arXiv subjects

Y. Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Xu.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Multiple nodeless superconducting gaps in noncentrosymmetric superconductor PbTaSe2 with topological bulk nodal lines

Low-temperature thermal conductivity measurements were performed on single crystal of PbTaSe$_2$, a noncentrosymmetric superconductor with topological bulk nodal lines in the electronic band structure. It is found that the residual linear term $κ_0/T$ is negligible in zero magnetic field. Furthermore, the field dependence of $κ_0/T$ exhibits a clear "$S$"-shape curve. These results suggest that PbTaSe$_2$ has multiple nodeless superconducting gaps. Therefore, the spin-triplet state with gap nodes does not play an important role in this noncentrosymmetric superconductor with strong spin-orbital coupling. The fully gapped superconducting state also meets the requirement of a topological superconductor, if PbTaSe$_2$ is indeed the case.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Universal Heat Conduction in Ce1-xYbxCoIn5: Evidence for Robust Nodal d-wave Superconducting Gap

In heavy-fermion superconductor Ce$_{1-x}$Yb$_x$CoIn$_5$ system, Yb doping was reported to cause a possible change from nodal $d$-wave superconductivity to a fully gapped $d$-wave molecular superfluid of composite pairs near $x \approx$ 0.07 (nominal value $x_{nom}$ = 0.2). Here we present systematic thermal conductivity measurements on Ce$_{1-x}$Yb$_x$CoIn$_5$ ($x$ = 0.013, 0.084, and 0.163) single crystals. The observed finite residual linear term $κ_0/T$ is insensitive to Yb doping, verifying the universal heat conduction of nodal $d$-wave superconducting gap in Ce$_{1-x}$Yb$_x$CoIn$_5$. Similar universal heat conduction is also observed in CeCo(In$_{1-y}$Cd$_y$)$_5$ system. These results reveal robust nodal $d$-wave gap in CeCoIn$_5$ upon Yb or Cd doping.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

The role of magnetic islands in modifying long range temporal correlations of density fluctuations and local heat transport

This work explores the relation between magnetic islands, long range temporal correlations and heat transport. A low order rational surface ($ι/2π= 3/2$) was purposely scanned outward through an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heated (ECRH) plasma in the TJ-II stellarator. Density turbulence and the poloidal flow velocity (or radial electric field) were characterized using a two channel Doppler Reflectometer. Simultaneously, the ECRH power was modulated to characterize heat transport, using measurements from a 12 channel Electron Cyclotron Emission diagnostic. A systematic variation of the poloidal velocity was found to be associated with the stationary $ι/2π= 3/2$ magnetic island. Inside from the rational surface, the Hurst coefficient, quantifying the nature of long-range correlations, was found to be significantly enhanced. Simultaneously, heat transport was enhanced as well, establishing a clear link between density fluctuations and anomalous heat transport. The variation of the Hurst coefficient was consistent with a magnetohydrodynamic turbulence simulation.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2015

High-pressure study of the Weyl semimetal NbAs

We performed a series of high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and resistance measurements on the Weyl semimetal NbAs. The crystal structure remains stable up to 26 GPa according to the powder XRD data. The resistance of NbAs single crystal increases monotonically with pressure at low temperature. Up to 20 GPa, no superconducting transition is observed down to 0.3 K. These results show that the Weyl semimetal phase is robust in NbAs, and applying pressure is not a good way to get a topological superconductor from a Weyl semimetal.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Superconductivity at 2.5 K in new transition-metal chalcogenide Ta2PdSe5

We report the synthesis and superconducting properties of a new transition-metal chalcogenide Ta$_2$PdSe$_5$. The measurements of resistivity, magnetization, and specific heat reveal that Ta$_2$PdSe$_5$ is a bulk superconductor with $T_c$ $\simeq$ 2.5 K. The zero-field electronic specific heat in the superconducting state can be fitted with a two-gap BCS model. The upper critical field $H_{c2}$ shows a linear temperature dependence, and the value of $H_{c2}$(0) is much higher than the estimated Pauli limiting field $H_{c2}^{P}$ and orbital limiting field $H_{c2}^{orb}$. All these results of specific heat and upper critical field suggest that Ta$_2$PdSe$_5$ is a multi-band superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

First Parallax Measurements Towards a 6.7 GHz Methanol Maser with the Australian Long Baseline Array - Distance to G339.884-1.259

We have conducted the first parallax and proper motion measurements of 6.7 GHz methanol maser emission using the Australian Long Baseline Array (LBA). The parallax of G339.884$-$1.259 measured from five epochs of observations is 0.48$\pm $0.08 mas, corresponding to a distance of $2.1^{+0.4}_{-0.3}$ kpc, placing it in the Scutum spiral arm. This is consistent (within the combined uncertainty) with the kinematic distance estimate for this source at 2.5$\pm $0.5 kpc using the latest Solar and Galactic rotation parameters. We find from the Lyman continuum photon flux that the embedded core of the young star is of spectral type B1, demonstrating that luminous 6.7 GHz methanol masers can be associated with high-mass stars towards the lower end of the mass range.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Cosmology on the Largest Scales with the SKA

The study of the Universe on ultra-large scales is one of the major science cases for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The SKA will be able to probe a vast volume of the cosmos, thus representing a unique instrument, amongst next-generation cosmological experiments, for scrutinising the Universe's properties on the largest cosmic scales. Probing cosmic structures on extremely large scales will have many advantages. For instance, the growth of perturbations is well understood for those modes, since it falls fully within the linear regime. Also, such scales are unaffected by the poorly understood feedback of baryonic physics. On ultra-large cosmic scales, two key effects become significant: primordial non-Gaussianity and relativistic corrections to cosmological observables. Moreover, if late-time acceleration is driven not by dark energy but by modifications to general relativity, then such modifications should become apparent near and above the horizon scale. As a result, the SKA is forecast to deliver transformational constraints on non-Gaussianity and to probe gravity on super-horizon scales for the first time.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Heat transport in RbFe2As2 single crystal: evidence for nodal superconducting gap

The in-plane thermal conductivity of iron-based superconductor RbFe$_2$As$_2$ single crystal ($T_c \approx$ 2.1 K) was measured down to 100 mK. In zero field, the observation of a significant residual linear term $κ_0/T$ = 0.65 mW K$^{-2}$ cm$^{-1}$ provides clear evidence for nodal superdonducting gap. The field dependence of $κ_0/T$ is similar to that of its sister compound CsFe$_2$As$_2$ with comparable residual resistivity $ρ_0$, and lies between the dirty and clean KFe$_2$As$_2$. These results suggest that the (K,Rb,Cs)Fe$_2$As$_2$ serial superconductors have a common nodal gap structure.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Limits on light WIMPs from the CDEX-1 experiment with a p-type point-contact germanium detector at the China Jingping Underground Laboratory

We report results of a search for light Dark Matter WIMPs with CDEX-1 experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory, based on 53.9 kg-days of data from a p-type point-contact germanium detector enclosed by a NaI(Tl) crystal scintillator as anti-Compton detector. The event rate and spectrum above the analysis threshold of 475 eVee are consistent with the understood background model. Part of the allowed regions for WIMP-nucleus coherent elastic scattering at WIMP mass of 6-20 GeV are probed and excluded. Independent of interaction channels, this result contradicts the interpretation that the anomalous excesses of the CoGeNT experiment are induced by Dark Matter, since identical detector techniques are used in both experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Instability dynamics and breather formation in a horizontally shaken pendulum chain

Inspired by the experimental results of Cuevas et al. (Physical Review Letters 102, 224101 (2009)), we consider theoretically the behavior of a chain of planar rigid pendulums suspended in a uniform gravitational field and subjected to a horizontal periodic driving force applied to the pendulum pivots. We characterize the motion of a single pendulum, finding bistability near the fundamental resonance, and near the period-3 subharmonic resonance. We examine the development of modulational instability in a driven pendulum chain and find both a critical chain length and critical frequency for the appearance of the instability. We study the breather solutions and show their connection to the single pendulum dynamics, and extend our analysis to consider multi-frequency breathers connected to the period-3 periodic solution, showing also the possibility of stability in these breather states. Finally we examine the problem of breather generation and demonstrate a robust scheme for generation of on-site and off-site breathers.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2014

Perfect State Transfer in Laplacian Quantum Walk

For a graph $G$ and a related symmetric matrix $M$, the continuous-time quantum walk on $G$ relative to $M$ is defined as the unitary matrix $U(t) = \exp(-itM)$, where $t$ varies over the reals. Perfect state transfer occurs between vertices $u$ and $v$ at time $τ$ if the $(u,v)$-entry of $U(τ)$ has unit magnitude. This paper studies quantum walks relative to graph Laplacians. Some main observations include the following closure properties for perfect state transfer: (1) If a $n$-vertex graph has perfect state transfer at time $τ$ relative to the Laplacian, then so does its complement if $nτ$ is an integer multiple of $2π$. As a corollary, the double cone over any $m$-vertex graph has perfect state transfer relative to the Laplacian if and only if $m \equiv 2 \pmod{4}$. This was previously known for a double cone over a clique (S. Bose, A. Casaccino, S. Mancini, S. Severini, Int. J. Quant. Inf., 7:11, 2009). (2) If a graph $G$ has perfect state transfer at time $τ$ relative to the normalized Laplacian, then so does the weak product $G \times H$ if for any normalized Laplacian eigenvalues $λ$ of $G$ and $μ$ of $H$, we have $μ(λ-1)τ$ is an integer multiple of $2π$. As a corollary, a weak product of $P_{3}$ with an even clique or an odd cube has perfect state transfer relative to the normalized Laplacian. It was known earlier that a weak product of a circulant with odd integer eigenvalues and an even cube or a Cartesian power of $P_{3}$ has perfect state transfer relative to the adjacency matrix. As for negative results, no path with four vertices or more has antipodal perfect state transfer relative to the normalized Laplacian. This almost matches the state of affairs under the adjacency matrix (C. Godsil, Discrete Math., 312:1, 2011).

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Limits on light WIMPs with a germanium detector at 177 eVee threshold at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory

The China Dark Matter Experiment reports results on light WIMP dark matter searches at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory with a germanium detector array with a total mass of 20 g. The physics threshold achieved is 177 eVee ("ee" represents electron equivalent energy) at 50% signal efficiency. With 0.784 kg-days of data, exclusion region on spin-independent coupling with the nucleon is derived, improving over our earlier bounds at WIMP mass less than 4.6 GeV.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Multi-gap nodeless superconductivity in nickel chalcogenide TlNi2Se2

Low-temperature thermal conductivity measurements were performed on single crystals of TlNi$_2$Se$_2$, a nickel-chalcogenide heavy-electron superconductor with $T_c$ $\simeq$ 3.7 K. In zero field, the residual electronic contribution at $T$ $\rightarrow$ 0 K ($κ_0/T$) was well separated from the total thermal conductivity, which is less than 0.45\% of its normal-state value. Such a tiny residual $κ_0/T$ is unlikely contributed by the nodal quasiparticles. Nodeless gap structure is supported by the very weak field dependence of $κ_0(H)/T$ in low magnetic fields. In the whole field range, $κ_0(H)/T$ exhibits an "$S$"-shape curve, as in the case of nickel pnictides BaNi$_2$As$_2$ and SrNi$_2$P$_2$. This common feature of nickel-based superconductors can be explained by multiple nodeless superconducting gaps.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Trigonometric Parallaxes of Star Forming Regions in the Perseus Spiral Arm

We report trigonometric parallaxes and proper motions of water masers for 12 massive star forming regions in the Perseus spiral arm of the Milky Way as part of the Bar and Spiral Structure Legacy (BeSSeL) Survey. Combining our results with 14 parallax measurements in the literature, we estimate a pitch angle of 9.9 +/- 1.5 degrees for a section of the Perseus arm. The three-dimensional Galactic peculiar motions of these sources indicate that on average they are moving toward the Galactic center and slower than the Galactic rotation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Sobolev orthogonal polynomials on product domains

Orthogonal polynomials on the product domain $[a_1,b_1] \times [a_2,b_2]$ with respect to the inner product $$ \langle f,g \rangle_S = \int_{a_1}^{b_1} \int_{a_2}^{b_2} \nabla f(x,y)\cdot \nabla g(x,y)\, w_1(x)w_2(y) \,dx\, dy + λf(c_1,c_2)g(c_1,c_2) $$ are constructed, where $w_i$ is a weight function on $[a_i,b_i]$ for $i = 1, 2$, $λ> 0$, and $(c_1, c_2)$ is a fixed point. The main result shows how an orthogonal basis for such an inner product can be constructed for certain weight functions, in particular, for product Laguerre and product Gegenbauer weight functions, which serve as primary examples.

math.CA↗

arXiv2014

Trigonometric parallaxes of star forming regions in the Sagittarius spiral arm

We report measurements of parallaxes and proper motions of ten high-mass star-forming regions in the Sagittarius spiral arm of the Milky Way as part of the BeSSeL Survey with the VLBA. Combining these results with eight others from the literature, we investigated the structure and kinematics of the arm between Galactocentric azimuth around -2 and 65 deg. We found that the spiral pitch angle is 7.3 +- 1.5 deg; the arm's half-width, defined as the rms deviation from the fitted spiral, is around 0.2 kpc; and the nearest portion of the Sagittarius arm is 1.4 +- 0.2 kpc from the Sun. Unlike for adjacent spiral arms, we found no evidence for significant peculiar motions of sources in the Sagittarius arm opposite to Galactic rotation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

On Sobolev orthogonal polynomials

Sobolev orthogonal polynomials have been studied extensively in the past 20 years. The research in this field has sprawled into several directions and generates a plethora of publications. This paper contains a survey of the main developments up to now. The goal is to identify main ideas and developments in the field, which hopefully will lend a structure to the mountainous publications and help future research.

math.CA↗

arXiv2014

Trigonometric Parallaxes of High Mass Star Forming Regions: the Structure and Kinematics of the Milky Way

Over 100 trigonometric parallaxes and proper motions for masers associated with young, high-mass stars have been measured with the BeSSeL Survey, a VLBA key science project, the EVN, and the Japanese VERA project. These measurements provide strong evidence for the existence of spiral arms in the Milky Way, accurately locating many arm segments and yielding spiral pitch angles ranging from 7 to 20 degrees. The widths of spiral arms increase with distance from the Galactic center. Fitting axially symmetric models of the Milky Way with the 3-D position and velocity information and conservative priors for the solar and average source peculiar motions, we estimate the distance to the Galactic center, Ro, to be 8.34 +/- 0.16 kpc, a circular rotation speed at the Sun, To, to be 240 +/- 8 km/s, and a rotation curve that is nearly flat (a slope of -0.2 +/- 0.4 km/s/kpc) between Galactocentric radii of 5 and 16 kpc. Assuming a "universal" spiral galaxy form for the rotation curve, we estimate the thin disk scale length to be 2.44 +/- 0.16 kpc. The parameters Ro and To are not highly correlated and are relatively insensitive to different forms of the rotation curve. Adopting a theoretically motivated prior that high-mass star forming regions are in nearly circular Galactic orbits, we estimate a global solar motion component in the direction of Galactic rotation, Vsun = 14.6 +/- 5.0 km/s. While To and Vsun are significantly correlated, the sum of these parameters is well constrained, To + Vsun = 255.2 +/- 5.1 km/s, as is the angular speed of the Sun in its orbit about the Galactic center, (To + Vsun)/Ro = 30.57 +/- 0.43 km/s/kpc. These parameters improve the accuracy of estimates of the accelerations of the Sun and the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar in their Galactic orbits, significantly reducing the uncertainty in tests of gravitational radiation predicted by general relativity.

astro-ph.GA↗