High-fidelity adaptive qubit detection through repetitive quantum nondemolition measurements

Using two trapped ion species ((27)Al(+) and (9)Be(+)) as primary and ancillary quantum systems, we implement qubit measurements based on the repetitive transfer of information and quantum nondemolition detection. The repetition provides a natural mechanism for an adaptive measurement strategy, which leads to exponentially lower error rates compared to using a fixed number of detection cycles. For a single qubit we demonstrate 99.94% measurement fidelity. We also demonstrate a technique for adaptively measuring multiple qubit states using a single ancilla, and apply the technique to spectroscopy of an optical clock transition.     

Radiofrequency stimulated quantum interference on Mössbauer transitions

Redistribution of the elastic and Raman channel intensities in the Mössbauer resonant scattering spectrum can be controlled by the radio frequency (rf) stimulated quantum interference of gamma-transition amplitudes. More general expressions for each channel intensity are written out exactly taking into account the influence of the rf field. Results of calculations for the simple three-level scheme can be easily generalized to the case of ⁵⁷Fe isotope in magnetic materials.     

ac Stark splitting and quantum interference with intersubband transitions in quantum wells

Resonant optical coupling experiments have demonstrated coherent quantum interference between the Stark-split "dressed states" of a synthesized 3-level electronic system in a semiconductor quantum well. Analysis of the dephasing mechanisms reveals dipole selection rules closely analogous to those seen in atomic spectroscopy experiments. In this respect, these systems behave as "artificial atoms" for the purposes of observing a range of nonclassical coherent optical effects. The prospects for exploiting them for scalable quantum information processing applications are more promising than previous dephasing models would have predicted.     

Optimal nonlinear passage through a quantum critical point

We analyze the problem of optimal adiabatic passage through a quantum critical point. We show that to minimize the number of defects the tuning parameter should be changed as a power law in time. The optimal power is proportional to the logarithm of the total passage time multiplied by universal critical exponents characterizing the phase transition. We support our results by the general scaling analysis and by explicit calculations for the transverse-field Ising model.     

Controlling the XUV transparency of helium using two-pathway quantum interference

Atoms irradiated with combined femtosecond laser and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) fields ionize through multiphoton processes, even when the energy of the XUV photon is below the ionization potential. However, in the presence of two different XUV photons and an intense laser field, it is possible to induce full electromagnetic transparency. Taking helium as an example, the laser field modifies its electronic structure, while the presence of two different XUV photons and the laser field leads to two distinct ionization pathways that can interfere destructively. This work demonstrates a new approach for coherent control in a regime of highly excited states and strong optical fields.     

Chirped quantum cascade laser induced rapid passage signatures in an optically thick gas

We report observations of rapid passage signals induced in samples of N₂O and CH₄ present in a multipass cell with an optical path length of 5 m. The effect of laser power and chirp rate upon the signals has been studied by utilising two different chirped quantum cascade lasers operating around 8 μm. The rapid passage signals exhibit an increasing delay in the switch from absorption to emission as a function of increased gas pressure (up to 8 Torr of gas). By comparing a selection of transitions in N₂O and CH₄, we show that, unlike ammonia, this ‘pressure shift’ is independent of the transition dipole moment, spectroscopic branch probed and laser chirp rate. As the transition dipole moment is much larger in nitrous oxide than methane, we believe that this indicates that N₂O–N₂O collisions are more efficient at removing coherence from the polarised sample than CH₄–CH₄ collisions. We have also observed this pressure shift in a short path length of 40 cm, although with a much reduced value, indicating that propagation effects are important in this optically thick minimally damped system.     

Controlling the optical bistability via quantum interference in a four-level N-type atomic system

We investigate the optical bistability (OB) and optical multi-stability (OM) in a four-level N-type atomic system. The effect of spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) on OB and OM is then discussed. It is found that SGC makes the medium phase dependent, so the optical bistability and multi-stability threshold can be controlled via relative phase between applied fields. We realize that the frequency detuning of probe and coupling fields with the corresponding atomic transition plays an important role in creation OB and OM. Moreover, the effect of laser coupling fields and an incoherent pumping field on reduction of OB and OM threshold is then discussed.     

Controlling the parameters of short-wavelength radiation pulses using the interference of transitions to a continuum

Specific features of the propagation of light pulses with frequency lying in the range of autoionization resonances of the medium are analyzed. It is shown that the interference nature of the autoionization spectra makes it possible to combine a strong frequency dispersion of the refractive index with small absorption when the radiation frequency approaches the spectral range of the "transparency window" of an isolated resonance or of a series of overlapped autoionization resonances. This allows one to control the time delay of the pulses and their group velocity. Depending on the parameters of the medium, the pulse group velocity may be maximally reduced by a factor of 10⁴–10⁵.     

Population inversion in a single InGaAs quantum dot using the method of adiabatic rapid passage

Preparation of a specific quantum state is a required step for a variety of proposed quantum applications. We report an experimental demonstration of optical quantum state inversion in a single semiconductor quantum dot using adiabatic rapid passage. This method is insensitive to variation in the optical coupling in contrast with earlier work based on Rabi oscillations. We show that when the pulse power exceeds a threshold for inversion, the final state is independent of power. This provides a new tool for preparing quantum states in semiconductor dots and has a wide range of potential uses.     

Density matrix tomography through sequential coherent optical rotations of an exciton qubit in a single quantum dot

We demonstrate single qubit density matrix tomography in a single semiconductor quantum dot system through consecutive phase sensitive rotations of the qubit via ultrafast coherent optical excitations. The result is important for quantifying gate operations in quantum information processing in the quantum dot systems as well as demonstrating consecutive arbitrary qubit rotations.     

Coherent state transfer through a multi-channel quantum network: Natural versus controlled evolution passage

Quantum state transfer (QST) is an important task in quantum information processing. In this study, we describe two approaches for the high-fidelity transfer of a quantum state between two opposite quantum dots attached to a multi-channel quantum network. First, we demonstrate that a high-efficiency QST can be achieved with the coherent time evolution of a quantum system without any external control. Second, we present an approach that uses an alternative mechanism for a high-fidelity QST. By adiabatically varying tunnel couplings, it is possible to implement the complete transmission of a quantum state based on this quantum mechanical mechanism.     

Surface exchange and shape transitions of PbSe quantum dots during overgrowth

Epitaxial overgrowth of PbSe quantum dots is shown to drastically affect their shape and composition due to anion exchange reactions. As shown by scanning tunneling microscopy, for PbTe capping layers this results in a complete truncation of the dots. Introduction of EuTe into the cap layer leads to an effective suppression of the anion exchange process. This preserves the original dot pyramids and induces a large stress concentration on the surface which further alters the overgrowth process.     

One-step implementation of an N-qubit quantum phase gate through a double Raman passage

We propose a scheme for controllably implementing an N-qubit phase gate by one step within a ground-state subspace of N three-state atoms trapped in a cavity through a double Raman passage.We can extend our scheme to the realisation of an arbitrary N-qubit phase gate by appropriately adjusting coupling strengths and detunings between atoms and external driving fields.The advantage of this one-step scheme is its robustness against decoherence.     

Cross slip of a dislocation during passage through a row of dislocations

We consider the process whereby, under the action of external stresses, a screw dislocation passes through an infinite row of immobile screw dislocations that is parallel to the dislocation, with allowance for the stress field generated by the row. We determine the ranges of impact parameters, within which the dislocation can stop or can climb a dislocation of the row without cross slip of through double cross slip. Satisfactory agreement has been obtained with the experimental data available in the literature.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 12, pp. 68–72, December, 1988.     

Controlling the probe-absorption and -dispersion via quantum interference from incoherent pumping field in a four-level lambda-type system

Absorptive and dispersive properties of a four-level Λ-type atomic system with two fold lower levels are investigated. The effect of quantum interference induced by incoherent pump and spontaneous emission upon the absorption, dispersion, and group index is them discussed. In addition, the rate of an incoherent pump field and the intensity of coupling field on light propagation is also presented.     

Photon emission during intraband tunneling through quantum well structures

Radiative transitions associated with intraband electron tunneling through DC biased quantum well structures are analyzed theoretically. Spontaneous emission and stimulated emission of photons within the quantum well structure are calculated and estimates are made of the radiative transition rate in comparison with the damping loss. The absence of an inherent long wavelength emission cutoff is in contrast with interband transition devices and suggests applications of intraband transition devices as far infrared or microwave sources.     

On the criterion for effectiveness of wave linear transformation in a smoothly inhomogeneous medium and of nonadiabatic transitions during atomic collisions

A universal criterion for effectiveness of linear transformation of waves with locally close characteristic exponents in smoothly inhomogeneous media is obtained. The same criterion is applicable for estimating the effectiveness of nonadiabatic transitions in slow atomic collisions. The formalism developed for an analysis of the linear interaction of waves is based of the WKB asymptotic form of the solution of a scalar nth order ordinary differential equation. The obtained criterion can be applied in any practical problem for drawing a conclusion about the effectiveness of the linear interaction of modes if only the characteristic equation of waves in a homogeneous medium and the coefficients of the initial differential equation are known. In this case, the solution of the problem is reduced to elementary arithmetic calculations.