287 research outputs found
Transport efficiency of continuous-time quantum walks on graphs
Continuous-time quantum walk describes the propagation of a quantum particle (or an excitation) evolving continuously in time on a graph. As such, it provides a natural framework for modeling transport processes, e.g., in light-harvesting systems. In particular, the transport properties strongly depend on the initial state and specific features of the graph under investigation. In this paper, we address the role of graph topology, and investigate the transport properties of graphs with different regularity, symmetry, and connectivity. We neglect disorder and decoherence, and assume a single trap vertex that is accountable for the loss processes. In particular, for each graph, we analytically determine the subspace of states having maximum transport efficiency. Our results provide a set of benchmarks for environment-assisted quantum transport, and suggest that connectivity is a poor indicator for transport efficiency. Indeed, we observe some specific correlations between transport efficiency and connectivity for certain graphs, but, in general, they are uncorrelated
Hybrid quantum thermal machines with dynamical couplings
Quantum thermal machines can perform useful tasks, such as delivering power, cooling, or heating. In this work, we consider hybrid thermal machines, that can execute more than one task simultaneously. We characterize and find optimal working conditions for a three-terminal quantum thermal machine, where the working medium is a quantum harmonic oscillator, coupled to three heat baths, with two of the couplings driven periodically in time. We show that it is possible to operate the thermal machine efficiently, in both pure and hybrid modes, and to switch between different operational modes simply by changing the driving frequency. Moreover, the proposed setup can also be used as a high-performance transistor, in terms of output–to–input signal and differential gain. Owing to its versatility and tunability, our model may be of interest for engineering thermodynamic tasks and for thermal management in quantum technologies
Evolution from a nodeless gap to d(x2-y2) form in underdoped La(2-x)SrxCuO4
Using angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES), it is revealed that the
low-energy electronic excitation spectra of highly underdoped superconducting
and non-superconducting La(2-x)SrxCuO4 cuprates are gapped along the entire
underlying Fermi surface at low temperatures. We show how the gap function
evolves to a d(x2-y2) form as increasing temperature or doping, consistent with
the vast majority of ARPES studies of cuprates. Our results provide essential
information for uncovering the symmetry of the order parameter(s) in strongly
underdoped cuprates, which is a prerequisite for understanding the pairing
mechanism and how superconductivity emerges from a Mott insulator.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Virtual Prototyping of a Flexure-based RCC Device for Automated Assembly
The actual use of Industrial Robots (IR) for assembly systems requires the exertion of suitable strategies allowing to overcome shortcomings about IR poor precision and repeatability. In this paper, the practical issues that emerge during common \ue2\u80\u9cpeg-in-hole\ue2\u80\u9d assembly procedures are discussed. In particular, the use of passive Remote Center of Compliance (RCC) devices, capable of compensating the IR non-optimal performance in terms of repeatability, is investigated. The focus of the paper is the design and simulation of a flexure-based RCC that allows the prevention of jamming, due to possible positioning inaccuracies during peg insertion. The proposed RCC architecture comprises a set of flexural hinges, whose behavior is simulated via a CAE tool that provides built-in functions for modelling the motion of compliant members. For given friction coefficients of the contact surfaces, these numerical simulations allow to determine the maximum lateral and angular misalignments effectively manageable by the RCC device
Bulk electronic structure of superconducting LaRu2P2 single crystals measured by soft x-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy
We present a soft X-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (SX-ARPES)
study of the stoichiometric pnictide superconductor LaRu2P2. The observed
electronic structure is in good agreement with density functional theory (DFT)
calculations. However, it is significantly different from its counterpart in
high-temperature superconducting Fe-pnictides. In particular the bandwidth
renormalization present in the Fe-pnictides (~2 - 3) is negligible in LaRu2P2
even though the mass enhancement is similar in both systems. Our results
suggest that the superconductivity in LaRu2P2 has a different origin with
respect to the iron pnictides. Finally we demonstrate that the increased
probing depth of SX-ARPES, compared to the widely used ultraviolet ARPES, is
essential in determining the bulk electronic structure in the experiment.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 supplemental material. Accepted for publication
in Physical Review Letter
Unusual temperature dependence of band dispersion in Ba(Fe(1-x)Ru(x))2As2 and its consequences for antiferromagnetic ordering
We have performed detailed studies of the temperature evolution of the
electronic structure in Ba(Fe(1-x)Ru(x))2As2 using Angle Resolved Photoemission
Spectroscopy (ARPES). Surprisingly, we find that the binding energy of both
hole and electron bands changes significantly with temperature in pure and Ru
substituted samples. The hole and electron pockets are well nested at low
temperature in unsubstituted (BaFe2As2) samples, which likely drives the spin
density wave (SDW) and resulting antiferromagnetic order. Upon warming, this
nesting is degraded as the hole pocket shrinks and the electron pocket expands.
Our results demonstrate that the temperature dependent nesting may play an
important role in driving the antiferromagnetic/paramagnetic phase transition.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure
Disorder Induced Stripes in d-Wave Superconductors
Stripe phases are observed experimentally in several copper-based high-Tc
superconductors near 1/8 hole doping. However, the specific characteristics may
vary depending on the degree of dopant disorder and the presence or absence of
a low- temperature tetragonal phase. On the basis of a Hartree-Fock decoupling
scheme for the t-J model we discuss the diverse behavior of stripe phases. In
particular the effect of inhomogeneities is investigated in two distinctly
different parameter regimes which are characterized by the strength of the
interaction. We observe that small concen- trations of impurities or vortices
pin the unidirectional density waves, and dopant disorder is capable to
stabilize a stripe phase in parameter regimes where homogeneous phases are
typically favored in clean systems. The momentum-space results exhibit
universal features for all coexisting density-wave solutions, nearly unchanged
even in strongly disordered systems. These coexisting solutions feature
generically a full energy gap and a particle-hole asymmetry in the density of
states.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figure
Spectroscopic evidence for preformed Cooper pairs in the pseudogap phase of cuprates
Angle-resolved photoemission on underdoped LaSrCuO
reveals that in the pseudogap phase, the dispersion has two branches located
above and below the Fermi level with a minimum at the Fermi momentum. This is
characteristic of the Bogoliubov dispersion in the superconducting state. We
also observe that the superconducting and pseudogaps have the same d-wave form
with the same amplitude. Our observations provide direct evidence for preformed
Cooper pairs, implying that the pseudogap phase is a precursor to
superconductivity
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