Geometric measure of quantum discord in non-Markovian environments

We study the dynamics of geometric measure of quantum discord between two non-interacting qubits each immersed in its own non-Markovian environment with a spectal distribution representing the electromagnetic field inside off-resonant high-Q cavity. We compared the dynamics of geometric measure of quantum discord with quantum discord for an initial Werner-like state and conclude three important findings. First, when there is an instantaneous disappearance in the dynamics of quantum discord at some timepoints, there is a disappearance in geometric measure of quantum discord, but not instantly. Second, the sudden change in the decay rate of geometric measure of quantum discord might not imply the sudden change in the decay rate of the dynamics of quantum discord. Third, there is a preservation for a long time in both quantum discord and geometric measure of quantum discord when the detuning and non-Markovian conditions are simultaneously satisfied.     

Thermal conductance associated with six types of vibration modes in quantum wire modulated with quantum dot

We study the ballistic phonon transport and thermal conductance of six low-lying vibration modes in quantum wire modulated with quantum dot at low temperatures. A comparative analysis is made among the six vibrational modes. The results show that the transmission rates of the six vibrational modes relative to reduced frequency display periodic or quasi-periodic oscillatory behavior. Among the four acoustic modes, the thermal conductance contributed by the torsional mode is the smallest, and the thermal conductances of other acoustic modes have adjacent values. It is also found that the thermal conductance of the optical mode increases from zero monotonously. Moreover, the total thermal conductance in concavity-shaped quantum structure is lower than that in convexity-shaped quantum structure. These thermal conductance values can be adjusted by changing the structural parameters of the quantum dot.     

Nanoscale superconducting quantum bits

Various physical systems were proposed for quantum information processing. Among those nanoscale devices appear most promising for integration in electronic circuits and large-scale applications. We discuss Josephson junction circuits in two regimes where they can be used for quantum computing. These systems combine intrinsic coherence of the superconducting state with control possibilities of single-charge circuits. In the regime where the typical charging energy dominates over the Josephson coupling, the low-temperature dynamics is limited to two states differing by a Cooper-pair charge on a superconducting island. In the opposite regime of prevailing Josephson energy, the phase (or flux) degree of freedom can be used to store and process quantum information. Under suitable conditions the system reduces to two states with different flux configurations. Several qubits can be joined together into a register. The quantum state of a qubit register can be manipulated by voltage and magnetic field pulses. The qubits are inevitably coupled to the environment. However, estimates of the phase coherence time show that many elementary quantum logic operations can be performed before the phase coherence is lost. In addition to manipulations, the final state of the qubits has to be read out. This quantum measurement process can be accomplished using a single-electron transistor for charge Josephson qubits, and a d.c.-SQUID for flux qubits. Recent successful experiments with superconducting qubits demonstrate for the first time quantum coherence in macroscopic systems.     

Quantum beats of vibrational modes in both the low and high wavenumber regions studied by fs-CARS

We have studied the quantum beats of vibrational modes in different phase samples by employing femtosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (fs-CARS) technique. The temporal chirped white-light continuum (WLC) is used for the Stokes pulse, we have achieved the selective excitation of vibrational modes in both the low and high wavenumber regions without complicated laser system, and observed quantum coherence between vibrational modes. This work is of special significance to enhance our understanding of quantum coherence and develop the applications of quantum technologies.     

光纤耦合双光学腔系统的相干动力学

为了研究量子相干性在腔量子电动力学系统中的动力学和分布特性,基于两个各自捕获原子系综的光学腔建立了双光学腔系统,腔与腔之间由光纤耦合.利用相对熵度量的量子相干性,引入量子相干非平衡性的概念,分析了系统中相干动力学和光纤-腔耦合强度对相干性分布的影响.结果表明:在强耦合极限下,光纤-腔耦合强度的增加有利于保持两腔中的原子的整体相干性;光纤-腔耦合强度、原子-腔耦合强度以及原子数三个参数之间满足特定条件时,腔内的原子相干性可以传输至另一个腔.考虑腔、光纤及原子都存在耗散的情形,对比了不同耗散速率和非耗散情形下的相干性演化,发现耗散使得耦合双腔系统的相干性以及各个腔中的原子相干性发生衰减.     

Multiple frequency modulation for low-light atom measurements in an optical cavity

We present a frequency modulation scheme to detect atoms dispersively in a high-finesse optical cavity at low-light levels with immunity to cavity length fluctuations. We use multiple cavity resonances to provide common mode noise rejection, keeping the high intensity carrier off-resonant from all cavity modes. The method has applications in atomic squeezed state generation and quantum metrology.     

Strong Coupling Optomechanics Mediated by a Qubit in the Dispersive Regime

Cavity optomechanics represents a flexible platform for the implementation of quantum technologies, useful in particular for the realization of quantum interfaces, quantum sensors and quantum information processing. However, the dispersive, radiation–pressure interaction between the mechanical and the electromagnetic modes is typically very weak, harnessing up to now the demonstration of interesting nonlinear dynamics and quantum control at the single photon level. It has already been shown both theoretically and experimentally that if the interaction is mediated by a Josephson circuit, one can have an effective dynamics corresponding to a huge enhancement of the single-photon optomechanical coupling. Here we analyze in detail this phenomenon in the general case when the cavity mode and the mechanical mode interact via an off-resonant qubit. Using a Schrieffer–Wolff approximation treatment, we determine the regime where this tripartite hybrid system behaves as an effective cavity optomechanical system in the strong coupling regime.     

Non-universality of dephasing in quantum transport

We investigate the influence of the environment on coherent quantum transport. While random processes with classical stochastic potentials can be treated in the concept of phase memory, this is not possible for fully quantized system-plus-reservoir models. In the latter case, the decay of coherences is not only depending on the coupled dynamics, but also crucially on the special geometry of the physical system in regard. We introduce a microscopic model with localized environmental modes where the geometry dependence is removed and calculate the coherence length.     

Selective creation of maximum coherence in multi-level Λ system

We consider the creation of the maximum Raman coherence in the six-level Λ system using optimal control theory. Optimal fields are designed for different initial conditions, resonant, and off-resonant, using the Krotov method including a reference field into the cost functional. Suppression of the population transfer to the intermediate level is achieved via an additional functional constraint which depends on the system dynamics. We demonstrate that the spectrum of the optimised fields has major contribution from the corresponding resonant frequencies independently of the choice of carrier frequency of the initial guess field. We also indicate that the pulse train emerges as a solution of the control problem of coherence optimisation in multi-level quantum systems.     

Optical switching of electron transport in a waveguide-QED system

Electron switching in waveguides coupled to a photon cavity is found to be strongly influenced by the photon energy and polarization. Therefore, the charge dynamics in the system is investigated in two different regimes, for off-resonant and resonant photon fields. In the off-resonant photon field, the photon energy is smaller than the energy spacing between the first two lowest subbands of the waveguide system, the charge splits between the waveguides implementing a $\sqrt{\mathrm{NOT}}$-quantum logic gate action. In the resonant photon field, the charge is totally switched from one waveguide to the other due to the appearance of photon replica states of the first subband in the second subband region instigating a quantum-NOT transition. In addition, the importance of the photon polarization to control the charge motion in the waveguide system is demonstrated. The idea of charge switching in electronic circuits may serve to built quantum bits.     

Exploring the phase space of the quantum delta-kicked accelerator

We experimentally explore the underlying pseudoclassical phase space structure of the quantum delta-kicked accelerator. This was achieved by exposing a Bose-Einstein condensate to the spatially corrugated potential created by pulses of an off-resonant standing light wave. For the first time quantum accelerator modes were realized in such a system. By utilizing the narrow momentum distribution of the condensate we were able to observe the discrete momentum state structure of a quantum accelerator mode and also to directly measure the size of the structures in the phase space.     

Time-local optimal control for parameter estimation in the Gaussian regime

Information about a classical parameter encoded in a quantum state can only decrease if the state undergoes a non-unitary evolution, arising from the interaction with an environment. However, instantaneous control unitaries may be used to mitigate the decrease of information caused by an open dynamics. A possible, locally optimal (in time) choice for such controls is the one that maximises the time-derivative of the quantum Fisher information (QFI) associated with a parameter encoded in an initial state. In this study, we focus on a single bosonic mode subject to a Markovian, thermal master equation, and determine analytically the optimal time-local control of the QFI for its initial squeezing angle (optical phase) and strength. We show that a single initial control operation is already optimal for such cases and quantitatively investigate situations where the optimal control is applied after the open dynamical evolution has begun.     

Controlling vibrational excitations in C60 by laser pulse durations

Two similar off-resonant ultrafast laser experiments in C60 have reported two different vibrational modes that dominate the relaxation process: one predicts the A(g) modes while the other the H(g) modes. A systematical simulation presented here reveals that this experimental discrepancy results from the laser pulse duration. The numerical results show that since each mode nu has a distinctive optimal duration tau(nu)(o), the A(g) modes are strongly suppressed for durations longer than 40 fs, while the H(g) modes start to grow. For the off-resonant and low-intensity excitations, the period Omega(o)(nu) of the dominant mode and tau(nu)(o) satisfy the relation Omega(o)(nu)/tau(nu)(o) approximately 3.4. By carefully scanning the laser frequencies and pulse durations, a comprehensive excitation diagram is constructed, which can be used to guide experiments to selectively excite the A(g) and H(g) modes in C60 by an ultrafast laser. Its potential impact is also discussed.     

Reprint of : Dynamics of coupled vibration modes in a quantum non-linear mechanical resonator

We investigate the behaviour of two non-linearly coupled flexural modes of a doubly clamped suspended beam (nanomechanical resonator). One of the modes is externally driven. We demonstrate that classically, the behavior of the non-driven mode is reminiscent of that of a parametrically driven linear oscillator: it exhibits a threshold behavior, with the amplitude of this mode below the threshold being exactly zero. Quantum-mechanically, we were able to access the dynamics of this mode below the classical parametric threshold. We show that whereas the mean displacement of this mode is still zero, the mean squared displacement is finite and at the threshold corresponds to the occupation number of 1/2. This finite displacement of the non-driven mode can serve as an experimentally verifiable quantum signature of quantum motion.     

Dynamics of coupled vibration modes in a quantum non-linear mechanical resonator

We investigate the behaviour of two non-linearly coupled flexural modes of a doubly clamped suspended beam (nanomechanical resonator). One of the modes is externally driven. We demonstrate that classically, the behavior of the non-driven mode is reminiscent of that of a parametrically driven linear oscillator: it exhibits a threshold behavior, with the amplitude of this mode below the threshold being exactly zero. Quantum-mechanically, we were able to access the dynamics of this mode below the classical parametric threshold. We show that whereas the mean displacement of this mode is still zero, the mean squared displacement is finite and at the threshold corresponds to the occupation number of 1/2. This finite displacement of the non-driven mode can serve as an experimentally verifiable quantum signature of quantum motion.     

Two-collective Mode Entanglement in a Four-level Atomic Ensemble

We propose a theoretical method to obtain two-collective mode entanglement in a four-level atomic ensemble. One collective mode is produced due to the Raman atomic coherence, the acquisition of another collective mode is ascribed to the quantum interference in two four-wave mixing processes. We show that two-collective mode and two original single modes are also in the entangled state in experimentally accessible parameter regimes.     

甲醛和过氧化氢分子振动光谱的路径积分刘维尔动力学模拟

本文采用路径积分刘维尔动力学计算偶极矩时间导数的关联函数来得到红外光谱,通过与真实振动频率相比,发现路径积分刘维尔动力学可以比较忠实地描述振动动力学过程中的核量子效应,能够准确刻画系统温度变化和同位素取代效应引起的振动光谱变化.     

Decoherence in generalized measurement and the quantum Zeno paradox

In the development of quantum mechanics, the evolution of a quantum system was a controversial item. The duality of unitary evolution and state reduction as proposed by John von Neumann was widely felt unsatisfactory. Among the various attempts to reconcile the two incompatible modes of dynamics, the model of decoherence has turned out rather convincing.     

Enhancing the capacity and performance of collective atomic quantum memory

Present schemes involving the quantum non-demolition interaction between atomic samples and off-resonant light pulses allow us to store quantum information corresponding to a single harmonic oscillator (mode) in one multi-atomic system. We discuss the possibility of involving several coherences of each atom so that the atomic sample can store information contained in several quantum modes. This is achieved by the coupling of different magnetic sublevels of the relevant hyperfine level by additional Raman pulses. This technique allows us to design not only the quantum non-demolition coupling, but also beam splitter-like and two-mode squeezer-like interactions between light and collective atomic spin.