Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Quantum interference”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Spin-related phenomena in spin 3/2 charge carrier holes systems

Charge carrier holes provide a remarkable system for spintronics and quantum information technology. In this review paper, I discuss spin-related phenomena in three-dimensional and low-dimensional hole systems. Special attention is paid to the mutual transformation of heavy and light holes at the boundary of quantum wells and wires that governs values of parameters defining hole spectra in quantum wells, wires and dots, such as effective masses, g-factors and Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit constants. Recently, topological phenomena in condensed matter systems, such as emergence of Majorana zero modes and non-Abelian phases in the fractional quantum Hall effect, sparked considerable interest of researchers. Charge carrier holes turn out to be a remarkable setting for possible observation of these phenomena and advancing topological quantum computing. I discuss the spectra and wavefunctions of two-dimensional holes in magnetic field. While there is a semiclassical range of parameters when heavy and light holes can be described by equidistant Landau levels, ground-level holes and holes in a few low-lying excited states behave as species completely different from electrons. Especially interesting are crossings in hole spectra in magnetic field. Hole–hole interactions can substantially differ from electron–electron interactions. Apart from the difference in exchange splitting, this shows in possible emergence of even denominator fractional quantum Hall state in the ground hole level in magnetic field. I also briefly discuss spintronic phenomena, such as mutual transformation of angular momentum (spin) of holes and electric current, as well as spin-related interference effects in hole transport. Recent developments in a system of Ge hole quantum dots offer new perspectives for hole-based systems.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Superconductivity in a chiral nanotube

Chirality of materials are known to affect optical, magnetic and electric properties, causing a variety of nontrivial phenomena such as circular dichiroism for chiral molecules, magnetic Skyrmions in chiral magnets and nonreciprocal carrier transport in chiral conductors. On the other hand, effect of chirality on superconducting transport has not been known. Here we report the nonreciprocity of superconductivity—unambiguous evidence of superconductivity reflecting chiral structure in which the forward and backward supercurrent flows are not equivalent because of inversion symmetry breaking. Such superconductivity is realized via ionic gating in individual chiral nanotubes of tungsten disulfide. The nonreciprocal signal is significantly enhanced in the superconducting state, being associated with unprecedented quantum Little-Parks oscillations originating from the interference of supercurrent along the circumference of the nanotube. The present results indicate that the nonreciprocity is a viable approach toward the superconductors with chiral or noncentrosymmetric structures

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

One- and two-body current contributions to lepton-nucleus scattering

Modeling lepton-nucleus scattering with the accuracy required to extract neutrino-oscillation parameters from long- and short-baseline experiments necessitates retaining most quantum-mechanical effects. One such effect is the interference between one- and two-body current operators in the transition currents, which has been known to enhance the cross sections, especially in transverse kinematics. Here, we incorporate such interference in the spectral function formalism, which combines relativistic currents and kinematics with an accurate description of the initial target state. Our analysis of lepton-scattering off 12 C demonstrates that interference effects appreciably enhance the transverse electromagnetic response functions and the flux-folded neutrino-nucleus cross section, in both cases, improving the agreement with experimental data. We discuss the impact on the neutrino-oscillation program and the determination of nucleon axial form factors.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Statistical Properties of Undulator Radiation

Two experiments were carried out to study the statistical properties of undulator radiation in the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) storage ring at Fermilab. The first experiment studied the turn-to-turn fluctuations in the power of the radiation generated by an electron bunch. The magnitude of these fluctuations depends on the 6D phase-space distribution of the electron bunch. In IOTA, we demonstrated that this effect can be used to measure some electron bunch parameters, small transverse emittances in particular. In the second experiment, a single electron was stored in the ring, emitting a photon only once per several hundred turns. In this regime, any classical interference-related collective effects were eliminated, and the quantum fluctuations could be studied in detail to search for possible deviations from the expected Poissonian photon statistics. In addition, the photocount arrival times were used to track the longitudinal motion of a single electron and to compare it with simulations. This allowed us to determine several dynamical parameters of the storage ring such as the rf cavity phase jitter and the dependence of the synchrotron motion period on amplitude.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

MAGIS-100 External Moving Mass Detection

MAGIS-100 is a quantum sensor at Fermilab that drops ultra-cold atoms down a 100m shaft to detect gravitational waves, ultralight dark matter, and explore quantum mechanics. Passing vehicles around the area can interfere with measurements. A detection system could estimate disturbances, but MAGIS-100 may be more sensitive than previously thought.

Al Bati, Adnan [Northern Illinois U.]↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ortho and parahydrogen in interstellar material

The ortho/para molecular hydrogen ratio in the interstellar medium is considered. It is shown that the ortho/para ratio will be 3:1 in practically all chemical reactions, even at relatively low temperatures. Two examples of exothermic processes that will result in the formation of a 3:1 ortho:para ratio, corresponding to a high-temperature equilibrium, are examined: H2 formation via three-body or surface recombination and catalytic recombination involving electrons and H(-) ions. Gas-phase scrambling ion reactions are also discussed, and it is suggested that virtually all the H2 equilibrated via scrambling reactions involving H(+) and H3(+) ions should exist as parahydrogen in the J ? 0 quantum state. Arguments are given that deuterium cannot interfere with the long scrambling chain that results in parahydrogen formation.

Reeves, R. R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

One and Two-Body Current Contributions to Lepton-Nucleus Scattering

Modeling lepton-nucleus scattering with the accuracy required to extract neutrino-oscillation parameters from long- and short-baseline experiments necessitates retaining most quantum-mechanical effects. One such effect is the interference between one- and two-body current operators in the transition currents, which has been known to enhance the cross-sections, especially in transverse kinematics. In this work, we incorporate such interference in the spectral function formalism, which combines relativistic currents and kinematics with an accurate description of the initial target state. Our analysis of lepton-scattering off $^{12}$C demonstrates that interference effects appreciably enhance the transverse electromagnetic response functions and the flux-folded neutrino-nucleus cross section, in both cases, improving the agreement with experimental data. We discuss the impact on the neutrino-oscillation program and the determination of nucleon axial form factors.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Mach-Zehnder interferometry using spin- and valley-polarized quantum Hall edge states in graphene

Confined to a two-dimensional plane, electrons in a strong magnetic field travel along the edge in one-dimensional quantum Hall channels that are protected against backscattering. These channels can be used as solid-state analogs of monochromatic beams of light, providing a unique platform for studying electron interference. Electron interferometry is regarded as one of the most promising routes for studying fractional and non-Abelian statistics and quantum entanglement via two-particle interference. However, creating an edge-channel interferometer in which electron-electron interactions play an important role requires a clean system and long phase coherence lengths. We realize electronic Mach-Zehnder interferometers with record visibilities of up to 98% using spin- and valley-polarized edge channels that copropagate along a pn junction in graphene. We find that interchannel scattering between same-spin edge channels along the physical graphene edge can be used to form beamsplitters, whereas the absence of interchannel scattering along gate-defined interfaces can be used to form isolated interferometer arms. Surprisingly, our interferometer is robust to dephasing effects at energies an order of magnitude larger than those observed in pioneering experiments on GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells. Lastly, our results shed light on the nature of edge-channel equilibration and open up new possibilities for studying exotic electron statistics and quantum phenomena.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Moiré pattern of interference dislocations in condensate of indirect excitons

Interference patterns provide direct measurement of coherent propagation of matter waves in quantum systems. Superfluidity in Bose–Einstein condensates of excitons can enable long-range ballistic exciton propagation and can lead to emerging long-scale interference patterns. Indirect excitons (IXs) are formed by electrons and holes in separated layers. The theory predicts that the reduced IX recombination enables IX superfluid propagation over macroscopic distances. Here, we present dislocation-like phase singularities in interference patterns produced by condensate of IXs. We analyze how exciton vortices and skyrmions should appear in the interference experiments and show that the observed interference dislocations are not associated with these phase defects. We show that the observed interference dislocations originate from the moiré effect in combined interference patterns of propagating condensate matter waves. The interference dislocations are formed by the IX matter waves ballistically propagating over macroscopic distances. The long-range ballistic IX propagation is the evidence for IX condensate superfluidity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Coherent microscopy at resolution beyond diffraction limit using post-experimental data extrapolation

Conventional microscopic records represent intensity distributions whereby local sample information is mapped onto local information at the detector. In coherent microscopy, the superposition principle of waves holds; field amplitudes are added, not intensities. This non-local representation is spread out in space and interference information combined with wave continuity allows extrapolation beyond the actual detected data. Established resolution criteria are thus circumvented and hidden object details can retrospectively be recovered from just a fraction of an interference pattern.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Born’s rule as signature of a superclassical current algebra

We present a new tool for calculating the interference patterns and particle trajectories of a double-, three- and N-slit system on the basis of an emergent sub-quantum theory developed by our group throughout the last years. The quantum itself is considered as an emergent system representing an off-equilibrium steady state oscillation maintained by a constant throughput of energy provided by a classical zero-point energy field. We introduce the concept of a “relational causality” which allows for evaluating structural interdependences of different systems levels, i.e. in our case of the relations between partial and total probability density currents, respectively. Combined with the application of 21st century classical physics like, e.g., modern nonequilibrium thermodynamics, we thus arrive at a “superclassical” theory. Within this framework, the proposed current algebra directly leads to a new formulation of the guiding equation which is equivalent to the original one of the de Broglie–Bohm theory. By proving the absence of third order interferences in three-path systems it is shown that Born’s rule is a natural consequence of our theory. Considering the series of one-, double-, or, generally, of N-slit systems, with the first appearance of an interference term in the double slit case, we can explain the violation of Sorkin’s first order sum rule, just as the validity of all higher order sum rules. Moreover, the Talbot patterns and Talbot distance for an arbitrary N-slit device can be reproduced exactly by our model without any quantum physics tool. -- Highlights: •Calculating the interference patterns and particle trajectories of a double-, three- and N-slit system. •Deriving a new formulation of the guiding equation equivalent to the de Broglie–Bohm one. •Proving the absence of third order interferences and thus explaining Born’s rule. •Explaining the violation of Sorkin’s order sum rules. •Classical simulation of Talbot patterns and exact reproduction of Talbot distance for N slits.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Theory predicts 2D chiral polaritons based on achiral Fabry–Pérot cavities using apparent circular dichroism

Abstract Realizing polariton states with high levels of chirality offers exciting prospects for quantum information, sensing, and lasing applications. Such chirality must emanate from either the involved optical resonators or the quantum emitters. Here, we theoretically demonstrate a rare opportunity for realizing polaritons with so-called 2D chirality by strong coupling of the optical modes of (high finesse) achiral Fabry–Pérot cavities with samples exhibiting “apparent circular dichroism” (ACD). ACD is a phenomenon resulting from an interference between linear birefringence and dichroic interactions. By introducing a quantum electrodynamical theory of ACD, we identify the design rules based on which 2D chiral polaritons can be produced, and their chirality can be optimized.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Semiconductor laser gyro with optical frequency dithering

The semiconductor laser gyro is described, in which the optical frequency dithering implemented by intracavity phase modulation suppresses the frequency lock-in and provides the interference of multimode radiation. The sensitivity of the device amounted to 10–20 deg h{sup -1}. (laser gyroscopes)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Strong reflection and periodic resonant transmission of helical edge states in topological-insulator stub-like resonators

The helical edge states of two-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) experience appreciable quantum mechanical scattering in narrow channels when the width changes abruptly. The interference of the geometry scattering in narrow-wide-narrow waveguide structures is shown to give rise to the strong suppression of transmission when the incident energy is barely above the propagation threshold. Periodic resonant transmission takes place in this high reflection regime while the length of the wide section is varied. The resonance condition is governed by the transverse confinement in the wide section, where the form of quantization is manifested to differ for the two orthogonal directions. The confined energy levels in TI quantum dots are derived based on this observation. In addition, the off-diagonal spin-orbit term is found to produce an anomalous resonance state, which merges with the bottom ordinary resonance state to annihilate.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spin wave vortex from the scattering on Bloch point solitons

The interaction of a spin wave with a stationary Bloch point is studied. The topological non-trivial structure of the Bloch point manifests in the propagation of spin waves endowing them with a gauge potential that resembles the one associated with the interaction of a magnetic monopole and an electron. By pursuing this analogy, we are led to the conclusion that the scattering of spin waves and Bloch points is accompanied by the creation of a magnon vortex. Interference between such a vortex and a plane wave leads to dislocations in the interference pattern that can be measurable by means of magnon holography.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Optical waveguiding by atomic entanglement in multilevel atom arrays

The optical properties of subwavelength arrays of atoms or other quantum emitters have attracted significant interest recently. For example, the strong constructive or destructive interference of emitted light enables arrays to function as nearly perfect mirrors, support topological edge states, and allow for exponentially better quantum memories. In these proposals, the assumed atomic structure was simple, consisting of a unique electronic ground state. Within linear optics, the system is then equivalent to a periodic array of classical dielectric particles, whose periodicity supports the emergence of guided modes. However, it has not been known whether such phenomena persist in the presence of hyperfine structure, as exhibited by most quantum emitters. Here, we show that waveguiding can arise from rich atomic entanglement as a quantum many-body effect and elucidate the necessary conditions. Our work represents a significant step forward in understanding collective effects in arrays of atoms with realistic electronic structure.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spatial correlations and probability density function of the phase difference in a developed speckle-field: numerical and natural experiments

Investigated are statistical properties of the phase difference of oscillations in speckle-fields at two points in the far-field diffraction region, with different shapes of the scatterer aperture. Statistical and spatial nonuniformity of the probability density function of the field phase difference is established. Numerical experiments show that, for the speckle-fields with an oscillating alternating-sign transverse correlation function, a significant nonuniformity of the probability density function of the phase difference in the correlation region of the field complex amplitude, with the most probable values 0 and p, is observed. A natural statistical interference experiment using Young diagrams has confirmed the results of numerical experiments. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Inscription and Visualization of Tilted Fiber Bragg Gratings

Tilted fiber Bragg gratings with different tilt angles have been inscribed in single-mode isotropic optical fiber with an increased photorefractivity using Talbot interferometer and KrF-excimer laser system. Their spectra are studied. Using a confocal laser scanning luminescent microscope the images of gratings in transmitted light were obtained. The calculated dependence of the slope angle of the grating recorded in the Talbot interferometer on the angle between the strokes of the interference pattern created in the interferometer and the transverse section of the optical fiber is experimentally verified.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗