Quantum superposition of localized and delocalized phases of photons

Based on a variant of 2-site Jaynes–Cummings–Hubbard model constructed using superconducting circuits, we propose a method to coherently superpose the localized and delocalized phases of microwave photons, which makes it possible to engineer the collective features of multiple photons in the quantum way using an individual two-level system. Our proposed architecture is also a promising candidate for implementing distributed quantum computation since it is capable of coupling remote qubits in separate resonators in a controllable way.     

Hydrogen absorption property and magnetism of SmFeAl and its hydrides

Magnetic properties of SmFeAl and its hydrides synthesized at 298–673 K under 40 bar hydrogen pressure were investigated by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) from 4.2 to 300 K. SmFeAl and its hydrides have a mictomagnetic transition during the field-cooled process. In both SmFeAl and its hydrides, a shifted magnetic hysteresis cycle towards positive magnetization was observed. But when SmFeAlH_x decomposes completely into SmH_x and Fe–Al alloy, this special transition disappears.     

The magnetic properties of Be-codoped GaMnN grown via molecular beam epitaxy

GaMnN and Be-codoped GaMnN were grown via molecular beam epitaxy using a single GaN precursor and their structural and magnetic properties were examined. X-ray diffraction and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements revealed that the grown layers are homogeneous without precipitates. The saturation magnetization of GaMnN has increased from ∼4 to ∼16 emu/cm³ via codoping of Be. The d–d exchange interaction between Mn atoms was discussed for the ferromagnetism of GaMnN.     

Spectrum of Andreev bound states in Josephson junctions with a ferromagnetic insulator

Ferromagnetic-insulator (FI) based Josephson junctions are promising candidates for a coherent superconducting quantum bit as well as a classical superconducting logic circuit. Recently the appearance of an intriguing atomic-scale 0–π$0–\pi$ transition has been theoretically predicted. In order to uncover the mechanism of this phenomena, we numerically calculate the spectrum of Andreev bound states in a FI barrier by diagonalizing the Bogoliubov–de Gennes equation. We show that Andreev spectrum drastically depends on the parity of the FI-layer number L   and accordingly the π(0)$\pi (0)$ state is always more stable than the 0 (π$\pi$) state if L is odd (even).     

Epitaxial MnP thin films: epitaxial growth,magnetic and electrical properties

We have grown 500 Å MnP on undoped GaAs(1 0 0) substrate using solid-source molecular beam epitaxy. In order to characterize the crystal structure of MnP, we performed in-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction and θ–2θ XRD X-ray diffraction studies. From the measurements of superconducting quantum interference device, Quantum Design, MnP thin film shows ferromagnetic ordering at around 291.5 K. It shows a metallic resistivity in MnP thin film.     

Magnetic behavior of Mg–Al–Zn–Fe mixed oxides from precursors layered double hydroxide

Mixed oxides of Mg–Al–Zn–Fe were obtained by calcination of layered double hydroxides (LDH) prepared by coprecipitation reaction with hydrothermal treatment. The structural characterization of precursors and oxides was carried out by X rays diffraction, showing increases of ZnO phase with the increase of the zinc content. Magnetic behavior was studied by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) showing both paramagnetic and super paramagnetic behavior depending on both particles size and composition.     

Non-uniform Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state

We provide a general review of the properties of the non-uniform superconducting Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phase. Special emphasis is made on the orbital and crystal structure effects which may result in the quantum transitions between the higher Landau level states and should be responsible for the strong modification of the anisotropy of the critical field. The FFLO-type instability may be also expected in ultracold Fermi gases. In these systems it is caused not by the Zeeman interaction but by the tuning of the population imbalance between two lowest hyperfine states of the atoms. We also briefly discuss their properties.     

Synthesis of Fe2O3 concentrations and sintering temperature on FTIR and magnetic susceptibility measured from 4 to 300 K of monolith silica gel prepared by sol–gel technique

Nano-crystalline ferric oxide was synthesized inside an amorphous silica matrix by the sol–gel method. The formation of ferric oxide can be detected, giving fine particles around 5–10 nm crystallite sizes calculated from win-fit program. This is associated with a specific role of the silica matrix, which facilitates the diffusion of the reacting cations, enhancing the ferric oxide formation. γ- to α- and/or ε-Fe₂O₃ transformations take place by increasing the Fe₂O₃ concentration for samples sintering at constant-heat treatment temperature. The dried monolith gel materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), as well as by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic susceptibility at zero-field cooling (M_ZFC) of the prepared samples was evaluated using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer in temperature range from 4 to 300 K at 1 T.     

Synthesis and rheological investigation of a magnetic fluid using olivary silica-coated iron particles as a precursor

A new type of magnetic fluid was prepared by dispersing monodispersed iron–silica (Fe–SiO₂) composite particles in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400. The composite particles Fe–SiO₂ were synthesized by hydrogen reduction from α-Fe₂O₃–SiO₂ spheres. Their microstructures were observed by a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and the magnetism was characterized with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Both steady-state and dynamic rheological properties of the magnetic fluid under different magnetic fields were studied by using a rheometer. Experimental results show that this magnetic fluid has a relatively high magnetoviscous effect at low shear rates. The yield stress of this material shows an increasing trend with a magnetic flux density. Also, viscoealstic properties of such materials are different from conventional ones.     

腔QED中超导量子干涉仪概率克隆机的物理实现

提出一个量子概率克隆机的物理实现方案,该方案首先将高Q腔中的两个超导量子干涉仪分别作为初始比特和目标比特,腔模作为测量比特,通过腔模和经典微波脉冲与超导量子干涉仪的多种相互作用实现量子概率克隆机的幺正演化;然后将腔模态映射到另一个超导量子干涉仪上,通过对该超导量子干涉仪磁通量的测量完成状态坍缩,从而以最优的成功概率实现量子态的精确克隆.本方案采用双光子拉曼共振过程加快单比特门的操作速率,并且总操作时间远小于自发辐射和腔模衰变时间,因而在实验上是可行的.     

Superconductivity and normal state resistivity of Ba0.6K0.4BiO3: an optical phonon approach

We discuss the nature of the pairing mechanism and the physical properties associated with the normal as well as the superconducting state of cubic perovskites Ba_0.6K_0.4BiO₃using the strong coupling theory. An interaction potential which includes the Coulomb, electron–optical phonon and electron–plasmon interactions is developed to elucidate the superconducting state. A model dielectric function is constructed with these interactions fulfilling thef-sum rule. The screening parameter (μ^* = 0.26) infers the poor screening of charge carriers. The electron–optical phonon strength (λ) estimated as 0.98 is consistent with an attractive electron–electron interaction and supports the moderate to strong coupling theory. The superconducting transition temperature of Ba_0.6K_0.4BiO₃is then estimated as 32 K. Ziman's formula of resistivity is employed to analyse and compare this with the temperature-dependent resistivity of a single crystal. The estimated contribution from the electron–optical phonon together with the residual resistivity clearly infers a difference when a comparison is made with experimental data. The subtracted data infer a quadratic temperature dependence in the temperature domain (30 ≤ T ≤ 200 K). The quadratic temperature dependence of ρ [ = ρ_exp − (ρ₀ + ρ_e–ph)] is understood in terms of 3D electron–electron inelastic scattering. The presence of these el–el and el–ph interactions allows a coherent interpretation of the physical properties. Analysis reveals that a moderate to strong coupling exists in the Ba_0.6K_0.4BiO₃system and the coupling of electrons with the high-energy optical phonons of the oxygen breathing mode will be a reason for superconductivity. The implications of the above analysis are discussed.     

基于超导量子比特的电磁感应透明研究进展

超导量子计算是目前被认为最有希望实现量子计算机的方案之一. 超导量子比特是超导量子计算的核心部件. 如何尽可能的增加超导量子比特的退相干时间, 大规模的集成超导量子比特已成为超导量子计算研究的主要方向. 超导量子比特作为宏观的人工原子, 有许多量子光学现象都能够在其中观测到. 利用超导量子比特实现电磁感应透明为研究超导量子比特的退相干机理提供了新手段, 为研究非线性光学、光存储、光的超慢速传输等量子光学效应开辟了新思路. 本文介绍了电磁感应透明的理论基础, 总结了目前针对超导量子比特的电磁感应透明研究进展, 对比了一般气体原子与超导量子比特的电磁感应透明区别, 并对超导量子比特实现电磁感应透明的潜在应用进行了总结和展望.     

B and Pt NMR study of the superconductors Li2(Pd1−xPtx)3B without inversion symmetry

We report the ¹¹B and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR measurements in non-centrosymmetric superconductors Li₂(Pd_1−xPt_x)₃B (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0). From the measurements of spin–lattice relaxation time (T₁), we found that there was a coherence peak (CP) just below superconducting transition temperature (T_c) for x = 0–0.5 but no CP in x = 1. We demonstrated that the system for x = 0–0.5 were BCS superconductors but there existed line node in the superconducting gap for x = 1.0. The ¹⁹⁵Pt Knight Shift in x = 0.2 decreased below T_c, indicating spin-singlet state. The results showed that BCS superconducting state evolves into an exotic state with line-nodes in the gap function when x is increased, as the spin–orbit coupling is enhanced.     

Landau–Zener–Stückelberg interferometry

A transition between energy levels at an avoided crossing is known as a Landau–Zener transition. When a two-level system (TLS) is subject to periodic driving with sufficiently large amplitude, a sequence of transitions occurs. The phase accumulated between transitions (commonly known as the Stückelberg phase) may result in constructive or destructive interference. Accordingly, the physical observables of the system exhibit periodic dependence on the various system parameters. This phenomenon is often referred to as Landau–Zener–Stückelberg (LZS) interferometry. Phenomena related to LZS interferometry occur in a variety of physical systems. In particular, recent experiments on LZS interferometry in superconducting TLSs (qubits) have demonstrated the potential for using this kind of interferometry as an effective tool for obtaining the parameters characterizing the TLS as well as its interaction with the control fields and with the environment. Furthermore, strong driving could allow for fast and reliable control of the quantum system. Here we review recent experimental results on LZS interferometry, and we present related theory.     

Thin spectrum states in bulk superconductors and superconducting grains

We show how a local pairing model for superconductivity can be used to describe the symmetry breaking mechanism in exact analogy to the cases of quantum crystals and antiferromagnets. We find that there are low energy states associated with the symmetry breaking process which are not influenced by the Anderson-Higgs mechanism. The presence of these ‘thin spectrum’ states in qubits based on superconducting material leads to a maximum time for which such qubits can remain quantum coherent. We also show how the charging energy of superconducting quantum dots may give the thin spectrum states a finite energy gap, impeding the spontaneous breaking of phase symmetry.     

Exciton luminescence in In0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs quantum well heterostructures

Emission maxima related to the recombination of excitons (e1–hh1, e1–lh1, e2–hh2, and e2–lh2) were observed in photoluminescence spectra of GaAs/In_0.3Ga_0.7As/GaAs quantum wells. The emission bands due to e1–hh1 and e1–lh1 transitions were found to have a doublet character explained by the exchange interaction of excitons in quantum wells. Emission bands due to radiative E^b–hh1, E^b–lh1 transitions in the buffer GaAs layer are observed in the region of 1.5 eV.     

中国超导电子学研究及应用进展

超导体的发现距今已有近110年了,高温超导体的发现也已经有30多年了.超导材料的电子学应用在最近一二十年取得了突破性进展.高温超导微波器件显示了比传统微波器件更优越的性能,已经在移动通信、雷达和一些特殊通信系统中取得了规模化应用.超导量子干涉器件以其磁场和电流测量的超高灵敏度,成为地质勘探、磁共振成像和生物磁成像等领域不可替代的手段.包括超导隧道结混频器、超导热电子混频器、超导转变沿探测器及超导单光子探测器等在内的超导传感器/探测器可以探测全波段的电磁波及各种宇宙辐射,具有接近量子极限的超高灵敏度,在地球物理、天体物理、量子信息技术、材料科学及生物医学等众多前沿领域发挥越来越重要的作用.超导参量放大器已经成为实现超导量子计算的关键器件.超导集成电路技术已被列入国际器件与系统技术路线图,成为后摩尔时代微电子领域的前沿阵地之一.在计量科学中,超导约瑟夫森效应及约瑟夫森结阵器件被广泛应用于量子电压基准和国际单位制基本单位的重新定义中.在当前的量子信息技术热潮中,超导电子学扮演重要角色,同时量子热潮也大力推动了超导电子学的发展.本文主要对近几年我国超导电子学研究和应用的现状与进展进行概括总结.     

I–V characteristics and critical currents in superconducting/ferromagnetic bilayers

Current–voltage (I–V) characteristics and critical current density, J_c, for the onset of vortex motion were measured at different magnetic fields, H, and temperatures, T, in a superconducting (S)/ferromagnetic (F) bilayer and in a single Nb film. We choose Nb as a superconductor and a weak ferromagnetic alloy, Pd_1−xNi_x with x = 16, as F. We found that J_c was smaller for the S/F bilayer with respect to the single Nb film. The result was related to the reduced value of the superconducting order parameter in the bilayer.     

Dependence of temperature-dependent electrical resistivity of SrIrO3 on hydrostatic pressure to 9.1 kbar

Non-Fermi-liquid behavior and close proximity to a quantum critical point in the 5d transition metal iridate SrIrO₃ at ambient pressure motivate our search for possible anomalous behavior in its transport properties under pressure. The electrical resistivity in the ab-plane of a single crystal of SrIrO₃ has been measured over the temperature range 1.35–285 K at both ambient and 9.1 kbar hydrostatic pressure. The resistivity decreases slightly over the entire temperature range, but no superconducting transition or changes in the non-Fermi-liquid behavior are observed under pressure. It is estimated that significantly higher pressures are likely required before sizable changes in the properties of SrIrO₃ will occur.     

Sol–gel synthesis of 8 nm magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and their magnetic properties

Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a sol–gel method. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and Mössbauer spectrometry. XRD and Mössbauer measurements indicate that the obtained nanoparticles are single phase. TEM analysis shows the presence of spherical nanoparticles with homogeneous size distribution of about 8 nm. Room temperature ferromagnetics behavior was confirmed by SQUID measurements. The mechanism of nanoparticles formation and the comparison with recent results are discussed. Finally, the synthesized nanoparticles present a potential candidate for hyperthermia application given their saturation magnetization.