Theory of third-order polarizability of interlayer excitons due to intra-excitonic energy level transitions

n this paper, we employ a fully microscopic approach to the study of interlayer excitons in layered materials. We discuss the utilization of Fowler's and Karplus' method to access the dynamical polarizability of non--interacting interlayer excitons in a $\mathrm{WSe}_{2}/\mathrm{WS}_{2}$--based van der Waals heterostructure. Following from the calculation of the linear polarizability, we consider Svendsen's variational method to the dynamic third--order polarizability. With this variational method, we study both two--photon absorption and third--harmonic generation processes for interlayer excitons in a $\mathrm{WSe}_{2}/\mathrm{WS}_{2}$ hetero--bilayer, discussing the various intra--excitonic energy level transitions observed.Comment: 13 page

Time Dependent Channel Packet Calculation of Two Nucleon Scattering Matrix Elements

A new approach to calculating nucleon-nucleon scattering matrix elements using a proven atomic time-dependent wave packet technique is investigated. Wave packets containing centripetal barrier information are prepared in close proximity to nuclear well. This is accomplished by first using an analytic equation to determine the wave packets in a suitable intermediate asymptotic state where the centripetal barrier is negligible. Then, the split operator technique is used to propagate the wave packets back to their original positions under the full Hamiltonian. Here, one wave packet is held stationary while the other is allowed to evolve and explore the nuclear well. Scattering matrix elements are computed from the correlation function between the stationary wave packet and the evolving wave-packet after it has interacted with the nuclear potential. Determination of nucleon-nucleon phase shifts follows directly from computation of the scattering matrix elements. This technique is ideally suited for determining nuclear scattering matrix elements and phase shifts as it provides a high degree of energy resolution with lower computational effort than traditional time independent methods. These advantages will lead to a greater understanding of reactions involving nucleons with other elementary particles

Electron photoemission from sodium and carbon clusters

Des distributions angulaires (PAD) et des spectres (PES) de photoélectrons émis par des agrégats sous l'action des lasers à impulsions femtosecondes linéairement polarisées ou d'une impulsion instantanée sont calculés théoriquement dans un modèle basé sur la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité dépendante du temps (TDDFT). Les systèmes finis étudiés sont de petits agrégats de sodium, des chaînes de carbone CN (N = 3, 5, 7), et le célèbre buckminsterfullerène C60. Le comportement de l'émission éléctronique est exploré en fonction de la taille, la forme, la structure électronique et ionique ainsi qu'en fonction des paramètres du laser. En outre, des procédures de détermination de la PAD d'un ensemble de molécules ou d'agrégats orientés de façon aléatoire, sont élaborées. Les résultats de la TDDFT sont de plus comparés aux modèles stationnaires et aux données expérimentales. Les méchanismes d'ionisation sont étudiés dans le régime à un photon et à multi-photon.Photoangular distributions (PAD) and spectra (PES) of electrons emitted from clusters after excitation with linearly polarized femtosecond laser pulses or with instantaneous boost are calculated theoretically in the framework of time-dependent density-functional theory. The studied finite systems are small sodium clusters, carbon chains CN (N = 3, 5, 7), and the famous buckminsterfullerene C60. The behaviour of emission observables is explored as a function of size, shape, electronic and ionic structure of the considered systems and as a function of laser parameters. Moreover, schemes for determination of the PAD of an ensemble of randomly orientated molecules and clusters are elaborated. The TDDFT results are compared to stationary models and experimental data. Ionization mechanisms are studied in one- as well as multiphoton regime

De la phénoménologie à la microscopie, une nouvelle approche pour l’évaluation des sections efficaces de fission

The work presented here aims to improve models used in the fission crosssectionevaluation. The results give insights for a significant breakthrough in this fieldand yielded large extensions of the evaluation code CONRAD. Partial cross sections areinherently strongly correlated together as of the competition of the related reactions mustyield the total cross section. Therefore improving fission cross section benefits to all partialcross sections. A sound framework for the simulation of competitive reactions hadto be settled in order to further investigate on the fission reaction; this was implementedusing the TALYS reference code as guideline. After ensuring consistency and consistencyof the framework, focus was made on fission. Perspective resulting from the useof macroscopic-microscopic models such as the FRDM and FRLDM were analyzed; thesemodels have been implemented and validated on experimental data and benchmarks. Tocomply with evaluation requirements in terms of computation time, several specific numericalmethods have been used and parts of the program were written to run on GPU.These macroscopic-microscopic models yield potential energy surfaces that can be used toextract a one-dimensional fission barrier. This latter can then be used to obtained fissiontransmission coefficients that can be used in a Hauser-Feshbach model. This method hasbeen finally tested for the calculation of the average fission cross section for 239Pu(n,f).Les travaux présentés visent à améliorer les modèles de physique nucléaireutilisés dans l’évaluation des sections efficaces neutroniques de fission. Le résultat deces travaux donne les clefs pour une percée significative dans ce domaine et a permisd’étendre fortement les capacités du code d’évaluation CONRAD. Les sections partiellesétant naturellement corrélées entre-elles pour respecter la valeur de la section totale, cesaméliorations bénéficient à l’ensemble des sections partielles. Un cadre solide pour lamodélisation des processus concurrent à la fission a dû être établi sur le modèle du codede référence TALYS. Après s’être assuré de la fiabilité et de la cohérence du cadre, lesinvestigations spécifiques concernant la fission ont pu être réalisées. Les perspectivesd’applications offertes par les modèles macro-microscopiques FRDM et FRLDM ont étéanalysées. Ces modèles ont été implémentés et validés sur des données expérimentaleset des benchmarks. Afin d’obtenir des temps de calcul compatibles avec les besoins del’évaluation, des méthodes numériques sophistiquées ont été sélectionnées et une partiedes calculs a été portée sur GPU. Ces modèles macro-microscopiques peuvent être utiliséspour construire des surfaces d’énergie potentielle qui sont à leur tour traitées afin d’obtenirdes barrières de fission à une dimension, puis des coefficients de transmission fission. Cesderniers sont alors utilisés dans le cadre de modélisation des sections efficaces moyennesdu domaine statistique sur la base d’un modèle Hauser-Feshbach. Les résultats de cetteapproche seront présentés sur le cas du 239Pu(n,f)

Coupling Rydberg atoms to superconducting microwave circuits

A hybrid circuit quantum electro-dynamics (circuit QED) setup consisting of helium atoms in high-n Rydberg states and superconducting co-planar waveguide (CPW) microwave resonators has been developed with the goal of performing hybrid quantum optics experiments with applications in quantum information processing. In this thesis an overview of the field of cavity QED is introduced, and numerical methods to calculate the atomic energy level structure and transition dipole moments in electric and magnetic fields are described. Using this background information, a new method for efficiently preparing high-n circular Rydberg states is presented. This was required to ac- cess circular-state–to–circular-state transition frequencies in experiments which are compatible with superconducting CPW microwave resonators. Experimental and numerical results demonstrating the implementation of this method for the preparation of the |n = 70, l = 69, ml = +69⟩ circular state in helium are reported. The design and fabrication of λ/4 superconducting CPW microwave resonators, compatible with these high-n circular Rydberg states of helium is then described. The effects of microwave driving power, temperature and magnetic field on the characteristics of these resonators are presented. Finally, experiments in which helium Rydberg atoms have been coherently coupled to the microwave field of a superconducting co-planar waveguide resonator are reported

Heavy-quarkonium potential with input from lattice gauge theory

In this dissertation we study potential models incorporating a nonperturbative propagator obtained from lattice simulations of a pure gauge theory. Initially we review general aspects of gauge theories, the principles of the lattice formulation of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and some properties of heavy quarkonia, i.e. bound states of a heavy quark and its antiquark. As an illustration of Monte Carlo simulations of lattice models, we present applications in the case of the harmonic oscillator and SU(2) gauge theory. We then study the effect of using a gluon propagator from lattice simulations of pure SU(2) theory as an input in a potential model for the description of quarkonium, in the case of bottomonium and charmonium. We use, in both cases, a numerical approach to evaluate masses of quarkonium states. The resulting spectra are compared to calculations using the Coulomb plus linear (or Cornell) potential.Comment: 151 pages, 21 figures, Dissertation presented to the Graduate Program in Physics at the Instituto de F\'isica de S\~ao Carlos, Universidade de S\~ao Paulo to obtain the degree of Master of Science. Concentration area: Fundamental Physics. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Tereza Cristina da Rocha Mende

Strong interactions in alkaline-earth Rydberg ensembles

Ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices provide a versatile and robust platform to study fundamental condensed-matter physics problems and have applications in quantum optics as well as quantum information processing. For many of these applications, Rydberg atoms (atoms excited to large principal quantum numbers) are ideal due to its long coherence times and strong interactions. However, one of the pre-requisite for such applications is identical confinement of ground state atoms with Rydberg atoms. This is challenging for conventionally used alkali atoms. In this thesis, I discuss the potential of using alkaline-earth Rydberg atoms for many-body physics by implementing simultaneous trapping for the relevant internal states. In particular, I consider a scheme for generating multi-particle entanglement and explore charge transport in a one dimensional atomic lattice

Studies of Ultracold Strontium Gases

We describe the operation and performance of an ultracold strontium apparatus that is capable of generating quantum degenerate gases. The experiment has produced Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) of 84Sr and 86Sr as well as degenerate Fermi gases (DFGs) of 87Sr with a reduced temperature of T/TF = 0.2 at a Fermi temperature of TF = 55 nK. Straightforward modifications could be made to allow for isotopic mixtures and BECs of the fourth stable isotope, 88Sr. We also report on a technique to improve the continuous loading of a magnetic trap by adding a laser tuned to the 3P1 - 3S1 transition. The method increases atom number in the magnetic trap and subsequent cooling stages by up to 65% for the bosonic isotopes and up to 30% for the fermionic isotope of strontium. We optimize this trap loading strategy with respect to laser detuning, intensity, and beam size. To understand the results, we develop a one-dimensional rate equation model of the system, which is in good agreement with the data. We discuss the use of other transitions in strontium for accelerated trap loading and the application of the technique to other alkaline-earth-like atoms. Finally, we also report on an updated investigation of photoassociation resonances relative to the 1S0 + 3P1 dissassociation limit in bosonic strontium. Multiple new resonances for 84Sr and 86Sr were measured out to binding energies of -5 GHz and several discrepancies in earlier measurements were resolved. These measurements will allow for the development of a more accurate mass-scaled model and a better theoretical understanding of the molecular potentials near the 3P1 state. We also measure the strength of the 84Sr 0u transitions in order to characterize their use as optical Feshbach resonances