arXiv subjects

Xinchao Huang

Publications and source records attributed to Xinchao Huang.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High-resolution resonant inelastic X-ray scattering study of W-L3 edge in WSi2

With the advancement of synchrotron radiation and free-electron laser, X-ray quantum optics has emerged as a novel frontier for exploring light-matter interactions at high photon energies. A significant challenge in this field is achieving well-defined two-level systems through atomic inner-shell transitions, which are often hindered by broad natural linewidths and local electronic structure effects. This study aims to explore the potential of tungsten disilicide (WSi2) as a two-level system for X-ray quantum optics applications. Utilizing high-resolution resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) near the W-L3 edge, in this work, the white line of bulk WSi2 is experimentally distinguished, overcoming the spectral broadening caused by short core-hole lifetime. The measurements are conducted by using a von Hamos spectrometer at the GALAXIES beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron. The results reveal a single resonant emission feature with a fixed energy transfer, confirming the presence of a discrete 2p-5d transition characteristic of a two-level system. Additional high-resolution XAS spectra, obtained via high energy resolution fluorescence detection method and reconstructed from off-resonant emission (free from self-absorption effect for bulk WSi2 sample) method, further support the identification of a sharp white line. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using WSi2 as a model system in X-ray cavity quantum optics and establish RIXS as a powerful technique to resolve fine inner-shell structures.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Spin waves excited by hard x-ray transient gratings

Recent progress in ultrafast x-ray sources helped establish x-rays as an important tool for probing lattice and magnetic dynamics initiated by femtosecond optical pulses. Here, we explore the potential of ultrashort hard x-ray pulses for driving magnetic dynamics. We use a transient grating technique in which a spatially periodic x-ray excitation pattern gives rise to material excitations at a well-defined wave vector, whose dynamics are monitored via diffraction of an optical probe pulse. The excitation of a ferrimagnetic gadolinium bismuth iron garnet film placed in an external tilted magnetic field by x-rays at the Gd L3 edge results in both magnetic and non-magnetic transient gratings whose contributions to the diffracted signal are separated by polarization analysis. We observe the magnetization precession at both longitudinal acoustic and spin wave frequencies. An analysis with the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation indicates that the magnetization precession is driven by strain resulting from thermal expansion induced by absorbed x-rays. The results establish x-ray transient gratings as a tool for driving coherent phonons and magnons, with the potential of accessing wave vectors across the entire Brillouin zone.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Ultrafast light-induced formation of a metastable hidden state in bismuth vanadate

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO$_4$) is a key photocatalyst for solar fuel applications, yet fundamental questions remain regarding the nature of photogenerated polaronic states and the lattice dynamics that govern its light-to-chemical pathways. Here, we use femtosecond optical pump-X-ray probe measurements to track the photoinduced electronic and structural dynamics in BiVO$_4$ across multiple length and time scales. Transient X-ray absorption spectroscopy captures sub-picosecond electron localization within VO$_4$ tetrahedra, consistent with small polaron formation, whereas time-resolved X-ray diffraction reveals a slower, multi-picosecond lattice reorganization into a hidden photoexcited state that is structurally distinct from both the monoclinic ground state and the high-temperature tetragonal phase. Supported by density functional theory, we show that hole-lattice interactions dynamically reduce the ground state monoclinic distortion, stabilizing the hidden state. Our results demonstrate that electron- and hole-lattice coupling jointly shape the excited state landscape, with implications for carrier transport, interfacial energetics, and light-to-chemical energy conversion pathways.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Nuclear Ptychoscopy: A Ptychographic Framework for Nuclear Spectroscopy

Accessing both amplitude and phase of nuclear response functions is central to fully characterizing light-matter interactions in the X-ray-nuclear regime. Recent work has demonstrated phase retrieval in two-dimensional time- and energy-resolved spectra, establishing the feasibility of phase-sensitive nuclear spectroscopy. Here, we introduce Nuclear Ptychoscopy, a ptychographic framework that adapts algorithms from coherent diffractive imaging to nuclear spectroscopy, enabling reconstruction of the complex response function by exploiting redundancy in two-dimensional spectra. We develop three complementary reconstruction schemes tailored to distinct experimental scenarios: reconstruction with a known analyzer response, blind reconstruction, and reconstruction incorporating partial prior information. In parallel, we develop geometric analysis techniques that elucidate algorithmic behavior and contribute new tools to ptychography. The framework is validated through experimental data and simulations, demonstrating its versatility across diverse nuclear spectroscopy scenarios and bridging nuclear spectroscopy with ptychography. Beyond advancing quantitative nuclear spectroscopy, our framework opens new opportunities for metrology, coherent control, and quantum applications in the X-ray-nuclear regime.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Experimental Demonstration of Controllable PT and anti-PT Coupling in a non-Hermitian Metamaterial

Non-Hermiticity has recently emerged as a rapidly developing field due to its exotic characteristics related to open systems, where the dissipation plays a critical role. In the presence of balanced energy gain and loss with environment, the system exhibits parity-time (PT) symmetry, meanwhile as the conjugate counterpart, anti-PT symmetry can be achieved with dissipative coupling within the system. Here, we demonstrate the coherence of complex dissipative coupling can control the transition between PT and anti-PT symmetry in an electromagnetic metamaterial. Notably, the achievement of the anti-PT symmetric phase is independent of variations in dissipation. Furthermore, we observe phase transitions as the system crosses exceptional points in both anti-PT and PT symmetric metamaterial configurations, achieved by manipulating the frequency and dissipation of resonators. This work provides a promising metamaterial design for broader exploration of non-Hermitian physics and practical application with controllable Hamiltonian.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Nuclear phase retrieval spectroscopy using resonant x-ray scattering

Light-matter interaction is exploited in spectroscopic techniques to access information about molecular, atomic or nuclear constituents of the sample of interest. While scattered light carries both amplitude and phase information of the electromagnetic field, most of the time the latter is lost in intensity measurements. However, often the phase information is paramount to reconstruct the desired information of the target, as it is well known from coherent x-ray imaging. Here we introduce a new phase retrieval algorithm which allows us to reconstruct the field phase information from two-dimensional time- and energy-resolved spectra. We apply this method to the particular case of x-ray scattering off Mössbauer nuclei at a synchrotron radiation source. Knowledge of the phase allows also for an excellent reconstruction of the energy spectra from experimental data, which could not be achieved with this resolution otherwise. Our approach provides an efficient novel data analysis tool which will benefit x-ray quantum optics and Mössbauer spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation alike.

physics.ins-det↗