Path In Parameter Space Research Articles

Combined dynamical and morphological characterisation of geodynamo simulations

Numerical dynamo simulations cannot operate at the physical conditions of Earth's core, yet they often produce fields that appear morphologically similar to the present geomagnetic field. A key issue is therefore to decipher under what conditions “Earth-like” simulations can be achieved. Recent work has shown that a set of simulations undertaken along a specific path in parameter space smoothly approach the QG-MAC dynamics that are expected in Earth's core, whereby the leading order force balance is Quasi-Geostrophic with Magnetic, Archimedean and Coriolis forces equilibrating at first order. However, a systematic link between QG-MAC balance and morphological features of the simulated fields has yet to be established. Here we assess a suite of 67 simulations using established compliance criteria for the field morphology and scale-dependent force balances to quantify the internal dynamics. Morphological compliance with the modern geomagnetic field does not imply a single underlying force balance or vice versa; however, the majority of compliant simulations, including all those approaching a realistic value of the magnetic Reynolds number Rm, are in QG-MAC balance. Simulations that simultaneously achieve excellent morphological compliance with Earth's modern field, QG-MAC balance, and high Rm, are confined to an intermediate range of dipolarity (the ratio of energy in the dipole field to the energy truncated at degree 12 at the outer boundary). Reversing simulations in this dipolarity range maintain dominant QG-MAC balance during polarity transition, though inertia makes a non-negligible contribution to the force balance.

Noise effects on the Wilczek–Zee geometric phase

Non-Abelian geometric phases have been proposed as an essential ingredient in logical gate implementation—their geometric nature guarantees their invariance under reparameterizations of the associated cyclic path in parameter space. However, they are still dependent on deformations of that path due to noise. The first question that we tackle in this work is how to quantify in a meaningful way this effect of noise, focusing, for concreteness, on the nuclear quadrupole resonance Hamiltonian—other systems of this nature can clearly be treated analogously. We consider a precessing magnetic field that drives adiabatically a degenerate doublet and is subjected to noise, the effects of which on the Wilczek–Zee holonomy are computed analytically. A critical review of previous related works reveals a series of assumptions, such as sudden jumps in the field, or the presence of white noise, that might violate adiabaticity. We propose a state-independent measure of the effect and then consider sinusoidal noise in the field of random amplitude and phase. We find that all integer noise frequencies m ≠ 2 behave similarly in a manner reminiscent of the Abelian case, but that noise of frequency m = 2 has a very different and, at the same time, very pronounced effect, which might well affect robustness estimations.

Statics and dynamics of a finite two-dimensional colloidal system with competing attractive critical Casimir and repulsive magnetic dipole interactions.

We continue our theoretical study of a recently proposed two-dimensional colloidal system with attractive critical Casimir and repulsive magnetic dipole forces that can be tuned easily and independently from each other via the temperature and the strength of an external magnetic field, respectively [K. Marolt, M. Zimmermann, and R. Roth, Phys. Rev. E 100, 052602 (2019)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.100.052602]. Using this freedom, it is possible to construct a competing interaction potential that causes microphase separation featuring spatially inhomogeneous cluster, stripe, and bubble phases in the bulk, i.e., in an infinite system without an external potential. In the present work, we demonstrate by means of density functional theory that microphase separation can also occur in finite geometries. In a square cell with a side length of 20 or 30 colloid diameters, we observe the emergence of highly structured cluster and ring phases at intermediate bulk densities in addition to almost uniform fluid phases for lower and higher bulk densities. We then employ dynamic density functional theory to determine how the system reacts when the temperature and the magnetic field are altered over time, and we show how to induce a transition from the liquid to the cluster/ring phase and also from the cluster directly to the ring phase. We find that often a slowly varying and nontrivial path in parameter space is required to reach a stable state, whereas abrupt changes are prone to lead to metastable configurations.

Suppressing nonadiabatic transitions during adiabatic generation of highly entangled states in bosonic Josephson junctions

We study suppression of nonadiabatic transitions during adiabatic generation of a cat-like state (a superposition of different size cat states) and a spin squeezed state in a bosonic Josephson junction. In order to minimize the adiabatic error, we use quantum adiabatic brachistochrone, which enables us to track a geometrically efficient path in parameter space under given conditions without requiring additional terms. For creation of a cat-like state, divergence of the quantum geometric tensor associated with gap closing at the critical point is avoided because of the parity conservation. The resulting schedules of parameters are smooth and monotonically decreasing curves. Use of these schedules offers reduction of time to generate both of a cat-like state and a spin squeezed state.

Local Riemannian geometry of model manifolds and its implications for practical parameter identifiability.

When non-linear models are fitted to experimental data, parameter estimates can be poorly constrained albeit being identifiable in principle. This means that along certain paths in parameter space, the log-likelihood does not exceed a given statistical threshold but remains bounded. This situation, denoted as practical non-identifiability, can be detected by Monte Carlo sampling or by systematic scanning using the profile likelihood method. In contrast, any method based on a Taylor expansion of the log-likelihood around the optimum, e.g., parameter uncertainty estimation by the Fisher Information Matrix, reveals no information about the boundedness at all. In this work, we present a geometric approach, approximating the original log-likelihood by geodesic coordinates of the model manifold. The Christoffel Symbols in the geodesic equation are fixed to those obtained from second order model sensitivities at the optimum. Based on three exemplary non-linear models we show that the information about the log-likelihood bounds and flat parameter directions can already be contained in this local information. Whereas the unbounded case represented by the Fisher Information Matrix is embedded in the geometric framework as vanishing Christoffel Symbols, non-vanishing constant Christoffel Symbols prove to define prototype non-linear models featuring boundedness and flat parameter directions of the log-likelihood. Finally, we investigate if those models could allow to approximate and replace computationally expensive objective functions originating from non-linear models by a surrogate objective function in parameter estimation problems.

Steady-state entropy: A proposal based on thermodynamic integration

Defining an entropy function out of equilibrium is an outstanding challenge. For stochastic lattice models in spatially uniform nonequilibrium steady states, definitions of temperature T and chemical potential μ have been verified using coexistence with heat and particle reservoirs. For an appropriate choice of exchange rates, T and μ satisfy the zeroth law, marking an important step in the development of steady-state thermodynamics. These results suggest that an associated steady-state entropy S_{th} be constructed via thermodynamic integration, using relations such as (∂S/∂E)_{V,N}=1/T, ensuring that derivatives of S_{th} with respect to energy and particle number yield the expected intensive parameters. We determine via direct calculation the stationary nonequilibrium probability distribution of the driven lattice gas with nearest-neighbor exclusion, the Katz-Lebowitz-Spohn driven lattice gas, and a two-temperature Ising model so that we may evaluate the Shannon entropy S_{S} as well as S_{th} defined above. Although the two entropies are identical in equilibrium (as expected), they differ out of equilibrium; for small values of the drive, D, we find |S_{S}-S_{th}|∝D^{2}, as expected on the basis of symmetry. We verify that S_{th} is not a state function: changes ΔS_{th} depend not only on the initial and final points, but also on the path in parameter space. The inequivalence of S_{S} and S_{th} implies that derivatives of S_{S} are not predictive of coexistence. In other words, a nonequilibrium steady state is not determined by maximizing the Shannon entropy. Our results cast doubt on the possibility of defining a state function that plays the role of a thermodynamic entropy for nonequilibrium steady states.

Variational study of the interacting, spinless Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model

We study the phase diagram and the total polarization distribution of the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model with nearest neighbor interaction in one dimension at half-filling. To obtain the ground state wave-function, we extend the Baeriswyl variational wave function to account for alternating hopping parameters. The ground state energies of the variational wave functions compare well to exact diagonalization results. For the case of uniform hopping for all bonds, where it is known that an ideal conductor to insulator transition takes place at finite interaction, we also find a transition at an interaction strength somewhat lower than the known value. The ideal conductor phase is a Fermi sea. The phase diagram in the whole parameter range shows a resemblance to the phase diagram of the Kane–Mele–Hubbard model. We also calculate the gauge invariant cumulants corresponding to the polarization (Zak phase) and use these to reconstruct the distribution of the polarization. We calculate the reconstructed polarization distribution along a path in parameter space which connects two points with opposite polarization in two ways. In one case we cross the metallic phase line, in the other, we go through only insulating states. In the former case, the average polarization changes discontinuously after passing through the metallic phase line, while in the latter the distribution ‘walks across’ smoothly from one polarization to its opposite. This state of affairs suggests that the correlation acts to break the chiral symmetry of the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model, in the same way as it happens when a Rice–Mele onsite potential is turned on.

Geomagnetic acceleration and rapid hydromagnetic wave dynamics in advanced numerical simulations of the geodynamo

Geomagnetic secular acceleration is a unique window on the dynamics taking place in Earth's core. In this study, the behaviours of the secular acceleration and underlying core dynamics are examined in new numerical simulations of the geodynamo that reside on a theoretical path in parameter space connecting the region where most classical models are found to the natural conditions. The typical time scale for geomagnetic acceleration is found to be invariant along this path, at a value close to 10 years that matches Earth's core estimates. Despite this invariance, the spatio-temporal properties of secular acceleration show significant variability along the path, with an asymptotic regime of rapid rotation reached after 30% of this path (corresponding to a model Ekman number $E=3~10^{-7}$). In this regime, the energy of secular acceleration is entirely found at periods longer than that of planetary rotation, and the underlying flow acceleration patterns acquire a two-dimensional columnar structure representative of the rapid rotation limit. The spatial pattern of the secular acceleration at the core-mantle boundary shows significant localisation of energy within an equatorial belt. Rapid hydromagnetic wave dynamics is absent at the start of the path but can be clearly exhibited in the asymptotic regime. This study reports on ubiquitous axisymmetric geostrophic torsional waves of weak amplitude relatively to convective transport, and also stronger, laterally limited, quasi-geostrophic Alfv\'en waves propagating in the cylindrical radial direction from the tip of convective plumes towards the core-mantle boundary. Quasi-geostrophic Alfv\'en waves are shown to be an important carrier of flow acceleration to the core surface that links with the generation of strong, short-lived and intermittent equatorial pulses in the secular acceleration energy.

Phase transitions and adiabatic preparation of a fractional Chern insulator in a boson cold-atom model

We investigate the fate of hardcore bosons in a Harper-Hofstadter model which was experimentally realized by Aidelsburger et al. [Nature Physics 11 , 162 (2015)] at half filling of the lowest band. We discuss the stability of an emergent fractional Chern insulator (FCI) state in a finite region of the phase diagram that is separated from a superfluid state by a first-order transition when tuning the band topology following the protocol used in the experiment. Since crossing a first-order transition is unfavorable for adiabatically preparing the FCI state, we extend the model to stabilize a featureless insulating state. The transition between this phase and the topological state proves to be continuous, providing a path in parameter space along which an FCI state could be adiabatically prepared. To further corroborate this statement, we perform time-dependent DMRG calculations which demonstrate that the FCI state may indeed be reached by adiabatically tuning a simple product state.

Spherical convective dynamos in the rapidly rotating asymptotic regime

Self-sustained convective dynamos in planetary systems operate in an asymptotic regime of rapid rotation, where a balance is thought to hold between the Coriolis, pressure, buoyancy and Lorentz forces (the MAC balance). Classical numerical solutions have previously been obtained in a regime of moderate rotation where viscous and inertial forces are still significant. We define a uni-dimensional path in parameter space between classical models and asymptotic conditions from the requirements to enforce a MAC balance and to preserve the ratio between the magnetic diffusion and convective overturn times (the magnetic Reynolds number). Direct numerical simulations performed along this path show that the spatial structure of the solution at scales larger than the magnetic dissipation length is largely invariant. This enables the definition of large-eddy simulations resting on the assumption that small-scale details of the hydrodynamic turbulence are irrelevant to the determination of the large-scale asymptotic state. These simulations are shown to be in good agreement with direct simulations in the range where both are feasible, and can be computed for control parameter values far beyond the current state of the art, such as an Ekman number $E=10^{-8}$. We obtain strong-field convective dynamos approaching the MAC balance and a Taylor state to an unprecedented degree of accuracy. The physical connection between classical models and asymptotic conditions is shown to be devoid of abrupt transitions, demonstrating the asymptotic relevance of classical numerical dynamo mechanisms. The fields of the system are confirmed to follow diffusivity-free, power-based scaling laws along the path.

Geometric quantum phase for displaced states for a particle with an induced electric dipole moment

Basing on the analogue Landau levels for a neutral particle possessing an induced electric dipole moment, we show that displaced states can be built in the presence of electric and magnetic fields. Besides, the Berry phase associated with these displaced quantum states is obtained by performing an adiabatic cyclic evolution in series of paths in parameter space.

Velocity amplitudes in global convection simulations: The role of the Prandtl number and near-surface driving

Several lines of evidence suggest that the velocity amplitude in global simulations of solar convection, U, may be systematically over-estimated. Motivated by these recent results, we explore the factors that determine U and we consider how these might scale to solar parameter regimes. To this end, we decrease the thermal diffusivity κ along two paths in parameter space. If the kinematic viscosity ν is decreased proportionally with κ (fixing the Prandtl number Pr=ν/κ), we find that U increases but asymptotes toward a constant value, as found by Featherstone and Hindman (2016). However, if ν is held fixed while decreasing κ (increasing Pr), we find that U systematically decreases. We attribute this to an enhancement of the thermal content of downflow plumes, which allows them to carry the solar luminosity with slower flow speeds. We contrast this with the case of Rayleigh–Bénard convection which is not subject to this luminosity constraint. This dramatic difference in behavior for the two paths in parameter space (fixed Pr or fixed ν) persists whether the heat transport by unresolved, near-surface convection is modeled as a thermal conduction or as a fixed flux. The results suggest that if solar convection can operate in a high-Pr regime, then this might effectively limit the velocity amplitude. Small-scale magnetism is a possible source of enhanced viscosity that may serve to achieve this high-Pr regime.

Topological Thouless pumping of ultracold fermions

A gas of electrons in a one-dimensional periodic potential can be transported even in the absence of a voltage bias if the potential is modulated slowly and periodically in time. Remarkably, the transferred charge per cycle is only sensitive to the topology of the path in parameter space. Although this so-called Thouless charge pump has first been proposed more than thirty years ago, it has not yet been realized. Here we report the first demonstration of topological Thouless pumping using ultracold atoms in a dynamically controlled optical superlattice. We observe a shift of the atomic cloud as a result of pumping and extract the topological invariance of the pumping process from this shift. We demonstrate the topological nature of the Thouless pump by varying the topology of the pumping path and verify that the topological pump indeed works in the quantum region by varying speed and temperature.

Exploring the effect of noise on the Berry phase

We make use of a superconducting qubit to study the effects of noise on adiabatic geometric phases. The state of the system, an effective spin one-half particle, is adiabatically guided along a closed path in parameter space and thereby acquires a geometric phase. By introducing artificial fluctuations in the control parameters, we measure the geometric contribution to dephasing for a variety of noise powers and evolution times. Our results clearly show that only fluctuations which distort the path lead to geometric dephasing. In a direct comparison with the dynamic phase, which is path-independent, we observe that the adiabatic geometric phase is less affected by noise-induced dephasing. This observation directly points towards the potential of geometric phases for quantum gates or metrological applications.

Comment on “Detecting non-Abelian geometric phases with three-levelΛsystems”

In their recent paper, Yan-Xiong Du et al. [Phys. Rev. A 84, 034103 (2011)] claim to have found a non-Abelian adiabatic geometric phase associated with the energy eigenstates of a large-detuned $\Lambda$ three-level system. They further propose a test to detect the non-commutative feature of this geometric phase. On the contrary, we show that the non-Abelian geometric phase picked up by the energy eigenstates of a $\Lambda$ system is trivial in the adiabatic approximation, while, in the exact treatment of the time evolution, this phase is very small and cannot be separated from the non-Abelian dynamical phase acquired along the path in parameter space.

Adiabatic Berry phase in an atom–molecule conversion system

We investigate the Berry phase of adiabatic quantum evolution in the atom–molecule conversion system that is governed by a nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We find that the Berry phase consists of two parts: the usual Berry connection term and a novel term from the nonlinearity brought forth by the atom–molecule coupling. The total geometric phase can be still viewed as the flux of the magnetic field of a monopole through the surface enclosed by a closed path in parameter space. The charge of the monopole, however, is found to be one third of the elementary charge of the usual quantized monopole. We also derive the classical Hannay angle of a geometric nature associated with the adiabatic evolution. It exactly equals minus Berry phase, indicating a novel connection between Berry phase and Hannay angle in contrast to the usual derivative form.

Magnetic-Field-Induced Crossover to a Nonuniversal Regime in a Kondo Dot

We have measured the magnetic splitting Delta K of a Kondo peak in the differential conductance of a single-electron transistor while tuning the Kondo temperature T K along two different paths in parameter space: varying the dot-lead coupling at a constant dot energy and vice versa. At a high magnetic field B, the changes of DeltaK with TK along the two paths have opposite signs, indicating that Delta K is not a universal function of TK. At low B, we observe a decrease in DeltaK with TK along both paths, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, we find Delta K/Delta<1 at low B and Delta K/Delta>1 at high B, where Delta is the Zeeman energy of the bare spin, in the same system.

A case study of evolutionary computation of biochemical adaptation

Simulations of evolution have a long history, but their relation to biology is questioned because of the perceived contingency of evolution. Here we provide an example of a biological process, adaptation, where simulations are argued to approach closer to biology. Adaptation is a common feature of sensory systems, and a plausible component of other biochemical networks because it rescales upstream signals to facilitate downstream processing. We create random gene networks numerically, by linking genes with interactions that model transcription, phosphorylation and protein–protein association. We define a fitness function for adaptation in terms of two functional metrics, and show that any reasonable combination of them will yield the same adaptive networks after repeated rounds of mutation and selection. Convergence to these networks is driven by positive selection and thus fast. There is always a path in parameter space of continuously improving fitness that leads to perfect adaptation, implying that the actual mutation rates we use in the simulation do not bias the results. Our results imply a kinetic view of evolution, i.e., it favors gene networks that can be learned quickly from the random examples supplied by mutation. This formulation allows for deductive predictions of the networks realized in nature.

Topological quantization by controlled paths: Application to Cooper pairs pumps

When physical systems are tunable by three classical parameters, level degeneracies may occur at isolated points in parameter space. A topological singularity in the phase of the degenerate eigenvectors exists at these points. When a path encloses such point, the accumulated geometrical phase is sensitive to its presence. Furthermore, surfaces in parameter space enclosing such point can be used to characterize the eigenvector singularities through their Chern indices, which are integers. They can be used to quantize a physical quantity of interest. This quantity changes continuously during an adiabatic evolution along a path in parameter space. Quantization requires to turn this path into a surface with a well defined Chern index. We analyze the conditions necessary to a topological quantization by controlled paths. It is applied to Cooper pair pumps. For more general problems, a set of four criteria is proposed to check if topological quantization is possible.

Metastable states, the adiabatic theorem and parity violating geometric phases II

We discuss and calculate parity conserving (PC) and parity violating (PV) geometric phases for the metastable 2S states of hydrogen and deuterium. The atoms are supposed to be subjected to slowly varying electric and magnetic fields which act as external parameters for the atoms. Geometric flux density fields are introduced which allow for an easy overview how to choose the paths in parameter space in order to obtain only PC or only PV geometric phases. The PV phases are calculated in the Standard Model of particle physics. Even if numerically they come out small they have interest of principle as a new manifestation of parity violation in atomic physics.