arXiv subjects

X. Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to X. Zhao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A new diffuse reflector filament for additive manufacturing of 3D printing finely-segmented plastic scintillator

This study presents the development and the characterisation of a novel white, reflective filament suitable for additive manufacturing of finelysegmented plastic scintillators. The filament is based on polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymers loaded with titanium dioxide (TiO$_2$) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to enhance reflectivity. A range of filament compositions and thicknesses was evaluated through optical reflection and transmittance measurements of reflective layers made with the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique. A 3D-segmented plastic scintillator prototype was made with fused injection modelling (FIM) and tested with cosmic-ray muons to assess the light yield and the optical crosstalk. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of producing compact, modular 3D-printed scintillator detectors with a performance comparable to that of standard plastic scintillator detectors whilst exhibiting lower light crosstalk and higher light yield, owing to the improved optical properties of the reflector material.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

\textit{Ab initio} no-core shell model calculations of the electric dipole polarizabilities and photoabsorption cross sections of the $A=3$ mirror nuclei

We present \textit{ab initio} no-core shell-model calculations of the electric dipole ($E1$) polarizabilities and photoabsorption cross sections of the $A=3$ mirror nuclei $^3$H and $^3$He using the Daejeon16 nucleon-nucleon interaction. The polarizabilities are obtained by direct summation over discretized continuum states in the harmonic-oscillator basis, while the same spectral information is used to reconstruct the cross sections. This work provides the first extension of the approach from the spin-zero $^4$He to nonzero-spin nuclei by calculating the $1/2^-$ and $3/2^-$ final-state contributions separately and demonstrating their model-space convergence. In both nuclei, the $3/2^-$ contribution is approximately twice the $1/2^-$ contribution. After quantifying finite-basis and excitation-energy-truncation uncertainties, we identify a clear difference between the mirror polarizabilities, induced entirely by the Coulomb interaction because the Daejeon16 interaction is isospin symmetric. The reconstructed cross sections remain stable under variations of the inversion parameters of the Lorentz integral transform and exhibit the same angular-momentum hierarchy. These results extend the discretized-continuum approach to integrated and energy-resolved $E1$ observables in nonzero-spin nuclei with multiple final-state angular momenta.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2026

Supermassive Black Hole Winds in X-rays -- SUBWAYS. VI. Interplay between the soft X-ray excess and ultra-fast outflows

We present a broadband, multiwavelength study of the interplay between the soft X-ray excess (SE), ultra-fast outflows (UFOs), and warm absorbers (WAs) in 21 active galactic nuclei (AGN; 0.1 <= z <= 0.4) from the SUBWAYS project. We combine simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous UV, optical, and X-ray data from XMM-Newton (EPIC pn and OM), NuSTAR, and the Hubble Space Telescope. We model the SE using a two-coronae framework, in which a warm, optically thick corona (WC) produces the optical/UV and soft X-ray emission, while a hot, optically thin corona produces the hard X-ray continuum. We also test a hybrid model that adds relativistic reflection. The optical/UV coverage constrains the Comptonization seed photon temperature to 0.1-5.5 eV. The two-coronae model consistently describes the broadband emission, with WC electron temperatures kT_e ~ 0.1-0.9 keV and photon indices $Γ> 2$, consistent with previous studies. However, 9/21 AGN require the hybrid model, suggesting that the SE has multiple origins whose relative contributions vary. This is especially evident in UFO hosts, where 4/7 observations favor the hybrid model. Compared with sources without UFOs, UFO hosts show lower WC temperatures, harder hot-corona spectra, and positive hardness ratios. These trends should be treated cautiously because of the small sample and their dependence on spectral parameters and instrumental response. We find no significant differences between AGN with and without WAs. Our correlation analysis finds links between the amplification factor and WC temperature, WC optical depth and hardness ratio, and WC slope and optical depth with UV luminosity. We also find a tentative anticorrelation between WC optical depth and UFO outflow velocity.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A photonic source with half-a-GHz single-photon flux

Advanced optical quantum technologies demands high quality quantum light generation at very high rates. Here, we report on a deterministic single-photon source that simultaneously combines high excitation rates with high system efficiency to reach over 500 MHz of in-fibre single-photon flux. The source delivers optical power of over 100 pW, as is measured with an off-the-shelf powermeter, enabling a simple and direct way of determining the single-photon source fiber efficiency.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

A Morse-Family Integrator for Hamilton--Jacobi Dynamics Across Caustics

We develop a geometric framework for implicit discrete Hamiltonian systems based on discrete Morse families, Lagrangian relations, and discrete analogues of Tulczyjew's triple. The main idea is to regard the Lagrangian submanifold defining the discrete dynamics, rather than an explicit symplectic evolution map, as the fundamental geometric object. This viewpoint naturally accommodates implicit, constrained, and degenerate discrete systems. Within this framework, we formulate a Type--II discrete Hamilton--Jacobi theory in terms of the propagation of Lagrangian submanifolds between consecutive discrete steps. When these submanifolds are locally represented by exact one-forms $dW_k$ and $dW_{k+1}$, the resulting equations provide a discrete Hamilton--Jacobi relation between consecutive generating functions. More generally, when the projection onto configuration space becomes singular and a single-valued generating function ceases to exist, we show that the evolution can be described by the composition of Type--II discrete dynamics with Morse families. This yields a generating family for the propagated Lagrangian submanifold without requiring the dynamics to be represented as a graph. As an application, we consider the propagation of optical wavefronts through fold caustics. A Type--II discrete Hamiltonian yields a symplectic ray integrator, while a Morse family represents the multivalued wavefront near the caustic. Their composition provides a discrete propagation rule for the complete Lagrangian manifold across the singularity. In this way, the same geometric construction simultaneously provides a discrete Hamiltonian integrator and a regular representation of multivalued Hamilton--Jacobi solutions.

math-ph↗

arXiv2026

Finite-spectrum Lorentz integral transform calculation of the $^{4}$He photoabsorption cross section in the no-core shell model

We develop and validate a finite-spectrum implementation of the Lorentz integral transform (LIT) within the \textit{ab initio} no-core shell model (NCSM) for calculating the photoabsorption cross section of $^4$He. A large set of $1^-$ eigenstates is explicitly calculated in the NCSM, and the LIT is constructed from their excitation energies and the corresponding $E1$ transition strengths. This finite-spectrum approach is complementary to conventional inhomogeneous-equation and Lanczos-based implementations of the LIT method for photoabsorption cross sections. Using the Daejeon16 interaction, we extract the photoabsorption cross section and examine its stability with respect to the model-space truncation, excitation-energy cutoff, and LIT parameters. The reliability of the finite-spectrum extraction is assessed by comparing the $E1$ polarizability and bremsstrahlung sum rule obtained from the discrete NCSM spectrum with the same quantities obtained by integrating the extracted cross section. The extracted cross section captures the principal features of the available $^4$He photonuclear data in the giant-dipole-resonance region and is consistent, in the low-energy rise and main-peak region, with earlier chiral-interaction NCSM-LIT results obtained from Lanczos-based evaluations, while the present calculation with the Daejeon16 interaction exhibits a more pronounced high-energy shoulder. The present work provides a controlled finite-spectrum NCSM-LIT route from explicitly calculated many-body eigenstates and transition strengths to photoabsorption cross sections.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2026

Kinetic temperature of massive star-forming molecular clumps measured with formaldehyde VI. The photodissociation region M17SW

The kinetic temperature structure of the photodissociation region M17SW was mapped using the IRAM 30 m telescope. This mapping employed the para-H2CO triplet (J(KaKc) = 303-202, 322-221, and 321-220) near 218 GHz on a scale of ~0.2 pc. The kinetic temperatures were derived by modeling the average H2CO line ratios (322-221/303-202 + 321-220/303-202) with the RADEX non-local thermodynamic equilibrium approach. These temperatures range from 28 to 181 K with an average of 54.2 +/- 0.3 K at a spatial density of 5.5x10^5 cm^-3. Comparing with the temperature measurements obtained from multiple transitions of NH3 (1,1)-(6,6) and the far infrared (FIR) dust continuum, the H2CO lines show temperatures similar to those measured by NH3 but slightly higher than values derived from FIR observations. The high kinetic temperatures observed from H2CO are associated with the ultracompact H II region UC1, dense clumps, as well as H2O and CH3OH masers, showing a similar distribution as NH3. This indicates that dense gas in the M17SW region is heated by star formation activity. The presence of a significant gas temperature gradient across the M17SW region, as measured by H2CO and NH3, provides direct evidence for gas heated predominantly by radiation emitted from the OB star cluster NGC 6618. On a smaller scale, the dense gas surrounding the dense clumps experiences significant heating from internal protostars and/or young stellar objects. Higher temperatures traced by H2CO are linked to turbulence on a scale of ~0.2 pc. The complex temperature structure of the M17SW region is revealed by H2CO and NH3, which may be attributed to both large-scale external radiative heating and small-scale internal radiative and turbulent heating.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

The WISSHFUL program: the highest redshift UFO discovered in a non-lensed QSO

We present the first results from the WISSHFUL program, an XMM-Newton heritage program targeting luminous QSOs at Cosmic Noon. We report on recent simultaneous XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of the Super-Eddington accreting quasar WISSH13 at z=3.294, which provide the highest quality broadband X-ray spectrum to date for a non-lensed QSO at this redshift. Physical modeling of the continuum reveals a soft photon index ($Γ\sim2$) and strong reflection ($R\sim1.4-1.8$), despite the weak narrow Fe emission, and a low high-energy cut-off ($E_{cut}\sim60-80$ keV, $kTe = 15-20$ keV, depending on the model adopted). Most notably, we detect two significant (at $96.7\%$ and $98.9\%$ confidence level, respectively) absorption features at $\sim7.5$ and $\sim10$ keV rest-frame, interpreted as a blueshifted blend of Fe XXV He$α$ and Fe XXVI Ly$α$. These features indicate the presence of two kinematic components of a highly ionized, high column Ultra-Fast Outflow (UFO) with a velocity of $v_{out}\sim0.1c$ and $v_{out}\sim0.3c$, respectively. The slower wind is consistently detected in an archival 2017 XMM-Newton observation, whereas the faster wind is detected only in 2024. This stratified and variable wind exhibits extreme energetics, with a mass outflow rate of $\dot{M}_{out}\sim20M_{\odot}/yr$ (corresponding to $15\% \dot{M}_{acc}$) for each component, and a kinetic power of the order of $\sim1$ and $\sim10\%$ of the bolometric luminosity, respectively. While this represents one of the most powerful UFOs ever detected, its kinetic power is a similar fraction of the QSO's bolometric luminosity compared to lower-redshift AGN. We present several theoretical frameworks to explain the peculiar accretion and ejection properties of this remarkable QSO at Cosmic Noon.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Molecular Clouds at the Edge of the Galaxy II. Physical properties and scaling relations

The outer Galaxy presents an optimal setting for investigating molecular clouds and star formation in environments with low metallicity. A total of 72 Galactic edge clouds were surveyed using the CO\,(2--1) line with the IRAM\,30\,m telescope, leading to the identification of 112 CO clumps within molecular clouds with linear resolutions of 0.5--0.9\,pc. Parameters such as size, mass, surface density, and velocity dispersion of these CO clumps, derived from CO\,(2--1) observations, exhibit ranges of 0.6--3.4\,pc, 34--8250\,M$_\odot$, 12--1025\,M$_{\odot}$\,pc$^{-2}$, and 0.3--1.7\,km\,s$^{-1}$, respectively. Over the Galactocentric distance range of 14--23\,kpc, no systematic variations are found in these parameters. The velocity dispersion-size relationship of the Galactic edge clumps is modeled as $σ_{\rm v}$\,=\,0.69($\pm$0.03)$R_{\rm eff}^{0.36(\pm0.10)}$, indicating that turbulence is present within the Galactic edge clumps, akin to observations in the inner Galactic disk clouds. Furthermore, the luminous mass-size relation of the Galactic edge clumps is described by $M_{\rm lum}$\,=\,196($\pm$17)$R_{\rm eff}^{\,2.18\,(\pm0.26)}$, suggesting the average column density remains almost constant for clouds of different sizes. The virial parameters range from 0.6 to 15.3, with a median value of 2.8\,$\pm$\,0.6, suggesting that most clumps are gravitationally unbound. Furthermore, the virial parameters of our Galactic edge clumps show a decreasing trend with increasing Galactocentric distances, described by an exponential relation $α_{\rm vir}$\,=\,33.0($\pm$\,10.4)\,e$^{-R_{\rm g}/6.7(\pm0.9)}$, consistent with previous results.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Exact integration of Hamiltonian dynamics via Jacobi and Poisson Cinf-structures

We develop a geometric framework for the exact integration of Hamiltonian systems based on triangular closure relations among a finite family of functions. Unlike Liouville-Arnold integrability and its noncommutative generalizations, the functions involved in these relations need not be first integrals of the system. Instead, their Hamiltonian vector fields generate a $C^\infty$-structure on phase space that provides an algorithmic procedure for integrating the dynamics. Within this framework, the equations of motion can be reduced to a finite sequence of completely integrable Pfaffian equations, yielding an explicit integration scheme even when a complete set of conserved quantities is unavailable. The resulting geometric structure is called a Poisson $C^\infty$-structure. We further extend the construction to Jacobi Hamiltonian systems, showing that the same mechanism applies naturally to important subclasses of Jacobi geometry, including Poisson, locally conformally symplectic, and contact manifolds. The method is illustrated on two systems of physical interest: the two-particle non-periodic Toda lattice and the multi-waterbag reduction of the Vlasov equation. We also discuss extensions of the theory to time-dependent Hamiltonian systems.

math-ph↗

arXiv2026

The X-ray properties and structure of A3571 up to $R_{500}$

Abell 3571 is a nearby, X-ray bright galaxy cluster located in the Shapley Supercluster. Although it appears morphologically relaxed in X-ray images, multiwavelength observations reveal subtle indications of residual dynamical activity, likely associated with past merger events. Using wide-field ($1^{\circ} \times 1^{\circ}$) data from the Einstein Probe Follow-up X-ray Telescope (EP-FXT), we extend measurements of the cluster's properties beyond its $R_{500}$ radius. We detect surface-brightness excesses on both the northern and southern sides, consistent with previous XMM-Newton results. The temperature, pressure, and entropy in the northern excess region are lower than the average values, whereas those on the southern side are slightly higher. However, we find no evidence for cold fronts or shocks. These features can be interpreted as sloshing motions triggered by an off-center minor merger. Our findings suggest that, despite its symmetric appearance, A3571 is still recovering from a minor merger and is currently in a post-merger phase. This work also demonstrates the excellent capability of EP-FXT for probing the outskirts of galaxy clusters.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A Serendipitous NuSTAR Detection of a Giant Radio Source Harboring an Obscured Active Galactic Nucleus

Giant radio sources (GRSs) harbor the Universe's largest structures generated by individual galaxies, with projected source sizes exceeding 700 kpc. These enigmatic objects have been mainly studied at radio frequencies, and their physical properties in the high-energy domain are poorly understood. Here we present the results of a multiwavelength study focused on NuSTAR J112829+5831.8 (J1128+5831), the only known GRS serendipitously detected with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array. Being located in proximity to the famous interacting galaxy system, Arp 299, J1128+5831 has been serendipitously observed also by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, and XMM-Newton satellites. From radio observations with the Low Frequency Array, the NRAO VLA Sky Survey and the Very Large Array Sky Survey, we have determined that J1128+5831 has an overall steep radio spectrum ($α=-0.86$; $F_ν\proptoν^α$) and a low core dominance ($C_{\rm D}=-2.4$, in log-scale), indicating the source to be viewed at large angles. From the X-ray spectral analysis, we found J1128+5831 to harbor an obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN) with neutral hydrogen column density exceeding $10^{23}$ cm$^{-2}$. Its optical spectrum, taken with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, exhibits prominent narrow emission lines but lacks broad components, thus confirming J1128+5831 to be a Type 2 AGN powered by a radiatively efficient accreting system. Overall, the broadband properties of J1128+5831 are consistent with those observed for the general GRS population.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Source identification for the Swift-BAT 150-month hard X-ray catalog using soft X-ray observations

We present a comprehensive catalog of 251 potential counterparts for 250 unassociated hard X-ray sources detected in the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) 150-month hard X-ray survey. Over 150 months of observation, BAT has detected 2339 sources in the 15-150 keV energy range. Among these, 344 do not have a previously identified low-energy counterpart. Our study focuses on the analysis of soft X-ray observations at energies below 10 keV, spatially overlapping with these new Swift-BAT hard X-ray sources. Such observations were taken with Chandra, Swift-XRT, eROSITA, and XMM-Newton. Within the sample of 251 potential counterparts, 94 (37 percent) are identified as active galactic nuclei and 58 (23 percent) as galaxies. The remaining 99 sources (40 percent) include pulsars, cataclysmic variables, and unclassified soft X-ray counterparts in the 0.5-10 keV band. Redshift information is available for 139 out of the 251 sources, and its distribution is in close agreement with the redshift distribution of previous BAT catalogs. We also present the results of a small optical spectroscopy campaign of 9 out of 58 galaxies. The majority of these are classified as Seyfert 2 galaxies at redshifts slightly larger than the median of the BAT AGN sample.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Deterministic quantum dot single-photon sources: operational principles and state-of-the-art specifications

Non-classical states of light play a fundamental role in quantum technology. From photonic quantum computers and simulators, to quantum communication and sensing, quantum states of light enable performing tasks that may outperform their best classical counterparts. Semiconductor quantum dots embedded in photonic nanostructures offer the most advanced classes of quantum light sources. Importantly, the underlying physics processes determining device performance are today fully understood, and dedicated engineering projects are currently advancing these sources towards real-world quantum technology applications. We review the performance of deterministic single-photon sources based on quantum dots in photonic crystal waveguides, the approach with the highest performance specs since it intrinsically combines suppression of leaky modes and Purcell enhancement to slow-light waveguide mode. Furthermore, we present prototype data from sources that today are commercially available and with performance metrics approaching the ideal.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Symmetries and Weighted Integrability of Vector Fields with Jacobi Multipliers

In this paper, we investigate analytic divergence-free vector fields and vector fields admitting a Jacobi multiplier on $n$-dimensional Riemannian manifolds. We first introduce a functional acting on the space of divergence-free vector fields that quantifies the fraction of the manifold foliated by ergodic invariant tori, and establish a Kolmogorov--Arnold--Moser (KAM) type theorem for such systems. We prove that this functional is continuous at analytic, nondegenerate, Arnold--integrable divergence-free vector fields with respect to the $C^ω$ topology, and analyze the persistence and breakdown of invariant $(n-1)$-dimensional tori under small perturbations. Extending this framework, we study vector fields possessing Jacobi multipliers, which generalize divergence-free fields by preserving a weighted volume form $dμ_ρ=ρ\,Ω$. We derive the local structure of their symmetry fields and show that, under suitable nondegeneracy and resonance conditions, every symmetry must be tangent to the invariant tori. We then define the \emph{weighted partial integrability functional} $m_ρ(V)$, measuring the weighted fraction of phase space occupied by quasi-integrable invariant tori of a vector field satisfying $\operatorname{div}(ρV)=0$. Finally, we develop a numerical algorithm based on finite-time Lyapunov exponents to compute $m_ρ(V)$, and illustrate its behavior on a weighted nonlinear divergence-free system, showing the transition from integrable to partially integrable and irregular regimes as the nonlinear parameter $α$ increases.

math-ph↗

arXiv2025

(Quasi) Hamiltonian Systems and Non-Decomposable Poisson Geometry

In this work, we conduct a systematic study of Hamiltonian and quasi-Hamiltonian systems within the framework of nondecomposable generalized Poisson geometry. Our focus lies on the interplay between the algebraic structure of nondecomposable generalized Poisson brackets and the dynamical behavior of systems exhibiting specific symmetry properties. In particular, we demonstrate that if a dynamical system admits suitable invariance conditions -- such as those arising from Lie symmetries or conserved quantities -- it can be formulated as a quasi-Hamiltonian system, or even as a genuinely Hamiltonian system, with respect to a suitably constructed nondecomposable generalized Poisson structure. This result offers a unified geometric framework for analyzing such systems and underscores the capacity of nondecomposable generalized Poisson structures in contexts involving multi-Hamiltonian or higher-order dynamics.

math-ph↗

arXiv2025

Alpha-Particle Monopole Form Factors with Ab Initio No-Core Shell Model

The state-of-the-art ab initio nuclear many-body approaches with modern nuclear forces are challenged by the recent experimental measurement of the monopole form factor of the $0^+_1\rightarrow 0^+_2$ transition in the $α$ particle [Kegel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 152502 (2023)]. We investigate the elastic and inelastic $0^+_1\rightarrow 0^+_2$ transition form factors using the ab initio no-core shell model (NCSM). We observe a good convergence of both form factors with respect to the basis size employing the Daejeon16 nucleon-nucleon ($NN$) interaction. Our NCSM results are very close to the effective interaction hyperspherical harmonic calculations using $NN$ plus three-nucleon interactions based on the chiral effective field theory which take into account the continuum effects via the Lorentz integral transform. The significant difference between the ab initio results with various modern nuclear interactions and of some of them with the recent experimental data provides motivations for deeper investigation of this observable.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2025

Incommensurate magnetic order drives singular angular magnetoresistance in a Weyl semimetal

We demonstrate that a multi-$\mathbf{k}$ incommensurate magnetic state in the Weyl semimetal CeAlGe gives rise to singular angular magnetoresistance (SAMR), an electrical-transport signature that detects the magnetic-field direction with exceptional precision. In contrast, the sister compound CeAlSi shows neither multi-$\mathbf{k}$ order nor SAMR. Both phenomena emerge upon $\sim57\%$ Ge substitution in CeAlSi$_{1-x}$Ge$_x$ and coincide with electronic-structure changes that soften the single-ion in-plane anisotropy and enhance Weyl-mediated magnetic interactions. These results reveal a direct connection between band topology, electronic transport, and collective magnetism in Weyl semimetals.

cond-mat.str-el↗