arXiv subjects

Y. C. Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Y. C. Liu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

$^{61}$Cr as a Doorway to the N = 40 Island of Inversion

This paper reports on the measurement of the ground-state spin and nuclear magnetic dipole moment of $^{61}$Cr. The radioactive ion beam was produced at the CERN-ISOLDE facility and was probed using high-resolution resonance ionization laser spectroscopy with the CRIS apparatus. The present ground-state spin measurement $I = \frac{1}{2}$, differing from the previously adopted $I =(\frac{5}{2})$, has significant consequences on the interpretation of existing beta decay data and nuclear structure in the region. The structure and shape of $^{61}$Cr is interpreted with state-of-the-art Large-Scale Shell Model and Discrete-Non-Orthogonal Shell Model calculations. From the measured magnetic dipole moment $μ(^{61}$Cr$)=+0.539(7)~μ_N$ and the theoretical findings, its configuration is understood to be driven by 2 particle - 2 hole neutron excitations with an unpaired $1p_{1/2}$ neutron. This establishes the western border of the $N=40$ Island Of Inversion (IoI), characterized by 4 particle - 4 hole neutron components. We discuss the shape evolution along the Cr isotopic chain as a quantum phase transition at the entrance of the $N=40$ IoI.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Laser spectroscopy and CP-violation sensitivity of actinium monofluoride

The apparent invariance of the strong nuclear force under combined charge conjugation and parity (CP) remains an open question in modern physics. Precision experiments with heavy atoms and molecules can provide stringent constraints on CP violation via searches for effects due to permanent electric dipole moments and other CP-odd properties in leptons, hadrons, and nuclei. Radioactive molecules have been proposed as highly sensitive probes for such searches, but experiments with most such molecules have so far been beyond technical reach. Here we report the first production and spectroscopic study of a gas-phase actinium molecule, $^{227}$AcF. We observe the predicted strongest electronic transition from the ground state, which is necessary for efficient readout in searches of symmetry-violating interactions. Furthermore, we perform electronic- and nuclear-structure calculations for $^{227}$AcF to determine its sensitivity to various CP-violating parameters, and find that a realistic, near-term experiment with a precision of 1 mHz would improve current constraints on the CP-violating parameter hyperspace by three orders of magnitude. Our results thus highlight the potential of $^{227}$AcF for exceptionally sensitive searches of CP violation.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Development and Characterization of a High-Resolution and High-Sensitivity Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy Setup

With the recent implementation of a radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) cooler-buncher and a multi-step laser resonance ionization technique, our previously developed collinear laser spectroscopy setup has been successfully upgraded into a fully functional collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy system. The new system was fully characterized using a bunched ion beam at 30~keV, during which hyperfine structure spectra of $^{85,87}$Rb isotopes were measured. An overall efficiency exceeding 1:200 (one resonant ion detected for every 200 ions after the RFQ cooler-buncher) was achieved while maintaining a spectral resolution of 100 MHz. Under these conditions, the extracted hyperfine structure parameters and isotope shift for $^{85,87}$Rb show excellent agreement with the literature values. These results demonstrate the system's capability to perform high-resolution and high-sensitivity laser spectroscopy of neutron-rich Rb isotopes, which are expected to be produced at the Beijing Radioactive Ion-beam Facility at a rate of approximately 100 particles per second.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Pinning down electron correlations in RaF via spectroscopy of excited states and high-accuracy relativistic quantum chemistry

We report the spectroscopy of the 14 lowest excited electronic states in the radioactive molecule radium monofluoride (RaF). The observed excitation energies are compared with fully relativistic state-of-the-art Fock-space coupled cluster (FS-RCC) calculations, which achieve an agreement of >=99.64% (within ~12 meV) with experiment for all states. Guided by theory, a firm assignment of the angular momentum and term symbol is made for 10 states and a tentative assignment for 4 states. The role of high-order electron correlation and quantum electrodynamics effects in the excitation energy of excited states is studied, found to be important for all states. Establishing the simultaneous accuracy and precision of calculations is an important step for research at the intersection of particle, nuclear, and chemical physics, including searches of physics beyond the Standard Model, for which RaF is a promising probe.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Human-Machine Interface Evaluation Using EEG in Driving Simulator

Automated vehicles are pictured as the future of transportation, and facilitating safer driving is only one of the many benefits. However, due to the constantly changing role of the human driver, users are easily confused and have little knowledge about their responsibilities. Being the bridge between automation and human, the human-machine interface (HMI) is of great importance to driving safety. This study was conducted in a static driving simulator. Three HMI designs were developed, among which significant differences in mental workload using NASA-TLX and the subjective transparency test were found. An electroencephalogram was applied throughout the study to determine if differences in the mental workload could also be found using EEG's spectral power analysis. Results suggested that more studies are required to determine the effectiveness of the spectral power of EEG on mental workload, but the three interface designs developed in this study could serve as a solid basis for future research to evaluate the effectiveness of psychophysiological measures. Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions; Innovative Training Network (ITN); SHAPE-IT; Grant number 860410; Publication date: [27 July 2023]; DOI: [10.1109/IV55152.2023.10186567]

cs.HC↗

arXiv2024

Radiative lifetime of the A 2Π1/2 state in RaF with relevance to laser cooling

The radiative lifetime of the $A$ $^2 Π_{1/2}$ (v=0) state in radium monofluoride (RaF) is measured to be 35(1) ns. The lifetime of this state and the related decay rate $Γ= 2.86(8) \times 10^7$ $s^{-1}$ are of relevance to the laser cooling of RaF via the optically closed $A$ $^2 Π_{1/2} \leftarrow X$ $^2Σ_{1/2}$ transition, which makes the molecule a promising probe to search for new physics. RaF is found to have a comparable photon-scattering rate to homoelectronic laser-coolable molecules. Thanks to its highly diagonal Franck-Condon matrix, it is expected to scatter an order of magnitude more photons than other molecules when using just 3 cooling lasers, before it decays to a dark state. The lifetime measurement in RaF is benchmarked by measuring the lifetime of the $8P_{3/2}$ state in Fr to be 83(3) ns, in agreement with literature.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

A high-efficiency proton-boron fusion scheme taking into account the effects of quantum degeneracy

The proton-boron (p-$^{11}$B) reaction is regarded as the holy grail of advanced fusion fuels, since the primary reaction produces three $α$ particles with few neutrons and induced radio-activities from second order reactions. Compared to the Deuterium-Tritium reaction a much higher reaction temperature is required. Moreover, bremsstrahlung energy losses due to the high nuclear charge of boron deem it seemingly apparent than a fusion reactor based on Deuterium-Tritium plasma in equilibrium is to say the least very difficult.It is becoming more appealing to collide intense laser beams or accelerated proton beams with a boron target to produce p-$^{11}$B reactions. The fusion yield of p-$^{11}$B reactions is closely related to proton beam parameters and boron target conditions such as density, temperature, and ingredients. Quantum degeneracy will increase fusion yields by reducing the stopping power of injected protons. In this work, we suggest a high-efficiency scheme for beam-target p-$^{11}$B fusions via injecting a MeV proton beam into a highly compressed quantum degenerated boron target. Such a boron target can be achieved via quasi-isentropic compression of solid boron by using precisely shaped laser pulses. Our results indicate that for densities ranging from $10^3$ to $10^4ρ_s$, where $ρ_s$ is the density of solid boron, contributions of bound and free electrons to the stopping of protons can be completely disregarded and dramatically reduced respectively. The result is an increase in fusion yield by orders of magnitude. Furthermore, in order to achieve multiplication factor $F$ greater than one, with $F$ defined as the ratio of output fusion energy to the energy of injected protons, it is found there exits a minimum possible density of boron target, which is $2.15 \times 10^4 ρ_s$ when the kinetic energy of injected protons is $0.8$ MeV.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Group Theory Analysis of Phonons in Monolayer Chromium Trihalides and Their Janus Structures

A contrastive investigation of the symmetry aspects of phonons in monolayer chromium trihalides and their Janus structures Y$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ (X, Y = F, Cl, Br, I) by group theory is presented. We first classify all phonons at the Brillouin-zone center ($Γ$) into the irreducible representation. Then the infrared and Raman activity of optic phonons, Raman tensors, and the possible polarization assignments of R active phonons are predicted. Base on these results, we clarify the the discrepancy about the Raman activity o optic modes in monolayer CrI$_3$. Besides, we find that the Raman and infrared spectra for X$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ are exclusive, whereas that for Janus Y$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ are coincident. This distinction is vital for optic spectra identification of Janus Y$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ monolayer from X$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ monolayer. In addition, we derive the symmetry-matched phonon eigenfunctions and corresponding schematic representations of the eigenvectors for both F$_3$-Cr$_2$-I$_3$ and I$_3$-Cr$_2$-I$_3$ monolayer, which demonstrate intuitively the origin of phonon chirality and magnetism. At last, our analysis indicates that the spin-phonon coupling, the magneto-optical effect of infrared and Raman active phonons, and phonon chirality should be observed in Janus Y$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ monolayer as that and even easier than that in X$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ monolayer. Our work provides a detailed guiding map for experimental characterization of Y$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ monolayer, and also reveals important effects of optic phonons in Janus Y$_3$-Cr$_2$-X$_3$ monolayer.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Construction and commissioning of the collinear laser spectroscopy system at BRIF

We have constructed a collinear laser spectroscopy (CLS) system installed at the Beijing Radioactive Ion-beam Facility (BRIF), aiming to investigate the nuclear properties of unstable nuclei. The first on-line commissioning experiment of this system was performed using the continuous stable ($^{39}$K) and unstable ($^{38}$K) ion beams produced by impinging a 100-MeV proton beam on a CaO target. Hyperfine structure spectra of these two isotopes are reasonably reproduced, and the extracted magnetic dipole hyperfine parameters and isotope shift agree with the literature values. The on-line experiment demonstrates the overall functioning of this CLS system, opening new opportunities for laser spectroscopy measurement of unstable isotopes at BRIF and other radioactive ion beam facilities in China.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Single-crystal epitaxial europium iron garnet films with strain-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy: structural, strain, magnetic, and spin transport properties

Single-crystal europium iron garnet (EuIG) thin films epitaxially strain-grown on gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG)(100) substrates using off-axis sputtering have strain-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). By varying the sputtering conditions, we have tuned the europium/iron (Eu/Fe) composition ratios in the films to tailor the film strains. The films exhibited an extremely smooth, particle-free surface with roughness as low as 0.1 nm as observed using atomic force microscopy. High-resolution x-ray diffraction analysis and reciprocal space maps showed in-plane epitaxial film growth, very smooth film/substrate interface, excellent film crystallinity with a small full width at half maximum of 0.012$^{\circ}$ in the rocking curve scans, and an in-plane compressive strain without relaxation. In addition, spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy showed an atomically abrupt interface between the EuIG film and GGG. The measured squarish out-of-plane magnetization-field hysteresis loops by vibrating sample magnetometry in conjunction with the measurements from angle-dependent x-ray magnetic dichroism demonstrated the PMA in the films. We have tailored the magnetic properties of the EuIG thin films, including saturation magnetization ranging from 71.91 to 124.51 emu/c.c. (increase with the (Eu/Fe) ratios), coercive field from 27 to 157.64 Oe, and the strength of PMA field ($H_\bot$) increasing from 4.21 to 18.87 kOe with the in-plane compressive strain from -0.774 to -1.044%. We have also investigated spin transport in Pt/EuIG bi-layer structure and evaluated the real part of spin mixing conductance to be $3.48\times10^{14} Ω^{-1}m^{-2}$. We demonstrated the current-induced magnetization switching with a low critical switching current density of $3.5\times10^6 A/cm^2$, showing excellent potential for low-dissipation spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Fermi arcs of topological surface states in multi-Weyl Semimetals

The Fermi arcs of topological surface states in the three-dimensional multi-Weyl semimetals on surfaces by a continuum model are investigated systematically. We calculated analytically the energy spectra and wave function for bulk quadratic- and cubic-Weyl semimetal with a single Weyl point. The Fermi arcs of topological surface states in Weyl semimetals with single- and double-pair Weyl points are investigated systematically. The evolution of the Fermi arcs of surface states variating with the boundary parameter is investigated and the topological Lifshitz phase transition of the Fermi arc connection is clearly demonstrated. Besides, the boundary condition for the double parallel flat boundary of Weyl semimetal is deduced with a Lagrangian formalism.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Moiré potential, lattice corrugation, and band gap spatial variation in a twist-free MoS2/MoTe2 heterobilayer

To have a fully ab initio description of the Moiré pattern in a transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayer, we have carried out density functional theory calculations, taking accounts of both atomic registry in and the lattice corrugation out of the monolayers, on a MoTe2(9*9)/MoS2(10*10) system which has a moderate size of superlattice larger than an exciton yet not large enough to justify a continuum model treatment. We find that the local potential in the midplane of the bilayer displays a conspicuous Moiré pattern. It further leads us to reveal that the variation of the average local potential near Mo atoms in both MoTe2 and MoS2 layers make intralayer Moiré potentials. They are the result of mutual modulation and correlate directly with the spatial variation of the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum. The interlayer Moiré potential, defined as the difference between the two intralayer Moiré potentials, has a depth of 0.11 eV and changes roughly in proportion to the band gap variation in the Moiré cell, which has an amplitude of 0.04 eV. We find the lattice corrugation is significant in both MoTe2 (0.30Å) and MoS2 (0.77Å) layers, yet its effect on the electronic properties is marginal. The wrinkling of the MoTe2/MoS2 bilayer enhances the spatial variation of the local band gap by 5 meV, while its influence on the global band gap is within 1 meV. A simple intralayer band-coupling model is proposed to understand the correlation of Moiré potential and spatial variation of the band gap.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Nuclear probes of an out-of-equilibrium plasma at the highest compression

We report the highest compression reached in laboratory plasmas using eight laser beams, E$_{laser}$$\approx$12 kJ, $τ_{laser}$=2 ns in third harmonic on a CD$_2$ target at the ShenGuang-II Upgrade (SGII-Up) facility in Shanghai, China. We estimate the deuterium density $ρ_D$= 2.0 $\pm$ 0.9 kg/cm$^{3}$, and the average kinetic energy of the plasma ions less than 1 keV. The highest reached areal density $Λρ_{D}$=4.8 $\pm$ 1.5 g/cm$^{2}$ was obtained from the measured ratio of the sequential ternary fusion reactions (dd$\rightarrow$t+p and t+d$\rightarrow$$α$+n) and the two body reaction fusions (dd$\rightarrow$$^3$He+n). At such high densities, sequential ternary and also quaternary nuclear reactions become important as well (i.e. n(14.1 MeV) + $^{12}$C $\rightarrow$ n'+$^{12}$C* etc.) resulting in a shift of the neutron (and proton) kinetic energies from their birth values. The Down Scatter Ratio (DSR-quaternary nuclear reactions) method, i.e. the ratio of the 10-12MeV neutrons divided by the total number of 14.1MeV neutrons produced, confirms the high densities reported above. The estimated lifetime of the highly compressed plasma is 52 $\pm$ 9 ps, much smaller than the lasers pulse duration.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

Evidence for exchange Dirac gap in magneto-transport of topological insulator-magnetic insulator heterostructures

Transport signatures of exchange gap opening because of magnetic proximity effect (MPE) are reported for bilayer structures of Bi2Se3 thin films on yttrium iron garnet (YIG) and thulium iron garnet (TmIG) of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). Pronounced negative magnetoresistance (MR) was detected, and attributed to an emergent weak localization (WL) effect superimposing on a weak antilocalization (WAL). Thickness-dependent study shows that the WL originates from the time-reversal-symmetry breaking of topological surface states by interfacial exchange coupling. The weight of WL declined when the interfacial magnetization was aligned toward the in-plane direction, which is understood as the effect of tuning the exchange gap size by varying the perpendicular magnetization component. Importantly, magnetotransport study revealed anomalous Hall effect (AHE) of square loops and anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) characteristic, typifying a ferromagnetic conductor in Bi2Se3/TmIG, and the presence of an interfacial ferromagnetism driven by MPE. Coexistence of MPE-induced ferromagnetism and the finite exchange gap provides an opportunity of realizing zero magnetic-field dissipation-less transport in topological insulator/ferromagnetic insulator heterostructures.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2017

First-principles Study on Structural, Thermal, Mechanical and Dynamic Stability of T'-MoS$_2$

Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we investigate the structure, stability, optical modes and electronic band gap of a distorted tetragonal MoS$_2$ monolayer (T'-MoS$_2$). Our simulated scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) images of T'-MoS$_2$ are dramatically similar with those STM images which were identified as K$_{x}$(H$_{2}$O)$_{y}$MoS$_{2}$ from a previous experimental study. This similarity suggests that T'-MoS$_2$ might have already been observed in experiment but was unexpectedly misidentified. Furthermore, we verify the stability of T'-MoS$_2$ from thermal, mechanical and dynamic aspects, by \emph{ab initio} molecular dynamics simulation, elastic constants evaluation and phonon band structure calculation based on density functional perturbation theory, respectively. In addition, we calculate the eigenfrequencies and eigenvectors of the optical modes of T'-MoS$_2$ at $Γ$ point and distinguish their Raman and infrared activity by pointing out their irreducible representations using group theory; at the same time, we compare the Raman modes of T'-MoS$_2$ with those of H-MoS$_2$ and T-MoS$_2$. Our results provide a useful guidance for further experimental identification and characterization of T'-MoS$_2$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Theory of the Evolution of Superconductivity in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ under Anisotropic Strain

Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ is a leading candidate for chiral $p$-wave superconductivity. The detailed mechanism of superconductivity in this material is still the subject of intense investigations. Since superconductivity is sensitive to the topology of the Fermi surface (the contour of zero-energy quasi-particle excitations in the momentum space in the normal state), changing this topology can provide a strong test of theory. Recent experiments tuned the Fermi surface topology efficiently by applying planar anisotropic strain. Using functional renormalization group theory, we study the superconductivity and competing orders in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ under strain. We find a rapid initial increase in the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$, which can be associated with the evolution of the Fermi surface toward a Lifshitz reconstruction under increasing strain. Before the Lifshitz reconstruction is reached, however, the system switches from the superconducting state to a spin density wave state. The theory agrees well with recent strain experiments showing an enhancement of $T_c$ followed by an intriguing sudden drop.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Role of Interlayer Coupling on the Evolution of Band Edges in Few-Layer Phosphorene

Using first-principles calculations, we have investigated the evolution of band-edges in few-layer phosphorene as a function of the number of P layers. Our results predict that monolayer phosphorene is an indirect band gap semiconductor and its valence band edge is extremely sensitive to strain. Its band gap could undergo an indirect-to-direct transition under a lattice expansion as small as 1% along zigzag direction. A semi-empirical interlayer coupling model is proposed, which can well reproduce the evolution of valence band-edges obtained by first-principles calculations. We conclude that the interlayer coupling plays a dominated role in the evolution of the band-edges via decreasing both band gap and carrier effective masses with the increase of phosphorene thickness. A scrutiny of the orbital-decomposed band structure provides a better understanding of the upward shift of valence band maximum surpassing that of conduction band minimum.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Spin Squeezing of One-Axis Twisting Model in The Presence of Phase Dephasing

We present a detailed analysis of spin squeezing of the one-axis twisting model with a many-body phase dephasing, which is induced by external field fluctuation in a two-mode Bose-Einstein condensates. Even in the presence of the dephasing, our analytical results show that the optimal initial state corresponds to a coherent spin state $|θ_{0}, ϕ_0\rangle$ with the polar angle $θ_0=π/2$. If the dephasing rate $γ\ll S^{-1/3}$, where $S$ is total atomic spin, we find that the smallest value of squeezing parameter (i.e., the strongest squeezing) obeys the same scaling with the ideal one-axis twisting case, namely $ξ^2\propto S^{-2/3}$. While for a moderate dephasing, the achievable squeezing obeys the power rule $S^{-2/5}$, which is slightly worse than the ideal case. When the dephasing rate $γ>S^{1/2}$, we show that the squeezing is weak and neglectable.

quant-ph↗