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There has been great interest in identifying a Kitaev quantum spin liquid state in frustrated magnets with bond-dependent interactions. In particular, the experimental report of a half-quantized thermal Hall conductivity in $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ in the presence of a magnetic field has generated excitement as it could be strong evidence for a field-induced chiral spin liquid. More recent experiments, however, provide a conflicting interpretation advocating for topological magnons in the field-polarized state as the origin of the non-quantized thermal Hall conductivity observed in their experiments. An inherent difficulty in distinguishing between the two scenarios is the phase transition between a putative two-dimensional spin liquid and the field-polarized state exists only at zero temperature, while the behaviour at finite temperature is mostly crossover phenomena. In this work, we provide insights into the finite temperature crossover behavior between the spin excitation continuum in a quantum spin liquid and topological magnons in the field-polarized state in three different theoretical models with large Kitaev interactions. These models allow for a field-induced phase transition from a spin liquid (or an intermediate field-induced spin liquid) to the field-polarized state in the quantum model. We obtain the dynamical spin structure factor as a function of magnetic field using molecular dynamics simulations and compute thermal Hall conductivity in the field-polarized regime. We demonstrate the gradual evolution of the dynamical spin structure factor exhibiting crossover behaviour near magnetic fields where zero-temperature phase transitions occur in the quantum model. We also examine nonlinear effects on topological magnons and the validity of thermal Hall conductivity computed using linear spin wave theory. We discuss the implications of our results to existing and future experiments., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

We propose a graph method for systematically searching for schemes that can generate multipartite entanglement in linear bosonic systems with heralding. While heralded entanglement generation offers more tolerable schemes for quantum tasks than postselected ones, it is generally more challenging to find appropriate circuits for multipartite systems. We show that our graph mapping from boson subtractions provides handy tactics to overcome the limitations in circuit designs. We present a practical strategy to mitigate the limitation through the implementation of our graph technique. Our physical setup is based on the sculpting protocol, which utilizes an $ N$ spatially overlapped subtractions of single bosons to convert Fock states of evenly distributed bosons into entanglement. We have identified general schemes for qubit N-partite GHZ and W states, which are significantly more efficient than previous schemes. In addition, our scheme for generating the superposition of $N=3$ GHZ and W entangled states illustrates that our approach can be extended to derive more generalized forms of entangled states. Furthermore, we have found an N-partite GHZ state generation scheme for qudits, which requires substantially fewer particles than previous proposals. These results demonstrate the power of our approach in discovering optimized solutions for the generation of intricate heralded entangled states. As a proof of concept, we propose a linear optical scheme for the generation of the Bell state by heralding detections. We expect our method to serve as a promising tool in generating diverse entanglement., Comment: REVTeX 4.2, 16 pages, comments are welcome; (v2) 19 pages; (v5) Close to accepted version to npj Quantum Information. Video summary: https://youtu.be/iQ4aWQJuRZI

Decoherence is detrimental to quantum key distribution (QKD) over large distances. One of the proposed solutions is to use quantum repeaters, which divide the total distance between the users into smaller segments to minimise the effects of the losses in the channel. However, the secret key rates that repeater protocols can achieve are fundamentally bounded by the separation between each neighbouring node. Here we introduce a measurement-device-independent protocol which uses high-dimensional states prepared by two distant trusted parties and a coherent total photon number detection for the entanglement swapping measurement at the repeater station. We present an experimentally feasible protocol that can be implemented with current technology as the required states reduce down to the single-photon level over large distances. This protocol outperforms the existing measurement-device-independent and twin-field QKD protocols by surpassing the fundamental limit of the repeaterless bound for the pure-loss channel at a shorter distance and achieves a higher transmission distance in total when experimental imperfections are considered.

Symmetry fractionalization is a ubiquitous feature of topologically ordered states that can be used to classify different symmetry-enriched topological phases and reveal some of their unique experimental signatures. Despite its vast popularity, there is currently no available framework to study symmetry fractionalization of quantum spin ice (QSI) -- a $U(1)$ quantum spin liquid (QSL) on the pyrochlore lattice supporting emergent photons -- within the most widely used theoretical framework to describe it, gauge mean-field theory (GMFT). In this work, we provide an extension of GMFT that allows for the classification of space-time symmetry fractionalization. The construction classifies all GMFT Ans\"atze that yield physical wavefunctions invariant under given symmetries and a specific low-energy gauge structure. As an application of the framework, we first show that the only two Ans\"atze with emergent $U(1)$ gauge fields that respect all space-group symmetries are the well-known 0- and $\pi$-flux states. We then showcase how the framework may describe QSLs beyond the currently known ones by classifying chiral $U(1)$ QSI. We find two new states described by $\pi/2$- and $3\pi/2$-fluxes of the emergent gauge field threading the hexagonal plaquettes of the pyrochlore lattice. We finally discuss how the different ways translation symmetries fractionalize for all these states lead to unique experimentally relevant signatures and compute their respective inelastic neutron scattering cross-section to illustrate the argument., Comment: 12+10 pages, 4+1 figures

After finding a solution for the Hayward regular black hole (HRBH) in massive gravity, we embed the (3+1)-dimensional HRBHs both in massless and in massive gravities into (5+2)- and (6+3)-dimensional Minkowski spacetimes, respectively. Here, massive gravity denotes that a graviton acquires a mass holographically by broken momentum conservation in the HRBH. The original HRBH has no holographically added gravitons, which we call massless. Making use of newly found embedding coordinates, we obtain desired Unruh temperatures and compare them with the Hawking and local fiducial temperatures, showing that the Unruh effect for a uniformly accelerated observer in a higher dimensional flat spacetime is equal to the Hawking effect for a fiducial observer in a black hole spacetime. We also obtain freely falling temperatures of the HRBHs in massless and massive gravities seen by freely falling observers, which remain finite even at the event horizons while becoming the Hawking temperatures in asymptotic infinity., Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures

We study the target search of interacting Brownian particles in a finite domain, focusing on the effect of inter-particle interactions on the search time. We derive the integral equation for the mean first-passage time and acquire its solution as a series expansion in the orders of the Mayer function. For dilute systems relevant to most target search problems, we analytically obtain the leading order correction to the search time and prove a universal relation given by the particle density and the second virial coefficient. Finally, we validate our theoretical prediction by Langevin dynamics simulations for the various types of the interaction potential.

Traveling wave solutions of reaction-diffusion equations are well-studied for Lipschitz continuous monostable and bistable reaction functions. These special solutions play a key role in mathematical biology and in particular in the study of ecological invasions. However, if there are more than two stable steady states, the invasion phenomenon may become more intricate and involve intermediate steps, which leads one to consider not a single but a collection of traveling waves with ordered speeds. In this paper we show that, if the reaction function is discontinuous at the stable steady states, then such a collection of traveling waves exists and even provides a special solution which we call a terrace solution. More precisely, we will address both the existence and uniqueness of the terrace solution.

We demonstrate integrated photonic circuits for quantum devices using sputtered polycrystalline aluminum nitride (AlN) on insulator. The on-chip AlN waveguide directional couplers, which are one of the most important components in quantum photonics, are fabricated and show the output power splitting ratios from 50:50 to 99:1. The polarization beam splitters with an extinction ratio of more than 10 dB are also realized from the AlN directional couplers. Using the fabricated AlN waveguide beam splitters, we observe the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference with a visibility of 91.7 +(-) 5.66 %., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures

We use the projective symmetry group analysis to classify the quantum spin liquids on the $S=1/2$ pyrochlore magnet with a breathing anisotropy. We find 40 $\mathbb{Z}_2$ spin liquids and 16 $U(1)$ spin liquids that respect the $F\bar{4}3m$ space group and the time reversal symmetry. As an application, we consider the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model, which is proposed to be the dominant interaction in the candidate material Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$. Focusing on the $U(1)$ spin liquid ansatze, we find that only two of them are physical when restricted to this model. We present an analytical solution to the parton mean field theory for each of these two $U(1)$ spin liquids. It is revealed that one of them has gapless, while the other one has gapped, spinon excitations. The two $U(1)$ spin liquids are equal in energy regardless of the degree of breathing anisotropy, and they can be differentiated by the low-temperature heat capacity contribution from the quadratically-dispersing gapless spinons. We further show that the latter is unaffected by fluctuations of the $U(1)$ gauge field within the random phase approximation. Finally, we demonstrate that a small Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction lifts the degeneracy between the two $U(1)$ spin liquids, and it eventually causes the lattice to decouple into independent tetrahedra at strong coupling. While current model parameters for Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$ place it indeed in the decoupled regime, other candidate materials may be synthesised in the near future that realize the spin liquid states discussed in our work., Comment: 10+15 pages, 4+1 figures, 1+1 tables

Classification and understanding of quantum phase transitions and critical phenomena in itinerant electron systems are outstanding questions in quantum materials research. Recent experiments on heavy fermion systems with higher-rank multipolar local moments provide a new platform to study such questions. In particular, experiments on $\text{Ce}_{3}\text{Pd}_{20}\text{(Si,Ge)}_{6}$ show novel quantum critical behaviors via two consecutive magnetic field-driven quantum phase transitions. At each transition, the derivative of the Hall resistivity jumps discontinuously, which was attributed to sequential Fermi surface reconstructions. Motivated by this discovery, we consider an effective quantum impurity model of itinerant electrons coupled to local dipolar, quadrupolar, and octupolar moments arising from $\text{Ce}^{3+}$ ions. Using renormalization group analyses, we demonstrate that two-stage multipolar ordering and Fermi surface reconstruction arise depending on which multipolar moments participate in the Fermi surface and which other moments are decoupled via Kondo destruction., Comment: 7+16 pages, 1+11 figures, 1+4 tables; the first two authors contributed equally to this work

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is an indispensable tool for atomic-resolution structural analysis for a wide range of materials. The conventional analysis of STEM images is an extensive hands-on process, which limits efficient handling of high-throughput data. Here we apply a fully convolutional network (FCN) for identification of important structural features of two-dimensional crystals. ResUNet, a type of FCN, is utilized in identifying sulfur vacancies and polymorph types of ${MoS_2}$ from atomic resolution STEM images. Efficient models are achieved based on training with simulated images in the presence of different levels of noise, aberrations, and carbon contamination. The accuracy of the FCN models toward extensive experimental STEM images is comparable to that of careful hands-on analysis. Our work provides a guideline on best practices to train a deep learning model for STEM image analysis and demonstrates FCN's application for efficient processing of a large volume of STEM data., Comment: 24 pages, 5 figures

Notable non-Fermi liquid and quantum critical behaviors are observed in rare-earth metallic systems with non-Kramers local moments supporting a number of different multipolar moments. A prominent example is $\text{Pr(Ti,V)}_{2}\text{Al}_{20}$, where the non-Kramers doublet of the $\text{Pr}^{3+}$ ion allows quadrupolar and octupolar moments, but lacks a dipolar moment. Previous theoretical studies show that a single impurity Kondo problem with such an unusual local moment leads to novel non-Fermi liquid states. In this work, we investigate possible quantum critical behaviors arising from the competition between non-Fermi liquid states and multipolar-ordered phases induced by the RKKY interaction. We consider a local version of the corresponding Kondo lattice model, namely the Bose-Fermi Kondo model. Here, the multipolar local moments are coupled to fermionic and bosonic bath degrees of freedom representing the multipolar Kondo effect and RKKY interactions. Using a perturbative renormalization group (RG) study up to two loop order, we find critical points between non-Fermi liquid Kondo fixed points and a quadrupolar ordered fixed point. The critical points describe quantum critical behaviors at the corresponding phase transitions and can be distinguished by higher order corrections in the octupolar susceptibility that can be measured by ultrasound experiments. Our results imply the existence of a rich expansion of the phases and quantum critical behaviors in multipolar heavy fermion systems., Comment: 8+7 pages, 3+10 figures, 1+1 tables; the first two authors contributed equally to this work

The Bloch wave functions have been playing a crucial role in the diagnosis of topological phases in non-interacting systems. However, the Bloch waves are no longer applicable in the presence of finite Coulomb interaction and alternative approaches are needed to identify the topological indices. In this paper, we focus on three-dimensional higher-order topological insulators protected by $C_4T$ symmetry and show that the topological index can be computed through eigenstates of inverse Green's function at zero frequency. If there is an additional $S_4$ rotoinversion symmetry, the topological index $P_3$ can be determined by eigenvalues of $S_4$ at high symmetry momenta, similar to the Fu-Kane parity criterion. We verify this method using many-body exact diagonalization in higher-order topological insulators with interaction. We also discuss the realization of this higher-order topological phase in tetragonal lattice structure with $C_4T$-preserving magnetic order. Finally, we discuss the boundary conditions necessary for the hinge states to emerge and show that these hinge states exist even when the boundary is smooth and without a sharp hinge.

We consider a problem of finding a target located in a finite $d$-dimensional domain, using $N$ independent random walkers, when partial information on the target location is given as a probability distribution. When $N$ is large, the first-passage time sensitively depends on the initial searcher distribution, which invokes the question of what is the optimal searcher distribution that minimizes the first-passage time. Here, we analytically derive the equation for the optimal distribution and explore its limiting expressions. If the target volume can be ignored, the optimal distribution is proportional to the target distribution to the power of one-third. If we consider a target of a finite volume and the probability of initial overlapping of searchers with the target cannot be ignored in the large $N$ limit, the optimal distribution has a weak dependence on the target distribution, given as a logarithm of the target distribution. Using Langevin dynamics simulations, we numerically demonstrate our predictions in one- and two-dimensions., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures

Recently, Co-based honeycomb magnets have been proposed as promising candidate materials to host the Kitaev spin liquid state. One of the front-runners is BaCo$_2$(AsO$_4$)$_2$ (BCAO), where it was suggested that the exchange processes between Co$^{2+}$ ions via the surrounding edge-sharing oxygen octahedra could give rise to bond-dependent Kitaev interactions. In this work, we present and analyze comprehensive inelastic neutron scattering studies of BCAO with fields in the honeycomb plane. Combining the constraints from the magnon excitations in the high-field polarized state and the inelastic spin structure factor measured in zero magnetic field, we examine two leading theoretical models: the Kitaev-type \JKG model and the \XXZ model. We show that the existing experimental data can be consistently accounted for by the \XXZ model but not by the \JKG model, and we discuss the implications of these results for the realization of a spin liquid phase in BCAO and more generally for the realization of the Kitaev model in cobaltates., Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures

While low-dimensional organometal halide perovskites are expected to open up new opportunities for a diverse range of device applications, like in their bulk counterparts, the toxicity of Pb-based halide perovskite materials is a significant concern that hinders their practical use. We recently predicted that lead triiodide (PbI$_3$) columns de-rived from trimethylsulfonium (TMS) lead triiodide (CH$_3$)$_3$SPbI$_3$ (TMSPbI$_3$) by stripping off TMS ligands should be semimetallic, and additionally ultrahigh negative differential resistance (NDR) can arise from the heterojunction composed of a TMSPbI$_3$ channel sandwiched by PbI$_3$ electrodes. Herein, we computationally explore whether similar material and device characteristics can be obtained from other one-dimensional halide perovskites based on non-Pb metal elements, and in doing so deepen the understanding of their mechanistic origins. First, scanning through several candidate metal halide inorganic frameworks as well as their parental form halide perovskites, we find that the germanium triiodide (GeI$_3$) column also assumes a semimetallic character by avoiding the Peierls distortion. Next, adopting the bundled nanowire GeI$_3$-TMSGeI$_3$-GeI$_3$ junction configuration, we obtain a drastically high peak current density and ultrahigh NDR at room temperature. Furthermore, the robustness and controllability of NDR signals under strain are revealed, establishing its potential for flexible electronics applications. It will be emphasized that, despite the performance metrics notably enhanced over those from the PbI$_3$-TMSPbI$_3$-PbI$_3$ case, these device characteristics still arise from the identical quantum hybridization NDR mechanism., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures

Statistical inference from data is a foundational task in science. Recently, it has received growing attention for its central role in inference systems of primary interest in data sciences and machine learning. However, the understanding of statistical inference is not that solid while remains as a matter of subjective belief or as the routine procedures once claimed objective. We here show that there is an objective description of statistical inference for long sequence of exchangeable binary random variables, the prototypal stochasticity in theories and applications. A linear differential equation is derived from the identity known as de Finetti's representation theorem, and it turns out that statistical inference is given by the Green's functions. Our finding is an answer to the normative issue of science that pursues the objectivity based on data, and its significance will be far-reaching in most pure and applied fields., Comment: 21 pages, 1 figure

The emergence of scalar Higgs-type amplitude modes in systems where symmetry is spontaneously broken has been a highly successful, paradigmatic description of phase transitions, with implications ranging from high-energy particle physics to low-energy condensed matter systems. Here, we uncover two successive high temperature phase transitions in the pyrochlore magnet Nd$_2$Ru$_2$O$_7$ at $T_{\mathrm{N}} = 147$ K and $T^* = 97$ K, that lead to giant phonon instabilities and culminate in the emergence of a highly coherent excitation. This coherent excitation, distinct from other phonons and from conventional magnetic modes, stabilizes at a low energy of 3 meV. We assign it to a collective Higgs-type amplitude mode, that involves bond energy modulations of the Ru$_4$ tetrahedra. Its striking two-fold symmetry, incompatible with the underlying crystal structure, highlights the possibility of multiple entangled broken symmetries.