Coupled Quantum Research Articles

0D/2D Heterostructures Vertical Single Electron Transistor

AbstractMixed‐dimensional heterostructures formed by the stacking of 2D materials with nanostructures of distinct dimensionality constitute a new class of nanomaterials that offers multifunctionality that goes beyond those of single dimensional systems. An unexplored architecture of single electron transistor (SET) is developed that employs heterostructures made of nanoclusters (0D) grown on a 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) channel. Combining the large Coulomb energy of the nanoclusters with the electronic capabilities of the 2D layer, the concept of 0D–2D vertical SET is unveiled. The MoS2 underneath serves both as a charge tunable channel interconnecting the electrode, and as bottom electrode for each v‐SET cell. In addition, its atomic thickness makes it thinner than the Debye screening length, providing electric field transparency functionality that allows for an efficient electric back gate control of the nanoclusters charge state. The Coulomb diamond pattern characteristics of SET are reported, with specific doping dependent nonlinear features arising from the 0D/2D geometry that are elucidated by theoretical modeling. These results hold promise for multifunctional single electron device taking advantage of the versatility of the 2D materials library, with as example envisioned spintronics applications while coupling quantum dots to magnetic 2D material, or to ferroelectric layers for neuromorphic devices.

Echoes from corpuscular black holes

In the corpuscular picture of black hole there exists no geometric notion of horizon which, instead, only emerges in the semi-classical limit. Therefore, it is very natural to ask—what happens if we send a signal towards a corpuscular black hole? We show that quantum effects at the horizon scale imply the existence of a surface located at an effective radius R=Rs(1+ϵ) slightly larger than the Schwarzschild radius Rs, where ϵ=1/N and N is the number of gravitons composing the system. Consequently, the reflectivity of the object can be non-zero and, indeed, we find that incoming waves with energies comparable to the Hawking temperature can have a probability of backscattering of order one. Thus, modes can be trapped between the two potential barriers located at the photon sphere and at the surface of a corpuscular black hole, and periodic echoes can be produced. The time delay of echoes turns out to be of the same order of the scrambling time, i.e., in units of Planck length it reads √N log N. We also show that the ϵ-parameter, or in other words the compactness, of a corpuscular black hole coincides with the quantum coupling that measures the interaction strength among gravitons, and discuss the physical implications of this remarkable feature.

Critical role of parallel momentum in quantum well state couplings in multi-stacked nanofilms: An angle resolved photoemission study

We use angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy to investigate the coupling of electron quantum well states (QWSs) in epitaxial thin Pb and Ag films. More specifically, we investigate the Ag/Si, Pb/Si, and Pb/Ag/Si systems. We found that the parallel momentum plays a very profound role in determining how two adjacent quantum wells are coupled electronically across the interface. We revealed that in the Pb/Ag bimetallic system, there exist two distinctly different regimes in the energy vs momentum (E vs k) space. In one regime, the electronic states in Ag and Pb are strongly coupled, resulting in a new set of QWSs for the bi-metallic system. In the other regime, the electronic states in individual metallic layers are retained in their respective regions, as if they are totally decoupled. This result is corroborated by calculations using density functional theory. We further unravel the underlying mechanism associated with the electron refraction and total internal reflection across the interface.

Interfaceof Electrogenic Bacteria and Reduced Grapheneoxide: Energetics and Electron Transport

A synergistic, nanoscale electrical-interface with the membranes of exoelectrogenic microbes will have transformative impact on biological cell based electronic-devices. Here, we report that a conformal graphenic interface on biocatalytic Geobacter sulfurreducens membrane results in quantum-capacitance induced n-doping in reduced graphene oxide (rGO) that further enhances electron shuttling from the membrane to improve electron harvesting from the electrogenic organism. The quantum coupling of rGO with the connected protein-membrane channels leads to an additional electron density of 3.91 x 1012cm-2 and an increase in the in-plane phonon vibration energies (G) of rGO by ~5 cm-1. This n-doping enhances the electron transfer-rate from the cell membrane into the rGO via a net driving potential of 158 meV with a 3-fold increase in the power density.The synergistic electron-harvesting and conformal membrane-interfacing of flexible 2D nanomaterials can lead to an evolution in the design of microbe-circuitry to power stand-alone nanodevices.

Measurement of Exciton and Trion Energies in Multistacked hBN/WS2 Coupled Quantum Wells for Resonant Tunneling Diodes.

Quantum confinements, especially quantum in narrow wells, have been investigated because of their controllability over electrical parameters. For example, quantum dots can emit a variety of photon wavelengths even for the same material depending on their particle size. More recently, the research into two-dimensional (2D) materials has shown the availability of several quantum mechanical phenomenon confined within a sheet of materials. Starting with the gapless semimetal properties of graphene, current research has begun into the excitons and their properties within 2D materials. Even for simple 2D systems, experimental results often offer surprising results, unexpected from traditional studies. We investigated a coupled quantum well system using 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) barrier as well as 2D tungsten disulfide (WS2) semiconductor arranged in stacked structures to study the various 2D to 2D interactions. We determined that for hexagonal boron nitride-tungsten disulfide (hBN/WS2) quantum well stacks, the interaction between successive wells resulted in decreasing bandgap, and the effect was pronounced even over a large distance of up to four stacks. Additionally, we observed that a single layer of isolating hBN barriers significantly reduces interlayer interaction between WS2 layers, while still preserving the interwell interactions in the alternative hBN/WS2 structure. The methods we used for the study of coupled quantum wells here show a method for determining the respective exciton energy levels and trion energy levels within 2D materials and 2D materials-based structures. Renormalization energy levels are the key in understanding conductive and photonic properties of stacked 2D materials.

Cylindrical and Spherical Electro-acoustic Waves in a Strongly Coupled Cryogenic Quantum Plasma

The propagation of the nonplanar (both cylindrical and spherical) electro-acoustic waves, particularly ion-acoustic waves in a strongly coupled cryogenic electron-ion plasma has been studied utilizing the generalized quantum hydrodynamic model applicable for the cryogenic situation. The Korteweg–de Vries and Burgers equations are derived by adopting the reductive perturbation technique. The basic features (e.g., phase speed, amplitude, and width, etc.) of the ion-acoustic solitary and shock waves, are identified by analyzing the stationary solitary, and shock wave solutions of the Korteweg–de Vries and Burgers equations, respectively. It is found that the basic characteristics of the IA nonlinear structures in non-planar geometry are significantly modified by the effects of the ratio of plasma particle number densities, the Fermi temperature and pressure of electrons, the viscous coefficient, etc. The results of this theoretical investigation may be useful in describing the physics of the ion-acoustic nonlinear features of the localized electrostatic disturbances in quantum cryogenic plasmas (viz. laser-produced plasmas, super-intense laser-dense matter experiments, etc.).

Long-distance coupling and energy transfer between exciton states in magnetically controlled microcavities

Coupling of quantum emitters in a semiconductor relies, generally, on short-range dipole-dipole or electronic exchange type interactions. Consistently, energy transfer between exciton states, that is, electron-hole pairs bound by Coulomb interaction, is limited to distances of the order of 10 nm. Here, we demonstrate polariton-mediated coupling and energy transfer between excitonic states over a distance exceeding 2 μm. We accomplish this by coupling quantum well-confined excitons through the delocalized mode of two coupled optical microcavities. Use of magnetically doped quantum wells enables us to tune the confined exciton energy by the magnetic field and in this way to control the spatial direction of the transfer. Such controlled, long-distance interaction between coherently coupled quantum emitters opens possibilities of a scalable implementation of quantum networks and quantum simulators based on solid-state, multi-cavity systems.

Coupled quantum molecular cavity optomechanics with surface plasmon enhancement: comment

We have found an incorrect formula to estimate the root mean square (rms) amplitude of the molecular vibration in the molecular optomechanics systems reported by J. Liu et al. [Photon. Res. 5, 450–456 (2017)PRHEIZ2327-912510.1364/PRJ.5.000450]. In contrast with common optomechanical systems, the equilibrium position for molecular optomechanics systems used in the letter cannot be achieved by the equipartition theorem. Here, we achieve the effective temperature of molecules and then provide a corrected formula for the estimation of the rms amplitude of molecular motion. Using defined effective temperature into our new formula, we show that the minimal measurable force is ( F ≈ 1.7 × 10 − 14 N ), which it is 1 order bigger than the result of the main paper, and it is also in accordance with numerical calculation through the Lindblad master equation.

Localized character of charge excitations for La2−xSrxNiO4+δ revealed by oxygen K -edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering

We performed a resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) study of La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$NiO$_{4+{\delta}}$ (LSNO) at the oxygen $K$ edge to investigate the nature of the doped holes with regard to charge excitations. Charge excitations of the hole-doped nickelates are found to be almost independent of momentum transfer, indicating that the doped holes are strongly localized in character. Additionally, conspicuous changes in energy position are in temperature dependence. These characters are observed in stark contrast to those of the high-$T_{c}$ cuprate La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_{4}$ (LSCO), where delocalized doped holes form charge excitations with sizable momentum dependence in the CuO$_2$ plane. This distinct nature of charge excitations of doped holes is consistent with the metallicity of the materials and could be caused by strong electron-phonon coupling and weak quantum spin fluctuation in the nickelates.

Molecular dynamics simulation of cross-linking processes and material properties for epoxy resins using first-principle calculation combined with global reaction route mapping algorithms

Herein, epoxy resin is cured by coupling quantum chemical calculations with molecular dynamics simulations that enable the prediction of material characteristics with fewer artificial parameters. A polymer network is formed by the reaction between base resin and curing agent. The reaction uses activation energy and heat of formation data obtained by first-principle calculations coupled with global reaction route mapping algorithms. Density, glass-transition temperature, Young’s modulus, and curing conversion are used to validate the procedure. Experimental and simulation results indicate that base resin with multi-functional reaction groups increase glass-transition temperature and Young’s modulus because of cross-linking at the molecular scale.

Optically induced diffraction gratings based on periodic modulation of linear and nonlinear effects for atom-light coupling quantum systems near plasmonic nanostructures

We investigate the quantum linear and nonlinear effects in a novel five-level quantum system placed near a plasmonic nanostructure. Such a quantum scheme contains a double-V-type subsystem interacting with a weak probe field. The double-V-subsystem is then coupled to an excited state by a strong coupling field, which can be a position-dependent standing-wave field. We start by analyzing the first-order linear as well as the third and fifth order nonlinear terms of the probe susceptibility by systematically solving the equations for the matter-fields. When the quantum system is near the plasmonic nanostructure, the coherent control of linear and nonlinear susceptibilities becomes inevitable, leading to vanishing absorption effects and enhancing the nonlinearities. We also show that when the coupling light involves a standing-wave pattern, the periodic modulation of linear and nonlinear spectra results in an efficient scheme for the electromagnetically induced grating (EIG). In particular, the diffraction efficiency is influenced by changing the distance between the quantum system and plasmonic nanostructure. The proposed scheme may find potential applications in future nanoscale photonic devices.

Vibronic coupling density analysis and quantum dynamics simulation for singlet fission in pentacene and its halogenated derivatives.

We theoretically investigate microscopic origins of vibronic coupling (VC) contributing to singlet fission (SF) dynamics in pentacene and its halogenated derivatives. The features of VCs related to diabatic exciton states and interstate electronic couplings (Holstein and Peierls couplings, respectively) are interpreted by the VC density (VCD) analysis, which allows one to clarify the relationship between the chemical structure and VC as spatial contribution. It is found for the pentacene dimer face-to-edge configuration in a herringbone crystal that characteristic intermolecular vibrations with low frequencies exhibit strong Holstein couplings for the intermediate charge-transfer (CT) exciton states as well as Peierls couplings. From VCD analysis, the comprising density of the intermolecular CT and that of the intermolecular vibration are found to be constructively mixed in the intermolecular space, leading to the enhancement of VC. Moreover, in order to assess the chemical modification manner for controlling VC, we design several halogenated pentacene derivatives with slip-stack configurations. Our strategy to enhance VCD by halogenation is found to be rational, whereas the peaks of VC spectra for the CT states in the slip-stack packings are observed in high frequency regions. We compare their SF dynamics based on the quantum master equation explicitly including the exciton state-dependent VCs. From the analysis on relative relaxation factors between the adiabatic exciton states, their difference in the SF rate is highlighted by exciton configurations in addition to VCs. The present study is expected to be a first step toward efficient SF based on the design of VC in terms of both the chemical structure and intermolecular packing.

Beyond spontaneous emission: Giant atom bounded in the continuum

The quantum coupling of individual superconducting qubits to microwave photons leads to remarkable experimental opportunities. Here we consider the phononic case where the qubit is coupled to an electromagnetic surface acoustic wave antenna that enables supersonic propagation of the qubit oscillations. This can be considered as a giant atom that is many phonon wavelengths long. We study an exactly solvable toy model that captures these effects, and find that this non-Markovian giant atom has a suppressed relaxation, as well as an effective vacuum coupling between a qubit excitation and a localized wave packet of sound, even in the absence of a cavity for the sound waves. Finally, we consider practical implementations of these ideas in current surface acoustic wave devices.

First principle study of structural, electronic, ferromagnetic, mechanical and thermoelectric properties of ZnMn2X4 (X = S and Se) spinels

The structural, mechanical, electro-magnetic and transport attributes of ZnMn2X4 (X = S and Se) spinels are explored by density functional theory (DFT). The stability in structures are affirmed by negative formation energy. Moreover, structural optimizations have suggested studied compounds are stable in ferromagnetic phase. This phenomenon is also endorsed in electronic properties by band structures and density of states. In magnetic properties, ferromagnetic nature is discussed in detail by pd hybridization process, double exchange model, exchange energies and exchange constants. It is found that negative exchange constant N0β lower the ground energy of system which is in conformity to the double exchange mechanism. Furthermore, the magnetic moment shifting observed at Mn site to nonmagnetic sites (Zn, S/Se) is due to quantum coupling of electrons. Finally transport properties are evaluated by finding electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and power factor. All these parameters are in support of the compounds, which suggest novel spintronic applications.

Coherent Electron Optics with Ballistically Coupled Quantum Point Contacts

The realization of integrated quantum circuits requires precise on-chip control of charge carriers. Aiming at the coherent coupling of distant nanostructures at zero magnetic field, here we study the ballistic electron transport through two quantum point contacts (QPCs) in series in a three terminal configuration. We enhance the coupling between the QPCs by electrostatic focusing using a field effect lens. To study the emission and collection properties of QPCs in detail we combine the electrostatic focusing with magnetic deflection. Comparing our measurements with quantum mechanical and classical calculations we discuss generic features of the quantum circuit and demonstrate how the coherent and ballistic dynamics depend on the details of the QPC confinement potentials.

Construction of a quantum Carnot heat engine cycle

The microscopic state description of an irreversible quantum Carnot cycle for a general quantum working medium is investigated. An efficiency lag term, which quantifies the deviation of the irreversible cycle efficiency from the classical Carnot efficiency, is given in terms of the total entropy increase in the universe. The efficiency lag and the total entropy increase in the universe are directly connected to the quantum relative entropy between the density matrices obtained at the end of the quantum adiabatic and the relaxation steps of the cycle. The total entropy increase and the efficiency lag are found to be always nonnegative quantities. Our results give a direct proof that the irreversible cycle efficiency is always smaller than the classical Carnot efficiency. Two interacting spins under an external magnetic field are proposed as the working medium of the irreversible quantum Carnot cycle. The external magnetic field is considered to be quasistatically changed during the steps of the cycle. The coupling between the spins is found to break down the scale invariance and make the quantum Carnot cycle irreversible. It is shown that while the quantum coupling can lower the cycle efficiency monotonically to zero, it can make the irreversible cycle to produce more work than the one obtained from the uncoupled spins. The conditions in which one can always construct a reversible Carnot cycle for the coupled spin working medium are also given.

Chiral Plasmons with Twisted Atomic Bilayers.

van der Waals heterostructures of atomically thin layers with rotational misalignments, such as twisted bilayer graphene, feature interesting structural moiré superlattices. Because of the quantum coupling between the twisted atomic layers, light-matter interaction is inherently chiral; as such, they provide a promising platform for chiral plasmons in the extreme nanoscale. However, while the interlayer quantum coupling can be significant, its influence on chiral plasmons still remains elusive. Here we present the general solutions from full Maxwell equations of chiral plasmons in twisted atomic bilayers, with the consideration of interlayer quantum coupling. We find twisted atomic bilayers have a direct correspondence to the chiral metasurface, which simultaneously possesses chiral and magnetic surface conductivities, besides the common electric surface conductivity. In other words, the interlayer quantum coupling in twisted van der Waals heterostructures may facilitate the construction of various (e.g., bi-anisotropic) atomically-thin metasurfaces. Moreover, the chiral surface conductivity, determined by the interlayer quantum coupling, determines the existence of chiral plasmons and leads to a unique phase relationship (i.e., ±π/2 phase difference) between their transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) wave components. Importantly, such a unique phase relationship for chiral plasmons can be exploited to construct the missing longitudinal spin of plasmons, besides the common transverse spin of plasmons.

Relativistic Artificial Molecules Realized by Two Coupled Graphene Quantum Dots.

Coupled quantum dots (QDs), usually referred to as artificial molecules, are important not only in exploring fundamental physics of coupled quantum objects but also in realizing advanced QD devices. However, previous studies have been limited to artificial molecules with nonrelativistic Fermions. Here, we show that relativistic artificial molecules can be realized when two circular graphene QDs are coupled to each other. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS), we observe the formation of bonding and antibonding states of the relativistic artificial molecule and directly visualize these states of the two coupled graphene QDs. The formation of the relativistic molecular states strongly alters distributions of massless Dirac Fermions confined in the graphene QDs. Moreover, our experiment demonstrates that the degeneracy of different angular-momentum states in the relativistic artificial molecule can be further lifted by external magnetic fields. Then, both the bonding and antibonding states are split into two peaks.

Phase imaging of transition from classical to quantum plasmonic couplings between a metal nanoparticle and a metal surface

When a metal nanoparticle is brought near to a metal surface within electron tunneling distance (∼1 nm), classical electromagnetic coupling between the nanoparticle and the metal is expected to transition to quantum coupling. We show that this transition can be observed as a drastic phase change in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) images of the gold nanoparticles. We study the transition by controlling the distance between the nanoparticles and electrode surface, modeling the impact of the transition on the SPR image in terms of a phase shift and demonstrating detection of microRNA based on the transition from classical to quantum coupling. The work shows that the quantum coupling can be directly visualized in SPR, and the extremely sensitive dependence of the transition on distance leads to a biosensing principle with SPR.

Strongly coupled at distance

Quantum Physics The development of hybrid quantum systems provides a flexibility that allows for various components to be coupled together, thereby expanding the opportunity to build quantum sensors and devices that can be designed for specific purposes. Key to doing so is being able to strongly couple the different components. Most developments to date have relied on the components being in close proximity, which can hamper design flexibility. Karg et al. used a laser to induce strong coupling between a cloud of atoms and an optomechanical membrane. With the components separated by 1 meter, this approach demonstrates a methodology of coupling quantum systems and easing up restrictions on spatial proximity. Science , this issue p. [174][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abb0328