3,062 research outputs found
Type I superconductivity in the Dirac semimetal PdTe2
The superconductor PdTe was recently classified as a Type II Dirac
semimetal, and advocated to be an improved platform for topological
superconductivity. Here we report magnetic and transport measurements conducted
to determine the nature of the superconducting phase. Surprisingly, we find
that PdTe is a Type I superconductor with K and a critical
field mT. Our crystals also exhibit the intermediate
state as demonstrated by the differential paramagnetic effect. For we
observe superconductivity of the surface sheath. This calls for a close
examination of superconductivity in PdTe in view of the presence of
topological surface states.Comment: 5 page
An automated and versatile ultra-low temperature SQUID magnetometer
We present the design and construction of a SQUID-based magnetometer for
operation down to temperatures T = 10 mK, while retaining the compatibility
with the sample holders typically used in commercial SQUID magnetometers. The
system is based on a dc-SQUID coupled to a second-order gradiometer. The sample
is placed inside the plastic mixing chamber of a dilution refrigerator and is
thermalized directly by the 3He flow. The movement though the pickup coils is
obtained by lifting the whole dilution refrigerator insert. A home-developed
software provides full automation and an easy user interface.Comment: RevTex, 10 pages, 10 eps figures. High-resolution figures available
upon reques
Low-temperature magnetization in geometrically frustrated Tb2Ti2O7
The nature of the low temperature ground state of the pyrochlore compound
Tb2Ti2O7 remains a puzzling issue. Dynamic fluctuations and short-range
correlations persist down to 50 mK, as evidenced by microscopic probes. In
parallel, magnetization measurements show irreversibilities and glassy behavior
below 200 mK. We have performed magnetization and AC susceptibility
measurements on four single crystals down to 57 mK. We did not observe a clear
plateau in the magnetization as a function of field along the [111] direction,
as suggested by the quantum spin ice model. In addition to a freezing around
200 mK, slow dynamics are observed in the AC susceptibility up to 4 K. The
overall frequency dependence cannot be described by a canonical spin-glass
behavior.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures + Supp. Mat (3 pages, 5 figures
Single-shot discrimination of quantum unitary processes
We formulate minimum-error and unambiguous discrimination problems for
quantum processes in the language of process positive operator valued measures
(PPOVM). In this framework we present the known solution for minimum-error
discrimination of unitary channels. We derive a "fidelity-like" lower bound on
the failure probability of the unambiguous discrimination of arbitrary quantum
processes. This bound is saturated (in a certain range of apriori
probabilities) in the case of unambiguous discrimination of unitary channels.
Surprisingly, the optimal solution for both tasks is based on the optimization
of the same quantity called completely bounded process fidelity.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figur
The construction problem for Hodge numbers modulo an integer in positive characteristic
Let k be an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic. For any integer 5 ≥ 2, we show that the Hodge numbers of a smooth projective k-variety can take on any combination of values modulo m, subject only to Serre duality. In particular, there are no non-trivial polynomial relations between the Hodge numbers
Superconductivity and magnetic order in the non-centrosymmetric Half Heusler compound ErPdBi
We report superconductivity at K and magnetic order at K in the semi-metallic noncentrosymmetric Half Heusler compound ErPdBi.
The upper critical field, , has an unusual quasi-linear temperature
variation and reaches a value of 1.6 T for . Magnetic order is
found below and is suppressed at T for . Since , the interaction of superconductivity and magnetism
is expected to give rise to a complex ground state. Moreover, electronic
structure calculations show ErPdBi has a topologically nontrivial band
inversion and thus may serve as a new platform to study the interplay of
topological states, superconductivity and magnetic order.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in Europhysics Letter
Strict weak mixing of some C*-dynamical systems based on free shifts
We define a stronger property than unique ergodicity with respect to the
fixed-point subalgebra previously investigated by Abadie and Dykema. Such a
property is denoted as F-strict weak mixing (F stands for the Markov projection
onto the fixed-point operator system). Then we show that the free shifts on the
reduced C*-algebras of RD-groups, including the free group on infinitely many
generators, and amalgamated free product C*-algebras, considered by Abadie and
Dykema, are all strictly weak mixing and not merely uniquely ergodic.Comment: 10 page
Towards the understanding of vertical-axis wind turbines in double-rotor configuration
Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in double-rotor configuration, meaning two rotors in close proximity, have the ability to enhance the power performance. In this study, we work towards the understanding of vertical-axis wind turbines in double-rotor configuration. Numerical simulations are performed to gain insight in the physics behind the double-rotor concept. Furthermore, a parametric study is performed to explore the effect of the double-rotor lay-out, rotor loading, rotor spacing and wind direction on the flow characteristics and the power generation.</p
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