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 1,171 records · Page 65

Angular distribution of 𝛾 rays from a neutron-induced 𝑝-wave resonance of 132 Xe

A neutron-energy dependent angular distribution was measured for individual 𝛾 rays from the 3.2 eV 𝑝-wave resonance of 131 Xe+⁢𝑛, that shows enhanced parity violation owing to a mixing between 𝑠- and 𝑝-wave amplitudes. The 𝛾-ray transitions from the 𝑝-wave resonance were identified, and the angular distribution with respect to the neutron momentum was evaluated as a function of the neutron energy for 7132 keV 𝛾 rays, which correspond to a transition to the 1807 keV excited state of 132 Xe. The angular distribution is considered to originate from the interference between 𝑠- and 𝑝-wave amplitudes, and will provide a basis for a quantitative understanding of the enhancement mechanism of the fundamental parity violation in compound nuclei.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A theory of electrical conductivity, dielectric constant, and electromagnetic interference shielding for lightweight graphene composite foams

This work was driven by the need to understand the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of light weight, flexible, and high performance graphene composite foams, but as EMI SE of a material depends on its electrical conductivity, dielectric permittivity, and magnetic permeability, the investigation of these three properties also became a priority. In this paper, we first present a continuum theory to determine these three electromagnetic properties, and then use the obtained properties to evaluate the EMI SE of the foam. A two-scale composite model is conceived to evaluate these three properties, with the large one being the skeleton-void composite and the small one being the graphene-polymer composite that serves as the skeleton of the foam. To evaluate the properties of the skeleton, the effective-medium approach is taken as the starting point. Subsequently, the effect of an imperfect interface and the contributions of electron tunneling to the interfacial conductivity and Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars polarization mechanism to the dielectric constant are also implemented. The derived skeleton properties are then utilized on the large scale to determine the three properties of the composite foam at a given porosity. Then a uniform plane electromagnetic wave is considered to evaluate the EMI SE of the foam. It is demonstrated that the electrical conductivity, dielectric constant, and EMI SE of the foam calculated from the developed theory are in general agreement with the reported experimental data of graphene/PDMS composite foams. The theory is further proven to be valid for the EMI SE of solid graphene/epoxy and solid carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites. It is also shown that, among the three electromagnetic properties, electrical conductivity has the strongest influence on the EMI shielding effectiveness.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Spectroscopic Imaging of Strongly Correlated Electronic States

The study of correlated electronic systems from high-T c cuprates to heavy-fermion systems continues to motivate the development of experimental tools to probe electronic phenomena in new ways and with increasing precision. In the past two decades, spectroscopic imaging with scanning tunneling microscopy has emerged as a powerful experimental technique. The combination of high energy and spatial resolutions provided by this technique reveals unprecedented detail of the electronic properties of strongly correlated metals and superconductors. This review examines specific experiments, theoretical concepts, and measurement methods that have established the application of these techniques to correlated materials. Here, a wide range of applications, such as the study of collective responses to single atomic impurities, the characterization of quasiparticle-like excitations through their interference, and the identification of competing electronic phases using spectroscopic imaging, are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum metrology timing limits of the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer and of general two-photon measurements

We examine the precision limits of Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) timing measurements, as well as precision limits applying to generalized two-photon measurements. As a special case, we consider the use of two-photon measurements using photons with variable bandwidths and frequency correlations. When the photon bandwidths are not equal, maximizing the measurement precision involves a trade-off between high interference visibility and strong frequency anticorrelations, with the optimal precision occurring when the photons share non-maximal frequency anticorrelations. We show that a generalized measurement has precision limits that are qualitatively similar to those of the HOM measurement whenever the generalized measurement is insensitive to the net delay of both photons. Finally, by examining the performance of states with more general frequency distributions, our analysis allows for engineering of the joint spectral amplitude for use in realistic situations, in which both photons may not have ideal spectral properties.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optical Quantum Receiver For Binary Signals

In quantum optical receiver, both amplitude and phase of received optical signal measured to extract as much information as possible, thereby reducing error probability. Phase-modulated received signal mixed with equal amplitude replica of optical carrier generated in phase locked loop. Two signals interfere with each other at photomultiplier cathode. Probability of error with this scheme close to theoretical minimum and implemented with current technology.

Vilnrotter, V. A.↗

Mitigation of birefringence in cavity-based quantum networks using frequency-encoded photons

Atom-cavity systems offer unique advantages for building large-scale distributed quantum computers by providing strong atom-photon coupling while allowing for high-fidelity local operations of atomic qubits. However, in prevalent schemes where the photonic state is encoded in polarization, cavity birefringence introduces an energy splitting of the cavity eigenmodes and alters the polarization states, thus limiting the fidelity of remote entanglement generation. To address this challenge, we propose a scheme that encodes the photonic qubit in the frequency degree-of-freedom. The scheme relies on resonant coupling of multiple transverse cavity modes to different atomic transitions that are well-separated in frequency. We numerically investigate the temporal properties of the photonic wavepacket, two-photon interference visibility, and atom-atom entanglement fidelity under various cavity polarization-mode splittings and find that our scheme is less affected by cavity birefringence. Finally, we propose practical implementations in two trapped ion systems, using the fine structure splitting in the metastable D state of 40 Ca + , and the hyperfine splitting in the ground state of 225 Ra + . Furthermore, our study presents an alternative approach for cavity-based quantum networks that is less sensitive to birefringent effects, and is applicable to a variety of atomic and solid-state emitter-cavity interfaces.

Cavity quantum electrodynamics↗

Indistinguishable telecom band photons from a single Er ion in the solid state

Atomic defects in the solid state are a key component of quantum repeater networks for long-distance quantum communication1. Recently, there has been significant interest in rare earth ions, in particular Er 3+ for its telecom band optical transition that allows long-distance transmission in optical fibres. However, the development of repeater nodes based on rare earth ions has been hampered by optical spectral diffusion, precluding indistinguishable single-photon generation. Here, we implant Er 3+ into CaWO 4 , a material that combines a non-polar site symmetry, low decoherence from nuclear spins and is free of background rare earth ions, to realize significantly reduced optical spectral diffusion. For shallow implanted ions coupled to nanophotonic cavities with large Purcell factor, we observe single-scan optical linewidths of 150 kHz and long-term spectral diffusion of 63 kHz, both close to the Purcell-enhanced radiative linewidth of 21 kHz. This enables the observation of Hong–Ou–Mandel interference between successively emitted photons with a visibility of V = 80(4)%, measured after a 36 km delay line. We also observe spin relaxation times T 1,s = 3.7 s and T 2,s > 200 μs, with the latter limited by paramagnetic impurities in the crystal instead of nuclear spins. Furthermore, this represents a notable step towards the construction of telecom band quantum repeater networks with single Er 3+ ions.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Increasing Baselines and Precision of Optical Interferometers Using Two-Photon Interference

Observations using interferometers provide sensitivity to features of images on angular scales much smaller than any single telescope, on the order of Δθ ~ λ/b where b is the interferometric baseline. Present-day optical interferometers are essentially classical, interfering single photons with themselves. However, there is a new wave of interest in interferometry using multiple photons, whose mechanisms are inherently quantum mechanical, which offer the prospects of increased baselines and finer resolutions among other advantages. We will discuss recent ideas and results for quantum-assisted interferometry using the resource of entangled pairs, and specifically a two-photon amplitude technique aimed at improved precision in astrometry.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Search for physics beyond the standard model in dilepton mass spectra in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

Dimuon and dielectron mass spectra, obtained from data resulting from proton-proton collisions at 8 TeV and recorded by the CMS experiment, are used to search for both narrow resonances and broad deviations from standard model predictions. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 20.6 (19.7) fb –1 for the dimuon (dielectron) channel. No evidence for non-standard-model physics is observed and 95% confidence level limits are set on parameters from a number of new physics models. The narrow resonance analyses exclude a Sequential Standard Model Z SSM ' resonance lighter than 2.90 TeV, a superstring-inspired Z ψ ' lighter than 2.57 TeV, and Randall-Sundrum Kaluza-Klein gravitons with masses below 2.73, 2.35, and 1.27 TeV for couplings of 0.10, 0.05, and 0.01, respectively. A notable feature is that the limits have been calculated in a model-independent way to enable straightforward reinterpretation in any model predicting a resonance structure. The observed events are also interpreted within the framework of two non-resonant analyses: one based on a large extra dimensions model and one based on a quark and lepton compositeness model with a left-left isoscalar contact interaction. Lower limits are established on MS, the scale characterizing the onset of quantum gravity, which range from 4.9 to 3.3 TeV, where the number of additional spatial dimensions varies from 3 to 7. Thus lower limits on Λ, the energy scale parameter for the contact interaction, are found to be 12.0 (15.2) TeV for destructive (constructive) interference in the dimuon channel and 13.5 (18.3) TeV in the dielectron channel.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

LSND and MiniBooNE within (3+1) plus NSI

The recently observed event excess in MiniBooNE anti-neutrino data is in agreement with the LSND evidence for electron anti-neutrino appearance. We propose an explanation of these data in terms of a (3+1) scheme with a sterile neutrino including non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI) at neutrino production and detection. The interference between oscillations and NSI provides a source for CP violation which we use to reconcile different results from neutrino and anti-neutrino data. Our best fit results imply NSI at the level of a few percent relative to the standard weak interaction, in agreement with current bounds. We compare the quality of the NSI fit to the one obtained within the (3+1) and (3+2) pure oscillation frameworks.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Apparatus, system, and method for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

In laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), an apparatus includes a pulsed laser configured to generate a pulsed laser signal toward a sample, a constructive interference object and an optical element, each located in a path of light from the sample. The constructive interference object is configured to generate constructive interference patterns of the light. The optical element is configured to disperse the light. A LIBS system includes a first and a second optical element, and a data acquisition module. The data acquisition module is configured to determine an isotope measurement based, at least in part, on light received by an image sensor from the first and second optical elements. A method for performing LIBS includes generating a pulsed laser on a sample to generate light from a plasma, generating constructive interference patterns of the light, and dispersing the light into a plurality of wavelengths.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Emergent normal fluid in the superconducting ground state of overdoped cuprates

The microscopic mechanism for the disappearance of superconductivity in overdoped cuprates is still under heated debate. Here we use scanning tunneling spectroscopy to investigate the evolution of quasiparticle interference phenomenon in Bi 2 Sr 2 CuO 6+δ over a wide range of hole densities. We find that when the system enters the overdoped regime, a peculiar quasiparticle interference wavevector with arc-like pattern starts to emerge even at zero bias, and its intensity grows with increasing doping level. Its energy dispersion is incompatible with the octet model for d-wave superconductivity, but is highly consistent with the scattering interference of gapless normal carriers. The gapless quasiparticles are mainly located near the antinodes and are independent of temperature, consistent with the disorder scattering mechanism. We propose that a branch of normal fluid emerges from the pair-breaking scattering between flat antinodal bands in the quantum ground state, which is the primary cause for the reduction of superfluid density and suppression of superconductivity in overdoped cuprates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Search for heavy pseudoscalar and scalar bosons decaying to a top quark pair in proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

A search for pseudoscalar or scalar bosons decaying to a top quark pair ($\textrm{t}$$\bar{\textrm{t}}$) in final states with one or two charged leptons is presented. The analyzed proton–proton collision data was recorded at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb -1 . The invariant mass $m_{{\textrm{t}}{\bar{\textrm{t}}}}$ of the reconstructed $\textrm{t}$$\bar{\textrm{t}}$ system and variables sensitive to its spin and parity are used to discriminate against the standard model background. Interference between pseudoscalar or scalar boson production and the standard model $\textrm{t}$$\bar{\textrm{t}}$ continuum is included, leading to peak-dip structures in the $m_{{\textrm{t}}{\bar{\textrm{t}}}}$ distribution. An excess of the data above the background prediction, based on perturbative quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations, is observed near the kinematic $\textrm{t}$$\bar{\textrm{t}}$ production threshold, while good agreement is found for high $m_{{\textrm{t}}{\bar{\textrm{t}}}}$. The data are consistent with the background prediction if the contribution from a simplified model of a color-singlet $^1\textrm{S}^{|1|}_0$ ${{\textrm{t}}{\bar{\textrm{t}}}}$ quasi-bound state $η_{\textrm{t}}$, inspired by nonrelativistic QCD, is added. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the coupling between the pseudoscalar or scalar bosons and the top quark for boson masses in the range 365–1000 GeV, relative widths between 0.5% and 25%, and two background scenarios with or without $η_{\textrm{t}}$ contribution.

CMS↗

Bouncing plasmonic waves in half-parabolic potentials

We introduce a plasmonic analog for the dynamics of a quantum particle under a linear restoring force bouncing off an impenetrable barrier (''quantum paddle ball''). Paddle-ball-type plasmonic potentials are constructed in quadratically modulated metal-dielectric-metal structures with transverse metallic reflecting walls. We show, both analytically and numerically, the full-wave nature of the phenomenon, including plasmon bouncing and complete wave revivals after interference at the boundary. We show that the plasmon paddle-ball dynamics is effectively wavelength independent, opening opportunities for subwavelength manipulations of polychromatic and ultrashort-pulse plasmons.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Bulk dimensional nanocomposites for thermoelectric applications

Thermoelectric elements may be used for heat sensors, heat pumps, and thermoelectric generators. A quantum-dot or nano-scale grain size polycrystalline material the effects of size-quantization are present inside the nanocrystals. A thermoelectric element composed of densified Groups IV-VI material, such as calcogenide-based materials are doped with metal or chalcogenide to form interference barriers form along grains. The dopant used is either silver or sodium. These chalcogenide materials form nanoparticles of highly crystal grains, and may specifically be between 1- and 100 nm. The compound is densified by spark plasma sintering.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Geometric phase effects in ultracold hydrogen exchange reaction

The role of the geometric phase effect on chemical reaction dynamics is explored by examining the hydrogen exchange process in the fundamental H+HD reaction. Results are presented for vibrationally excited HD molecules in the v = 4 vibrational level and for collision energies ranging from 1 μK to 100 K. It is found that, for collision energies below 3 K, inclusion of the geometric phase leads to dramatic enhancement or suppression of the reaction rates depending on the final quantum state of the HD molecule. The effect was found to be the most prominent for rotationally resolved integral and differential cross sections but it persists to a lesser extent in the vibrationally resolved and total reaction rate coefficients. However, no significant GP effect is present in the reactive channel leading to the D+H 2 product or in the D+H 2 $(v=4,j=0)\,\to $ HD+H reaction. A simple interference mechanism involving inelastic (nonreactive) and exchange scattering amplitudes is invoked to account for the observed GP effects. The computed results also reveal a shape resonance in the H+HD reaction near 1 K and the GP effect is found to influence the magnitude of the resonant part of the cross section. In conclusion, experimental detection of the resonance may allow a sensitive probe of the GP effect in the H+HD reaction.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Controlled switching of ultrafast circular polarization oscillations in spin-polarized vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

We demonstrate a scheme for controlled switching of polarization oscillations in spin-polarized vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (spin-VCSEL). Under hybrid electrical and optical pumping conditions, our VCSEL devices show polarization oscillations with frequencies far above the VCSEL's electrical modulation bandwidth. Using multiple optical pulses, we are able to excite and amplify these polarization oscillations. When specific phase and amplitude conditions for the optical excitation pulses are met, destructive interference leads to switch-off of the polarization oscillation, enabling the generation of controlled short polarization bursts.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Complementarity and path distinguishability: Some recent results concerning photon pairs

Two results concerning photon pairs, one previously reported and one new, are summarized. It was previously shown that if the two photons are prepared in a quantum state formed from bar-A and bar-A' for photon 1 and bar-B and bar-B' for photon 2, then both one- and two-particle interferometry can be studied. If upsilon(sub i) is the visibility of one-photon interference fringes (i = 1,2) and upsilon(sub 12) is the visibility of two-photon fringes (a concept which we explicitly define), then upsilon(sub i) squared + upsilon(sub 12) squared is less than or equal to 1. The second result concerns the distinguishability of the paths of photon 2, using the known 2-photon state. A proposed measure E for path distinguishability is based upon finding an optimum strategy for betting on the outcome of a path measurement. Mandel has also proposed a measure of distinguishability P(sub D), defined in terms of the density operator rho of photon 2. We show that E is greater than or equal to P(sub D) and that upsilon(sub 2) = (1 - E(exp 2))exp 1/2.

Shimony, Abner↗