arXiv subjects

Xiaoyan Ma

Publications and source records attributed to Xiaoyan Ma.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

The replacement system of the JUNO liquid scintillator pilot experiment at Daya Bay

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a multi-purpose neutrino experiment, will use 20 kt liquid scintillator (LS). To achieve the physics goal of determining the neutrino mass ordering, 3$\%$ energy resolution at 1 MeV is required. This puts strict requirements on the LS light yield and the transparency. Four LS purification steps have been designed and mid-scale plants have been built at Daya Bay. To examine the performance of the purified LS and find the optimized LS composition, the purified LS was injected to the antineutrino detector 1 in the experimental hall 1 (EH1-AD1) of the Daya Bay neutrino experiment. To pump out the original gadolinium loaded LS and fill the new LS, a LS replacement system has been built in EH1 in 2017. By replacing the Gd-LS with purified water, then replacing the water with purified LS, the replacement system successfully achieved the designed goal. Subsequently, the fluorescence and the wavelength shifter were added to higher concentrations via the replacement system. The data taken at various LS compositions helped JUNO determine the final LS cocktail. Details of the design, the construction, and the operation of the replacement system are reported in this paper.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Magnetic phase diagram of Cu$_{4-x}$Zn$_x$(OH)$_6$FBr studied by neutron-diffraction and $μ$SR techniques

We have systematically studied the magnetic properties of Cu$_{4-x}$Zn$_x$(OH)$_6$FBr by the neutron diffraction and muon spin rotation and relaxation ($μ$SR) techniques. Neutron-diffraction measurements suggest that the long-range magnetic order and the orthorhombic nuclear structure in the $x$ = 0 sample can persist up to $x$ = 0.23 and 0.43, respectively. The temperature dependence of the zero-field (ZF) $μ$SR spectra provide two characteristic temperatures, $T_{A0}$ and $T_λ$. Comparison between $T_{A0}$ and $T_M$ from previously reported magnetic-susceptibility measurements suggest that the former comes from the short-range interlayer-spin clusters that persist up to $x$ = 0.82. On the other hand, the doping level where $T_λ$ becomes zero is about 0.66, which is much higher than threshold of the long-range order, i.e., $\sim$ 0.4. Our results suggest that the change in the nuclear structure may alter the spin dynamics of the kagome layers and a gapped quantum-spin-liquid state may exist above $x$ = 0.66 with the perfect kagome planes.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Nonlinear uniaxial pressure dependence of $T_c$ in iron-based superconductors

We have systematically studied the effects of in-plane uniaxial pressure $p$ on the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$ in many iron-based superconductors. The change of $T_c$ with $p$ is composed of linear and nonlinear components. The latter can be described as a quadratic term plus a much smaller fourth-order term. In contrast to the linear component, the nonlinear $p$ dependence of $T_c$ displays a pronounced in-plane anisotropy, which is similar to the anisotropic response of the resistivity to $p$. As a result, it can be attributed to the coupling between the superconducting and nematic orders, in accordance with the expectations of a phenomenological Landau theory. Our results provide direct evidences for the interplay between nematic fluctuations and superconductivity, which may be a common behavior in iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

The effect of non-superconducting dopants (Mn, V, Cr and Cu) on the nematic fluctuations in iron-based superconductors

We have systematically studied the nematic susceptibility in non-superconducting Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$TM$_{x}$)$_2$As$_2$ (TM = Cr, Mn, V and Cu) by measuring the uniaxial pressure dependence of the resistivity along the Fe-As-Fe direction. The nematic susceptibilities in all samples show the Curie-Weiss-like behavior at high temperatures, where the nematic Curie constant $A_n$ can be derived, similar to the Curie constant in a paramagnetism. While all these dopants do not introduce superconductivity in BaFe$_2$As$_2$, their effects on nematic fluctuations are different. In Mn, Cr and V doped samples, $|A_n|$ decreases significantly with the increasing doping level. On the other hand, $|A_n|$ increases dramatically with Cu doping, similar to the superconducting Ni-doped BaFe$_2$As$_2$. However, the nematic susceptibility is suppressed at low temperatures for $x$ larger than $0.04$, which may be related to the short-range antiferromagnetic order that survives up to very high doping level. Doping Mn, Cr and Cu into the optimally-doped superconducting BaFe$_2$(As$_{0.69}$P$_{0.31}$)$_2$ also strongly reduces $|A_n|$. Compared with those systems that clearly exhibit superconductivity, such as Ni, K or P doped samples, our results suggest a strong connection between the nematic and spin degrees of freedom. Moreover, the reason of the suppression of superconductivity by dopants such as Cr, Mn, V and Cu may be correlated with the suppression of nematic fluctuations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

ω/T scaling and magnetic quantum criticality in BaFe2(As0.7P0.3)2

We used transport and inelastic neutron scattering to study the optimally phosphorus-doped BaFe$_2$(As$_{0.7}$P$_{0.3}$)$_2$ superconductor ($T_c = 30$ K). In the normal state, we find that the previously reported linear temperature dependence of the resistivity below room temperature extends to $\sim$ 500 K. Our analysis of the temperature and energy ($E=\hbarω$) dependence of spin dynamical susceptibility at the antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering wave vector $χ^{\prime\prime}({\bf Q}_{\rm AF},ω)$ reveal an $ω/ T$ scaling within $1.1<E/k_BT<110$. These results suggest that the linear temperature dependence of the resistivity is due to the presence of a magnetic quantum critical point in the cleanest iron pnictides near optimal superconductivity. Moreover, the results reconcile the strange-metal temperature dependences with the weakly first-order nature of the quantum transition out of the AF and nematic orders.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Single-crystal growth of iron-based superconductor La$_{0.34}$Na$_{0.66}$Fe$_2$As$_2$

We report single-crystal growth of La$_{0.34}$Na$_{0.66}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ iron-based superconductor with the size of several millimeters. The samples were accidentally obtained in trying to grow LaFeAsO$_{1-y}$F$_y$ ( $y \geq$ 0.8 ) single crystals with NaAs and NaF flux. The sample shows both antiferromagnetic and structural transitions at 106 K. The superconducting transition temperature is about 27 K with the superconducting anisotropy of about 1.9. These values and the temperature dependence of the Hall coefficient suggest that La$_{0.34}$Na$_{0.66}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ belongs to hole-doped "122" families of iron pnictides with the doping level slightly lower than optimal doping. Compared with previous reports on the polycrystalline samples, our results suggest that either $T_c$ of the this system can be further increased, or the superconducting dome may not be well formed in this system. In either case, the La$_{0.5-x}$Na$_{0.5+x}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ system provides a new platform to study the antiferromagnetic and superconducting properties of iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Unified phase diagram for iron-based superconductors

High-temperature superconductivity is closely adjacent to a long-range antiferromagnet, which is called a parent compound. In cuprates, all parent compounds are alike and carrier doping leads to superconductivity, so a unified phase diagram can be drawn. However, the properties of parent compounds for iron-based superconductors show significant diversity and both carrier and isovalent dopings can cause superconductivity, which casts doubt on the idea that there exists a unified phase diagram for them. Here we show that the ordered moments in a variety of iron pnictides are inversely proportional to the effective Curie constants of their nematic susceptibility. This unexpected scaling behavior suggests that the magnetic ground states of iron pnictides can be achieved by tuning the strength of nematic fluctuations. Therefore, a unified phase diagram can be established where superconductivity emerges from a hypothetical parent compound with a large ordered moment but weak nematic fluctuations, which suggests that iron-based superconductors are strongly correlated electron systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Nature of the Antiferromagnetic and Nematic Transitions in Sr$_{1-x}$Ba$_x$Fe$_{1.97}$Ni$_{0.03}$As$_2$

We have systematically studied the antiferromagnetic and nematic transitions in Sr$_{1-x}$Ba$_x$Fe$_{1.97}$Ni$_{0.03}$As$_2$ by magnetic susceptibility and uniaxial-pressure resistivity measurements, respectively. The derivatives of the temperature dependence of both magnetic and nematic susceptibilities show clearly sharp peak when the transitions are first-order. Accordingly, we show that while both of the magnetic and nematic transitions change from first-order to second-order with increasing Barium doping level, there is a narrow doping range where the former becomes second-order but the latter remains first-order, which has never been realized before in other systems. Moreover, the antiferromagnetic and nematic transition temperatures become different and the jump of nematic susceptibility becomes small in this intermediate doping range. Our results provide key information on the interplay between magnetic and nematic transitions. Concerning the current debate on the microscopic models for nematicity in iron-based superconductors, these observations agree with the magnetic scenario for an itinerant fermionic model in excellent details.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

High performance graphene oxide-based humidity sensor integrated on a photonic crystal cavity

We report a high performance relative humidity (RH) microsensor by coating a few-layer graphene oxide (GO) flake over a photonic crystal (PC) cavity. Since the GO layer has a high water-activity and interacts with the evanescent cavity mode strongly, the exposure of GO-PC cavity in varied humidity levels results in significant resonant wavelength shifts, showing a slope of 0.68 nm/%RH in the range of 60%-85% RH. By interrogating the power variation of the cavity reflection, the microsensor presents an ultrahigh sensitivity exceeding 3.9 dB/%RH. Relying on the unimpeded permeation of water molecules through the GO interlayers and microscale distribution of the cavity mode, the integrated sensor has a response time less than 100 ms, which promises successful measurements of human breathing. Combining with the ease of fabrication, this high performance RH sensor has potential applications requiring optical access, device compactness, and fast dynamic response.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Nematic Quantum Critical Fluctuations in BaFe$_{2-x}$Ni$_x$As$_2$

We have systematically studied the nematic fluctuations in the electron-doped iron-based superconductor BaFe$_{2-x}$Ni$_x$As$_2$ by measuring the in-plane resistance change under uniaxial pressure. While the nematic quantum critical point can be identified through the measurements along the (110) direction as studied previously, quantum and thermal critical fluctuations cannot be distinguished due to similar Curie-Weiss-like behaviors. Here we find that a sizable pressure-dependent resistivity along the (100) direction is present in all doping levels, which is against the simple picture of an Ising-type nematic model. The signal along the (100) direction becomes maximum at optimal doping, suggesting that it is associated with nematic quantum critical fluctuations. Our results indicate that thermal fluctuations from striped antiferromagnetic order dominate the underdoped regime along the (110) direction. We argue that either there is a strong coupling between the quantum critical fluctuations and the fermions, or more exotically, a higher symmetry may be present around optimal doping.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Effect of nematic order on the low-energy spin fluctuations in detwinned BaFe$_{1.935}$Ni$_{0.065}$As$_2$

The origin of nematic order remains one of the major debates in iron-based superconductors. In theories based on spin nematicity, one major prediction is that the spin-spin correlation length at (0,$π$) should decrease with decreasing temperature below the structural transition temperature $T_s$. Here we report inelastic neutron scattering studies on the low-energy spin fluctuations in BaFe$_{1.935}$Ni$_{0.065}$As$_2$ under uniaxial pressure. Both intensity and spin-spin correlation start to show anisotropic behavior at high temperature, while the reduction of the spin-spin correlation length at (0,$π$) happens just below $T_s$, suggesting strong effect of nematic order on low-energy spin fluctuations. Our results favor the idea that treats the spin degree of freedom as the driving force of the electronic nematic order.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

First results of the new endcap TOF commissioning at BESIII

The upgrade of the current BESIII Endcap TOF (ETOF) is carried out with the Multi-gap Resistive Plate Chamber (MRPC) technology. The installation of the new ETOF has been finished in October 2015. The first results of the MRPCs commissioning at BESIII are reported in this paper.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

The cosmic ray test of MRPCs for the BESIII ETOF upgrade

In order to improve the particle identification capability of the Beijing Spectrometer III (BESIII),t is proposed to upgrade the current endcap time-of-flight (ETOF) detector with multi-gap resistive plate chamber (MRPC) technology. Aiming at extending ETOF overall time resolution better than 100ps, the whole system including MRPC detectors, new-designed Front End Electronics (FEE), CLOCK module, fast control boards and time to digital modules (TDIG), was built up and operated online 3 months under the cosmic ray. The main purposes of cosmic ray test are checking the detectors' construction quality, testing the joint operation of all instruments and guaranteeing the performance of the system. The results imply MRPC time resolution better than 100$ps$, efficiency is about 98$\%$ and the noise rate of strip is lower than 1$Hz/$($scm^{2}$) at normal threshold range, the details are discussed and analyzed specifically in this paper. The test indicates that the whole ETOF system would work well and satisfy the requirements of upgrade.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Reliable scaling of Position Weight Matrices for binding strength comparisons between transcription factors

Scoring DNA sequences against Position Weight Matrices (PWMs) is a widely adopted method to identify putative transcription factor binding sites. While common bioinformatics tools produce scores that can reflect the binding strength between a specific transcription factor and the DNA, these scores are not directly comparable between different transcription factors. Here, we provide two different ways to find the scaling parameter $λ$ that allows us to infer binding energy from a PWM score. The first approach uses a PWM and background genomic sequence as input to estimate $λ$ for a specific transcription factor, which we applied to show that $λ$ distributions for different transcription factor families correspond with their DNA binding properties. Our second method can reliably convert $λ$ between different PWMs of the same transcription factor, which allows us to directly compare PWMs that were generated by different approaches. These two approaches provide consistent and computationally efficient ways to scale PWMs scores and estimate transcription factor binding sites strength.

q-bio.GN↗

arXiv2012

Leakage Tests of the Stainless Steel Vessels of the Antineutrino Detectors in the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment

The antineutrino detectors in the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment are liquid scintillator detectors designed to detect low energy particles from antineutrino interactions with high efficiency and low backgrounds. Since the antineutrino detector will be installed in a water Cherenkov cosmic ray veto detector and will run for 3 to 5 years, ensuring water tightness is critical to the successful operation of the antineutrino detectors. We choose a special method to seal the detector. Three leak checking methods have been employed to ensure the seal quality. This paper will describe the sealing method and leak testing results.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2009

Probing embryonic tissue mechanics with laser hole-drilling

We use laser hole-drilling to assess the mechanics of an embryonic epithelium during development - in vivo and with subcellular resolution. We ablate a subcellular cylindrical hole clean through the epithelium, and track the subsequent recoil of adjacent cells (on ms time scales). We investigate dorsal closure in the fruit fly with emphasis on apical constriction of amnioserosa cells. The mechanical behavior of this epithelium falls between that of a continuous sheet and a 2D cellular foam (a network of tensile interfaces). Tensile stress is carried both by cell-cell interfaces and by the cells' apical actin networks. Our results show that stress is slightly concentrated along interfaces (1.6-fold), but only in early closure. Furthermore, closure is marked by a decrease in the recoil power-law exponent - implying a transition to a more solid-like tissue. We use the site- and stage-dependence of the recoil kinetics to constrain how the cellular mechanics change during closure. We apply these results to test extant computational models.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2007

Plasma and cavitation dynamics during pulsed laser microsurgery in vivo

We compare the plasma and cavitation dynamics underlying pulsed laser microsurgery in water and in fruit fly embryos (in vivo) - specifically for nanosecond pulses at 355 and 532 nm. We find two key differences. First, the plasma-formation thresholds are lower in vivo - especially at 355 nm - due to the presence of endogenous chromophores that serve as additional sources for plasma seed electrons. Second, the biological matrix constrains the growth of laser-induced cavitation bubbles. Both effects reduce the disrupted region in vivo when compared to extrapolations from measurements in water.

physics.bio-ph↗