arXiv subjects

W. Yan

Publications and source records attributed to W. Yan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A New Low $Q^2$ Measurement of the Proton's $g_1$ Spin Structure Function from Longitudinal & Transverse Polarized Data

The proton's spin structure has proven to be far more complicated than was originally believed, and has been the subject of a number of experimental investigations. %Early measurements of the proton's spin structure function $g_1$ showed that the proton does not solely derive its spin from the spins of its quarks, starting the `proton spin crisis'. Of particular interest are the spin structure functions $g_1$ and $g_2$, which can be used to generate moments to directly compare experimental results to Chiral Perturbation Theory and other theories of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). The proton's $g_1$ structure function has been the subject of two other recent low momentum transfer experiments, but there are currently no published low momentum transfer measurements which collected data on the proton structure functions using both a longitudinally-polarized and a transversely-polarized target at the same kinematics. In this paper, we present the longitudinally polarized results of the Jefferson Lab E08-027 experiment, along with linked moments which combine this new result with the previously published transversely-polarized data from the same experiment. These results provide a proton $g_1$ extraction measured with very high precision across the resonance region, and provide new information on the value of $g_1$ dependent sum rules and moments.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Cauchy identities for genus 2 Schur polynomials

Genus 2 Macdonald polynomials $\Psi^{(q,t)}_{j_1,j_2,j_3}$ generalize ordinary Macdonald polynomials in several aspects. First, they provide common eigenfunctions for commuting difference operators that generalize the Macdonald difference operators of type $A_1$. Second, the algebra generated by these difference operators together with multiplication operators admits an action of genus 2 mapping class group (MCG) that generalizes the well-known action of $SL(2,{\mathbb Z})$ for ordinary Macdonald polynomials. In this paper, one more important aspect of Macdonald theory is considered: the Cauchy identities. We construct a genus 2 generalization of Cauchy identities in the particular case when $t=q=1$, i.e. for genus 2 Schur polynomials.

math.RT↗

arXiv2024

Demonstration of The Brightest Nano-size Gamma Source

Gamma rays selectively interact with nuclei, induce and mediate nuclear reactions and elementary particle interactions, and exceed x-rays in penetrating power and thus are indispensable for analysis and modification of dense objects. Yet, the available gamma sources lack sufficient power and brightness. The predicted and highly desirable laser-driven gamma flash, from here on termed "Gamma Flash", based on inverse Compton scattering from solid targets at extreme irradiances (>$10^{23}W/cm^2$), would be the highest-power and the brightest terrestrial gamma source with a 30-40% laser-to-gamma energy conversion. However, Gamma Flash remains inaccessible experimentally due to the Bremsstrahlung background. Here we experimentally demonstrate a new interaction regime at the highest effective irradiance where Gamma Flash scaled quickly with the laser power and produced several times the number of Bremsstrahlung photons. Simulations revealed an attosecond, Terawatt Gamma Flash with a nanometre source size achieving a record brightness exceeding $~10^{23}photons/mm^2mrad^2s$ per 0.1% bandwidth at tens of MeV photon energies, surpassing astrophysical Gamma Ray Bursts. These findings could revolutionize inertial fusion energy by enabling unprecedented sub-micrometre/femtosecond resolution radiography of fuel mixing instabilities in extremely-compressed targets. The new gamma source could facilitate significant advances in time-resolved nuclear physics, homeland security, nuclear waste management and non-proliferation, while opening possibilities for spatially-coherent gamma rays.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Study of $e^+e^- \rightarrow \Sigma^0 \overline{\Sigma}{}^0$ and $\Sigma^+\overline{\Sigma}{}^- $ by Initial State Radiation Method at Belle

The processes $ e^+e^-\rightarrow \Sigma^0\overline{\Sigma}{}^0 $ and $ e^+e^-\rightarrow\Sigma^+\overline{\Sigma}{}^-$ are studied using initial-state-radiation events in a sample of 980 $\,\mbox{fb}^{-1}$ collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $ e^+e^- $ collider. The cross sections from the mass threshold to $ 3{\mathrm{\,Ge\kern -0.1em V\!/}c^2} $ and the effective form factors of $ \Sigma^0 $ and $ \Sigma^+ $ are measured. In the charmonium region, we observe the decays $J/\psi\rightarrow\Sigma^0\overline{\Sigma}{}^0$ and $J/\psi\rightarrow\Sigma^+\overline{\Sigma}{}^-$ and determine the respective branching fractions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Modal analysis of electromagnetic resonators: user guide for the MAN program

All electromagnetic systems, in particular resonators or antennas, have resonances with finite lifetimes. The associated eigenstates, also called quasinormal modes, are essentially non-Hermitian and determine the optical responses of the system. We introduce MAN (Modal Analysis of Nanoresonators), a software with many open scripts, which computes and normalizes the quasinormal modes of virtually any electromagnetic resonator, be it composed of dispersive, anisotropic, or non-reciprocal materials. MAN reconstructs the scattered field in the basis formed by the quasinormal modes of the resonator and provides a transparent interpretation of the physics. The software is implemented in MATLAB and has been developed over the past ten years. MAN features many toolboxes that illustrate how to use the software for various emblematic computations in low and high frequency regimes. A specific effort has been devoted to interface the solver with the finite-element software COMSOL Multiphysics. However, MAN can also be used with other frequency-domain numerical solvers. This article introduces the program, summarizes the relevant theoretical background. MAN includes a comprehensive set of classical models and toolboxes that can be downloaded from the web.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2022

The Proton Spin Structure Function $g_2$ and Generalized Polarizabilities in the Strong QCD Regime

The strong interaction is not well understood at low energy, or for interactions with low momentum transfer $Q^2$, but one of the clearest insights we have comes from Chiral Perturbation Theory ($\chi$PT). This effective treatment gives testable predictions for the nucleonic generalized polarizabilities -- fundamental quantities describing the nucleon's response to an external field. We have measured the proton's generalized spin polarizabilities in the region where $\chi$PT is expected to be valid. Our results include the first ever data for the transverse-longitudinal spin polarizability $\delta_{LT}$, and also extend the coverage of the polarizability $\bar{d_2}$ to very low $Q^2$ for the first time. These results were extracted from moments of the structure function $g_2$, a quantity which characterizes the internal spin structure of the proton. Our experiment ran at Jefferson Lab using a polarized electron beam and a polarized solid ammonia (NH$_3$) target. The $\delta_{LT}$ polarizability has remained a challenging quantity for $\chi$PT to reproduce, despite its reduced sensitivity to higher resonance contributions; recent competing calculations still disagree with each other and also diverge from the measured neutron data at very low $Q^2$. Our proton results provide discriminating power between existing calculations, and will help provide a better understanding of this strong QCD regime.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Exploring the intrinsic energy resolution of liquid scintillator to approximately 1 MeV electrons

We proposed a novel method for exploring the intrinsic energy resolution of a liquid scintillator (LAB + 2.5 g/L PPO + 3 mg/L bis-MSB) for approximately 1 MeV electrons. With the help of coincidence detection technology, single-energy electrons of Bi 207 were effectively selected. With careful measurement and analysis of the energy resolution of a small liquid scintillator detector, the intrinsic energy resolution to 976 keV electrons was extracted to be 1.83%. We used the wide-angle Compton coincidence (WACC) method to measure the luminescent nonlinearity of the liquid scintillator and found that it contributes only weakly to the intrinsic energy resolution of electrons. Such an unexpected large intrinsic energy resolution may come from fluctuations in energy transfer processes.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Mapping Complex Mode Volumes with Cavity Perturbation Theory

Microcavities and nanoresonators are characterized by their quality factors Q and mode volumes V. While Q is unambiguously defined, there are still questions on V and in particular on its complex-valued character, whose imaginary part is linked to the non-Hermitian nature of open systems. Helped by cavity perturbation theory and near field experimental data, we clarify the physics captured by the imaginary part of V and show how a mapping of the spatial distribution of both the real and imaginary parts can be directly inferred from perturbation measurements. This result shows that the mathematically abstract complex mode volume in fact is directly observable.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Quasinormal mode solvers for resonators with dispersive materials

Optical resonators are widely used in modern photonics. Their spectral response and temporal dynamics are fundamentally driven by their natural resonances, the so-called quasinormal modes (QNMs), with complex frequencies. For optical resonators made of dispersive materials, the QNM computation requires solving a nonlinear eigenvalue problem. This rises a difficulty that is only scarcely documented in the literature. We review our recent efforts for implementing efficient and accurate QNM-solvers for computing and normalizing the QNMs of micro- and nano-resonators made of highly-dispersive materials. We benchmark several methods for three geometries, a two-dimensional plasmonic crystal, a two-dimensional metal grating, and a three-dimensional nanopatch antenna on a metal substrate, in the perspective to elaborate standards for the computation of resonance modes.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2017

Characterizing the WISE-selected Heavily Obscured Quasar Population with Optical Spectroscopy from the Southern African Large Telescope

We present the results of an optical spectroscopic survey of 46 heavily obscured quasar candidates. Objects are selected using their mid-infrared (mid-IR) colours and magnitudes from the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) and their optical magnitudes from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Candidate Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are selected to have mid-IR colours indicative of quasar activity and lie in a region of mid-IR colour space outside previously published X-ray based selection regions. We obtain optical spectra for our sample using the Robert Stobie Spectrograph on the Southern African Large Telescope. Thirty objects (65%) have identifiable emission lines, allowing for the determination of spectroscopic redshifts. Other than one object at $z\sim2.6$, candidates have moderate redshifts ranging from $z=0.1$ to $0.8$ with a median of 0.3. Twenty-one (70%) of our objects with identified redshift (46% of the whole sample) are identified as AGNs through common optical diagnostics. We model the spectral energy distributions of our sample and found that all require a strong AGN component, with an average intrinsic AGN fraction at 8$\,\mu$m of 0.91. Additionally, the fits require large extinction coefficients with an average $E(B-V)_\textrm{AGN} = 17.8$ (average $A(V)_\textrm{AGN} = 53.4$). By focusing on the area outside traditional mid-IR photometric cuts, we are able to capture and characterise a population of deeply buried quasars that were previously unattainable through X-ray surveys alone.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

Growth and electronic properties of nanolines on TiO2-terminated SrTiO3(001) surfaces

Surfaces of homoepitaxially grown TiO2-terminated SrTiO3(001) were studied in situ with scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. By controlling the Ti/Sr ratio, two-dimensional domains of highly ordered linear nanostructures, so-called "nanolines", are found to form on the surface. To further study how the surface structure affects the band structure, spectroscopic studies of these surfaces were performed. Our results reveal significantly more band bending for surfaces with the nanolines, indicative of an acceptor state associated with these features. Additionally, an in-gap state is observed on nanoline surfaces grown under high oxygen deficient conditions. This state appears to be the same as that observed previously, arising from the (++/+) transition level of surface oxygen vacancies.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Electroexcitation of the $\Delta^{+}(1232)$ at low momentum transfer

We report on new p$(e,e^\prime p)\pi^\circ$ measurements at the $\Delta^{+}(1232)$ resonance at the low momentum transfer region. The mesonic cloud dynamics is predicted to be dominant and rapidly changing in this kinematic region offering a test bed for chiral effective field theory calculations. The new data explore the low $Q^2$ dependence of the resonant quadrupole amplitudes while extending the measurements of the Coulomb quadrupole amplitude to the lowest momentum transfer ever reached. The results disagree with predictions of constituent quark models and are in reasonable agreement with dynamical calculations that include pion cloud effects, chiral effective field theory and lattice calculations. The reported measurements suggest that improvement is required to the theoretical calculations and provide valuable input that will allow their refinements.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

The mass-metallicity relation of Lyman-break analogues and its dependence on galaxy properties

We investigate the mass-metallicity relation and its dependence on galaxy physical properties with a sample of 703 Lyman-break analogues (LBAs) in local Universe, which have similar properties to high redshift star-forming galaxies. The sample is selected according to $\ha$ luminosity, $L(\ha)>10^{41.8}\,{\rm erg\,s^{-1}}$, and surface brightness, $I(\ha)>10^{40.5}\,{\rm erg\,s^{-1}\,kpc^{-2}}$, criteria. The mass-metallicity relation of LBAs harmoniously agrees with that of star-forming galaxies at $z \sim$ 1.4-1.7 in stellar mass range of $10^{8.5}M_{\odot}<M_{*}<10^{11}M_{\odot}$. The relation between stellar mass, metallicity and star formation rate of our sample is roughly consistent with the local fundamental metallicity relation. We find that the mass-metallicity relation shows a strong correlation with the 4000\AA\, break; galaxies with higher 4000\AA\, break typically have higher metallicity at a fixed mass, by 0.06 dex in average. This trend is independent of the methodology of metallicity. We also use the metallicity estimated by $T_{\rm e}$-method to confirm it. The scatter in mass-metallicity relation can be reduced from 0.091 to 0.077 dex by a three-dimensional relation between stellar mass, metallicity and 4000\AA\, break. The reduction of scatter in mass-metallicity relation suggests that the galaxy stellar age plays an important role as the second parameter in the mass-metallicity relation of LBAs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

A magnetized torus for modeling Sgr A* millimeter images and spectra

Context. The supermassive black hole, Sagittarius (Sgr) A*, in the centre of our Galaxy has the largest angular size in the sky among all astrophysical black holes. Its shadow, assuming no rotation, spans ~ 50 microarcsec. Resolving such dimensions has long been out of reach for astronomical instruments until a new generation of interferometers being operational during this decade. Of particular interest is the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) with resolution ~ 20 microarcsec in the millimeter-wavelength range 0.87 mm - 1.3 mm. Aims. We investigate the ability of the fully general relativistic Komissarov (2006) analytical magnetized torus model to account for observable constraints at Sgr A* in the centimeter and millimeter domains. The impact of the magnetic field geometry on the observables is also studied. Methods. We calculate ray-traced centimeter- and millimeter-wavelength synchrotron spectra and images of a magnetized accretion torus surrounding the central black hole in Sgr A*. We assume stationarity, axial symmetry, constant specific angular momentum and polytropic equation of state. A hybrid population of thermal and non-thermal electrons is considered. Results. We show that the torus model is capable of reproducing spectral constraints in the millimeter domain, and in particular in the observable domain of the EHT. However, the torus model is not yet able to fit the centimeter spectrum. 1.3 mm images at high inclinations are in agreement with observable constraints. Conclusions. The ability of the torus model to account for observations of Sgr A* in the millimeter domain is interesting in the perspective of the future EHT. Such an analytical model allows very fast computations. It will thus be a suitable test bed for investigating large domains of physical parameters, as well as non-black-hole compact object candidates and alternative theories of gravity.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

Validation of GEANT4 Monte Carlo Models with a Highly Granular Scintillator-Steel Hadron Calorimeter

Calorimeters with a high granularity are a fundamental requirement of the Particle Flow paradigm. This paper focuses on the prototype of a hadron calorimeter with analog readout, consisting of thirty-eight scintillator layers alternating with steel absorber planes. The scintillator plates are finely segmented into tiles individually read out via Silicon Photomultipliers. The presented results are based on data collected with pion beams in the energy range from 8GeV to 100GeV. The fine segmentation of the sensitive layers and the high sampling frequency allow for an excellent reconstruction of the spatial development of hadronic showers. A comparison between data and Monte Carlo simulations is presented, concerning both the longitudinal and lateral development of hadronic showers and the global response of the calorimeter. The performance of several GEANT4 physics lists with respect to these observables is evaluated.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Track segments in hadronic showers in a highly granular scintillator-steel hadron calorimeter

We investigate the three dimensional substructure of hadronic showers in the CALICE scintillator-steel hadronic calorimeter. The high granularity of the detector is used to find track segments of minimum ionising particles within hadronic showers, providing sensitivity to the spatial structure and the details of secondary particle production in hadronic cascades. The multiplicity, length and angular distribution of identified track segments are compared to GEANT4 simulations with several different shower models. Track segments also provide the possibility for in-situ calibration of highly granular calorimeters.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Nonlocal response in plasmonic waveguiding with extreme light confinement

We present a novel wave equation for linearized plasmonic response, obtained by combining the coupled real-space differential equations for the electric field and current density. Nonlocal dynamics are fully accounted for, and the formulation is very well suited for numerical implementation, allowing us to study waveguides with subnanometer cross-sections exhibiting extreme light confinement. We show that groove and wedge waveguides have a fundamental lower limit in their mode confinement, only captured by the nonlocal theory. The limitation translates into an upper limit for the corresponding Purcell factors, and thus has important implications for quantum plasmonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Nanoplasmonics beyond Ohm's law

In tiny metallic nanostructures, quantum confinement and nonlocal response change the collective plasmonic behavior with important consequences for e.g. field-enhancement and extinction cross sections. We report on our most recent developments of a real-space formulation of an equation-of-motion that goes beyond the common local-response approximation and use of Ohm's law as the central constitutive equation. The electron gas is treated within a semi-classical hydrodynamic model with the emergence of a new intrinsic length scale. We briefly review the new governing wave equations and give examples of applying the nonlocal framework to calculation of extinction cross sections and field enhancement in isolated particles, dimers, and corrugated surfaces.

physics.optics↗