Publications

Order by: publication date number of citations

• Critical dynamics and cyclic memory retrieval in non-reciprocal Hopfield networks

  Shuyue Xue, Mohammad Maghrebi, George I. Mias, Carlo Piermarocchi

  SciPost Phys. 19, 100 (2025) · published 16 October 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We study Hopfield networks with non-reciprocal coupling inducing switches between memory patterns. Dynamical phase transitions occur between phases of no memory retrieval, retrieval of multiple point-attractors, and limit-cycles. The limit cycle phase is bounded by a Hopf bifurcation line and a fold bifurcation line. Autocorrelation scales as $\tilde{C}(\tau/N^\zeta)$, with $\zeta = 1/2$ on the Hopf line and $\zeta = 1/3$ on the fold line. Perturbations of strength $F$ on the Hopf line exhibit response times scaling as $|F|^{-2/3}$, while they induce switches in a controlled way within times scaling as $|F|^{-1/2}$ in the fold line. A Master Equation approach numerically verifies the critical behavior predicted analytically. We discuss how these networks could model biological processes near a critical threshold of cyclic instability evolving through multi-step transitions.

• Proposal for an autonomous quantum heat engine

  Miika Rasola, Vasilii Vadimov, Tuomas Uusnäkki, Mikko Möttönen

  SciPost Phys. 19, 101 (2025) · published 17 October 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We propose and theoretically analyse a superconducting electric circuit which can be used to experimentally realize an autonomous quantum heat engine. Using a quasiclassical, non-Markovian theoretical model, we demonstrate that coherent microwave power generation can emerge solely from the heat flow through the circuit determined by non-linear circuit quantum electrodynamics. The predicted energy generation rate is sufficiently high for experimental observation with contemporary techniques, rendering this work a significant step toward the first experimental realization of an autonomous quantum heat engine based on Otto cycles.

• Application of the JISP16 potential to the nucleon induced deuteron breakup process at E=13 MeV and E=65 MeV

  Volodymyr Soloviov1, Jacek Golak, Roman Skibiński, Kacper Topolnicki, and Henryk Witała

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 3, 032 (2020) · published 26 February 2020 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  The JISP16 nucleon-nucleon potential has been applied to investigations of the nucleon induced deuteron breakup reaction at the incoming nucleon laboratory energies E = 13 MeV and E = 65 MeV. We have found that for the studied process the JISP16 force gives a description of the exclusive cross section, which is generally similar to the ones obtained with the standard realistic nucleon-nucleon AV18 interaction. However, there are some regions of the phase space where the differential cross sections predicted by the JISP16 and AV18 models, differ by more than 100 %. These special kinematical configurations may possibly be useful to refit the JISP16 force parameters.

• Non-linear photoconductivity of strongly driven graphene

  Lukas Broers, Ludwig Mathey

  SciPost Phys. 18, 199 (2025) · published 20 June 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We present the non-linear DC photoconductivity of graphene under strong infra-red (IR) radiation. The photoconductivity is obtained as the response to a strong DC electric field, with field strengths outside of the linear-response regime, while the IR radiation is described by a strong AC electric field. The conductivity displays two distinct regimes in which either the DC or the AC field dominates. We explore these regimes and associate them with the dynamics of driven Landau-Zener quenches in the case of a large DC field. In the limit of a large AC field, we describe the conductivity in a Floquet picture and compare the results to the closely related Tien-Gordon effect. We present analytical calculations for the non-linear differential photoconductivity, for both regimes based on the corresponding mechanisms. As part of this discussion of the non-equilibrium state of graphene, we present analytical estimates of the conductivity of undriven graphene as a function of temperature and DC bias field strength that show very good agreement with our simulations.

• Proving the dimension-shift conjecture

  Ruth Britto, Guy R. Jehu, Andrea Orta

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 7, 009 (2022) · published 20 June 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We prove the conjecture made by Bern, Dixon, Dunbar, and Kosower that describes a simple dimension shifting relationship between the one-loop structure of N = 4 MHV amplitudes and all-plus helicity amplitudes in pure Yang-Mills theory. The proof captures all orders in dimensional regularisation using unitarity cuts, by combining massive spinor-helicity with Coulomb-branch supersymmetry. The form of these amplitudes can be given in terms of pentagon and box integrals using a generalised D-dimensional

• Quantum chaos, randomness and universal scaling of entanglement in various Krylov spaces

  Hai-Long Shi, Augusto Smerzi, Luca Pezzè

  SciPost Phys. 19, 102 (2025) · published 17 October 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  Multipartite entanglement is a crucial resource for advancing quantum technologies, with considerable research efforts directed toward achieving its rapid and scalable generation. In this work, we derive an analytical expression for the time-averaged quantum Fisher information (QFI), enabling the detection of scalable multipartite entanglement dynamically generated by all quantum chaotic systems governed by Dyson's ensembles. Our approach integrates concepts of randomness and quantum chaos, demonstrating that the QFI is universally determined by the structure and dimension of the Krylov space that confines the chaotic dynamics. In particular, the QFI ranges from $N^2/3$ for $N$ qubits in the permutation-symmetric subspace (e.g. for chaotic kicked top models with long-range interactions), to $N$ when the dynamics extend over the full Hilbert space with or without bit reversal symmetry or parity symmetry (e.g. in chaotic models with short-range Ising-like interactions). In the former case, the QFI reveals multipartite entanglement among $N/3$ qubits and highlights the power of chaotic collective spin systems in generating scalable multipartite entanglement. Interestingly this result can be related to isotropic substructures in the Wigner distribution of chaotic states and demonstrates the efficacy of quantum chaos for Heisenberg-scaling quantum metrology. Finally, our general expression for the QFI agrees with that obtained for random states and, differently from out-of-time-order-correlators, it can also distinguish chaotic from integrable unstable spin dynamics.

• Multiple Andreev reflections in diffusive SINIS and SIFIS junctions

  Artem V. Polkin, Pavel A. Ioselevich

  SciPost Phys. 15, 100 (2023) · published 18 September 2023 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We study Multiple Andreev Reflections in long diffusive superconductor(S)-normal metal(N)-superconductor junctions with low-transparency interfaces. Assuming strong thermalization in the weak link, we calculate the current-voltage dependence $I(V)$. At intermediate temperatures, $\varepsilon_\mathrm{Th}\ll T\ll\Delta$, the current is dominated by noncoherent multiple Andreev reflections and is obtained analytically. The results are generalized to a ferromagnetic junction. We find that the exchange field produces a non-trivial splitting of the subharmonic gap structure. This effect relies on thermalization and vanishes in SFS junctions with no energy relaxation in the weak link.

• Post-hoc reweighting of hadron production in the Lund string model

  Benoît Assi, Christan Bierlich, Philip Ilten, Tony Menzo, Stephen Mrenna, Manuel Szewc, Michael K. Wilkinson, Ahmed Youssef, Jure Zupan

  SciPost Phys. 19, 104 (2025) · published 20 October 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We present a method for reweighting flavor selection in the Lund string fragmentation model. This is the process of calculating and applying event weights enabling fast and exact variation of hadronization parameters on pre-generated event samples. The procedure is post hoc, requiring only a small amount of additional information stored per event, and allowing for efficient estimation of hadronization uncertainties without repeated simulation. Weight expressions are derived from the hadronization algorithm itself, and validated against direct simulation for a wide range of observables and parameter shifts. The hadronization algorithm can be viewed as a hierarchical Markov process with stochastic rejections, a structure common to many complex simulations outside of high-energy physics. This perspective makes the method modular, extensible, and potentially transferable to other domains. We demonstrate the approach in Pythia, including both coverage considerations and timing benefits. For the purpose of this paper, our goal is to develop and demonstrate the the formalism, and we therefore exclude several model variations for baryon production (popcorn model, junction production) needed for proton collisions. These will be the topic of a future paper.

• ISAI: Investigating Solar Axion by Iron-57

  Tomonori Ikeda, Toshihiro Fujii, Takeshi Go Tsuru, Yuki Amano, Kazuho Kayama, Masamune Matsuda, Hiromu Iwasaki, Mizuki Uenomachi, Kentaro Miuchi, Yoshiyuki Onuki, Yoshizumi Inoue, Akimichi Taketa

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 12, 041 (2023) · published 4 July 2023 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  The existence of the axion is a unique solution for the strong CP problem, and the axion is one of the most promising candidates of the dark matter. Investigating Solar Axion by Iron-57 (ISAI) is being prepared as a complemented table-top experiment to confirm the solar axion scenario. Probing an X-ray emission from the nuclear transitions associated with the axion-nucleon coupling is a leading approach. ISAI searches for the monochromatic 14.4 keV X-ray from the first excited state of $^{57}$Fe using a state-of-the-art pixelized silicon detector, dubbed XRPIX, under an extremely low-background environment. We highlight scientific objectives, experimental design and the latest status of ISAI.

• The Hoyle Family: break-up measurements to probe α-condensation in light nuclei

  Robin Smith, Jack Bishop, Joel Hirst, Tzany Kokalova, Carl Wheldon

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 3, 030 (2020) · published 26 February 2020 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  The 12C Hoyle state is a candidate for α-condensation, due to its large volume and α-cluster structure. This paper discusses precision break-up measurements and how they can elucidate α-condensate structures. Two experiments are discussed in detail, firstly concerning the break-up of 12C and then the decays of heavier nuclei. With more theoretical input, and increasingly complex detector setups, precision break-up measurements can, in principle, provide insight into the structures of states in α-conjugate nuclei. At present, such searches have not delivered evidence for α-condensation in 12C or 16O.