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    15 July 2024, Volume 33 Issue 8 Previous issue   
    SPECIAL TOPIC—Quantum communication and quantum network
    Machine-learning-assisted efficient reconstruction of the quantum states generated from the Sagnac polarization-entangled photon source
    Menghui Mao(毛梦辉), Wei Zhou(周唯), Xinhui Li(李新慧), Ran Yang(杨然), Yan-Xiao Gong(龚彦晓), and Shi-Ning Zhu(祝世宁)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  080301.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad51f7
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (4395KB) ( 1 )  
    Neural networks are becoming ubiquitous in various areas of physics as a successful machine learning (ML) technique for addressing different tasks. Based on ML technique, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an efficient method for state reconstruction of the widely used Sagnac polarization-entangled photon source. By properly modeling the target states, a multi-output fully connected neural network is well trained using only six of the sixteen measurement bases in standard tomography technique, and hence our method reduces the resource consumption without loss of accuracy. We demonstrate the ability of the neural network to predict state parameters with a high precision by using both simulated and experimental data. Explicitly, the mean absolute error for all the parameters is below 0.05 for the simulated data and a mean fidelity of 0.99 is achieved for experimentally generated states. Our method could be generalized to estimate other kinds of states, as well as other quantum information tasks.
    SPECIAL TOPIC—Quantum computing and quantum sensing
    A family of quantum von Neumann architecture
    Dong-Sheng Wang(王东升)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  080302.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad50be
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (349KB) ( 1 )  
    We develop universal quantum computing models that form a family of quantum von Neumann architectures, with modular units of memory, control, CPU, and internet, besides input and output. This family contains three generations characterized by dynamical quantum resource theory, and it also circumvents no-go theorems on quantum programming and control. Besides universality, such a family satisfies other desirable engineering requirements on system and algorithm design, such as modularity and programmability, hence serves as a unique approach to building universal quantum computers.
    GENERAL
    Massive Dirac particles based on gapped graphene with Rosen-Morse potential in a uniform magnetic field
    A. Kalani, Alireza Amani, and M. A. Ramzanpour
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  080303.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad426b
    Abstract ( 4 )   PDF (294KB) ( 1 )  
    We explore the gapped graphene structure in the two-dimensional plane in the presence of the Rosen-Morse potential and an external uniform magnetic field. In order to describe the corresponding structure, we consider the propagation of electrons in graphene as relativistic fermion quasi-particles, and analyze it by the wave functions of two-component spinors with pseudo-spin symmetry using the Dirac equation. Next, to solve and analyze the Dirac equation, we obtain the eigenvalues and eigenvectors using the Legendre differential equation. After that, we obtain the bounded states of energy depending on the coefficients of Rosen-Morse and magnetic potentials in terms of quantum numbers of principal $n$ and spin-orbit $k$. Then, the values of the energy spectrum for the ground state and the first excited state are calculated, and the wave functions and the corresponding probabilities are plotted in terms of coordinates $r$. In what follows, we explore the band structure of gapped graphene by the modified dispersion relation and write it in terms of the two-dimensional wave vectors $K_x$ and $K_y$. Finally, the energy bands are plotted in terms of the wave vectors $K_x$ and $K_y$ with and without the magnetic term.
    New construction of mutually unbiased bases for odd-dimensional state space
    Chenghong Wang(王成红), Kun Wang(王昆), and Zhu-Jun Zheng(郑驻军)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  080304.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad47ae
    Abstract ( 9 )   PDF (229KB) ( 1 )  
    We study the construction of mutually unbiased bases in Hilbert space for composite dimensions $d$ which are not prime powers. We explore the results for composite dimensions which are true for prime power dimensions. We then provide a method for selecting mutually unbiased vectors from the eigenvectors of generalized Pauli matrices to construct mutually unbiased bases. In particular, we present four mutually unbiased bases in $\mathbb{C}^{15}$.
    RAPID COMMUNICATION
    Nonlinear time-reversal interferometry with arbitrary quadratic collective-spin interaction
    Zhiyao Hu(胡知遥), Qixian Li(李其贤), Xuanchen Zhang(张轩晨), He-Bin Zhang(张贺宾), Long-Gang Huang(黄龙刚), and Yong-Chun Liu(刘永椿)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  080601.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4ff7
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (10155KB) ( 1 )  
    Atomic nonlinear interferometry has wide applications in quantum metrology and quantum information science. Here we propose a nonlinear time-reversal interferometry scheme with high robustness and metrological gain based on the spin squeezing generated by arbitrary quadratic collective-spin interaction, which could be described by the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick (LMG) model. We optimize the squeezing process, encoding process, and anti-squeezing process, finding that the two particular cases of the LMG model, one-axis twisting and two-axis twisting outperform in robustness and precision, respectively. Moreover, we propose a Floquet driving method to realize equivalent time reverse in the atomic system, which leads to high performance in precision, robustness, and operability. Our study sets a benchmark for achieving high precision and high robustness in atomic nonlinear interferometry.
    ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
    Steering the energy sharing of electrons in nonsequential double ionization with orthogonally polarized two-color field
    Guangqi Fan(樊光琦), Zhijie Yang(杨志杰), Fenghao Sun(孙烽豪), Jinmei Zheng(郑金梅), Yuntian Han(韩云天), Mingqian Huang(黄明谦), and Qingcao Liu(刘情操)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  083102.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4bc0
    Abstract ( 10 )   PDF (1274KB) ( 1 )  
    Using the semiclassical ensemble model, the dependence of relative amplitude for the recollision dynamics in nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) of neon atom driven by the orthogonally polarized two-color field (OTC) laser field is theoretically studied. And the dynamics in two typical collision pathways, recollision-impact-ionization (RII) and recollision-excitation with subsequent ionization (RESI), is systematically explored. Our results reveal that the V-shaped structure in the correlated momentum distribution is mainly caused by the RII mechanism when the relative amplitude of the OTC laser field is zero, and the first ionized electrons will quickly skim through the nucleus and share few energy with the second electron. As the relative amplitude increases, the V-shaped structure gradually disappears and electrons are concentrated on the diagonal in the electron correlation spectrum, indicating that the energy sharing after electrons collision is symmetric for OTC laser fields with large relative amplitudes. Our studies show that changing the relative amplitude of the OTC laser field can efficiently control the electron-electron collisions and energy exchange efficiency in the NSDI process.
    DATA PAPER
    Electron capture and excitation in intermediate-energy He2+-H(1s,2s) collisions
    Yadong Liu(刘亚东), Congcong Jia(贾聪聪), Mingxuan Ma(马茗萱), Xiang Gao(高翔), Ling Liu(刘玲), Yong Wu(吴勇), Xiangjun Chen(陈向军), and Jianguo Wang(王建国)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  083401.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad5322
    Abstract ( 10 )   PDF (723KB) ( 1 )  
    The semiclassical non-perturbative atomic orbital close-coupling approach has been employed to study the electron capture and excitation processes in He$^{2+}$-H(1s) and He$^{2+}$-H(2s) collision systems. In order to ensure the accuracy of our calculated cross sections, a large number of high excited states and pseudostates are included in the expansion basis sets which are centered on the target and projectile, respectively. The total and partial charge transfer and excitation cross sections are obtained for a wide-energy domain ranging from 1 keV/amu to 200 keV/amu. The present calculations are also compared with the results from other theoretical methods. These cross section data are useful for the investigation of astrophysics and laboratory plasma.
    ELECTROMAGNETISM, OPTICS, ACOUSTICS, HEAT TRANSFER, CLASSICAL MECHANICS, AND FLUID DYNAMICS
    Optical storage of circular airy beam in atomic vapor
    Hong Chang(常虹), Xin Yang(杨欣), Yan Ma(马燕), Xinqi Yang(杨鑫琪), Mingtao Cao(曹明涛), Xiaofei Zhang(张晓斐), Ruifang Dong(董瑞芳), and Shougang Zhang(张首刚)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  084202.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4bbf
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (1538KB) ( 1 )  
    The realization of quantum storage of spatial light field is of great significance to the construction of high-dimensional quantum repeater. In this paper, we experimentally realize the storage and retrieval of circular Airy beams (CABs) by using the $\varLambda $-type three-level energy system based on the electromagnetically induced transparency in a hot rubidium atomic vapor cell. The weak probe beam field is modulated with phase distribution of CABs by a spatial light modulator. We store the probe circular Airy beam (CAB) into the rubidium atomic vapor cell and retrieve it after the demanded delay. We quantitatively analyze the storage results and give corresponding theoretical explanations. Moreover, we investigate the autofocusing and self-healing effect of the retrieved CAB, which indicates that the properties and beam shape of CAB maintain well after storage. Our work will have potential applications in the storage of high-dimensional quantum information, and is also useful for improving the channel capacities of quantum internet.
    Enhanced picosecond terahertz wave generation based on cascade effects in a terahertz parametric generator
    Jingxi Zhang(张敬喜), Yuye Wang(王与烨), Bingfeng Xu(徐炳烽), Kai Chen(陈锴), Zikun Liu(刘紫鲲), Hongru Ma(马鸿儒), Degang Xu(徐德刚), and Jianquan Yao(姚建铨)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  084203.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad47b0
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (2122KB) ( 2 )  
    Enhanced terahertz wave generation via a Stokes cascade process has been demonstrated using picosecond pulse pumped terahertz parametric generation at 1 kHz repetition rate. Clear cascade saturation of terahertz output was observed, and the corresponding cascade-Stokes spectra were analyzed. The maximum terahertz wave average power was 22 μW under a pump power of 30 W, whereas the maximum power conversion efficiency was 8$\times10^{-7}$ under a pump power of 21 W. The THz power fluctuation was measured to be about 1% in 20 min. This THz parametric source with a relatively stable output is suitable for a variety of practical applications.
    Design of a high sensitivity and wide range angular rate sensor based on exceptional surface
    Xinsheng Ding(丁鑫圣), Wenyao Liu(刘文耀), Shixian Wang(王师贤), Yu Tao(陶煜), Yanru Zhou(周彦汝), Yu Bai(白禹), Lai Liu(刘来), Enbo Xing(邢恩博), Jun Tang(唐军), and Jun Liu(刘俊)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  084204.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4324
    Abstract ( 4 )   PDF (2738KB) ( 1 )  
    It is found that when the parity-time symmetry phenomenon is introduced into the resonant optical gyro system and it works near the exceptional point, the sensitivity can in theory be significantly amplified at low angular rate. However, in fact, the exceptional point is easily disturbed by external environmental variables, which means that it depends on harsh experimental environment and strong control ability, so it is difficult to move towards practical application. Here, we propose a new angular rate sensor structure based on exceptional surface, which has the advantages of high sensitivity and high robustness. The system consists of two fiber-optic ring resonators and two optical loop mirrors, and one of the resonators contains a variable ratio coupler and a variable optical attenuator. We theoretically analyze the system response, and the effects of phase and coupling ratio on the system response. Finally, compared with the conventional resonant gyro, the sensitivity of this exceptional surface angular rate sensor can be improved by about 300 times at low speed. In addition, by changing the loss coefficient in the ring resonator, we can achieve a wide range of 600 rad/s. This scheme provides a new approach for the development of ultra-high sensitivity and wide range angular rate sensors in the future.
    RAPID COMMUNICATION
    Mode coupling with Fabry-Perot modes in photonic crystal slabs
    Ken Qin(秦恳), Peng Hu(胡鹏), Jie Liu(刘杰), Hong Xiang(向红), and De-Zhuan Han(韩德专)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  084205.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4ff8
    Abstract ( 6 )   PDF (534KB) ( 3 )  
    Fabry-Perot (FP) modes are a class of fundamental resonances in photonic crystal (PhC) slabs. Owing to their low quality factors, FP modes are frequently considered as background fields with their resonance nature being neglected. Nevertheless, FP modes can play important roles in some phenomena, as exemplified by their coupling with guided resonance (GR) modes to achieve bound states in the continuum (BIC). Here, we further demonstrate the genuine resonance mode capability of FP modes PhC slabs. Firstly, we utilize temporal coupled-mode theory to obtain the transmittance of a PhC slab based on the FP modes. Secondly, we construct exceptional points (EPs) in both momentum and parameter spaces through the coupling of FP and GR modes. Furthermore, we identify a Fermi arc connecting two EPs and discuss the far-field polarization topology. This work elucidates that the widespread FPs in PhC slabs can serve as genuine resonant modes, facilitating the realization of desired functionalities through mode coupling.
    ELECTROMAGNETISM, OPTICS, ACOUSTICS, HEAT TRANSFER, CLASSICAL MECHANICS, AND FLUID DYNAMICS
    A graph neural network approach to the inverse design for thermal transparency with periodic interparticle system
    Bin Liu(刘斌) and Yixi Wang(王译浠)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  084401.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4326
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (1279KB) ( 1 )  
    Recent years have witnessed significant advances in utilizing machine learning-based techniques for thermal metamaterial-based structures and devices to attain favorable thermal transport behaviors. Among the various thermal transport behaviors, achieving thermal transparency stands out as particularly desirable and intriguing. Our earlier work demonstrated the use of a thermal metamaterial-based periodic interparticle system as the underlying structure for manipulating thermal transport behavior and achieving thermal transparency. In this paper, we introduce an approach based on graph neural network to address the complex inverse design problem of determining the design parameters for a thermal metamaterial-based periodic interparticle system with the desired thermal transport behavior. Our work demonstrates that combining graph neural network modeling and inference is an effective approach for solving inverse design problems associated with attaining desirable thermal transport behaviors using thermal metamaterials.
    PHYSICS OF GASES, PLASMAS, AND ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
    Tunable energy spectrum betatron x-ray sources in a plasma wakefield
    Chuan-Yi Xi(奚传易), Yin-Ren Shou(寿寅任), Li-Qi Han(韩立琦), Abdughupur Ablimit(阿卜杜伍普尔·阿布力米提), Xiao-Dan Liu(刘晓丹), Yan-Ying Zhao(赵研英), and Jin-Qing Yu(余金清)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  085202.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4531
    Abstract ( 5 )   PDF (1016KB) ( 0 )  
    X-ray sources with tunable energy spectra have a wide range of applications in different scenarios due to their different penetration depths. However, existing x-ray sources face difficulties in terms of energy regulation. In this paper, we present a scheme for tuning the energy spectrum of a betatron x-ray generated from a relativistic electron bunch oscillating in a plasma wakefield. The center energy of the x-ray source can be tuned from several keV to several hundred keV by changing the plasma density, thereby extending the control range by an order of magnitude. At different central energies, the brightness of the betatron radiation is in the range of $3.7\times 10^{22}$ to $5.5\times 10^{22} $ photons/(0.1%BW$\cdot$s$\cdot$mm$^{2}\cdot$mrad$^{2}$) and the photon divergence angle is about 2 mrad. This high-brightness, energy-controlled betatron source could pave the way to a wide range of applications requiring photons of specific energy, such as phase-contrast imaging in medicine, non-destructive testing and material analysis in industry, and imaging in nuclear physics.
    Quasi-three-dimensional hydrodynamics of the corona region of laser irradiation of a slab
    Xiao-Mei Dong(董晓梅), Ben-Jin Guan(关本金), and Ying-Jun Li(李英骏)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  085203.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4532
    Abstract ( 5 )   PDF (1793KB) ( 1 )  
    This paper introduces and establishes a quasi-three-dimensional physical model of the interaction between a laser and a slab target. In contrast to previous one-dimensional analytical models, this paper innovatively fits the real laser conditions based on an isothermal, homogeneous expansion similarity solution of the ideal hydrodynamic equations. Using this simple model, the evolution law and analytical formulae for key parameters (e.g., temperature, density and scale length) in the corona region under certain conditions are given. The analytical solutions agree well with the relevant results of computational hydrodynamics simulation. For constant laser irradiation, the analytical solutions provide a meaningful power-law scaling relationship. The model provides a set of mathematical and physical tools that give theoretical support for adjusting parameters in experiments.
    Spectral characteristics of laser-plasma instabilities with a broadband laser
    Guo-Xiao Xu(许国潇), Ning Kang(康宁), An-Le Lei(雷安乐), Hui-Ya Liu(刘会亚), Yao Zhao(赵耀), Shen-Lei Zhou(周申蕾), Hong-Hai An(安红海), Jun Xiong(熊俊), Rui-Rong Wang(王瑞荣), Zhi-Yong Xie(谢志勇), Xi-Chen Zhou(周熙晨), Zhi-Heng Fang(方智恒), and Wei Wang(王伟)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  085204.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad426d
    Abstract ( 6 )   PDF (854KB) ( 0 )  
    Recent experimental progresses regarding broadband laser-plasma instabilities (LPIs) show that a 0.6% laser bandwidth can reduce backscatters of the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) at normal incidence [Phys. Rev. Lett. 132 035102 (2024)]. In this paper, we present a further discussion of the spectral distributions of the scatters developed by broadband LPIs, in addition to a brief validation of the effectiveness of bandwidth on LPIs mitigation at oblique incidence. SBS backscatter has a small redshift in the broadband case contrary to the blueshift with narrowband laser, which may be explained by the self-cross beam energy transfer between the various frequency components within the bandwidth. SRS backscatter spectrum presents a peak at a longer wavelength in the broadband case compared to the short one in the narrowband case, which is possibly attributed to the mitigation effect of bandwidth on filaments at underdense plasmas. The three-halves harmonic emission (3$\omega /2$) has a one-peak spectral distribution under the broadband condition, which is different from the two-peak distribution under the narrowband condition, and may be related to the spectral mixing of different frequency components within the bandwidth if the main sources of the two are both two-plasmon decays.
    TOPICAL REVIEW—Stephen J. Pennycook: A research life in atomic-resolution STEM and EELS
    Three-dimensional crystal defect imaging by STEM depth sectioning
    Ryo Ishikawa, Naoya Shibata, and Yuichi Ikuhara
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  086101.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4ff9
    Abstract ( 8 )   PDF (3163KB) ( 1 )  
    One of the major innovations awaiting in electron microscopy is full three-dimensional imaging at atomic resolution. Despite the success of aberration correction to deep sub-ångström lateral resolution, spatial resolution in depth is still far from atomic resolution. In scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), this poor depth resolution is due to the limitation of the illumination angle. To overcome this physical limitation, it is essential to implement a next-generation aberration corrector in STEM that can significantly improve the depth resolution. This review discusses the capability of depth sectioning for three-dimensional imaging combined with large-angle illumination STEM. Furthermore, the statistical analysis approach remarkably improves the depth resolution, making it possible to achieve three-dimensional atomic resolution imaging at oxide surfaces. We will also discuss the future prospects of three-dimensional imaging at atomic resolution by STEM depth sectioning.
    CONDENSED MATTER: STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL, AND THERMAL PROPERTIES
    Quasi-plastic deformation mechanisms and inverse Hall-Petch relationship in nanocrystalline boron carbide under compression
    Zhen Yue(岳珍), Jun Li(李君), Lisheng Liu(刘立胜), and Hai Mei(梅海)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  086105.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4989
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (3806KB) ( 0 )  
    Grain boundaries (GBs) play a significant role in the deformation behaviors of nanocrystalline ceramics. Here, we investigate the compression behaviors of nanocrystalline boron carbide (nB$_{4}$C) with varying grain sizes using molecular dynamics simulations with a machine-learning force field. The results reveal quasi-plastic deformation mechanisms in nB$_{4}$C: GB sliding, intergranular amorphization and intragranular amorphization. GB sliding arises from the presence of soft GBs, leading to intergranular amorphization. Intragranular amorphization arises from the interaction between grains with unfavorable orientations and the softened amorphous GBs, and finally causes structural failure. Furthermore, nB$_{4}$C models with varying grain sizes from 4.07 nm to 10.86 nm display an inverse Hall-Petch relationship due to the GB sliding mechanism. A higher strain rate in nB$_{4}$C often leads to a higher yield strength, following a $2/3$ power relationship. These deformation mechanisms are critical for the design of ceramics with superior mechanical properties.
    First-principles study on stability and superconductivity of ternary hydride LaYHx(x=2, 3, 6 and 8)
    Xiao-Zhen Yan(颜小珍), Xing-Zi Zhou(周幸姿), Chao-Fei Liu(刘超飞), Yin-Li Xu(徐寅力), Yi-Bin Huang(黄毅斌), Xiao-Wei Sheng(盛晓伟), and Yang-Mei Chen(陈杨梅)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  086301.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad41b8
    Abstract ( 4 )   PDF (1523KB) ( 1 )  
    Recent studies have shown that the La- and Y-hydrides can exhibit significant superconducting properties under high pressures. In this paper, we investigate the stability, electronic and superconducting properties of LaYH$_{x}$ ($x=2$, 3, 6 and 8) under 0-200 GPa. It is found that LaYH$_{2}$ stabilizes in the $C2/m$ phase at ambient pressure, and transforms to the $Pmmn$ phase at 67 GPa. LaYH$_{3}$ stabilizes in the $C2/m$ phase at ambient pressure, and undergoes phase transitions of $C2/m\to P2_{1}/m\to R3m$ at 12 GPa and 87 GPa, respectively. LaYH$_{6}$ stabilizes in the $P4_{3}2_{1}2$ phase at ambient pressure, and undergoes phase transitions of $P4_{3}2_{1}2\to P4/mmm \to Cmcm$ at 28 GPa and 79 GPa, respectively. LaYH$_{8}$ stabilizes in the $Imma$ phase at 60 GPa and transforms to the $P4/mmm$ phase at 117 GPa. Calculations of the electronic band structures show that the $P4/mmm$-LaYH$_{8}$ and all phases of LaYH$_{2}$ and LaYH$_{3}$ exhibit metallic character. For the metallic phases, we then study their superconducting properties. The calculated superconducting transition temperatures ($T_{\rm c}$) are 0.47 K for $C2/m$-LaYH$_{2}$ at 0 GPa, 0 K for $C2/m$-LaYH$_{3}$ at 0 GPa, and 55.51 K for $P4/mmm$-LaYH$_{8}$ at 50 GPa.
    SPECIAL TOPIC—Stephen J. Pennycook: A research life in atomic-resolution STEM and EELS
    Symmetry quantification and segmentation in STEM imaging through Zernike moments
    Jiadong Dan, Cheng Zhang, Xiaoxu Zhao(赵晓续), and N. Duane Loh
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  086803.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad51f4
    Abstract ( 8 )   PDF (4035KB) ( 2 )  
    We present a method using Zernike moments for quantifying rotational and reflectional symmetries in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images, aimed at improving structural analysis of materials at the atomic scale. This technique is effective against common imaging noises and is potentially suited for low-dose imaging and identifying quantum defects. We showcase its utility in the unsupervised segmentation of polytypes in a twisted bilayer TaS$_2$, enabling accurate differentiation of structural phases and monitoring transitions caused by electron beam effects. This approach enhances the analysis of structural variations in crystalline materials, marking a notable advancement in the characterization of structures in materials science.
    CONDENSED MATTER: ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL, MAGNETIC, AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES
    Topological phase transition in compressed van der Waals superlattice heterostructure BiTeCl/HfTe2
    Zhilei Li(李志磊), Yinxiang Li(李殷翔), Yiting Wang(王奕婷), Wenzhi Chen(陈文执), and Bin Chen(陈斌)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087102.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad462e
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (2039KB) ( 1 )  
    Based on first-principles calculations, we investigate the electronic band structures and topological properties of heterostructure BiTeCl/HfTe$_{2}$ under $c$-direction strain. In the primitive structure, this material undergoes a phase transition from an insulator with a narrow indirect gap to a metal by strong spin-orbital coupling. When strain effect is considered, band inversion at time-reversal invariant point $Z$ is responsible for the topological phase transition. These nontrivial topologies are caused by two different types of band crossings. The observable topological surface states in (110) surface also support that this material experiences topological phase transition twice. The layered heterostructure with van der Waals force provides us with a new desirable platform upon which to control topological phase transition and construct topological superconductors.
    Effect of Lewis acid-base additive on lead-free Cs2SnI6 thin film prepared by direct solution coating process
    Saqib Nawaz Khan, Yan Wang(王燕), Lixiang Zhong(钟李祥), Huili Liang(梁会力), Xiaolong Du(杜小龙), and Zengxia Mei(梅增霞)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087201.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4a39
    Abstract ( 6 )   PDF (1451KB) ( 0 )  
    Inorganic Cs$_{2}$SnI$_{6}$ perovskite has exhibited substantial potential for light harvesting due to its exceptional optoelectronic properties and remarkable stability in ambient conditions. The charge transport characteristics within perovskite films are subject to modulation by various factors, including crystalline orientation, morphology, and crystalline quality. Achieving preferred crystalline orientation and film morphology via a solution-based process is challenging for Cs$_{2}$SnI$_{6}$ films. In this work, we employed thiourea as an additive to optimize crystal orientation, enhance film morphology, promote crystallization, and achieve phase purity. Thiourea lowers the surface energy of the (222) plane along the $\langle 111\rangle$ direction, confirmed by x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy studies, and density functional theory calculations. Varying thiourea concentration enables a bandgap tuning of Cs$_{2}$SnI$_{6}$ from 1.52 eV to 1.07 eV. This approach provides a novel method for utilizing Cs$_{2}$SnI$_{6}$ films in high-performance optoelectronic devices.
    Topological superconductors with spin-triplet pairings and Majorana Fermi arcs
    Shi Huang(黄石) and Xi Luo(罗熙)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087301.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad462f
    Abstract ( 4 )   PDF (1570KB) ( 1 )  
    We construct a three-dimensional topological superconductor Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) Hamiltonian with the normal state being a three-dimensional topological insulator. By introducing inter-orbital spin-triplet pairings term $\varDelta_3$, there are topological Majorana nodes in the bulk and they are connected by Majorana Fermi arcs on the surface, similar to the case of Weyl semimetal. Furthermore, by adding an inversion-breaking term to the normal state, momentum-independent pairing terms with different parities can coexist in the BdG Hamiltonian, which creates more Majorana modes similar to Andreev bound states and a richer phase diagram.
    GaInX3(X = S, Se, Te): Ultra-low thermal conductivity and excellent thermoelectric performance
    Zhi-Fu Duan(段志福), Chang-Hao Ding(丁长浩), Zhong-Ke Ding(丁中科), Wei-Hua Xiao(肖威华), Fang Xie(谢芳), Nan-Nan Luo(罗南南), Jiang Zeng(曾犟), Li-Ming Tang(唐黎明), and Ke-Qiu Chen(陈克求)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087302.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad47e3
    Abstract ( 4 )   PDF (1651KB) ( 1 )  
    Seeking intrinsically low thermal conductivity materials is a viable strategy in the pursuit of high-performance thermoelectric materials. Here, by using first-principles calculations and semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory, we systemically investigate the carrier transport and thermoelectric properties of monolayer Janus GaIn$X_3$ ($X = {\rm S}$, Se, Te). It is found that the lattice thermal conductivities can reach values as low as 3.07 W$\cdot$m$^{-1}\cdot$K$^{-1}$, 1.16 W$\cdot$m$^{-1}\cdot$K$^{-1}$ and 0.57 W$\cdot$m$^{-1}\cdot$K$^{-1}$ for GaInS$_3$, GaInSe$_3$, and GaInTe$_3$, respectively, at room temperature. This notably low thermal conductivity is attributed to strong acoustic-optical phonon coupling caused by the presence of low-frequency optical phonons in GaIn$X_3$ materials. Furthermore, by integrating the characteristics of electronic and thermal transport, the dimensionless figure of merit $ZT$ can reach maximum values of 0.95, 2.37, and 3.00 for GaInS$_3$, GaInSe$_3$, and GaInTe$_3$, respectively. Our results suggest that monolayer Janus GaIn$X_3$ ($X={\rm S}$, Se, Te) is a promising candidate for thermoelectric and heat management applications.
    Control of interfacial reaction and defect formation in Gd/Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 composites with excellent thermoelectric and magnetocaloric properties
    Tianchang Xue(薛天畅), Ping Wei(魏平), Chengshan Liu(刘承姗), Longzhou Li(李龙舟), Wanting Zhu(朱婉婷), Xiaolei Nie(聂晓蕾), and Wenyu Zhao(赵文俞)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087403.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4cd3
    Abstract ( 7 )   PDF (1258KB) ( 1 )  
    The method to combine thermoelectric (TE) and magnetocaloric (MC) cooling techniques lies in developing a new material that simultaneously possesses a large TE and good MC cooling performance. In this work, using n-type Bi$_{2}$Te$_{2.7}$Se$_{0.3}$ (BTS) as the TE base material and Gd as the second-phase MC material, Gd/BTS composites were prepared by the spark plasma sintering method. In the composites, interfacial reaction between Gd and BTS was identified, resulting in the formation of GdTe, which has a large impact on the electron concentration through the adjustment of defect concentration. The MC/TE composite containing 2.5 wt% Gd exhibited a $ZT$ value of 0.6 at 300 K, essentially retaining the original TE performance, while all the composites largely maintained the excellent MC performance of Gd. This work provides a potential pathway to achieving high performance in MC/TE composites.
    Half-integer Shapiro steps in MgB2 focused He ion beam Josephson junctions
    Dali Yin(殷大利), Xinwei Cai(蔡欣炜), Tiequan Xu(徐铁权), Ruining Sun(孙瑞宁), Ying Han(韩颖), Yan Zhang(张焱), Yue Wang(王越), and Zizhao Gan(甘子钊)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087404.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4d62
    Abstract ( 6 )   PDF (2822KB) ( 1 )  
    Half-integer microwave induced steps (Shapiro steps) have been observed in many different Josephson junction systems, which have attracted a lot of attention because they signify the deviation of current phase relation (CPR) and uncover many unconventional physical properties. In this article, we first report the discovery of half-integer Shapiro steps in MgB$_2$ focused He ion beam (He-FIB) Josephson junctions. The half-integer steps' dependence on microwave frequency, temperature, microwave power, and magnetic field is also analyzed. We find that the existence of half-integer steps can be controlled by the magnetic field periodically, which is similar to that of high temperature superconductor (HTS) grain boundary junctions, and the similarity of the microstructures between gain boundary junctions and He-FIB junctions is discussed. As a consequence, we mainly attribute the physical origin of half-integer steps in MgB$_2$ He-FIB junctions to the model that a He-FIB junction is analogous to a parallel junctions' array. Our results show that He-FIB technology is a promising platform for researching CPR in junctions made of different superconductors.
    DATA PAPER
    Physics-embedded machine learning search for Sm-doped PMN-PT piezoelectric ceramics with high performance
    Rui Xin(辛睿), Yaqi Wang(王亚祺), Ze Fang(房泽), Fengji Zheng(郑凤基), Wen Gao(高雯), Dashi Fu(付大石), Guoqing Shi(史国庆), Jian-Yi Liu(刘建一), and Yongcheng Zhang(张永成)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087701.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad51f3
    Abstract ( 8 )   PDF (528KB) ( 1 )  
    Pb(Mg$_{1/3}$Nb$_{2/3}$)O$_{3}$-PbTiO$_{3}$ (PMN-PT) piezoelectric ceramics have excellent piezoelectric properties and are used in a wide range of applications. Adjusting the solid solution ratios of PMN/PT and different concentrations of elemental doping are the main methods to modulate their piezoelectric coefficients. The combination of these controllable conditions leads to an exponential increase of possible compositions in ceramics, which makes it not easy to extend the sample data by additional experimental or theoretical calculations. In this paper, a physics-embedded machine learning method is proposed to overcome the difficulties in obtaining piezoelectric coefficients and Curie temperatures of Sm-doped PMN-PT ceramics with different components. In contrast to all-data-driven model, physics-embedded machine learning is able to learn nonlinear variation rules based on small datasets through potential correlation between ferroelectric properties. Based on the model outputs, the positions of morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) with different Sm doping amounts are explored. We also find the components with the best piezoelectric property and comprehensive performance. Moreover, we set up a database according to the obtained results, through which we can quickly find the optimal components of Sm-doped PMN-PT ceramics according to our specific needs.
    RAPID COMMUNICATION
    Deep-subwavelength single grooves prepared by femtosecond laser direct writing on Si
    Rui-Xi Ye(叶瑞熙) and Min Huang(黄敏)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  087901.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4cd6
    Abstract ( 6 )   PDF (6627KB) ( 1 )  
    It is well known that femtosecond laser pulses can easily spontaneously induce deep-subwavelength periodic surface structures on transparent dielectrics but not on non-transparent semiconductors. Nevertheless, in this study, we demonstrate that using high-numerical-aperture 800 nm femtosecond laser direct writing with controlled pulse energy and scanning speed in the near-damage-threshold regime, polarization-dependent deep-subwavelength single grooves with linewidths of $\sim 180 $ nm can be controllably prepared on Si. Generally, the single-groove linewidth increases slightly with increase in the pulse energy and decrease in the scanning speed, whereas the single-groove depth significantly increases from $\sim 300$ nm to $\sim 600$ nm with decrease in the scanning speed, or even to over 1 μm with multi-processing, indicating the characteristics of transverse clamping and longitudinal growth of such deep-subwavelength single grooves. Energy dispersive spectroscopy composition analysis of the near-groove region confirms that single-groove formation tends to be an ultrafast, non-thermal ablation process, and the oxidized deposits near the grooves are easy to clean up. Furthermore, the results, showing both the strong dependence of groove orientation on laser polarization and the occurrence of double-groove structures due to the interference of pre-formed orthogonal grooves, indicate that the extraordinary field enhancement of strong polarization sensitivity in the deep-subwavelength groove plays an important role in single-groove growth with high stability and collimation.
    INTERDISCIPLINARY PHYSICS AND RELATED AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Defect chemistry engineering of Ga-doped garnet electrolyte with high stability for solid-state lithium metal batteries
    Sihan Chen(陈思汗), Jun Li(黎俊), Keke Liu(刘可可), Xiaochen Sun(孙笑晨), Jingwei Wan(万京伟), Huiyu Zhai(翟慧宇), Xinfeng Tang(唐新峰), and Gangjian Tan(谭刚健)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  088203.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad41b9
    Abstract ( 6 )   PDF (3057KB) ( 1 )  
    Ga-doped Li$_{7}$La$_{3}$Zr$_{2}$O$_{12}$ (Ga-LLZO) has long been considered as a promising garnet-type electrolyte candidate for all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLBs) due to its high room temperature ionic conductivity. However, the typical synthesis of Ga-LLZO is usually accompanied by the formation of undesired LiGaO$_{2}$ impurity phase that causes severe instability of the electrolyte in contact with molten Li metal during half/full cell assembly. In this study, we show that by simply engineering the defect chemistry of Ga-LLZO, namely, the lithium deficiency level, LiGaO$_{2}$ impurity phase is effectively inhibited in the final synthetic product. Consequently, defect chemistry engineered Ga-LLZO exhibits excellent electrochemical stability against lithium metal, while its high room temperature ionic conductivity ($\sim 1.9 \times 10^{-3}$ S$\cdot$cm$^{-1}$) is well reserved. The assembled Li/Ga-LLZO/Li symmetric cell has a superior critical current density of 0.9 mA$\cdot$cm$^{-2}$, and cycles stably for 500 hours at a current density of 0.3 mA$\cdot$cm$^{-2}$. This research facilitates the potential commercial applications of high performance Ga-LLZO solid electrolytes in ASSLBs.
    Detecting the core of a network by the centralities of the nodes
    Peijie Ma(马佩杰), Xuezao Ren(任学藻), Junfang Zhu(朱军芳), and Yanqun Jiang(蒋艳群)
    Chin. Phys. B, 2024, 33 (8):  088903.  DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ad4cd4
    Abstract ( 6 )   PDF (304KB) ( 1 )  
    Many networks exhibit the core/periphery structure. Core/periphery structure is a type of meso-scale structure that consists of densely connected core nodes and sparsely connected peripheral nodes. Core nodes tend to be well-connected, both among themselves and to peripheral nodes, which tend not to be well-connected to other nodes. In this brief report, we propose a new method to detect the core of a network by the centrality of each node. It is discovered that such nodes with non-negative centralities often consist in the core of the networks. The simulation is carried out on different real networks. The results are checked by the objective function. The checked results may show the effectiveness of the simulation results by the centralities of the nodes on the real networks. Furthermore, we discuss the characters of networks with the single core/periphery structure and point out the scope of the application of our method at the end of this paper.
ISSN 1674-1056   CN 11-5639/O4
, Vol. 33, No. 8

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