Ultrafast optical spin injection into image-potential states of Cu(001)

We report the observation of a net spin polarization in the n=1 image-potential state at the Cu(001) surface. The spin polarization is achieved by spin-selective multiphoton excitation of electrons from the spin-orbit split Cu d bands to the image-potential state using circularly polarized ultrafast light pulses. We show that by tuning the exciting photon energy, we can adjust the resonant coupling of the image-potential state to d bands of different double-group symmetry. This allows us to tune the spin polarization injected into the image-potential state.     

Coherent optical writing and reading of the exciton spin state in single quantum dots

We demonstrate a one-to-one correspondence between the polarization state of a light pulse tuned to neutral exciton resonances of single semiconductor quantum dots and the spin state of the exciton that it photogenerates. This is accomplished using two variably polarized and independently tuned picosecond laser pulses. The first "writes" the spin state of the resonantly excited exciton. The second is tuned to biexcitonic resonances, and its absorption is used to "read" the exciton spin state. The absorption of the second pulse depends on its polarization relative to the exciton spin direction. Changes in the exciton spin result in corresponding changes in the intensity of the photoluminescence from the biexciton lines which we monitor, obtaining thus a one-to-one mapping between any point on the Poincaré sphere of the light polarization to a point on the Bloch sphere of the exciton spin.     

多量子比特核磁共振体系的实验操控技术

随着量子信息与量子计算科学的发展,量子信息处理器被广泛地用于量子计算、量子模拟、量子度量等方面的研究.为了能在实验上实现这些日益复杂的方案,将量子计算机的潜能转化成现实,需要不断提高可操控的量子体系比特位数,实现更复杂的量子操控.核磁共振自旋体系作为一个优秀的量子实验测试平台,提供了丰富而又精密的量子操控手段.近几年来在此平台上进行了不少的多量子比特实验,发展并积累了一系列的多量子比特实验技术.本文首先阐述了核磁共振体系多量子比特实验中的实验困难,然后结合7量子比特标记赝纯态制备以及其他有关实验,对多比特实验过程中应用到的实验技术进行介绍.最后对核磁共振体系多量子比特实验技术方向的进一步研究进行了总结和展望.     

Quantum information processing and metrology with color centers in diamonds

The Nitrogen Vacancy （NV） center is becoming a promising qubit for quantum information processing. The defect has a long coherence time at room temperature and it allows spin state initialized and read out by laser and manipulated by microwave pulses. It has been utilized as a ultra sensi- tive probe for magnetic fields and remote spins as well. Here, we review the recent progresses in experimental demonstrations based on NV centers. We first introduce our work on implementation of the Deutsch- Jozsa algorithm with a single electronic spin in diamond. Then the quantum nature of the bath around the center spin is revealed and continuous wave dynamical decoupling has been demonstrated. By applying dynamical decoupling, a multi-pass quantum metrology protocol is realized to enhance phase estimation. In the final, we demonstrated NV center can be regarded as a ultra-sensitive sensor spin to implement nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） imaging at nanoscale.     

Coherence control of Hall charge and spin currents

Using two-color optical coherence control techniques in intrinsic GaAs at 80 K with orthogonally polarized 70 fs, 1430 and 715 nm pulses, we generate a pure spin source current that yields a transverse Hall pure charge current; or alternatively, with parallel polarized pulses, we generate a pure charge source current that yields a pure spin current. By varying the relative phase or polarization of the incident pulses, one can effectively tune the type, magnitude and direction of both the source and transverse currents without application of electric or magnetic fields.     

用于指导仲氢诱导核极化状态保存的己烯分子中五自旋的单重态制备和寿命研究

仲氢诱导核极化（PHIP）技术能极大地增强核磁共振（NMR）信号的灵敏度,已被应用于磁共振成像、原位化学反应监测等领域．除了不断提高不同分子极化后的灵敏度外,延长和保存高极化度状态对PHIP技术的应用也至关重要,其中将极化后的状态制备成核自旋单重态是目前被研究较多的一种方法．本文以能被PHIP技术极化的己烯分子为研究对象,通过设计优化控制脉冲,对分子中的一个五自旋体系进行操控,制备了多种核自旋单重态,结果表明：己烯分子的碳-碳双键上存在三种不同的核自旋单重态,它们的寿命均长于仲氢极化后产生的初始态的寿命,可以作为延缓极化度衰减的一种中间态;通过对比单重态的寿命与相应自旋的纵向弛豫时间发现,将极化后己烯的状态转化为纵向磁化可能也是一种保存极化度的有效方法．     

Investigation of ultrafast nuclear spin polarization induced by short laser pulses

We theoretically investigate the dynamics of nuclear spin induced by short laser pulses and show that ultrafast nuclear spin polarization can take place. Combined use of the hyperfine interaction together with the static electric field is the key for that. Specifically we apply the idea to unstable isotopes, (27)Mg and (37)Ca, with nuclear spin of 1/2 and 3/2, respectively, and show that 88% and 62% of nuclear spin polarization can be achieved within a few to tens of ns, which is 2-3 orders of magnitude shorter than the time needed for any known optical methods. Because of its ultrafast nature, our scheme would be very effective not only for stable nuclei but also unstable nuclei with a lifetime as short as mus.     

Dynamic nuclear polarization in pulsed ENDOR experiments

Properly prepared pulse sequences of microwave and radio frequency have been employed to investigate the effect of polarization transfer from the polarized photo excited triplet state of pentacene in p-terphenyl crystals to the surrounding protons in pulsed ENDOR experiments. The ENDOR signal, measured as the change of electron spin echo (ESE) amplitude, is affected by the mode of RF pulses. When B0 parallelx (the long molecular axis), the ESE amplitude of the high-field transition of the triplet state changes from the maximum positive to zero with a pi RF pulse, and to the maximum negative with a 2pi pulse, while that of the low-field transition changes from nearly zero to the maximum negative as the RF pulse width increases. The effect is attributed to the strong electron spin polarization produced in the creation of the photoexcited triplet state and the subsequent efficient electron- nuclear polarization transfer process.     

Optically induced rotation of an exciton spin in a semiconductor quantum dot

We demonstrate control over the spin state of a semiconductor quantum dot exciton using a polarized picosecond laser pulse slightly detuned from a biexciton resonance. The control pulse follows an earlier pulse, which generates an exciton and initializes its spin state as a coherent superposition of its two nondegenerate eigenstates. The control pulse preferentially couples one component of the exciton state to the biexciton state, thereby rotating the exciton's spin direction. We detect the rotation by measuring the polarization of the exciton spectral line as a function of the time difference between the two pulses. We show experimentally and theoretically how the angle of rotation depends on the detuning of the second pulse from the biexciton resonance.     

光子的自旋与光波的偏振

从宏观以及微观两个方面对光子的自旋与光波的偏振态作了简要的说明,并从原子角动量的变化规律说明了角动量与光子自旋之间的关系,也为进一步研究光的本性提供了一些观点。     

The von Neumann representation as a joint time–frequency parameterization for polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses

We generalize the joint time–frequency von Neumann representation of femtosecond laser pulses for usage with time-dependent polarization states. The electric field is expanded in terms of Gaussian-shaped transform-limited subpulses located on a discrete time–frequency lattice, each with a specific polarization state. This formalism provides an intuitive picture for the time- and frequency-dependent polarization state. It can also serve as a basis for polarization pulse shaping. As an illustration, we define pulses for which polarization parameters (ellipticity and orientation) are given directly in time–frequency phase space. This approach has applications in quantum control and other areas for which time- and frequency-dependent light polarization is relevant.     

Spin polarization in fullerene derivatives containing a nitroxide group. Observation of the intermediate photoexcited quartet state in radical triplet pair interaction

A series of C₆₀ fullerene derivatives containing a nitroxide group has been photoexcited by short LASER pulses in the microwave cavity of a cw-EPR spectrometer. Strongly spin polarized signals have been observed, in glassy matrix as well as in liquid solution, for both the ground electronic state and the excited quartet state. In the quartet state the excitation resides in the fullerene part and the molecule constitutes a triplet-radical pair with the partner covalently linked. The absorptive or emissive character of the transitions is explained in terms of the mechanism of radicaltriplet interaction producing spin polarization. Opposite initial sign and polarization patterns are observed for molecules with different spacer between nitroxide and fullerene. The time evolution of the relevant sublevel populations is fitted by a kinetic model taking into account quartet decay constants, quartet and doublet spin-lattice relaxation rates and branching ratios.     

Enhancement of efficiency in photo-excitation to the triplet state by laser-pulse reshaping

An optical system is proposed to enhance efficiency in photo-excitation to the triplet state by reshaping an original laser pulse into a train of pulses. This optical system can be used to improve the attainable nuclear spin polarization in dynamic nuclear polarization experiments using photo-excited triplet electron spins.     

Spin-polarized tunneling spectroscopy of co(0001) surface States

Spin-polarized tunneling was studied on Co surfaces of exchange coupled Co/Cu/Co samples, using an Fe tip. A spin-polarized surface state of Co(0001) was found to exist at -0.43 eV relative to E(F), with FWHM of 0.23 eV in the spectra. The state exhibits negative magnetoresistance with an effective spin polarization of less than -23%, suggesting negatively high spin polarization of the surface state. Our first-principles calculations have supported the existence of the surface state. From the calculation, the state is identified as a minority spin Gamma-centered d(2)(z)-like surface state.     

Phase diagram of a strongly interacting polarized Fermi gas in one dimension

Based on the integrable Gaudin model and local density approximation, we discuss the ground state of a one-dimensional trapped Fermi gas with imbalanced spin population, for an arbitrary attractive interaction. A phase separation state, with a polarized superfluid core immersed in an unpolarized superfluid shell, emerges below a critical spin polarization. Above it, coexistence of polarized superfluid matter and a fully polarized normal gas is favored. These two exotic states could be realized experimentally in highly elongated atomic traps, and diagnosed by measuring the lowest density compressional mode. We identify the polarized superfluid as having an Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov structure, and predict the resulting mode frequency as a function of the spin polarization.     

J pulses for multiplet-selective NMR

Exact product operator solutions have been obtained for the evolution of weakly coupled spin-(1/2) I(m)S(n) systems during arbitrary RF irradiation of one spin. These solutions, which completely characterize the nature of J-coupling modulation during RF pulses, show that significant exchange occurs between single-spin magnetization and two-spin product operator states when the RF field strength is comparable to the coupling. In particular, a long (t(p) = [2J](-1) s), low-power (B(1) = J/2 Hz), constant amplitude pulse applied on resonance to one spin in an IS system completely interconverts the spinstates S(z) <--> 2S(x)I(z) and S(x) <--> 2S(z)I(z) when the RF is applied to the S spins, and interconverts S(x) <--> 2S(y)I(y) in 100% yield when the RF is applied to the I spins. Thus, these "J pulses," which select a bandwidth approximately equal to J Hz, may replace any combination of a (2J)(-1) delay period and a consecutive hard 90 degrees pulse in any polarization transfer or multiple quantum sequence. Although these rectangular pulses are highly frequency selective, in general they increase the replaced (2J)(-1) period by only a modest 40%, a time saving of a factor of 5 compared to existing pulses exhibiting the same selectivity. In favorable cases, there is no increase in duration of a pulse sequence using a particular type of J pulse, the 90(J) variety, which accomplishes the third spin state transformation listed above. J pulses will be advantageous for systems subject to rapid signal loss from relaxation and more generally for the enhanced operation of pulse sequences via the use of J modulation during RF irradiation.     

Ultrafast transport of laser-excited spin-polarized carriers in Au/Fe/MgO(001)

Hot carrier-induced spin dynamics is analyzed in epitaxial Au/Fe/MgO(001) by a time domain approach. We excite a spin current pulse in Fe by 35 fs laser pulses. The transient spin polarization, which is probed at the Au surface by optical second harmonic generation, changes its sign after a few hundred femtoseconds. This is explained by a competition of ballistic and diffusive propagation considering energy-dependent hot carrier relaxation rates. In addition, we observe the decay of the spin polarization within 1 ps, which is associated with the hot carrier spin relaxation time in Au.     

Normal state of a polarized fermi gas at unitarity

We study the Fermi gas at unitarity and at T=0 by assuming that, at high polarizations, it is a normal Fermi liquid composed of weakly interacting quasiparticles associated with the minority spin atoms. With a quantum Monte Carlo approach we calculate their effective mass and binding energy, as well as the full equation of state of the normal phase as a function of the concentration x=n downward arrow/n upward arrow of minority atoms. We predict a first order phase transition from normal to superfluid at x(c)=0.44 corresponding, in the presence of harmonic trapping, to a critical polarization P(c)=(N upward arrow - N downward arrow/(N upward arrow + N downward arrow)=77%. We calculate the radii and the density profiles in the trap and predict that the frequency of the spin dipole mode will be increased by a factor of 1.23 due to interactions.     

Poincaré representation of polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses

The usage of Poincaré phase space for the representation of polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses is discussed. In these types of light fields the polarization state (i.e. ellipticity and orientation) changes as a function of time within a single laser pulse. Such deliberate variation can be achieved by frequency-domain femtosecond pulse shaping in which two polarization components are manipulated individually. Here it is shown how these light pulses can be represented as temporal trajectories through the ellipticity-orientation (Poincaré) phase space, whereas conventional light (either continuous-wave or pulsed) is determined by only one specific Poincaré location. General properties of parametric Poincaré trajectories are discussed, and their relation to experimentally accessible pulse-manipulation parameters (i.e. amplitudes and phases) determined. Specifically, it is shown how the maximum rate by which a given polarization state can be turned into a different one (at significant intensity levels) is limited by the spectral laser bandwidth. Apart from their direct usage in polarization-shaped pulse representation, Poincaré trajectories also form the basis for intuitive quasi-three-dimensional renderings of the electric field profile. There, the temporal evolution of polarization, intensity, and chirp is directly apparent in a single illustration. Received: 10 December 2002 / Published online: 24 April 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +49-931/888-4906, E-mail: brixner@physik.uni-wuerzburg.de     

In-plane magnetic field-induced spin polarization and transition to insulating behavior in two-dimensional hole systems

Using a novel technique, we make quantitative measurements of the spin polarization of dilute [ (3.4-6.8)x10(10) cm(-2)] GaAs (311)A two-dimensional holes as a function of an in-plane magnetic field. As the field is increased the system gradually becomes spin polarized, with the degree of spin polarization depending on the orientation of the field relative to the crystal axes. Moreover, the behavior of the system turns from metallic to insulating before it is fully spin polarized. The minority-spin population at the transition is approximately 8x10(9) cm(-2), close to the density below which the system makes a transition to an insulating state in the absence of a magnetic field.