Suppression of radiative decay of CdTe quantum dots in a photonic crystal with a pseudogap

Abstract

Observation-angle dependence of the spontaneous emission life-time of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a pseudogap photonic crystal (PC) film has been demonstrated. Comparison of two PC films with different photonic band-gaps (PBGs) differentiates the PBG effect from the electronic and/or chemical interactions between CdTe QDs and the host medium. This lifetime modification of QDs by a PC with pseudogap can be very useful in applications for optoelectronic devices such as QD lasers and QD switches.     

Spontaneous emission by an ensemble of dipoles coupled to a plasmonic nanoresonator

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous emission from ensembles of quantum emitters (QEs) such as atoms, molecules or semiconductor quantum dots can be greatly enhanced by cooperative effects arising from electromagnetic correlations. We describe a cooperative mechanism for emission of light by an ensemble of QEs based upon cooperative energy transfer from QEs to localized surface plasmons in metal-dielectric structures followed by plasmon radiation at a rate that scales with the ensemble size. For large QE ensembles saturating the plasmon mode volume, we derive universal, i.e. independent of local field distribution, expression for cooperative Purcell factor that can by far exceed the field enhancement limits for individual QE in a hot spot. We also derive radiated power spectrum that retains the plasmon resonance lineshape and, in contrast to common cooperative mechanisms, is insensitive to natural variations of QEs' emission frequencies.     

Quantum non-demolition measurements using cold atoms in an optical cavity

Abstract

In this paper we present a theoretical analysis of a recent quantum non-demolition experiment in optics using cold atoms in a magneto-optical trap as a nonlinear medium. A signal beam and a meter beam from two independent lasers are coupled within a A-type three-level scheme in the D1 line of ⁸⁷Rb atoms. The experimental results for the relevant quantum correlations of the fields represent up to now the best achievement for a single back-action evading measurement. Moreover, they are found to be in remarkably good agreement with the theoretical predictions from a fully quantum model for three-level atoms in a doubly resonant cavity.     

Cooperative Atomic Behaviour and Oscillator Formation in a Squeezed Vacuum

Abstract

Time-dependent (numerical) results are presented for super-radiant behaviour in the Dicke model of N _a = 2, 3 atoms in a broad band squeezed vacuum. This concerns the fluctuations and the intensity of the fluorescent radiation as well as the atomic population inversion of the system with atoms initially in an atomic coherent state. In the steady state, and in the N _a → ∞, we show that the ‘atomic’ Dicke model behaves like a ‘giant quantum oscillator’, in which the number of excited atoms asymptotically approaches the average number of photons in the resonant mode of the squeezed vacuum, just as in the thermally driven case.     

Analysis of the Filling Pattern Dependence of the Photonic Bandgap for Two-dimensional Systems

Abstract

We investigate in this paper different aspects of the absolute photonic bandgap (PBG) formation for a two-dimensional periodic dielectric structure. In particular we examine how the symmetry of the filling pattern in a periodic dielectric material influences the photonic gap parameters. We present the results of the calculations and discuss the existence of the absolute PBG, the maximization of its width as a function of the parameters of a two-dimensional dielectric crystal as well as the practical technological feasibility of these optimized structures.     

Spontaneous and Induced Atomic Decay in Photonic Band Structures

Abstract

We present a comprehensive quantum electrodynamical analysis of the interaction between a continuum with photonic band gaps (PBGs) or frequency cut-off and an excited two-level atom, which can be either ‘bare’ or ‘dressed’ by coupling to a near-resonant field mode. A diversity of novel features in the atom and field dynamics is shown to arise from the non-Markovian character of radiative decay into such a continuum of modes. Firstly the excited atom is shown to evolve, by spontaneous decay, into a superposition of non-decaying single-photon dressed states, each having an energy in a different PBG, and a decaying component. This superposition is determined by the atomic resonance shift, induced by the spontaneously emitted photon, into or out of a PBG. The main novel feature exhibited by the decaying excited-state component is the occurrence of beats between the shifted atomic resonance frequency and the PBG cut-off frequencies, corresponding to a non-Lorentzian emission spectrum. Secondly the induced decay of a resonantly driven atom into such a continuum exhibits a cascade of transitions down the ladder of dressed states, which are labelled by decreasing photon numbers of the driving mode. Remarkably, this cascade is terminated at the dressed-state doublet, from which all subsequent transitions to lower doublets are forbidden because they fall within the PBG. This doublet then becomes an attractor state for the populations of higher-lying doublets. As a result, the photon-number distribution of the driving mode becomes strongly sub-Poissonian.     

Generation of photon number states on demand

Abstract

Experiments with single atoms have become routine. In this paper two groups of these experiments will be reviewed with special emphasis on applications to study quantum phenomena in the atom-radiation interaction. The first one deals with the one-atom maser and the second one with another cavity quantum electrodynamic device on the basis of trapped ions. The latter device has interesting applications in quantum computing and quantum information.     

Non-local quantum gates: A cavity-quantum-electrodynamics implementation

Abstract

The problems related to the management of large quantum registers could be handled in the context of distributed quantum computation: unitary non-local transformations among spatially separated local processors are realized performing local unitary transformations and exchanging classical communication. In this paper, a scheme is proposed for the implementation of universal non-local quantum gates such as a controlled NOT (CNOT) and a controlled quantum phase gate (CQPG). The system chosen for their physical implementation is a cavity-quantum-electrodynamics (CQED) system formed by two spatially separated microwave cavities and two trapped Rydberg atoms. The procedures to follow for the realization of each step necessary to perform a specific non-local operation are described.     

Intracavity Optical Bistability Driven by Squeezed Light from a Parametric Amplifier

Abstract

We describe the theory of optical bistability when atoms are collectively excited within the cavity of a parametric oscillator. Both optical bistability and parametric amplification can squeeze significantly the cavity-field quantum noise. When they are coupled together we find significant changes both on the mean value bistability and on the spectrum of squeezing as the parametric coupling increases. These are calculated directly from the appropriate master equation for the density matrix using a quantum distribution function (positive P) to develop Fokker—Planck and Ito equations.     

Entangling neutral atoms for quantum information processing

Abstract

We review recent proposals for performing entanglement manipulation via cold collisions between neutral atoms. State-dependent, time-varying trapping potentials allow one to control the interaction between atoms, so that conditional phase shifts realizing a universal quantum gate can be obtained with high fidelity. We discuss possible physical implementations with existing experimental techniques, for example optical lattices and magnetic micro-traps.     

Polymorphism of Extended Fullerene Networks: Geometrical Parameters and Electronic Structures

Abstract

The morphology of fullerene networks can be widely extended by introducing heptagonal or octagonal rings, which produce a Gaussian negative curvature. Their presence makes it possible to form donut-, coil- and sponge-shaped networks of carbon atoms. We discuss the geometry of the polymorphous forms based on the net diagram method relative to a honeycomb lattice, and further study the electronic structures constructed by the network of electrons system. Special emphasis is put on how the geometrical paramateres, which specify the relative arrangement of polygonal ring, control the electronic structures in the various extended-fullerene networks. In addition, we mention that the presence of a certain type of edge in fullerene network derives critical localized edge stages at the Fermi level.     

Entanglement transfer from light to atoms

Abstract

We describe an approach to mapping of a quantum polarization state of free propagating light on a collective spin of an atomic ensemble. Recent experimental results on generation of a macroscopic spin squeezed ensemble of cold atoms via interaction with squeezed light are analysed in detail.     

Thin Helium Film on a Glass Substrate

We investigate by Monte Carlo simulations the structure, energetics and superfluid properties of thin ⁴He films (up to four layers) on a glass substrate, at low temperature. The first adsorbed layer is found to be solid and “inert”, i.e., atoms are localized and do not participate to quantum exchanges. Additional layers are liquid, with no clear layer separation above the second one. It is found that a single ³He impurity resides on the outmost layer, not significantly further away from the substrate than ⁴He atoms on the same layer.     

A short guide to topological terms in the effective theories of condensed matter

Abstract

This article is meant as a gentle introduction to the topological terms that often play a decisive role in effective theories describing topological quantum effects in condensed matter systems. We first take up several prominent examples, mainly from the area of quantum magnetism and superfluids/superconductors. We then briefly discuss how these ideas are now finding incarnations in the studies of symmetry-protected topological phases, which are in a sense a generalization of the concept of topological insulators to a wider range of materials, including magnets and cold atoms.     

Many electron effects in semiconductor quantum dots

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) exhibit shell structures, very similar to atoms. Termed as ’artificial atoms’ by some, they are much larger (1 100 nm) than real atoms. One can study a variety of manyelectron effects in them, which are otherwise difficult to observe in a real atom. We have treated these effects within the local density approximation (LDA) and the Harbola-Sahni (HS) scheme. HS is free of the self-interaction error of the LDA. Our calculations have been performed in a three-dimensional quantum dot. We have carried out a study of the size and shape dependence of the level spacing. Scaling laws for the Hubbard ‘U’ are established.     

Quantum network architecture of tight-binding models with substitution sequences

Abstract

We study a two-spin quantum Turing architecture, in which discrete local rotations {α_m} of the Turing head spin alternate with quantum controlled NOT operations. Substitution sequences are known to underlie aperiodic structures. We show that parameter inputs {α_m} described by such sequences can lead here to a quantum dynamics, intermediate between the regular and the chaotic variant. Exponential parameter sensitivity characterizing chaotic quantum Turing machines turns out to be an adequate criterion for induced quantum chaos in a quantum network.     

Quantum correlations,local interactions and error correction

Abstract

We consider the effects of local interactions upon quantum mechanically entangled systems. In particular we demonstrate that non-local correlations cannot increase through local operations on any of the subsystems, but that through the use of quantum error correction methods, correlations can be maintained. We provide two mathematical proofs that local general measurements cannot increase correlations, and also derive general conditions for quantum error correcting codes. Using these we show that local quantum error correction can preserve non-local features of entangled quantum systems. We also demonstrate these results by use of specific examples employing correlated optical cavities interacting locally with resonant atoms. By way of counter example, we also describe a mechanism by which correlations can be increased, which demonstrates the need for non-local interactions.     

Can the kicked top be realized?

Abstract

Collections of identical two-level atoms can give rise to (quantum) chaotic behaviour if non-resonantly coupled to a resonator mode and periodically driven. Observation of such chaos would require a new generation of experiments on microwave superradiance, or optical variants thereof which would exploit the strong coupling characteristic of very small cavities. Similarly, collections of identical three-level atoms non-resonantly coupled to two cavity modes could provide ‘SU(3) laboratories’, capable of realizing the semiclassical and classical limits of SU(3) dynamics, both integrable and chaotic. Some of the more interesting modes of behaviour of such systems are discussed.