arXiv subjects

R. Li

Publications and source records attributed to R. Li.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Experimentally well-constrained masses of $^{27}$P and $^{27}$S: Implications for studies of explosive binary systems

The mass of $^{27}$P was predicted to impact the X-ray burst (XRB) model predictions of burst light curves and the composition of the burst ashes. To address the uncertainties and inconsistencies in the reported $^{27}$P masses in literature, a wealth of information has been extracted from the $β$-decay spectroscopy of the drip-line nucleus $^{27}$S. We determine the most precise mass excess of $^{27}$P to date to be $-659(9)$~keV, which is 63~keV (2.3$σ$) higher than the AME2016 recommended value of $-722(26)$~keV. The experimentally unknown mass excess of $^{27}$S was estimated to be 17030(400)~keV in AME2016, and we constrain this mass to be 17678(77)~keV based on the measured $β$-delayed two-proton energy. In the temperature region of $(0.06-0.3)$~GK, the $^{26}$Si$(p,γ)^{27}$P reaction rate determined in this work is significantly lower than the rate recommended in the reaction rate libraries, up to two orders of magnitude around 0.1~GK. The impact of these newly determined masses and well-constrained rate on the modeling of the explosive astrophysical scenarios has been explored by hydrodynamic nova and post-processing XRB models. No substantial change was found in the nova contribution to the synthesis of galactic $^{26}$Al or in the XRB energy generation rate, but we found that the calculated abundances of $^{26}$Al and $^{26}$Si at the last stage of XRB are increased by a factor of 2.4. We also conclude that $^{27}$S is not a significant waiting point in the rapid proton capture process.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Simultaneous measurement of beta-delayed proton and gamma emission of $^{26}$P for $^{25}$Al($p,γ$)$^{26}$Si reaction rate

$β$ decay of $^{26}$P was used to populate the astrophysically important $E_x=$5929.4(8) keV $J^π=3{^+}$ state of $^{26}$Si. Both $β$-delayed proton at 418(8) keV and gamma ray at 1742(2) keV emitted from this state were measured simultaneously for the first time with corresponding absolute intensities of 11.1(12)\% and 0.59(44)\%, respectively. Besides, shell model calculations with weakly bound effects were performed to investigate the decay properties of other resonant states and a spin-parity of $4^+$ rather than $0^+$ was favored for the $E_x=$5945.9(40) keV state. Combining the experimental results and theoretical calculations, $^{25}$Al($p,γ$)$^{26}$Si reaction rate in explosive hydrogen burning environments was calculated and compared with previous studies.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Microscopic non-equilibrium energy transfer dynamics in a photoexcited metal/insulator heterostructure

The element specificity of soft X-ray spectroscopy makes it an ideal tool for analyzing the microscopic origin of ultrafast dynamics induced by localized optical excitation in metal-insulator heterostructures. Using [Fe/MgO]$_n$ as a model system, we perform ultraviolet pump/soft X-ray probe experiments, which are sensitive to all constituents of these heterostructures, to probe both electronic and lattice excitations. Complementary ultrafast electron diffraction experiments independently analyze the lattice dynamics of the Fe constituent, and together with ab initio calculations yield comprehensive insight into the microscopic processes leading to local relaxation within a single constituent or non-local relaxation between two constituents. Besides electronic excitations in Fe, which are monitored at the Fe L$_3$ absorption edge and relax within 1 ps by electron-phonon coupling, soft X-ray analysis identifies a change at the oxygen K absorption edge of the MgO layers which occurs within 0.5 ps. This ultrafast energy transfer across the Fe-MgO interface is mediated by high-frequency, interface vibrational modes, which are excited by hot electrons in Fe and couple to vibrations in MgO in a mode-selective, non-thermal manner. A second, slower timescale is identified at the oxygen K pre-edge and the Fe L$_3$ edge. The slower process represents energy transfer by acoustic phonons and contributes to thermalization of the entire heterostructure. We thus find that the interfacial energy transfer is associated with non-equilibrium behavior in the phonon system. Because our experiments lack signatures of charge transfer across the interface, we conclude that phonon-mediated processes dominate the competition of electronic and lattice excitations in these non-local, non-equilibrium dynamics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Diversity of shapes and rotations in the gamma-soft 130Ba nucleus: first observation of a t-band in the A=130 mass region

Several new bands have been identified in 130Ba, among which there is one with band-head spin 8+. Its properties are in agreement with the Fermi-aligned νh11/2^2 , 7/2+[523] \otimes 9/2-[514] Nilsson configuration. This is the first observation of a two-quasiparticle t-band in the A=130 mass region. The t-band is fed by a dipole band involving two additional h11/2 protons. The odd-spin partners of the proton and neutron S-bands and the ground-state band at high spins are also newly identified. The observed bands are discussed using several theoretical models, which strongly suggest the coexistence of prolate and oblate shapes polarized by rotation aligned two-proton and two-neutron configurations, as well as prolate collective rotations around axes with different orientations. With the new results, 130Ba presents one of the best and most complete sets of collective excitations that a gamma-soft nucleus can manifest at medium and high spins, revealing a diversity of shapes and rotations for the nuclei in the A = 130 mass region.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Beta-decay spectroscopy of $^{27}$S

Background: Beta-decay spectroscopy provides valuable nuclear physics input for thermonuclear reaction rates of astrophysical interest and stringent test for shell-model theories far from the stability line. Purpose: The available decay properties of proton drip-line nucleus $^{27}$S is insufficient to constrain the properties of the key resonance in $^{26}$Si$(p,γ)^{27}$P reaction rate and probe the possible isospin asymmetry. The decay scheme of $^{27}$S is complicated and far from being understood, which has motivated but also presented challenges for our experiment. Method: The $^{27}$S ions were implanted into a double-sided silicon strip detector array surrounded by the high-purity germanium detectors, where the $β$-delayed protons and $γ$ rays were measured simultaneously. Results: The improved spectroscopic properties including the precise half-life of $^{27}$S, the excitation energies, $β$-decay branching ratios, log~$ft$ values, and $B$(GT) values for the states of $^{27}$P populated in the $β$ decay of $^{27}$S were measured and compared to the $^{27}$Mg mirror states and the shell-model calculations. The present work has expanded greatly on the previously established decay scheme of $^{27}$S. Conclusions: The precise proton-separation energy of $^{27}$P, the energy and the ratio between $γ$ and proton partial widths of the $3/2^+$ resonance were obtained, thereby determining the $^{26}$Si$(p,γ)^{27}$P reaction rate based mainly on experimental constraints. The first evidence for the observation of a large isospin asymmetry for the mirror decays of $^{27}$S and $^{27}$Na is also provided. The experimental spectroscopic information can be reproduced by the shell-model calculation taking the weakly bound effect of the proton $1s_{1/2}$ orbit into account.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Next Generation High Brightness Electron Beams From Ultra-High Field Cryogenic Radiofrequency Photocathode Sources

Recent studies of the performance of radio-frequency (RF) copper cavities operated at cryogenic temperatures have shown a dramatic increase in the maximum achievable surface electric field. We propose to exploit this development to enable a new generation of photoinjectors operated at cryogenic temperatures that may attain, through enhancement of the launch field at the photocathode, a significant increase in five-dimensional electron beam brightness. We present detailed studies of the beam dynamics associated with such a system, by examining an S-band photoinjector operated at 250 MV/m peak electric field that reaches normalized emittances in the 40 nm-rad range at charges (100-200 pC) suitable for use in a hard X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) scenario based on the LCLS. In this case, we show by start-to-end simulations that the properties of this source may give rise to high efficiency operation of an XFEL, and permit extension of the photon energy reach by an order of magnitude, to over 80 keV. The brightness needed for such XFELs is achieved through low source emittances in tandem with high current after compression. In the XFEL examples analyzed, the emittances during final compression are preserved using micro-bunching techniques. Extreme low emittance scenarios obtained at pC charge, appropriate for significantly extending temporal resolution limits of ultrafast electron diffraction and microscopy experiments, are also reviewed. While the increase in brightness in a cryogenic photoinjector is mainly due to the augmentation of the emission current density via field enhancement, further possible increases in performance arising from lowering the intrinsic cathode emittance in cryogenic operation are also analyzed. Issues in experimental implementation, including cavity optimization for lowering cryogenic thermal dissipation, external coupling, and cryo-cooler system are discussed.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2018

Half-Lives of Neutron Rich $^{130}$Cd and $^{131}$In

The half-lives of isotopes around the $N=82$ shell closure are an important ingredient in astrophysical simulations and strongly influence the magnitude of the second $r$-process abundance peak in the $A\sim130$ region. The most neutron-rich $N=82$ nuclei are not accessible to the current generation of radioactive beam facilities and $r$-process simulations must therefore rely on calculations of the half-lives of the isotopes involved. Half-life measurements of the experimentally accessible nuclei in this region are important in order to benchmark these calculations. The half-life of $^{130}$Cd is particularly important as it is used to tune the Gamow-Teller quenching in shell-model calculations for the $β$ decay of other nuclei in this region. In this work, the GRIFFIN $γ$-ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility was used to measure the half-life of $^{130}_{~48}$Cd$_{82}$ to be $T_{1/2}= 126(4)$ ms. In addition, the half-lives of the three $β$ decaying states of $^{131}_{~49}$In$_{82}$ were measured to be $T_{1/2}(1/2^-)=328(15)$ ms, $T_{1/2}(9/2^+)=265(8)$ ms, and $T_{1/2}(21/2^+)=323(50)$ ms, respectively, providing an important benchmark for half-life calculations in this region.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Spin lifetime and charge noise in hot silicon quantum dot qubits

We investigate the magnetic field and temperature dependence of the single-electron spin lifetime in silicon quantum dots and find a lifetime of 2.8 ms at a temperature of 1.1 K. We develop a model based on spin-valley mixing and find that Johnson noise and two-phonon processes limit relaxation at low and high temperature respectively. We also investigate the effect of temperature on charge noise and find a linear dependence up to 4 K. These results contribute to the understanding of relaxation in silicon quantum dots and are promising for qubit operation at elevated temperatures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Ballistic supercurrent discretization and micrometer-long Josephson coupling in germanium

We fabricate Josephson field-effect-transistors in germanium quantum wells contacted by superconducting aluminum and demonstrate supercurrents carried by holes that extend over junction lengths of several micrometers. In superconducting quantum point contacts we observe discretization of supercurrent, as well as Fabry-Perot resonances, demonstrating ballistic transport. The magnetic field dependence of the supercurrent follows a clear Fraunhofer-like pattern and Shapiro steps appear upon microwave irradiation. Multiple Andreev reflections give rise to conductance enhancement and evidence a transparent interface, confirmed by analyzing the excess current. These demonstrations of ballistic superconducting transport are promising for hybrid quantum technology in germanium.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Generation of ten kilotesla longitudinal magnetic fields in ultraintense laser-solenoid target interactions

Production of the huge longitudinal magnetic fields by using an ultraintense laser pulse irradiating a solenoid target is considered. Through three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, it is shown that the longitudinal magnetic field up to ten kilotesla can be observed in the ultraintense laser-solenoid target interactions. The finding is associated with both fast and return electron currents in the solenoid target. The huge longitudinal magnetic field is of interest for a number of important applications, which include controlling the divergence of laser-driven energetic particles for medical treatment, fast-ignition in inertial fusion, etc., as an example, the well focused and confined directional electron beams are realized by using the solenoid target.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

Gate-controlled quantum dots and superconductivity in planar germanium

Superconductors and semiconductors are crucial platforms in the field of quantum computing. They can be combined to hybrids, bringing together physical properties that enable the discovery of new emergent phenomena and provide novel strategies for quantum control. The involved semiconductor materials, however, suffer from disorder, hyperfine interactions or lack of planar technology. Here we realise an approach that overcomes these issues altogether and integrate gate-defined quantum dots and superconductivity into a material system with strong spin-orbit coupling. In our germanium heterostructures, heavy holes with mobilities exceeding 500,000 cm$^2$/Vs are confined in shallow quantum wells that are directly contacted by annealed aluminium leads. We demonstrate gate-tunable superconductivity and find a characteristic voltage $I_cR_n$ that exceeds 10 $μ$V. Germanium therefore has great promise for fast and coherent quantum hardware and, being compatible with standard manufacturing, could become a leading material in the quantum revolution.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Ultra-High Brightness Electron Beams from Very-High Field Cryogenic Radio-frequency Photocathode Sources

Recent investigations of RF copper structures operated at cryogenic temperatures performed by a SLAC-UCLA collaboration have shown a dramatic increase in the maximum surface electric field, to 500 MV/m. We examine use of these fields to enable very high field cryogenic photoinjectors that can attain over an order of magnitude increase in peak electron beam brightness. We present beam dynamics studies relevant to X-ray FEL injectors, using start-to-end simulations that show the high brightness and low emittance of this source enables operation of a compact FEL reaching a photon energy of 80 keV. The preservation of beam brightness in compression, exploiting micro-bunching techniques is discussed. While the gain in brightness at high field is due to increase of the emission current density, further increases in brightness due to lowering of the intrinsic cathode emittance in cryogenic operation are also enabled. While the original proposal for this type of cryogenic, ultra-high field photoinjector has emphasized S-band designs, there are numerous potential advantages that may be conferred by operation in C-band. We examine issues related to experimental implementation in C-band, and expected performance of this type of device in a future hard X-ray FEL such as MaRIE.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2018

Multidimensional effects on proton acceleration using high-power intense laser pulses

Dimensional effects in particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) of protons are considered. As the spatial divergence of the laser-accelerated hot sheath electrons and the resulting space-charge electric field on the target backside depend on the spatial dimension, the maximum energy of the accelerated protons obtained from three-dimensional (3D) simulations is usually much less that from two-dimensional (2D) simulations. By closely examining the TNSA of protons in 2D and 3D PIC simulations, we deduce an empirical ratio between the maximum proton energies obtained from the 2D and 3D simulations. This ratio may be useful for estimating the maximum proton energy in realistic (3D) TNSA from the results of the corresponding 2D simulation. It is also shown that the scaling law also applies to TNSA from structured targets.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

Spin filling and orbital structure of the first six holes in a silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor quantum dot

The spin states of electrons confined in semiconductor quantum dots form a promising platform for quantum computation. Recent studies of silicon CMOS qubits have shown coherent manipulation of electron spin states with extremely high fidelity. However, manipulation of single electron spins requires large oscillatory magnetic fields to be generated on-chip, making it difficult to address individual qubits when scaling up to multi-qubit devices. The spin-orbit interaction allows spin states to be controlled with electric fields, which act locally and are easier to generate. While the spin-orbit interaction is weak for electrons in silicon, valence band holes have an inherently strong spin-orbit interaction. However, creating silicon quantum dots in which a single hole can be localised, in an architecture that is suitable for scale-up to a large number of qubits, is a challenge. Here we report a silicon quantum dot, with an integrated charge sensor, that can be operated down to the last hole. We map the spin states and orbital structure of the first six holes, and show they follow the Fock-Darwin spectrum. We also find that hole-hole interactions are extremely strong, reducing the two-hole singlet-triplet splitting by 90% compared to the single particle level spacing of 3.5 meV. These results provide a route to single hole spin quantum bits in a planar silicon CMOS architecture.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

A Crossbar Network for Silicon Quantum Dot Qubits

The spin states of single electrons in gate-defined quantum dots satisfy crucial requirements for a practical quantum computer. These include extremely long coherence times, high-fidelity quantum operation, and the ability to shuttle electrons as a mechanism for on-chip flying qubits. In order to increase the number of qubits to the thousands or millions of qubits needed for practical quantum information we present an architecture based on shared control and a scalable number of lines. Crucially, the control lines define the qubit grid, such that no local components are required. Our design enables qubit coupling beyond nearest neighbors, providing prospects for non-planar quantum error correction protocols. Fabrication is based on a three-layer design to define qubit and tunnel barrier gates. We show that a double stripline on top of the structure can drive high-fidelity single-qubit rotations. Qubit addressability and readout are enabled by self-aligned inhomogeneous magnetic fields induced by direct currents through superconducting gates. Qubit coupling is based on the exchange interaction, and we show that parallel two-qubit gates can be performed at the detuning noise insensitive point. While the architecture requires a high level of uniformity in the materials and critical dimensions to enable shared control, it stands out for its simplicity and provides prospects for large-scale quantum computation in the near future.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Moderate deviations for a stochastic wave equation in dimension three

In this paper, we proved a central limit theorem and established a moderate deviation principle for a perturbed stochastic wave equation defined on $[0,T]\times \rr^3$. This equation is driven by a Gaussian noise, white in time and correlated in space. The weak convergence approach plays an important role.

math.PR↗

arXiv2017

Resonant Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS) Development on Lu and Pr

Resonance ionization laser ion sources are efficient and element selective ion sources, which are particularly well suited for radioactive ion beam facilities. Using TRIUMF's off-line laser ion source test stand with a system of tunable titanium sapphire (Ti:Sa) lasers, laser resonance ionization schemes for lutetium and praseodymium have been investigated with a particular interest to autoionizing states. New ionization schemes via Rydberg states and autoionizing states were found. Their investigation and comparison of ion yields at the off-line test stand will be discussed, and the data of on-line Lu delivery will be presented.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Study of even-parity Rydberg and autoionizing states of lutetium by laser resonance ionization spectroscopy

Multi-step laser resonance ionization spectroscopy of lutetium (Lu) has been performed at TRIUMF's off-line laser ion source test stand. The even-parity Rydberg series $6s^2nd$ $^2D_{3/2}$, $6s^2nd$ $^2D_{5/2}$ and $6s^2ns$ $^2S_{1/2}$ were observed converging to the 6s$^2$ ionization potential. The experimental results has been compared to previous work. 51 levels of Rydberg series $6s^2nd$ $^2D_{5/2}$ and 52 levels of Rydberg series $6s^2ns$ $^2S_{1/2}$ were reported new. Additionally six even-parity autoionization (AI) series converging to Lu ionic states $5d6s$ $^3D_1$ and $5d6s$ $^3D_2$ were observed. The level energies of these AI states were measured. The configurations of the AI states were assigned by relativistic multichannel theory (RMCT) within the framework of multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT).

physics.atom-ph↗