Featured
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The lifetime of the deviations from bulk behaviour in polymers confined at the nanoscale
Monitoring the impact of annealing on nanometre-thick polymer layers provides new insight into the changes in the performance of macromolecular materials. Here, the authors present results showing a correlation between the deviations from bulk behaviour and the growth of an irreversibly adsorbed layer.
- Simone Napolitano
- & Michael Wübbenhorst
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A nanomechanical interface to rapid single-molecule interactions
Single-molecule force spectroscopy is used to study single molecule interactions, but probing short-lived events is difficult. Here, a nanomechanical interface is developed, which allows the study of microsecond timescale interactions.
- Mingdong Dong
- & Ozgur Sahin
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Quasi-two-dimensional Skyrmion lattices in a chiral nematic liquid crystal
Skyrmions are particle-like topological entities in a continuous field that have a role in various condensed matter systems. Here, numerical methods are used to show that a chiral nematic liquid crystal could be used as a model system to facilitate direct structural investigation of Skyrmions.
- Jun-ichi Fukuda
- & Slobodan Žumer
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Electrical injection and detection of spin accumulation in silicon at 500 K with magnetic metal/silicon dioxide contacts
Harnessing spin angular momentum could allow the development of electronic devices that are not limited by Moore's law. Here, electrical injection and detection of spin accumulation is achieved at temperatures that are practical for device operation.
- C.H. Li
- , O.M.J. van 't Erve
- & B.T. Jonker
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Nanofriction in cold ion traps
Cold ion traps have not previously been used to study sliding friction between crystal lattices. Here, Benassiet al. use simulations to show that cold ion traps could be used for detailed investigation of atomic scale friction.
- A. Benassi
- , A. Vanossi
- & E. Tosatti
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Secure device-independent quantum key distribution with causally independent measurement devices
Device-independent quantum key distribution aims to distribute cryptographic keys without requiring assumptions about the quantum devices in the protocol. Here, a general security proof is reported for a class of quantum key distribution protocols, which could aid the development of highly secure encryption.
- Lluís Masanes
- , Stefano Pironio
- & Antonio Acín
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Coherent electron–phonon coupling in tailored quantum systems
Graphene and InAs nanowires are both promising materials for coherent spin manipulation, but coupling between a quantum system and its environment leads to decoherence. Here, the contribution of electron–phonon coupling to decoherence in graphene and InAs nanowire is studied.
- P. Roulleau
- , S. Baer
- & T. Ihn
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Article
| Open AccessPhonon-tunnelling dissipation in mechanical resonators
The performance of micromechanical and nanomechanical resonators is often hampered by mechanical damping. In this study, the authors demonstrate a numerical solver for the prediction of support-induced losses in these structures and verify experimentally the fidelity of this method.
- Garrett D. Cole
- , Ignacio Wilson-Rae
- & Markus Aspelmeyer
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| Open AccessMultimode quantum interference of photons in multiport integrated devices
Multimode interference devices could allow the implementation of multiport circuits for quantum technologies. Here, quantum interference is demonstrated in 2×2 and 4×4 multimode interference devices, and a technique is reported to characterize such devices.
- Alberto Peruzzo
- , Anthony Laing
- & Jeremy L. O'Brien
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| Open AccessA fast and low-power microelectromechanical system-based non-volatile memory device
New memory devices are being developed to overcome the limitations of conventional silicon-based flash memory. Here, a non-volatile memory design is reported that uses a micromechanical cantilever to charge and discharge a floating gate, which controls charge transport through a carbon nanotube field-effect transistor.
- Sang Wook Lee
- , Seung Joo Park
- & Yung Woo Park
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| Open AccessFirst direct observation of the Van Hove singularity in the tunnelling spectra of cuprates
In two-dimensional lattices the electronic levels are unevenly spaced and the density of states exhibits a divergence known as the Van Hove singularity. In this study, the Van Hove singularity is observed for the first time in a cuprate using scanning tunnelling microscopy.
- A. Piriou
- , N. Jenkins
- & Ø. Fischer
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Identification of active atomic defects in a monolayered tungsten disulphide nanoribbon
The physical and chemical properties of low-dimensional materials, such as nanoribbons, are affected by edge structures and atomic defects. Here, single-atom defects in a monolayered tungsten disulphide nanoribbon are discriminated and the motions of atomic defects are visualized.
- Zheng Liu
- , Kazu Suenaga
- & Sumio Iijima
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Optical virtual imaging at 50 nm lateral resolution with a white-light nanoscope
Lenses are restricted by diffraction to imaging features roughly the size of visible wavelengths. Wanget al. develop a white-light nanoscope that uses optically transparent spherical silica lenses to virtually image, in the far-field, features down to 50 nm resolution.
- Zengbo Wang
- , Wei Guo
- & Minghui Hong
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| Open AccessSuperconductivity-induced optical anomaly in an iron arsenide
Electronic excitations with energies near the superconducting energy gap are strongly affected by superconducting transitions. The authors show, with a comprehensive optical investigation, that excitations with energies up to two orders of magnitude greater are also affected by the transition.
- A. Charnukha
- , P. Popovich
- & A. V. Boris
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Heisenberg-limited sensitivity with decoherence-enhanced measurements
Quantum-enhanced measurements use quantum mechanical effects to enhance measurement sensitivity of classical quantities; but the required quantum states are generally highly entangled and difficult to produce. In this study, the use of entangled states is avoided allowing Heisenberg-limited measurements.
- Daniel Braun
- & John Martin
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| Open AccessObservation and electric current control of a local spin in a single-molecule magnet
In molecular spintronics, the spin state of a molecule may be switched by changing the molecular structure. Here, the spin of a single-molecule magnet is switched by applying an electric current using a scanning tunnelling microscope, which may aid in information coding at the single-molecule level.
- Tadahiro Komeda
- , Hironari Isshiki
- & Masahiro Yamashita
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Mechanism for spectral break in cosmic ray proton spectrum of supernova remnant W44
TheFermispacecraft recently observed gamma-ray emission from supernova remnant W44, however, the mechanism is unclear. Here, the authors show that strong ion-neutral collisions in the remnant surrounding lead to the steepening of the energy spectrum of accelerated particles by one power.
- M. A. Malkov
- , P. H. Diamond
- & R. Z. Sagdeev
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| Open AccessInterconnect-free parallel logic circuits in a single mechanical resonator
Eliminating wiring in transistors could lead to high integration densities and low power consumption. Here, multiple logic gates are implemented in a microelectromechanical resonator by parametrically mixing binary information channels corresponding to mechanical oscillations of the resonator at different frequencies.
- I. Mahboob
- , E. Flurin
- & H. Yamaguchi
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Mixtures of planetary ices at extreme conditions
The interiors of outer solar planets are believed to contain water–methane mixtures that are subject to extreme pressures. Lee and Scandolo use molecular dynamics simulations to show that at high pressures there can be enhanced mixing and ionization, with consequences for the origin of the planetary magnetic field.
- Mal-Soon Lee
- & Sandro Scandolo
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Quantum networks reveal quantum nonlocality
The nonlocality of a quantum state is often difficult to predict. Here, Cavalcanti and colleagues devise a method based on networks that makes this characterization much easier, revealing that the nonlocality of a quantum state depends on the context of the measurement.
- Daniel Cavalcanti
- , Mafalda L. Almeida
- & Antonio Acín
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Ultra-high-energy cosmic ray acceleration in engine-driven relativistic supernovae
The origin of the highest energy cosmic rays is still unknown. Here, Chakraborti and colleagues show that a recently discovered sub-population of type Ibc supernovae with mildly relativistic outflows can satisfy all required characteristics for an ultra-high-energy cosmic ray source.
- S. Chakraborti
- , A. Ray
- & P. Chandra
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| Open AccessHigh efficiency coherent optical memory with warm rubidium vapour
Efficient memory systems are vital for the development of quantum communications technologies. Hosseini and colleagues describe an optical memory based on warm rubidium vapour that achieves 87% pulse recall efficiency, illustrating the potential of warm atomic vapour systems for quantum memory.
- M. Hosseini
- , B.M. Sparkes
- & B.C. Buchler
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Experimental magic state distillation for fault-tolerant quantum computing
Error correction in quantum computing can be implemented using transversal gates, which in turn rely on the availability of so-called magic states. The authors experimentally show that it is possible to improve the fidelity of these states by distilling five of them into one.
- Alexandre M. Souza
- , Jingfu Zhang
- & Raymond Laflamme
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Spherical hyperlens for two-dimensional sub-diffractional imaging at visible frequencies
Although hyperlenses made of metamaterials can image sub-diffraction-limited objects, they are limited to one-dimensional magnification and ultraviolet frequencies. Here, the authors demonstrate a spherical hyperlens for visible light far-field imaging, with a resolution of 160 nm in both lateral dimensions.
- Junsuk Rho
- , Ziliang Ye
- & Xiang Zhang
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Efficient quantum state tomography
Direct quantum state tomography—deducing the state of a system from measurements—is mostly unfeasible due to the exponential scaling of measurement number with system size. The authors present two new schemes, which scale linearly in this respect, and can be applied to a wide range of quantum states.
- Marcus Cramer
- , Martin B. Plenio
- & Yi-Kai Liu
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Atomically flat single-crystalline gold nanostructures for plasmonic nanocircuitry
Polycrystalline substrates are a hindrance to the realization of high-definition plasmonic nanostructures. In this paper the authors chemically grow large and thin gold single crystals, and show that they can be coupled with top-down fabrication methods to produce high-quality nanostructures with good optical properties.
- Jer-Shing Huang
- , Victor Callegari
- & Bert Hecht
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Macroscopically local correlations can violate information causality
Two principles have recently been proposed as attempts to provide physical axioms for quantum mechanics: causality and macroscopic locality. Cavalcanti and colleagues show here that the two are not equivalent, giving confidence in information causality as a constraint for correlations obtained in experiments.
- Daniel Cavalcanti
- , Alejo Salles
- & Valerio Scarani
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| Open AccessAll-linear time reversal by a dynamic artificial crystal
Signal processing by time reversal has thus far only been realized through nonlinear mechanisms. The authors describe an all-linear, and thus low-power, time-reversal process based on frequency inversion in a dynamically controlled artificial periodic structure, a dynamic magnonic crystal.
- Andrii V. Chumak
- , Vasil S. Tiberkevich
- & Burkard Hillebrands
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| Open AccessSingle-molecule identification via electric current noise
Molecular fluctuations are a source of noise that can impede single-molecule identification. Here, quantum-fluctuation-induced inelastic noise is observed as current fluctuations in individual molecules, suggesting that inelastic noise could be used as a molecular signature.
- Makusu Tsutsui
- , Masateru Taniguchi
- & Tomoji Kawai
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Coexistence of the topological state and a two-dimensional electron gas on the surface of Bi2Se3
Topological insulators are materials with an insulating interior and a metallic surface. In this study the authors demonstrate that the topological state can coexist with a two-dimensional electron gas state, a feature important in semiconductors used for electronic applications.
- Marco Bianchi
- , Dandan Guan
- & Philip Hofmann
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| Open AccessCooperative dynamics in the penetration of a group of intruders in a granular medium
Objects moving through fluids and granular media experience drag forces that determine their dynamics. The authors consider the case of multiple objects moving through a low-density granular material and show that their dynamics are cooperative.
- F. Pacheco-Vázquez
- & J.C. Ruiz-Suárez
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Three-dimensional imaging of magnetic domains
The imaging of magnetic domains in three-dimensional solids has been hampered by a lack of suitable methods. The authors show that Talbot-Lau neutron tomography is capable of visualizing the domain structure of an iron silicide bulk crystal.
- I. Manke
- , N. Kardjilov
- & J. Banhart
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Three-dimensional broadband and broad-angle transformation-optics lens
Lenses with superior performance with respect to conventional uniform materials are desirable. The authors show a three-dimensional lens, made of multilayered metamaterials and based on approximate transformation optics, which works in different polarizations at broad viewing angles and with wide bandwidth.
- Hui Feng Ma
- & Tie Jun Cui
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Monolithic nonlinear pulse compressor on a silicon chip
The development of optical information processing depends on the demonstration of silicon-based all-optical circuit components. Here, the authors show a monolithic pulse compressor, compatible with current electronic processing technologies, which is able to function at low power input.
- Dawn T.H. Tan
- , Pang C. Sun
- & Yeshaiahu Fainman
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Dilatancy in the flow and fracture of stretched colloidal suspensions
Colloidal suspensions are important in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Here, the breaking of filaments of a colloidal liquid under tensile loading is shown to be closely related to the jamming transition seen in its shear rheology; surprising viscoelasticity is also observed in the fluid under tension.
- M.I. Smith
- , R. Besseling
- & V. Bertola
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| Open AccessField-induced water electrolysis switches an oxide semiconductor from an insulator to a metal
Water is composed of the electrochemically active species, H+ and OH−, but has not been used as an active electronic material. In this study, a field-effect transistor is developed that uses water-infiltrated nanoporous glass as the gate insulator; this new application of water may be useful in electronics and energy storage.
- Hiromichi Ohta
- , Yukio Sato
- & Hideo Hosono
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| Open AccessAnisotropic structure of the order parameter in FeSe0.45Te0.55 revealed by angle-resolved specific heat
The structure of the superconducting gap of iron pnictide superconductors is controversial. In this paper, angle-resolved specific heat measurements are used to show that the gap is anisotropic, which is consistent with an extended s-wave model of superconducting pairing.
- B. Zeng
- , G. Mu
- & H.-H. Wen
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Review Article |
Quantum metrology for gravitational wave astronomy
Gravitational waves are predicted by general relativity, but their direct observation from astronomical sources hinges on large improvements in detection sensitivity. The authors review how squeezed light and other quantum optical concepts are being applied in the development of next generation interferometric detectors.
- Roman Schnabel
- , Nergis Mavalvala
- & Ping K. Lam
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Creation of a two-dimensional electron gas at an oxide interface on silicon
The integration of oxide nanoelectronics with silicon platforms is a necessary step for the fabrication of ultrahigh-density devices. Here, the authors grow a LaAlO3/SrTiO3interface directly on silicon, and show the reversible creation of a two-dimensional electron gas confined within nanowires located on the surface.
- J.W. Park
- , D.F. Bogorin
- & C.B. Eom
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Protein-binding assays in biological liquids using microscale thermophoresis
Protein interactions in biological environments are expected to differ from the situationin vitro. In this study, a thermophoresis-based technique is described that allows the analysis of protein and small-molecule interactions in biological liquids; the work may allow more efficient drug development.
- Christoph J. Wienken
- , Philipp Baaske
- & Stefan Duhr
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One-by-one trap activation in silicon nanowire transistors
Flicker noise in nanoscale field effect transistors deviates from the simple frequency-dependent behaviour of macroscale objects. Here the authors show that Coulomb repulsion between nearby trap sites leads to an order of magnitude reduction in noise in these devices.
- N. Clément
- , K. Nishiguchi
- & D. Vuillaume
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'Quantized' states of the charge-density wave in microcrystals of K0.3MoO3
In low-temperature one-dimensional metals, electrons condense into collective charge-density wave states. Zybtsevet al. observe conductivity jumps with temperature in a metal bar, as only specific wavelengths are permitted in the bar for the charge-density wave modes.
- S.G. Zybtsev
- , V.Ya. Pokrovskii
- & S.V. Zaitsev-Zotov
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Two-dimensional superconductivity at a Mott insulator/band insulator interface LaTiO3/SrTiO3
In transition metal oxide heterostructures, electron correlations can give rise to interesting phenomena. The authors show that an LaTiO3/SrTiO3 interface undergoes a superconducting transition, and that the 2D electron gas thus formed is located mostly on the SrTiO3side.
- J. Biscaras
- , N. Bergeal
- & J. Lesueur
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Image transmission through an opaque material
The challenge of reconstructing the image of an object when viewed through an opaque material is of particular importance for biological tissues. Here, the authors show that it is possible to reconstruct the image of a complex object from interference patterns of multiple wavefronts using phase-shifting interferometry.
- Sébastien Popoff
- , Geoffroy Lerosey
- & Sylvain Gigan
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Spin and orbital Ti magnetism at LaMnO3/SrTiO3 interfaces
The authors report a new kind of magnetism at the interface between two complex oxides, which shows both spin and orbital components due to degeneracy in the electronic states of SrTiO3. This could be useful in magnetic tunnel junctions and to further study superexchange coupling.
- J. Garcia-Barriocanal
- , J.C. Cezar
- & J. Santamaria
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Article |
No-go theorem for superradiant quantum phase transitions in cavity QED and counter-example in circuit QED
The authors show theoretically that in cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), superradiant quantum phase transitions are forbidden. Conversely, for circuit QED, the quantum phase transition remains possible. This may pave the way for the study of interesting quantum phases.
- Pierre Nataf
- & Cristiano Ciuti
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Article
| Open AccessPhase seeding of a terahertz quantum cascade laser
The phase of a laser pulse is usually random, which prevents its use for phase-resolved measurements. Here, the authors seed a quantum cascade laser with coherent terahertz pulses, forcing laser action to start on a fixed phase. This kind of laser could be used as a source in time-domain spectroscopy.
- Dimitri Oustinov
- , Nathan Jukam
- & Sukhdeep Dhillon
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Nanostructural hierarchy increases the strength of aluminium alloys
Improving the properties of metallic alloys is important to develop new lightweight materials. In this paper, we show that an aluminium (Al) alloy containing a hierarchy of nanostructures in a solid solution with a high density of dislocations is capable of beating strength records for Al alloys while maintaining good ductility.
- Peter V. Liddicoat
- , Xiao-Zhou Liao
- & Simon P. Ringer
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Sustaining the Internet with hyperbolic mapping
Routing packets on the growing and changing underlying structure of the Internet is challenging and currently based only on local connectivity. Here, a global Internet map is devised: with a greedy forwarding algorithm, it is robust with respect to network growth, and allows speeds close to the theoretical best.
- Marián Boguñá
- , Fragkiskos Papadopoulos
- & Dmitri Krioukov
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