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At least 217 records · Page 12

Quantum transport response of topological hinge modes

Electronic topological phases are typified by the conducting surface states that exist on the boundary of an insulating three-dimensional bulk. While the transport response of the two-dimensional surface states has been studied, the quantum response of the one-dimensional hinge modes has not been demonstrated. Here we provide evidence for quantum transport in gapless topological hinge states existing within the insulating bulk and surface energy gaps in the intrinsic topological insulator α-Bi 4 Br 4 . Our magnetoresistance measurements reveal pronounced Aharonov–Bohm oscillations that are periodic in h/e (where h denotes Planck’s constant and e is the electron charge). The observed periodicity evinces quantum interference of electrons circumnavigating around the hinges. We also demonstrate that the h/e oscillations evolve as a function of magnetic field orientation, following the interference paths along the hinge modes that are allowed by topology and symmetry. Furthermore, our findings reveal the quantum transport response of topological hinge modes with both topological nature and quantum coherence, which can eventually be applied to the development of efficient topological electronic devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Entanglement-assisted electron microscopy based on a flux qubit

A notorious problem in high-resolution biological electron microscopy is radiation damage caused by probe electrons. Hence, acquisition of data with minimal number of electrons is of critical importance. Quantum approaches may represent the only way to improve the resolution in this context, but all proposed schemes to date demand delicate control of the electron beam in highly unconventional electron optics. Here we propose a scheme that involves a flux qubit based on a radio-frequency superconducting quantum interference device, inserted in a transmission electron microscope. The scheme significantly improves the prospect of realizing a quantum-enhanced electron microscope for radiation-sensitive specimens.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Quantum neural networks: Current status and prospects for development

The idea of quantum artificial neural networks, first formulated in [34], unites the artificial neural network concept with the quantum computation paradigm. Quantum artificial neural networks were first systematically considered in the PhD thesis by T. Menneer (1998). Based on the works of Menneer and Narayanan [42, 43], Kouda, Matsui, and Nishimura [35, 36], Altaisky [2, 68], Zhou [67], and others, quantum-inspired learning algorithms for neural networks were developed, and are now used in various training programs and computer games [29, 30]. The first practically realizable scaled hardware-implemented model of the quantum artificial neural network is obtained by D-Wave Systems, Inc. [33]. It is a quantum Hopfield network implemented on the basis of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). In this work we analyze possibilities and underlying principles of an alternative way to implement quantum neural networks on the basis of quantum dots. A possibility of using quantum neural network algorithms in automated control systems, associative memory devices, and in modeling biological and social networks is examined.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Quantum State Engineering Via Coherent-State Superpositions

The quantum interference between the two parts of the optical Schrodinger-cat state makes possible to construct a wide class of quantum states via discrete superpositions of coherent states. Even a small number of coherent states can approximate the given quantum states at a high accuracy when the distance between the coherent states is optimized, e. g. nearly perfect Fock state can be constructed by discrete superpositions of n + 1 coherent states lying in the vicinity of the vacuum state.

Janszky, Jozsef↗

Quantum simulations of dark sector showers

We consider dark sector scenarios where dark matter is accompanied by a dark photon and multiple-flavor dark fermions charged under the dark gauge group. We study quantum interference effects in dark sector jets, where multiple dark photons are emitted from high-energy dark fermions. We perform fully quantum simulations of dark sector showers and compare the results against those of the classical Monte-Carlo simulations. We find important differences in probability distributions of dark photon countings between quantum and classical computations. When the number of dark-fermion flavors is large, we find significant enhancements in large numbers of dark photon emissions. Such enhancements can provide distinguishing signals for our scenarios at particle colliders.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Line Coupling in Atmospheric Spectra

The theoretical modeling of atmospheric spectra is important for a number of different applications: for instance, in the determination of minor atmospheric constituents such as ozone, carbon dioxide, CFC's etc.; in monitoring the temperature profile for climate studies; and in measuring the incoming and outgoing radiation to input into global climate models. In order to accomplish the above mentioned goal, one needs to know the spectral parameters characterizing the individual spectral lines (frequency, width, strength, and shape) as well as the physical parameters of the atmosphere (temperature, abundances, and pressure). When all these parameters are known, it is usually assumed that the resultant spectra and concomitant absorption coefficient can then be calculated by a superposition of individual profiles of appropriate frequency, strength and shape. However, this is not true if the lines are 'coupled'. Line coupling is a subtle effect that takes place when lines of a particular molecule overlap in frequency. In this case when the initial states and the final states of two transitions are connected by collisions, there is a quantum interference resulting in perturbed shapes. In general, this results in the narrowing of Q-branches (those in which the rotational quantum number does not change), and vibration-rotational R- and P branches (those in which the rotational quantum number changes by +/- 1), and in the spectral region beyond band heads (regions where the spectral lines pile up due to centrifugal distortion). Because these features and spectral regions are often those of interest in the determination of the abundances and pressure-temperature profiles, one must take this effect into account in atmospheric models.

Tipping, R. H.↗

Superradiance in a two-channel quantum wire

A one-dimensional, two-channel quantum wire is studied in the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian framework. Analytical expressions are derived for the band structure of the isolated wire. Quantum states and transport properties of the wire coupled to two ideal leads at the edges are studied in detail. The width distribution of the quasistationary states varies as a function of the coupling strength to the environment. At weak coupling, all the eigenenergies uniformly acquire small widths. The picture changes entirely at strong coupling, a certain number of states (“super-radiant”) are greatly broadened, while the rest remain long-lived states, a pure quantum mechanical effect as a consequence of quantum interference. The transition between the two regimes greatly influences the transport properties of the system. The maximum transmission through the wire occurs at the super-radiance transition. We consider also a realistic situation with energy-dependent coupling to the continuum due to the existence of decay threshold where super-radiance still plays a significant role in transport properties of the system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Magneto-ballistic transport in GaN nanowires

The ballistic filtering property of nanoscale crosses was used to investigate the effect of perpendicular magnetic fields on the ballistic transport of electrons on wide band-gap GaN heterostructures. The straight scattering-less trajectory of electrons was modified by a perpendicular magnetic field which produced a strong non-linear behavior in the measured output voltage of the ballistic filters and allowed the observation of semi-classical and quantum effects, such as quenching of the Hall resistance and manifestation of the last plateau, in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions. A large measured phase coherence length of 190 nm allowed the observation of universal quantum fluctuations and weak localization of electrons due to quantum interference up to ∼25 K. This work also reveals the prospect of wide band-gap GaN semiconductors as a platform for basic transport and quantum studies, whose properties allow the investigation of ballistic transport and quantum phenomena at much larger voltages and temperatures than in other semiconductors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Gate-controlled switching between persistent and inverse persistent spin helix states

We demonstrate gate-controlled switching between persistent spin helix (PSH) state and inverse PSH state, which are detected by quantum interference effect on magneto-conductance. These special symmetric spin states showing weak localization effect give rise to a long spin coherence when the strength of Rashba spin-orbit interaction (SOI) is close to that of Dresselhaus SOI. Furthermore, in the middle of two persistent spin helix states, where the Rashba SOI can be negligible, the bulk Dresselhaus SOI parameter in a modulation doped InGaAs/InAlAs quantum well is determined.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Scanning tunneling shot-noise spectroscopy in Kondo systems

Using a large- N theory in combination with the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function formalism, we investigate the current, differential conductance, zero-frequency shot noise, and Fano factor as measured by scanning tunneling shot-noise spectroscopy (STSNS) using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) near single Kondo impurities and in Kondo lattices. We show that the Fano factor F exhibits a characteristic bias dependence arising from Kondo screening that is similar to the Kondo resonance observed in the differential conductance. Moreover, the line shape of F is strongly dependent on the ratio of the tunneling amplitudes for electron tunneling from the STM tip into the conduction band and electronic levels of the magnetic adatoms. We demonstrate that the Fano factor can be enhanced or suppressed due to interference effects and as such, is not only a sensitive probe for the correlation effects arising from Kondo screening, but also for quantum interference between tunneling electrons. We identify a correlation between the form of the differential conductance and the Fano factor that could be tested in future STSNS experiments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Generalized uncertainty principles, effective Newton constant and the regular black hole

In this paper, the quantum spacetime with a running gravitational coupling is explored. Analyzing the gravity-induced quantum interference pattern and the Gedanken for weighting a photon, we find that the running Newton constant can be inspired by the generalized uncertainty principles. A characteristic momentum associated with the tidal effect is suggested, which incorporates the quantum effect with the geometric nature of gravity. When the simplest generalized uncertainty principle is considered, the minimal model of the regular black holes is reproduced by the effective Newton constant. The black hole’s tunneling probability, accurate to the second order correction, is carefully analyzed. We find that the tunneling probability is regularized by the size of the black hole remnant. Moreover, for a given initial black hole, the remnant is the final state of a transition process that the probability is minimal. We also suggest a theory of modified gravity, by substituting the effective Newton constant into the Hilbert–Einstein action.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Phonon interference effects in molecular junctions

We study coherent phonon transport through organic, π-conjugated molecules. Using first principles calculations and Green's function methods, we find that the phonon transmission function in cross-conjugated molecules, like meta-connected benzene, exhibits destructive quantum interference features very analogous to those observed theoretically and experimentally for electron transport in similar molecules. The destructive interference features observed in four different cross-conjugated molecules significantly reduce the thermal conductance with respect to linear conjugated analogues. Such control of the thermal conductance by chemical modifications could be important for thermoelectric applications of molecular junctions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Gate-tunable Veselago interference in a bipolar graphene microcavity

The relativistic charge carriers in monolayer graphene can be manipulated in manners akin to conventional optics. Klein tunneling and Veselago lensing have been previously demonstrated in ballistic graphene pn-junction devices, but collimation and focusing efficiency remains relatively low, preventing realization of advanced quantum devices and controlled quantum interference. Here, we present a graphene microcavity defined by carefully-engineered local strain and electrostatic fields. Electrons are manipulated to form an interference path inside the cavity at zero magnetic field via consecutive Veselago refractions. The observation of unique Veselago interference peaks via transport measurement and their magnetic field dependence agrees with the theoretical expectation. We further utilize Veselago interference to demonstrate localization of uncollimated electrons and thus improvement in collimation efficiency. Our work sheds new light on relativistic single-particle physics and provide a new device concept toward next-generation quantum devices based on manipulation of ballistic electron trajectory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Few-photon transport in a waveguide coupled to a pair of colocated two-level atoms

We calculate the one- and two-photon scattering matrices of a pair of collocated nonidentical two-level atoms coupled to a waveguide. We show that by proper choice of a two-photon input, the background fluorescence by the atoms may be completely quenched, as a result of quantum interference, and that when the atoms' detuning is smaller than their linewidths, extremely narrow fluorescence features emerge. Furthermore, the system emits a two-photon bound state which can display spatial oscillations or quantum beats, and can be tuned from bunched to antibunched statistics as the total photon energy is varied.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Substitutional Doping Widens Silicene Gap

A numerical study of electronic transport properties of doped silicene is presented. By means of ab initio calculations a self-consistent scattering potential is derived for boron, nitrogen, aluminium, and phosphorus substitutions in silicene, and the quantum-mechanical Landauer-Büttiker approach is used to evaluate the conductivities of doped silicene ribbons with various impurity concentrations. An individual defect introduces asymmetric electronhole conductivities that depend both on the type of doping and the position of the foreign atom with respect to the edges. Quantum interference effects at zero temperature are modeled to show that randomly distributed defects over 1 mm long and realistically wide silicon nanoribbons widen the intrinsic electr onic gap that arises from quantum confinement. Mobility gaps created at low doping rates may lead to greater efficiency in the design of new silicon-based devices, providing the ability for suitable control of silicon ribbons band gap.

Lopez-Bezanilla, Alejandro↗

Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem

The mechanism of the transition of a dynamical system from quantum to classical mechanics is of continuing interest. Practically it is of importance for the interpretation of multi-particle coincidence measurements performed at macroscopic distances from a microscopic reaction zone. We prove the generalized imaging theorem which shows that the spatial wave function of any multi-particle quantum system, propagating over distances and times large on an atomic scale but still microscopic, and subject to deterministic external fields and particle interactions, becomes proportional to the initial momentum wave function where the position and momentum coordinates define a classical trajectory. Now, the quantum to classical transition is considered to occur via decoherence caused by stochastic interaction with an environment. The imaging theorem arises from unitary Schrödinger propagation and so is valid without any environmental interaction. It implies that a simultaneous measurement of both position and momentum will define a unique classical trajectory, whereas a less complete measurement of say position alone can lead to quantum interference effects.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Quantum Simulation of Polarized Light-Induced Electron Transfer with a Trapped-Ion Qutrit System

Electron transfer within and between molecules is crucial in chemistry, biochemistry, and energy science. Here this study describes a quantum simulation method that explores the influence of light polarization on electron transfer between two molecules. By implementing precise and coherent control among the quantum states of trapped atomic ions, we can induce quantum dynamics that mimic the electron-transfer dynamics in molecules. We use three-level systems (qutrits), rather than traditional two-level systems (qubits), to enhance the simulation efficiency and realize high-fidelity simulations of electron-transfer dynamics. We treat the quantum interference between the electron coupling pathways from a donor with two degenerate excited states to an acceptor and analyze the transfer efficiency. We also examine the potential error sources that enter the quantum simulations. The trapped-ion systems have favorable scalings with system size compared to those of classical computers, promising access to richer electron-transfer simulations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Evaluating the paleomagnetic potential of single zircon crystals using the Bishop Tuff

We report zircon crystals offer a unique combination of suitability for high-precision radiometric dating and high resistance to alteration. Paleomagnetic experiments on ancient zircons may potentially constrain the history of the earliest geodynamo, which would hold broad implications for the early Earth's interior and atmosphere. However, the ability of zircons to record accurately the geomagnetic field has not been demonstrated. Here we conduct thermal and alternating field (AF) paleointensity experiments on 767.1 thousand year old (ka) zircons from the Bishop Tuff, California. The rapid emplacement of these zircons in a well-characterized magnetic field provides a high-fidelity test of the zircons' intrinsic paleomagnetic recording accuracy. Successful dual heating experiments on eleven zircons measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope yield a mean paleointensity of (1σ; after excluding possible maghemite-bearing zircons), which is consistent with high-precision results from Bishop Tuff whole rock (). High-resolution quantum diamond magnetic (QDM) mapping, electron microscopy, and X-ray tomography indicate that the bulk of the remanent magnetization in Bishop Tuff zircons is carried by Fe oxides associated with apatite inclusions, which may be susceptible to destruction via metamorphism and aqueous alteration in older zircons. As such, while zircons can reliably record the geomagnetic field, robust zircon-derived paleomagnetic results require careful characterization of the ferromagnetic carrier and demonstration of their occurrence in primary inclusions. We further conclude that a combination of quantum diamond magnetometry and high-resolution imaging can provide detailed, direct characterization of the ferromagnetic mineralogy of geological samples.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗