arXiv subjects

X. Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to X. Zhou.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

An extended view of the Pisces Overdensity from the SCUSS survey

SCUSS is a u-band photometric survey covering about 4000 square degree of the South Galactic Cap, reaching depths of up to 23 mag. By extending around 1.5 mag deeper than SDSS single-epoch u data, SCUSS is able to probe much a larger volume of the outer halo, i.e. with SCUSS data blue horizontal branch (BHB) stars can trace the outer halo of the Milky Way as far as 100-150 kpc. Utilizing this advantage we combine SCUSS u band with SDSS DR9 gri photometric bands to identify BHB stars and explore halo substructures. We confirm the existence of the Pisces overdensity, which is a structure in the outer halo (at around 80 kpc) that was discovered using RR Lyrae stars. For the first time we are able to determine its spatial extent, finding that it appears to be part of a stream with a clear distance gradient. The stream, which is ~5 degrees wide and stretches along ~25 degrees, consists of 20-30 BHBs with a total significance of around 6sigma over the background. Assuming we have detected the entire stream and that the progenitor has fully disrupted, then the number of BHBs suggests the original system was similar to smaller classical or a larger ultra-faint dwarf galaxy. On the other hand, if the progenitor still exists, it can be hunted for by reconstructing its orbit from the distance gradient of the stream. This new picture of the Pisces overdensity sheds new light on the origin of this intriguing system.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Power Law Liquid - A Unified Form of Low-Energy Nodal Electronic Interactions in Hole Doped Cuprate Superconductors

The strange-metal phase of the cuprate high temperature superconductors, above where the superconductivity sets in as a function of temperature, is widely considered more exotic and mysterious than the superconductivity itself. Here, based upon detailed angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements of Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_8$$_+$$_δ$ over a wide range of doping levels, we present a new unifying phenomenology for the non-Fermi liquid normal-state interactions (scattering rates) in the nodal direction. This new phenomenology has a continuously varying power law exponent (hence named a Power Law Liquid or PLL), which with doping varies smoothly from a quadratic Fermi Liquid to a linear Marginal Fermi Liquid and beyond. Using the extracted PLL parameters we can calculate the optics and resistivity over a wide range of doping and normal-state temperature values, with the results closely matching the experimental curves. This agreement includes the presence of the $"$pseudogap$"$ temperature scale observed in the resistivity curves including the apparent quantum critical point. This breaks the direct link to the pseudogapping of antinodal spectral weight observed at similar (but here argued to be different) temperature scales, and also gives a new direction for searches of the microscopic mechanism at the heart of these and perhaps many other non-Fermi-liquid systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Controlling spin relaxation with a cavity

Spontaneous emission of radiation is one of the fundamental mechanisms by which an excited quantum system returns to equilibrium. For spins, however, spontaneous emission is generally negligible compared to other non-radiative relaxation processes because of the weak coupling between the magnetic dipole and the electromagnetic field. In 1946, Purcell realized that the spontaneous emission rate can be strongly enhanced by placing the quantum system in a resonant cavity -an effect which has since been used extensively to control the lifetime of atoms and semiconducting heterostructures coupled to microwave or optical cavities, underpinning single-photon sources. Here we report the first application of these ideas to spins in solids. By coupling donor spins in silicon to a superconducting microwave cavity of high quality factor and small mode volume, we reach for the first time the regime where spontaneous emission constitutes the dominant spin relaxation mechanism. The relaxation rate is increased by three orders of magnitude when the spins are tuned to the cavity resonance, showing that energy relaxation can be engineered and controlled on-demand. Our results provide a novel and general way to initialise spin systems into their ground state, with applications in magnetic resonance and quantum information processing. They also demonstrate that, contrary to popular belief, the coupling between the magnetic dipole of a spin and the electromagnetic field can be enhanced up to the point where quantum fluctuations have a dramatic effect on the spin dynamics; as such our work represents an important step towards the coherent magnetic coupling of individual spins to microwave photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Ground-based transit observations of the HAT-P-18, HAT-P-19, HAT-P-27/WASP-40 and WASP-21 systems

As part of our ongoing effort to investigate transit timing variations (TTVs) of known exoplanets, we monitored transits of the four exoplanets HAT-P-18b, HAT-P-19b, HAT-P-27b/WASP-40b and WASP-21b. All of them are suspected to show TTVs due to the known properties of their host systems based on the respective discovery papers. During the past three years 46 transit observations were carried out, mostly using telescopes of the Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative. The analyses are used to refine the systems orbital parameters. In all cases we found no hints for significant TTVs, or changes in the system parameters inclination, fractional stellar radius and planet to star radius ratio. However, comparing our results with those available in the literature shows that we can confirm the already published values.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2015

Reaching the quantum limit of sensitivity in electron spin resonance

We report pulsed electron-spin resonance (ESR) measurements on an ensemble of Bismuth donors in Silicon cooled at 10mK in a dilution refrigerator. Using a Josephson parametric microwave amplifier combined with high-quality factor superconducting micro-resonators cooled at millikelvin temperatures, we improve the state-of-the-art sensitivity of inductive ESR detection by nearly 4 orders of magnitude. We demonstrate the detection of 1700 bismuth donor spins in silicon within a single Hahn echo with unit signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio, reduced to just 150 spins by averaging a single Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill sequence. This unprecedented sensitivity reaches the limit set by quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field instead of thermal or technical noise, which constitutes a novel regime for magnetic resonance.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Anisotropy of iron-platinum-arsenide Ca10(PtnAs8)(Fe2-xPtxAs2)5 single crystals

The upper critical field Hc2 anisotropy of Ca10(PtnAs8)(Fe2-xPtxAs2)5 (n = 3, 4) single crystals with long FeAs interlayer distance (d) was studied by angular dependent resistivity measurements. A scaling of the angular dependent resistivity was realized for both single crystals using the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau (AGL) approach with an appropriate anisotropy parameter γ. The AGL scaling parameter γ increases with decreasing temperature and reaches a value of about 10 at 0.8Tc for both single crystals. These values are much larger than those of other iron-based superconductors (FeSCs). Remarkably, the values of γ2 show an almost linear increase with the FeAs/FeSe interlayer distance d for FeSCs. Compared to cuprates, FeSCs are less anisotropic, indicating that two dimensionality of the superconductivity is intrinsically weak.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

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

Multiplexed Readout of Transmon Qubits with Josephson Bifurcation Amplifiers

Achieving individual qubit readout is a major challenge in the development of scalable superconducting quantum processors. We have implemented the multiplexed readout of a four transmon qubit circuit using non-linear resonators operated as Josephson bifurcation amplifiers. We demonstrate the simultaneous measurement of Rabi oscillations of the four transmons. We find that multiplexed Josephson bifurcation is a high-fidelity readout method, the scalability of which is not limited by the need of a large bandwidth nearly quantum-limited amplifier as is the case with linear readout resonators.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Galvanomagnetic effects and manipulation of antiferromagnetic interfacial uncompensated magnetic moment in exchange-biased bilayers

In this work, IrMn$_{3}$/insulating-Y$_{3}$Fe$_{5}$O$_{12}$ exchange-biased bilayers are studied. The behavior of the net magnetic moment $Δm_{AFM}$ in the antiferromagnet is directly probed by anomalous and planar Hall effects, and anisotropic magnetoresistance. The $Δm_{AFM}$ is proved to come from the interfacial uncompensated magnetic moment. We demonstrate that the exchange bias and rotational hysteresis are induced by the irreversible switching of the $Δm_{AFM}$. In the training effect, the $Δm_{AFM}$ changes continuously. This work highlights the fundamental role of the $Δm_{AFM}$ in the exchange bias and facilitates the manipulation of antiferromagnetic spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

High-gain weakly nonlinear flux-modulated Josephson parametric amplifier using a SQUID-array

We have developed and measured a high-gain quantum-limited microwave parametric amplifier based on a superconducting lumped LC resonator with the inductor L including an array of 8 superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). This amplifier is parametrically pumped by modulating the flux threading the SQUIDs at twice the resonator frequency. Around 5 GHz, a maximum gain of 31 dB, a product amplitude-gain x bandwidth above 60 MHz, and a 1 dB compression point of -123 dBm at 20 dB gain are obtained in the non-degenerate mode of operation. Phase sensitive amplification-deamplification is also measured in the degenerate mode and yields a maximum gain of 37 dB. The compression point obtained is 18 dB above what would be obtained with a single SQUID of the same inductance, due to the smaller nonlinearity of the SQUID array.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Investigation of a transiting planet candidate in Trumpler 37: an astrophysical false positive eclipsing spectroscopic binary star

We report our investigation of the first transiting planet candidate from the YETI project in the young (~4 Myr old) open cluster Trumpler 37. The transit-like signal detected in the lightcurve of the F8V star 2M21385603+5711345 repeats every 1.364894+/-0.000015 days, and has a depth of 54.5+/-0.8 mmag in R. Membership to the cluster is supported by its mean radial velocity and location in the color-magnitude diagram, while the Li diagnostic and proper motion are inconclusive in this regard. Follow-up photometric monitoring and adaptive optics imaging allow us to rule out many possible blend scenarios, but our radial-velocity measurements show it to be an eclipsing single-lined spectroscopic binary with a late-type (mid-M) stellar companion, rather than one of planetary nature. The estimated mass of the companion is 0.15-0.44 solar masses. The search for planets around very young stars such as those targeted by the YETI survey remains of critical importance to understand the early stages of planet formation and evolution.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Annealing Effect on Microstructure and Superconductivity of KxFeySe2 Synthesized by an Easy One-step Method

High-quality superconducting KxFeySe2 single crystals were synthesized using an easy one-step method. Detailed annealing studies were performed to make clear the phase formation process in KxFeySe2. Compatible observations were found in temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction patterns, back-scattered electron images and corresponding electromagnetic properties, which proved that good superconductivity performance was close related to the microstructure of superconducting component. Analysis based on the scaling behavior of flux pinning force indicated that the dominant pinning mechanism was delta(Tc) pinning and independent of connectivity. The annealing dynamics studies were also performed, which manifested that the humps in temperature-dependent resistance (RT) curves were induced by competition between the metallic/superconducting and the semiconducting/insulating phases.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Atomistic Potentials for Palladium-Silver Hydrides

New EAM potentials for the ternary palladium-silver-hydrogen system are developed by extending a previously developed palladium-hydrogen potential. The ternary potentials accurately capture the heat of mixing and structural properties associated with solid solution alloys of palladium-silver. Stable hydrides are produced with properties that smoothly transition across the compositions. Additions of silver to palladium are predicted to alter the properties of the hydrides by decreasing the miscibility gap and increasing the likelihood of hydrogen atoms occupying tetrahedral interstitial sites over octahedral interstitial sites.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

The 72-Hour WEBT Microvariability Observation of Blazar S5 0716+714 in 2009

Context. The international whole earth blazar telescope (WEBT) consortium planned and carried out three days of intensive micro-variability observations of S5 0716+714 from February 22, 2009 to February 25, 2009. This object was chosen due to its bright apparent magnitude range, its high declination, and its very large duty cycle for micro-variations. Aims. We report here on the long continuous optical micro-variability light curve of 0716+714 obtained during the multi-site observing campaign during which the Blazar showed almost constant variability over a 0.5 magnitude range. The resulting light curve is presented here for the first time. Observations from participating observatories were corrected for instrumental differences and combined to construct the overall smoothed light curve. Methods. Thirty-six observatories in sixteen countries participated in this continuous monitoring program and twenty of them submitted data for compilation into a continuous light curve. The light curve was analyzed using several techniques including Fourier transform, Wavelet and noise analysis techniques. Those results led us to model the light curve by attributing the variations to a series of synchrotron pulses. Results. We have interpreted the observed microvariations in this extended light curve in terms of a new model consisting of individual stochastic pulses due to cells in a turbulent jet which are energized by a passing shock and cool by means of synchrotron emission. We obtained an excellent fit to the 72-hour light curve with the synchrotron pulse model.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Tuning Magnetotransport in PdPt/Y3Fe5O12: Effects of magnetic proximity and spin orbital coupling

Anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) ratio and anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC) in PdPt/Y$_3$Fe$_5$O$_{12}$ (YIG) system are tuned significantly by spin orbital coupling strength $ξ$ through varying the Pt concentration. For both Pt/YIG and Pd/YIG, the maximal AMR ratio is located at temperatures for the maximal susceptibility of paramagnetic Pt and Pd metals. The AHC and ordinary Hall effect both change the sign with temperature for Pt-rich system and vice versa for Pd-rich system. The present results ambiguously evidence the spin polarization of Pt and Pd atoms in contact with YIG layers. The global curvature near the Fermi surface is suggested to change with the Pt concentration and temperature.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Variability and spectral variation of 3C 66A

3C 66A was monitored by the BATC(Beijing-Arizona-Taipei-Connecticut) telescope from 2005 to 2008,1994 observations were obtained on 89 nights. Detailed research and analysis was performed on these observations in this paper. A long term burst occurred in the whole light curve. No intra-day variability was claimed in our campaign by intra-night light curve analysis. Time lag of shorter wavelenth preceding longer wavelength was shown by correlation analysis. The results showed that the optical spectral shape turned flatter when the source brightened, and the spectral variability indicator was bigger on shorter time-scale as determined by the color indices variation analysis.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Relaying Protocols for Wireless Energy Harvesting and Information Processing

An emerging solution for prolonging the lifetime of energy constrained relay nodes in wireless networks is to avail the ambient radio-frequency (RF) signal and to simultaneously harvest energy and process information. In this paper, an amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying network is considered, where an energy constrained relay node harvests energy from the received RF signal and uses that harvested energy to forward the source information to the destination. Based on the time switching and power splitting receiver architectures, two relaying protocols, namely, i) time switching-based relaying (TSR) protocol and ii) power splitting-based relaying (PSR) protocol are proposed to enable energy harvesting and information processing at the relay. In order to determine the throughput, analytical expressions for the outage probability and the ergodic capacity are derived for delay-limited and delay-tolerant transmission modes, respectively. The numerical analysis provides practical insights into the effect of various system parameters, such as energy harvesting time, power splitting ratio, source transmission rate, source to relay distance, noise power, and energy harvesting efficiency, on the performance of wireless energy harvesting and information processing using AF relay nodes. In particular, the TSR protocol outperforms the PSR protocol in terms of throughput at relatively low signal-to-noise-ratios and high transmission rate.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2013

Outage Probability of Wireless Ad Hoc Networks with Cooperative Relaying

In this paper, we analyze the performance of cooperative transmissions in wireless ad hoc networks with random node locations. According to a contention probability for message transmission, each source node can either transmits its own message signal or acts as a potential relay for others. Hence, each destination node can potentially receive two copies of the message signal, one from the direct link and the other from the relay link. Taking the random node locations and interference into account, we derive closed-form expressions for the outage probability with different combining schemes at the destination nodes. In particular, the outage performance of optimal combining, maximum ratio combining, and selection combining strategies are studied and quantified.

cs.IT↗