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Recently the Rydberg blockade effect has been utilized to realize quantum spin liquid (QSL) on a kagome lattice. Evidence of QSL has been obtained experimentally by directly measuring non-local string order. In this paper, we report a Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS)-type variational wave function study of the spin liquid state in this model. This wave function is motivated by mapping the Rydberg blockade model to a lattice gauge theory, where the local gauge conservations replace the role of constraints from the Rydberg blockade. We determine the variational parameter from the experimental measurement of the Rydberg atom population. Then we compare the predictions of this deterministic wave function with the experimental measurements of non-local string order. Combining the measurements on both open and closed strings, we extract the fluctuations only associated with the closed-loop as an indicator of the topological order. The prediction from our wave function agrees reasonably well with the experimental data, with only one fitting parameter determined by measurement of Rydberg atom population. Our variational wave function provides a simple and intuitive picture of the QSL in this system that can be generalized to similar spin liquid phases in other lattice geometry.

Ultracold alkaline-earth atoms are used in precision measurements and quantum simulation. Because of their unique atomic structure, they could enable the study of problems in quantum many-body systems, such as the simulation of synthetic gauge fields, Kondo and SU(N) physics. But to fully exploit this potential, the capability to tune the interatomic interaction to the strongly interacting regime is needed. Several theoretical proposals and experimental demonstrations have shown that both the spin-independent and spin-exchange interaction can be tuned to resonance in the alkaline-earth atoms. In this Perspective, we review these advances and discuss the opportunities brought by these interaction-control tools for future quantum simulation studies.Due to their atomic structure, ultracold alkaline-earth atoms are well suited for quantum simulation and the study of quantum many-body physics. This Perspective overviews the ways to control the interactions between atoms and discusses the new physics that could be uncovered.

The buffer layer defects of high‐voltage crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cable occur frequently, which makes the detection method become the focus to be studied. Here, the broadband impedance detection technology for the buffer layer defects of high‐voltage XLPE cables with corrugated aluminium sheath is investigated. There are nine cable samples, including new and defective ones. Some of the defective cables are artificial, and the other is retired cables. The influence of wiring mode, the circumferential relative position of electrodes, cable length, artificial white powder, artificial damp, and retired defective cables on the impedance spectrum is studied. It is found that the wiring mode of the insulation shield/aluminium sheath at the end of the cable can effectively detect the buffer layer defects. And the broadband impedance amplitude spectrum of the buffer layer in defective cable, measuring at various circumferential relative positions, is obviously different. When there are white powders, air gaps, or ablation in the buffer layer, the broadband impedance spectrum (BIS) will increase by several times. When the buffer layer is damped, the BIS will reduce. The research here provides theoretical support and technical methods for the buffer layer defects of XLPE cable with corrugated aluminium sheath.

Rydberg atom arrays have emerged as a novel platform exhibiting rich quantum many-body physics and offering promise for universal quantum computation. The Rydberg blockade effect plays an essential role in establishing many-body correlations in this system. Over the past 2 or 3 years, Rydberg arrays have been used to realize exotic ground states such as spin liquids, quantum many-body scar states violating quantum thermalization, and a confinement–deconfinement transition through quantum dynamics. In this Perspective, we use lattice gauge theory as a universal theoretical framework to describe the Rydberg blockade effect and the recent exciting developments in this system from equilibrium phases to quantum dynamics. Analysing Rydberg atom arrays through this theoretical framework can reveal their connection with other strongly correlated systems, such as the Fermi–Hubbard model and the lattice gauge model, which can inspire the discovery of new phenomena in this platform.The Rydberg atomic array is an emerging quantum many-body physics platform, exhibiting rich physical phenomena, such as quantum spin liquids and quantum scar states. This Perspective analyses the latest progress in this system through a unified theoretical framework — lattice gauge theory — providing new insights for quantum simulation.

Partial discharge (PD) detection is essential for evaluating the cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable insulation. The acoustic waves originating from PD carry important characteristic information, which can be used for PD detection. In this paper, a fiber-optic Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) has been constructed to detect PD of an air gap sample of simulated XLPE cable terminal. The results indicated that the MZI could effectively detect the acoustic signals of 88 pC PD in the insulating oil and 499 pC internal discharge in the sample. The pulse signal in the MZI sensing signal contains the acoustic information of PD. Its phase distribution map has good phase and amplitude correspondence with the phase-resolved partial discharge map of the HFCT sensing signal to identify PD. The application of fiber-optic sensing technology is beneficial to the construction of smart grid.

The topological θ -angle is central to several gauge theories in condensed-matter and high-energy physics. For example, it is responsible for the strong CP problem in quantum chromodynamics and can emerge in effective theories of electrodynamics in topological insulators. Although analogue quantum simulators potentially offer a venue for realizing and controlling the θ -angle, doing so has hitherto remained an outstanding challenge. Here, we describe the experimental realization of a tunable topological θ -angle in a Bose–Hubbard gauge-theory quantum simulator, which was implemented through a tilted superlattice potential that induces an effective background electric field. We demonstrate the emerging physics through the direct observation of the confinement–deconfinement transition of (1 + 1)-dimensional quantum electrodynamics. Using an atomic-precision quantum gas microscope, we distinguish between the confined and deconfined phases by monitoring the real-time evolution of particle–antiparticle pairs. Our work provides a step forward in the realization of topological terms on modern quantum simulators. Topological terms arise naturally in gauge theories but have been difficult to implement in quantum simulators. Now, a tunable topological θ -angle is demonstrated with a cold-atom platform.

Motivated by recent theoretical and experimental advances in quantum simulations using alkaline earth (AE) atoms, we put forward a proposal to detect the Kondo physics in a cold atomic system. It has been demonstrated that the intrinsic spin-exchange interaction in AE atoms can be significantly enhanced near a confinement-induced resonance (CIR), which facilitates the simulation of Kondo physics. Since the Kondo effect appears only for antiferromagnetic coupling, we find that the conductivity of such system exhibits an asymmetry across a resonance of spin-exchange interaction. The asymmetric conductivity can serve as the smoking gun evidence for Kondo physics in the cold atom context. When an extra magnetic field ramps up, the spin-exchange process near Fermi surface is suppressed by Zeeman energy and the conductivity becomes more and more symmetric. Our results can be verified in the current experimental setup.

Objective. The side effects of chemotherapy as a treatment of liver cancer cannot be ignored. Grain-sized moxibustion, a characteristic external therapy, has been shown to reduce the toxic and side effects of chemotherapy and regulate the immune function. The purpose of this study was to explore the synergistic antitumor activity of grain-sized moxibustion combined with cyclophosphamide (CTX). Methods. A hepatoma 1–6 (Hepa1-6)-bearing mouse model was established by injecting mice with Hepa1-6 cancer cells. CTX and grain-sized moxibustion on Dazhui (DU14), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) were used for treatment, and mouse survival status, body weight, and tumor growth, weight, and volume were measured. White blood cells (WBCs) and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs) were quantified. The spleens and livers of Hepa1-6-bearing mice were pathologically examined and scored. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and protein and mRNA expression levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in tumor tissues were measured with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) techniques. Results. Both grain-sized moxibustion and CTX could restrain the growth of Hepa1-6 tumors, reducing both tumor volume and weight; the combined treatment had a greater effect. Grain-sized moxibustion down-regulated the expression of proliferation genes Ki67 and PCNA, weakened the proliferation ability of Hepa1-6 tumor cells, inhibited tumor growth, and enhanced the antitumor effect of CTX. In addition, grain-sized moxibustion significantly improved the signs of CTX-induced toxicity (including weight loss, leukopenia, bone marrow suppression, and hepatotoxicity), down-regulated serum AST and ALT levels, reduced spleen and liver inflammation, and improved liver and spleen indices. Conclusion. Grain-sized moxibustion can synergize with CTX to enhance the antitumor effect of CTX and alleviate its toxic and side effects. It may be a promising adjuvant therapy to chemotherapy.

Rydberg atom arrays have emerged as a novel platform exhibiting rich quantum many-body physics and offering promise for universal quantum computation. The Rydberg blockade effect plays an essential role in establishing many-body correlations in this system. In this review, we will highlight that the lattice gauge theory is an efficient description of the Rydberg blockade effect and overview recent exciting developments in this system from equilibrium phases to quantum dynamics. These developments include realizing exotic ground states such as spin liquids, discovering quantum many-body scar states violating quantum thermalization, and observing confinement-deconfinement transition through quantum dynamics. We emphasize that the gauge theory description offers a universal theoretical framework to capture all these phenomena. This perspective of Rydberg atom arrays will inspire further the future development of quantum simulation and quantum computation in this platform.