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Full-Text Articles in Condensed Matter Physics

Possible Superconductivity Above 40 K In Rhenium-Doped Strontium Ruthenates Indicated By Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Yurii Aleschenko, Boris Gorshunov, Elena Zhukova, Andrey Muratov, Alexander Dudka, Rajendra Dulal, Serafim Teknowijoyo, Sara Chahid, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Armen Gulian Oct 2020

Possible Superconductivity Above 40 K In Rhenium-Doped Strontium Ruthenates Indicated By Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Yurii Aleschenko, Boris Gorshunov, Elena Zhukova, Andrey Muratov, Alexander Dudka, Rajendra Dulal, Serafim Teknowijoyo, Sara Chahid, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Strontium ruthenates have a lot of similarities with copper oxide superconductors and are a very interesting object for investigation of mechanisms and conditions which lead to high-temperature superconductivity. We report here on multiple experimental indications of superconductivity with the onset above 40K in strontium ruthenate doped by rhenium and selenium with chlorine used as a flux. The main experimental evidence comes from FTIR spectroscopy of this material followed by the ac and dc magnetization, as well as its heat capacity and magnetoresistance. Structural and morphological studies reveal the heterophase nature of this polycrystalline material as well as changes of lattice …


Magnetic Forces In The Absence Of A Classical Magnetic Field, Ismael L. Paiva, Yakir Aharonov, Jeff Tollaksen, Mordecai Waegell Apr 2020

Magnetic Forces In The Absence Of A Classical Magnetic Field, Ismael L. Paiva, Yakir Aharonov, Jeff Tollaksen, Mordecai Waegell

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

It is shown that, in some cases, the effect of discrete distributions of flux lines in quantum mechanics can be associated with the effect of continuous distributions of magnetic fields with special symmetries. In particular, flux lines with an arbitrary value of magnetic flux can be used to create energetic barriers, which can be used to confine quantum systems in specially designed configurations. This generalizes a previous work where such energy barriers arose from flux lines with half-integer fluxons. Furthermore, it is shown how the Landau levels can be obtained from a two-dimensional grid of flux lines. These results suggest …


Quasiprobability Behind The Out-Of-Time-Ordered Correlator, Nicole Yunger Halpern, Brian Swingle, Justin Dressel Apr 2018

Quasiprobability Behind The Out-Of-Time-Ordered Correlator, Nicole Yunger Halpern, Brian Swingle, Justin Dressel

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Two topics, evolving rapidly in separate fields, were combined recently: the out-of-time-ordered correlator (OTOC) signals quantum-information scrambling in many-body systems. The Kirkwood-Dirac (KD) quasiprobability represents operators in quantum optics. The OTOC was shown to equal a moment of a summed quasiprobability [Yunger Halpern, Phys. Rev. A 95, 012120 (2017)]. That quasiprobability, we argue, is an extension of the KD distribution. We explore the quasiprobability's structure from experimental, numerical, and theoretical perspectives. First, we simplify and analyze Yunger Halpern's weak-measurement and interference protocols for measuring the OTOC and its quasiprobability. We decrease, exponentially in system size, the number of trials …


Superconducting Antenna Concept For Gravitational Waves, Armen Gulian, J Foreman, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Shmuel Nussinov, Louis Sica, Jeff Tollaksen Jul 2015

Superconducting Antenna Concept For Gravitational Waves, Armen Gulian, J Foreman, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Shmuel Nussinov, Louis Sica, Jeff Tollaksen

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The most advanced contemporary efforts and concepts for registering gravitational waves are focused on measuring tiny deviations in large arm (kilometers in case of LIGO and thousands of kilometers in case of LISA) interferometers via photons. In this report we discuss a concept for the detection of gravitational waves using an antenna comprised of superconducting electrons (Cooper pairs) moving in an ionic lattice. The major challenge in this approach is that the tidal action of the gravitational waves is extremely weak compared with electromagnetic forces. Any motion caused by gravitational waves, which violates charge neutrality, will be impeded by Coulomb …


Engineering Room-Temperature Superconductors Via Ab-Initio Calculations, Mamikon Gulian, Gurgen Melkonyan, Armen Gulian Jul 2015

Engineering Room-Temperature Superconductors Via Ab-Initio Calculations, Mamikon Gulian, Gurgen Melkonyan, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The BCS, or bosonic model of superconductivity, as Little and Ginzburg have first argued, can bring in superconductivity at room temperatures in the case of high-enough frequency of bosonic mode. It was further elucidated by Kirzhnits et al., that the condition for existence of high-temperature superconductivity is closely related to negative values of the real part of the dielectric function at finite values of the reciprocal lattice vectors. In view of these findings, the task is to calculate the dielectric function for real materials. Then the poles of this function will indicate the existence of bosonic excitations which can …


Current-Biased Transition-Edge Sensors Based On Re-Entrant Superconductors, Armen Gulian, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Jeff Tollaksen, V. Vardanyan, A. Kuzanyan Jul 2015

Current-Biased Transition-Edge Sensors Based On Re-Entrant Superconductors, Armen Gulian, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Jeff Tollaksen, V. Vardanyan, A. Kuzanyan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Transition-edge sensors are widely recognized as one of the most sensitive tools for the photon and particles detection in many areas, from astrophysics to quantum computing. Their application became practical after understanding that rather than being biased in a constant current mode, they should be biased in a constant voltage mode. Despite the methods of voltage biasing of these sensors are well developed since then, generally the current biasing is more convenient for superconducting circuits. Thus transition-edge sensors designed inherently to operate in the current-biased mode are desirable. We developed a design for such detectors based on re-entrant superconductivity. In …


Prospective Solid-State Photonic Cryocooler Based On The “Phonon-Deficit Effect”, Gurgen Melkonyan, Armen Gulian Jul 2015

Prospective Solid-State Photonic Cryocooler Based On The “Phonon-Deficit Effect”, Gurgen Melkonyan, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In this design microwave photons are propagating in a sapphire rod, and are being absorbed by a superconductor deposited on the surface of the rod. The frequency of the radiation is tuned to be less than the energy gap in the superconductor, so that the pair breaking is not taking place. This photon pumping redistributes the electron-hole quasiparticles: their distribution function is non-equilibrium, and the “phonon-deficit effect” takes place. There is a dielectric material deposited on top of superconductor, which serves asthe “cold finger” of the cooler. Its “acoustical density” is supposed to be smaller than that of the superconducting …


“Spaghetti” Design For Gravitational Wave Superconducting Antenna, Armen Gulian, J Foreman, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Shmuel Nussinov, Louis Sica, Jeff Tollaksen Jan 2014

“Spaghetti” Design For Gravitational Wave Superconducting Antenna, Armen Gulian, J Foreman, Vahan Nikoghosyan, Shmuel Nussinov, Louis Sica, Jeff Tollaksen

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

A new concept for detectors of gravitational wave radiation is discussed. Estimates suggest that strain sensitivity essentially better than that of the existing devices can be achieved in the wide frequency range. Such sensitivity could be obtained with devices about one meter long. Suggested device consists of multi-billion bimetallic superconducting wires ("spaghettis") and requires cryogenic operational temperatures (~0.3K in the case considered).


Quantum Non-Locality Vs. Quasi-Local Measurement In The Conditions Of The Aharonov-Bohm Effect, Armen Gulian Jan 2014

Quantum Non-Locality Vs. Quasi-Local Measurement In The Conditions Of The Aharonov-Bohm Effect, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Theoretical explanation of the Meissner effect involves proportionality between current density and vector potential, which has many deep consequences. As noticed by de Gennes, superconductors in a magnetic field "find an equilibrium state where the sum of kinetic and magnetic energies is minimum" and this state "corresponds to the expulsion of the magnetic field". This statement still leaves an open question: from which source is the superconducting current acquiring its kinetic energy? A naïve answer, perhaps, is from the energy of the magnetic field. However, one can consider situations (Aharonov-Bohm effect), where the classical magnetic field is locally absent in …


Sbs-Based Radar True Time Delay, Mark Bashkansky, David Walker, Armen Gulian, Michael Steiner Feb 2011

Sbs-Based Radar True Time Delay, Mark Bashkansky, David Walker, Armen Gulian, Michael Steiner

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) based slow light is considered for application to squint-free (true time delay) steering of phased array radar antennae. Results are presented on true time delay radar requirements, including delay precision and bandwidth. We experimentally investigated the level of delay precision that exists in actual slow-light systems (based on Brillouin scattering). The practical use of SBS to meet the necessary requirements for radar use is discussed.


Analysis Of An All-Optical Sbs Avalanche Detector, D. Walker, M. Steiner, Armen Gulian Feb 2010

Analysis Of An All-Optical Sbs Avalanche Detector, D. Walker, M. Steiner, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Seeding Brillouin scattering with a sufficiently efficient source of coherent phonons has the potential to produce energy-sensitive photon detectors. Based on this idea, we propose and analyze some possible designs for such a detector.


True-Time Delay Steering Of Phased Array Radars Using Slow Light, Mark Bashkansky, Zachary Dutton, Armen Gulian, David Walker, Fredrik Fatemi, Michael Steiner Feb 2009

True-Time Delay Steering Of Phased Array Radars Using Slow Light, Mark Bashkansky, Zachary Dutton, Armen Gulian, David Walker, Fredrik Fatemi, Michael Steiner

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Application of slow light linear delay to squint-free (true-time delay) steering of phased array radar antennae is discussed. Theoretical analysis is provided on true-time delay radar requirements, including delay precision, amplitude precision, and bandwidth. We also discuss an improvement to the slow light technique based on stimulated Brillouin scattering by using a Faraday rotator mirror that provides temporally stable, linear (with pump power) delay, applicable to practical implementations. Future directions are considered.


Laser-Powered Thermoelectric Generators Operating At Cryogenic Temperatures, S. R. Harutyunyan, V. H. Vardanyan, A. S. Kuzanyan, V. R. Nikoghosyan, S. Kunii, K. Winzer, K. S. Wood, Armen Gulian Nov 2005

Laser-Powered Thermoelectric Generators Operating At Cryogenic Temperatures, S. R. Harutyunyan, V. H. Vardanyan, A. S. Kuzanyan, V. R. Nikoghosyan, S. Kunii, K. Winzer, K. S. Wood, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

A thermoelectric generator, operating in a cryostat at liquid helium temperatures, is described. Energy to the generator is supplied via an external laser beam. For this prototype device the associated heat load at permanent operation is comparable with the heat load associated with power delivery via metallic wires. Estimates indicate that still better performance can be enabled with existing thermoelectric materials, thereby far exceeding efficiency of traditional cryostat wiring. We used a prototype generator to produce electric power for measuring critical currents in Nb3Sn-films at 4K.


Qvd Sensors As Focal Plane Instruments For X-Ray Timing Applications, Kent S. Wood, Armen Gulian, Paul S. Ray Jul 2004

Qvd Sensors As Focal Plane Instruments For X-Ray Timing Applications, Kent S. Wood, Armen Gulian, Paul S. Ray

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

“QVD” detectors are based on thermoelectric heat‐to‐voltage (Q→V) conversion and digital (V→D) readout. For spectroscopic applications, the theoretical performance limits are competitive with superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detectors and transition edge sensor (TES) devices. We discuss theoretical and demonstrated timing performance of QVD detectors with different design architectures. Detectors with lanthanum‐cerium hexaboride sensors can be very fast, up to 100 MHz/pixel counting rates. They can serve as focal plane detectors for X‐ray timing, in situations where very large apertures are used to gather X‐ray photons at high event rates. Practical implementation of thermoelectric (QVD) detectors requires cryogenic thermoelectric sensors with …


Refrigerator With Phonon Filters: An Application Of The Phonon Deficit Effect In Superconducting Tunnel Junctions, G. G. Melkonyan, Armen Gulian Sep 2003

Refrigerator With Phonon Filters: An Application Of The Phonon Deficit Effect In Superconducting Tunnel Junctions, G. G. Melkonyan, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Nonequilibrium phenomena in thin solid films can result in cooling effects. These types of effects were predicted theoretically a while ago, and only recently were demonstrated experimentally in superconductor-insulator-normal metal (SIN) tunnel junctions. Since then, there is a growing interest in tunneling effects for the purpose to develop on-chip refrigerators. Thin film devices have the advantage of being extremely compact, operate in a continuous mode, dissipate little power, and can easily be integrated in cryogenic detectors. Currently these refrigerators can generate cooling in the order of 100 mK in an environment of 0.3–0.5 K. There are reasons to expect that …


Triplet Superconductors From The Viewpoint Of Basic Elements For Quantum Computers, Armen M. Gulian, Kent S. Wood Jul 2003

Triplet Superconductors From The Viewpoint Of Basic Elements For Quantum Computers, Armen M. Gulian, Kent S. Wood

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We discuss possibilities of utilizing superconductors with Cooper condensates in triplet pairing states (where the spin of condensate pairs is S=1) for practical realization of quantum computers. Superconductors with triplet pairing condensates have features that are unique and cannot be found in the usual (singlet pairing, S=0) superconductors. The symmetry of the order parameter in some triplet superconductors (e.g., ruthenates) corresponds to doubly-degenerate chiral states. These states can serve as qubit base states for quantum computing.


Thermoelectric Cooling At Cryogenic Temperatures, S. R. Harutyunyan, V. H. Vardanyan, A. S. Kuzanyan, V. R. Nikoghosyan, S. Kunii, K. S. Wood, Armen Gulian Jan 2003

Thermoelectric Cooling At Cryogenic Temperatures, S. R. Harutyunyan, V. H. Vardanyan, A. S. Kuzanyan, V. R. Nikoghosyan, S. Kunii, K. S. Wood, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Experimental results demonstrating Peltier cooling below 10 K are reported, using crystals of the thermoelectric cerium hexaboride (CeB6). Direct measurements of the Peltier cooling showed δT up to ∼0.2 K in magnitude at T∼4–5 K. All three kinetic parameters: resistivity (ρ), heat conductivity (k), and Seebeck coefficient (S), characterizing the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT=S2T/ρk, were measured, giving high-confidence results.


Sensor Development For Single-Photon Thermoelectric Detectors, Armen Gulian, K. S. Wood, G. G. Fritz, D. Van Vechten, H.-D. Wu, J. S. Horwitz, G. R. Badalyantz, S. R. Harutyunyan, V. H. Vartanyan, S. A. Petrosyan, A. S. Kuzanyan Mar 2002

Sensor Development For Single-Photon Thermoelectric Detectors, Armen Gulian, K. S. Wood, G. G. Fritz, D. Van Vechten, H.-D. Wu, J. S. Horwitz, G. R. Badalyantz, S. R. Harutyunyan, V. H. Vartanyan, S. A. Petrosyan, A. S. Kuzanyan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

As we reported earlier [1], thermoelectric detectors can be competitive as nondispersive energy resolving focal-plane instruments in X-ray/UV spectrum. The first generations of prototype devices demonstrated the viability of detector design and provided good agreement between theoretical expectations and experimental data. These devices exploited sensors made of gold with a small fraction of iron impurity. To get the projected high resolution one needs another type of material, namely, lanthanum-cerium hexaborides. We report on the first experimental tests of the feasibility of lanthanum-cerium films as sensor materials. Progress with thin films of these materials argues for the success of these thermoelectric …


Thermoelectric Single-Photon Detectors For X-Ray/Uv Radiation, G. G. Fritz, K. S. Wood, D. Van Vechten, A. L. Gyulamiryan, A. S. Kuzanyan, N. J. Giordano, T. M. Jacobs, H.-D. Wu, J. S. Horwitz, Armen Gulian Dec 2000

Thermoelectric Single-Photon Detectors For X-Ray/Uv Radiation, G. G. Fritz, K. S. Wood, D. Van Vechten, A. L. Gyulamiryan, A. S. Kuzanyan, N. J. Giordano, T. M. Jacobs, H.-D. Wu, J. S. Horwitz, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

A feasibility study of megapixel microcalorimeter arrays, based on thermoelectric energy to voltage conversion and digital superconducting readout, is presented. The design concept originated from the philosophy of employing the simplest principles at the single-pixel level to enable large arrays without sacrificing energy resolution, fast operation speed, and quantum efficiency. Initial experimental tests confirm the basic predictions of theory, and show no major obstacle in achieving the desired characteristics.


Voltage Responses To Optical Pulses Of Unbiased Normal And Superconducting Samples, D. Van Vechten, K. S. Wood, G. G. Fritz, J. S. Horitz, G. M. Daly, J. B. Thrasher, D. M. Photiadis, J. Ding, J. F. Pinto, M. G. Blamire, G. Burnell, A. L. Gyulamiryan, V. H. Vartanyan, R. B. Akopyan, Armen Gulian Jan 1997

Voltage Responses To Optical Pulses Of Unbiased Normal And Superconducting Samples, D. Van Vechten, K. S. Wood, G. G. Fritz, J. S. Horitz, G. M. Daly, J. B. Thrasher, D. M. Photiadis, J. Ding, J. F. Pinto, M. G. Blamire, G. Burnell, A. L. Gyulamiryan, V. H. Vartanyan, R. B. Akopyan, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The direct transformation of the energy of an incident high-energy photon into a measurable potential difference within an absorbing metal is investigated. Experimental evidence is presented that the effect arises from the inherent energy dependence of the electronic density of states, rather than from a simple temperature excursion. The similarities between the results on Al and YBa2Cu3O7 samples indicate that the effect is universal in nature. We assert it may be used as the basis of a fast, energy resolving, individual photon detector for the ultraviolet radiation and x-rays.


Nonequilibrium Dynamic Conductivity Of Superconductors: An Exploitable Basis For High Energy Resolution X-Ray Detectors, Armen Gulian, D. Van Vechten Jan 1995

Nonequilibrium Dynamic Conductivity Of Superconductors: An Exploitable Basis For High Energy Resolution X-Ray Detectors, Armen Gulian, D. Van Vechten

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

A new design for high‐energy radiation/particle detectors is presented. The nonequilibrium response of a superconductor to the absorption of the incident quanta is sensed by electromagnetic measurements of the altered dynamic conductivity. Microwave absorption may be used to amplify the signal. Such a detector will provide better energy resolution than semiconducting charge‐collection devices once the statistical resolution limit is reached.