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S. Liu

Publications and source records attributed to S. Liu.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
arXiv2017

AWAKE readiness for the study of the seeded self-modulation of a 400\,GeV proton bunch

AWAKE is a proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration experiment. % We show that the experimental setup briefly described here is ready for systematic study of the seeded self-modulation of the 400\,GeV proton bunch in the 10\,m-long rubidium plasma with density adjustable from 1 to 10$\times10^{14}$\,cm$^{-3}$. % We show that the short laser pulse used for ionization of the rubidium vapor propagates all the way along the column, suggesting full ionization of the vapor. % We show that ionization occurs along the proton bunch, at the laser time and that the plasma that follows affects the proton bunch. %

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2017

Shifted lattices and asymptotically optimal ellipses

Translate the positive-integer lattice points in the first quadrant by some amount in the horizontal and vertical directions. Take a decreasing concave (or convex) curve in the first quadrant and construct a family of curves by rescaling in the coordinate directions while preserving area. Consider the curve in the family that encloses the greatest number of the shifted lattice points: we seek to identify the limiting shape of this maximizing curve as the area is scaled up towards infinity. The limiting shape is shown to depend explicitly on the lattice shift. The result holds for all positive shifts, and for negative shifts satisfying a certain condition. When the shift becomes too negative, the optimal curve no longer converges to a limiting shape, and instead we show it degenerates. Our results handle the $p$-circle $x^p+y^p=1$ when $p>1$ (concave) and also when $0<p<1$ (convex). Rescaling the $p$-circle generates the family of $p$-ellipses, and so in particular we identify the asymptotically optimal $p$-ellipses associated with shifted integer lattices. The circular case $p=2$ with shift $-1/2$ corresponds to minimizing high eigenvalues in a symmetry class for the Laplacian on rectangles, while the straight line case ($p=1$) generates an open problem about minimizing high eigenvalues of quantum harmonic oscillators with normalized parabolic potentials.

math.SP↗
arXiv2017

Exciton-phonon interaction in the strong coupling regime in hexagonal boron nitride

The temperature-dependent optical response of excitons in semiconductors is controlled by the exciton-phonon interaction. When the exciton-lattice coupling is weak, the excitonic line has a Lorentzian profile resulting from motional narrowing, with a width increasing linearly with the lattice temperature $T$. In contrast, when the exciton-lattice coupling is strong, the lineshape is Gaussian with a width increasing sublinearly with the lattice temperature, proportional to $\sqrt{T}$. While the former case is commonly reported in the literature, here the latter is reported for the first time, for hexagonal boron nitride. Thus the theoretical predictions of Toyozawa [Progr. Theor. Phys. 20, 53 (1958)] are supported by demonstrating that the exciton-phonon interaction is in the strong coupling regime in this Van der Waals crystal.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2017

Modelling Defect Cavities Formed in Inverse Three-Dimensional Rod-Connected Diamond Photonic Crystals

Defect cavities in 3D photonic crystal can trap and store light in the smallest volumes allowable in dielectric materials, enhancing non-linearities and cavity QED effects. Here, we study inverse rod-connected diamond (RCD) crystals containing point defect cavities using plane-wave expansion and finite-difference time domain methods. By optimizing the dimensions of the crystal, wide photonic band gaps are obtained. Mid-bandgap resonances can then be engineered by introducing point defects in the crystal. We investigate a variety of single spherical defects at different locations in the unit cell focusing on high-refractive-index contrast (3.3:1) inverse RCD structures; quality factors (Q-factors) and mode volumes of the resonant cavity modes are calculated. By choosing a symmetric arrangement, consisting of a single sphere defect located at the center of a tetrahedral arrangement, mode volumes < 0.06 cubic wavelengths are obtained, a record for high index cavities.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2016

Ultrafast terahertz-field-driven ionic response in ferroelectric BaTiO$_3$

The dynamical processes associated with electric field manipulation of the polarization in a ferroelectric remain largely unknown but fundamentally determine the speed and functionality of ferroelectric materials and devices. Here we apply sub-picosecond duration, single-cycle terahertz pulses as an ultrafast electric field bias to prototypical BaTiO$_3$ ferroelectric thin films with the atomic-scale response probed by femtosecond x-ray scattering techniques. We show that electric fields applied perpendicular to the ferroelectric polarization drive large amplitude displacements of the titanium atoms along the ferroelectric polarization axis, comparable to that of the built-in displacements associated with the intrinsic polarization and incoherent across unit cells. This effect is associated with a dynamic rotation of the ferroelectric polarization switching on and then off on picosecond timescales. These transient polarization modulations are followed by long-lived vibrational heating effects driven by resonant excitation of the ferroelectric soft mode, as reflected in changes in the c-axis tetragonality. The ultrafast structural characterization described here enables direct comparison with first-principles-based molecular dynamics simulations, with good agreement obtained.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2015

AWAKE, The Advanced Proton Driven Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Experiment at CERN

The Advanced Proton Driven Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Experiment (AWAKE) aims at studying plasma wakefield generation and electron acceleration driven by proton bunches. It is a proof-of-principle R&D experiment at CERN and the world's first proton driven plasma wakefield acceleration experiment. The AWAKE experiment will be installed in the former CNGS facility and uses the 400 GeV/c proton beam bunches from the SPS. The first experiments will focus on the self-modulation instability of the long (rms ~12 cm) proton bunch in the plasma. These experiments are planned for the end of 2016. Later, in 2017/2018, low energy (~15 MeV) electrons will be externally injected to sample the wakefields and be accelerated beyond 1 GeV. The main goals of the experiment will be summarized. A summary of the AWAKE design and construction status will be presented.

physics.acc-ph↗
arXiv2015

Path to AWAKE: Evolution of the concept

This report describes the conceptual steps in reaching the design of the AWAKE experiment currently under construction at CERN. We start with an introduction to plasma wakefield acceleration and the motivation for using proton drivers. We then describe the self-modulation instability --- a key to an early realization of the concept. This is then followed by the historical development of the experimental design, where the critical issues that arose and their solutions are described. We conclude with the design of the experiment as it is being realized at CERN and some words on the future outlook. A summary of the AWAKE design and construction status as presented in this conference is given in [1].

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2015

Electron acceleration by cascading reconnection in the solar corona I Magnetic gradient and curvature effects

Aims: We investigate the electron acceleration in convective electric fields of cascading magnetic reconnection in a flaring solar corona and show the resulting hard X-ray (HXR) radiation spectra caused by Bremsstrahlung for the coronal source. Methods: We perform test particle calculation of electron motions in the framework of a guiding center approximation. The electromagnetic fields and their derivatives along electron trajectories are obtained by linearly interpolating the results of high-resolution adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) MHD simulations of cascading magnetic reconnection. Hard X-ray (HXR) spectra are calculated using an optically thin Bremsstrahlung model. Results: Magnetic gradients and curvatures in cascading reconnection current sheet accelerate electrons: trapped in magnetic islands, precipitating to the chromosphere and ejected into the interplanetary space. The final location of an electron is determined by its initial position, pitch angle and velocity. These initial conditions also influence electron acceleration efficiency. Most of electrons have enhanced perpendicular energy. Trapped electrons are considered to cause the observed bright spots along coronal mass ejection CME-trailing current sheets as well as the flare loop-top HXR emissions.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Performance of the gas gain monitoring system of the CMS RPC muon detector

The RPC muon detector of the CMS experiment at the LHC (CERN, Geneva, Switzerland) is equipped with a Gas Gain Monitoring (GGM) system. A report on the stability of the system during the 2011-2012 data taking run is given, as well as the observation of an effect which suggests a novel method for the monitoring of gas mixture composition.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2014

Decoding Spatial Complexity in Strongly Correlated Electronic Systems

Inside the metals, semiconductors, and magnets of our everyday experience, electrons are uniformly distributed throughout the material. By contrast, electrons often form clumpy patterns inside of strongly correlated electronic systems (SCES) such as colossal magnetoresistance materials and high temperature superconductors. In copper-oxide based high temperature superconductors, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has detected an electron nematic on the surface of the material, in which the electrons form nanoscale structures which break the rotational symmetry of the host crystal. These structures may hold the key to unlocking the mystery of high temperature superconductivity in these materials, but only if the nematic also exists throughout the entire bulk of the material. Using newly developed methods for decoding these surface structures, we find that the nematic indeed persists throughout the bulk of the material. We furthermore find that the intricate pattern formation is set by a delicate balance among disorder, interactions, and material anisotropy, leading to a fractal nature of the cluster pattern. The methods we have developed can be extended to many other surface probes and materials, enabling surface probes to determine whether surface structures are confined only to the surface, or whether they extend throughout the material.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2014

Onset of Electron Acceleration in a Flare Loop

We carried out detailed analysis of X-ray and radio observations of a simple flare loop that occurred on 12th August 2002, with the impulsive hard X-ray (HXR) light curves dominated by a single pulse. The emission spectra of the early impulsive phase are consistent with an isothermal model in the coronal loop with a temperature reaching several keVs. A power-law high-energy spectral tail is evident near the HXR peak time, in accordance with the appearance of footpoints at high energies, and is well correlated with the radio emission. The energy content of the thermal component keeps increasing gradually after the disappearance of this nonthermal component. These results suggest that electron acceleration only covers a central period of a longer and more gradual energy dissipation process and that the electron transport within the loop plays a crucial role in the formation of the inferred power-law electron distribution. The spectral index of power-law photons shows a very gradual evolution indicating a quasi-steady state of the electron accelerator, which is confirmed by radio observations. These results are consistent with the theory of stochastic electron acceleration from a thermal background. Advanced modeling with coupled electron acceleration and spatial transport processes is needed to explain these observations more quantitatively, which may reveal the dependence of the electron acceleration on the spatial structure of the acceleration region.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Multi-channel Observations of Plasma Outflows and the Associated Small-Scale Magnetic Field Cacellations on the Edges of an Active Region

With the SDO/AIA instrument, continuous and intermittent plasma outflows are observed on the boundaries of an active region along two distinct open coronal loops. %with the speed of 30$\sim$200 km s$^{-1}$. By investigating the temporal sequence magnetograms obtained from HMI/SDO, it is found that small-scale magnetic reconnection probably plays an important role in the generation of the plasma outflows in the coronal loops. It is found that the origin of the plasma outflows coincides with the locations of the small-scale magnetic fields with mixed polarities, which suggests that the plasma outflows along coronal loops probably results from the magnetic reconnection between the small-scale close emerging loops and the large-scale open active region coronal loops.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Recent Advances in the Microscopic Calculations of Level Densities by the Shell Model Monte Carlo Method

The shell model Monte Carlo (SMMC) method enables calculations in model spaces that are many orders of magnitude larger than those that can be treated by conventional methods, and is particularly suitable for the calculation of level densities in the presence of correlations. We review recent advances and applications of SMMC for the microscopic calculation of level densities. Recent developments include (i) a method to calculate accurately the ground-state energy of an odd-mass nucleus, circumventing a sign problem that originates in the projection on an odd number of particles, and (ii) a method to calculate directly level densities, which, unlike state densities, do not include the spin degeneracy of the levels. We calculated the level densities of a family of nickel isotopes $^{59-64}$Ni and of a heavy deformed rare-earth nucleus $^{162}$Dy and found them to be in close agreement with various experimental data sets.

nucl-th↗
arXiv2013

Inference on differences between classes using cluster-specific contrasts of mixed effects

The detection of differentially expressed (DE) genes is one of the most commonly studied problems in bioinformatics. For example, the identification of DE genes between distinct disease phenotypes is an important first step in understanding and developing treatment drugs for the disease. It can also contribute significantly to the construction of a discriminant rule for predicting the class of origin of an unclassified tissue sample from a patient. We present a novel approach to the problem of detecting DE genes that is based on a test statistic formed as a weighted (normalized) cluster-specific contrast in the mixed effects of the mixture model used in the first instance to cluster the gene profiles into a manageable number of clusters. The key factor in the formation of our test statistic is the use of gene-specific mixed effects in the cluster-specific contrast. It thus means that the (soft) assignment of a given gene to a cluster is not crucial. This is because in addition to class differences between the (estimated) fixed effects terms for a cluster, gene-specific class differences also contribute to the cluster-specific contributions to the final form of the test statistic. The proposed test statistic can be used where the primary aim is to rank the genes in order of evidence against the null hypothesis of no DE. We also show how a P-value can be calculated for each gene for use in multiple hypothesis testing where the intent is to control the false discovery rate (FDR) at some desired level. With the use of real and simulated data sets, we show that the proposed contrast-based approach outperforms other methods commonly used for the detection of DE genes both in a ranking context with lower proportion of false discoveries and in a multiple hypothesis testing context with higher power for a specified level of the FDR.

stat.ME↗
arXiv2013

Direct microscopic calculations of nuclear level densities in the shell model Monte Carlo approach

Nuclear level densities are crucial for estimating statistical nuclear reaction rates. The shell model Monte Carlo method is a powerful approach for microscopic calculation of state densities in very large model spaces. However, these state densities include the spin degeneracy of each energy level, whereas experiments often measure level densities in which each level is counted just once. To enable the direct comparison of theory with experiments, we introduce a method to calculate directly the level density in the shell model Monte Carlo approach. The method employs a projection on the minimal absolute value of the magnetic quantum number. We apply the method to nuclei in the iron region as well as the strongly deformed rare-earth nucleus $^{162}$Dy. We find very good agreement with experimental data including level counting at low energies, charged particle spectra and Oslo method at intermediate energies, neutron and proton resonance data, and Ericson's fluctuation analysis at higher excitation energies.

nucl-th↗
arXiv2012

Search for annual modulation in low-energy CDMS-II data

We report limits on annual modulation of the low-energy event rate from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Such a modulation could be produced by interactions from Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) with masses ~10 GeV/c^2. We find no evidence for annual modulation in the event rate of veto-anticoincident single-detector interactions consistent with nuclear recoils, and constrain the magnitude of any modulation to <0.06 event [keVnr kg day]^-1 in the 5-11.9 keVnr energy range at the 99% confidence level. These results disfavor an explanation for the reported modulation in the 1.2-3.2 keVee energy range in CoGeNT in terms of nuclear recoils resulting from elastic scattering of WIMPs at >98% confidence. For events consistent with electron recoils, no significant modulation is observed for either single- or multiple-detector interactions in the 3.0-7.4 keVee range.

astro-ph.CO↗