Energy transfer and quantum correlation dynamics in FMO light-harvesting complex

The dynamics of energy transfer in Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) light-harvesting complex interacting with a phonon bath is investigated. In this contribution, by considering the phonon bath as a source of stochastic noise, a new approach is proposed. Also, by calculating the global quantum entanglement and global quantum discord, the time evolution of the quantum correlation during the process is evaluated. The effects of temperature and initial excited state on the energy transfer and the quantum correlation are studied. It is shown, in agreement with the previous results, that the increasing of the temperature gives rise to the faster delocalisation of energy transfer and global quantum entanglement in the FMO complex. The proposed model predicts that the global discord is resistance versus the raising temperature. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the quantum entanglement with respect to the global quantum discord has a significant role in the process of energy transfer in the FMO complex.     

On the measurability of quantum correlation functions

The concept of correlation function is widely used in classical statistical mechanics to characterize how two or more variables depend on each other. In quantum mechanics, on the other hand, there are observables that cannot be measured at the same time; the so-called incompatible observables. This prospect imposes a limitation on the definition of a quantum analog for the correlation function in terms of a sequence of measurements. Here, based on the notion of sequential weak measurements, we circumvent this limitation by introducing a framework to measure general quantum correlation functions, in principle, independently of the state of the system and the operators involved. To illustrate, we propose an experimental configuration to obtain explicitly the quantum correlation function between two Pauli operators, in which the input state is an arbitrary mixed qubit state encoded on the polarization of photons.     

The dynamics of quantum correlation with two controlled qubits under classical dephasing environment

We discuss the quantum correlation dynamics of two qubits controlled through the application of π$\pi$-pulses under classical dephasing non-Markovian environment. It is shown that the quantum discord (QD) and one-norm geometric quantum discord (one-norm GQD) between the two qubits, which are prepared initially in the three-parameter-X$X$-type quantum states, depend strongly on non-Markovian properties and the time difference between adjacent pulses. The freezing time of discord and one-norm GQD can be lengthened for appropriate pulse separate time and pulse numbers. And the freezing time of one-norm GQD is longer slightly than QD for both Markovian and non-Markovian cases. What is more, we find that double sudden changes of one-norm GQD can appear only for some initial parameters when π$\pi$-pulses are applied.     

Spatial correlation of two particles in semiconductor quantum ring

We analyze the effect of the spatial correlation on the ground state energy of two particles (two electrons and exciton–hole pair) confined in quantum ring (QR) with a soft-edge-barrier confinement potential. Starting from the Schrödinger variational principle we derive a one-dimensional differential equation for the spatial pair correlation function (SPCF), which we solve numerically by using the shooting method. The effect of the repulsive core in a self-assembled GaAs/InAs QR on the two-electron and exciton SPCF is analyzed. A comparative analysis of the dependencies of the two-particle ground state energies on the inner and outer radii of GaAs/InAs QRs with different confinement potential shapes is presented.     

Optimal control of fast and high-fidelity quantum state transfer in spin-1/2 chains

Spin chains are promising candidates for quantum communication and computation. Using quantum optimal control (OC) theory based on the Krotov method, we present a protocol to perform quantum state transfer with fast and high fidelity by only manipulating the boundary spins in a quantum spin-1/2 chain. The achieved speed is about one order of magnitude faster than that is possible in the Lyapunov control case for comparable fidelities. Additionally, it has a fundamental limit for OC beyond which optimization is not possible. The controls are exerted only on the couplings between the boundary spins and their neighbors, so that the scheme has good scalability. We also demonstrate that the resulting OC scheme is robust against disorder in the chain.     

Accurate analysis of electron transfer from quantum dots to metal oxides in quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Electron transfer rate from quantum dot (QD) to metal oxide (MO) in quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) has an important role in the efficiency. In this work, we analyse the electron transfer rate from CdSe, CdS and CdTe QDs to TiO₂, ZnO and SnO₂ MOs by extending the related equations with considering various effects, based on the Marcus theory. In this regard, the effects of QD diameter, QD–MO spacing, the crystalline defects, temperature, and the reorganizational energy, on the electron transfer rate are investigated. The results show that, the maximum electron transfer rate is achieved for CdTe QD with the mentioned three MOs. Moreover, in order to direct the designer to reach the appropriate QDs–MOs combinations for obtaining the maximum electron transfer rate, the average electron transfer rate for various combinations is calculated. For the verification of simulation method, a part of work has been compared with the previous experimental and theoretical results, which indicates the correctness of our simulation algorithm.     

Effects of impurity on fidelity of quantum state transfer via spin channels

By adopting the concept of fidelity, we investigated efficiency of quantum state transfer with the XX chain as the quantum channel. Different from the previous works, we concentrated on effects of spin and magnetic impurity on fidelity of quantum state transfer. Our results revealed that the spin impurity cannot prevent one from implementing perfect transfer of an arbitrary one-qubit pure state across the spin channel, however, the presence of magnetic impurity or both spin and magnetic impurities may destroy the otherwise perfect spin channels.     

基于腔QED系统的几何量子失谐及其传送

研究了基于腔量子电动力学（腔QED）系统的几何量子失谐及其传送。该系统包括两个独立的子系统,每个子系统由两个二能级原子与单模腔共振相互作用。结果表明,所有初始存储在原子A1A2中的几何量子失谐最终被转移到原子B1B2和腔C1C2。同时,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2的几何量子失谐在该量子系统中可以发生猝死（DSD）以及纠缠突然死亡（ESD）。但是,在该量子系统中几何量子失谐不能完全由于原子的自发辐射和腔衰减而复活。此外,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2几何量子失谐的量,取决于其纯度p,并与其成比例,p的值越小,几何失谐越小。它也表明,在原子自发辐射和腔衰减的情况下,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2的几何量子失谐将经历振荡衰减并最终衰减到零。不过,在没有原子自发辐射和腔衰减的情况下,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2的几何量子失谐却没有衰减。     

基于腔QED系统的几何量子失谐及其传送

研究了基于腔量子电动力学（腔QED）系统的几何量子失谐及其传送。该系统包括两个独立的子系统,每个子系统由两个二能级原子与单模腔共振相互作用。结果表明,所有初始存储在原子A1A2中的几何量子失谐最终被转移到原子B1B2和腔C1C2。同时,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2的几何量子失谐在该量子系统中可以发生猝死（DSD）以及纠缠突然死亡（ESD）。但是,在该量子系统中几何量子失谐不能完全由于原子的自发辐射和腔衰减而复活。此外,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2几何量子失谐的量,取决于其纯度p,并与其成比例,p的值越小,几何失谐越小。它也表明,在原子自发辐射和腔衰减的情况下,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2的几何量子失谐将经历振荡衰减并最终衰减到零。不过,在没有原子自发辐射和腔衰减的情况下,原子A1A2 ,B1B2和腔C1C2的几何量子失谐却没有衰减。     

Experimental investigation of energy transfer between CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and different-sized gold nanoparticles

Hybrid nanostructures of quantum dots(QDs) and metallic nanostructure are attractive for future use in a variety of optoelectronic devices. For photodetection applications, it is important that the photoluminescence (PL) of QDs is quenched by the metallic nanostructures. Here, the quenching efficiency of CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) with different sized gold nanoparticles (NPs) films through energy transfer is investigated by measuring the PL intensity of the hybrid nanostructures. In our research, the gold NPs films are formed by the post-annealing of the deposited Au films on the quartz substrate. We find that the energy transfer from the QDs to the Au NPs strongly depends on the sizes of the Au NPs. For CdSe/ZnS QDs direct contact with the Au NPs films, the largest energy transfer efficiency are detected when the resonance absorption peak of the Au NPs is nearest to the emission peak of the CdSe/ZnS QDs. However, when there is a PMMA spacer between the QDs layer and the Au NPs films, firstly, we find that the energy transfer efficiency is weakened, and the largest energy transfer efficiency is obtained when the resonant absorption peak of the Au NPs is farthest to the emission peak wavelength of CdSe/ZnS QDs. These results will be useful for the potential design of the high efficiency QDs optoelectronic devices.     

Realization of quantum gates by Lyapunov control

We propose a Lyapunov control design to achieve specific (or a family of) unitary time-evolution operators, i.e., quantum gates in the Schrödinger picture by tracking control. Two examples are presented. In the first, we illustrate how to realize the Hadamard gate in a single-qubit system, while in the second, the controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate is implemented in two-qubit systems with the Ising and Heisenberg interactions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the control can drive the time-evolution operator into the local equivalence class of the CNOT gate and the operator keeps in this class forever with the existence of Ising coupling.     

Time behavior of the correlation functions in a simple dissipative quantum model

The force and velocity correlation functions for a particle interacting with a bath are calculated within a model allowing for finite memory effects. The relevance of a Brownian picture is delineated in view of the respective behavior of these functions and appears fully inadequate below some cross-over temperature; then, the interplay between quantum and thermal fluctuations yields some long time tails on the same time scale for both correlation functions. The real space transient diffusion coefficient is found to exceed its asymptotic Einstein value for most times in that regime. The limiting case of an infinitely short memory time is also investigated and is seen to produce weak divergences on a time scale which is small as compared to the other characteristic times.     

The quantum correlation dynamics of two qubits in finite-temperature environments with dynamical decoupling pulses

We investigate the dynamics of quantum correlation between two noninteracting qubits each inserted in its own finite-temperature environment with 1/f$1/f$ spectral density. It is found that the phenomenon of sudden transition between classical and quantum decoherence exists in the system when two qubits are initially prepared in X-type quantum states, and the transition time depends on the initial-state of two qubits, the qubit–environment coupling constant and the temperature of the environment. Furthermore, we explore the influence of dynamical decoupling pulses on the transition time and show that it can be prolonged by applying the dynamical decoupling pulses.     

Security of continuous-variable measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution with imperfect state preparation

The state preparation operation of continuous-variable measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (CV-MDI-QKD) protocol may become imperfect in practical applications. We address the security of the CV-MDI-QKD protocol based on imperfect preparation of the coherent state under realistic conditions of lossy and noisy quantum channel. Specifically, we assume that the imperfection of Alice's and Bob's practical state preparations equal to the amplification of ideal modulators and lasers at both Alice's and Bob's sides by untrusted third-parties Fred and Gray employing phase-insensitive amplifiers (PIAs), respectively. The equivalent excess noise introduced by the imperfect state preparation is comprehensively and quantitatively calculated by adopting the gains of PIAs. Security analysis shows that CV-MDI-QKD is quite sensitive to the imperfection of practical state preparation, which inevitably deteriorates the performance and security of CV-MDI-QKD system. Moreover, a lower bound of the secret key rate is derived under arbitrary collective attacks, and the upper threshold of this imperfection tolerated by the system is obtained in the form of the specific gains of PIAs. In addition, the methods presented will improve and perfect the practical security of CV-MDI-QKD protocol.     

Free energy and correlation lengths of quantum chains related to restricted solid-on-solid lattice models

An approach is presented for calculating the free energy as well as the correlation lengths of integrable quantum chains at arbitrary finite temperatures. The method is applied to critical Hamiltonians related to restricted solid-on-olid models comprising the hierarchy by Andrews, Baxter and Forrester, and generalizations hereof by the fusion procedure. The derived non-linear integral equations can be studied analytically in the low-temperature and high-temperature limits. The central charges and all primary conformal weights are obtained for the generalized minimal unitary series of conformal field theory and the Z_N parafermion theories. Thus an extension of the thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz is realized which recently has been speculated on in the literature.     

Acceleration of adiabatic quantum state transfer in a spin chain under zero-energy-change pulse control

We present a protocol for accelerating adiabatic quantum state transfer through a spin chain by adding an effective control pulse. Using Feshbach P-Q partitioning technique, we obtain the one-component dynamical equation which guides us to set the amplitude and period of the control field. This field can be a sequence of alternatively negative and positive (zero-energy change) pulses which can be realized easily in experiment. As an example, we discuss a three particles spin chain and the numerical calculation shows that the accelerated quantum state transfer can be obtained.     

二氧化碳管内沸腾换热系数关联式的分析

了解管内流动沸腾特性并准确地预测出其换热系数,对设计紧凑、高效的CO2蒸发换热器有着至关重要的作用.文中分析了几个国内外已公开发表的换热关联式,并将预测结果与实验数据进行对比和误差分析,比较后发现Yoon2004、Jung关联式的预测精度相对较高,但各关联式对干涸后的换热系数预测普遍有较大偏差,有待进一步的改进.     

Study correlation vortices in the near-field of partially coherent vortex beams diffracted by an aperture

We have derived the analytical expression of the electric cross-spectral density in the near-field of partially coherent vortex beams diffracted by an aperture. Taking the Gaussian Schell-model vortex beam as a typical example of partially coherent vortex beams, the spatial correlation properties and correlation vortices in the near-field of partially coherent vortex beams diffracted by a rectangle aperture are studied. It is shown that the off-axis displacement, spatial degree of coherence parameter, propagation distance, and the opening factor of the aperture affect the spectral degree of coherence and positions of correlation vortices. With the optimization algorithm, we obtain the symmetric distributing coherent vortex.     

Probing spin entanglement by gate-voltage-controlled interference of current correlation in quantum spin Hall insulators

We propose an entanglement detector composed of two quantum spin Hall insulators and a side gate deposited on one of the edge channels. For an ac gate voltage, the differential noise contributed from the entangled electron pairs exhibits the nontrivial step structures, from which the spin entanglement concurrence can be easily obtained. The possible spin dephasing effects in the quantum spin Hall insulators are also included.     

Controlling transfer of quantum correlations among bi-partitions of a composite quantum system by combining different noisy environments

The correlation dynamics are investigated for various bi-partitions of a composite quantum system consisting of two qubits and two independent and non-identical noisy environments. The two qubits have no direct interaction with each other and locally interact with their environments. Classical and quantum correlations including the entanglement are initially prepared only between the two qubits. We find that contrary to the identical noisy environment case, the quantum correlation transfer direction can be controlled by combining different noisy environments. The amplitude-damping environment determines whether there exists the entanglement transfer among bi-partitions of the system. When one qubit is coupled to an amplitude-damping environment and the other one to a bit-flip one, we find a very interesting result that all the quantum and the classical correlations, and even the entanglement, originally existing between the qubits, can be completely transferred without any loss to the qubit coupled to the bit-flit environment and the amplitude-damping environment. We also notice that it is possible to distinguish the quantum correlation from the classical correlation and the entanglement by combining different noisy environments.