Despite its amazing quantitative successes and contributions to revolutionary technologies, physics currently faces many unsolved mysteries ranging from the meaning of quantum mechanics to the nature of the dark energy that will determine the future of the Universe. It is clearly prohibitive for the general reader, and even the best informed physicists, to follow the vast number of technical papers published in the thousands of specialized journals. For this reason, we have asked the leading experts across many of the most important areas of physics to summarise their global assessment of some of the most important issues. In lieu of an extremely long abstract summarising the contents, we invite the reader to look at the section headings and their authors, and then to indulge in a feast of stimulating topics spanning the current frontiers of fundamental physics from 'The Future of Physics' by William D Phillips and 'What characterises topological effects in physics?' by Gerard 't Hooft through the contributions of the widest imaginable range of world leaders in their respective areas. This paper is presented as a preface to exciting developments by senior and young scientists in the years that lie ahead, and a complement to the less authoritative popular accounts by journalists.
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Gerard 't Hooft et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 052501
Jack Smith 2022 Phys. Scr. 97 122001
First conceptualised in Olaf Stapledon's 1937 novel 'Star Maker', before being popularised by Freeman Dyson in the 1960s, Dyson Spheres are structures which surround a civilisation's sun to collect all the energy being radiated. This article presents a discussion of the features of such a feat of engineering, reviews the viability, scale and likely design of a Dyson structure, and analyses details about each stage of its construction and operation. It is found that a Dyson Swarm, a large array of individual satellites orbiting another celestial body, is the ideal design for such a structure as opposed to the solid sun-surrounding structure which is typically associated with the Dyson Sphere. In our solar system, such a structure based around Mars would be able to generate the Earth's 2019 global power consumption of 18.35 TW within fifty years once its construction has begun, which itself could start by 2040 using biennial launch windows. Alongside a 4.17 km2 ground-based heliostat array, the swarm of over 5.5 billion satellites would be constructed on the surface of Mars before being launched by electromagnetic accelerators into a Martian orbit. Efficiency of the Dyson Swarm ranges from 0.74–2.77% of the Sun's 3.85 × 1026 W output, with large potential for growth as both current technologies improve, and future concepts are brought to reality in the time before and during the swarm's construction. Not only would a Dyson Swarm provide a near-infinite, renewable power source for Earth, it would also allow for significant expansions in human space exploration and for our civilisation as a whole.
S B Dugdale 2016 Phys. Scr. 91 053009
The concept of the Fermi surface is at the very heart of our understanding of the metallic state. Displaying intricate and often complicated shapes, the Fermi surfaces of real metals are both aesthetically beautiful and subtly powerful. A range of examples is presented of the startling array of physical phenomena whose origin can be traced to the shape of the Fermi surface, together with experimental observations of the particular Fermi surface features.
Ulrik L Andersen et al 2016 Phys. Scr. 91 053001
Squeezed light generation has come of age. Significant advances on squeezed light generation have been made over the last 30 years—from the initial, conceptual experiment in 1985 till today's top-tuned, application-oriented setups. Here we review the main experimental platforms for generating quadrature squeezed light that have been investigated in the last 30 years.
Anton Zeilinger 2017 Phys. Scr. 92 072501
The quantum physics of light is a most fascinating field. Here I present a very personal viewpoint, focusing on my own path to quantum entanglement and then on to applications. I have been fascinated by quantum physics ever since I heard about it for the first time in school. The theory struck me immediately for two reasons: (1) its immense mathematical beauty, and (2) the unparalleled precision to which its predictions have been verified again and again. Particularly fascinating for me were the predictions of quantum mechanics for individual particles, individual quantum systems. Surprisingly, the experimental realization of many of these fundamental phenomena has led to novel ideas for applications. Starting from my early experiments with neutrons, I later became interested in quantum entanglement, initially focusing on multi-particle entanglement like GHZ states. This work opened the experimental possibility to do quantum teleportation and quantum hyper-dense coding. The latter became the first entanglement-based quantum experiment breaking a classical limitation. One of the most fascinating phenomena is entanglement swapping, the teleportation of an entangled state. This phenomenon is fundamentally interesting because it can entangle two pairs of particles which do not share any common past. Surprisingly, it also became an important ingredient in a number of applications, including quantum repeaters which will connect future quantum computers with each other. Another application is entanglement-based quantum cryptography where I present some recent long-distance experiments. Entanglement swapping has also been applied in very recent so-called loophole-free tests of Bell's theorem. Within the physics community such loophole-free experiments are perceived as providing nearly definitive proof that local realism is untenable. While, out of principle, local realism can never be excluded entirely, the 2015 achievements narrow down the remaining possibilities for local realistic explanations of the quantum phenomenon of entanglement in a significant way. These experiments may go down in the history books of science. Future experiments will address particularly the freedom-of-choice loophole using cosmic sources of randomness. Such experiments confirm that unconditionally secure quantum cryptography is possible, since quantum cryptography based on Bell's theorem can provide unconditional security. The fact that the experiments were loophole-free proves that an eavesdropper cannot avoid detection in an experiment that correctly follows the protocol. I finally discuss some recent experiments with single- and entangled-photon states in higher dimensions. Such experiments realized quantum entanglement between two photons, each with quantum numbers beyond 10 000 and also simultaneous entanglement of two photons where each carries more than 100 dimensions. Thus they offer the possibility of quantum communication with more than one bit or qubit per photon. The paper concludes discussing Einstein's contributions and viewpoints of quantum mechanics. Even if some of his positions are not supported by recent experiments, he has to be given credit for the fact that his analysis of fundamental issues gave rise to developments which led to a new information technology. Finally, I reflect on some of the lessons learned by the fact that nature cannot be local, that objective randomness exists and about the emergence of a classical world. It is suggestive that information plays a fundamental role also in the foundations of quantum physics.
S Pfalzner et al 2015 Phys. Scr. 90 068001
The solar system started to form about 4.56 Gyr ago and despite the long intervening time span, there still exist several clues about its formation. The three major sources for this information are meteorites, the present solar system structure and the planet-forming systems around young stars. In this introduction we give an overview of the current understanding of the solar system formation from all these different research fields. This includes the question of the lifetime of the solar protoplanetary disc, the different stages of planet formation, their duration, and their relative importance. We consider whether meteorite evidence and observations of protoplanetary discs point in the same direction. This will tell us whether our solar system had a typical formation history or an exceptional one. There are also many indications that the solar system formed as part of a star cluster. Here we examine the types of cluster the Sun could have formed in, especially whether its stellar density was at any stage high enough to influence the properties of today's solar system. The likelihood of identifying siblings of the Sun is discussed. Finally, the possible dynamical evolution of the solar system since its formation and its future are considered.
Kaj Sotala and Roman V Yampolskiy 2015 Phys. Scr. 90 018001
Many researchers have argued that humanity will create artificial general intelligence (AGI) within the next twenty to one hundred years. It has been suggested that AGI may inflict serious damage to human well-being on a global scale ('catastrophic risk'). After summarizing the arguments for why AGI may pose such a risk, we review the fieldʼs proposed responses to AGI risk. We consider societal proposals, proposals for external constraints on AGI behaviors and proposals for creating AGIs that are safe due to their internal design.
Gerianne Alexander et al 2020 Phys. Scr. 95 062501
Sounds of Science is the first movement of a symphony for many (scientific) instruments and voices, united in celebration of the frontiers of science and intended for a general audience. John Goodenough, the maestro who transformed energy usage and technology through the invention of the lithium-ion battery, opens the programme, reflecting on the ultimate limits of battery technology. This applied theme continues through the subsequent pieces on energy-related topics—the sodium-ion battery and artificial fuels, by Martin Månsson—and the ultimate challenge for 3D printing, the eventual production of life, by Anthony Atala. A passage by Gerianne Alexander follows, contemplating a related issue: How might an artificially produced human being behave? Next comes a consideration of consciousness and free will by Roland Allen and Suzy Lidström. Further voices and new instruments enter as Warwick Bowen, Nicolas Mauranyapin and Lars Madsen discuss whether dynamical processes of single molecules might be observed in their native state. The exploitation of chaos in science and technology, applications of Bose–Einstein condensates and the significance of entropy follow in pieces by Linda Reichl, Ernst Rasel and Roland Allen, respectively. Mikhail Katsnelson and Eugene Koonin then discuss the potential generalisation of thermodynamic concepts in the context of biological evolution. Entering with the music of the cosmos, Philip Yasskin discusses whether we might be able to observe torsion in the geometry of the Universe. The crescendo comes with the crisis of singularities, their nature and whether they can be resolved through quantum effects, in the composition of Alan Coley. The climax is Mario Krenn, Art Melvin and Anton Zeilinger's consideration of how computer code can be autonomously surprising and creative. In a harmonious counterpoint, his 'Guidelines for considering AIs as coauthors', Roman Yampolskiy concludes that code is not yet able to take responsibility for coauthoring a paper. An interlude summarises a speech by Zdeněk Papoušek. In a subsequent movement, new themes emerge as we seek to comprehend how far we have travelled along the path to understanding, and speculate on where new physics might arise. Who would have imagined, 100 years ago, a global society permeated by smartphones and scientific instruments so sophisticated that genes can be modified and gravitational waves detected?
Michael G Raymer and Ian A Walmsley 2020 Phys. Scr. 95 064002
We review the concepts of temporal modes (TMs) in quantum optics, highlighting Roy Glauber's crucial and historic contributions to their development, and their growing importance in quantum information science. TMs are orthogonal sets of wave packets that can be used to represent a multimode light field. They are temporal counterparts to transverse spatial modes of light and play analogous roles—decomposing multimode light into the most natural basis for isolating statistically independent degrees of freedom. We discuss how TMs were developed to describe compactly various processes: superfluorescence, stimulated Raman scattering, spontaneous parametric down conversion, and spontaneous four-wave mixing. TMs can be manipulated, converted, demultiplexed, and detected using nonlinear optical processes such as three-wave mixing and quantum optical memories. As such, they play an increasingly important role in constructing quantum information networks.
Jawad Mirza et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 055513
The spectrum required for future optical communication systems is being extended towards the C-, L- and U-bands, resulting in a significant interest in the spectral region around 2 μm wavelength. Since Holmium doped fiber amplifiers (HDFAs) provide amplification in this spectral region, they have become a focus of researchers working on doped fiber amplifiers. A major factor resulting in the performance degradation of HDFAs is the inhomogeneous energy transfer within Ho3+ ion-pairs in high-concentration Holmium-doped fibers (HDFs), an effect generally known as pair-induced quenching (PIQ). In this paper, we study the luminal and temporal dynamics of pulses of different repetition rates at 2.05 μm in high-concentration HDFs considering the effects of ion-pairs. Input pulses having repetition rates of 25 GHz and 500 kHz are generated using wavelength tunable actively mode-locked Holmium-doped fiber laser (AML-HDFL) based on a single ring cavity and bidirectional pumping. The characteristics of the pulses propagating through high-concentration HDF are analyzed based on different metrics such as average power, peak power, pulse energy, full-width at half maximum (FWHM), and time delay without and with ion-pairs for values of fraction of ion-pairs k = 0 and k = 10%, respectively. The results obtained at optimized length of HDF show that ion-pairs significantly degrade the average power, peak power, and energy of the output pulses for both of the repetition rates. For both k = 0 and k = 10%, the FWHM and shape of the output pulses remain same in the presence of the ion-pairs while, time delay of 4 ps and 19 ns is observed in the output pulses at repetition rates of 25 GHz and 500 kHz, respectively. The effects of increasing the pump and signal power on the average power and energy of the output pulses for k = 0 and k = 10% are also discussed for both repetition rates. This analysis provides important guidelines for designers of 2 μm fiber lasers and amplifiers based on high-concentration HDFs.
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Ming-Jing Zhao and Yuanhong Tao 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065125
The uncertainty relation is a distinctive characteristic of quantum theory. The uncertainty is essentially rooted in quantum states. In this work we regard the uncertainty as an intrinsic property of quantum state and characterize it systematically with respect to given projective measurement. Some basic concepts about uncertainty are reformulated in this context. We prove and get the form of the uncertainty preserving operations. The quantum states with maximal uncertainty are characterized. A universal decomposition of uncertainty into classical uncertainty and quantum uncertainty is provided. Furthermore, a unified and general relation among uncertainty, coherence and coherence of assistance is established. These results are independent of any explicit uncertainty measure. At last, we propose a new uncertainty measure called the geometric uncertainty based on the fidelity and link it with the geometric coherence.
Hongyi Zhou et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065052
Quadratically Constrained Quadratic Programs (QCQPs) are an important class of optimization problems with diverse real-world applications. In this work, we propose a variational quantum algorithm for general QCQPs. By encoding the variables in the amplitude of a quantum state, the requirement for the qubit number scales logarithmically with the dimension of the variables, which makes our algorithm suitable for current quantum devices. Using the primal-dual interior-point method in classical optimization, we can deal with general quadratic constraints. Our numerical experiments on typical QCQP problems, including Max-Cut and optimal power flow problems, demonstrate better performance of our hybrid algorithm over classical counterparts.
Jocelyn Sangma et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065612
Instabilities arising from electron temperature in an ambient magnetic field when measured parallel and perpendicular to it could influence plasma stability and have effect on plasma diffusion. A planar Langmuir probe measures this instability in the double plasma device in the magnetic filter field region and it is found that the electron temperature measured parallel and perpendicular to the filter region is not equal. This anisotropy is also found to vary with filament current and working pressure.
Jiangnan Luo et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065566
Cobalt is an essential trace element in the human body that is vital for metabolism in living organisms. Insufficient or excessive intake of cobalt can lead to adverse effects. We prepared a europium-based metal–organic framework (Eu-MOF), NH4[Eu(sal)4(phen)2] (abbreviated as Eu-sal, sal = salicylic acid group, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Fluorescence investigations revealed that Eu-sal can efficiently and selectively identify Co2+ through a fluorescence quenching effect, with a quenching efficiency KSV and limit of detection (LOD) of 2.7 × 104 M−1 and 0.37 μM, respectively. In addition, Eu-sal also shows highly selective for (KSV: 3.6 × 104 M−1; LOD: 0.27 μM). The quenching of Eu-sal fluorescence emission by Co2+ and ions may be caused by spectral overlap, energy transfer, and competition. Furthermore, Eu-sal has good thermal and chemical stability. These results indicate that Eu-sal is a promising fluorescence probe for highly selective detection of Co2+ and ions.
Mohammad Tanvir Ahmed et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 0659c7
The adsorption properties of different Carbon allotropes (i.e., graphene, γ-graphyne, Mobius graphene, and R-graphyne) and their corresponding Boron (N) and Nitrogen (N) incorporated BCN nanostructures toward carbon monoxide (CO) gas are studied via density functional theory calculation. All the adsorbents demonstrated negative formation energies and real frequencies, i.e., can be synthesized and have dynamical stability. The adsorption energies have increased due to B and N incorporation, although still comparatively low for practical application. The highest adsorption energy with suitable recovery time is observed for the Mobius BCN structure, about −0.112 eV and 77.8 ps, respectively. Very nominal charge transfer is observed via Mulliken charge distribution and electrostatic potential map analysis. The changes in energy gap and electrical conductivity are observed due to CO adsorption.
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Da Zhang et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 062010
The arc discharge plasma (ADP) technology has been widely developed in the fields of cutting, welding, spraying and nanomaterials synthesis over the past 20 years. However, during the process of ADP, it is difficult to explain the generation and evolution of arc column, the interaction between arc column and electrodes, as well as the effect of plasma generator structure on the physical characteristics of ADP by experimental means. Therefore, numerical simulation has become an effective mean to explore the physical characteristics of ADP, but also faces severe challenges because it involves multiple physical field coupling, resolution of multiscale features as well as robustness in the presence of large gradients. From the point of view of the construction of ADP mathematical physical models and combined with the practical application of ADP, this paper systematically reviews the researches on physical properties of arc column, near-cathode region, near-anode region as well as the today's state of the numerical simulation of plasma generators. It provides a good reference for further mastering the physical characteristics of plasma, guiding the industrial application of plasma and optimizing the design of plasma generators. Meanwhile, the relevant computational aspects are discussed and the challenges of plasma numerical simulation in the future are summarized.
Muhammad Usman et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 062009
Infectious diseases caused by bacterial pathogens are currently a significant problem for global public health. Rapid diagnosis and effective treatment of clinically significant bacterial pathogens can prevent, control, and inhibit infectious diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop selective and accurate diagnostic methods for bacterial pathogens and clinically effective treatment strategies for infectious diseases. In recent years, developing novel nanoparticles has dramatically facilitated the rapid and accurate diagnosis of bacterial pathogens and the precise treatment of contagious diseases. In this review, we systematically investigated a variety of nanoparticles currently applied in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial pathogens, from synthesis procedures to structural characterization and then to biological functions. In particular, we first discussed the current progress in applying representative nanoparticles for bacterial pathogen diagnostics. The potential nanoparticle-based treatment for the control of bacterial infections was then carefully explored. We also discussed nanoparticles as a drug delivery method for reducing antibiotic global adverse effects and eradicating bacterial biofilm formation. Furthermore, we studied the highly effective nanoparticles for therapeutic applications in terms of safety issues. Finally, a concise and insightful discussion of nanoparticles' limitations, challenges, and perspectives for diagnosing and eradicating bacterial pathogens in clinical settings was conducted to provide a direction for future development.
M E Semenov et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 062008
The Preisach model is a well-known model of hysteresis in the modern nonlinear science. This paper provides an overview of works that are focusing on the study of dynamical systems from various areas (physics, economics, biology), where the Preisach model plays a key role in the formalization of hysteresis dependencies. Here we describe the input-output relations of the classical Preisach operator, its basic properties, methods of constructing the output using the demagnetization function formalism, a generalization of the classical Preisach operator for the case of vector input-output relations. Various generalizations of the model are described here in relation to systems containing ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials. The main attention we pay to experimental works, where the Preisach model has been used for analytic description of the experimentally observed results. Also, we describe a wide range of the technical applications of the Preisach model in such fields as energy storage devices, systems under piezoelectric effect, models of systems with long-term memory. The properties of the Preisach operator in terms of reaction to stochastic external impacts are described and a generalization of the model for the case of the stochastic threshold numbers of its elementary components is given.
A Srinivasa Rao 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 062007
Over the past 36 years much research has been carried out on Bessel beams (BBs) owing to their peculiar properties, viz non-diffraction behavior, self-healing nature, possession of well-defined orbital angular momentum with helical wave-front, and realization of smallest central lobe. Here, we provide a detailed review on BBs from their inception to recent developments. We outline the fundamental concepts involved in the origin of the BB. The theoretical foundation of these beams was described and then their experimental realization through different techniques was explored. We provide an elaborate discussion on the different kinds of structured modes produced by the BB. The advantages and challenges that come with the generation and applications of the BB are discussed with examples. This review provides reference material for readers who wish to work with non-diffracting modes and promotes the application of such modes in interdisciplinary research areas.
Amrinder Mehta et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 062006
Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are metallic materials with unique thermomechanical characteristics that can regain their original shape after deformation. SMAs have been used in a range of industries. These include consumer electronics, touch devices, automobile parts, aircraft parts, and biomedical equipment. In this work, we define the current state of the art in SMA manufacturing and distribution across the aerospace, healthcare, and aerospace industries. We examine the effect of manganese on the structure and mechanical and corrosive properties of SMA Cu-Al-Ni and discuss the importance of incorporating small and medium-sized enterprises in the study of cu-Al luminum. This research outlines a fundamental example of SME integration in the analysis of superelasticity, a critical instance of SMA activity. It can also serve as a reference for activities such as medical, aerospace, and other industries that target SMA-based equipment and systems. Also, they can be used to look at SMA activation and material upgrade mechanisms. These FEM simulations are advantageous in optimizing and promoting design in fields such as aerospace and healthcare. FEM simulations identify the stress and strength of SMA-based devices and structures. This would result in minimizing cost and usage and lowering the risk of damage. FEM simulations can also recognize the weaknesses of the SMA designs and suggest improvements or adjustments to SMA-based designs.
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Zhong et al
This work was initiated with the purpose of expanding the utilization of nickel-based composite coatings, especially in wear and corrosion-related industrial applications. NiCoP coatings have long attracted scientific and engineering interest due to their enhanced mechanical properties reinforced by incorporation with a reinforcement phase. In the present study, NiCoP composite coatings reinforced with ZrB2 ceramic particles were synthesized by direct current deposition using a modified Watt's type bath. The microstructures of composite coatings were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The hardness and tribological properties of the composite coatings were evaluated and compared. The corrosion behaviors of the deposits were investigated using electrochemical spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques in simulated seawater. The effect of ZrB2 content on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the composite coatings was explored and discussed. The present study indicates that there is a progressive enhancement in the hardness, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance of the composite coatings with the increase in ZrB2 loading. The NiCoP-12 g/L-ZrB2 coating possesses the highest microhardness and superior wear performance, while the NiCoP-6 g/L-ZrB2 coating exhibits the best anti-corrosion properties. The present study shows a cost-effective and feasible solution for the preparation of NiCoP protective coatings with enhanced properties, which holds great potential for industrial applications requiring wear and anti-corrosion protection.
Yuan et al
Based on a six-qubit entangled state, a quantum information processing scheme for teleporting a distinctive six-qubit state is presented. In the scheme, only Bell-state measurements and two-qubit controlled-NOT gate operations as well as some single-qubit transformed operations are needed. Compared with a rival scheme put forwarded by Tan et al. [Int. J. Theor. Phys. 55, 155 (2016)], the present scheme is more simpler and easier to execute because it does not require to make the six-qubit entangled state measurement. Besides, it is deterministic and feasible in terms of the current experimental technologies.
Benarab et al
In this paper, we apply the generalized integration constants (GCI) method in field theory to quantize Maxwell and the Klein-Gordon free fields. The study is performed in both position and momentum spaces, to obtain the equal-time Dirac brackets among the fields and their conjugate momenta. The idea is to compute the brackets near the initial instant using the Taylor polynomial expansion, and then deduce directly their expressions at any later time. In the case of the Maxwell field, the interdependence of the field components (constraints) requires the use of the Helmholtz theorem to separate the transversal and longitudinal parts. Our work finishes with the study of the O(3) nonlinear sigma model using the GCI approach.
Xiriai et al
Structure-based novel accelerators exhibit significant potential for substantial reduction in size and associated costs of future accelerators. Utilizing high-power THz sources in dielectric accelerator structures presents a favorable compromise for achieving elevated gradients and alleviating beam injection requirements. We conducted numerical investigations on an energy-efficient dielectric single grating structure accompanied by a Bragg-reflector, employing THz pulses to generate a phase-modified field for accelerating sub-relativistic electron beams. The structural parameters were optimized to enhance the strength of the acceleration field. The simulation results demonstrate that the side-coupling single grating structure, accompanied by a Bragg-reflector, designed for sub-relativistic electron beam acceleration, can increase the relative structural energy efficiency by more than 50% compared to a dual-grating accelerator structure. Moreover, it offers an available maximum acceleration gradient of up to 400 MeV/m.
Ma et al
Magnetic field detection is of significant importance in various fields, including military, industrial, and power transmission systems. In this paper, we propose a novel ultra-sensitive photonic crystal fiber (PCF) magnetic field sensor based on the Vernier effect, employing two parallel Sagnac loops. Since magnetic field detection relies on the magneto-optical effect of magnetic fluids, all air holes in the PCF are assumed to filled with magnetic fluids. By inserting two slightly different lengths of PCFs into two parallel Sagnac loops, the Vernier effect can be excited to improve the sensitivity of magnetic field detection. The sensing characteristics of the PCF magnetic field sensor are theoretically studied using the finite element method (FEM). Moreover, the influences of the wavelength and magnetic field intensity on the sensing performance are also analyzed. The results show that the sensitivity and resolution of the PCF magnetic field sensor can reach 11.9 nm/Oe and 8.4×10-3 Oe, respectively, within the magnetic field intensity range of 80-150 Oe. To our best knowledge, the proposed magnetic field sensor exhibits the highest sensitivity among existing magnetic field sensors based on optical fiber interferometers. The proposed magnetic field sensor possesses ultra-high sensitivity and resolution, which exhibits good application prospects in the field of magnetic field detection.
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Aeriyn D Ahmad et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065562
In this study, we assess the practicality of using Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a saturable absorber (SA) for generating Q-switched pulses within an erbium-doped fibre laser (EDFL) cavity. A successful combination of PAN, a resin material, and polyvinyl alcohol resulted in the formation of a SA film. This film was utilised to generate stable Q-switched pulses operating in a long-wavelength band of 1572 nm. The greatest repetition rate achieved was 66.1 kHz, while the minimum pulse width was 2.43 μs. The maximum pulse energy was achieved at 52 nJ and measured at a pump power of 175.9 mW. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of EDFL passive Q-switching employing a PAN absorber.
Chongbin Xi et al 2024 Phys. Scr.
In order to reduce the requirement of system bandwidth of Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV), a Dual-Doppler signal mixing LDV is proposed in this paper. By transmitting two beams to the moving surface, two Doppler signals are acquired and subsequently mixed to obtain a difference frequency signal. The measured speed can be calculated based on the frequency of this difference frequency signal. This novel structure significantly reduces the bandwidth requirements on the system, which can be further diminished by minimizing the angle between the two beams of the emitted light. Moreover, it exhibits enhanced robustness against variations in launch angle and enables defocusing measurements.
Vojtěch Skoumal et al 2024 Phys. Scr.
The widespread use of electrospinning, a technique widely used for fabricating micro/nanofibrous materials, has been limited by the high acquisition costs of commercial equipment. This study introduces an accessible alternative by leveraging 3D-printing technology, providing detailed insights into the design and functionality of each component. Specifically, a cost-effective syringe pump, a rotating collector that allows fiber orientation control, and a userfriendly control unit are described. The affordability and customizability of the
proposed setup are emphasized, demonstrating its versatility in accelerating material research. Experimental results on polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF) showcase successful electrospinning, validating the efficacy of the 3D-printed electrospinning device. This innovative solution aims to increase the method's availability and broader utilization in research and development applications.
Sabri M Shalbi et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065049
This study compared ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and Fine Aggregate Graded Polymer (FAGP) samples mixed with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% barium sulfate (BaSO4). Theory using the XCOM program and experiments using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) within a specified energy range of 16–25 keV were used to calculate the samples' mass attenuation coefficients. The comparison involved calculating the linear attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) and attenuation coefficients (μ) of the samples. Both theoretical and experimental results show that the FAGP containing 15% BaSO4 at 16.61 keV has the best attenuation. The findings show that BaSO4 improves radiation shielding. A negative association was found between the attenuation coefficient (μ) and the energy level of radiated radiation. The analysis also found significant concordance between experimental and theoretical methods. In conclusion, the XCOM program had slightly higher mass attenuation coefficients, especially at lower energy levels.
William L Barnes 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065560
In this report we use material parameters to calculate the strength of the expected Rabi splitting for a molecular resonance. As an example we focus on the molecular resonance associated with the C=O bond in a polymer host, specifically the stretch resonance at ∼1730 cm−1. Two related approaches to modelling the anticipated extent of the coupling are examined, and the results compared with data from experiments available in the literature. The approaches adopted here indicate how material parameters may be used to assess the potential of a material to exhibit strong coupling, and also enable other useful parameters to be derived, including the molecular dipole moment and the vacuum cavity field strength.
Tung Thanh Vu et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065556
A time-of-flight–based ranging system constructed using an intensity-modulated light source and photodetectors (PDs) is proposed. In the proposed system, the carrier wave, which comprises two cosine waves with different frequencies in the megahertz range, is reconstructed from a few samples obtained using PDs with kilohertz sampling rates using the compressive sensing technique. This allows the system to measure distances with very high accuracy and extends the measurement range while maintaining the accuracy of an existing system that uses a single-frequency carrier.
Peter Clifford and Raphaël Clifford 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065121
Since its introduction boson sampling has been the subject of intense study in the world of quantum computing. In the context of Fock-state boson sampling, the task is to sample independently from the set of all n × n submatrices built from possibly repeated rows of a larger m × n complex matrix according to a probability distribution related to the permanents of the submatrices. Experimental systems exploiting quantum photonic effects can in principle perform the task at great speed. For classical computing, Aaronson and Arkhipov (2011) showed that exact boson sampling problem cannot be solved in polynomial time unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses to the third level. Indeed for a number of years the fastest known exact classical algorithm ran in time per sample, emphasising the potential speed advantage of quantum computation. The advantage was reduced by Clifford and Clifford (2018), who gave a significantly faster classical solution taking time and linear space, matching the complexity of computing the permanent of a single matrix when m is polynomial in n. We continue by presenting an algorithm for Fock boson sampling whose average-case time complexity is much faster when m is proportional to n. In particular, when m = n our algorithm runs in approximately O(n · 1.69n) time on average. This result further increases the problem size needed to establish quantum computational advantage via the Fock scheme of boson sampling.
J C Longden et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065046
The development of superconducting travelling-wave parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) over the past decade has highlighted their potential as low-noise amplifiers for use in fundamental physics experiments and industrial applications. However, practical challenges, including signal-idler contamination, complex pump injection and cancellation, impedance mismatch, and the reciprocal nature of the device, have made it challenging to deploy TWPAs in real-world applications. In this paper, we introduce an innovative solution to these issues through phase-controlled balanced-TWPA architectures. These architectures involve placing two TWPAs in parallel between a pair of broadband couplers. By carefully controlling the phases of the tones propagating along the TWPAs, we can effectively separate the signal and idler tones, as well as the pump(s), using a straightforward injection and cancellation mechanism. The balanced-TWPA architecture offers versatility and flexibility, as it can be reconfigured either intrinsically or externally to suit different application needs. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the working principles of the balanced-TWPA, including various configurations designed to meet diverse application requirements. We also present the expected gain-bandwidth products in comparison to traditional TWPAs and conduct tolerance analysis to demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the balanced-TWPA architecture. By addressing the practical challenges associated with TWPAs, the balanced-TWPA architecture represents a promising advancement in the field, offering a more practical and adaptable solution for a wide range of applications.
Aurelio Agliolo Gallitto et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 066101
The use of smartphones as laboratory tools for school physics experiments has recently received attention for the possibility of carrying out a wide variety of didactic experiments with low-cost equipments. This article presents a study on a damped oscillator consisting of an elastic rubber loop and a mass. The investigation of the oscillations was conducted by using a smartphone. The experimental data was interpreted by a simple model, obtaining information on the viscoelastic properties of the rubber material.
Saima Noor et al 2024 Phys. Scr. 99 065257
This work presents a thorough analysis of soliton wave phenomena in the (3+1)-dimensional Fractional Calogero-Bogoyavlenskii-Schiff equation (FCBSE) with Caputo's derivatives through the use of a novel analytical technique known as the modified Extended Direct Algebraic Method (mEDAM). By converting nonlinear Fractional Partial Differential equations (FPDE) into integer-order Nonlinear Ordinary Differential equations (NODE), and then using closed-form series solutions to translate the NODE into an algebraic system of equations, this method allows us to derive families of soliton solutions, which include kink waves, lump waves, breather waves, and periodic waves, exposing new insights into the behavior and distinctive features of soliton waves in the FCBSE. By including contour and 3D graphics, the behaviors of a few selected soliton solutions are well depicted, showcasing their amplitude, shape, and propagation characteristics. The results enhance our understanding of the FCBSE and show that the mEDAM is a valuable tool for studying soliton wave phenomena. This work creates new opportunities for studying wave phenomena in more intricately constructed nonlinear FPDEs (NFPDEs).