Entanglement of two qubits mediated by one-dimensional plasmonic waveguides

We investigate qubit-qubit entanglement mediated by plasmons supported by one-dimensional waveguides. We explore both the situation of spontaneous formation of entanglement from an unentangled state and the emergence of driven steady-state entanglement under continuous pumping. In both cases, we show that large values for the concurrence are attainable for qubit-qubit distances larger than the operating wavelength by using plasmonic waveguides that are currently available.     

Nano‐opto‐mechanical effects in plasmonic waveguides

In order to achieve interaction between light beams, a mediating material object is required. Nonlinear materials are commonly used for this purpose. Here a new approach to control light with light, based on a nano‐opto‐mechanical system integrated in a plasmonic waveguide is proposed. Optomechanics of a free‐floating resonant nanoparticle in a subwavelength plasmonic V‐groove waveguide is studied. It is shown that nanoparticle auto‐oscillations in the waveguide induced by a control light result in the periodic modulation of a transmitted plasmonic signal. The modulation depth of 10% per single nanoparticle of 25 nm diameter with the clock frequencies of tens of MHz and the record low energy‐per‐bit energies of 10⁻¹⁸ J is observed. The frequency of auto‐oscillations depends on the intensity of the continuous control light. The efficient modulation and deep‐subwavelength dimensions make this nano‐optomechanical system of significant interest for opto‐electronic and opto‐fluidic technologies.     

Microdisk resonator filters made of dielectric-loaded plasmonic waveguides

Microdisk resonator filters, an alternative to microring resonator filters, are studied by means of vectorial three dimensional finite element method simulations. Their performance characteristics are highlighted for different microdisk radii, and compared with those of the respective, footprint-wise, microring filters. We show that microdisk filters are advantageous, as the resonator involved exhibits smaller radiation losses. Extinction ratios as high as 30 dB are possible by properly tuning the gap separating the waveguide from the microdisk in each case. Transmission dips due to higher-radial-order modes that drastically change the transmission picture appear only for very large microdisk radii.     

Quantum correlation between two qubits induced by a common heat bath

In terms of geometric discord, we study quantum correlations between two qubits interacting with a common heat bath. A necessary and sufficient condition for zero discord for arbitrary two-qubit density matrix is derived. With this condition, we show that a common heat bath can always induce two-qubit quantum correlations if both qubits are initially prepared in arbitrary superposition of “pointer basis”.     

A plasmonic waveguide end-coupled to two plasmonic cavities in a non-Hermitian quantum system for dual-band unidirectional reflectionlessness

We demonstrate the possibility of dual-band unidirectional reflectionlessness in a non-Hermitian quantum system composed of a plasmonic waveguide and two end-coupled plasmonic cavities(PCs).Our scheme exhibits dual-band unidirectional reflectionlessness can be obtained at exceptional points by properly adjusting the coupling strength between two PCs,the ratio of decay rates of two PCs,and the ratio of plasmonic cavity-waveguide coupling strengths.As a valuable feature,the quality factor reaches to~175.4 in forward direction,while the backward quality factor is close to~188.2.     

Quantum discord dynamics of two qubits in single-mode cavities

The dynamics of quantum discord for two identical qubits in two independent single-mode cavities and a common single-mode cavity are discussed. For the initial Bell state with correlated spins, while the entanglement sudden death can occur, the quantum discord vanishes only at discrete moments in the independent cavities and never vanishes in the common cavity. Interestingly, quantum discord and entanglement show opposite behavior in the common cavity, unlike in the independent cavities. For the initial Bell state with anti-correlated spins, quantum discord and entanglement behave in the same way for both independent cavities and a common cavity. It is found that the detunings always stabilize the quantum discord.     

Tunable coupling of a hybrid plasmonic waveguide consisting of two identical dielectric cylinders and a silver film

The propagation length of surface plasmon polaritons(SPPs) is intrinsically limited by the metallic ohmic loss that is enhanced by the strongly confined electromagnetic field. In this paper, we propose a new class of hybrid plasmonic waveguides(HPWs) that can support long-range SPP propagation while keeping subwavelength optical field confinement. It is shown that the coupling between the waveguides can be well tuned by simply varying the structural parameters. Compared with conventional HPWs, a larger propagation length as well as a better optical field confinement can be simultaneously realized. The proposed structure with better optical performance can be useful for future photonic device design and optical integration research.     

Quantum correlation dynamics of two qubits in independent reservoirs with initial system-reservoir correlations

The dynamics of entanglement and quantum discord(QD) between two two-level atoms interacting with two dissipative coupled cavities in the presence of initial atom-cavity correlations is investigated. In comparison with the result of the initial factorized state, we show that the initial state contained quantum correlation of atom-cavity is most robust against the dissipative environment, and the initial atom-cavity correlations, especially the quantum correlation, play a constructive role in the generation of atomic entanglement and QD.Simultaneously, the comparison between Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics, and the influences of inter-cavity hopping rate are also taken into account and analyzed.     

Reducing crosstalk between nanowire-based hybrid plasmonic waveguides

Hybrid plasmonic waveguides based on a surface oxidized dielectric nanowire placed on a metal surface can facilitate simultaneously deep subwavelength mode confinement and large propagation length. Directional coupling based on such waveguides are theoretically investigated. Much lower crosstalk is noticed for such hybrid plasmonic waveguides compared to conventional waveguides based on bare dielectric nanowires. Some modifications, such as vertically placing the metal surfaces or using a metallic block between the nanowires, are studied which can further reduce the crosstalk between two waveguides. The proposed low crosstalk structures based on hybrid plasmonic waveguides can provide a simple platform for plasmonic integration which can at the same time easily interface with traditional photonic circuits.     

三量子比特系统中单个谐振子诱导的量子关联

我们考虑初始无关联并且与由一个谐振子构成的环境之间互相耦合的三量子比特系统。通过研究量子比特-环境的耦合强度以及量子比特初始态对量子关联的影响,我们发现环境可以诱导量子关联,提出并证明了四个命题阐述谐振子如何调控三个量子比特中量子关联的分布。给出了产生量子关联的条件。特别地,对于弱耦合,我们不但能够获得很多的量子关联,而且还使量子比特系统和环境始终处于分离态。一般地,量子关联动力学是很复杂 的,这是由于环境起着两个互相竞争的作用：一方面诱导出各个比特之间的量子关联;另一方面又使它们发生消相干,从而破坏量子关联。     

三量子比特系统中单个谐振子诱导的量子关联

我们考虑初始无关联并且与由一个谐振子构成的环境之间互相耦合的三量子比特系统。通过研究量子比特-环境的耦合强度以及量子比特初始态对量子关联的影响,我们发现环境可以诱导量子关联,提出并证明了四个命题阐述谐振子如何调控三个量子比特中量子关联的分布。给出了产生量子关联的条件。特别地,对于弱耦合,我们不但能够获得很多的量子关联,而且还使量子比特系统和环境始终处于分离态。一般地,量子关联动力学是很复杂 的,这是由于环境起着两个互相竞争的作用：一方面诱导出各个比特之间的量子关联;另一方面又使它们发生消相干,从而破坏量子关联。     

Quantum computation and simulation with superconducting qubits

Superconducting circuits based on Josephson junctions are regarded as one of the most promising technologies for the implementation of scalable quantum computers. This review presents the basic principles of superconducting qubits and shows the progress of quantum computing and quantum simulation based on superconducting qubits in recent years.The experimental realization of gate operations, readout, error correction codes, as well as some quantum algorithms are summarized, followed by an introduction of quantum simulation. And then some important applications in fields including condensed matter physics, quantum annealing, and quantum chemistry are discussed.     

硅基混合表面等离子体纳米光波导及集成器件

总结并展望了硅基混合表面等离子体纳米光波导及集成器件方面的理论和实验研究工作。首先介绍了几种硅基混合表面等离子体纳米光波导结构,其尺寸可小至100 nm以下,而传播长度达100μm量级;其次介绍了基于硅基混合表面等离子体纳米光波导的功分器、偏振分束器和谐振器等集成器件,其尺寸为亚微米量级;最后探讨了硅基混合表面等离子体纳米光波导与硅纳米线光波导的耦合及对其进行增益补偿。     

Quantum Temporal Steering in a Dephasing Channel With Quantum Criticality

We investigate the quantum temporal steering (TS), i.e., a temporal analogue of Einstein‐Podolsky‐Rosen steering, in a dephasing channel which is modeled by a central spin half surrounded by a spin‐1/2 XY chain where quantum phase transition happens. The TS parameter and the TS weight are employed to characterize the TS dynamics. We analytically obtain the dependence of on the decoherence factor. The numerical results show an obvious suppression of and when the XY chain approaches to the critical point. In view of the significance of quantum channel, we develop a new concept, TS weight power, in order to quantify the capacity of the quantum channel in dominating TS behavior. This new quantity enables us to indicate the quantum criticality of the environment by the quantum correlation of TS in the coupled system.     

加入增益介质的表面等离子体激元耦合共振波导传输特性理论研究

将增益介质加入金属环构成的表面等离子体激元耦合共振波导,利用传输矩阵及时域有限差分方法研究了不同增益系数下该耦合共振波导的透射谱线、色散关系以及群折射率.结果表明,增益介质共振频率附近的反常色散及正常色散变化能有效影响由共振波导几何结构决定的色散关系曲线,且具有相反的效果,分别使其变得平坦和陡峭,从而放大和缩小由共振波导几何结构决定的群折射率.另外,增益系数随外加抽运光改变的特点使得加入增益介质的耦合共振波导具有传输性能可灵活调节特性.文章的研究对促进耦合共振波导在高密度光学集成中的广泛应用具有积极意义. 关键词： 增益介质 耦合共振波导 表面等离子体激元 群折射率     

Rashba electron transport in one-dimensional quantum waveguides

The properties of Rashba wave function in the planar one-dimensional waveguide are studied, and the following results are obtained. Due to the Rashba effect, the plane waves of electron with the energy E divide into two kinds of waves with the wave vectors k 1 =k 0 +k δ and k 2 =k 0 -k δ , where k δ is proportional to the Rashba coefficient, and their spin orientations are +π/2 (spin up) and -π/2 (spin down) with respect to the circuit, respectively. If there is gate or ferromagnetic contact in the circuit, the Rashba wave function becomes standing wave form exp(±ik δ l)sin[k 0 (l-L)], where L is the position coordinate of the gate or contact. Unlike the electron without considering the spin, the phase of the Rashba plane or standing wave function depends on the direction angle θ of the circuit. The travel velocity of the Rashba waves with the wave vector k 1 or k 2 are the same hk0/m * . The boundary conditions of the Rashba wave functions at the intersection of circuits are given from the continuity of wave functions and the conservation of current density. Using the boundary conditions of Rashba wave functions we study the transmission and reflection probabilities of Rashba electron moving in several structures, and find the interference effects of the two Rashba waves with different wave vectors caused by ferromagnetic contact or the gate. Lastly we derive the general theory of multiple branches structure. The theory can be used to design various spin polarized devices.     

Steered Quantum Coherence as a Signature of Topological Quantum Phase Transitions in the Extended XY Model

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in exploring coherence measures and correlation measures to characterize topological quantum phase transitions (TQPTs). Here, motivated by the continued push in this direction, the steered quantum coherence (SQC) in the extended XY model is studied to analyze its capability in characterizing TQPTs. It is shown that the first derivative of SQC succeeds in signaling different critical points of TQPTs. In particular, it is found that the SQC is a long-range correlation and the first derivative of SQC can always accurately identify TQPTs for different site distance.     

Heisenberg-Type Quantum Steering by Continuous Weak Measurement in Circuit QED *

Quantum steering has attracted great interest in the last decade, especially in the celebrated optomechanical, cold atom, and quantum optical systems. However, there is still a lack of studies on quantum steering in circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED), which provides a useful experimental platform for revealing novel quantum phenomena. In this work, we investigate the steering of qubit by continuous weak measurement in a circuit QED system and establish a set of multiplicative steering inequalities based on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Different from the widely studied systems mentioned above, multiplicative steering inequalities in the circuit QED system are in various forms. We find that only a portion of them can be used to show the detection dependence of the qubit state and we also analyze the reason. Furthermore, we discuss several conditions for the violation of a typical steering inequality, including the measurement strength and methods in detecting the cavity field as well as the quantum efficiency of the detector. This preliminary work could be helpful to quantum steering experiments in circuit QED systems.     

Spatial Entanglement of Fermions in One-Dimensional Quantum Dots

The time-dependent quantum Monte Carlo method for fermions is introduced and applied in the calculation of the entanglement of electrons in one-dimensional quantum dots with several spin-polarized and spin-compensated electron configurations. The rich statistics of wave functions provided by this method allow one to build reduced density matrices for each electron, and to quantify the spatial entanglement using measures such as quantum entropy by treating the electrons as identical or distinguishable particles. Our results indicate that the spatial entanglement in parallel-spin configurations is rather small, and is determined mostly by the spatial quantum nonlocality introduced by the ground state. By contrast, in the spin-compensated case, the outermost opposite-spin electrons interact like bosons, which prevails their entanglement, while the inner-shell electrons remain largely at their Hartree–Fock geometry. Our findings are in close correspondence with the numerically exact results, wherever such comparison is possible.