results which are in qualitatively agreement with experimental ones with material particles.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Sharp reversals of steady-state nuclear polarisation as a tool for quantum sensing

The polarisation dynamics of nuclear spins weakly coupled to an NV center is highly sensitive to the parameters of the microwave control and the nuclear Larmor frequency. What is commonly regarded as a challenge, we propose here as a resource for quantum sensing. By varying a single experimental parameter in a suitable set-up, i.e., the Rabi frequency of a continual microwave driving or the nuclear Larmor frequency, we predict periodic reversals of the steady-state polarisation of the nuclear spin. Crucially, interference between the transverse and longitudinal dipolar interaction of electron and nuclear spins results in remarkably sharp steady-state polarisation reversals of nuclear spins within only a few tens of Hz change in the nuclear Larmor frequency. Our method is particularly robust against imperfections such as decoherence of the electron spin and the frequency resolution of the sensor is not limited by the coherence time $T_2$ of the electron sensor.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Lattice distortion in the spin-orbital entangled state in RVO3 perovskites

We report a thorough study of Y$_{0.7}$La$_{0.3}$VO$_3$ single crystals by measuring magnetic properties, specific heat, thermal conductivity, x-ray and neutron diffraction with the motivation of revealing the lattice response to the spin-orbital entanglement in \textit{R}VO$_3$. Upon cooling from room temperature, the orbitally disordered paramagnetic state changes around T*$\sim$220\,K to spin-orbital entangled state which is then followed by a transition at T$_N$=116\,K to C-type orbital ordered (OO) and G-type antiferromagnetic ordered (AF) ground state. In the temperature interval T$_N<T<T^*$, the VO$_{6/2}$ octahedra have two comparable in-plane V-O bonds which are longer than the out-of-plane V-O1 bond. This local structural distortion supports the spin-orbital entanglement of partially filled and degenerate yz/zx orbitals. However, this distortion is incompatible with the steric octahedral site distortion intrinsic to orthorhombic perovskites. Their competition induces a second order transition from the spin-orbital entangled state to C-OO/G-AF ground state where the long range OO suppresses the spin-orbital entanglement. Our analysis suggests that the spin-orbital entangled state and G-OO are comparable in energy and compete with each other. Rare earth site disorder favors the spin-orbital entanglement rather than a cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion. The results also indicate for LaVO$_3$ a C-OO/G-AF state in T$_t$\,$\leq$\,T\,$\leq$T$_N$ and an orbital flipping transition at T$_t$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Magnetic field dependence of electronic properties of MoS$_2$ quantum dots with different edges

Using the tight-binding approach, we investigate the energy spectrum of square, triangular and hexagonal MoS$_2$ quantum dots (QDs) in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. Novel edge states emerge in MoS$_2$ QDs, which are distributed over the whole edge which we call ring states. The ring states are robust in the presence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The corresponding energy levels of the ring states oscillate as function of the perpendicular magnetic field which are related to Aharonov-Bohm oscillations. Oscillations in the magnetic field dependence of the energy levels and the peaks in the magneto-optical spectrum emerge (disappear) as the ring states are formed (collapsed). The period and the amplitude of the oscillation decreases with the size of the MoS$_2$ QDs.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Towards hyperpolarization of oil molecules via nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Efficient polarization of organic molecules is of extraordinary relevance when performing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and imaging. Commercially available routes to dynamical nuclear polarization (DNP) work at extremely low-temperatures, thus bringing the molecules out of their ambient thermal conditions and relying on the solidification of organic samples. In this work we investigate polarization transfer from optically-pumped nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond to external molecules at room temperature. This polarization transfer is described by both an extensive analytical analysis and numerical simulations based on spin bath bosonization and is supported by experimental data in excellent agreement. These results set the route to hyperpolarization of diffusive molecules in different scenarios and consequently, due to increased signal, to high-resolution NMR.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Magnetism out of disorder in a J=0 compound Ba2YIrO6

We systematically investigate the magnetic properties and local structure of Ba2YIrO6 to demonstrate that Y and Ir lattice defects in the form of antiphase boundary or clusters of antisite disorder affect the magnetism observed in this $d^4$ compound. We compare the magnetic properties and atomic imaging of (1) a slow cooled crystal, (2) a crystal quenched from 900\degree C after growth, and (3) a crystal grown using a faster cooling rate than the slow cooled one. Atomic imaging by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) shows that quenching from 900oC introduces antiphase boundary to the crystals, and a faster cooling rate during crystal growth leads to clusters of Y and Ir antisite disorder. STEM study suggests the antiphase boundary region is Ir-rich with a composition of Ba2YIrO6. The magnetic measurements show that Ba2YIrO6 crystals with clusters of antisite defects have a larger effective moment and a larger saturation moment than the slow-cooled crystals. Quenched crystals with Ir-rich antiphase boundary shows a slightly suppressed saturation moment than the slow cooled crystals, and this seems to suggest that antiphase boundary is detrimental to the moment formation. Our DFT calculations suggest magnetic condensation is unlikely as the energy to be gained from superexchange is small compared to the spin-orbit gap. However, once Y is replaced by Ir in the antisite disordered region, the picture of local non-magnetic singlets breaks down and magnetism can be induced. This is because of (a) enhanced interactions due to increased overlap of orbitals between sites, and, (b) increased number of orbitals mediating the interactions. Our work highlights the importance of lattice defects in understanding the experimentally observed magnetism in Ba2YIrO6 and other J=0 systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Global analysis of quadrupole shape invariants based on covariant energy density functionals

Coexistence of different geometric shapes at low energies presents a universal structure phenomenon that occurs over the entire chart of nuclides. Studies of the shape coexistence are important for understanding the microscopic origin of collectivity and modifications of shell structure in exotic nuclei far from stability. The aim of this work is to provide a systematic analysis of characteristic signatures of coexisting nuclear shapes in different mass regions, using a global self-consistent theoretical method based on universal energy density functionals and the quadrupole collective model. The low-energy excitation spectrum and quadrupole shape invariants of the two lowest $0^{+}$ states of even-even nuclei are obtained as solutions of a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian (5DCH) model, with parameters determined by constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations based on the relativistic energy density functional PC-PK1, and a finite-range pairing interaction. The theoretical excitation energies of the states: $2^+_1$, $4^+_1$, $0^+_2$, $2^+_2$, $2^+_3$, as well as the $B(E2; 0^+_1\to 2^+_1)$ values, are in very good agreement with the corresponding experimental values for 621 even-even nuclei. Quadrupole shape invariants have been implemented to investigate shape coexistence, and the distribution of possible shape-coexisting nuclei is consistent with results obtained in recent theoretical studies and available data. The present analysis has shown that, when based on a universal and consistent microscopic framework of nuclear density functionals, shape invariants provide distinct indicators and reliable predictions for the occurrence of low-energy coexisting shapes. This method is particularly useful for studies of shape coexistence in regions far from stability where few data are available.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Frustrated spin-1/2 molecular magnetism in the mixed-valence antiferromagnets Ba3MRu2O9 (M = In, Y, Lu)

We have performed magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, muon spin relaxation, and neutron scattering measurements on three members of the family Ba3MRu2O9, where M = In, Y and Lu. These systems consist of mixed-valence Ru dimers on a triangular lattice with antiferromagnetic interdimer exchange. Although previous work has argued that charge order within the dimers or intradimer double exchange plays an important role in determining the magnetic properties, our results suggest that the dimers are better described as molecular units due to significant orbital hybridization, resulting in one spin-1/2 moment distributed equally over the two Ru sites. These molecular building blocks form a frustrated, quasi-two-dimensional triangular lattice. Our zero and longitudinal field muSR results indicate that the molecular moments develop a collective, static magnetic ground state, with oscillations of the zero field muon spin polarization indicative of long-range magnetic order in the Lu sample. The static magnetism is much more disordered in the Y and In samples, but they do not appear to be conventional spin glasses.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Steady state preparation of long-lived nuclear spin singlet pair at room temperature

The coherent high-fidelity generation of nuclear spins in long-lived singlet states which may find application as quantum memory or sensor represents a considerable experimental challenge. Here we propose a dissipative scheme that achieves the preparation of pairs of nuclear spins in long-lived singlet states by a protocol that combines the interaction between the nuclei and a periodically reset electron spin of an NV center with local rf-control of the nuclear spins. The final state of this protocol is independent of the initial preparation of the nuclei, is robust to external field fluctuations and can be operated at room temperature. We show that a high fidelity singlet pair of a 13C dimer in a nuclear bath in diamond can be generated under realistic experimental conditions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Dissipatively stabilized quantum sensor based on indirect nuclear-nuclear interactions

We propose to use a dissipatively engineered nitrogen vacancy (NV) center as a mediator of interaction between two nuclear spins that are protected from decoherence and relaxation of the NV. Under ambient conditions this scheme achieves highly selective high-fidelity quantum gates between nuclear spins in a quantum register even at large NV-nuclear distances. Importantly, this method allows for the use of nuclear spins as a sensor rather than a memory, while the NV spin acts as an ancillary system for the initialization and read out of the sensor. The immunity to the decoherence and relaxation of the NV center leads to a tunable sharp frequency filter while allowing at the same time the continuous collection of the signal to achieve simultaneously high spectral selectivity and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Lattice Boltzmann methods for multiphase flow and phase-change heat transfer

Over the past few decades, tremendous progress has been made in the development of particle-based discrete simulation methods versus the conventional continuum-based methods. In particular, the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method has evolved from a theoretical novelty to a ubiquitous, versatile and powerful computational methodology for both fundamental research and engineering applications. It is a kinetic-based mesoscopic approach that bridges the microscales and macroscales, which offers distinctive advantages in simulation fidelity and computational efficiency. Applications of the LB method have been found in a wide range of disciplines including physics, chemistry, materials, biomedicine and various branches of engineering. The present work provides a comprehensive review of the LB method for thermofluids and energy applications, focusing on multiphase flows, thermal flows and thermal multiphase flows with phase change. The review first covers the theoretical framework of the LB method, revealing the existing inconsistencies and defects as well as common features of multiphase and thermal LB models. Recent developments in improving the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic consistency, reducing the spurious currents, enhancing the numerical stability, etc., are highlighted. These efforts have put the LB method on a firmer theoretical foundation with enhanced LB models that can achieve larger liquid-gas density ratio, higher Reynolds number and flexible surface tension. Examples of applications are provided in fuel cells and batteries, droplet collision, boiling heat transfer and evaporation, and energy storage. Finally, further developments and future prospect of the LB method are outlined for thermofluids and energy applications.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2015

JUNO Conceptual Design Report

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is proposed to determine the neutrino mass hierarchy using an underground liquid scintillator detector. It is located 53 km away from both Yangjiang and Taishan Nuclear Power Plants in Guangdong, China. The experimental hall, spanning more than 50 meters, is under a granite mountain of over 700 m overburden. Within six years of running, the detection of reactor antineutrinos can resolve the neutrino mass hierarchy at a confidence level of 3-4$σ$, and determine neutrino oscillation parameters $\sin^2θ_{12}$, $Δm^2_{21}$, and $|Δm^2_{ee}|$ to an accuracy of better than 1%. The JUNO detector can be also used to study terrestrial and extra-terrestrial neutrinos and new physics beyond the Standard Model. The central detector contains 20,000 tons liquid scintillator with an acrylic sphere of 35 m in diameter. $\sim$17,000 508-mm diameter PMTs with high quantum efficiency provide $\sim$75% optical coverage. The current choice of the liquid scintillator is: linear alkyl benzene (LAB) as the solvent, plus PPO as the scintillation fluor and a wavelength-shifter (Bis-MSB). The number of detected photoelectrons per MeV is larger than 1,100 and the energy resolution is expected to be 3% at 1 MeV. The calibration system is designed to deploy multiple sources to cover the entire energy range of reactor antineutrinos, and to achieve a full-volume position coverage inside the detector. The veto system is used for muon detection, muon induced background study and reduction. It consists of a Water Cherenkov detector and a Top Tracker system. The readout system, the detector control system and the offline system insure efficient and stable data acquisition and processing.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Optical hyperpolarization of 13C nuclear spins in nanodiamond ensembles

Here we propose and analyse in detail protocols that can achieve rapid hyperpolarization of 13C nuclear spins in randomly oriented ensembles of nanodiamonds at room temperature. Our protocols exploit a combination of optical polarization of electron spins in nitrogen-vacancy centers and the transfer of this polarization to 13C nuclei by means of microwave control to overcome the severe challenges that are posed by the random orientation of the nanodiamonds and their nitrogen-vacancy centers. Specifically, these random orientations result in exceedingly large energy variations of the electron spin levels that render the polarization and coherent control of the nitrogen-vacancy center electron spins as well as the control of their coherent interaction with the surrounding 13C nuclear spins highly inefficient. We address these challenges by a combination of an off-resonant microwave double resonance scheme in conjunction with a realization of the integrated solid effect which, together with adiabatic rotations of external magnetic fields or rotations of nanodiamonds, leads to a protocol that achieves high levels of hyperpolarization of the entire nuclear-spin bath in a randomly oriented ensemble of nanodiamonds even at room temperature. This hyperpolarization together with the long nuclear spin polarization lifetimes in nanodiamonds and the relatively high density of 13C nuclei has the potential to result in a major signal enhancement in 13C nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and suggests functionalized and hyperpolarized nanodiamonds as a unique probe for molecular imaging both in vitro and in vivo.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Shedding new light on the Sun with the Fermi LAT

During its first six years of operation, the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) has detected >30 MeV gamma-ray emission from more than 40 solar flares, nearly a factor of 10 more than those detected by EGRET. These include detections of impulsive and sustained emissions, extending up to 20 hours in the case of the 2012 March 7 X-class flares. We will present an overview of solar flare detections with LAT, highlighting recent results and surprising features, including the detection of >100 MeV emission associated with flares located behind the limb. Such flares may shed new light on the relationship between the sites of particle acceleration and gamma-ray emission.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Contact angles in the pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann modeling of wetting

In this paper, we aim to investigate the implementation of contact angles in the pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann modeling of wetting at a large density ratio. The pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann model [X. Shan and H. Chen, Phys. Rev. E 49, 2941 (1994)] is a popular mesoscopic model for simulating multiphase flows and interfacial dynamics. In this model, the contact angle is usually realized by a fluid-solid interaction. Two widely used fluid-solid interactions: the density-based interaction and the pseudopotential-based interaction, as well as a modified pseudopotential-based interaction formulated in the present paper, are numerically investigated and compared in terms of the achievable contact angles, the maximum and the minimum densities, and the spurious currents. It is found that the pseudopotential-based interaction works well for simulating small static (liquid) contact angles, however, is unable to reproduce static contact angles close to 180 degrees. Meanwhile, it is found that the proposed modified pseudopotential-based interaction performs better in light of the maximum and the minimum densities and is overall more suitable for simulating large contact angles as compared with the other two types of fluid-solid interactions. Furthermore, the spurious currents are found to be enlarged when the fluid-solid interaction force is introduced. Increasing the kinematic viscosity ratio between the vapor and liquid phases is shown to be capable of reducing the spurious currents caused by the fluid-solid interactions.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2013

Start-to-end simulation of the injector for a compact THz source

Terahertz radiation has broad application prospect due to its ability to penetrate deep into many organic materials without damage caused by ionizing radiations. A FEL-based THz source is the best choice to produce high-power radiation. In this paper, a 14 MeV injector is introduced for generating high-quality beam for FEL, which is composed of an EC-ITC RF gun, compensating coils and a travelling-wave structure. Start-to-end simulation has been done with ASTRA code to verify the design and to optimize parameters. Simulation of operating mode at 6 MeV is also executed.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2013

AC vs. DC Electrophoretic Deposition of Hydroxyapatite on Titanium

The bio-inertness of titanium and its alloys attracts their use as bone implants. However a bioactive coating is usually necessary for improving the bone bonding of such implants. In this study, electrophoretic deposition(EPD) of hydroxyapatite (HA) powder on titanium plate was performed using butanol as solvent under direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) fields. The zeta potential of the suspensions was measured to understand their stability and the charge on the particles. Coating thickness was varied by adjusting the voltage and time of deposition. Surface morphology and cross section thickness were studied using scanning electron microscopy and image analysis software. Surface crack density was calculated from the micrographs. The results showed that the samples of similar thickness have higher grain density when coated using AC as compared to DC EPD. This facile but novel test proves the capability of AC-EPD to attain denser and uniform HA coatings from non-aqueous medium.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗