Asteroseismology of low-mass stars: the balance between partial ionization and Coulomb interactions

ABSTRACT All cool stars with outer convective zones have the potential to exhibit stochastically excited stellar oscillations. In this work, we explore the outer layers of stars less massive than the Sun. In particular, we have computed a set of stellar models ranging from 0.4 to 0.9 M⊙ with the aim at determining the impact on stellar oscillations of two physical processes occurring in the envelopes of these stars. Namely, the partial ionization of chemical elements and the electrostatic interactions between particles in the outer layers. We find that alongside with partial ionization, Coulomb effects also impact the acoustic oscillation spectrum. We confirm the well-known result that as the mass of a star decreases, the electrostatic interactions between particles become relevant. We found that their impact on stellar oscillations increases with decreasing mass, and for the stars with the lowest masses (M ≲ 0.6 M⊙), it is shown that Coulomb effects dominate over partial ionization processes producing a strong scatter on the acoustic modes. The influence of Coulomb interactions on the sound-speed gradient profile produces a strong oscillatory behaviour with diagnostic potential for the future.

Controlling nonclassical properties of optomechanical systems under the Coulomb interaction effect

In an optomechanical system consisting of two Fabry–Pérot cavities fed by squeezed light and coupled via Coulomb interaction, we respectively use the logarithmic negativity, Gaussian discord and Gaussian coherence to analyze the behavior of three different indicators of nonclassicality, namely the entanglement, quantum discord and quantum coherence. We perform the rotating wave approximation and work in the resolved sideband regime. In two bi-mode states (optical and mechanical), the coherence is generally found to be greater than entanglement and discord. More interestingly, we show that the Coulomb interaction can be used either to degrade or enhance the nonclassical properties of the optical subsystem. In addition, compared with the discord and coherence, the mechanical entanglement is found strongly sensitive to both thermal and Coulomb effects, and it requires a minimum value of cooperativity to be generated. Remarkably, this minimum increases when increasing the Coulomb coupling strength. Finally, we notice that an optimal transfer of quantum correlations between the optical and mechanical subsystems is achieved in the absence of the Coulomb interaction.

Majorana Zero Modes in Networks of Cooper-Pair Boxes: Topologically Ordered States and Topological Quantum Computation

Recent experimental progress introduced devices that can combine topological superconductivity with Coulomb-blockade effects. Experiments with these devices have already provided additional evidence for Majorana zero modes in proximity-coupled semiconductor wires. They also stimulated numerous ideas for how to exploit interactions between Majorana zero modes generated by Coulomb charging effects in networks of Majorana wires. Coulomb effects promise to become a powerful tool in the quest for a topological quantum computer as well as for driving topological superconductors into topologically ordered insulating states. Here, we present a focused review of these recent developments, including discussions of recent experiments, designs of topological qubits, Majorana-based implementations of universal quantum computation, and topological quantum error correction. Motivated by the analogy between a qubit and a spin-1/2 degree of freedom, we also review how coupling between Cooper-pair boxes leads to emergent topologically ordered insulating phases.

Impact of alloy fluctuations and Coulomb effects on the electronic and optical properties of c-plane GaN/AlGaN quantum wells

We report on a combined theoretical and experimental study of the impact of alloy fluctuations and Coulomb effects on the electronic and optical properties of $$c$$c-plane GaN/AlGaN multi-quantum well systems. The presence of carrier localization effects in this system was demonstrated by experimental observations, such as the “S-shape” temperature dependence of the photoluminescence (PL) peak energy, and non-exponential PL decay curves that varied across the PL spectra at 10 K. A three-dimensional modified continuum model, coupled with a self-consistent Hartree scheme, was employed to gain insight into the electronic and optical properties of the experimentally studied $$c$$c-plane GaN/AlGaN quantum wells. This model confirmed the existence of strong hole localization arising from the combined effects of the built-in polarization field along the growth direction and the alloy fluctuations at the quantum well/barrier interface. However, for electrons these localization effects are less pronounced in comparison to the holes. Furthermore, our calculations show that the attractive Coulomb interaction between electron and hole results in exciton localization. This behavior is in contrast to the picture of independently localized electrons and holes, often used to explain the radiative recombination process in $$c$$c-plane InGaN/GaN quantum well systems.