{"title":"CP violation in the B system","authors":"T. Gershon, V. Gligorov","doi":"10.1088/1361-6633/aa5514","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6633/aa5514","url":null,"abstract":"The phenomenon of CP violation is crucial to understand the asymmetry between matter and antimatter that exists in the Universe. Dramatic experimental progress has been made, in particular in measurements of the behaviour of particles containing the b quark, where CP violation effects are predicted by the Kobayashi–Maskawa mechanism that is embedded in the standard model. The status of these measurements and future prospects for an understanding of CP violation beyond the standard model are reviewed.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"127 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76498638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quantum many-body theory for electron spin decoherence in nanoscale nuclear spin baths","authors":"Wen Yang, Wen-Long Ma, Renbao Liu","doi":"10.1088/0034-4885/80/1/016001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/80/1/016001","url":null,"abstract":"Decoherence of electron spins in nanoscale systems is important to quantum technologies such as quantum information processing and magnetometry. It is also an ideal model problem for studying the crossover between quantum and classical phenomena. At low temperatures or in light-element materials where the spin–orbit coupling is weak, the phonon scattering in nanostructures is less important and the fluctuations of nuclear spins become the dominant decoherence mechanism for electron spins. Since the 1950s, semi-classical noise theories have been developed for understanding electron spin decoherence. In spin-based solid-state quantum technologies, the relevant systems are in the nanometer scale and nuclear spin baths are quantum objects which require a quantum description. Recently, quantum pictures have been established to understand the decoherence and quantum many-body theories have been developed to quantitatively describe this phenomenon. Anomalous quantum effects have been predicted and some have been experimentally confirmed. A systematically truncated cluster-correlation expansion theory has been developed to account for the many-body correlations in nanoscale nuclear spin baths that are built up during electron spin decoherence. The theory has successfully predicted and explained a number of experimental results in a wide range of physical systems. In this review, we will cover this recent progress. The limitations of the present quantum many-body theories and possible directions for future development will also be discussed.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89570281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Ciappina, J. A. Pérez-Hernández, A. Landsman, W. Okell, S. Zherebtsov, B. Förg, J. Schötz, L. Seiffert, T. Fennel, T. Shaaran, Tomáš Zimmermann, Tomáš Zimmermann, Alexis Chacon, R. Guichard, A. Zaïr, J. Tisch, J. P. Marangos, T. Witting, Avi Braun, Stefan A. Maier, Luis Roso, Michael Krüger, Michael Krüger, Michael Krüger, P. Hommelhoff, P. Hommelhoff, Matthias F. Kling, Matthias F. Kling, F. Krausz, F. Krausz, M. Lewenstein
{"title":"Attosecond physics at the nanoscale","authors":"M. Ciappina, J. A. Pérez-Hernández, A. Landsman, W. Okell, S. Zherebtsov, B. Förg, J. Schötz, L. Seiffert, T. Fennel, T. Shaaran, Tomáš Zimmermann, Tomáš Zimmermann, Alexis Chacon, R. Guichard, A. Zaïr, J. Tisch, J. P. Marangos, T. Witting, Avi Braun, Stefan A. Maier, Luis Roso, Michael Krüger, Michael Krüger, Michael Krüger, P. Hommelhoff, P. Hommelhoff, Matthias F. Kling, Matthias F. Kling, F. Krausz, F. Krausz, M. Lewenstein","doi":"10.1088/1361-6633/aa574e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6633/aa574e","url":null,"abstract":"Recently two emerging areas of research, attosecond and nanoscale physics, have started to come together. Attosecond physics deals with phenomena occurring when ultrashort laser pulses, with duration on the femto- and sub-femtosecond time scales, interact with atoms, molecules or solids. The laser-induced electron dynamics occurs natively on a timescale down to a few hundred or even tens of attoseconds (1 attosecond = 1 as = 10−18 s), which is comparable with the optical field. For comparison, the revolution of an electron on a 1s orbital of a hydrogen atom is ∼152 as. On the other hand, the second branch involves the manipulation and engineering of mesoscopic systems, such as solids, metals and dielectrics, with nanometric precision. Although nano-engineering is a vast and well-established research field on its own, the merger with intense laser physics is relatively recent. In this report on progress we present a comprehensive experimental and theoretical overview of physics that takes place when short and intense laser pulses interact with nanosystems, such as metallic and dielectric nanostructures. In particular we elucidate how the spatially inhomogeneous laser induced fields at a nanometer scale modify the laser-driven electron dynamics. Consequently, this has important impact on pivotal processes such as above-threshold ionization and high-order harmonic generation. The deep understanding of the coupled dynamics between these spatially inhomogeneous fields and matter configures a promising way to new avenues of research and applications. Thanks to the maturity that attosecond physics has reached, together with the tremendous advance in material engineering and manipulation techniques, the age of atto-nanophysics has begun, but it is in the initial stage. We present thus some of the open questions, challenges and prospects for experimental confirmation of theoretical predictions, as well as experiments aimed at characterizing the induced fields and the unique electron dynamics initiated by them with high temporal and spatial resolution.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90809630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Low-energy microscopic models for iron-based superconductors: a review","authors":"R. Fernandes, A. Chubukov","doi":"10.1088/1361-6633/80/1/014503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6633/80/1/014503","url":null,"abstract":"The development of sensible microscopic models is essential to elucidate the normal-state and superconducting properties of the iron-based superconductors. Because these materials are mostly metallic, a good starting point is an effective low-energy model that captures the electronic states near the Fermi level and their interactions. However, in contrast to cuprates, iron-based high-Tc compounds are multi-orbital systems with Hubbard and Hund interactions, resulting in a rather involved 10-orbital lattice model. Here we review different minimal models that have been proposed to unveil the universal features of these systems. We first review minimal models defined solely in the orbital basis, which focus on a particular subspace of orbitals, or solely in the band basis, which rely only on the geometry of the Fermi surface. The former, while providing important qualitative insight into the role of the orbital degrees of freedom, do not distinguish between high-energy and low-energy sectors and, for this reason, generally do not go beyond mean-field. The latter allow one to go beyond mean-field and investigate the interplay between superconducting and magnetic orders as well as Ising-nematic order. However, they cannot capture orbital-dependent features like spontaneous orbital order. We then review recent proposals for a minimal model that operates in the band basis but fully incorporates the orbital composition and symmetries of the low-energy excitations. We discuss the results of the renormalization group study of such a model, particularly of the interplay between superconductivity, magnetism, and spontaneous orbital order, and compare theoretical predictions with experiments on iron pnictides and chalcogenides. We also discuss the impact of the glide-plane symmetry on the low-energy models, highlighting the key role played by the spin–orbit coupling.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81112346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Numerical relativity beyond astrophysics","authors":"D. Garfinkle","doi":"10.1088/0034-4885/80/1/016901","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/80/1/016901","url":null,"abstract":"Though the main applications of computer simulations in relativity are to astrophysical systems such as black holes and neutron stars, nonetheless there are important applications of numerical methods to the investigation of general relativity as a fundamental theory of the nature of space and time. This paper gives an overview of some of these applications. In particular we cover (i) investigations of the properties of spacetime singularities such as those that occur in the interior of black holes and in big bang cosmology. (ii) investigations of critical behavior at the threshold of black hole formation in gravitational collapse. (iii) investigations inspired by string theory, in particular analogs of black holes in more than 4 spacetime dimensions and gravitational collapse in spacetimes with a negative cosmological constant.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86648192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phonons and thermal transport in graphene and graphene-based materials","authors":"D. Nika, A. Balandin","doi":"10.1088/1361-6633/80/3/036502","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6633/80/3/036502","url":null,"abstract":"A discovery of the unusual thermal properties of graphene stimulated experimental, theoretical and computational research directed at understanding phonon transport and thermal conduction in two-dimensional material systems. We provide a critical review of recent results in the graphene thermal field focusing on phonon dispersion, specific heat, thermal conductivity, and comparison of different models and computational approaches. The correlation between the phonon spectrum in graphene-based materials and the heat conduction properties is analyzed in details. The effects of the atomic plane rotations in bilayer graphene, isotope engineering, and relative contributions of different phonon dispersion branches are discussed. For readers’ convenience, the summaries of main experimental and theoretical results on thermal conductivity as well as phonon mode contributions to thermal transport are provided in the form of comprehensive annotated tables.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80124384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quantum simulations and many-body physics with light","authors":"C. Noh, D. Angelakis","doi":"10.1088/0034-4885/80/1/016401","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/80/1/016401","url":null,"abstract":"In this review we discuss the works in the area of quantum simulation and many-body physics with light, from the early proposals on equilibrium models to the more recent works in driven dissipative platforms. We start by describing the founding works on Jaynes–Cummings–Hubbard model and the corresponding photon-blockade induced Mott transitions and continue by discussing the proposals to simulate effective spin models and fractional quantum Hall states in coupled resonator arrays (CRAs). We also analyse the recent efforts to study out-of-equilibrium many-body effects using driven CRAs, including the predictions for photon fermionisation and crystallisation in driven rings of CRAs as well as other dynamical and transient phenomena. We try to summarise some of the relatively recent results predicting exotic phases such as super-solidity and Majorana like modes and then shift our attention to developments involving 1D nonlinear slow light setups. There the simulation of strongly correlated phases characterising Tonks–Girardeau gases, Luttinger liquids, and interacting relativistic fermionic models is described. We review the major theory results and also briefly outline recent developments in ongoing experimental efforts involving different platforms in circuit QED, photonic crystals and nanophotonic fibres interfaced with cold atoms.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82447913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quantum steering: a review with focus on semidefinite programming","authors":"D. Cavalcanti, Paul Skrzypczyk","doi":"10.1088/1361-6633/80/2/024001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6633/80/2/024001","url":null,"abstract":"Quantum steering refers to the non-classical correlations that can be observed between the outcomes of measurements applied on half of an entangled state and the resulting post-measured states that are left with the other party. From an operational point of view, a steering test can be seen as an entanglement test where one of the parties performs uncharacterised measurements. Thus, quantum steering is a form of quantum inseparability that lies in between the well-known notions of Bell nonlocality and entanglement. Moreover, quantum steering is also related to several asymmetric quantum information protocols where some of the parties are considered untrusted. Because of these facts, quantum steering has received a lot of attention both theoretically and experimentally. The main goal of this review is to give an overview of how to characterise quantum steering through semidefinite programming. This characterisation provides efficient numerical methods to address a number of problems, including steering detection, quantification, and applications. We also give a brief overview of some important results that are not directly related to semidefinite programming. Finally, we make available a collection of semidefinite programming codes that can be used to study the topics discussed in this article.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91303329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Incoming Editor-in-Chief","authors":"G. Baym","doi":"10.1088/0034-4885/79/4/040201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/79/4/040201","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1088/0034-4885/79/4/040201","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72411741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fracture and adhesion of soft materials: a review","authors":"C. Creton, M. Ciccotti","doi":"10.1088/0034-4885/79/4/046601","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/79/4/046601","url":null,"abstract":"Soft materials are materials with a low shear modulus relative to their bulk modulus and where elastic restoring forces are mainly of entropic origin. A sparse population of strong bonds connects molecules together and prevents macroscopic flow. In this review we discuss the current state of the art on how these soft materials break and detach from solid surfaces. We focus on how stresses and strains are localized near the fracture plane and how elastic energy can flow from the bulk of the material to the crack tip. Adhesion of pressure-sensitive-adhesives, fracture of gels and rubbers are specifically addressed and the key concepts are pointed out. We define the important length scales in the problem and in particular the elasto-adhesive length Γ/E where Γ is the fracture energy and E is the elastic modulus, and how the ratio between sample size and Γ/E controls the fracture mechanisms. Theoretical concepts bridging solid mechanics and polymer physics are rationalized and illustrated by micromechanical experiments and mechanisms of fracture are described in detail. Open questions and emerging concepts are discussed at the end of the review.","PeriodicalId":21110,"journal":{"name":"Reports on Progress in Physics","volume":"114 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2016-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79454630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}