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This study explores the feasibility of using scintillation detectors for muon calorimetry through experiments conducted at CERN's T10 beamline. Results from organic scintillators with varying thicknesses and readout methods, as well as a lead-glass calorimeter, showed minimal correlation between muon energy and the peak or spread of the detected signal amplitudes. These findings highlight the influence of temperature on SiPMs and indicate a significant amount of contamination in the muon beam., Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures

Random (mixed) unitary channels describe an important subset of quantum channels, which are commonly used in quantum information, noise modeling, and quantum error mitigation. Despite their usefulness, there is substantial complexity in characterizing or identifying generic random unitary channels. We present a procedure for learning a class of random unitary channels on orthogonal unitary bases on a quantum computer utilizing Pauli learning and a contracted quantum learning procedure. Our approach involves a multi-objective, Pauli- and unitary-based minimization, and allows for learning locally equivalent channels. We demonstrate our approach for varying degrees of noise and investigate the scalability of these approaches, particularly with sparse noise models., Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures

We review some important facts about the structure of tensor products of finite dimensional representations of quantum affine algebras. This is done from the elementary standpoint of the representation theory of semisimple Lie algebras in the scope of a masters thesis. We set the focus on drawing the line to the finite dimensional representation theory of quantum affine $\mathfrak{sl}_n$, the theory of q-characters, and introduce the so called snake modules together with their character formula., Comment: Master's thesis

Stochastic programming is widely used for energy system design optimization under uncertainty but can exponentially increase the computational complexity with the number of scenarios. Common scenario reduction techniques, like moments-matching or distribution-driven clustering, pre-select representative scenarios based on input parameters. In contrast, decision-based clustering groups scenarios by similarity in resulting model decisions. Decision-based clustering has shown potential in network design and fleet planning. However, its potential in energy system design remains unexplored. In our work, we examine the effectiveness of decision-based clustering in energy system design using a four-step method: 1) Determine the optimal design for each scenario; 2) Aggregate and normalize installed capacities as features reflecting optimal decisions; 3) Use these features for k-medoids clustering to identify representative scenarios; 4) Utilize these scenarios to optimize cost in stochastic programming. We apply our method to a real-world industrial energy system modeled as a mixed-integer linear program. We incorporate uncertainty by scaling time series with representative factors. We generate 500 single-year scenarios via Monte Carlo sampling, which we reduce using decision-based clustering. For benchmarking, we conduct distribution-driven k-medoids clustering based on the representative factors. In our case studies, both clustering methods yield designs with similar cost efficiency, although decision-based clustering requires substantially more computational resources. To our knowledge, this is the first application of decision-based clustering on energy system design optimization. Future research should investigate the conditions under which decision-based clustering yields more cost-efficient designs compared to distribution-driven clustering., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Annual International Conference of the German Operations Research Society (GOR) 2024

Autonomous trucking is a promising technology that can greatly impact modern logistics and the environment. Ensuring its safety on public roads is one of the main duties that requires an accurate perception of the environment. To achieve this, machine learning methods rely on large datasets, but to this day, no such datasets are available for autonomous trucks. In this work, we present MAN TruckScenes, the first multimodal dataset for autonomous trucking. MAN TruckScenes allows the research community to come into contact with truck-specific challenges, such as trailer occlusions, novel sensor perspectives, and terminal environments for the first time. It comprises more than 740 scenes of 20s each within a multitude of different environmental conditions. The sensor set includes 4 cameras, 6 lidar, 6 radar sensors, 2 IMUs, and a high-precision GNSS. The dataset's 3D bounding boxes were manually annotated and carefully reviewed to achieve a high quality standard. Bounding boxes are available for 27 object classes, 15 attributes, and a range of more than 230m. The scenes are tagged according to 34 distinct scene tags, and all objects are tracked throughout the scene to promote a wide range of applications. Additionally, MAN TruckScenes is the first dataset to provide 4D radar data with 360{\deg} coverage and is thereby the largest radar dataset with annotated 3D bounding boxes. Finally, we provide extensive dataset analysis and baseline results. The dataset, development kit, and more are available online., Comment: Accepted to NeurIPS 2024 Datasets and Benchmarks Track

Excitons in twisted bilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides have strongly modified dispersion relations due to the formation of periodic moir\'e potentials. The strong coupling to a light field in an optical cavity leads to the appearance of moir\'e polaritons. In this paper, we derive a theoretical model for the linear absorption spectrum of the coupled moir\'e polariton-phonon system based on the time-convolutionless (TCL) approach. Results obtained by numerically solving the TCL equation are compared to those obtained in the Markovian limit and from a perturbative treatment of non-Markovian corrections. A key quantity for the interpretation of the findings is the generalized phonon spectral density. We discuss the phonon impact on the spectrum for realistic moir\'e exciton dispersions by varying twist angle and temperature. Key features introduced by the coupling to phonons are broadenings and energy shifts of the upper and lower polariton peak and the appearance of phonon sidebands between them. We analyze these features with respect to the role of Markovian and non-Markovian effects and find that they strongly depend on the twist angle. We can distinguish between the regimes of large, small, and intermediate twist angles. In the latter phonon effects are particularly pronounced due to dominating phonon transitions into regions which are characterized by van Hove singularities in the density of states.

Trustworthy ML systems should not only return accurate predictions, but also a reliable representation of their uncertainty. Bayesian methods are commonly used to quantify both aleatoric and epistemic uncertainty, but alternative approaches, such as evidential deep learning methods, have become popular in recent years. The latter group of methods in essence extends empirical risk minimization (ERM) for predicting second-order probability distributions over outcomes, from which measures of epistemic (and aleatoric) uncertainty can be extracted. This paper presents novel theoretical insights of evidential deep learning, highlighting the difficulties in optimizing second-order loss functions and interpreting the resulting epistemic uncertainty measures. With a systematic setup that covers a wide range of approaches for classification, regression and counts, it provides novel insights into issues of identifiability and convergence in second-order loss minimization, and the relative (rather than absolute) nature of epistemic uncertainty measures.

Federated learning (FL), as a type of distributed machine learning, is capable of significantly preserving client's private data from being shared among different parties. Nevertheless, private information can still be divulged by analyzing uploaded parameter weights from clients. In this report, we showcase our empirical benchmark of the effect of the number of clients and the addition of differential privacy (DP) mechanisms on the performance of the model on different types of data. Our results show that non-i.i.d and small datasets have the highest decrease in performance in a distributed and differentially private setting., Comment: Machine Learning (ML) & Federated Learning (FL); 4 pages, 3 figures

We present an ansatz of generalizing the construction of recursion relations for the correlation functions of the $\mathfrak{sl}_2$-invariant fundamental exchange model in the thermodynamic limit by Jimbo, Miwa, Smirnov, Takeyama and one of our present authors in 2004 for higher rank. Due to the structure of the correlators as functions of their inhomogeneity parameters, a recursion formula for the reduced density matrix was proven. In the case of $\mathfrak{sl}_3$, we use the explicit results of Kl\"umper and Ribeiro, and Nirov, Hutsalyuk and one of our present authors for the reduced density matrix of up to operator length three to verify whether it is possible to relate the residues of the density matrix of length $n$ to the density matrix of length smaller than $n$ as in $\mathfrak{sl}_2$. This is unclear, since the reduced quantum Knizhnik--Zamolodchikov equation splits into two parts for higher rank. In fact, we show two relations, one of which is a straightforward generalisation to the $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ case and one which is completely new. This allows us to construct an analogue of the operator $X_k$ which we call Snail Operator. In the $\mathfrak{sl}_2$-case, this operator has many nice properties including in particular the fact that only one irreducible representation of the Yangian $Y(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$, the Kirillov--Reshetikhin module $W_k$, contributed the residue at $\lambda_i-\lambda_j=-(k+1)$. Here, we give an overview of the mathematical background, T-systems, and show a new application of the extended T-systems introduced by Mukhin and Young in 2012 regarding the Snail Operator., Comment: 42 pages, 24 figures

Here we report on the analysis of a metallic Late Neolithic copper axe by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The axe was found at Eskilstorp, south-west Scania during archaeological excavations in autumn of 2015. It showed a hint of silver en-richment on the surface which is unusual for Late Neolithic axes from Pile type hoard. To identify the origin of the silver content, we extracted a thin lamella of the axe interior using Focused Ion Beam (FIB) technology to reach the internal structure to keep the process extremely minimally invasive. The results revealed the presence of porous external layer of copper oxide enriched with silver particles. It is shown with the corrosion test performed on copper-silver experimental replica that the silver en-richment is attributed to the selective dissolution of copper metal as a resut of corrosion process on the axe. The corrosion experiment is performed in the presence of an organic electrolyte such as Hemic Acid (HA) which replicates soil and natural water environment. In the scope of this research work, we found a strong evidence that the silver on the surface of the axe was not decrative layer and instead remained on the surface due to its more noble character while copper leached out into the soil due to corrosion.

The generation of high-order harmonics in bulk solids subjected to intense ultrashort laser pulses has opened up new avenues for research in extreme nonlinear optics and light-matter interaction on sub-cycle timescales. Despite significant advancement over the past decade, a complete understanding of the involved phenomena is still lacking. High-harmonic generation in solids is currently understood as arising from nonlinear intraband currents, interband recollision and ionization-related phenomena. As all of these mechanisms involve or rely upon laser-driven excitation we combine measurements of the angular dependence of nonlinear absorption and high-order harmonic generation in bulk crystals to demonstrate the relation between high-harmonic emission and nonlinear, laser-induced ionization in solids. An unambiguous correlation between the emission of harmonics and laser-induced ionization is found experimentally, that is supported by numerical solutions of the semiconductor Bloch equations and calculations of orientation-dependent ionization rates using maximally localized Wannier-functions.

Ischemic strokes are often caused by large vessel occlusions (LVOs), which can be visualized and diagnosed with Computed Tomography Angiography scans. As time is brain, a fast, accurate and automated diagnosis of these scans is desirable. Human readers compare the left and right hemispheres in their assessment of strokes. A large training data set is required for a standard deep learning-based model to learn this strategy from data. As labeled medical data in this field is rare, other approaches need to be developed. To both include the prior knowledge of side comparison and increase the amount of training data, we propose an augmentation method that generates artificial training samples by recombining vessel tree segmentations of the hemispheres or hemisphere subregions from different patients. The subregions cover vessels commonly affected by LVOs, namely the internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA). In line with the augmentation scheme, we use a 3D-DenseNet fed with task-specific input, fostering a side-by-side comparison between the hemispheres. Furthermore, we propose an extension of that architecture to process the individual hemisphere subregions. All configurations predict the presence of an LVO, its side, and the affected subregion. We show the effect of recombination as an augmentation strategy in a 5-fold cross validated ablation study. We enhanced the AUC for patient-wise classification regarding the presence of an LVO of all investigated architectures. For one variant, the proposed method improved the AUC from 0.73 without augmentation to 0.89. The best configuration detects LVOs with an AUC of 0.91, LVOs in the ICA with an AUC of 0.96, and in the MCA with 0.91 while accurately predicting the affected side., Comment: PrePrint - Accepted at MICCAI 2022

During the diagnosis of ischemic strokes, the Circle of Willis and its surrounding vessels are the arteries of interest. Their visualization in case of an acute stroke is often enabled by Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA). Still, the identification and analysis of the cerebral arteries remain time consuming in such scans due to a large number of peripheral vessels which may disturb the visual impression. In previous work we proposed VirtualDSA++, an algorithm designed to segment and label the cerebrovascular tree on CTA scans. Especially with stroke patients, labeling is a delicate procedure, as in the worst case whole hemispheres may not be present due to impeded perfusion. Hence, we extended the labeling mechanism for the cerebral arteries to identify occluded vessels. In the work at hand, we place the algorithm in a clinical context by evaluating the labeling and occlusion detection on stroke patients, where we have achieved labeling sensitivities comparable to other works between 92\,\% and 95\,\%. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first work to address labeling and occlusion detection at once, whereby a sensitivity of 67\,\% and a specificity of 81\,\% were obtained for the latter. VirtualDSA++ also automatically segments and models the intracranial system, which we further used in a deep learning driven follow up work. We present the generic concept of iterative systematic search for pathways on all nodes of said model, which enables new interactive features. Exemplary, we derive in detail, firstly, the interactive planning of vascular interventions like the mechanical thrombectomy and secondly, the interactive suppression of vessel structures that are not of interest in diagnosing strokes (like veins). We discuss both features as well as further possibilities emerging from the proposed concept.

The paper is concerned with a node-based, gradient-driven, continuous adjoint two-phase flow procedure to optimize the shapes of free-floating vessels and discusses three topics. First, we aim to convey that elements of a Cahn-Hilliard formulation should augment the frequently employed Volume-of-Fluid two-phase flow model to maintain dual consistency. It is seen that such consistency serves as the basis for a robust primal/adjoint coupling in practical applications at huge Reynolds and Froude numbers. The second topic covers different adjoint coupling strategies. A central aspect of the application is the floating position, particularly the trim and the sinkage, that interact with a variation of hydrodynamic loads induced by the shape updates. Other topics addressed refer to the required level of density coupling and a more straightforward -- yet non-frozen -- adjoint treatment of turbulence. The third part discusses the computation of a descent direction within a node-based environment. We will illustrate means to deform both the volume mesh and the hull shape simultaneously and at the same time obey technical constraints on the vessel's displacement and its extensions. The Hilbert-space approach provides smooth shape updates using the established coding infrastructure of a computational fluid dynamics algorithm and provides access to managing additional technical constraints. Verification and validation follow from a submerged 2D cylinder case. The application includes a full-scale offshore supply vessel at Re=3E+08 and Fn=0.37. Results illustrate that the fully parallel procedure can automatically reduce the drag of an already pre-optimized shape by 9-13 within approximately O(10.000-30.000) CPUh depending on the considered couplings and floatation aspects.

Computed Tomography Angiography is a key modality providing insights into the cerebrovascular vessel tree that are crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic strokes, in particular in cases of large vessel occlusions (LVO). Thus, the clinical workflow greatly benefits from an automated detection of patients suffering from LVOs. This work uses convolutional neural networks for case-level classification trained with elastic deformation of the vessel tree segmentation masks to artificially augment training data. Using only masks as the input to our model uniquely allows us to apply such deformations much more aggressively than one could with conventional image volumes while retaining sample realism. The neural network classifies the presence of an LVO and the affected hemisphere. In a 5-fold cross validated ablation study, we demonstrate that the use of the suggested augmentation enables us to train robust models even from few data sets. Training the EfficientNetB1 architecture on 100 data sets, the proposed augmentation scheme was able to raise the ROC AUC to 0.85 from a baseline value of 0.56 using no augmentation. The best performance was achieved using a 3D-DenseNet yielding an AUC of 0.87. The augmentation had positive impact in classification of the affected hemisphere as well, where the 3D-DenseNet reached an AUC of 0.93 on both sides., Comment: 7 pages. Accepted at BVM-Workshop 2022, Springer

The spectral and temporal response of a set of $N$ quantum emitters embedded in a photonic cavity is studied. Quantum mechanically, such systems can be described by the Tavis-Cummings (TC) model of $N$ two-level systems coupled to a single light mode. Here we compare the full quantum solution of the TC model for different numbers of quantum emitters with its semiclassical limit after a pulsed excitation of the cavity mode. Considering different pulse amplitudes, we find that the spectra obtained from the TC model approach the semiclassical one for an increasing number of emitters $N$. Furthermore they match very well for small pulse amplitudes. While we observe a very good agreement in the temporal dynamics for photon numbers much smaller than $N$, considerable deviations occur in the regime of photon numbers similar to or larger than $N$, which are linked to collapse and revival phenomena. Wigner functions of the light mode are calculated for different scenarios to analyze the quantum state of the light field. We find strong deviations from a coherent state even if the dynamics of the expectation values are still well described by the semiclassical limit. For higher pulse amplitudes Wigner functions similar to those of Schr\"odinger cat states between two or more quasi-coherent contributions build up., Comment: accepted for publication in Physical Review B https://journals.aps.org/prb/

The formation of an electron-hole plasma during the interaction of intense femtosecond laser pulses with transparent solids lies at the heart of femtosecond laser processing. Advanced micro- and nanomachining applications require improved control over the excitation characteristics. Here, we relate the emission of low-order harmonics to the strong laser-field-induced plasma formation. Together with a measurement of the total plasma density we identify the contribution of two competing ionization mechanisms - strong-field and electron-impact ionization.

Highly automated driving functions currently often rely on a-priori knowledge from maps for planning and prediction in complex scenarios like cities. This makes map-relative localization an essential skill. In this paper, we address the problem of localization with automotive-grade radars, using a real-time graph-based SLAM approach. The system uses landmarks and odometry information as an abstraction layer. This way, besides radars, all kind of different sensor modalities including cameras and lidars can contribute. A single, semantic landmark map is used and maintained for all sensors. We implemented our approach using C++ and thoroughly tested it on data obtained with our test vehicles, comprising cars and trucks. Test scenarios include inner cities and industrial areas like container terminals. The experiments presented in this paper suggest that the approach is able to provide a precise and stable pose in structured environments, using radar data alone. The fusion of additional sensor information from cameras or lidars further boost performance, providing reliable semantic information needed for automated mapping.

The Jaynes-Cummings (JC) model represents one of the simplest ways in which single qubits can interact with single photon modes, leading to profound quantum phenomena like superpositions of light and matter states. One system, that can be described with the JC model, is a single quantum dot embedded in a micropillar cavity. In this joint experimental and theoretical study we investigate such a system using four-wave mixing (FWM) micro-spectroscopy. Special emphasis is laid on the dependence of the FWM signals on the number of photons injected into the microcavity. By comparing simulation and experiment, which are in excellent agreement with each other, we infer that up to ~20 photons take part in the observed FWM dynamics. Thus we verify the validity of the JC model for the system under consideration in this non-trivial regime. We find that the inevitable coupling between the quantum dot exciton and longitudinal acoustic phonons of the host lattice influences the real time FWM dynamics and has to be taken into account for a sufficient description of the quantum dot-microcavity system. Performing additional simulations in an idealized dissipation-less regime, we observe that the FWM signal exhibits quasi-periodic dynamics, analog to the collapse and revival phenomenon of the JC model. In these simulations we also see that the FWM spectrum has a triplet structure, if a large number of photons is injected into the cavity.

Semiconductor quantum dots in photonic cavities are strongly coupled light-matter systems with prospective applications in optoelectronic devices and quantum information processing. Here we present a theoretical study of the coupled exciton--light field dynamics of a planar quantum dot ensemble, treated as two-level systems, embedded in a photonic cavity modeled by Maxwell's equations. When excited by coupling an external short laser pulse into the cavity, we find an exciton-polariton-like behavior for weak excitation and Rabi oscillations for strong excitation with a sharp transition between these regimes. In the transition region we find highly non-linear dynamics involving high harmonics of the fundamental oscillation. We perform a numerical study based on the Finite-Difference-Time-Domain method for the solution of Maxwell's equations coupled to Bloch equations for the quantum dots and also derive an analytical model to describe the coupled cavity-quantum dot system, which allows us to describe the light field dynamics in terms of a Newton-like dynamics in an effective anharmonic potential. From the shape of this potential combined with the initial conditions the transition can be well understood. The model is then extended to a broadened ensemble of quantum dots. For weak excitation the polariton spectrum broadens and the lines slightly shift, however, the sharp transition to the Rabi oscillation regime is still present. Furthermore, we find a second, lower threshold with additional lines in the spectra which can be traced back to Rabi oscillations driven by the polariton modes. Our approach provides new insights in the dynamics of both quantum dot and light field in the photonic structure.

News diversity in the media has for a long time been a foundational and uncontested basis for ensuring that the communicative needs of individuals and society at large are met. Today, people increasingly rely on online content and recommender systems to consume information challenging the traditional concept of news diversity. In addition, the very concept of diversity, which differs between disciplines, will need to be re-evaluated requiring a interdisciplinary investigation, which requires a new level of mutual cooperation between computer scientists, social scientists, and legal scholars. Based on the outcome of a multidisciplinary workshop, we have the following recommendations, directed at researchers, funders, legislators, regulators, and the media industry: 1. Do more research on news recommenders and diversity. 2. Create a safe harbor for academic research with industry data. 3. Optimize the role of public values in news recommenders. 4. Create a meaningful governance framework. 5. Fund a joint lab to spearhead the needed interdisciplinary research, boost practical innovation, develop. reference solutions, and transfer insights into practice., Comment: Published as Manifesto from Dagstuhl Perspectives Workshop 19482