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The development of color centers in silicon enables scalable quantum technologies by combining telecom-wavelength emission and compatibility with mature silicon fabrication. However, large-scale integration requires precise control of each emitter's optical transition to generate indistinguishable photons for quantum networking. Here, we demonstrate a foundry-fabricated photonic integrated circuit (PIC) combining suspended silicon waveguides with a microelectromechanical (MEMS) cantilever to apply local strain and spectrally tune individual G-centers. Applying up to 35 V between the cantilever and the substrate induces a reversible wavelength shift of the zero-phonon line exceeding 100 pm, with no loss in brightness. Moreover, by modeling the strain-induced shifts with a `digital twin' physical model, we achieve vertical localization of color centers with sub-3 nm vertical resolution, directly correlating their spatial position, dipole orientation, and spectral behavior. This method enables on-demand, low-power control of emission spectrum and nanoscale localization of color centers, advancing quantum networks on a foundry-compatible platform., Comment: 30 pages, 28 figures

Color centers are among the most promising candidates for quantum information processing. Central requirements for their practical applications include controlled and efficient local activation in nanophotonic devices and identical spectral features. However, producing color centers in a controlled and reliable way is inherently challenging due to the lack of comprehensive theoretical insights into their formation and the difficulty of streamlining the generation process for rapid in-situ optimization. We address these challenges by developing an end-to-end first-principles model that captures the underlying formation process of color centers. Emitters are activated through laser annealing, which allows for in-situ creation and the possibility of model-based control. Notably, our model enables the estimation of the emitters' inhomogeneous broadening down to 16 GHz in bare silicon, which translates into the creation of emitters with highly similar spectral properties. Finally, we address the challenge of in-situ deterministic activation of color centers in nanophotonic devices by going beyond bare silicon and demonstrating successful laser writing in photonic crystal optical cavities. These results lay the foundation for deterministic and large-scale integration of color centers within quantum photonic platforms., Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, 1 table

We introduce the strong positive recurrence (SPR) property for diffeomorphisms on closed manifolds with arbitrary dimension, and show that it has many consequences and holds in many cases. SPR diffeomorphisms can be coded by countable state Markov shifts whose transition matrices act with a spectral gap on a large Banach space, and this implies exponential decay of correlations, almost sure invariance principle, large deviations, among other properties of the ergodic measures of maximal entropy. Any $C^\infty$ smooth surface diffeomorphism with positive entropy is SPR, and there are many other examples with lesser regularity, or in higher dimension.

Recent studies of organic molecular solids are highlighted by their complex phase diagram and light-induced phenomena, such as Mott insulator, spin liquid phase, and superconductivity. However, a discrepancy between experimental observation and first-principle calculation on the $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$X family inhibits understanding their properties. Here, we revisit the electronic structure of $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu$_2$(CN)$_3$ with the recently developed DFT+GOU method to correct the energy level of molecular orbital states in the molecular solid. Our work reveals that the insulating electronic structure of $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu$_2$(CN)$_3$ originates from the energy gap between the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital states of the BEDT-TTF dimers, that are the periodic unit of the molecular solid. We verify that our calculation result provides consistent band gap, optical conductivity, and evolution of the metal-insulator transition as a function of pressure with experimental observations. Especially, the superconducting dome of $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu$_2$(CN)$_3$, which originates from the flat band state at the Fermi level, is reproduced. Additionally, we constructed a new low-energy lattice model based on the ability of electronic structure data that can be used to address many-body physics, such as quantum spin liquid and double-holon dynamics. Our provides a deeper understanding of the complex phase diagram and various light-induced phenomena in the $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$X family and the other complex organic molecular solids., Comment: 4 figures

For a given natural number $n$, the second part of Hilbert's 16th Problem asks whether there exists a finite upper bound for the maximum number of limit cycles that planar polynomial vector fields of degree $n$ can have. This maximum number of limit cycle, denoted by $H(n)$, is called the $n$th Hilbert number. It is well-established that $H(n)$ grows asymptotically as fast as $n^2 \log n$. A direct consequence of this growth estimation is that $H(n)$ cannot be bounded from above by any quadratic polynomial function of $n$. Recently, the authors of the paper [Exploring limit cycles of differential equations through information geometry unveils the solution to Hilbert's 16th problem. Entropy, 26(9), 2024] affirmed to have solved the second part of Hilbert's 16th Problem by claiming that $H(n) = 2(n - 1)(4(n - 1) - 2)$. Since this expression is quadratic in $n$, it contradicts the established asymptotic behavior and, therefore, cannot hold. In this note, we further explore this issue by discussing some counterexamples.

Contrary to conventional massive MIMO cellular configurations plagued by inter-cell interference, cell-free massive MIMO systems distribute network resources across the coverage area, enabling users to connect with multiple access points (APs) and boosting both system capacity and fairness across user. In such systems, one critical functionality is the association between APs and users: determining the optimal association is indeed a combinatorial problem of prohibitive complexity. In this paper, a solution based on deep learning is thus proposed to solve the user clustering problem aimed at maximizing the sum spectral efficiency while controlling the number of active connections. The proposed solution can scale effectively with the number of users, leveraging long short-term memory cells to operate without the need for retraining. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed solution, even in the presence of imperfect channel state information due to pilot contamination., Comment: Accepted to 25th IEEE International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications (SPAWC), 2024

A long-standing challenge in ultrafast magnetism and in functional materials research in general, has been the generation of a universal, ultrafast stimulus able to switch between stable magnetic states. Solving it would open up many new opportunities for fundamental studies, with potential impact on future data storage technologies. Ideally, step-like magnetic field transients with infinitely fast rise time would serve this purpose. Here, we develop a new approach to generate ultrafast magnetic field steps, based on an ultrafast quench of supercurrents in a superconductor. Magnetic field steps with millitesla amplitude, picosecond risetimes and slew rates approaching 1 GT/s are achieved. We test the potential of this technique by coherently rotating the magnetization in a ferrimagnet. With suitable improvements in the geometry of the device, these magnetic steps can be made both larger and faster, leading to new applications that range from quenches across phase transitions to complete switching of magnetic order parameters., Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures with supplementary material

Soil properties, such as wetting collapse behavior and permeability, are strongly correlated to the soil microstructure. To date, several techniques including mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), can be used to characterize the microstructure of soil, but all techniques have their own limitations. In this study, the features of mercury that penetrated and has been entrapped in the pore network of the specimens through MIP testing were investigated by X-Ray microtomography (X-$\mu$CT), in order to give an insight into the geometry of macropores and possible ink-bottle geometry. Two conditions of water content and density were selected for the compacted Maryland clay. The distribution and geometry features of mercury entrapped in the microstructure after MIP were characterized and pore size distributions were also reconstructed. The results suggest that, for the two conditions studied in this paper, macropores were evenly distributed within the specimens, and most of them with a non-spherical shape, and with aspect ratio (ratio between the maximum and minimum thickness along a given segment) smaller than three. Different dominant entrance pore size of macropore was obtained from MIP and X-$\mu$CT, due to the specific experimental protocol used in tests and the effect of ink-bottle geometry. Only the large pore bodies with high aspect ratio were imaged in X-$\mu$CT, due to the extrusion of mercury during the process of depressurization and subsequent sample preparation for X- $\mu$CT. But entire pore space was accessible in MIP. The difference in dominant entrance pore size was more significant for specimens with lower void ratio due to a more pronounced aspect ratio.

Let $X$ be a planar smooth vector field with a polycycle $\Gamma^n$ with $n$ sides and all its corners, that are at most $n$ singularities, being hyperbolic saddles. In this paper we study the cyclicity of $\Gamma^n$ in terms of the hyperbolicity ratios of these saddles, giving explicit conditions that ensure that it is at least $k,$ for any $k\leqslant n.$ Our result extends old results and also provides a more accurate proof of the known ones because we rely on some recent powerful works that study in more detail the regularity with respect to initial conditions and parameters of the Dulac map of hyperbolic saddles for families of vector fields. We also prove that when $X$ is polynomial there is a polynomial perturbation (in general with degree much higher that the one of $X$) that attains each of the obtained lower bounds for the cyclicities. Finally, we also study some related inverse problems and provide concrete examples of applications in the polynomial world.

Chirality is a pervasive form of symmetry that is intimately connected to the physical properties of solids, as well as the chemical and biological activity of molecular systems. However, its control with light is challenging, because inducing chirality in a non-chiral material requires that all mirrors and all roto-inversions be simultaneously broken. Electromagnetic fields exert only oscillatory forces that vanish on average, mostly leading to entropy increase that does not break symmetries, per se. Here, we show that chirality of either handedness can be generated in the non-chiral piezoelectric material BPO$_4$, in which two compensated sub-structures of opposite handedness coexist within the same unit cell. By resonantly driving either one of two orthogonal, doubly degenerate vibrational modes at Terahertz frequency, we rectify the lattice distortion and exert a displacive force onto the crystal. The staggered chirality is in this way uncompensated in either direction, inducing chiral structure with either handedness. The rotary power of the photo-induced phases is comparable to the static value of prototypical chiral alpha-quartz, limited by the strength of the pump laser pulse., Comment: 27 pages, including Supplementary Materials

Superconducting thin-film electronics are attractive for their low power consumption, fast operating speeds, and ease of interface with cryogenic systems such as single-photon detector arrays, and quantum computing devices. However, the lack of a reliable superconducting two-terminal asymmetric device, analogous to a semiconducting diode, limits the development of power-handling circuits, fundamental for scaling up these technologies. Existing efforts to date have been limited to single-diode proofs of principle and lacked integration of multiple controllable and reproducible devices to form complex circuits. Here, we demonstrate a robust superconducting diode with tunable polarity using the asymmetric vortex surface barrier in niobium nitride micro-bridges, achieving a 43% peak rectification efficiency, and showing half-wave rectification up to 120 MHz. We then realize and integrate several such diodes into a bridge rectifier circuit on a single microchip that performs continuous full-wave rectification up to 3 MHz and AC-to-DC conversion in burst mode at 50 MHz with an estimated peak power efficiency of 50%.

Accurately representing surface weather at the sub-kilometer scale is crucial for optimal decision-making in a wide range of applications. This motivates the use of statistical techniques to provide accurate and calibrated probabilistic predictions at a lower cost compared to numerical simulations. Wind represents a particularly challenging variable to model due to its high spatial and temporal variability. This paper presents a novel approach that integrates Gaussian processes and neural networks to model surface wind gusts at sub-kilometer resolution, leveraging multiple data sources, including numerical weather prediction models, topographical descriptors, and in-situ measurements. Results demonstrate the added value of modeling the multivariate covariance structure of the variable of interest, as opposed to only applying a univariate probabilistic regression approach. Modeling the covariance enables the optimal integration of observed measurements from ground stations, which is shown to reduce the continuous ranked probability score compared to the baseline. Moreover, it allows the generation of realistic fields that are also marginally calibrated, aided by scalable techniques such as random Fourier features and pathwise conditioning. We discuss the effect of different modeling choices, as well as different degrees of approximation, and present our results for a case study., Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures. Submitted to AMS AI4ES journal on May 17th, 2024

We investigate the non-orthogonal coexistence between the ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and the enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) in the downlink of a cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. We provide a unified information-theoretic framework that combines a finite-blocklength analysis of the URLLC error probability based on the use of mismatched decoding with an infinite-blocklength analysis of the eMBB spectral efficiency. Superposition coding and three levels of puncturing are considered as alternative downlink coexistence strategies to cope with the inter-service interference and the URLLC random activation pattern, under the assumption of imperfect pilot-based channel state information acquisition at the access points and statistical channel knowledge at the users. Numerical results shed light into the trade-off between eMBB and URLLC performances considering different precoding and power control strategies., Comment: Paper submitted for presentation to an IEEE conference. {\copyright} 2024 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses

Coherent optical driving in quantum solids is emerging as a new research frontier, with many demonstrations of exotic non-equilibrium quantum phases. These are based on engineered band structures, and on stimulated nonlinear interactions between driven modes. Enhanced functionalities like ferroelectricity, magnetism and superconductivity have been reported in these non-equilibrium settings. In high-Tc cuprates, coherent driving of certain phonon modes induces a transient state with superconducting-like optical properties, observed far above T$_c$ and throughout the pseudogap phase. Questions remain not only on the microscopic nature of this phenomenon, but also on the macroscopic properties of these transient states, beyond the documented optical conductivities. Crucially, it is not clear if driven cuprates exhibit Meissner-like diamagnetism. Here, the time-dependent magnetic-field amplitude surrounding a driven YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.48}$ sample is probed by measuring Faraday rotation in a GaP layer adjacent to the superconductor. For the same driving conditions that result in superconducting-like optical properties, an enhancement of magnetic field at the edge of the sample is detected, indicative of induced diamagnetism. The dynamical field expulsion measured after pumping is comparable in size to the one expected in an equilibrium type II superconductor of similar shape and size with a volume susceptibility $\chi_v$ of order -0.3. Crucially, this value is incompatible with a photo-induced increase in mobility without superconductivity. Rather, it underscores the notion of a pseudogap phase in which incipient superconducting correlations are enhanced or synchronized by the optical drive., Comment: 37 pages, including supplementary information

This paper tackles the problem of designing proper uplink multiple access (MA) schemes for coexistence between enhanced mobile broadband+ (eMBB+) users and massive machine-type communications+ (mMTC+) devices in a terminal-centric cell-free massive MIMO system. Specifically, the use of a time-frequency spreading technique for the mMTC+ devices has been proposed. Coupled with the assumption of imperfect channel knowledge, closed-form bounds of the achievable (ergodic) rate for the two types of data services are derived. Using suitable power control mechanisms, we show it is possible to efficiently multiplex eMBB+ and mMTC+ traffic in the same time-frequency resource grid. Numerical experiments reveal interesting trade-offs in the selection of the spreading gain and the number of serving access points within the system. Results also demonstrate that the performance of the mMTC+ devices is slightly affected by the presence of the eMBB+ users. Overall, our approach can endow good quality of service to both 6G cornerstones at once., Comment: This work has been submitted to IEEE for possible publication

Cell-free massive MIMO (CF-mMIMO) systems represent a deeply investigated evolution from the conventional multicell co-located massive MIMO (MC-mMIMO) network deployments. Anticipating a gradual integration of CF-mMIMO systems alongside pre-existing MC-mMIMO network elements, this paper considers a scenario where both deployments coexist, in order to serve a large number of users using a shared set of frequencies. The investigation explores the impact of this co-existence on the network's downlink performance, considering various degrees of mutual cooperation, precoder selection, and power control strategies. Moreover, to take into account the effect of the proposed cooperation scenarios on the fronthaul links, this paper also provides a fronthaul-aware heuristic association algorithm between users and network elements, which allows the fulfillment of the front-haul requirement on each link. The research is finally completed by extensive simulations, shedding light on the performance outcomes associated with the various levels of cooperation and several solutions delineated in the paper., Comment: Preprint of a paper accepted on the IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society

This paper addresses the problem of scalability for a cell-free massive MIMO (CF-mMIMO) system that performs integrated sensing and communications (ISAC). Specifically, the case where a large number of access points (APs) are deployed to perform simultaneous communication with mobile users and monitoring of the surrounding environment in the same time-frequency slot is considered, and a target-centric approach on top of the user-centric architecture used for communication services is introduced. In the paper, other practical aspects such as the fronthaul load and scanning protocol are also considered. The proposed scalable ISAC-enabled CF-mMIMO network has lower levels of system complexity, permits managing the scenario in which multiple targets are to be tracked/sensed by the APs, and achieves performance levels superior or, in some cases, close to those of the non-scalable solutions., Comment: Conference paper accepted for presentation at ISWCS 2024

6G wireless networks will integrate communication, computing, localization, and sensing capabilities while meeting the needs of high reliability and trustworthiness. In this paper, we develop similar techniques as those used by communication modules of previous generations for the sensing functionality of 6G networks. Specifically, this paper introduces the concept of extended automatic repeat request (e-ARQ) for integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) networks. We focus on multi-static sensing schemes, in which the nodes receiving the reflected sensing signals provide the transmitting nodes with configurable levels of feedback about the sensing result. This technique improves the sensing quality via retransmissions using adaptive parameters. We show that our proposed e-ARQ boosts the sensing quality in terms of detection accuracy and provides a sense of adaptability for applications supported by ISAC networks., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, magazine article

Gravitational waves from black-hole merging events have revealed a population of extra-galactic BHs residing in short-period binaries with masses that are higher than expected based on most stellar evolution models - and also higher than known stellar-origin black holes in our Galaxy. It has been proposed that those high-mass BHs are the remnants of massive metal-poor stars. Gaia astrometry is expected to uncover many Galactic wide-binary systems containing dormant BHs, which may not have been detected before. The study of this population will provide new information on the BH-mass distribution in binaries and shed light on their formation mechanisms and progenitors. As part of the validation efforts in preparation for the fourth Gaia data release (DR4), we analysed the preliminary astrometric binary solutions, obtained by the Gaia Non-Single Star pipeline, to verify their significance and to minimise false-detection rates in high-mass-function orbital solutions. The astrometric binary solution of one source, Gaia BH3, implies the presence of a 32.70 \pm 0.82 M\odot BH in a binary system with a period of 11.6 yr. Gaia radial velocities independently validate the astrometric orbit. Broad-band photometric and spectroscopic data show that the visible component is an old, very metal-poor giant of the Galactic halo, at a distance of 590 pc. The BH in the Gaia BH3 system is more massive than any other Galactic stellar-origin BH known thus far. The low metallicity of the star companion supports the scenario that metal-poor massive stars are progenitors of the high-mass BHs detected by gravitational-wave telescopes. The Galactic orbit of the system and its metallicity indicate that it might belong to the Sequoia halo substructure. Alternatively, and more plausibly, it could belong to the ED-2 stream, which likely originated from a globular cluster that had been disrupted by the Milky Way., Comment: 23 pages, accepted fro publication in A&A Letters. New version with small fixes

Context. Near-Earth objects (NEOs) on an impact course with Earth can move at high angular speed. Understanding their properties, including rotation state, is crucial for assessing impact risks and mitigation strategies. Traditional photometric methods face challenges in collecting data on fast-moving NEOs accurately. Aims. This study introduces an innovative approach to aperture photometry tailored to analyzing trailed images of fast-moving NEOs. Our primary aim is to extract rotation state information from these observations, particularly focusing on the efficacy of this technique for fast rotators. Methods. We applied our approach to analyze the trailed images of three asteroids: 2023 CX1, 2024 BX1, and 2024 EF, which were either on a collision courses or performing a close fly-by with Earth. By adjusting aperture sizes, we controlled the effective exposure times to increase the sampling rates of the photometric variations. This enabled us to detect short rotation periods that would be challenging with conventional methods. Results. Our analysis revealed that trailed photometry significantly reduces overhead time associated with CCD read-out, enhancing the sampling rate of the photometric variations. We demonstrated that this technique is particularly effective for fast-moving objects, providing reliable photometric data when the object is at its brightest and closest to Earth. For asteroid 2024 BX1, we detected a rotation period as short as 2.5888 +- 0.0002 seconds, the fastest ever recorded. Our findings underscore the efficacy of trailed observations coupled with aperture photometry for studying the rotation characteristics of small NEOs, offering crucial insights for impact risk assessment and mitigation strategies., Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures

This paper considers the problem of downlink localization and user equipments (UEs) tracking with an adaptive procedure for a range of distances. We provide the base station (BS) with two signaling schemes and the UEs with two localization algorithms, assuming far-field (FF) and near-field (NF) conditions, respectively. The proposed schemes employ different beam-sweep patterns, where their compatibility depends on the UE range. Consequently, the FF-NF distinction transcends the traditional definition. Our proposed NF scheme requires beam-focusing on specific spots and more transmissions are required to sweep the area. Instead, the FF scheme assumes distant UEs, and fewer beams are sufficient. We derive a low-complexity algorithm that exploits the FF channel model and highlight its practical benefits and the limitations. Also, we propose an iterative adaptive procedure, where the signaling scheme is depends on the expected accuracy-complexity trade-off. Multiple iterations introduce a tracking application, where the formed trajectory dictates the validity of our assumptions. Moreover, the range from the BS, where the FF signaling scheme can be successfully employed, is investigated. We show that the conventional Fraunhofer distance is not sufficient for adaptive localization and tracking algorithms in the mixed NF and FF environment., Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2402.02473

This letter studies the problem of jointly detecting active user equipments (UEs) and estimating their location in the near field, wherein the base station (BS) is unaware of the number of active (or inactive) UEs and their positions. The system is equipped with multiple reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) that aid the process of inspecting the coverage area of the BS with adequate localization resolution providing a low-complexity solution for detection and location estimation. To address this problem, we propose to utilize the additional degrees of freedom due to the additional inspection points provided by the RISs. Specifically, we propose an iterative detection procedure, where multiple inspections are jointly considered, allowing the BS to assign known pilots to previously detected UEs and thereby to provide a structured channel access. Also, the problem of multiple access interference is explored and identified as a limiting performance factor for the activity detection. The results show that, with a proper implementation of the RISs, our proposed scheme can detect/localize the UEs with high accuracy, augmenting benchmark UE detection schemes to a spatially aware detection.

This paper considers the problem of downlink localization of user equipment devices (UEs) that are either in the near-field (NF) or in the far-field (FF) of the array of the serving base station (BS). We propose a dual signaling scheme, which can be implemented at the BS, for localizing such UEs. The first scheme assumes FF, while the other assumes NF conditions. Both schemes comprise a beam-sweeping technique, employed by the BS, and a localization algorithm, employed by the UEs. The FF-based scheme enables beam-steering with a low signaling overhead, which is utilized for the proposed localization algorithm, while the NF-based scheme operates with a higher complexity. Specifically, our proposed localization scheme takes advantage of the relaxed structure of the FF, which yields low computational complexity, but is not suitable for operating in the NF. Since the compatibility and the performance of the FF- based scheme depends on the BS-to-UE distance, we study the limitations of FF-based procedure, explore the trade-off in terms of performance and resource requirements for the two schemes, and propose a triggering condition for operating the component schemes of the dual scheme. Also, we study the performance of an iterative localization algorithm that takes into account the accuracy-complexity trade-off and adapts to the actual position of the UE. We find that the conventional Fraunhofer distance is not sufficient for adapting localization algorithms in the mixed NF and FF environment., Comment: 5 pages, conference

The physics of optically-induced superconductivity remains poorly understood, with questions that range from the underlying microscopic mechanism to the macroscopic electrical response of the non-equilibrium phase. In this paper, we study optically-induced superconductivity in K$_{3}$C$_{60}$ thin films, which display signatures of granularity both in the equilibrium state below T$_{c}$ and in the nonequilibrium photo-induced phase above T$_{c}$. Photo-conductive switches are used to measure the ultrafast voltage drop across a K$_{3}$C$_{60}$ film as a function of time after irradiation, both below and above T$_{c}$. These measurements reveal fast changes associated with the kinetic inductance of in-grain superconductivity, and a slower response attributed to the Josephson dynamics at the weak links. Fits to the data yield estimates of the in-grain photo-induced superfluid density after the drive and the dynamics of phase slips at the weak links. This work underscores the increasing ability to make electrical measurements at ultrafast speeds in optically-driven quantum materials, and demonstrates a striking new platform for optoelectronic device applications.

Energy efficiency (EE) is a challenging task in integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems, where high spectral efficiency and low energy consumption appear as conflicting requirements. Although passive reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) has emerged as a promising technology for enhancing the EE of the ISAC system, the multiplicative fading feature hinders its effectiveness. This paper proposes the use of active RIS with its amplification gains to assist the ISAC system for EE improvement. Specifically, we formulate an EE optimization problem in an active RIS-aided ISAC system under system power budgets, considering constraints on user communication quality of service and sensing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A novel alternating optimization algorithm is developed to address the highly non-convex problem by leveraging a combination of the generalized Rayleigh quotient optimization approach, semidefinite relaxation (SDR), and the majorization-minimization (MM) framework. Furthermore, to accelerate the algorithm and reduce computational complexity, we derive a semi-closed form for eigenvalue determination. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, showcasing significant improvements in EE compared to both passive RIS and spectrum efficiency optimization cases., Comment: Accepted by IEEE TVT

The impressive growth of wireless data networks has recently led to increased attention to the issue of electromagnetic pollution. Specific absorption rates and incident power densities have become popular indicators for measuring electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. This paper tackles the problem of power control in user-centric cell-free massive multiple-input-multiple-output (CF-mMIMO) systems under EMF constraints. Specifically, the power allocation maximizing the minimum data rate across users is derived for both the uplink and the downlink under EMF constraints. The developed solution is also applied to a cellular mMIMO system and compared to other benchmark strategies. Simulation results prove that EMF safety restrictions can be easily met without jeopardizing the minimum data rate, that the CF-mMIMO outperforms the multi-cell massive MIMO deployment, and that the proposed power control strategy greatly improves the system fairness., Comment: This work has been accepted for publication at 2024 IEEE WCNC

In this paper, we consider the sixth generation (6G) sub-networks, where hyper reliable low latency communications (HRLLC) requirements are expected to be met. We focus on a scenario where multiple sub-networks are active in the service area and assess the feasibility of using the 6 GHz unlicensed spectrum to operate such deployment, evaluating the impact of listen before talk (LBT). Then, we explore the benefits of using distributed multiple input multiple output (MIMO), where the available antennas in every sub-network are distributed over a number of access points (APs). Specifically, we compare different configurations of distributed MIMO with respect to centralized MIMO, where a single AP with all antennas is located at the center of every sub-network., Comment: This paper is accepted for publication in 2023 IEEE Conference on Standards for Communications and Networking (CSCN)

Gaia's readout window strategy is challenged by very dense fields in the sky. Therefore, in addition to standard Gaia observations, full Sky Mapper (SM) images were recorded for nine selected regions in the sky. A new software pipeline exploits these Service Interface Function (SIF) images of crowded fields (CFs), making use of the availability of the full two-dimensional (2D) information. This new pipeline produced half a million additional Gaia sources in the region of the omega Centauri ($\omega$ Cen) cluster, which are published with this Focused Product Release. We discuss the dedicated SIF CF data reduction pipeline, validate its data products, and introduce their Gaia archive table. Our aim is to improve the completeness of the {\it Gaia} source inventory in a very dense region in the sky, $\omega$ Cen. An adapted version of {\it Gaia}'s Source Detection and Image Parameter Determination software located sources in the 2D SIF CF images. We validated the results by comparing them to the public {\it Gaia} DR3 catalogue and external Hubble Space Telescope data. With this Focused Product Release, 526\,587 new sources have been added to the {\it Gaia} catalogue in $\omega$ Cen. Apart from positions and brightnesses, the additional catalogue contains parallaxes and proper motions, but no meaningful colour information. While SIF CF source parameters generally have a lower precision than nominal {\it Gaia} sources, in the cluster centre they increase the depth of the combined catalogue by three magnitudes and improve the source density by a factor of ten. This first SIF CF data publication already adds great value to the {\it Gaia} catalogue. It demonstrates what to expect for the fourth {\it Gaia} catalogue, which will contain additional sources for all nine SIF CF regions.

Context. Strongly lensed quasars are fundamental sources for cosmology. The Gaia space mission covers the entire sky with the unprecedented resolution of $0.18$" in the optical, making it an ideal instrument to search for gravitational lenses down to the limiting magnitude of 21. Nevertheless, the previous Gaia Data Releases are known to be incomplete for small angular separations such as those expected for most lenses. Aims. We present the Data Processing and Analysis Consortium GravLens pipeline, which was built to analyse all Gaia detections around quasars and to cluster them into sources, thus producing a catalogue of secondary sources around each quasar. We analysed the resulting catalogue to produce scores that indicate source configurations that are compatible with strongly lensed quasars. Methods. GravLens uses the DBSCAN unsupervised clustering algorithm to detect sources around quasars. The resulting catalogue of multiplets is then analysed with several methods to identify potential gravitational lenses. We developed and applied an outlier scoring method, a comparison between the average BP and RP spectra of the components, and we also used an extremely randomised tree algorithm. These methods produce scores to identify the most probable configurations and to establish a list of lens candidates. Results. We analysed the environment of 3 760 032 quasars. A total of 4 760 920 sources, including the quasars, were found within 6" of the quasar positions. This list is given in the Gaia archive. In 87\% of cases, the quasar remains a single source, and in 501 385 cases neighbouring sources were detected. We propose a list of 381 lensed candidates, of which we identified 49 as the most promising. Beyond these candidates, the associate tables in this Focused Product Release allow the entire community to explore the unique Gaia data for strong lensing studies further., Comment: 35 pages, 60 figures, accepted for publication by Astronomy and Astrophysics

The third Gaia Data Release (DR3) provided photometric time series of more than 2 million long-period variable (LPV) candidates. Anticipating the publication of full radial-velocity (RV) in DR4, this Focused Product Release (FPR) provides RV time series for a selection of LPVs with high-quality observations. We describe the production and content of the Gaia catalog of LPV RV time series, and the methods used to compute variability parameters published in the Gaia FPR. Starting from the DR3 LPVs catalog, we applied filters to construct a sample of sources with high-quality RV measurements. We modeled their RV and photometric time series to derive their periods and amplitudes, and further refined the sample by requiring compatibility between the RV period and at least one of the $G$, $G_{\rm BP}$, or $G_{\rm RP}$ photometric periods. The catalog includes RV time series and variability parameters for 9\,614 sources in the magnitude range $6\lesssim G/{\rm mag}\lesssim 14$, including a flagged top-quality subsample of 6\,093 stars whose RV periods are fully compatible with the values derived from the $G$, $G_{\rm BP}$, and $G_{\rm RP}$ photometric time series. The RV time series contain a mean of 24 measurements per source taken unevenly over a duration of about three years. We identify the great most sources (88%) as genuine LPVs, with about half of them showing a pulsation period and the other half displaying a long secondary period. The remaining 12% consists of candidate ellipsoidal binaries. Quality checks against RVs available in the literature show excellent agreement. We provide illustrative examples and cautionary remarks. The publication of RV time series for almost 10\,000 LPVs constitutes, by far, the largest such database available to date in the literature. The availability of simultaneous photometric measurements gives a unique added value to the Gaia catalog (abridged), Comment: 36 pages, 38 figures

Signatures of photo-induced superconductivity have been reported in cuprate materials subjected to a coherent phonon drive. A 'cold' superfluid was extracted from the transient Terahertz conductivity and was seen to coexist with 'hot' uncondensed quasi-particles, a hallmark of a driven-dissipative system of which the interplay between coherent and incoherent responses are not well understood. Here, time resolved spontaneous Raman scattering was used to probe the lattice temperature in the photo-induced superconducting state of YBa2Cu3O6.48. An increase in lattice temperature of approximately 80 K was observed by measuring the time dependent Raman scattering intensity of an undriven 'spectator' phonon mode. This is to be compared with an estimated increase in quasi-particle temperatures of nearly 200 K. These temperature changes provide quantitative information on the nature of the driven state and its decay, and may provide a strategy to optimize this effect., Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures