Scatter Off Research Articles

Exploiting the photonic nonlinearity of free-space subwavelength arrays of atoms

Ordered ensembles of atoms, such as atomic arrays, exhibit distinctive features from their disordered counterpart. In particular, while collective modes in disordered ensembles show a linear optical response, collective subradiant excitations of subwavelength arrays are endowed with an intrinsic non-linearity. Such non-linearity has both a coherent and a dissipative component: two excitations propagating in the array scatter off each other leading to formation of correlations and to emission into free space modes. We show how to take advantage of such non-linearity to coherently prepare a single excitation in a subradiant (dark) collective state of a one dimensional array as well as to perform an entangling operation on dark states of parallel arrays. We discuss the main source of errors represented by disorder introduced by atomic center-of-mass fluctuations, and we propose a practical way to mitigate its effects.

Nitric Oxide Scattering off Graphene Using Surface-Velocity Map Imaging

We investigated the scattering of nitric oxide, NO, off graphene supported on gold. This is of fundamental importance to chemistry as collisions are the necessary first step to chemical reactions on graphene, and nitric oxide molecules are inherently radicals, with the potential to bond to graphene. We directed a molecular beam of NO in helium onto graphene and detected the directly scattered molecules using surface-velocity map imaging. In contrast to previous scattering studies off graphite, which detected only a modest reduction of the translational energy of the NO, we observe a loss of ∼80% of the molecules’ kinetic energy. Our classical molecular dynamics simulations still predict a loss of ∼60% of the translational energy in the scattering process. This energy appears to partly go into the NO rotations but mostly into collective motion of the carbon atoms in the graphene sheet. At 0° incidence angle, we also observe a very narrow angular scattering distribution. Both findings may be unique to pristine graphene on gold as (1) the two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb structure is perfectly flat and (2) the graphene is only loosely held to the gold at a distance of 3.4 Å, thus it can absorb much of the projectiles’ kinetic energy.

Indirect detection constraints on the scotogenic dark matter model

Radiative seesaw models have the attractive property of providing dark matter candidates in addition to the generation of neutrino masses. Here we present a study of neutrino signals from the annihilation of dark matter particles that have been gravitationally captured in the Sun in the framework of the scotogenic model. We compute expected event rates in the IceCube detector in its 86-string configuration. As fermionic dark matter does not scatter off nucleons due to its singlet nature and therefore does not accumulate in the Sun, we study the case of scalar dark matter with a scan over the parameter space. Due to a naturally small mass splitting between the two neutral scalar components, inelastic scattering processes with nucleons can occur. We find that for most of the parameter space, i.e. for mass splittings below 500 keV, inelastic scattering in the Sun yields IceCube event rates above 10 events per year, whereas direct detection on Earth is sensitive only to 250 keV. Consequently, a detailed analysis with IceCube could lead to a lower limit on the scalar coupling λ5≳1.6·10-5· m_ DM/TeV. For larger mass splittings, only elastic scattering occurs in the Sun. In this case, XENON1T limits only allow for models with expected event rates of up to \U0001d4aa(0.1) per year. Some of these models, in particular those with large DM mass and fermion coannihilation, could also be tested with a dedicated IceCube analysis of DM annihilation in the Galactic Center.

Decoherent Excitation of Transverse Free Currents in Dielectric Liquids via Inter-Molecular Interactions

We present a theoretical model for a class of optical scattering experiments in which short-duration, linearly-polarized electromagnetic pulses scatter off dielectric liquids. The pattern of scattering, particularly in the transverse direction, indicates that significant free currents are generated in the direction orthogonal to the polarization of the incident light. Modelling the target as a dense cluster of two-level systems, we show that transverse free currents are produced by short duration, electric-dipole interactions between proximate molecules, and result in scattering patterns similar to those observed in the experiments. Calculations provide a rationale for why these scattering patterns are not observed in the same molecules at lower densities or with lower field intensities. These features make this model a relevant alternative to proposed transverse optical magnetism theories.

Transmission-based tomography for spin qubits

We consider a system of static spin qubits embedded in a one-dimensional spin coherent channel and develop a scheme to readout the state of one and two qubits separately. We use unpolarized flying qubits for this purpose that scatter off from the static qubits due to the Heisenberg exchange interaction. Analysing the transmission coefficient as a function of density matrix elements along with additional unitary gates we reconstruct the state of static qubits.

Concept of Coherence in Neutrino and Antineutrino Scattering off Nuclei

The concept of coherence in the scattering of neutrinos and antineutrinos off nuclei is discussed. Motivated by the results of the COHERENT experiment, a new approach to coherence in these processes is proposed, which allows a unified description of the elastic (coherent) and inelastic (incoherent) contributions to the total cross section for neutrino and antineutrino scattering off nuclei at energies below 100 MeV. Experiments and physical problems for coherent scattering of (anti)neutrinos off nuclei are briefly discussed. The extended appendix covers the main points and conclusions of the proposed approach in pedagogical detail.

Realism and causality. I. Pilot wave and retrocausal models as possible facilitators

Of all basic principles of classical physics, realism should arguably be the last to be given up when seeking a better interpretation of quantum mechanics. We examine the de Broglie-Bohm pilot wave theory as a well developed example of a realistic theory. We present three challenges to a naive reading of pilot-wave theory, each based on a system of several entangled particles. With the help of a coarse graining of pilot wave theory into a discrete system, we show how these challenges can be answered. However this comes with a cost. In the description of individual systems, particles appear to scatter off empty branches of the wave function as if they were particles, and conversely travel through particles as if they were waves. More generally, the "particles" of pilot wave theory are led by the guidance equation to move in ways no classical particle would, involving apparent violations of the principles of inertia and momentum conservation.We next argue that the aforementioned cost can be avoided within a retrocausal model. In the proposed version of the pilot wave theory, the particle is guided by a combination of advanced and retarded waves. The resulting account for quantum physics seems to have greater heuristic power, it demands less damage to intuition, and moreover provides some general hints regarding spacetime and causality. This is the first of two papers. In the second [1] we show that, in the context of an explicit model, retrocausality, with respect to an effective, emergent spacetime metric, can coexist with a strict irreversibility of causal processes.

Deeply virtual Compton Scattering off 4He

Deeply virtual Compton scattering is a fascinating process which can provide a tomographic view of nuclei and bound nucleons. The first experimental results for 4He targets, recently released at Jefferson Lab, have been analyzed here in a rigorous Impulse Approximation scenario. For both the coherent and incoherent channels of the process, the main experimental observables have been written in terms of state-of-the-art models of the nuclear spectral function and of the parton structure of the bound proton. A good overall agreement with the data is obtained. The calculation shows that a comparison of our conventional results with future precise data can expose novel quark and gluon effects in nuclei.

Spin Relaxation in s-Wave Superconductors in the Presence of Resonant Spin-Flip Scatterers.

Employing analytical methods and quantum transport simulations we investigate the relaxation of quasiparticle spins in graphene proximitized by an s-wave superconductor in the presence of resonant magnetic and spin-orbit active impurities. Off resonance, the relaxation increases with decreasing temperature when electrons scatter off magnetic impurities-the Hebel-Slichter effect-and decreases when impurities have spin-orbit coupling. This distinct temperature dependence (not present in the normal state) uniquely discriminates between the two scattering mechanisms. However, we show that the Hebel-Slichter picture breaks down at resonances. The emergence of Yu-Shiba-Rusinov bound states within the superconducting gap redistributes the spectral weight away from magnetic resonances. The result is opposite to the Hebel-Slichter expectation: the spin relaxation decreases with decreasing temperature. Our findings hold for generic s-wave superconductors with resonant magnetic impurities, but also, as we show, for resonant magnetic Josephson junctions.

Low-Frequency (Gigahertz to Terahertz) Depolarized Raman Scattering Off n-Alkanes, Cycloalkanes, and Six-Membered Rings: A Physical Interpretation.

Molecular liquids have long been known to undergo various distinct intermolecular motions, from fast librations and cage-rattling oscillations to slow orientational and translational diffusion. However, their resultant gigahertz to terahertz spectra are far from simple, appearing as broad shapeless bands that span many orders of magnitude of frequency, making meaningful interpretation troublesome. Ad hoc spectral line shape fitting has become a notoriously fine art in the field; a unified approach to handling such spectra is long overdue. Here we apply ultrafast optical Kerr-effect (OKE) spectroscopy to study the intermolecular dynamics of room-temperature n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, and six-carbon rings, as well as liquid methane and propane. This work provides stress tests and converges upon an experimentally robust model across simple molecular series and range of temperatures, providing a blueprint for the interpretation of the dynamics of van der Waals liquids. This will enable the interpretation of low-frequency spectra of more complex liquids.

Detecting and Locating Electromagnetic Counterparts to Gravitational Wave Sources Using Galactic Dust Scattering Halos

Abstract We discuss a technique for detecting and locating rapid transient electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave sources that affords a reprieve of several hours after the gravitational wave event. The technique relies on detecting a scattering halo produced if X-rays emitted at the gravitational wave event scatter off Galactic dust clouds. The travel-time delay of these scattered photons makes them detectable up to several hours after the prompt event; the location of the gravitational wave source will be at the geometric center of the halo, which can be determined with precision sufficient to allow the host galaxy to be identified.

Do we have any hope of detecting scattering between dark energy and baryons through cosmology?

ABSTRACT We consider the possibility that dark energy and baryons might scatter off each other. The type of interaction we consider leads to a pure momentum exchange, and does not affect the background evolution of the expansion history. We parametrize this interaction in an effective way at the level of Boltzmann equations. We compute the effect of dark energy-baryon scattering on cosmological observables, focusing on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature anisotropy power spectrum and the matter power spectrum. Surprisingly, we find that even huge dark energy-baryon cross-sections $\sigma _{xb} \sim {\cal O}({\rm b})$, which are generically excluded by non-cosmological probes such as collider searches or precision gravity tests, only leave an insignificant imprint on the observables considered. In the case of the CMB temperature power spectrum, the only imprint consists in a sub-per cent enhancement or depletion of power (depending whether or not the dark energy equation of state lies above or below −1) at very low multipoles, which is thus swamped by cosmic variance. These effects are explained in terms of differences in how gravitational potentials decay in the presence of a dark energy-baryon scattering, which ultimately lead to an increase or decrease in the late-time integrated Sachs–Wolfe power. Even smaller related effects are imprinted on the matter power spectrum. The imprints on the CMB are not expected to be degenerate with the effects due to altering the dark energy sound speed. We conclude that, while strongly appealing, the prospects for a direct detection of dark energy through cosmology do not seem feasible when considering realistic dark energy-baryon cross-sections. As a caveat, our results hold to linear order in perturbation theory.

Response Functions and Differential Cross Sections for Neutrino Scattering off \(^2\)H

Response Functions and Differential Cross Sections for Neutrino Scattering off \(^2\)H

Direct detection of nuclear scattering of sub-Gev dark matter using molecular excitations

We propose a novel direct detection concept to search for dark matter with 100~keV to 100~MeV masses. Such dark matter can scatter off molecules in a gas and transfer an $\mathcal{O}(1)$ fraction of its kinetic energy to excite a vibrational and rotational state. The excited ro-vibrational mode relaxes rapidly and produces a spectacular multi-infrared-photon signal, which can be observed with ultrasensitive photodetectors. We discuss in detail a gas target consisting of carbon monoxide molecules, which enable efficient photon emission even at a relatively low temperature and high vapor pressure. The emitted photons have an energy in the range 180~meV to 265~meV. By mixing together carbon monoxide molecules of different isotopes, including those with an odd number of neutrons, we obtain sensitivity to both spin-independent interactions and spin-dependent interactions with the neutron. We also consider hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen bromide, and scandium hydride molecules, which each provide sensitivity to spin-dependent interactions with the proton. The proposed detection concept can be realized with near-term technology and allows for the exploration of orders of magnitude of new dark matter parameter space.

Leveraging Nanoscale Phenomena in Electrochemically Dealloyed Nanoporous Gold for Gas Sensing

As the chemical environment grows more complex in research and industrial settings, there is an increasing demand for robust and flexible sensors for volatile chemicals. Nanomaterials are a promising new frontier of investigation to tackle these challenges. While the praise of nanosensors often focuses on their high surface area, the ability to exploit nanoscale phenomena for transduction opens up exciting possibilities. The drawback of many nanoscale sensing platforms is challenging fabrication. In this work, we utilize a simple but highly controllable electrochemical method to form nanoporous gold, as well as its Pt alloy derivatives with even finer pore sizes. Rather than applying nanoporous gold to a conventional aqueous electrochemical sensor, we leveraged unique nanoscale phenomena to apply nanoporous gold as the first reported multi-variate gas sensor. Electronic conduction in nanoporous networks is fundamentally different from bulk metallic conduction. While conduction in bulk systems is limited by phonon scattering, electrons in nanoporous gold scatter off surfaces before they encounter a phonon. This behavior is strongly modulated by chemicals adsorbed to the surface. Since the quantity adsorbed on the surface depends on the equilibrium with the gas concentration, one can use changes in resistance to sense the gas concentration. We have demonstrated this detection principle for several model volatile chemicals (water, acetone, ethanol). By monitoring both the in phase and out of phase electrical response, we also observed changes in the capacitive behavior. These capacitive changes were driven by pore filling. Condensed liquid within the pores allows for the formation of an electric double layer. This condensation occurs far below the typical saturation pressure due to the confined curvature of nanopores. By combining such data with changes in electrical resistance, we demonstrate robust and selective gas sensing. In this work we demonstrate that a single multi-variate nanoporous gold gas sensor can detect multiple compounds (water, acetone, ethanol). We also measure sensor characteristics: sensitivity, delay, and hysteresis. These results show the potential for the application of nanoporous gold as a versatile and selective volatile chemical sensor. Figure 1

Asynchronous Ballistic Reversible Fluxon Logic

In a previous paper, we described a new abstract circuit model for reversible computation called asynchronous ballistic reversible computing (ABRC), in which localized information-bearing pulses propagate ballistically along signal paths between stateful abstract devices and elastically scatter off those devices serially, while updating the device state in a logically-reversible and deterministic fashion. The ABRC model has been shown to be capable of universal computation. In the research reported here, we begin exploring how the ABRC model might be realized in practice using single flux quantum solitons (fluxons) in superconducting Josephson junction (JJ) circuits. One natural family of realizations could utilize fluxon polarity to represent binary data in individual pulses propagating near-ballistically, along discrete or continuous long Josephson junctions or microstrip passive transmission lines, and utilize the flux charge (-1, 0, +1) of a JJ-containing superconducting loop with Φ 0 <; I c L <; 2Φ 0 to encode a ternary state variable internal to a device. A natural question then arises as to which of the definable abstract ABRC device functionalities using this data representation might be implementable using a JJ circuit that dissipates only a small fraction of the input fluxon energy. We discuss conservation rules and symmetries considered as constraints to be obeyed in these circuits, and begin the process of classifying the possible ABRC devices in this family having up to three bidirectional I/O terminals, and up to three internal states.

Non-Hermitian heterostructure for two-parameter sensing.

Non-Hermitian systems at exceptional point (EP) degeneracy are demonstrated to be highly sensitive to environmental perturbation. Here, we propose and theoretically investigate a novel multilayered heterostructure favoring double EPs for a unique set of material parameters at which forward- and backward-reflection coefficients vanish, respectively. Such an EP heterostructure is shown to scatter off light when system parameters are perturbed away from the degeneracies due to the effect of ambient temperature and mechanical stress fluctuations. The proposed structure is conducive to manipulating optical responses for two mutually independent parameters sensing.

Orbiting black-hole binaries and apparent horizons in higher dimensions

We study gravitational wave emission and the structure and formation of apparent horizons in orbiting black-hole binary systems in higher-dimensional general relativity. For this purpose we present an apparent horizon finder for use in higher dimensional numerical simulations and test the finder’s accuracy and consistency in single and binary black-hole spacetimes. The black-hole binaries we model in D = 6 dimensions complete up to about one orbit before merging or scatter off each other without formation of a common horizon. In agreement with the absence of stable circular geodesic orbits around higher-dimensional black holes, we do not find binaries completing multiple orbits without finetuning of the initial data. All binaries radiate about 0.13%–0.2% of the total mass-energy in gravitational waves, over an order of magnitude below the radiated energy measured for four-dimensional binaries. The low radiative efficiency is accompanied by relatively slow dynamics of the binaries as expected from the more rapid falloff of the binding gravitational force in higher dimensions.

Phonon diffraction and dimensionality crossover in phonon-interface scattering

Thermal resistance at interfaces and grain boundaries is important in a range of fields from microelectronics to energy materials. Standard models treat interfaces as structureless even though at the nanoscale they are often better described as arrays of linear defects. Here, we examine several characteristics of heat transport that arise when considering such a structure at the interface. When heat carrying phonons scatter off linear defect arrays, diffraction of phonons occurs. Furthermore, a dimensionality crossover is observed in diffusive transport. Phonons transition from seeing a structureless planar defect when their wavelength is longer than the defect spacing, lambda gtrsim D, to seeing the interface as a collection of independently scattering linear defects when lambda lesssim D. By applying this theory to grain boundary strain-field scattering, we show that this dimensionality crossover can explain the frequency dependence of grain boundary scattering and transmissivity, which results in the T2 temperature dependence observed in the low-T thermal conductivity of poly/nanocrystalline materials.

Low-momentum dynamic structure factor of a strongly interacting Fermi gas at finite temperature: The Goldstone phonon and its Landau damping

We develop a microscopic theory of dynamic structure factor to describe the Bogoliubov-Anderson-Goldstone phonon mode and its damping rate in a strongly interacting Fermi gas at finite temperature. It is based on a density functional approach - the so-called superfluid local density approximation. The accuracy of the theory is quantitatively examined by comparing the theoretical predictions with the recent experimental measurements for the local dynamic structure factor of a nearly homogeneous unitary Fermi gas at low transferred momentum {[}S. Hoinka \textit{et al.}, Nat. Phys. \textbf{13}, 943 (2017){]}, without any free parameters. We calculate the dynamic structure factor as functions of temperature and transferred momentum, and determine the temperature evolution of the phonon damping rate, by considering the dominant decay process of the phonon mode via scatterings off fermionic quasiparticles. These predictions can be confronted with future Bragg scattering experiments on a unitary Fermi gas near the superfluid transition.