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Quantum computers must achieve large-scale, fault-tolerant operation to deliver on their promise of transformational processing power [1-4]. This will require thousands or millions of high-fidelity quantum gates and similar numbers of qubits [5]. Demonstrations using neutral-atom qubits trapped and manipulated by lasers have shown that this modality can provide high two-qubit gate (CZ) fidelities and scalable operation [6-10]. However, the gates in these demonstrations are driven by lasers that do not resolve individual qubits, with universal computation enabled by physical mid-circuit shuttling of the qubits. This relatively slow operation will greatly extend runtimes for useful, large-scale computation. Here we demonstrate a universal neutral-atom quantum computer with gate rates limited by optical switching times, rather than shuttling, by individually addressing tightly focused laser beams at an array of single atoms. We achieve CZ fidelity of 99.35(4)% and local single qubit RZ gate fidelity of 99.902(8)%. Moreover, we demonstrate non-destructive readout of alkali-atom qubits with sub-percent loss, which boosts operational speed. This technique also enables us to measure 99.73(3)% CZ fidelity with atom-loss events excluded, which is a record among long lived neutral-atom qubits and highlights the path to higher fidelity and error correction. Our results represent a critical step towards large-scale, fault-tolerant neutral-atom quantum computers that can execute computations on practical timescales.

The $^{244}$Pu($^{50}$Ti,$xn$)$^{294-x}$Lv reaction was investigated at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's 88-Inch Cyclotron facility. The experiment was aimed at the production of a superheavy element with $Z\ge 114$ by irradiating an actinide target with a beam heavier than $^{48}$Ca. Produced Lv ions were separated from the unwanted beam and nuclear reaction products using the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator and implanted into a newly commissioned focal plane detector system. Two decay chains were observed and assigned to the decay of $^{290}$Lv. The production cross section was measured to be $\sigma_{\rm prod}=0.44(^{+58}_{-28})$~pb at a center-of-target center-of-mass energy of 220(3)~MeV. This represents the first published measurement of the production of a superheavy element near the `Island-of-Stability', with a beam of $^{50}$Ti and is an essential precursor in the pursuit of searching for new elements beyond $Z=118$., Comment: Submitted to Physical Review Letters

Information on the $^{38}$S level scheme was expanded through experimental work utilizing a fusion-evaporation reaction and in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy. Prompt $\gamma$-ray transitions were detected by the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETINA) and recoiling $^{38}$S residues were selected by the Fragment Mass Analayzer (FMA). Tools based on machine-learning techniques were developed and deployed for the first time in order to enhance the unique selection of $^{38}$S residues and identify any associated $\gamma$-ray transitions. The new level information, including the extension of the even-spin yrast sequence through $J^{\pi} = 8^{(+)}$, was interpreted in terms of a basic single-particle picture as well shell-model calculations which incorporated the empirically derived FSU interaction. A comparison between the properties of the yrast states in the even-$Z$ $N=22$ isotones from $Z=14$ to $20$, and for $^{36}$Si-$^{38}$S in particular, was also presented with an emphasis on the role and influence of the neutron $1p_{3/2}$ orbital on the structure in the region.

Excited-state spectroscopy from the first Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) experiment is reported. A 24(2)-$\mu$s isomer was observed with the FRIB Decay Station initiator (FDSi) through a cascade of 224- and 401-keV $\gamma$ rays in coincidence with $^{32}\textrm{Na}$ nuclei. This is the only known microsecond isomer ($1{\text{ }\mu\text{s}}\leq T_{1/2} < 1\text{ ms}$) in the region. This nucleus is at the heart of the $N=20$ island of shape inversion and is at the crossroads of spherical shell-model, deformed shell-model, and ab initio theories. It can be represented as the coupling of a proton hole and neutron particle to $^{32}\textrm{Mg}$, $^{32}\textrm{Mg}+\pi^{-1} + \nu^{+1}$. This odd-odd coupling and isomer formation provides a sensitive measure of the underlying shape degrees of freedom of $^{32}\textrm{Mg}$, where the onset of spherical-to-deformed shape inversion begins with a low-lying deformed $2^+$ state at 885 keV and a low-lying shape-coexisting $0_2^+$ state at 1058 keV. We suggest two possible explanations for the 625-keV isomer in $^{32}$Na: a $6^-$ spherical shape isomer that decays by $E2$ or a $0^+$ deformed spin isomer that decays by $M2$. The present results and calculations are most consistent with the latter, indicating that the low-lying states are dominated by deformation., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, accepted by Physical Review Letters

We introduce SupercheQ, a family of quantum protocols that achieves asymptotic advantage over classical protocols for checking the equivalence of files, a task also known as fingerprinting. The first variant, SupercheQ-EE (Efficient Encoding), uses n qubits to verify files with 2^O(n) bits -- an exponential advantage in communication complexity (i.e. bandwidth, often the limiting factor in networked applications) over the best possible classical protocol in the simultaneous message passing setting. Moreover, SupercheQ-EE can be gracefully scaled down for implementation on circuits with poly(n^l) depth to enable verification for files with O(n^l) bits for arbitrary constant l. The quantum advantage is achieved by random circuit sampling, thereby endowing circuits from recent quantum supremacy and quantum volume experiments with a practical application. We validate SupercheQ-EE's performance at scale through GPU simulation. The second variant, SupercheQ-IE (Incremental Encoding), uses n qubits to verify files with O(n^2) bits while supporting constant-time incremental updates to the fingerprint. Moreover, SupercheQ-IE only requires Clifford gates, ensuring relatively modest overheads for error-corrected implementation. We experimentally demonstrate proof-of-concepts through Qiskit Runtime on IBM quantum hardware. We envision SupercheQ could be deployed in distributed data settings, accompanying replicas of important databases.

The collective structure of $^{106}$Cd is elucidated by multi-step Coulomb excitation of a 3.849 MeV/$A$ beam of $^{106}$Cd on a 1.1 mg/cm$^2$ $^{208}$Pb target using GRETINA-CHICO2 at ATLAS. Fourteen $E2$ matrix elements were obtained. The nucleus $^{106}$Cd is a prime example of emergent collectivity that possesses a simple structure: it is free of complexity caused by shape coexistence and has a small, but collectively active number of valence nucleons. This work follows in a long and currently active quest to answer the fundamental question of the origin of nuclear collectivity and deformation, notably in the cadmium isotopes. The results are discussed in terms of phenomenological models, the shell model, and Kumar-Cline sums of $E2$ matrix elements. The ${\langle 0_2^+ ||E2||2_1^+ \rangle}$ matrix element is determined for the first time, providing a total, converged measure of the electric quadrupole strength, $\langle Q^2 \rangle$, of the first-excited $2_1^+$ level relative to the $0_1^+$ ground state, which does not show an increase as expected of harmonic and anharmonic vibrations. Strong evidence for triaxial shapes in weakly collective nuclei is indicated; collective vibrations are excluded. This is contrary to the only other cadmium result of this kind in $^{114}$Cd by C. Fahlander et al., Nucl. Phys. A485, 327 (1988), which is complicated by low-lying shape coexistence near midshell., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures

The $^{25}$F($5/2^+) (-1p) ^{24}$O reaction was studied at the NSCL using the S800 spectrometer. The experimental spectroscopic factor for the ground-state to ground-state transition indicates a substantial depletion of the proton $d_{5/2}$ strength compared to shell-model expectations. Our result supports the findings reported by Tang \textit{et al.}, from their study of the $(p,2p)$ reaction at RIBF. The overlap between the $^{25}$F and $^{24}$O ground-states is considerably less than anticipated if $^{24}$O acted as a robust and rigid doubly-magic core in $^{25}$F. We interpret the results within the framework of the Particle-Vibration Coupling (PVC) of a $d_{5/2}$ proton coupled to a quadrupole phonon of an effective core. This approach provides a good description of the experimental data by requiring an effective $^{24}$O* core with a phonon energy of $\hbar\omega_2$= 3.2 MeV, and a $B(E2) ~ 2.7$ W.u., softer and more collective than a bare $^{24}$O. Both the Nilsson deformed mean field and the PVC models appear to capture the properties of the effective core of $^{25}$F, suggesting that the additional proton tends to polarize the free, doubly magic $^{24}$O in such a way that it becomes either slightly deformed or a quadrupole vibrator., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures

Gate model quantum computers promise to solve currently intractable computational problems if they can be operated at scale with long coherence times and high fidelity logic. Neutral atom hyperfine qubits provide inherent scalability due to their identical characteristics, long coherence times, and ability to be trapped in dense multi-dimensional arrays\cite{Saffman2010}. Combined with the strong entangling interactions provided by Rydberg states\cite{Jaksch2000,Gaetan2009,Urban2009}, all the necessary characteristics for quantum computation are available. Here we demonstrate several quantum algorithms on a programmable gate model neutral atom quantum computer in an architecture based on individual addressing of single atoms with tightly focused optical beams scanned across a two-dimensional array of qubits. Preparation of entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states\cite{Greenberger1989} with up to 6 qubits, quantum phase estimation for a chemistry problem\cite{Aspuru-Guzik2005}, and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA)\cite{Farhi2014} for the MaxCut graph problem are demonstrated. These results highlight the emergent capability of neutral atom qubit arrays for universal, programmable quantum computation, as well as preparation of non-classical states of use for quantum enhanced sensing., Comment: 4 figures and supplemental material. V2 details on phase estimation and RB data included

Exclusive cross sections for the $^{43}$P$(-1p)^{42}$Si reaction to the lowest $0^+$ and $2^+$ states, measured at NSCL with GRETINA and the S800, are interpreted in terms of a two-level mixing (collective) model of oblate and prolate co-existing shapes. Using the formalism developed for deformed nuclei we calculate the spectroscopic amplitudes and exclusive cross-sections in the strong coupling limit, where for $^{43}$P the schematic wavefunction includes the coupling of the Nilsson [211]$\frac{1}{2}$ proton orbit. Good agreement with the experimental data is obtained when the amplitude of the oblate configuration is $\gtrsim$ 80\%, suggesting that both nuclei are predominantly oblate, in line with theoretical expectations., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

UCGretina, a GEANT4 simulation of the GRETINA gamma-ray tracking array of highly-segmented high-purity germanium detectors is described. We have developed a model of the array, in particular of the Quad Module and the capsules, that gives good agreement between simulated and measured photopeak efficiencies over a broad range of gamma-ray energies and reproduces the shape of the measured Compton continuum. Both of these features are needed in order to accurately extract gamma-ray yields from spectra collected in in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements with beams traveling at $v/c \gtrsim 0.3$ at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. In the process of developing the model, we determined that millimeter-scale layers of passive germanium surrounding the active volumes of the simulated crystals must be included in order to reproduce measured photopeak efficiencies. We adopted a simple model of effective passive layers and developed heuristic methods of determining passive-layer thicknesses by comparison of simulations and measurements for a single crystal and for the full array. Prospects for future development of the model are discussed., Comment: 26 pages, 12 figures

Spectroscopic factors to low-lying negative-parity states in $^{11}$Be extracted from the $^{12}$B($d$,$^3$He)$^{11}$Be proton-removal reaction are interpreted within the rotational model. Earlier predictions of the $p$-wave proton removal strengths in the strong coupling limit of the Nilsson model underestimated the spectroscopic factors to the $3/2^-_1$ and $5/2^-_1$ states and suggested that deviations in the $1^+$ ground state of the odd-odd $^{12}$B due to Coriolis coupling should be further explored. In this work we use the Particle Rotor Model to take into account these effects and obtain a good description of the level scheme in $^{11}$B, with a moderate $K$-mixing of the proton Nilsson levels [110]1/2 and [101]3/2. This mixing, present in the $1^+$ bandhead of $^{12}$B, is key to explaining the proton pickup data., Comment: 5 Pages, 2 Figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev. C

The low-spin structure of the semimagic 64Ni nucleus has been considerably expanded: combining four experiments, several 0+ and 2+ excited states were identified below 4.5 MeV, and their properties established. The Monte Carlo shell model accounts for the results and unveils an unexpectedly complex landscape of coexisting shapes: a prolate 0+ excitation is located at a surprisingly high energy (3463 keV), with a collective 2+ state 286 keV above it, the first such observation in Ni isotopes. The evolution in excitation energy of the prolate minimum across the neutron N = 40 subshell gap highlights the impact of the monopole interaction and its variation in strength with N.

In a recent experiment, carried out at RIBF/RIKEN, the $^{25}$F$(p,2p)$$^{24}$O reaction was studied at 270 MeV/A in inverse kinematics. Derived spectroscopic factors suggest that the effective core of $^{25}$F significantly differs from a free $^{24}$O nucleus. We interpret these results within the Particle-Rotor Model and show that the experimental level scheme of $^{25}$F can be understood in the rotation-aligned coupling scheme, with its $5/2^+_1$ ground state as the band-head of a decoupled band. The excitation energies of the observed $1/2_1^+$ and $9/2_1^+$ states correlate strongly with the rotational energy of the effective core, seen by the odd proton, and allow us to estimate its $2^+$ energy at $\approx$ 3.2 MeV and a moderate quadrupole deformation, $\epsilon_2 \approx 0.15$. The measured fragmentation of the $\pi d_{5/2}$ single-particle strength is discussed and some further experiments suggested., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to Physical Review C

The excitation energy of deformed intruder states (specifically the 2p2h bandhead) as a function of proton number $Z$ along $N=20$ is of interest both in terms of better understanding the evolution of nuclear structure between spherical $^{40}$Ca and the Island of Inversion nuclei, and for benchmarking theoretical descriptions in this region. At the center of the $N=20$ Island of Inversion, the npnh (where n=2,4,6) neutron excitations across a diminished $N=20$ gap result in deformed and collective ground states, as observed in $^{32}$Mg. In heavier isotones, npnh excitations do not dominate in the ground states, but are present in the relatively low-lying level schemes. With the aim of identifying the expected 2p2h$\otimes\mathrm{s}_{1/2^+}$ state in $^{35}$P, the only $N=20$ isotone for which the neutron 2p2h excitation bandhead has not yet been identified, the $^{36}$S(d,$^3$He)$^{35}$P reaction has been revisited in inverse kinematics with the HELical Orbit Spectrometer (HELIOS) at the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS). While a candidate state has not been located, an upper limit for the transfer reaction cross-section to populate such a configuration within a 2.5 to 3.6\,MeV energy range, provides a stringent constraint on the wavefunction compositions in both $^{36}$S and $^{35}$P.

New experimental data obtained from $\gamma$-ray tagged one-neutron and one-proton knockout from $^{55}$Co is presented. A candidate for the sought-after $T=1, T_z = 0, J^{\pi} = 6^+$ state in $^{54}$Co is proposed based on a comparison to the new data on $^{54}$Fe, the corresponding observables predicted by large-scale-shell-model (LSSM) calculations in the full $fp$-model space employing charge-dependent contributions, and isospin-symmetry arguments. Furthermore, possible isospin-symmetry breaking in the $A=54$, $T=1$ triplet is studied by calculating the experimental $c$ coefficients of the isobaric mass multiplet equation (IMME) up to the maximum possible spin $J=6$ expected for the $(1f_{7/2})^{-2}$ two-hole configuration relative to the doubly-magic nucleus $^{56}$Ni. The experimental quantities are compared to the theoretically predicted $c$ coefficients from LSSM calculations using two-body matrix elements obtained from a realistic chiral effective field theory potential at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N$^3$LO)., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Work has been published

Imperfections in analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) cannot be ignored when signal digitization requirements demand both wide dynamic range and high resolution, as is the case for the Majorana Demonstrator 76Ge neutrinoless double beta decay search. Enabling the experiment's high-resolution spectral analysis and efficient pulse shape discrimination required careful measurement and correction of ADC nonlinearites. A simple measurement protocol was developed that did not require sophisticated equipment or lengthy data taking campaigns. A slope-dependent hysteresis was observed and characterized. A correction applied to digitized waveforms prior to signal processing reduced the differential and integral nonlinearites by an order of magnitude, eliminating these as dominant contributions to the systematic energy uncertainty at the double-beta decay Q value.

The neutron-rich Ni isotopes have attracted attention in recent years due to the occurrence of shape or configuration coexistence. We report on the difference in population of excited final states in 70Ni following gamma-ray tagged one-proton, one-neutron, and two-proton knockout from 71Cu, 71Ni, and 72Zn rare-isotope beams, respectively. Using variations observed in the relative transition intensities, signaling the changed population of specific final states in the different reactions, the role of neutron and proton configurations in excited states of 70Ni is probed schematically, with the goal of identifying those that carry, as leading configuration, proton excitations across the Z = 28 shell closure. Such states are suggested in the literature to form a collective structure associated with prolate deformation. Adding to the body of knowledge for 70Ni, 29 new transitions are reported, of which 15 are placed in its level scheme., Comment: accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C

We present a high-resolution in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy study of excited states in the mirror nuclei $^{55}$Co and $^{55}$Ni following one-nucleon knockout from a projectile beam of $^{56}$Ni. The newly determined partial cross sections and the $\gamma$-decay properties of excited states provide a test of state-of-the-art nuclear structure models and probe mirror symmetry in unique ways. A mirror asymmetry for the partial cross sections leading to the two lowest $3/2^-$ states in the $A = 55$ mirror pair was identified as well as a significant difference in the $E1$ decays from the $1/2^+_1$ state to the same two $3/2^-$ states. The mirror asymmetry in the partial cross sections cannot be reconciled with the present shell-model picture or small mixing introduced in a two-state model. The observed mirror asymmetry in the $E1$ decay pattern, however, points at stronger mixing between the two lowest $3/2^-$ states in $^{55}$Co than in its mirror $^{55}$Ni.

In the late stages of stellar core-collapse, prior to core bounce, electron captures on medium-heavy nuclei drive deleptonization and simulations require the use of accurate reaction rates. Nuclei with neutron number near $N=50$, just above atomic number $Z=28$, play an important role, but rates used in astrophysical simulations rely primarily on a relatively simple single-state approximation. In order to improve the accuracy of astrophysical simulations, experimental data are needed to test the electron-capture rates and to guide the development of better theoretical models. This work presents the results of the $^{86}$Kr($t$,$^{3}$He+$\gamma$) experiment at the NSCL, from which an upper limit for the Gamow-Teller strength up to an excitation energy in $^{86}$Br of 5 MeV is extracted. The derived upper limit for the electron-capture rate on $^{86}$Kr indicates that the rate estimated through the single-state approximation is too high and that rates based on Gamow-Teller strengths estimated in shell-model and QRPA calculations are more accurate. The QRPA calculations tested in this manner were used for estimating the electron capture rates for 78 isotopes near $N=50$ and above $Z=28$. The impact of using these new electron-capture rates in simulations of supernovae instead of the rates based on the single-state approximation is investigated, indicating a significant reduction in the deleptonization that affects multi-messenger signals, such as the emission of neutrinos and gravitational waves., Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures

A more detailed test of the implementation of nuclear forces that drive shell evolution in the pivotal nucleus \nuc{42}{Si} -- going beyond earlier comparisons of excited-state energies -- is important. The two leading shell-model effective interactions, SDPF-MU and SDPF-U-Si, both of which reproduce the low-lying \nuc{42}{Si}($2^+_1$) energy, but whose predictions for other observables differ significantly, are interrogated by the population of states in neutron-rich \nuc{42}{Si} with a one-proton removal reaction from \nuc{43}{P} projectiles at 81~MeV/nucleon. The measured cross sections to the individual \nuc{42}{Si} final states are compared to calculations that combine eikonal reaction dynamics with these shell-model nuclear structure overlaps. The differences in the two shell-model descriptions are examined and linked to predicted low-lying excited $0^+$ states and shape coexistence. Based on the present data, which are in better agreement with the SDPF-MU calculations, the state observed at 2150(13)~keV in \nuc{42}{Si} is proposed to be the ($0^+_2$) level., Comment: accepted in Physical Review Letters

A model-independent technique was used to determine the $\gamma$-ray Strength Function ($\gamma$SF) of $^{56}$Fe down to $\gamma$-ray energies less than 1 MeV for the first time with GRETINA using the $(p,p')$ reaction at 16 MeV. No difference was observed in the energy dependence of the $\gamma$SF built on $2^{+}$ and $4^{+}$ final states, supporting the Brink hypothesis. In addition, angular distribution and polarization measurements were performed. The angular distributions are consistent with dipole radiation. The polarization results show a small bias towards magnetic character in the region of the enhancement.

The underrepresentation of African-American faculty in the US professoriate has persisted for some time. Relatedly, adjunct faculty remain a fast-growing sector of the professoriate. Adjunct faculty include "experts" and "specialists" who teach postsecondary courses with a narrow focus and with content tailored to their full-time employment. Using a qualitative narrative approach, I delineate ways I construct meaning for myself as a part-timer. I develop a cultural interpretation of adjunct teaching that provides alternative view of professional socialization to counter the ongoing challenge of increasing the number of Black faculty in higher education. In doing so, three themes from the data (ideal worker as adjunct, historical role models, and clinical value of course content) suggest the identity of part-time faculty is situated in personal, professional, and cultural experiences. [For the complete volume, "The Beauty and the Burden of Being a Black Professor. Diversity in Higher Education. Volume 24," see ED614149.]

Recent results from RIKEN/RIBF on the low-lying level structure of 29F are interpreted within the Particle-Rotor Model. We show that the experimental data can be understood in the Rotation-aligned Coupling Scheme, with the 5/2+ ground state as the bandhead of a decoupled band. In this picture, the energy of the observed 1/2+1 state correlates strongly with the rotational energy of the core and provides an estimate of the 2+ energy in 28O. Our analysis suggest a moderate deformation, epsilon_2 ~ 0.17, and places the 2+ in 28O at ~ 2.4 MeV., Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, To be submitted to Phys. Lett. B

Spectroscopic factors in 10Be, 11Be and 12Be, extracted from (d,p), one neutron knockout, and (p,d) reactions are interpreted within the rotational model. Assuming that the ground state and first excited state of 11Be can be associated with the 1/2[220] and 1/2[101] Nilsson levels, the strong coupling limit gives simple expressions that relate the amplitudes of these wavefunctions (in the spherical basis) with the measured cross-sections and derived spectroscopic factors. We obtain good agreement with both the measured magnetic moment of the ground state in 11Be and the reaction data., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure

The calcium isotopes have emerged as an important testing ground for new microscopically derived shell-model interactions, and a great deal of focus has been directed toward this region. We investigate the relative spectroscopic strengths associated with $1f_{7/2}$ neutron hole states in $^{47, 49}$Ca following one-neutron knockout reactions from $^{48,50}$Ca. The observed reduction of strength populating the lowest 7/2$^{-}_{1}$ state in $^{49}$Ca, as compared to $^{47}$Ca, is consistent with the description given by shell-model calculations based on two- and three-nucleon forces in the neutron $pf$ model space, implying a fragmentation of the $l$=3 strength to higher-lying states. The experimental result is inconsistent with both the GXPF1 interaction routinely used in this region of the nuclear chart and with microscopic calculations in an extended model space including the $\nu1g_{9/2}$ orbital., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures

The dynamics of superfluid 4He at and above the Landau quasiparticle regime is investigated by high precision inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the dynamic structure factor. A highly structured response is observed above the familiar phonon-maxon-roton spectrum, characterized by sharp thresholds for phonon-phonon, maxon-roton and roton-roton coupling processes. The experimental dynamic structure factor is compared to the calculation of the same physical quantity by a Dynamic Many-body theory including three-phonon processes self-consistently. The theory is found to provide a quantitative description of the dynamics of the correlated bosons for energies up to about three times that of the Landau quasiparticles., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

The neutron-rich nucleus $^{144}$Ba ($t_{1/2}$=11.5 s) is expected to exhibit some of the strongest octupole correlations among nuclei with mass numbers $A$ less than 200. Until now, indirect evidence for such strong correlations has been inferred from observations such as enhanced $E1$ transitions and interleaving positive- and negative-parity levels in the ground-state band. In this experiment, the octupole strength was measured directly by sub-barrier, multi-step Coulomb excitation of a post-accelerated 650-MeV $^{144}$Ba beam on a 1.0-mg/cm$^2$ $^{208}$Pb target. The measured value of the matrix element, $\langle 3_1^- \| \mathcal{M}(E3) \| 0_1^+ \rangle=0.65(^{+17}_{-23})$ $e$b$^{3/2}$, corresponds to a reduced $B(E3)$ transition probability of 48($^{+25}_{-34}$) W.u. This result represents an unambiguous determination of the octupole collectivity, is larger than any available theoretical prediction, and is consistent with octupole deformation., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, Physical Review Letters 2016

The ground-state (GS) phase diagram of the frustrated spin-$s$ $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$--$J_{3}$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the honeycomb lattice is studied using the coupled cluster method, for spin quantum numbers $s=1,\,\frac{3}{2},\,2\,,\frac{5}{2}$. We study the case $J_{3}=J_{2}=\kappa J_{1}$, in the range $0 \leq \kappa \leq 1$, which includes the point of maximum classical ($s \to \infty$) frustration, viz., the classical critical point at $\kappa_{{\rm cl}}=\frac{1}{2}$, separating the N\'{e}el phase for $\kappa < \kappa_{{\rm cl}}$ and the collinear striped AFM phase for $\kappa > \kappa_{{\rm cl}}$. Results are presented for the GS energy, magnetic order parameter and plaquette valence-bond crystal (PVBC) susceptibility. For all spins $s \geq \frac{3}{2}$ we find a quantum phase diagram very similar to the classical one, with a direct first-order transition between the two collinear AFM states at a value $\kappa_{c}(s)$ which is slightly greater than $\kappa_{{\rm cl}}$ [e.g., $\kappa_{c}(\frac{3}{2}) \approx 0.53(1)$] and which approaches it monotonically as $s \to \infty$. By contrast, for the case $s=1$ the transition is split into two such that the stable GS phases are ones with N\'{e}el AFM order for $\kappa < \kappa_{c_{1}} = 0.485(5)$ and with striped AFM order for $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{2}} = 0.528(5)$, just as in the case $s=\frac{1}{2}$ (for which $\kappa_{c_{1}} \approx 0.47$ and $\kappa_{c_{2}} \approx 0.60$). For both the $s=\frac{1}{2}$ and $s=1$ models the transition at $\kappa_{c_{2}}$ appears to be of first-order type, while that at $\kappa_{c_{1}}$ appears to be continuous. However, whereas in the $s=\frac{1}{2}$ case the intermediate phase appears to have PVBC order over the entire range $\kappa_{c_{1}} < \kappa < \kappa_{c_{2}}$, in the $s=1$ case PVBC ordering either exists only over a very small part of the region or, more likely, is absent everywhere.

Shell evolution is studied in the neutron-rich silicon isotopes 36,38,40 Si using neutron single-particle strengths deduced from one-neutron knockout reactions. Configurations involving neutron excita- tions across the N = 20 and N = 28 shell gaps are quantified experimentally in these rare isotopes. Comparisons with shell model calculations show that the tensor force, understood to drive the col- lective behavior in 42 Si with N = 28, is already important in determining the structure of 40 Si with N = 26. New data relating to cross-shell excitations provide the first quantitative support for repulsive contributions to the cross-shell T = 1 interaction arising from three-nucleon forces.

We use the coupled cluster method implemented to high orders of approximation to investigate the frustrated spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$--$J_{3}$ antiferromagnet on the honeycomb lattice with isotropic Heisenberg interactions of strength $J_{1} > 0$ between nearest-neighbor pairs, $J_{2}>0$ between next-nearest-neighbor pairs, and $J_{3}>0$ between next-next-neareast-neighbor pairs of spins. In particular, we study both the ground-state (GS) and lowest-lying triplet excited-state properties in the case $J_{3}=J_{2} \equiv \kappa J_{1}$, in the window $0 \leq \kappa \leq 1$ of the frustration parameter, which includes the (tricritical) point of maximum classical frustration at $\kappa_{{\rm cl}} = \frac{1}{2}$. We present GS results for the spin stiffness, $\rho_{s}$, and the zero-field uniform magnetic susceptibility, $\chi$, which complement our earlier results for the GS energy per spin, $E/N$, and staggered magnetization, $M$, to yield a complete set of accurate low-energy parameters for the model. Our results all point towards a phase diagram containing two quasiclassical antiferromagnetic phases, one with N\'eel order for $\kappa < \kappa_{c_{1}}$, and the other with collinear striped order for $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{2}}$. The results for both $\chi$ and the spin gap $\Delta$ provide compelling evidence for a quantum paramagnetic phase that is gapped over a considerable portion of the intermediate region $\kappa_{c_{1}} < \kappa < \kappa_{c_{2}}$, especially close to the two quantum critical points at $\kappa_{c_{1}}$ and $\kappa_{c_{2}}$. Each of our fully independent sets of results for the low-energy parameters is consistent with the values $\kappa_{c_{1}} = 0.45 \pm 0.02$ and $\kappa_{c_{2}} = 0.60 \pm 0.02$, and with the transition at $\kappa_{c_{1}}$ being of continuous (and probably of the deconfined) type and that at $\kappa_{c_{2}}$ being of first-order type.

We outline how the coupled cluster method of microscopic quantum many-body theory can be utilized in practice to give highly accurate results for the ground-state properties of a wide variety of highly frustrated and strongly correlated spin-lattice models of interest in quantum magnetism, including their quantum phase transitions. The method itself is described, and it is shown how it may be implemented in practice to high orders in a systematically improvable hierarchy of (so-called LSUB$m$) approximations, by the use of computer-algebraic techniques. The method works from the outset in the thermodynamic limit of an infinite lattice at all levels of approximation, and it is shown both how the "raw" LSUB$m$ results are themselves generally excellent in the sense that they converge rapidly, and how they may accurately be extrapolated to the exact limit, $m \rightarrow \infty$, of the truncation index $m$, which denotes the {\it only} approximation made. All of this is illustrated via a specific application to a two-dimensional, frustrated, spin-half $J^{XXZ}_{1}$--$J^{XXZ}_{2}$ model on a honeycomb lattice with nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor interactions with exchange couplings $J_{1}>0$ and $J_{2} \equiv \kappa J_{1} > 0$, respectively, where both interactions are of the same anisotropic $XXZ$ type. We show how the method can be used to determine the entire zero-temperature ground-state phase diagram of the model in the range $0 \leq \kappa \leq 1$ of the frustration parameter and $0 \leq \Delta \leq 1$ of the spin-space anisotropy parameter. In particular, we identify a candidate quantum spin-liquid region in the phase space.

We study the zero-temperature ($T=0$) ground-state (GS) properties of a frustrated spin-half $J^{XXZ}_{1}$--$J^{XXZ}_{2}$ model on the honeycomb lattice with nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor interactions with exchange couplings $J_{1}>0$ and $J_{2} \equiv \kappa J_{1}>0$, respectively, using the coupled cluster method. Both interactions are of the anisotropic $XXZ$ type. We present the $T=0$ GS phase diagram of the model in the ranges $0 \leq \Delta \leq 1$ of the spin-space anisotropy parameter and $0 \leq \kappa \leq 1$ of the frustration parameter. A possible quantum spin-liquid region is identified.

We study the zero-temperature ground-state (GS) phase diagram of a spin-half $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$ $XY$ model on the honeycomb lattice with nearest-neighbor exchange coupling $J_{1}>0$ and frustrating next-nearest-neighbor exchange coupling $J_{2} \equiv \kappa J_{1}>0$, where both bonds are of the isotropic $XY$ type, using the coupled cluster method. Results are presented for the GS energy per spin, magnetic order parameter, and staggered dimer valence-bond crystalline (SDVBC) susceptibility, for values of the frustration parameter in the range $0 \leq \kappa \leq 1$. In this range we find phases exhibiting, respectively, N\'{e}el $xy$ planar [N(p)], N\'{e}el $z$-aligned [N($z$)], SDVBC, and N\'{e}el-II $xy$ planar [N-II(p)] orderings which break the lattice rotational symmetry. The N(p) state, which is stable for the classical version of the model in the range $0 \leq \kappa \leq \frac{1}{6}$, is found to form the GS phase out to a first quantum critical point at $\kappa_{c_{1}} = 0.216(5)$, beyond which the stable GS phase has N($z$) order over the range $\kappa_{c_{1}} < \kappa < \kappa_{c_{2}}=0.355(5)$. For values $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{2}}$ we find a strong competition to form the GS phase between states with N-II(p) and SDVBC forms of order. Our best estimate, however, is that the stable GS phase over the range $\kappa_{c_{2}} < \kappa < \kappa_{c_{3}} \approx 0.52(3)$ is a mixed state with both SDVBC and N-II(p) forms of order; and for values $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{3}}$ is the N-II(p) state, which is stable at the classical level only at the highly degenerate point $\kappa=\frac{1}{2}$. Over the range $0 \leq \kappa \leq 1$ we find no evidence for any of the spiral phases that are present classically for all values $\kappa > \frac{1}{6}$, nor for any quantum spin-liquid state.

Excited states in the neutron-rich N=38,36 nuclei \nuc{60}{Ti} and \nuc{58}{Ti} were populated in nucleon-removal reactions from \nuc{61}{V} projectiles at 90~MeV/nucleon. The \gamma-ray transitions from such states in these Ti isotopes were detected with the advanced \gamma-ray tracking array GRETINA and were corrected event-by-event for large Doppler shifts (v/c \sim 0.4) using the \gamma-ray interaction points deduced from online signal decomposition. The new data indicate that a steep decrease in quadrupole collectivity occurs when moving from neutron-rich N=36,38 Fe and Cr toward the Ti and Ca isotones. In fact, \nuc{58,60}{Ti} provide some of the most neutron-rich benchmarks accessible today for calculations attempting to determine the structure of the potentially doubly-magic nucleus \nuc{60}{Ca}., Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review letters

The zero-temperature ground-state (GS) properties and phase diagram of a frustrated spin-1 $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$ Heisenberg model on the checkerboard square lattice are studied, using the coupled cluster method. We consider the case where the nearest-neighbour exchange bonds have strength $J_{1}>0$ and the next-nearest-neighbour exchange bonds present (viz., in the checkerboard pattern of the planar pyrochlore) have strength $J_{2} \equiv \kappa J_{1}>0$. We find significant differences from both the spin-1/2 and classical versions of the model. We find that the spin-1 model has a first phase transition at $\kappa_{c_{1}} \approx 1.00 \pm 0.01$ (as does the classical model at $\kappa_{{\rm cl}}=1$) between two antiferromagnetic phases, viz., a quasiclassical N\'{e}el phase (for $\kappa < \kappa_{c_{1}}$) and one of the infinitely degenerate family of quasiclassical phases (for $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{1}}$) that exists in the classical model for $\kappa > \kappa_{{\rm cl}}$, which is now chosen by the {\it order by disorder} mechanism as (probably) the "doubled N\'{e}el" (or N\'{e}el$^{\ast}$) state. By contrast, none of this family survives quantum fluctuations to form a stable GS phase in the spin-1/2 case. We also find evidence for a second quantum critical point at $\kappa_{c_{2}} \approx 2.0 \pm 0.5$ in the spin-1 model, such that for $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{2}}$ the quasiclassical (N\'{e}el$^{\ast}$) ordering melts and a nonclassical phase appears, which, on the basis of preliminary evidence, appears unlikely to have crossed-dimer valence-bond crystalline (CDVBC) ordering, as in the spin-1/2 case. Unlike in the spin-1/2 case, where the N\'{e}el and CDVBC phases are separated by a phase with plaquette valence-bond crystalline (PVBC) ordering, we find very preliminary evidence for such a PVBC state in the spin-1 model for all $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{2}}$.

Using the coupled cluster method (CCM) we study the full (zero-temperature) ground-state (GS) phase diagram of a spin-half ($s=1/2$) $J_{1}$-$J_{2}$ Heisenberg model on a cross-striped square lattice. Each site of the square lattice has 4 nearest-neighbour exchange bonds of strength $J_{1}$ and 2 next-nearest-neighbour (diagonal) bonds of strength $J_{2}$. The $J_{2}$ bonds are arranged so that the basic square plaquettes in alternating columns have either both or no $J_{2}$ bonds included. The classical ($s \rightarrow \infty$) version of the model has 4 collinear phases when $J_{1}$ and $J_{2}$ can take either sign. Three phases are antiferromagnetic (AFM), showing so-called N\'{e}el, double N\'{e}el and double columnar striped order respectively, while the fourth is ferromagnetic. For the quantum $s=1/2$ model we use the 3 classical AFM phases as CCM reference states, on top of which the multispin-flip configurations arising from quantum fluctuations are incorporated in a systematic truncation hierarchy. Calculations of the corresponding GS energy, magnetic order parameter and the susceptibilities of the states to various forms of valence-bond crystalline (VBC) order are thus carried out numerically to high orders of approximation and then extrapolated to the (exact) physical limit. We find that the $s=1/2$ model has 5 phases, which correspond to the four classical phases plus a new quantum phase with plaquette VBC order. The positions of the 5 quantum critical points are determined with high accuracy. While all 4 phase transitions in the classical model are first order, we find strong evidence that 3 of the 5 quantum phase transitions in the $s=1/2$ model are of continuous deconfined type.

The coupled cluster method (CCM) is used to study the zero-temperature properties of a frustrated spin-half ($s={1}{2}$) $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet (HAF) on a 2D chevron-square lattice. Each site on an underlying square lattice has 4 nearest-neighbor exchange bonds of strength $J_{1}>0$ and 2 next-nearest-neighbor (diagonal) bonds of strength $J_{2} \equiv x J_{1}>0$, with each square plaquette having only one diagonal bond. The diagonal bonds form a chevron pattern, and the model thus interpolates smoothly between 2D HAFs on the square ($x=0$) and triangular ($x=1$) lattices, and also extrapolates to disconnected 1D HAF chains ($x \to \infty$). The classical ($s \to \infty$) version of the model has N\'{e}el order for $0 < x < x_{{\rm cl}}$ and a form of spiral order for $x_{{\rm cl}} < x < \infty$, where $x_{{\rm cl}} = {1}{2}$. For the $s={1}{2}$ model we use both these classical states, as well as other collinear states not realized as classical ground-state (GS) phases, as CCM reference states, on top of which the multispin-flip configurations resulting from quantum fluctuations are incorporated in a systematic truncation scheme, which we carry out to high orders and extrapolate to the physical limit. We calculate the GS energy, GS magnetic order parameter, and the susceptibilities of the states to various forms of valence-bond crystalline (VBC) order, including plaquette and two different dimer forms. We find that the $s={1}{2}$ model has two quantum critical points, at $x_{c_{1}} \approx 0.72(1)$ and $x_{c_{2}} \approx 1.5(1)$, with N\'{e}el order for $0 < x < x_{c_{1}}$, a form of spiral order for $x_{c_{1}} < x < x_{c_{2}}$ that includes the correct three-sublattice $120^{\circ}$ spin ordering for the triangular-lattice HAF at $x=1$, and parallel-dimer VBC order for $x_{c_{2}} < x < \infty$.

We calculate the A and B hyperfine constants for the low-lying states of 229Th3+ using a high-precision relativistic all-order approach. By combining these calculations with measurements of the 6d and 5f hyperfine constants [C. J. Campbell et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 223001 (2011)], we determine the magnetic dipole \mu=0.360(7)\mu_B and the electric-quadrupole Q=3.11(6) eb moments of the 229Th nucleus. Our value for \mu is five times more accurate and is 22% smaller than the best previous value \mu=0.46(4) \mu_B [S. Gerstenkorn et al., J. Phys. (Paris) 35, 483 (1974)], while our value for Q is the same, but 2.5 times more accurate than the 2011 result. A systematic study of hyperfine structure in eight other monovalent atoms supports our claim of 2% level uncertainty for $\mu$ and Q in 229Th+3., Comment: 5 pages

Using the coupled cluster method we study the phase diagram of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a honeycomb lattice with nearest-neighbor exchange coupling $J_{1}>0$ and frustrating next-nearest-neighbor coupling $J_{2} \equiv xJ_{1}>0$. In the range $0

We have performed magnetotransport experiments in the high-temperature regime (up to 50 K) of the integer quantum Hall effect for two-dimensional electron gases in semiconducting heterostructures. While the magnetic field dependence of the classical Hall law presents no anomaly at high temperatures, we find a breakdown of the Drude-Lorentz law for the longitudinal conductance beyond a crossover magnetic field B_c ~ 1 T, which turns out to be correlated with the onset of the integer quantum Hall effect at low temperatures. We show that the high magnetic field regime at B > B_c can be understood in terms of classical percolative transport in a smooth disordered potential. From the temperature dependence of the peak longitudinal conductance, we extract scaling exponents which are in good agreement with the theoretically expected values. We also prove that inelastic scattering on phonons is responsible for dissipation in a wide temperature range going from 1 to 50 K at high magnetic fields., Comment: 14 pages + 8 Figures

We excite the 717 nm electric quadrupole 6$D_{3/2} $ $\leftrightarrow$ 7$S_{1/2}$ transition in a laser-cooled $^{232}$Th$^{3+}$ ion crystal. The transition frequency and the lifetime of the metastable 7$S_{1/2}$ level are measured to be 417 845 964(30) MHz and 0.60(7) s, respectively. We subsequently employ the 7$S_{1/2}$ level to drive the ions with nanosecond-long 269 nm laser pulses into the 7$P_{1/2}$ level. The latter is connected to the 7$S_{1/2}$ electronic level within the $^{229}$Th nuclear isomer manifold by the strongest available electron-bridge transition, forming a basis for its laser excitation., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

We use the coupled cluster method to study the zero-temperature properties of an extended two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet formed from spin-1/2 moments on an infinite spatially anisotropic kagome lattice of corner-sharing isosceles triangles, with nearest-neighbor bonds only. The bonds have exchange constants $J_{1}>0$ along two of the three lattice directions and $J_{2} \equiv \kappa J_{1} > 0$ along the third. In the classical limit the ground-state (GS) phase for $\kappa < 1/2$ has collinear ferrimagnetic (N\'{e}el$'$) order where the $J_2$-coupled chain spins are ferromagnetically ordered in one direction with the remaining spins aligned in the opposite direction, while for $\kappa > 1/2$ there exists an infinite GS family of canted ferrimagnetic spin states, which are energetically degenerate. For the spin-1/2 case we find that quantum analogs of both these classical states continue to exist as stable GS phases in some regions of the anisotropy parameter $\kappa$, namely for $0<\kappa<\kappa_{c_1}$ for the N\'{e}el$'$ state and for (at least part of) the region $\kappa>\kappa_{c_2}$ for the canted phase. However, they are now separated by a paramagnetic phase without either sort of magnetic order in the region $\kappa_{c_1} < \kappa < \kappa_{c_2}$, which includes the isotropic kagome point $\kappa = 1$ where the stable GS phase is now believed to be a topological ($\mathbb{Z}_2$) spin liquid. Our best numerical estimates are $\kappa_{c_1} = 0.515 \pm 0.015$ and $\kappa_{c_2} = 1.82 \pm 0.03$.

We use the coupled cluster method in high orders of approximation to make a comprehensive study of the ground-state (GS) phase diagram of the spin-1/2 $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$--$J_{3}$ model on a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice with antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions up to third-nearest neighbors. Results are presented for the GS energy and the average local on-site magnetization. With the nearest-neighbor coupling strength $J_{1} \equiv 1$ we find four magnetically ordered phases in the parameter window $J_{2},J_{3} \in [0,1]$, namely the N\'{e}el (N), striped (S), and anti-N\'{e}el (aN) collinear AFM phases, plus a spiral phase. The aN phase appears as a stable GS phase in the classical version of the model only for values $J_{3}<0$. Each of these four ordered phases shares a boundary with a disordered quantum paramagnetic (QP) phase, and at several widely separated points on the phase boundaries the QP phase has an infinite susceptibility to plaquette valence-bond crystalline order. We identify all of the phase boundaries with good precision in the parameter window studied, and we find three tricritical quantum critical points therein at: (a) $(J_{2}^{c_1},J_{3}^{c_1})=(0.51 \pm 0.01,0.69 \pm 0.01)$ between the N, S, and QP phases; (b) $(J_{2}^{c_2},J_{3}^{c_2})=(0.65 \pm 0.02,0.55 \pm 0.01)$ between the S, spiral, and QP phases; and (c) $(J_{2}^{c_3},J_{3}^{c_3})=(0.69 \pm 0.01,0.12 \pm 0.01)$ between the spiral, aN, and QP phases.

We study the ground-state (gs) phases of the spin-half anisotropic planar pyrochlore (or crossed chain) model using the coupled cluster method (CCM). The model is a frustrated antiferromagnetic (AFM) $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$ system on the checkerboard lattice, with nearest-neighbor exchange bonds $J_{1}>0$ and next-nearest-neighbor bonds $J_{2} \equiv \kappa J_{1} > 0$. Using various AFM classical ground states as CCM model states we present results for their gs energy, average on-site magnetization, and susceptibilities to plaquette valence-bond crystal (PVBC) and crossed-dimer valence-bond crystal (CDVBC) ordering. We show that the state with Neel ordering is the gs phase for $\kappa < \kappa_{c_1} \approx 0.80 \pm 0.01$, but that none of the fourfold set of AFM states selected by quantum fluctuations at $O(1/s)$ in a large-$s$ analysis (where $s$ is the spin quantum number) from the infinitely degenerate set of AFM states that form the gs phase for the classical version of the model (for $\kappa>1$) survives the quantum fluctuations to form a stable magnetically-ordered gs phase for the spin-half case. The Neel state becomes susceptible to PVBC ordering at or very near to $\kappa = \kappa_{c_1}$, and the fourfold AFM states become infinitely susceptible to PVBC ordering at $\kappa = \kappa_{c_2} \approx 1.22 \pm 0.02$. In turn, we find that these states become infinitely susceptible to CDVBC ordering for all values of $\kappa$ above a certain critical value at or very near to $\kappa = \kappa_{c_2}$. We thus find a Neel-ordered gs phase for $\kappa<\kappa_{c_1}$, a PVBC-ordered phase for $\kappa_{c_1} < \kappa < \kappa_{c_2}$, and a CDVBC-ordered phase for $\kappa > \kappa_{c_2}$. Both transitions are probably direct ones, although we cannot exclude very narrow coexistence regions confined to $0.79 \lesssim \kappa \lesssim 0.81$ and $1.20 \lesssim \kappa \lesssim 1.22$ respectively., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures

We study the ground-state (gs) phase diagram of the frustrated spin-1/2 $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$ antiferromagnet with $J_{2}=\kappa J_1>0$ ($J_{1}>0$) on the honeycomb lattice, using the coupled-cluster method. We present results for the ground-state energy, magnetic order parameter and plaquette valence-bond crystal (PVBC) susceptibility. We find a paramagnetic PVBC phase for $\kappa_{c_1}<\kappa<\kappa_{c_2}$, where $\kappa_{c_1} \approx 0.207 \pm 0.003$ and $\kappa_{c_2} \approx 0.385 \pm 0.010$. The transition at $\kappa_{c_1}$ to the N\'{e}el phase seems to be a continuous deconfined transition (although we cannot exclude a very narrow intermediate phase in the range $0.21 \lesssim \kappa \lesssim 0.24$), while that at $\kappa_{c_2}$ is of first-order type to another quasiclassical antiferromagnetic phase that occurs in the classical version of the model only at the isolated and highly degenerate critical point $\kappa = 1/2$. The spiral phases that are present classically for all values $\kappa > 1/6$ are absent for all $\kappa \lesssim 1$., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures

The structure of accretion curtain flows arising from magnetically disrupted discs is considered. It is shown that a sub-Alfvenic, magnetically channelled flow is consistent with matching the magnetic field across the curtain base. It is shown that some angular momentum is necessarily fed back into the disc, and this reduces the accretion torque acting on the star. The sonic point coordinates are found and a critical rotation rate results below which the sonic point merges with the curtain flow base so, for such stellar rotation rates, little or no thermal assistance is required for material to make the transition to a supersonic flow., Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure, accepted for MNRAS

The 7.6(5) eV nuclear magnetic-dipole transition in a single 229Th3+ ion may provide the foundation for an optical clock of superb accuracy. A virtual clock transition composed of stretched states within the 5F5/2 electronic ground level of both nuclear ground and isomeric manifolds is proposed. It is shown to offer unprecedented systematic shift suppression, allowing for clock performance with a total fractional inaccuracy approaching 1 x 10^-19.

We have produced laser-cooled Wigner crystals of 229Th3+ in a linear Paul trap. The magnetic dipole (A) and electric quadrupole (B) hyperfine constants for four low-lying electronic levels and the relative isotope shifts with respect to 232Th3+ for three low-lying optical transitions are measured. Using the hyperfine B constants in conjunction with prior atomic structure calculations, a new value of the spectroscopic nuclear electric quadrupole moment Q = 3.11(16) eb is deduced. These results are a step towards optical excitation of the low-lying isomer level in the 229Th nucleus.

We study the ground-state (gs) properties of the frustrated spin-1/2 $J_{1}$--$J_{2}$--$J_{3}$ Heisenberg model on a honeycomb lattice with ferromagnetic (FM) nearest-neighbor ($J_{1}=-1$) exchange and frustrating antiferromagnetic (AFM) next-nearest-neighbor ($J_{2}>0$) and next-next-nearest-neighbor ($J_{3}>0$) exchanges, for the case $J_{3}=J_{2}$. We use the coupled cluster method in high orders of approximation, complemented by the exact diagonalization of a lattice with 32 sites, and calculate the gs energy, magnetic order parameter, and spin-spin correlation functions. We find a quantum phase transition between regions characterized by FM order and a form of AFM ("striped") collinear order at $J^{c}_{2} \approx 0.1095 \pm 0.0005$. We compare results for the FM case (with $J_{1}=-1$) to previous results for the corresponding AFM case (with $J_{1}=+1$). While the magnetic order parameters behave similarly for the FM and the AFM models for large values of the frustration parameter $J_{2}$, there are considerable differences between them for $J_{2}/|J_{1}| \lesssim 0.6$. For example, the quasiclassical collinear magnetic long-range order for the AFM model (with $J_{1}=+1$) breaks down at $J^{c_{2}}_{2} \approx 0.60$, whereas the "equivalent" point for the FM model (with $J_{1}=-1$) occurs at $J^{c}_{2} \approx 0.11$. Unlike in the AFM model (with $J_{1}=+1$), where a plaquette valence-bond crystal phase intrudes between the two corresponding quasiclassical AFM phases (with N\'eel and striped order) for $J^{c_{1}}_{2} < J_{2} < J^{c_{2}}_{2}$, with $J^{c_{1}}_{2} \approx 0.47$, we find no clear indications in the FM model for an intermediate magnetically disordered phase between the phases exhibiting FM and striped order. Instead, the evidence points strongly to a direct first-order transition between the two ordered phases of the FM model., Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures (a & b)

We study the ground-state (gs) phase diagram of the frustrated spin-1/2 $J_{1}$-$J_{2}$-$J_{3}$ antiferromagnet with $J_{2} = J_{3} =\kappa J_1$ on the honeycomb lattice, using coupled-cluster theory and exact diagonalization methods. We present results for the gs energy, magnetic order parameter, spin-spin correlation function, and plaquette valence-bond crystal (PVBC) susceptibility. We find a N\'eel antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase for $\kappa < \kappa_{c_{1}} \approx 0.47$, a collinear striped AFM phase for $\kappa > \kappa_{c_{2}} \approx 0.60$, and a paramagnetic PVBC phase for $\kappa_{c_{1}} \lesssim \kappa \lesssim \kappa_{c_{2}}$. The transition at $\kappa_{c_{2}}$ appears to be of first-order type, while that at $\kappa_{c_{1}}$ is continuous. Since the N\'eel and PVBC phases break different symmetries our results favor the deconfinement scenario for the transition at $\kappa_{c_{1}}$.