arXiv subjects

Q. Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Q. Liu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Emergent superconductivity at 16.3 K in an altermagnetic candidate Na$_{2-x}$V$_2$Se$_2$O with broken inversion symmetry

Altermagnets (AMs), characterized by zero net magnetization and momentum-dependent spin splitting, are anticipated to hold significant potential for generating multiple exotic and uncommon superconducting states. However, superconductivity has not yet been realized in AMs to date. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) V$_2$Ch$_2$O (Ch = Se, Te) monolayers, as well as AV$_2$Ch$_2$O (A = K, Rb, Cs) crystals containing [V$_2$Ch$_2$O]$^{\delta -}$ building layers, have been predicted and/or demonstrated to be promising altermagnetic materials. Our preliminary attempts to explore superconductivity in these materials by applying pressure or chemical doping were unsuccessful. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity at a relatively high transition temperature of ~ 16.3 K in a newly synthesized layered compound, Na$_{2-x}$V$_2$Se$_2$O, a variant of AV$_2$Ch$_2$O. In this structure, the [V$_2$Ch$_2$O]$^{\delta -}$ layers are interspersed with double layers of Na$^+$ instead of a single layer of A$^+$, with sodium sites being only half-filled. This new family of layered vanadium oxychalcogenides, lacking inversion symmetry, represents an intriguing platform for exploring altermagnetic superconductors, and holds the potential to reveal novel phenomena, such as topological states, van Hove singularities, and finite-momentum superconductivity. Furthermore, this material acts as a "bridge" between the cuprate/nickelate and iron-pnictide high temperature superconductors, providing new hope and opportunity to expand the category of layered superconductors with higher critical temperatures (T$_c$) and enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms in these systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Measurement of coherent elastic neutrino nucleus scattering on germanium by COHERENT

The COHERENT collaboration reports the most precise measurement of the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering cross section to date. This measurement was performed with COHERENT's germanium detector array, Ge-Mini, at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A cumulative exposure of $4.68\times10^{22}$ protons on target yielded a total number of observed counts of $124^{+14}_{-12}$ and a flux-averaged cross section of $1.00 \pm 0.10 \mathrm{(statistical)} \pm 0.10 \mathrm{(systematic)}$ relative to the standard-model expectation of $5.9\times10^{-39} \mathrm{cm}^2$. The well-understood energy and timing distributions of the neutrino source allow for independent measurements of muon- and electron-neutrino scattering rates. This information is used to improve constraints on non-standard neutrino interactions mediated by heavy particles.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Multiple positive bound states for NLS equations on noncompact metric graphs with an attractive potential

In this paper, we establish the existence of bounded states and geometrically distinct solutions for the subcritical NLS equation with attractive potential on metric graphs $\mathcal{G}$ when the mass $\mu$ is large enough.We show that the NLS equation exists at least as many bound states of mass $\mu$ as the number of bounded edges of $\mathcal{G}$ if the attractive potential satisfies some suitable assumptions.It is worth noting that this is different from the case of ground state, which on some graphs may fail to exist for every value of $\mu$.

math.AP↗

arXiv2026

The COHERENT Experiment: 2026 Update

The COHERENT experiment measures neutrino-induced recoils from coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) with multiple nuclear targets at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), USA. Several successful CEvNS measurements have been achieved in recent years with tens-of-kg detector masses, with a CsI scintillating crystal, a liquid argon single-phase detector, and high-purity germanium spectrometers. For the next phase, COHERENT aims at high-statistics detection of CEvNS events for precision tests of the standard model of particle physics, and to probe new physics beyond-the-standard model. Percent-level precision can be achieved by lowering thresholds, reducing backgrounds, and by scaling up the detector masses. It goes hand in hand with benchmarking the neutrino flux from the SNS. Further detectors will measure CEvNS in additional nuclei, including lighter target nuclei such as sodium and neon, to continue to test the expected neutron-number-squared dependence of the cross section. COHERENT can furthermore study charged-current and neutral-current inelastic neutrino-nucleus cross sections on various nuclei at neutrino energies below $\sim$50 MeV. Many of these cross sections have never been measured before, but are critical input for the interpretation of core-collapse supernova detection in large-scale neutrino experiments such as DUNE, Super-K, Hyper-K, and HALO.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Euclid Quick Data Release (Q1): Euclid spectroscopy of quasars. 1. Identification and redshift determination of 3500 bright quasars

The slitless spectroscopy mode of the NISP onboard Euclid has enabled efficient spectroscopy of objects within a large FoV. We present a large and homogeneous sample of bright quasars identified from the Euclid Quick Data Release (Q1) by combining high-purity candidate selections from Gaia and WISE with the NISP spectra. Through visual inspection of the Euclid spectra of these quasar candidates, we identify approximately 3500 quasars with reliable redshifts at $0<z\lesssim 4.8$. Of these, 2686 are new spectroscopic identifications relative to existing public compilations. We generate the first Euclid composite spectrum of quasars covering rest-frame NUV to NIR wavelengths without telluric lines, which will be pivotal to NIR quasar spectral analysis. We obtain an empirical spectroscopic depth of $J_{\rm E}\lesssim 21.5$ and $H_{\rm E}\lesssim 21.3$ at the sensitivity of the Wide Field Survey, beyond which the number of securely identified quasars declines sharply. We analyse VIS morphologies using Sersic and CAS metrics, and a deep-learning PSF fraction to track nuclear dominance. At low redshift ($z<0.5$), obvious host structures are common and a single Sersic model fits about half of the sources; at intermediate redshift ($0.5<z<2$), the nuclear component dominates, with 90% of the Sersic fits saturating at the upper index limit. In this intermediate redshift regime, $f_{\rm PSF}$ is available, and we use it as a more reliable compactness measure than the single-Sersic and CAS parameters to quantify nuclear versus host emission. We also explore the novel Euclid NIR colour space and discuss the role of these quasars in refining AGN selection techniques for future Euclid data releases. The spectroscopic bright quasar catalogue of this work, and the composite quasar spectrum, will be available at https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/. (abridged)

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Euclid: Early Release Observations of ram-pressure stripping in the Perseus cluster. Detection of parsec scale star formation with in the low surface brightness stripped tails of UGC 2665 and MCG +07-07-070

Euclid is delivering optical and near-infrared imaging data over 14,000 deg$^2$ on the sky at spatial resolution and surface brightness levels that can be used to understand the morphological transformation of galaxies within groups and clusters. Using the Early Release Observations (ERO) of the Perseus cluster, we demonstrate the capability offered by Euclid in studying the nature of perturbations for galaxies in clusters. Filamentary structures are observed along the discs of two spiral galaxies with no extended diffuse emission expected from tidal interactions at surface brightness levels of $\sim$ $30\,{\rm mag}\,{\rm arcsec}^{-2}$. The detected features exhibit a good correspondence in morphology between optical and near-infrared wavelengths, with a surface brightness of $\sim$ $25\,{\rm mag}\,{\rm arcsec}^{-2}$, and the knots within the features have sizes of $\sim$ 100 pc, as observed through $I_E$ imaging. Using the Euclid, CFHT, UVIT, and LOFAR $144\,{\rm MHz}$ radio continuum observations, we conduct a detailed analysis to understand the origin of the detected features. We constructed the \textit{Euclid} $I_E-Y_E$, $Y_E-H_E$, and CFHT $u - r$, $g - i$ colour-colour plane and showed that these features contain recent star formation events, which are also indicated by their H$\alpha$ and NUV emissions. Euclid colours alone are insufficient for studying stellar population ages in unresolved star-forming regions, which require multi-wavelength optical imaging data. The morphological shape, orientation, and mean age of the stellar population, combined with the presence of extended radio continuum cometary tails can be consistently explained if these features have been formed during a recent ram-pressure stripping event. This result further confirms the exceptional qualities of Euclid in the study of galaxy evolution in dense environments.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

The anomalous magnetic moment of the muon in the Standard Model: an update

We present the current Standard Model (SM) prediction for the muon anomalous magnetic moment, $a_\mu$, updating the first White Paper (WP20) [1]. The pure QED and electroweak contributions have been further consolidated, while hadronic contributions continue to be responsible for the bulk of the uncertainty of the SM prediction. Significant progress has been achieved in the hadronic light-by-light scattering contribution using both the data-driven dispersive approach as well as lattice-QCD calculations, leading to a reduction of the uncertainty by almost a factor of two. The most important development since WP20 is the change in the estimate of the leading-order hadronic-vacuum-polarization (LO HVP) contribution. A new measurement of the $e^+e^-\to\pi^+\pi^-$ cross section by CMD-3 has increased the tensions among data-driven dispersive evaluations of the LO HVP contribution to a level that makes it impossible to combine the results in a meaningful way. At the same time, the attainable precision of lattice-QCD calculations has increased substantially and allows for a consolidated lattice-QCD average of the LO HVP contribution with a precision of about 0.9%. Adopting the latter in this update has resulted in a major upward shift of the total SM prediction, which now reads $a_\mu^\text{SM} = 116\,592\,033(62)\times 10^{-11}$ (530 ppb). When compared against the current experimental average based on the E821 experiment and runs 1-6 of E989 at Fermilab, one finds $a_\mu^\text{exp} - a_\mu^\text{SM} =38(63)\times 10^{-11}$, which implies that there is no tension between the SM and experiment at the current level of precision. The final precision of E989 (127 ppb) is the target of future efforts by the Theory Initiative. The resolution of the tensions among data-driven dispersive evaluations of the LO HVP contribution will be a key element in this endeavor.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

GOTO065054+593624: a 8.5 mag amplitude dwarf nova identified in real time via Kilonova Seekers

Dwarf novae are astrophysical laboratories for probing the nature of accretion, binary mass transfer, and binary evolution -- yet their diverse observational characteristics continue to challenge our theoretical understanding. We here present the discovery of, and subsequent observing campaign on GOTO065054+593624 (hereafter GOTO0650), a dwarf nova of the WZ Sge type, discovered in real-time by citizen scientists via the Kilonova Seekers citizen science project, which has an outburst amplitude of 8.5 mag. An extensive dataset charts the photometric and spectroscopic evolution of this object, covering the 2024 superoutburst. GOTO0650 shows an absence of visible emission lines during the high state, strong H and barely-detected HeII emission, and high-amplitude echo outbursts with a rapidly decreasing timescale. The comprehensive dataset presented here marks GOTO0650 as a candidate period bouncer, and highlights the important contribution that citizen scientists can make to the study of Galactic transients.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Euclid: Early Release Observations of diffuse stellar structures and globular clusters as probes of the mass assembly of galaxies in the Dorado group

Deep surveys reveal tidal debris and associated compact stellar systems. Euclid's unique combination of capabilities (spatial resolution, depth, and wide sky coverage) will make it a groundbreaking tool for galactic archaeology in the local Universe, bringing low surface brightness (LSB) science into the era of large-scale astronomical surveys. Euclid's Early Release Observations (ERO) demonstrate this potential with a field of view that includes several galaxies in the Dorado group. In this paper, we aim to derive from this image a mass assembly scenario for its main galaxies: NGC 1549, NGC 1553, and NGC 1546. We detect internal and external diffuse structures, and identify candidate globular clusters (GCs). By analysing the colours and distributions of the diffuse structures and candidate GCs, we can place constraints on the galaxies' mass assembly and merger histories. The results show that feature morphology, surface brightness, colours, and GC density profiles are consistent with galaxies that have undergone different merger scenarios. We classify NGC 1549 as a pure elliptical galaxy that has undergone a major merger. NGC 1553 appears to have recently transitioned from a late-type galaxy to early type, after a series of radial minor to intermediate mergers. NGC 1546 is a rare specimen of galaxy with an undisturbed disk and a prominent diffuse stellar halo, which we infer has been fed by minor mergers and then disturbed by the tidal effect from NGC 1553. Finally, we identify limitations specific to the observing conditions of this ERO, in particular stray light in the visible and persistence in the near-infrared bands. Once these issues are addressed and the extended emission from LSB objects is preserved by the data-processing pipeline, the Euclid Wide Survey will allow studies of the local Universe to be extended to statistical ensembles over a large part of the extragalactic sky.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

The high-energy cyclotron line in 2S 1417-624 discovered with Insight-HXMT during the 2018 outburst

We report a detailed timing and spectral analysis of the X-ray pulsar 2S~1417-624 using the data from Insight-HXMT during the 2018 outburst. The pulse profiles are highly variable with respect to both unabsorbed flux and energy. A double-peaked pulse profile from the low flux evolved to a multi-peaked shape in the high-flux state. The pulse fraction is negatively correlated to the source flux in the range of $\sim$(1--6)$\ \times \ 10^{-9}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, consistent with \textit{Rossi} X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) studies during the 2009 giant outburst. The energy-resolved pulse profiles around the peak outburst showed a four-peak shape in the low-energy bands and gradually evolved to triple peaks at higher energies. The continuum spectrum is well described by typical phenomenological models, such as the cut-off power law and the power law with high-energy cut-off models. Notably, we discovered high-energy cyclotron resonant scattering features (CRSFs) for the first time, which are around 100 keV with a statistical significance of $\sim$7$\sigma$ near the peak luminosity of the outburst. This CRSF line is significantly detected with different continuum models and provides very robust evidence for its presence. Furthermore, pulse-phase-resolved spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the line, whose energy varied from 97 to 107 keV over the pulse phase and appeared to have a maximum value at the narrow peak phase of the profiles.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

The stability of a biadditive functional equation via a new direct method

Addressing stability in functional equations is a critical task with broad implications across mathematics and its applications. In this paper, we present a novel direct method for proving the stability of the following equation, \begin{eqnarray*} f(x,y)=\alpha f(f_1(x,y))+\beta f(f_2(x,y)) \end{eqnarray*} subjecting to certain constraints on the constants $\alpha$ and $\beta$, as well as the functions $f_1(x,y)$ and $f_2(x,y)$. We introduce the direct method to prove the stability of the following functional equation and inequality, \begin{eqnarray*} \|f(x+y,z-w)+f(x-y,z+w)-2f(x,z)+2f(y,w)\| \leq \|x\|^p\|y\|^p\|z\|^p\|w\|^p; \end{eqnarray*} \begin{eqnarray*} \begin{split} \;&\|f\left(x+y,z-w\right)+af\left(\frac{x-y}{a},z+w\right)-2f(x,z)+2f(y,w) \|\\ \;&\leq \left\| \rho\left(f(x+y,z-w)+f(x-y,z+w)-2f(x,z)+2f(y,w)\right)\right\|. \end{split} \end{eqnarray*} This technique efficiently confirms stability, outperforming traditional proof methods in simplicity and efficacy. The application of our direct approach to various equations solidifies its validity, ensuring stable behavior across different mathematical contexts.

math.GM↗

arXiv2024

A Strategy for Preparing Quantum Squeezed States Using Reinforcement Learning

We propose a scheme leveraging reinforcement learning to engineer control fields for generating non-classical states. It is exemplified by the application to prepare spin-squeezed states for an open collective spin model where a linear control field is designed to govern the dynamics. The reinforcement learning agent determines the temporal sequence of control pulses, commencing from a coherent spin state in an environment characterized by dissipation and dephasing. Compared to the constant control scenario, this approach provides various control sequences maintaining collective spin squeezing and entanglement. It is observed that denser application of the control pulses enhances the performance of the outcomes. However, there is a minor enhancement in the performance by adding control actions. The proposed strategy demonstrates increased effectiveness for larger systems. Thermal excitations of the reservoir are detrimental to the control outcomes. Feasible experiments are suggested to implement this control proposal based on the comparison with the others. The extensions to continuous control problems and another quantum system are discussed. The replaceability of the reinforcement learning module is also emphasized. This research paves the way for its application in manipulating other quantum systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Quasi-periodic oscillations in GX 339-4 during the 2021 Outburst observed with Insight-HXMT

A new outburst of GX 339$-$4 in 2021 was monitored by the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (\textit{Insight}-HXMT). By using the data of \textit{Insight}-HXMT from February to March 2021, we make the X-ray timing analysis of this new outburst. Based on the results of count rates, hardness-intensity diagram (HID) and power density spectrum (PDS), we confirm that the source exhibits spectral transitions from the low-hard state (LHS) to the hard-intermediate state (HIMS). During the transition from the LHS to the HIMS, Low-frequency Quasi-periodic oscillations (LFQPOs) are detected in the PDS. We found that these QPOs are all type-C QPOs with centroid frequencies evolving from $0.1 -0.6$ Hz in the LHS and in the $1 -3$ Hz frequency range in HIMS. The QPO features above 50 keV are reported for the first time in this black hole by \textit{Insight}-HXMT. The QPO rms stays stable with time but decreases with energy at higher energy above $\sim 10$ keV. We also find that the phase lag of the type-C QPO is close to zero in the early outburst stage, but becomes positive as the outburst evolves, with a hard lag of $\sim$ 0.6-1.2 rad in $50 -100 $ keV. The implications of the phase lag in high energy bands and possible physical mechanisms to explain those observations are also discussed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Discovery of Two Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Features in X-ray Pulsar Cen X-3 by Insight-HXMT

We present the results of the neutron star X-ray binary system Cen X-3 performed by $Insight$-HXMT with two observations during 2017 and 2018. During these two observations, the source reached a X-ray luminosity of $\sim 10^{38}$ erg s$^{-1}$ from 2 -- 105 keV. The analysis of the broadband X-ray spectrum reports the presence of two cyclotron resonance scattering features (CRSFs) with the fundamental line at $\sim$ 28 keV and the harmonic line at $\sim 47 $ keV. The multiple lines exist by fittings with different continuum models, like the absorbed NPEX model and a power-law with high energy exponential cutoff model. This is the first time that both fundamental and harmonic lines are detected in Cen X-3. We also show evidence of two cyclotron lines in the phase-resolved spectrum of Cen X-3. The CRSF and continuum spectral parameters show evolution with the pulse profile, and the two line centroid energy ratio does not change significantly and locates in a narrow value range of $1.6-1.7$ over the pulse phase. The implications of the discovering two cyclotron absorption features and phase-resolved spectral properties are discussed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Analysis of Sampling Strategies for Implicit 3D Reconstruction

In the training process of the implicit 3D reconstruction network, the choice of spatial query points' sampling strategy affects the final performance of the model. Different works have differences in the selection of sampling strategies, not only in the spatial distribution of query points but also in the order of magnitude difference in the density of query points. For how to select the sampling strategy of query points, current works are more akin to an enumerating operation to find the optimal solution, which seriously affects work efficiency. In this work, we explored the relationship between sampling strategy and network final performance through classification analysis and experimental comparison from three aspects: the relationship between network type and sampling strategy, the relationship between implicit function and sampling strategy, and the impact of sampling density on model performance. In addition, we also proposed two methods, linear sampling and distance mask, to improve the sampling strategy of query points, making it more general and robust.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2022

Measurement of the Neutron Cross Section on Argon Between 95 and 720 MeV

We report an extended measurement of the neutron cross section on argon in the energy range of 95-720 MeV. The measurement was obtained with a 4.3-hour exposure of the Mini-CAPTAIN detector to the WNR/LANSCE beam at LANL. Compared to an earlier analysis of the same data, this extended analysis includes a reassessment of systematic uncertainties, in particular related to unused wires in the upstream part of the detector. Using this information we doubled the fiducial volume in the experiment and increased the statistics by a factor of 2.4. We also shifted the analysis from energy bins to time-of-flight bins. This change reduced the overall considered energy range, but improved the understanding of the energy spectrum of incoming neutrons in each bin. Overall, the new measurements are extracted from a fit to the attenuation of the neutron flux in five time-of-flight regions: 140 ns - 180 ns, 120 ns - 140 ns, 112 ns - 120 ns, 104 ns - 112 ns, 96 ns - 104 ns. The final cross sections are given for the flux-averaged energy in each time-of-flight bin: $\sigma(146~\rm{MeV})=0.60^{+0.14}_{-0.14}\pm0.08$(syst) b, $\sigma(236~\rm{MeV})=0.72^{+0.10}_{-0.10}\pm0.04$(syst) b, $\sigma(319~\rm{MeV})=0.80^{+0.13}_{-0.12}\pm0.040$(syst) b, $\sigma(404~\rm{MeV})=0.74^{+0.14}_{-0.09}\pm0.04$(syst) b, $\sigma(543~\rm{MeV})=0.74^{+0.09}_{-0.09}\pm0.04$(syst) b.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Wavelet analysis of the transient QPOs in MAXI J1535$-$571 with Insight-HXMT

Using wavelet analysis and power density spectrum, we investigate two transient quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in MAXI J1535$-$571 observed with Insight-HXMT. The transient QPOs have a centroid frequency of $\sim 10$ Hz with a FWHM $\sim 0.6$ Hz and an rms amplitude $\sim 14\%$. Energy spectra of QPO and non-QPO regimes are also separated and analyzed, and the spectra become softer with higher $E_{cut}$ in the non-QPO regime compared to the QPO regime. Our results suggest that the transient QPOs detected in MJD 58016 and 58017 are still the type-C QPO, and the source remains in its HIMS. The duration of all type-C QPO signals based on wavelet is positively correlated with the mean count rate above $\sim 10$ keV, implying appearance of QPOs in different time scales should be coupled with the corona. The transient QPO properties could be related to the jet or flares, perhaps the partial ejection of the corona is responsible for the disappearance of the type-C QPO.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Detection of a quasi-periodic oscillation at $\sim$40 mHz in Cen X-3 with Insight-HXMT

We investigated the quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) features in the accretion-powered X-ray pulsar Cen X-3 observed by Insight-HXMT. For two observations in 2020 when Cen X-3 was in an extremely soft state, the power density spectrum revealed the presence of obvious QPO features at $\sim$40 mHz with an averaged fractional rms amplitude of $\sim9\%$. We study the mHz QPO frequency and rms amplitude over orbital phases, and find that the QPO frequency is $\sim$33-39 mHz at the orbital phase of 0.1-0.4, increasing to $\sim$37-43 mHz in the orbital phase of 0.4-0.8, but has no strong dependence on X-ray intensity. We also carried out an energy-dependent QPO analysis, the rms amplitude of the mHz QPOs have a decreasing trend as the energy increases from 2 to 20 keV. In addition, the QPO time-lag analysis shows that the time delay is $\sim 20$ ms (a hard lag) in the range of $\sim$5-10 keV, and becomes negative (time lag of $-(20-70)$ ms) above $\sim 10$ keV. The different QPO theoretical models are summarized and discussed. In the end, we suggest that these energy-dependent timing features as well as the origin of mHz QPOs in Cen X-3 may be ascribed to an instability when the accretion disk is truncated near the corotation radius.

astro-ph.HE↗