arXiv subjects

Y. X. Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to Y. X. Zhao.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Topological transport in Dirac nodal-line semimetals

Topological nodal-line semimetals are characterized by one-dimensional Dirac nodal rings that are protected by the combined symmetry of inversion $\mathcal{P}$ and time-reversal $\mathcal{T}$. The stability of these Dirac rings is guaranteed by a quantized $\pm π$ Berry phase and their low-energy physics is described by a one-parameter family of (2+1)-dimensional quantum field theories exhibiting the parity anomaly. Here we study the Berry-phase supported topological transport of $\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$ invariant nodal-line semimetals. We find that small inversion breaking allows for an electric-field induced anomalous transverse current, whose universal component originates from the parity anomaly. Due to this Hall-like current, carriers at opposite sides of the Dirac nodal ring flow to opposite surfaces when an electric field is applied. To detect the topological currents, we propose a dumbbell device, which uses surface states to filter charges based on their momenta. Suggestions for experiments and device applications are discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Study of Light Backgrounds from Relativistic Electrons in Air Light-Guides

The MOLLER experiment proposed at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility plans a precision low energy determination of the weak mixing angle via the measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in the scattering of high energy longitudinally polarized electrons from electrons bound in a liquid hydrogen target (Møller scattering). A relative measure of the scattering rate is planned to be obtained by intercepting the Møller scattered electrons with a circular array of thin fused silica tiles attached to air light guides, which facilitate the transport of Cherenkov photons generated within the tiles to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The scattered flux will also pass through the light guides of downstream tiles, generating additional Cherenkov as well as scintillation light and is a potential background. In order to estimate the rate of these backgrounds, a gas-filled tube detector was designed and deployed in an electron beam at the MAMI facility at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Described in this paper is the design of a detector to measure separately the scintillation and Cherenkov responses of gas mixtures from relativistic electrons, the results of studies of several gas mixtures with comparisons to simulations, and conclusions about the implications for the design of the MOLLER detector apparatus.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Nodal surface semimetals: Theory and material realization

We theoretically study the three-dimensional topological semimetals with nodal surfaces protected by crystalline symmetries. Different from the well-known nodal-point and nodal-line semimetals, in these materials, the conduction and valence bands cross on closed nodal surfaces in the Brillouin zone. We propose different classes of nodal surfaces, both in the absence and in the presence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). In the absence of SOC, a class of nodal surfaces can be protected by spacetime inversion symmetry and sublattice symmetry and characterized by a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ index, while another class of nodal surfaces are guaranteed by a combination of nonsymmorphic two-fold screw-rotational symmetry and time-reversal symmetry. We show that the inclusion of SOC will destroy the former class of nodal surfaces but may preserve the latter provided that the inversion symmetry is broken. We further generalize the result to magnetically ordered systems and show that protected nodal surfaces can also exist in magnetic materials without and with SOC, given that certain magnetic group symmetry requirements are satisfied. Several concrete nodal-surface material examples are predicted via the first-principles calculations. The possibility of multi-nodal-surface materials is discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Novel MPGD based Detectors of Single Photons in COMPASS RICH-1

COMPASS is a fixed target experiment at CERN SPS aimed to study Hadron Structure and Spectroscopy. Hadron Identification in the momentum range between 3 and 55 GeV/c is provided by a large gaseous Ring Imaging Cherenkov Counter (RICH-1). To cope with the challenges imposed by the new physics program of COMPASS, RICH-1 have been upgraded by replacing four MWPCs based photon detectors with newly developed MPGD based photon detectors. The architecture of the novel detectors is a hybrid combination of two layers of THGEMs and a MicroMegas. The top of the first THGEM is coated with CsI acting as a reflective photo-cathode. The anode is segmented in pads capacitively coupled to the APV-25 based readout. The new hybrid detectors have been commissioned during 2016 COMPASS data taking and stably operated during 2017 run. In this paper all aspects of the novel photon detectors for COMPASS RICH-1 are discussed.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Topological Landau Lattice

The concept of topological fermions, including Weyl and Dirac fermions, stems from the quantum Hall state induced by a magnetic field, but the definitions and classifications of topological fermions are formulated without using magnetic field. It is unclear whether and how the topological information of topological fermions can be probed once their eigen spectrum is completely rebuilt by a strong magnetic field. In this work, we provide an answer via mapping Landau levels (bands) of topological fermions in $d$ dimensions to the spectrum of a $(d-1)$-dimensional lattice model. The resultant "Landau lattice" may correspond to a topological insulator, and its topological property can be determined by real-space topological invariants. Accordingly, each zero-energy Landau level (band) inherits the topological stability from the corresponding topological boundary state of the Landau lattice. The theory is demonstrated in detail by transforming 2D Dirac fermions under magnetic fields to the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger models in class AIII, and 3D Weyl fermions to the Chern insulators in class A.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Ferromagnetic Dirac-Nodal Semimetal Phase of Stretched Chromium Dioxide

We show by first-principles calculations that the Dirac nodal-line semimetal phase can co-exist with the ferromagnetic order at room temperature in chromium dioxide, a widely used material in magnetic tape applications, under small tensile hydrostatic strains. An ideally flat Dirac nodal ring close to the Fermi energy is placed in the reflection-invariant boundary of the Brillouin zone perpendicular to the magnetic order, and is topologically protected by the unitary mirror symmetry of the magnetic group $D_{4h}(C_{4h})$, which quantizes the corresponding Berry phase into integer multiples of $π$. The symmetry-dependent topological stability is demonstrated through showing that only the topologically protected nodal ring can persistently exist under small anisotropic stains preservingthe symmetry $D_{4h}(C_{4h})$, while the other seeming band touching points are generically gapped. Our work provides a practical platform for the investigation of novel physics and potential applications of the Dirac nodal-line and drumhead fermions, in particular those related to ferromagnetic properties

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Realizing universal quantum gates with topological bases in quantum-simulated superconducting chains

One-dimensional time-reversal invariant topological superconducting wires of the symmetry class DIII exhibit exotic physics which can be exploited to realize the set of universal operations in topological quantum computing. However, the verification of DIII-class physics in conventional condensed matter materials is highly nontrivial due to realistic constraints. Here we propose a symmetry-protected hard-core boson simulator of the one-dimensional DIII topological superconductor. By using the developed dispersive dynamic modulation approach, not only the faithful simulation of this new type of spinful superconducting chains is achieved, but also a set of universal quantum gates can be realized with the computational basis formed by the degenerate ground states that are topologically protected against random local perturbations. Physical implementation of our scheme based on a Josephson quantum circuit is presented, where our detailed analysis pinpoints that this scheme is experimentally feasible with the state-of-the-art technology.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Neutral-Current Weak Interactions at an EIC

A simulation study of measurements of neutral current structure functions of the nucleon at the future high-energy and high-luminosity polarized electron-ion collider (EIC) is presented. A new series of $γ-Z$ interference structure functions, $F_1^{γZ}$, $F_3^{γZ}$, $g_1^{γZ}$, $g_5^{γZ}$ become accessible via parity-violating asymmetries in polarized electron-nucleon deep inelastic scattering (DIS). Within the context of the quark-parton model, they provide a unique and, in some cases, yet-unmeasured combination of unpolarized and polarized parton distribution functions. The uncertainty projections for these structure functions using electron-proton collisions are considered for various EIC beam energy configurations. Also presented are uncertainty projections for measurements of the weak mixing angle $\sin^2 θ_W$ using electron-deuteron collisions which cover a much higher $Q^2$ than that is accessible in fixed target measurements. QED and QCD radiative corrections and effects of detector smearing are included with the calculations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

$PT$ Symmetric Real Dirac Fermions and Semimetals

Recently Weyl fermions have attracted increasing interest in condensed matter physics due to their rich phenomenology originated from their nontrivial monopole charges. Here we present a theory of real Dirac points that can be understood as real monopoles in momentum space, serving as a real generalization of Weyl fermions with the reality being endowed by the $PT$ symmetry. The real counterparts of topological features of Weyl semimetals, such as Nielsen-Ninomiya no-go theorem, $2$D sub topological insulators and Fermi arcs, are studied in the $PT$ symmetric Dirac semimetals, and the underlying reality-dependent topological structures are discussed. In particular, we construct a minimal model of the real Dirac semimetals based on recently proposed cold atom experiments and quantum materials about $PT$ symmetric Dirac nodal line semimetals.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Parity Violation in Deep Inelastic Scattering with the SoLID Spectrometer at JLab

Measurements of parity-violating asymmetries in DIS region using the SoLID spectrometer at Jefferson Lab (JLab) Hall A in the 12 GeV era are presented. A proposal with a polarized electron beam on unpolarized deuteron and proton targets has been approved with an A rating by the JLab PAC. The deuteron measurement aims to measure the weak mixing angle $\sin^2 θ_W $ with a precision of $\pm$ 0.0006 as well as to access the fundamental coupling constants $C_{2q}$ with a high precision. This measurement is ideally suited for testing the Standard Model with the potential to probe charge symmetry violation and resolve the quark-quark correlations in the DIS region. The proton experiment provides a clean measurement of $d/u$ ratio in the high-$x$ region free of nuclear corrections. To achieve these goals, the SoLID spectrometer was proposed and designed to handle a high luminosity with a large acceptance. In this article, the details of the approved measurements are discussed, along with new ideas with PVDIS using a polarized $^3$He target to access new $γ-Z$ interference polarized structure functions and a unpolarized $^{48}$Ca target to study the EMC effect.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Nonsymmorphic symmetry-required band crossings in topological semimetals

We show that for two-band systems nonsymmorphic symmetries may enforce the existence of band crossings in the bulk, which realize Fermi surfaces of reduced dimensionality. We find that these unavoidable crossings originate from the momentum dependence of the nonsymmorphic symmetry, which puts strong restrictions on the global structure of the band configurations. Three different types of nonsymmorphic symmetries are considered: (i) a unitary nonsymmorphic symmetry, (ii) a nonsymmorphic magnetic symmetry, and (iii) a nonsymmorphic symmetry combined with inversion. For nonsymmorphic symmetries of the latter two types, the band crossings are located at high-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone, with their exact positions being determined by the algebra of the symmetry operators. To characterize these band degeneracies we introduce a \emph{global} topological charge and show that it is of $\mathbb{Z}_2$ type, which is in contrast to the \emph{local} topological charge of Fermi points in, say, Weyl semimetals. To illustrate these concepts, we discuss the $π$-flux state as well as the SSH model at its critical point and show that these two models fit nicely into our general framework of nonsymmorphic two-band systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Quantum simulation of exotic PT-invariant topological nodal loop bands with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice

Since the well-known PT symmetry has its fundamental significance and implication in physics, where PT denotes the combined operation of space-inversion P and time-reversal T, it is extremely important and intriguing to completely classify exotic PT-invariant topological metals and to physically realize them. Here we, for the first time, establish a rigorous classification of topological metals that are protected by the PT symmetry using KO-theory. As a physically realistic example, a PT-invariant nodal loop (NL) model in a 3D Brillouin zone is constructed, whose topological stability is revealed through its PT-symmetry-protected nontrivial Z2 topological charge. Based on these exact results, we propose an experimental scheme to realize and to detect tunable PT-invariant topological NL states with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice, in which atoms with two hyperfine spin states are loaded in a spin-dependent 3D OL and two pairs of Raman lasers are used to create out-of-plane spin-flip hopping with site-dependent phase. Such a realistic cold-atom setup can yield topological NL states, having a tunable ring-shaped band-touching line with the two-fold degeneracy in the bulk spectrum and non-trivial surface states. The states are actually protected by the combined PT symmetry even in the absence of both P and T symmetries, and are characterized by a Z2-type invariant (a quantized Berry phase). Remarkably, we demonstrate with numerical simulations that (i) the characteristic NL can be detected by measuring the atomic transfer fractions in a Bloch-Zener oscillation; (ii) the topological invariant may be measured based on the time-of-flight imaging; and (iii) the surface states may be probed through Bragg spectroscopy. The present proposal for realizing topological NL states in cold atom systems may provide a unique experimental platform for exploring exotic PT-invariant topological physics.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2016

Unified theory of PT and CP invariant topological metals and nodal superconductors

As PT and CP symmetries are fundamental in physics, we establish a unified topological theory of PT and CP invariant metals and nodal superconductors, based on the mathematically rigorous $KO$ theory. Representative models are constructed for all nontrivial topological cases in dimensions $d=1,2$, and $3$, with their exotic physical meanings being elucidated in detail. Intriguingly, it is found that the topological charges of Fermi surfaces in the bulk determine an exotic direction-dependent distribution of topological subgap modes on the boundaries. Furthermore, by constructing an exact bulk-boundary correspondence, we show that the topological Fermi points of the PT and CP invariant classes can appear as gapless modes on the boundary of topological insulators with a certain type of anisotropic crystalline symmetry.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Novel $\mathbb{Z}_2$-topological metals and semimetals

We report two theoretical discoveries for $\mathbb{Z}_2$-topological metals and semimetals. It is shown first that any dimensional $\mathbb{Z}_2$ Fermi surface is topologically equivalent to a Fermi point. Then the famous conventional no-go theorem, which was merely proven before for $\mathbb{Z}$ Fermi points in a periodic system without any discrete symmetry, is generalized to that the total topological charge is zero for all cases. Most remarkably, we find and prove an unconventional strong no-go theorem: all $\mathbb{Z}_2$ Fermi points have the same topological charge $ν_{\mathbb{Z}_2} =1$ or $0$ for periodic systems. Moreover, we also establish all six topological types of $\mathbb{Z}_2$ models for realistic physical dimensions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

General response theory of topologically stable Fermi points and its implications for disordered cases

We develop a general response theory of gapless Fermi points with nontrivial topological charges for gauge and nonlinear sigma fields, which asserts that the topological character of the Fermi points is embodied as the terms with discrete coefficients proportional to the corresponding topological charges. Applying the theory to the effective non-linear sigma models for topological Fermi points with disorders in the framework of replica approach, we derive rigorously the Wess-Zumino terms with the topological charges being their levels in the two complex symmetry classes of A and AIII. Intriguingly, two nontrivial examples of quadratic Fermi points with the topological charge `2' are respectively illustrated for the classes A and AIII. We also address a qualitative connection of topological charges of Fermi points in the real symmetry classes to the topological terms in the non-linear sigma models, based on the one-to-one classification correspondence.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Double Spin Asymmetries of Inclusive Hadron Electroproductions from a Transversely Polarized $^3\rm{He}$ Target

We report the measurement of beam-target double-spin asymmetries ($A_\text{LT}$) in the inclusive production of identified hadrons, $\vec{e}~$+$~^3\text{He}^{\uparrow}\rightarrow h+X$, using a longitudinally polarized 5.9 GeV electron beam and a transversely polarized $^3\rm{He}$ target. Hadrons ($π^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$ and proton) were detected at 16$^{\circ}$ with an average momentum $<$$P_h$$>$=2.35 GeV/c and a transverse momentum ($p_{T}$) coverage from 0.60 to 0.68 GeV/c. Asymmetries from the $^3\text{He}$ target were observed to be non-zero for $π^{\pm}$ production when the target was polarized transversely in the horizontal plane. The $π^{+}$ and $π^{-}$ asymmetries have opposite signs, analogous to the behavior of $A_\text{LT}$ in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Disordered Weyl semimetals and their topological family

We develop a topological theory for disordered Weyl semimetals in the framework of gauge invariance of replica formalism and boundary-bulk correspondence of Chern insulators. An anisotropic topological $θ$-term is analytically derived for the effective non-linear sigma model. It is this nontrivial topological term that ensures the bulk transverse transport of Weyl semimetals to be robust against disorders. Moreover, we establish a general diagram that reveals the intrinsic relations among topological terms in the non-linear sigma models and gauge response theories respectively for $(2n + 2)$-dimensional topological insulators, $(2n+1)$-dimensional chiral fermions, $(2n+1)$-dimensional chiral semimetals, and $(2n)$-dimensional topological insulators with $n$ being a positive integer.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Applications and Analysis of Bio-Inspired Eagle Strategy for Engineering Optimization

All swarm-intelligence-based optimization algorithms use some stochastic components to increase the diversity of solutions during the search process. Such randomization is often represented in terms of random walks. However, it is not yet clear why some randomization techniques (and thus why some algorithms) may perform better than others for a given set of problems. In this work, we analyze these randomization methods in the context of nature-inspired algorithms. We also use eagle strategy to provide basic observations and relate step sizes and search efficiency using Markov theory. Then, we apply our analysis and observations to solve four design benchmarks, including the designs of a pressure vessel, a speed reducer, a PID controller and a heat exchanger. Our results demonstrate that eagle strategy with Lévy flights can perform extremely well in reducing the overall computational efforts.

math.OC↗