1,316 research outputs found
Spatial mapping of band bending in semiconductor devices using in-situ quantum sensors
Band bending is a central concept in solid-state physics that arises from
local variations in charge distribution especially near semiconductor
interfaces and surfaces. Its precision measurement is vital in a variety of
contexts from the optimisation of field effect transistors to the engineering
of qubit devices with enhanced stability and coherence. Existing methods are
surface sensitive and are unable to probe band bending at depth from surface or
bulk charges related to crystal defects. Here we propose an in-situ method for
probing band bending in a semiconductor device by imaging an array of
atomic-sized quantum sensing defects to report on the local electric field. We
implement the concept using the nitrogen-vacancy centre in diamond, and map the
electric field at different depths under various surface terminations. We then
fabricate a two-terminal device based on the conductive two-dimensional hole
gas formed at a hydrogen-terminated diamond surface, and observe an unexpected
spatial modulation of the electric field attributed to a complex interplay
between charge injection and photo-ionisation effects. Our method opens the way
to three-dimensional mapping of band bending in diamond and other
semiconductors hosting suitable quantum sensors, combined with simultaneous
imaging of charge transport in complex operating devices.Comment: This is a pre-print of an article published in Nature Electronics.
The final authenticated version is available online at
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41928-018-0130-
The radiative lepton flavor violating decays in the split fermion scenario in the two Higgs doublet model
We study the branching ratios of the lepton flavor violating processes \mu ->
e \gamma, \tau -> e \gamma and \tau -> \mu\gamma in the split fermion scenario,
in the framework of the two Higgs doublet model. We observe that the branching
ratios are relatively more sensitive to the compactification scale and the
Gaussian widths of the leptons in the extra dimensions, for two extra
dimensions and especially for the \tau -> \mu \gamma decay.Comment: 19 pages, 7 Figure
Off-the-Wall Higgs in the Universal Randall-Sundrum Model
We outline a consistent Randall-Sundrum (RS) framework in which a fundamental
5-dimensional Higgs doublet induces electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB). In
this framework of a warped Universal Extra Dimension, the lightest Kaluza-Klein
(KK) mode of the bulk Higgs is tachyonic leading to a vacuum expectation value
(vev) at the TeV scale. The consistency of this picture imposes a set of
constraints on the parameters in the Higgs sector. A novel feature of our
scenario is the emergence of an adjustable bulk profile for the Higgs vev. We
also find a tower of non-tachyonic Higgs KK modes at the weak scale. We
consider an interesting implementation of this ``Off-the-Wall Higgs'' mechanism
where the 5-dimensional curvature-scalar coupling alone generates the tachyonic
mode responsible for EWSB. In this case, additional relations among the
parameters of the Higgs and gravitational sectors are established. We discuss
the experimental signatures of the bulk Higgs in general, and those of the
``Gravity-Induced'' EWSB in particular.Comment: 27 pages, 4 figure
Search for anomalous top-gluon couplings at LHC revisited
Through top-quark pair productions at LHC, we study possible effects of
nonstandard top-gluon couplings yielded by SU(3)xSU(2)xU(1) invariant
dimension-6 effective operators. We calculate the total cross section and also
some distributions for p p -> t tbar X as functions of two anomalous-coupling
parameters, i.e., the chromoelectric and chromomagnetic moments of the top,
which are constrained by the total cross section sigma(p pbar -> t tbar X)
measured at Tevatron. We find that LHC might give us some chances to observe
sizable effects induced by those new couplings.Comment: One comment and related two refs. added. Final version (to appear in
Eur.Phys.J. C
Low-scale warped extra dimension and its predilection for multiple top quarks
Within warped extra dimension models that explain flavor through geometry,
flavor changing neutral current constraints generally force the Kaluza-Klein
scale to be above many TeV. This creates tension with a natural electroweak
scale. On the other hand, a much lower scale compatible with precision
electroweak and flavor changing neutral current constraints is allowed if we
decouple the Kaluza-Klein states of Standard Model gauge bosons from light
fermions bulk mass parameters). The main
signature for this approach is four top quark production via the Kaluza-Klein
excitations' strong coupling to top quarks. We study single lepton, like-sign
dilepton, and trilepton observables of four-top events at the Large Hadron
Collider. The like-sign dilepton signature typically has the largest discovery
potential for a strongly coupled right-handed top case (M_{KK} \sim 2-2.5
\TeV), while single lepton is the better when the left-handed top couples most
strongly (M_{KK} \sim 2 \TeV). We also describe challenging lepton-jet
collimation issues in the like-sign dilepton and trilepton channels. An
alternative single lepton observable is considered which takes advantage of the
many bottom quarks in the final state. Although searches of other particles may
compete, we find that four top production via Kaluza-Klein gluons is most
promising in a large region of this parameter space.Comment: 35 pages, 8 figures. discussions improved, references adde
New Higgs Production Mechanism in Composite Higgs Models
Composite Higgs models are only now starting to be probed at the Large Hadron
Collider by Higgs searches. We point out that new resonances, abundant in these
models, can mediate new production mechanisms for the composite Higgs. The new
channels involve the exchange of a massive color octet and single production of
new fermion resonances with subsequent decays into the Higgs and a Standard
Model quark. The sizable cross section and very distinctive kinematics allow
for a very clean extraction of the signal over the background with high
statistical significance. Heavy gluon masses up to 2.8 TeV can be probed with
data collected during 2012 and up to 5 TeV after the energy upgrade to
TeV.Comment: 27 pages, 22 figures. V2: typos corrected, matches published versio
Theories for the Fermi Scale
I give a short review of our present understanding of new theories of the
electroweak scale, with emphasis on recent progress. Plenary talk at the EPS
2007 Conference at Manchester.Comment: 14 pages, EPS 2007 Conferenc
The Discovery Potential of a Super B Factory
The Proceedings of the 2003 SLAC Workshops on flavor physics with a high
luminosity asymmetric e+e- collider. The sensitivity of flavor physics to
physics beyond the Standard Model is addressed in detail, in the context of the
improvement of experimental measurements and theoretical calculations.Comment: 476 pages. Printed copies may be obtained by request to
[email protected] . arXiv admin note: v2 appears to be identical to v
A T Cell-inducing influenza vaccine for the elderly: safety and immunogenicity of MVA-NP+M1 in adults aged over 50 years
Current influenza vaccines have reduced immunogenicity and are of uncertain efficacy in older adults. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of MVA-NP+M1, a viral-vectored influenza vaccine designed to boost memory T cell responses, in a group of older adults.Thirty volunteers (aged 50-85) received a single intramuscular injection of MVA-NP+M1 at a dose of 1·5×10(8) plaque forming units (pfu). Safety and immunogenicity were assessed over a period of one year. The frequency of T cells specific for nucleoprotein (NP) and matrix protein 1 (M1) was determined by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) ELISpot, and their phenotypic and functional properties were characterized by polychromatic flow cytometry. In a subset of M1-specific CD8(+) T cells, T cell receptor (TCR) gene expression was evaluated using an unbiased molecular approach.Vaccination with MVA-NP+M1 was well tolerated. ELISpot responses were boosted significantly above baseline following vaccination. Increases were detected in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell subsets. Clonality studies indicated that MVA-NP+M1 expanded pre-existing memory CD8(+) T cells, which displayed a predominant CD27(+)CD45RO(+)CD57(-)CCR7(-) phenotype both before and after vaccination.MVA-NP+M1 is safe and immunogenic in older adults. Unlike seasonal influenza vaccination, the immune responses generated by MVA-NP+M1 are similar between younger and older individuals. A T cell-inducing vaccine such as MVA-NP+M1 may therefore provide a way to circumvent the immunosenescence that impairs routine influenza vaccination.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00942071
Identifying the colour of TeV-scale resonances
We explore how the colour of any new TeV-scale resonances that decay into top
quark pairs can be identified by studying the dependence of the observed
cross-section on a central jet veto. To facilitate this study, colour octet
resonance production was implemented in Pythia8 and colour singlet resonance
production is simulated after minor modifications. We find that the colour of a
2 TeV resonance can be identified with 10/fb of data at a centre-of-mass energy
of 14 TeV for a wide range of couplings, but only if the uncertainty in the
theoretical prediction is dramatically reduced from its current level.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figure
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