2,500 research outputs found
Absorbing systematic effects to obtain a better background model in a search for new physics
This paper presents a novel approach to estimate the Standard Model
backgrounds based on modifying Monte Carlo predictions within their systematic
uncertainties. The improved background model is obtained by altering the
original predictions with successively more complex correction functions in
signal-free control selections. Statistical tests indicate when sufficient
compatibility with data is reached. In this way, systematic effects are
absorbed into the new background model. The same correction is then applied on
the Monte Carlo prediction in the signal region. Comparing this method to other
background estimation techniques shows improvements with respect to statistical
and systematical uncertainties. The proposed method can also be applied in
other fields beyond high energy physics
Enzyme-Directed Mutasynthesis: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach to Substrate Recognition of a Polyketide Synthase
Acyltransferase domains control the extender unit recognition in Polyketide Synthases (PKS) and thereby the side-chain diversity of the resulting natural products. The enzyme engineering strategy presented here allows the alteration of the acyltransferase substrate profile to enable an engineered biosynthesis of natural product derivatives through the incorporation of a synthetic malonic acid thioester. Experimental sequence−function correlations combined with computational modeling revealed the origins of substrate recognition in these PKS domains and enabled a targeted mutagenesis. We show how a single point mutation was able to direct the incorporation of a malonic acid building block with a non-native functional group into erythromycin. This approach, introduced here as enzyme-directed mutasynthesis, opens a new field of possibilities beyond the state of the art for the combination of organic chemistry and biosynthesis toward natural product analogues
Transuranium compounds probed by nonresonant inelastic x-ray scattering
While x-ray absorption spectroscopy is mainly governed by electric-dipole transitions, the technique of nonresonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NIXS) offers the possibility to explore higher-order multipole transitions. These transitions obey different selection rules that can reach final states of higher angular momenta, opening complementary spectroscopic perspectives. Here, we investigate the suitability of NIXS to study transuranium compounds. We show that the K edge of the Be encapsulation can be practically fully excluded by using the imaging capabilities of the technique arising from the position of the signals on the multidetector. Experimental results for the multipole transitions at the actinide O-4,O-5 edges (90-120 eV) in UO2, NpO2, PuO2, and Pu2O3 are compared with multielectronic calculations. The spectral features are shown to be very sensitive to the ratio of the triakontadipole and octupole transitions, which could potentially be used to assess the radial expansion of the 5f wave function, which is expected to occur in covalent mixing with the O 2p states.Peer reviewe
CeRuSn: a strongly correlated material with nontrivial topology
Topological insulators form a novel state of matter that provides new
opportunities to create unique quantum phenomena. While the materials used so
far are based on semiconductors, recent theoretical studies predict that also
strongly correlated systems can show non-trivial topological properties,
thereby allowing even the emergence of surface phenomena that are not possible
with topological band insulators. From a practical point of view, it is also
expected that strong correlations will reduce the disturbing impact of defects
or impurities, and at the same increase the Fermi velocities of the topological
surface states. The challenge is now to discover such correlated materials.
Here, using advanced x-ray spectroscopies in combination with band structure
calculations, we infer that CeRuSn is a strongly correlated material
with non-trivial topology.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Scientific Report
Optimal control theory for unitary transformations
The dynamics of a quantum system driven by an external field is well
described by a unitary transformation generated by a time dependent
Hamiltonian. The inverse problem of finding the field that generates a specific
unitary transformation is the subject of study. The unitary transformation
which can represent an algorithm in a quantum computation is imposed on a
subset of quantum states embedded in a larger Hilbert space. Optimal control
theory (OCT) is used to solve the inversion problem irrespective of the initial
input state. A unified formalism, based on the Krotov method is developed
leading to a new scheme. The schemes are compared for the inversion of a
two-qubit Fourier transform using as registers the vibrational levels of the
electronic state of Na. Raman-like transitions through the
electronic state induce the transitions. Light fields are found
that are able to implement the Fourier transform within a picosecond time
scale. Such fields can be obtained by pulse-shaping techniques of a femtosecond
pulse. Out of the schemes studied the square modulus scheme converges fastest.
A study of the implementation of the qubit Fourier transform in the Na
molecule was carried out for up to 5 qubits. The classical computation effort
required to obtain the algorithm with a given fidelity is estimated to scale
exponentially with the number of levels. The observed moderate scaling of the
pulse intensity with the number of qubits in the transformation is
rationalized.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figure
Antiferromagnetic correlations in strongly valence fluctuating CeIrSn
CeIrSn with a quasikagome Ce lattice in the hexagonal basal plane is a
strongly valence fluctuating compound, as we confirm by hard x-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy and inelastic neutron scattering, with a high Kondo
temperature of \,K. We report a negative in-plane
thermal expansion below 2\,K, which passes through a broad minimum
near 0.75\,K. Volume and -axis magnetostriction for are
markedly negative at low fields and change sign before a sharp metamagnetic
anomaly at 6\,T. These behaviors are unexpected for Ce-based intermediate
valence systems, which should feature positive expansivity. Rather they point
towards antiferromagnetic correlations at very low temperatures. This is
supported by muon spin relaxation measurements down to 0.1\,K, which provide
microscopic evidence for a broad distribution of internal magnetic fields.
Comparison with isostructural CeRhSn suggests that these antiferromagnetic
correlations emerging at result from geometrical
frustration.Comment: to be published in Phys. Rev. Let
Singlet magnetism in intermetallic UGa unveiled by inelastic x-ray scattering
Using high resolution tender-x-ray resonant inelastic scattering and
hard-x-ray non-resonant inelastic scattering beyond the dipole limit we were
able to detect electronic excitations in intermetallic UGa that are highly
atomic in nature. Analysis of the spectral lineshape reveals that the local
configuration characterizes the correlated nature of this ferromagnet.
The orientation and directional dependence of the spectra indicate that the
ground state is made of the singlet and/or doublet
symmetry. With the ordered moment in the plane, we infer that the
magnetism originates from the higher lying doublet being mixed with
the singlet due to inter-site exchange, qualifying UGa to be a
true quantum magnet. The ability to observe atomic excitations is crucial to
resolve the on-going debate about the degree of localization versus itineracy
in U intermetallics.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure
Spectroscopic evidence of Kondo-induced quasi-quartet in CeRhAs
CeRhAs is a new multiphase superconductor with strong suggestions for
an additional itinerant multipolar ordered phase. The modeling of the low
temperature properties of this heavy fermion compound requires a quartet
Ce crystal-field ground state. Here we provide the evidence for the
formation of such a quartet state using x-ray spectroscopy. Core-level
photoelectron and x-ray absorption spectroscopy confirm the presence of Kondo
hybridization in CeRhAs. The temperature dependence of the linear
dichroism unambiguously reveils the impact of Kondo physics for coupling the
Kramer's doublets into an effective quasi-quartet. Non-resonant inelastic x-ray
scattering data find that the state with its lobes along
the 110 direction of the tetragonal structure ( orientation) contributes
most to the multi-orbital ground state of CeRhAs.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
Measurements of fiducial and differential cross sections for Higgs boson production in the diphoton decay channel at s√=8 TeV with ATLAS
Measurements of fiducial and differential cross sections are presented for Higgs boson production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of s√=8 TeV. The analysis is performed in the H → γγ decay channel using 20.3 fb−1 of data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The signal is extracted using a fit to the diphoton invariant mass spectrum assuming that the width of the resonance is much smaller than the experimental resolution. The signal yields are corrected for the effects of detector inefficiency and resolution. The pp → H → γγ fiducial cross section is measured to be 43.2 ±9.4(stat.) − 2.9 + 3.2 (syst.) ±1.2(lumi)fb for a Higgs boson of mass 125.4GeV decaying to two isolated photons that have transverse momentum greater than 35% and 25% of the diphoton invariant mass and each with absolute pseudorapidity less than 2.37. Four additional fiducial cross sections and two cross-section limits are presented in phase space regions that test the theoretical modelling of different Higgs boson production mechanisms, or are sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. Differential cross sections are also presented, as a function of variables related to the diphoton kinematics and the jet activity produced in the Higgs boson events. The observed spectra are statistically limited but broadly in line with the theoretical expectations
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