AAPPS bulletin

August 2022Vol 32

Research and Review
  • Time reversal and reciprocity

    Olivier Sigwarth & Christian Miniatura

    Abstract In this paper, we review and discuss the main properties of the time-reversal operator T and its action in classical electromagnetism and in quantum mechanics. In particular, we discuss the relation (and differences) between time-reversal invariance and reciprocity. Introduction In quantum field theory, global and local symmetry invariance play an important and defining role [1]. Some, such as rotation invariance, are continuous symmetries and are described by a Lie group [2, 3] while

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  • Constraining active-sterile neutrino mixing via lepton flavor violating decays of mesons

    Shiyong Hu, Sam Ming-Yin Wong & Fanrong Xu

    Abstract As a hypothetic particle, a sterile neutrino can exist in types of new physics models. In this work by investigating flavor violating semileptonic and leptonic decays of K,D, and B mesons induced by the GeV scale sterile neutrino, we explore its allowed regions in parameter space. Analytically, we derive branching fractions of semileptonic decay \(M^{+}_{h}\to M_{l}^{+}\ell _{1}^{+}\ell _{2}^{-}\) and leptonic decay \(M^{0}\to \ell _{1}^{-}\ell _{2}^{+}\), including the contribution fr

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  • Understanding the Mott insulating state in 1T-TaS2 and 1T-TaSe2

    Ying Fei, Zongxiu Wu, Wenhao Zhang & Yi Yin

    Abstract In this article, we review the recent progress of the scanning tunneling microscopy studies of 1T-TaS2 and 1T-TaSe2 for bulk single crystals and molecular beam epitaxy monolayer films. We focus on how to understand the Mott insulating state in the whole set of materials, even when the stacking order takes effect. Based on this understanding, we discuss tuning the Mott insulator to a metallic state with different techniques, with Mott physics information revealed from the tuning process

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  • The production of actinides in neutron star mergers

    Meng-Ru Wu & Projjwal Banerjee

    Abstract Although the multimessenger detection of the neutron star merger event GW170817 confirmed that mergers are promising sites producing the majority of nature’s heavy elements via the rapid neutron-capture process (r-process), a number of issues related to the production of translead nuclei—the actinides—remain to be answered. In this short review paper, we summarize the general requirements for actinide production in r-process and the impact of nuclear physics inputs. We also discuss rec

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  • Helium ion microscopy for low-damage characterization and sub-10 nm nanofabrication

    Shinichi Ogawa

    Abstract This review introduces the technique of helium ion microscopy along with some unique applications of this technology in the fields of electronics and biology, as performed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan, over the last several years. Observations of large-scale integrated circuits, analyses of low-dielectric-constant films with minimal damage, and assessments of copper metal in insulating films are discussed. The special characteristics of

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Research Highlights
  • An exact many-body solution for Fermi polarons

    Hui Hu (PRL)

    Physicists at the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, have proposed an exact and solvable model for Fermi polarons that is experimentally realizable in current cold-atom laboratories. The resulting exact many-body solution allowed them to rigorously prove all exact and universal quasiparticle features of Fermi polarons. The behavior of an impurity immersed in a many-body background—i.e., polaron physics—is a long-standing problem in condensed matter physics and many-body

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News and Views
  • In memory of Prof. Bernard Bigot

    Weiping Liu

    With great sadness, I report that Prof. Bernard Bigot, director of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organization passed away on May 14, 2022. A great and creative researcher and leader for more than 40 years in the fields of science and nuclear energy, he made great contributions to ITER in the past 7 years through his effective promotion of ITER. His unexpected passing is a great loss to the international scientific community. Prof. Bigot’s outstanding service to ITE

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  • Two Nobel Prize winners to give plenaries at 2022 AIP Congress

    AIP

    Registrations and the call for abstracts are now open for the 24th AIP Congress Register now and submit abstracts at the official Congress website: https://aip-congress.org.au/index.html. Register to attend our AIP Congress in Adelaide this December and you will be able to watch two Nobel Prize winners—Professors Donna Strickland and Kip Thorne—give plenary talks. Full registration for the Congress also includes the Welcome Reception, catered poster sessions, and the Congress dinner. Intense la

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