3,474 research outputs found
Direct observation of the Higgs amplitude mode in a two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnet near the quantum critical point
Spontaneous symmetry-breaking quantum phase transitions play an essential
role in condensed matter physics. The collective excitations in the
broken-symmetry phase near the quantum critical point can be characterized by
fluctuations of phase and amplitude of the order parameter. The phase
oscillations correspond to the massless NambuGoldstone modes whereas the
massive amplitude mode, analogous to the Higgs boson in particle physics, is
prone to decay into a pair of low-energy NambuGoldstone modes in low
dimensions. Especially, observation of a Higgs amplitude mode in two dimensions
is an outstanding experimental challenge. Here, using the inelastic neutron
scattering and applying the bond-operator theory, we directly and unambiguously
identify the Higgs amplitude mode in a two-dimensional S=1/2 quantum
antiferromagnet CHNCuBr near a quantum critical point in two
dimensions. Owing to an anisotropic energy gap, it kinematically prevents such
decay and the Higgs amplitude mode acquires an infinite lifetime.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures in the main text+3 figures in Supplementary
Informatio
Demonstration of Focusing Wolter Mirrors for Neutron Phase and Magnetic Imaging
Image-forming focusing mirrors were employed to demonstrate their applicability to two different modalities of neutron imaging, phase imaging with a far-field interferometer, and magnetic-field imaging through the manipulation of the neutron beam polarization. For the magnetic imaging, the rotation of the neutron polarization in the magnetic field was measured by placing a solenoid at the focus of the mirrors. The beam was polarized upstream of the solenoid, while the spin analyzer was situated between the solenoid and the mirrors. Such a polarized neutron microscope provides a path toward considerably improved spatial resolution in neutron imaging of magnetic materials. For the phase imaging, we show that the focusing mirrors preserve the beam coherence and the path-length differences that give rise to the far-field moiré pattern. We demonstrated that the visibility of the moiré pattern is modified by small angle scattering from a highly porous foam. This experiment demonstrates the feasibility of using Wolter optics to significantly improve the spatial resolution of the far-field interferometer. Keywords: neutron imaging; Wolter optics; polarized neutron imaging; far-field interferometerNational Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.) (Award 60NANB15D361
Regularized orbit models unveiling the stellar structure and dark matter halo of the Coma elliptical NGC 4807
This is the second in a series of papers dedicated to unveil the mass
structure and orbital content of a sample of flattened early-type galaxies in
the Coma cluster. The ability of our orbit libraries to reconstruct internal
stellar motions and the mass composition of a typical elliptical in the sample
is investigated by means of Monte-Carlo simulations of isotropic rotator
models. The simulations allow a determination of the optimal amount of
regularization needed in the orbit superpositions. It is shown that under
realistic observational conditions and with the appropriate regularization
internal velocity moments can be reconstructed to an accuracy of about 15 per
cent; the same accuracy can be achieved for the circular velocity and dark
matter fraction. In contrast, the flattening of the halo remains unconstrained.
Regularized orbit superpositions are applied to a first galaxy in our sample,
NGC 4807, for which stellar kinematical observations extend to 3 Reff. The
galaxy seems dark matter dominated outside 2 Reff. Logarithmic dark matter
potentials are consistent with the data, as well as NFW-profiles, mimicking
logarithmic potentials over the observationally sampled radial range. In both
cases, the derived stellar mass-to-light ratio agrees well with independently
obtained mass-to-light ratios from stellar population analysis. Kinematically,
NGC 4807 is characterized by mild radial anisotropy outside r>0.5 Reff,
becoming isotropic towards the center. Our orbit models hint at either a
distinct stellar component or weak triaxiality in the outer parts of the
galaxy.Comment: 20 pages, 25 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Towards rotation sensing with a single atomic clock
We discuss a scheme to implement a gyroscopic atom sensor with magnetically trapped ultra-cold atoms. Unlike standard light or matter wave Sagnac interferometers no free wave propagation is used. Interferometer operation is controlled only with static, radio-frequency and microwave magnetic fields, which removes the need for interferometric stability of optical laser beams. Due to the confinement of atoms, the scheme may allow the construction of small scale portable sensors. We discuss the main elements of the scheme and report on recent results and efforts towards its experimental realization
The conceptualisation and measurement of DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder: the development of the IGD-20 Test
Background: Over the last decade, there has been growing concern about ‘gaming addiction’ and its widely documented detrimental impacts on a minority of individuals that play excessively. The latest (fifth) edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) included nine criteria for the potential diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and noted that it was a condition that warranted further empirical study. Aim: The main aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable standardised psychometrically robust tool in addition to providing empirically supported cut-off points. Methods: A sample of 1003 gamers (85.2% males; mean age 26 years) from 57 different countries were recruited via online gaming forums. Validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), criterion-related validity, and concurrent validity. Latent profile analysis was also carried to distinguish disordered gamers from non-disordered gamers. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were performed to determine an empirical cut-off for the test. Results: The CFA confirmed the viability of IGD-20 Test with a six-factor structure (salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict and relapse) for the assessment of IGD according to the nine criteria from DSM-5. The IGD-20 Test proved to be valid and reliable. According to the latent profile analysis, 5.3% of the total participants were classed as disordered gamers. Additionally, an optimal empirical cut-off of 71 points (out of 100) seemed to be adequate according to the sensitivity and specificity analyses carried
Secondary infall model and dark matter scaling relations in intermediate redshift early - type galaxies
Scaling relations among dark matter (DM) and stellar quantities are a
valuable tool to constrain formation scenarios and the evolution of galactic
structures. However, most of the DM properties are actually not directly
measured, but derived through model dependent mass mapping procedures. It is
therefore crucial to adopt theoretically and observationally well founded
models. We use here an updated version of the secondary infall model (SIM) to
predict the halo density profile, taking into account the effects of angular
momentum, dissipative friction and baryons collapse. The resulting family of
halo profiles depends on one parameter only, the virial mass, and nicely fits
the projected mass and aperture velocity dispersion of a sample of intermediate
redshift lens galaxies. We derive DM related quantities (namely the column
density and the Newtonian acceleration) and investigate their correlations with
stellar mass, luminosity, effective radius and virial mass.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication on MNRA
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