Delocalized states in three-terminal superconductor-semiconductor nanowire devices

We fabricate three-terminal hybrid devices with a nanowire segment proximitized by a superconductor, and with two tunnel probe contacts on either side of that segment. We perform simultaneous tunneling measurements on both sides. We identify some states as delocalized above-gap states observed on both ends, and some states as localized near one of the tunnel barriers. Delocalized states can be traced from zero to finite magnetic fields beyond 0.5 T. In the parameter regime of delocalized states, we search for correlated subgap resonances required by the Majorana zero mode hypothesis. While both sides exhibit ubiquitous low-energy features at high fields, no correlation is inferred. Simulations using a one-dimensional effective model suggest that delocalized states may belong to lower one-dimensional subbands, while the localized states originate from higher subbands. To avoid localization in higher subbands, disorder may need to be further reduced to realize Majorana zero modes.

The anomalous $Zbbar{b}$ couplings at the HERA and EIC

To resolve the long-standing discrepancy between the precision measurement of bottom quark forward-backward asymmetry at LEP/SLC and the Standard Model prediction, we propose a novel method to probe the $Zbbar{b}$ coupling by measuring the single-spin asymmetry $A_e^b$ of the polarized lepton cross section in neutral current DIS processes with a $b$-tagged jet at HERA and EIC. Depending on the tagging efficiency of the final state $b$-jet, the measurement of $A_e^b$ at HERA can already partially break the degeneracy found in the anomalous $Zbbar{b}$ coupling, as implied by the LEP and SLC precision electroweak data. In the first year run of the EIC, the measurement of $A_e^b$ can already break the degeneracy, due to its much larger luminosity and higher electron beam polarization. With enough integrated luminosity collected at the EIC, it is possible to either verify or exclude the LEP data and resolve the $A_{rm FB}^b$ puzzle. We also discuss the complementary roles between the proposed $A_e^b$ measurement at EIC and the measurement of $gg to Zh$ cross section at the HL-LHC in constraining the anomalous $Zbbar{b}$ coupling.

The anomalous $Zbbar{b}$ couplings: From LEP to LHC

The bottom quark forward-backward asymmetry ($A_{FB}^b$) data at LEP exhibits a long-standing discrepancy with the standard model prediction. We propose a novel method to probe the $Zbbar{b}$ interactions through $ggto Zh$ production at the LHC, which is sensitive to the axial-vector component of the $Zbbar{b}$ couplings. We demonstrate that the $Zh$ data collected at the 13 TeV LHC can already resolve the apparent degeneracy of the anomalous $Zbbar{b}$ couplings implied by the LEP precision electroweak measurements, with a strong dependence on the observed distribution of the $Z$ boson transverse momentum. We also show the potential of the HL-LHC to either verify or exclude the anomalous $Zbbar{b}$ couplings observed at LEP through measuring the $Zh$ production rate at the HL-LHC, and this conclusion is not sensitive to possible new physics contribution induced by top quark or Higgs boson anomalous couplings in the loop.

Characteristic quantities for nonequilibrium Bose systems

The paper discusses what characteristic quantities could quantify nonequilibrium states of Bose systems. Among such quantities, the following are considered: effective temperature, Fresnel number, and Mach number. The suggested classification of nonequilibrium states is illustrated by studying a Bose-Einstein condensate in a shaken trap, where it is possible to distinguish eight different nonequilibrium states: weak nonequilibrium, vortex germs, vortex rings, vortex lines, deformed vortices, vortex turbulence, grain turbulence, and wave turbulence. Nonequilibrium states are created experimentally and modeled by solving the nonlinear Schrodinger equation.

Results of 12 Years of Pulsar Timing at Nanshan -- I

We have used the Nanshan 25-m Radio Telescope at Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory to obtain timing observations of 87 pulsars from 2002 July to 2014 March. Using the Cholesky timing analysis method we have determined positions and proper motions for 48 pulsars, 24 of which are improved positions compared to previously published values. We also present the first published proper motions for nine pulsars and improved proper motions for 21 pulsars using pulsar timing and position comparison method. The pulsar rotation parameters are derived and are more accurate than previously published values for 36 pulsars. Glitches are detected in three pulsars: PSRs J1722$-$3632, J1852$-$0635 and J1957+2831. For the first two, the glitches are large, with $Delta u_g/ u > 10^{-6}$, and they are the first detected glitches in these pulsars. PSR J1722$-$3632 is the second oldest pulsar with large glitch. For the middle-age pulsars ($tau_c > 10^5$~yr), the calculated braking indices, $|n|$, are strongly correlated with $tau_c$ and the numbers of positive and negative values of $n$ are almost equal. For young pulsars ($tau_c < 10^5$~yr), there is no correlation between $|n|$ and $tau_c$ and most have $n>0$.

Non-Majorana states yield nearly quantized conductance in superconductor-semiconductor nanowire devices

Conductance at zero source-drain voltage bias in InSb nanowire/NbTiN superconductor devices exhibits peaks that are close to a quantized value of $2e^2/h$. The nearly quantized resonances evolve in the tunnel barrier strength, magnetic field and magnetic field orientation in a way consistent with Majorana zero modes. Our devices feature two tunnel probes on both ends of the nanowire separated by a 400 nm nanowire segment covered by the superconductor. We only find nearly quantized zero bias peaks localized to one end of the nanowire, while conductance dips are observed for the same parameters on the other end. This undermines the Majorana explanation as Majorana modes must come in pairs. We do identify states delocalized from end to end near zero magnetic field and at higher electron density, which is not in the basic Majorana regime. We lay out procedures for assessing the nonlocality of subgap wavefunctions and provide a classification of nanowire bound states based on their localization.

Scalings for Tokamak Energy Confinement

On the basis of an analysis of the ITER L-mode energy confinement database, two new scaling expressions for tokamak L-mode energy confinement are proposed, namely a power law scaling and an offset-linear scaling. The analysis indicates that the present multiplicity of scaling expressions for the energy confinement time TE in tokamaks (Goldston, Kaye, Odajima-Shimomura, Rebut-Lallia, etc.) is due both to the lack of variation of a key parameter combination in the database, fs = 0.32 R a^.75 k^ 5 ~ A a^.25 k^.5, and to variations in the dependence of rE on the physical parameters among the different tokamaks in the database. By combining multiples of fs and another factor, fq = 1.56 a^2 kB/R Ip = qeng/3.2, which partially reflects the tokamak to tokamak variation of the dependence of TE on q and therefore implicitly the dependence of TE on Ip and n,., the two proposed confinement scaling expressions can be transformed to forms very close to most of the common scaling expressions. To reduce the multiplicity of the scalings for energy confinement, the database must be improved by adding new data with significant variations in fs, and the physical reasons for the tokamak to tokamak variation of some of the dependences of the energy confinement time on tokamak parameters must be clarified

BRST approach to Lagrangian formulation for mixed-symmetry fermionic higher-spin fields

We construct a Lagrangian description of irreducible half-integer higher-spin representations of the Poincare group with the corresponding Young tableaux having two rows, on a basis of the BRST approach. Starting with a description of fermionic higher-spin fields in a flat space of any dimension in terms of an auxiliary Fock space, we realize a conversion of the initial operator constraint system (constructed with respect to the relations extracting irreducible Poincare-group representations) into a first-class constraint system. For this purpose, we find auxiliary representations of the constraint subsuperalgebra containing the subsystem of second-class constraints in terms of Verma modules. We propose a universal procedure of constructing gauge-invariant Lagrangians with reducible gauge symmetries describing the dynamics of both massless and massive fermionic fields of any spin. No off-shell constraints for the fields and gauge parameters are used from the very beginning. It is shown that the space of BRST cohomologies with a vanishing ghost number is determined only by the constraints corresponding to an irreducible Poincare-group representation. To illustrate the general construction, we obtain a Lagrangian description of fermionic fields with generalized spin (3/2,1/2) and (3/2,3/2) on a flat background containing the complete set of auxiliary fields and gauge symmetries.

Timing irregularities of PSR~J1705$-$1906

Timing analysis of PSR J1705$-$1906 using data from Nanshan 25-m and Parkes 64-m radio telescopes, which span over fourteen years, shows that the pulsar exhibits significant proper motion, and rotation instability. We updated the astrometry parameters and the spin parameters of the pulsar. In order to minimize the effect of timing irregularities on measuring its position, we employ the Cholesky method to analyse the timing noise. We obtain the proper motion of $-$77(3) ,mas,yr$^{-1}$ in right ascension and $-$38(29) ,mas,yr$^{-1}$ in declination. The power spectrum of timing noise is analyzed for the first time, which gives the spectral exponent $alpha=-5.2$ for the power-law model indicating that the fluctuations in spin frequency and spin-down rate dominate the red noise. We detect two small glitches from this pulsar with fractional jump in spin frequency of $Delta u/ usim2.9times10^{-10}$ around MJD~55199 and $Delta u/ usim2.7times10^{-10}$ around MJD~55953. Investigations of pulse profile at different time segments suggest no significant changes in the pulse profiles around the two glitches.

31 Glitches in Twelve Radio Pulsars

Data are gathered from the Parkes pulsar data archive of twelve young radio pulsars, with the intervals of data for each pulsar ranged between 2.8 years and 6.8 years. 31 glitches are identified by using phase connection from pulsar timing technology, ranging from $1.7times10^{-9}$ to $8.5times10^{-6}$ at the change in relative glitch sizes $Delta u/ u$, where $ u=1/P$ is the pulse frequency. 8 post-glitch behaviours of 13 published glitches are updated with 4 exponential recoveries observed. Detecting 18 new glitches has great significance, but only one exponential relaxation was discovered in these new glitches. The bimodal distribution of $Delta u/ u$, as before, is validated with peaks at $sim 10^{-6}$ and $sim 10^{-9}$. Moreover, all exponential decays were observed in large glitches, and have very low $Q$. It takes short time toward the extrapolation of the pre-glitch pulse frequency with the timescale of 40 or 80 days. Besides, most glitches exhibit a linear decrease in slow-down rate $|dot{ u}|$ and a permanent change in $ddot{ u}$ after glitch. In special, PSR J1341-6220 was detected 4 new glitches to compose a total of 27 glitches, rising in third place of the most actively glitching pulsars known with a glitch rate of $1.17$ glitches per year. Unusual post-glitch behaviours demonstrate long-lasting increase of $ u$ for hundreds of days in PSR J1112--6103 and PSR J1614--5048.