Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons^™

Structure Functions For The Inclusive Semileptonic B-Quark Decay At Nnlo: A Semi-Analytic Calculation, A. Broggio, B. Capdevila, A. Ferroglia, P. Gambino

Publications and Research

We present a study of the inclusive charmless semileptonic b decay, b → X_uℓv at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in perturbative QCD, with the primary aim of extracting the hadronic structure functions Wi at NNLO. The analysis is based on a numerical calculation of the relevant kinematic distributions using a phase-space slicing method to handle infrared-sensitive contributions from real gluon emissions. We use known results from Heavy Quark Effective Theory and Soft-Collinear Effective Theory to extract the singular terms and construct a model for the regular contributions to the structure functions at NNLO, then perform a fit to the …

The Study Of Hybrid Nanostructures For Optoelectronics, Alex Davis, Khaoula Dehhou

Publications and Research

Hybrid nanostructures that combine zero-dimensional (0D) quantum dots (QDs) with two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising building blocks for next-generation optoelectronic devices, such as highly sensitive photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, and tunable light sources. These hybrid systems take advantage of the strong, size-dependent emission of colloidal QDs and the high carrier mobility and tunable band structure of 2D materials. In this research, we investigate hybrid structures composed of colloidal CdSe/ZnS, CuInS/ZnS, and PbS QDs integrated with indium selenide (InSe), a TMD known for its exceptional electron mobility and robust photoluminescence in few-layer form. The goal is to understand how interfacial …

Electric-Field Tunable Magnetoexcitons In Xenes/Hbn/Tmdc, Xenes/Hbn/Bp, And Xenes/Hbn/Tmtc Heterostructures, Roman Ya. Kezerashvili, Anastasia Spiridonova, Klaus Ziegler

Publications and Research

In this work, we propose novel van der Waals heterostructures composed of Xenes, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), phosphor ene, and transition metal trichalcogenides (TMTCs), which are separated by insulating hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) layers. We theoreti cally investigate the behavior of Rydberg indirect excitons in Xenes/hBN/TMDC, Xenes/hBN/phosphorene and Xenes/hBN/TMTC heterostructures subjected to parallel external electric and magnetic fields that are oriented perpendicular to the layers. By incorporating both isotropic and anisotropic materials, we demonstrate that excitonic properties can be effectively tuned through the external field strengths and the heterostructure design. Our results show that the exciton reduced mass and the …

Theoretical Proof Of And Proposed Experimental Search For The Ground Triplet State Of A Wigner-Regime Two-Electron ‘Artificial Atom’ In A Magnetic Field, Marlina Slamet, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

It is experimentally established that there is no ground triplet state of the natural He atom. There is also no exact analytical solution to the Schrödinger equation corresponding to this state. For a two-dimensional two-electron ‘artificial atom’ or a semiconductor quantum dot in a magnetic field, as described by the Schrödinger–Pauli equation, we provide theoretical proof of the existence of a ground triplet state by deriving an exact analytical correlated wave function solution to the equation. The state exists in the Wigner high-electron-correlation regime. We further explain that the solution satisfies all requisite symmetry and electron coalescence constraints of …

Quantum-Mechanical Definition Of The Classical Scalar Potential In Schrödinger-Pauli And Schrödinger Theory, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

According to the Bohr correspondence principle, the external temporal scalar potential in the classical equation of motion is replicated in quantum theory as a multiplicative operator. An equivalent quantum-mechanical definition of the scalar potential in Schrödinger-Pauli/Schrödinger theory is provided. The potential is a known universal functional of the wave function. At each instant of time, it is the work done in a conservative “classical” field representative of internal properties of the system: Pauli and Coulomb correlations, kinetic effects, the density, the Lorentz force, an internal magnetic component, and the current density response. The Hamiltonians are thus rewritten in a …

Compton Scattering Of Mammographic Soft X-Ray Beams By Alkali And Transition Metal Salt Filters Produce X-Ray Interference Zones That May Have Treatment Potential For Localized Cancer Lesions, Subhendra N. Sarkar, Eric Lobel, Sabina Rakhmatova, Derbie Desir, Somdat Kissoon, Daler Djuraev, Katie Tam

Publications and Research

In breast x-ray imaging scattered radiation adds 50% of harmful radiation dose from anisotropic Compton scattering mechanism. We have been working with double layered inorganic salt materials that can induce Compton scattering to the incident mammographic x ray beams (in 20-30 kVp range) with adequate isotropy (angular control). Typically metal nitrates and alkali halide salt layers are shown here to cause low energy radiation interference zones with high and low photon intensities and local flux heterogeneity in terms of flux covariance. Spatial variation of low energy photon flux creates concentrated and sparse radiation zones that may be used to induce …

Robust Zero Modes In Non-Hermitian Systems Without Global Symmetries, Jose D. H. Rivero, Courtney Fleming, Bingkun Qi, Liang Feng, Li Ge

Publications and Research

We present an approach to achieve zero modes in lattice models that do not rely on any symmetry or topology of the bulk, which are robust against disorder in the bulk of any type and strength. Such symmetry-free zero modes (SFZMs) are formed by attaching a single site or small cluster with zero mode(s) to the bulk, which serves as the “nucleus” that expands to the entire lattice. We identify the requirements on the couplings between this boundary and the bulk, which reveals that this approach is intrinsically non-Hermitian. We then provide several examples with either an arbitrary or structured …

Non-Hermitian Gauged Laser Arrays With Localized Excitations: Anomalous Threshold And Generalized Principle Of Selective Pumping, Li Ge, Zihe Gao, Liang Feng

Publications and Research

We investigate non-Hermitian skin modes in laser arrays with spatially localized excitation. Intriguingly, we observe an unusual threshold behavior when selectively pumping either the head or the tail of these modes: both cases exhibit the same lasing threshold and hence defy the conventional principle of selective pumping, which aims to maximize the overlap between the pump profile and the target lasing mode. To shed light on this enigma, we reveal a previously overlooked phenomenon, i.e., energy exchange at non-Hermitian coupling junctions with the photonic environment, which does not occur with uniform gain or loss. Utilizing a transfer matrix approach, we …

Perspectives On Determinism In Quantum Mechanics: Born, Bohm, And The “Quantal Newtonian” Laws, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

Quantum mechanics has a deterministic Schrödinger equation for the wave function. The Göttingen–Copenhagen statistical interpretation is based on the Born Rule that interprets the wave function as a “probability amplitude.” A precept of this interpretation is the lack of determinism in quantum mechanics. The Bohm interpretation is that the wave function is a source of a field experienced by the electrons, thereby attributing determinism to quantum theory. In this paper, we present a new perspective on such determinism. The ideas are based on the equations of motion or “Quantal Newtonian” Laws obeyed by each electron. These Laws, derived from …

Coupled Spherical-Cavities, Stanislav Kreps, Vladimir Shuvayev, Mark Douvidzon, Baheej Bathish, Tom Lenkiewicz Abudi, Amirreza Ghaznavi, Jie Xu, Yang Lin, Lev Deych, Tal Carmon

Publications and Research

In this work, we study theoretically and experimentally optical modes of photonic molecules—clusters of optically coupled spherical resonators. Unlike previous studies, we do not use stems to hold spheres in their positions relying, instead on optical tweezers to maintain desired structures. The modes of the coupled resonators are excited using a tapered fiber and are observed as resonances with a quality factor as high as 107. Using the fluorescent mapping technique, we observe families of coupled modes with similar spatial and spectral shapes repeating every free spectral range (a spectral separation between adjacent resonances of individual spheres). Experimental results are …

Whispering Gallery Modes Of A Triatomic Photonic Molecule, Vladimir Shuvayev, Stanislav Kreps, Tal Carmon, Lev Deych

Publications and Research

In this paper, we present the results of numerical simulations of the optical spectra of a three-sphere photonic molecule. The configuration of the system was continuously modified from linear to triangular, in-plane with the fundamental mode excited in one of the spheres and perpendicular to it. We found the relative insensitivity of the spectra to the in-plane deviation from the linear arrangement up to about 110°. For larger angles, the spectra show significant modification consisting of the major spectral peaks splitting and shifting. On the contrary, the spectra are quite sensitive to out-of-plane molecule deviation, even at small angles. Thus, …

The 'Quantal Newtonian' First Law: A Complementary Perspective To The Stationary-State Quantum Theory Of Electrons, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

A complementary perspective to the Göttingen-Copenhagen interpretation of stationary-state quantum theory of electrons in an electromagnetic field is described. The perspective, derived from Schrödinger-Pauli theory, is that of the individual electron via its equation of motion or ‘Quantal Newtonian’ First Law. The Law is in terms of ‘classical’ fields experienced by each electron: the sum of the external and internal fields vanishes. The external field is a sum of the electrostatic and Lorentz fields. The internal field is a sum of fields’ representative of Pauli and Coulomb correlations; kinetic effects; electron density; and internal magnetic component. The energy is obtained …

Dissociative Excitation, Ionization, And Fragmentation Processes For Nitrogen, Oxygen, Methane, And Water Molecules By Electron Bombardment, M. Gochitashvili, R. Lomsazde, D. Kuparashvili, O. Taboridze, Roman Ya. Kezerashvili

Publications and Research

Electron–impact ionization and fragmentation of molecules are investigated by the chromatography mass-spectrometry device. While the excitation processes are investigated by an optical spectroscopy method. The spectral analysis is performed in the vacuum ultraviolet 50-130 nm spectral regions. The absolute value of the fragmentation cross-section in the dissociative ionization and excitation processes is determined. Measurements are performed in the electron energy range 25-120eV for ionization and 200-500eV for excitation processes respectively.

Perspectives On Determinism In Quantum Mechanics: Born, Bohm, And The 'Quantal Newtonian' Laws, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

Quantum mechanics has a deterministic Schrödinger equation for the wave function. The Göttingen-Copenhagen statistical interpretation is based on the Born Rule that interprets the wave function as a ‘probability amplitude’. A precept of this interpretation is the lack of determinism in quantum mechanics. The Bohm interpretation is that the wave function is a source of a field experienced by the electrons, thereby attributing determinism to quantum theory. In this paper we present a new perspective on such determinism. The ideas are based on the equations of motion or ‘Quantal Newtonian’ Laws obeyed by each electron. These Laws, derived from the …

Giant Acoustically-Induced Synthetic Hall Voltages In Graphene, Pai Zhao, Chithra H. Sharma, Renrong Liang, Christian Glasenapp, Lev Mourokh, Vadim M. Kovalev, Patrick Huber, Marta Prada, Lars Tiemann, Robert H. Blick

Publications and Research

Any departure from graphene’s flatness leads to the emergence of artificial gauge fields that act on the motion of the Dirac fermions through an associated pseudomagnetic field. Here, we demonstrate the tunability of strong gauge fields in nonlocal experiments using a large planar graphene sheet that conforms to the deformation of a piezoelectric layer by a surface acoustic wave. The acoustic wave induces a longitudinal and a giant synthetic Hall voltage in the absence of external magnetic fields. The superposition of a synthetic Hall potential and a conventional Hall voltage can annihilate the sample’s transverse potential at large external magnetic …

Wave Function Identity: A New Symmetry For 2-Electron Systems In An Electromagnetic Field, Marlina Slamet, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

Stationary-state Schrödinger-Pauli theory is a description of electrons with a spin moment in an external electromagnetic field. For 2-electron systems as described by the Schrödinger-Pauli theory Hamiltonian with a symmetrical binding potential, we report a new symmetry operation of the electronic coordinates. The symmetry operation is such that it leads to the equality of the transformed wave function to the wave function. This equality is referred to as the Wave Function Identity. The symmetry operation is a two-step process: an interchange of the spatial coordinates of the electrons whilst keeping their spin moments unchanged, followed by an inversion. The Identity …

Evaluation Of Log P, Pka, And Log D Predictions From The Sampl7 Blind Challenge, Teresa Danielle Bergazin, Nicolas Tielker, Yingying Zhang, Junjun Mao, M. R. Gunner, Karol Francisco, Carlo Ballatore, Stefan M. Kast, David L. Mobley

Publications and Research

The Statistical Assessment of Modeling of Proteins and Ligands (SAMPL) challenges focuses the computational modeling community on areas in need of improvement for rational drug design. The SAMPL7 physical property challenge dealt with prediction of octanol-water partition coefficients and pK_a for 22 compounds. The dataset was composed of a series of N-acylsulfonamides and related bioisosteres. 17 research groups participated in the log P challenge, submitting 33 blind submissions total. For the pK_a challenge, 7 different groups participated, submitting 9 blind submissions in total. Overall, the accuracy of octanol-water log P predictions in the SAMPL7 challenge was …

Protein Motifs For Proton Transfers That Build The Transmembrane Proton Gradient, Divya Kaur, Umesh Khaniya, Yingying Zhang, M. R. Gunner

Publications and Research

Biological membranes are barriers to polar molecules, so membrane embedded proteins control the transfers between cellular compartments. Protein controlled transport moves substrates and activates cellular signaling cascades. In addition, the electrochemical gradient across mitochondrial, bacterial and chloroplast membranes, is a key source of stored cellular energy. This is generated by electron, proton and ion transfers through proteins. The gradient is used to fuel ATP synthesis and to drive active transport. Here the mechanisms by which protons move into the buried active sites of Photosystem II (PSII), bacterial RCs (bRCs) and through the proton pumps, Bacteriorhodopsin (bR), Complex I and Cytochrome …

Enhanced Nonlinear Interaction Of Polaritons Via Excitonic Rydberg States In Monolayer Wse2, Jie Gu, Valentin Walther, Lutz Waldecker, Daniel Rhodes, Archana Raja, James C. Hone, Tony F. Heinz, Stéphane Kéna-Cohen, Thomas Pohl, Vinod M. Menon

Publications and Research

Strong optical nonlinearities play a central role in realizing quantum photonic technologies. Exciton-polaritons, which result from the hybridization of material excitations and cavity photons, are an attractive candidate to realize such nonlinearities. While the interaction between ground state excitons generates a notable optical nonlinearity, the strength of such interactions is generally not sufficient to reach the regime of quantum nonlinear optics. Excited states, however, feature enhanced interactions and therefore hold promise for accessing the quantum domain of single-photon nonlinearities. Here we demonstrate the formation of exciton-polaritons using excited excitonic states in monolayer tungsten diselenide (WSe₂) embedded in a …

Triplet 23S State Of A Quantum Dot In A Magnetic Field: A 'Quantal Newtonian' First Law Study, Marlina Slamet, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

The triplet 2³S state of a 2-electron 2-dimensional quantum dot in a magnetic field is studied via a complementary perspective of Schrödinger-Pauli theory. The perspective is that of the individual electron via its equation of motion or ‘Quantal Newtonian’ first law. According to the law, each electron experiences an external and internal field, the sum of which vanishes. The external field is the sum of the binding and Lorentz fields. The internal field is a sum of the electron-interaction, kinetic, differential density, and internal magnetic fields. The energy is expressed in integral virial form in terms of these …

Transmission Zeros With Topological Symmetry In Complex Systems, Yuhao Kang, Azriel Genack

Publications and Research

Understanding vanishing transmission in Fano resonances in quantum systems and metamaterials and perfect and ultralow transmission in disordered media, has advanced the understanding and applications of wave interactions. Here we use analytic theory and numerical simulations to understand and control the transmission and transmission time in complex systems by deforming a medium and by adjusting the level of gain or loss. Unlike the zeros of the scattering matrix, the position and motion of the zeros of the determinant of the transmission matrix in the complex plane of frequency and field decay rate have robust topological properties. In systems without loss …

Driven Dipolariton Transistors In Y-Shaped Channels, Patrick Serafin, Tim Byrnes, German Kolmakov V

Publications and Research

Exciton-dipolaritons are investigated as a platform for realizing working elements of a polaritronic transistor. Exciton-dipolaritons are three-way superposition of cavity photons, direct and indirect excitons in a bilayer semiconducting system embedded in an optical microcavity. Using the forced diffusion equation for dipolaritons, we study the room-temperature dynamics of dipolaritons in a transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterogeneous bilayer. Specifically, we considered a MoSe₂-WS₂ heterostructure, where a Y-shaped channel guiding the dipolariton propagation is produced. We demonstrate that polaritronic signals can be redistributed in the channels by applying a driving voltage in an optimal direction. Our findings open a route …

Schrödinger-Pauli Theory Of Electrons: New Perspectives, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

The Schrödinger-Pauli (SP) theory of electrons in an electromagnetic field explicitly accounts for the electron spin moment. The many-electron theory is complemented via a new descriptive perspective viz. that of the individual electron via its equation of motion or ‘Quantal Newtonian’ first law. The law is in terms of ‘classical’ fields whose sources are quantum mechanical expectation values of Hermitian operators taken with respect to the system wave function. The law states that each electron experiences an external and an internal field, the sum of which vanish. The external field is the sum of the binding electrostatic and a Lorentz …

Optically Pumped Spin Polarization As A Probe Of Many-Body Thermalization, Daniela Pagliero, Pablo R. Zangara, Jacob Henshaw, Ashok Ajoy, Rodolfo H. Acosta, Jeffrey A. Reimer, Alexander Pines, Carlos A. Meriles

Publications and Research

Disorder and many body interactions are known to impact transport and thermalization in competing ways, with the dominance of one or the other giving rise to fundamentally different dynamical phases. Here we investigate the spin diffusion dynamics of ¹³C in diamond, which we dynamically polarize at room temperature via optical spin pumping of engineered color centers. We focus on low-abundance, strongly hyperfine-coupled nuclei, whose role in the polarization transport we expose through the integrated impact of variable radio-frequency excitation on the observable bulk ¹³C magnetic resonance signal. Unexpectedly, we find good thermal contact throughout the nuclear spin bath, …

New Perspectives On The Schrödinger-Pauli Theory Of Electrons: Part I, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

Schrödinger-Pauli (SP) theory is a description of electrons in the presence of a static electromagnetic field in which the interaction of the magnetic field with both the orbital and spin moments is explicitly considered. The theory is described from the new perspective of the individual electron via its equation of motion or ‘Quantal Newtonian’ first law. The law is in terms of ‘classical’ fields whose sources are quantum mechanical expectation values of Hermitian operators taken with respect to the system wave function. The law states that each electron experiences an external and an internal field, the sum of which vanish. …

New Perspectives On The Schrödinger-Pauli Theory Of Electrons: Part Ii: Application To The Triplet State Of A Quantum Dot In A Magnetic Field, Marlina Slamet, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

The Schrödinger-Pauli (SP) theory of electrons in the presence of a static electromagnetic field can be described from the perspective of the individual electron via its equation of motion or 'Quantal Newtonian' first law. The law is in terms of 'classical' fields whose sources are quantum-mechanical expectation values of Hermitian operators taken with respect to the wave function. The law states that the sum of the external and internal fields experienced by each electron vanishes. The external field is the sum of the binding electrostatic and Lorentz fields. The internal field is the sum of fields representative of properties of …

Computational Techniques For Scattering Amplitudes, Juliano A. Everett

Publications and Research

Scattering amplitudes in quantum field theory can be described as the probability of a scattering process to happen within a high energy particle interaction, as well as a bridge between experimental measurements and the prediction of the theory.

In this research project, we explore the Standard Model of Particle Theory, it’s representation in terms of Feynman diagrams and the algebraic formulas associated with each combination.

Using the FeynArts program as a tool for generating Feynman diagrams, we evaluate the expressions of a set of physical processes, and explain why these techniques become necessary to achieve this goal.

Impact Of Fiber Parameters On Edfa And/Or Raman Amplified High-Spectral-Efficiency Coherent Wdm Transmissions, Lufeng Leng

Publications and Research

The impact of fiber properties is investigated for coherent systems employing polarization-division multiplexed high-level quadrature amplitude modulation, wavelength-division multiplexing, and erbium-doped fiber amplifier and/or distributed Raman amplification. This is done by comparing the performances of fiber links of various attenuation coefficients and effective areas via experimentally verified analytical methods. Results show that the excess noise, which originates at amplifiers compensating for the losses of filters and switches located between fiber spans, can weaken or even diminish the performance enhancement brought about by lowering the fiber attenuation coefficient, especially if distributed Raman amplification is employed. This leads to the difference in …

Study Of The Kinetic Energy Densities Of Electrons As Applied To Quantum Dots In A Magnetic Field, Marlina Slamet, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

There are three expressions for the kinetic energy density t(r) expressed in terms of its quantal source, the single‐particle density matrix: t_A(r), the integrand of the kinetic energy expectation value; t_B(r), the trace of the kinetic energy tensor; t_C(r), a virial form in terms of the 'classical' kinetic field. These kinetic energy densities are studied by application to 'artificial atoms' or quantum dots in a magnetic field in a ground and excited singlet state. A comparison with the densities for natural atoms and molecules in their ground state is made. The near nucleus …

Kinetic Effects In 2d And 3d Quantum Dots: Comparison Between High And Low Electron Correlation Regimes, Marlina Slamet, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

Kinetic related ground state properties of a two-electron 2D quantum dot in a magnetic field and a 3D quantum dot (Hooke's atom) are compared in the Wigner high (HEC) and low (LEC) electron correlation regimes. The HEC regime corresponds to low densities sufficient for the creation of a Wigner molecule. The LEC regime densities are similar to those of natural atoms and molecules. The results are determined employing exact closed-form analytical solutions of the Schrödinger-Pauli and Schrödinger equations, respectively. The properties studied are the local and nonlocal quantal sources of the density and the single particle density matrix; the kinetic …