Coherent Evolution Research Articles

Maximal steered coherence in accelerating Unruh–DeWitt detectors

Quantum coherence, a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics, plays a crucial role in various quantum information tasks. However, preserving coherence under extreme conditions, such as relativistic acceleration, poses significant challenges. In this paper, we investigate the influence of Unruh temperature and energy levels on the evolution of maximal steered coherence (MSC) for different initial states. Our results reveal that MSC is strongly dependent on Unruh temperature, exhibiting behaviors ranging from monotonic decline to non-monotonic recovery, depending on the initial state parameter Δ0. Notably, when Δ0=1, MSC is generated as Unruh temperature increases. Additionally, we observe that higher energy levels help preserve or enhance MSC in the presence of Unruh effects. These findings offer valuable insights into the intricate relationship between relativistic effects and quantum coherence, with potential applications in developing robust quantum technologies for non-inertial environments.

Phase transitions in random circuit sampling

Undesired coupling to the surrounding environment destroys long-range correlations in quantum processors and hinders coherent evolution in the nominally available computational space. This noise is an outstanding challenge when leveraging the computation power of near-term quantum processors1. It has been shown that benchmarking random circuit sampling with cross-entropy benchmarking can provide an estimate of the effective size of the Hilbert space coherently available2–8. Nevertheless, quantum algorithms’ outputs can be trivialized by noise, making them susceptible to classical computation spoofing. Here, by implementing an algorithm for random circuit sampling, we demonstrate experimentally that two phase transitions are observable with cross-entropy benchmarking, which we explain theoretically with a statistical model. The first is a dynamical transition as a function of the number of cycles and is the continuation of the anti-concentration point in the noiseless case. The second is a quantum phase transition controlled by the error per cycle; to identify it analytically and experimentally, we create a weak-link model, which allows us to vary the strength of the noise versus coherent evolution. Furthermore, by presenting a random circuit sampling experiment in the weak-noise phase with 67 qubits at 32 cycles, we demonstrate that the computational cost of our experiment is beyond the capabilities of existing classical supercomputers. Our experimental and theoretical work establishes the existence of transitions to a stable, computationally complex phase that is reachable with current quantum processors.

Steering sound propagation with Zeno barriers in acoustic waveguide arrays

In quantum systems, a counterintuitive phenomenon known as quantum Zeno dynamics is usually exploited to tailor and protect the coherent evolution of quantum states by the back action of quantum measurements and strong couplings. Here, with the quantum-classical analogy, we report that the acoustic Zeno dynamics can be reproduced in acoustic waveguide arrays by setting segmented waveguides. We experimentally demonstrate that the segmented waveguide acts as an acoustic barrier to tailor the whole Hilbert space into different subspaces by separating the communication between waveguides. By arranging the acoustic Zeno barriers, we can control the sound transport in waveguide arrays into the target output ports, such as the Zeno dynamics, analog-quantum walk, and analog-quantum logic gates. In this context, we highlight that the Zeno barrier can be a versatile tool to arbitrarily control and guide the sound transport in waveguide arrays, which can provide an alternative choice for acoustic metamaterials and metasurfaces without cumbersome and complicated structure design. The acoustic Zeno barrier may provide a versatile approach to manipulate acoustic wave propagation for designing advanced on-chip integrated sound devices.

Temporal witnesses of non-classicality in a macroscopic biological system

Exciton transfer along a bio-polymer is essential for many biological processes, for instance, light harvesting in photosynthetic biosystems. Here we apply a new witness of non-classicality to this phenomenon, to conclude that, if an exciton can mediate the coherent quantum evolution of a photon, then the exciton is non-classical. We then propose a general qubit model for the quantum transfer of an exciton along a bio-polymer chain, also discussing the effects of environmental decoherence. The generality of our results makes them ideal candidates to design new tests of quantum features in complex bio-molecules.

Coherent Ultrafast Stimulated X-Ray Raman Spectroscopy of Dissipative Conical Intersections.

The quantum coherent dynamics of a vibronic wave packet in a molecule passing through a conical intersection can be revealed using attosecond transient coherent Raman spectroscopy. In particular, the time evolution of the electronic coherence can be monitored in the presence of vibrational dynamics. So far, the technique has been investigated without including environmental quantum noise. Here, we employ the numerically exact hierarchy equation of motion approach to show that the transient coherent Raman signals are robust and accessible on times of up to a few hundred femtoseconds with respect to electonic and vibrational dephasing.

Coherence evolution of multi-pulse pumped supercontinuum generation in all-normal dispersion fibers.

We numerically calculate the coherence of supercontinuum (SC) spectrum generated in all-normal dispersion (ANDi) fibers by multiple picosecond pulses. We show that multi-pulse pumping significantly mitigates the phenomenon of coherence degradation and maintains high spectral coherence over a broader wavelength range compared to the single pumping. It is found that inter-pulse four-wave-mixing (FWM) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) significantly contribute to the superior coherence characteristics of the SC. We further discuss the impact of key parameters on the multi-pulse pumped SC. Results indicate that a large temporal interval between pulses reduces spectral broadening efficiency, while closely spaced pulses generate a significant number of incoherent photons, severely degrading spectral coherence. Introducing initial chirp effectively mitigates this coherence degradation. A slight increase in the dispersion parameter notably suppresses the spectral broadening efficiency of the multi-pulse generation. Pulse shape primarily affects the SC shape without significantly impacting the spectral broadening efficiency.

Dynamics of Quantum Correlation in a Two‐qutrit Heisenberg XXZ Model with Heitler‐London and Dzyaloshinskii‐Moriya Couplings

AbstractThis study investigates the dynamics of quantum coherence and entanglement in the spin‐1 Heisenberg XXZ model. Particularly, the effects of the Heitler‐London (HL) coupling and the Dzyaloshinskii‐Moriya (DM) interaction are examined. By utilizing tools from quantum information theory, the concept of quantum correlated coherence and negativity are explored. The results show intrinsic decoherence leads to a decay of both correlated coherence and negativity. Interestingly, it is found that a small value of the Dzyaloshinskii‐Moriya interaction can significantly enhance coherence and entanglement. Various factors influence the system dynamics, including the initial state, anisotropy parameter, and the coupling distance between spins. It is shown that, by fixing the anisotropy parameter, the isotropic Heisenberg models XX and XXX can be easily recovered. Ultimately, the findings highlight that the system maintains a coherent temporal evolution despite decoherence.

Dynamical coupling of Keplerian orbits in a hierarchical four-body system: from the Galactic Centre to compact planetary systems

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the long-term evolution of two bodies in nearby initially coplanar orbits around a central dominant body perturbed by a fourth body on a distant Keplerian orbit. Our previous works that considered this setup enforced circular orbits by adding a spherical potential of extended mass, which dampens Kozai–Lidov oscillations; it led to two qualitatively different modes of the evolution of the nearby orbits. In one scenario, their mutual interaction exceeds the effect of differential precession caused by a perturbing body. This results in a long-term coherent evolution, with nearly coplanar orbits experiencing only small oscillations of inclination. We extend the previous work by (i) considering post-Newtonian corrections to the gravity of the central body, either instead of or in addition to the potential of extended mass, (ii) relaxing the requirement of strictly circular orbits, and (iii) removing the strict requirement of complete Kozai–Lidov damping. Thus, we identify the modes of interorbital interaction described for the zero eccentricity case in the more general situation, which allows for its applicability to a much broader range of astrophysical systems than considered initially. In this work, we scale the systems to the orbits of S-stars; we consider the clockwise disc to represent the perturbing body, with post-Newtonian corrections to the gravity of Sagittarius A* playing the role of damping potential. Considering post-Newtonian corrections, even stellar-mass central bodies in compact planetary systems can allow for the coupled evolution of Keplerian orbits.

Interhemispheric coherence of EEG rhythms in children: Maturation and differentiation in corpus callosum dysgenesis

ObjectivesTo evaluate the evolution of interhemispheric coherences (ICo) in background and spindle frequency bands during childhood and use it to identify individuals with corpus callosum dysgenesis (CCd). MethodsA monocentric cohort of children aged from 0.25 to 15 years old, consisting of 13 children with CCd and 164 without, was analyzed. The ICo of background activity (ICOBckgrdA), sleep spindles (ICOspindles), and their sum (sICO) were calculated. The impact of age, gender, and CC status on the ICo was evaluated, and the sICO was used to discriminate children with or without CCd. ResultsICOBckgrdA, ICOspindles and sICO increased significantly with age without any effect of gender (p < 10−4), in both groups. The regression equations of the different ICo were stronger, with adjusted R2 values of 0.54, 0.35, and 0.57, respectively. The ICo was lower in children with CCd compared to those without CCd (p < 10−4 for all comparisons). The area under the precision recall curves for predicting CCd using sICO was 0.992 with 98.9 % sensitivity and 87.5 % specificity. DiscussionICo of spindles and background activity evolve in parallel to brain maturation and depends on the integrity of the corpus callosum. sICO could be an effective diagnostic biomarker for screening children with interhemispheric dysfunction.

Behavior of quantum coherence in quantum phase transitions of two-dimensional XY and ising models

We investigate the quantum coherence behavior of the ground states of 2D Heisenberg XY model and 2D Ising model with a transverse field on square lattices using the Quantum Renormalization Group (QRG) method. Our analysis focused on the ground state density matrix and its marginal states, revealing non-analytic behavior of quantum coherence (especially two-site coherence) near the critical point. This behavior allowed us to detect quantum phase transitions (QPT) in these models. By examining the scaling behavior of the maximum derivative of quantum coherence with system size, we determined the critical exponent of coherence for both models and the length exponent of the Ising model. Additionally, we investigated the time evolution of coherence in both models. Our results closely align with those obtained from entanglement analysis, that is while quantum coherence requires fewer computational calculations compared to discord and entanglement approaches.

Quantum steering and coherence evolution of two atoms under noisy environments

By considering two kinds of non-Markovian (NM) environments, the dynamical behavior of quantum steering, Bell nonlocality and coherence of a system of two atoms initially immersed in a vacuum has been studied. In this context, the cases of a cavity little off-resonance with the atomic transition frequency and non-perfect photonic band-gap (NPPBG) has been considered. The control and preservation of the quantumness measures is discussed in terms of the physical parameters. Furthermore, the situations for which the atoms state is steerable with the presence of Bell nonlocality and coherence has been illustrated. Finally, the monotonic dependence among the quantumness measures is displayed with respect to the model parameters.

A hydrodynamical description of Bose liquid with fractional exclusion statistics

Hydrodynamical systems are usually taken as chaotic systems with fast relaxations. It is counter intuitive for ‘ideal’ gas to have a hydrodynamical description. We find that a hydrodynamical model of one-dimensional |Φ|6 theory shares the same ground state density profile, density-wave excitation, as well as the similar dynamical and statistical properties with the Calogero–Sutherland model in thermodynamic limit when their interaction strengths matches each other. The interaction strength g 0 in |Φ|6 theory is then the index of fractional statistics. Although the model is interacting in Bose liquid sense, but it shows integrability with periodical coherent evolution. We also discussed the fractional statistics emerges from the |Φ|6 theory.

Visual Analysis Method for Traffic Trajectory with Dynamic Topic Movement Patterns Based on the Improved Markov Decision Process

The visual analysis of trajectory topics is helpful for mining potential trajectory patterns, but the traditional visual analysis method ignores the evolution of the temporal coherence of the topic. In this paper, a novel visual analysis method for dynamic topic analysis of traffic trajectory is proposed, which is used to explore and analyze the traffic trajectory topic and evolution. Firstly, the spatial information is integrated into trajectory words, calculating the dynamic trajectory topic model based on dynamic analysis modeling and, consequently, correlating the evolution of the trajectory topic between adjacent time slices. Secondly, in the trajectory topic, a representative trajectory sequence is generated to overcome the problem of the trajectory topic model not considering the word order, based on the improved Markov Decision Process. Subsequently, a set of meaningful visual codes is designed to analyze the trajectory topic and its evolution through the parallel window visual model from a spatial-temporal perspective. Finally, a case evaluation shows that the proposed method is effective in analyzing potential trajectory movement patterns.

Optical simulation of an ultra-sensitive thermometer based on atom interferometry

In this letter, we apply an optical setup to simulate the coherent evolution of an atomic wavepacket under the action of a standing-wave optical pulse sequence. Predicted population oscillations in [J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 39, 3012 (2022)] have been observed, and the beam divergence angle, which corresponds to the atomic momentum width, has been obtained by fitting the data. Consequently, we confirm the viability of employing standing-wave optical pulse sequences for measuring the ultra-narrow momentum distribution of atoms. In addition, we introduce a fitting method suitable for data obtained under non-ideal experimental conditions, which serves as a reference for similar experiments in atomic ultra-low temperature measurements.

Dynamics of quantum coherence and correlations in a transverse Ising spin chain environment

In this paper, we study the dynamical processes of quantum coherence and correlations for two central qubits system coupled with a transverse Ising spin chain. Suppose the initial state of quantum system is the Werner state and the initial state of environment is the ground state of spin chain, and the corresponding time evolution operator, decoherence factor and reduced density matrix are given. We deduce the analytical expressions of evolution of quantum coherence, entanglement and quantum discord. We find that when the spin chain undergoes quantum phase transition (QPT), the entanglement vanished at time [Formula: see text], and the coherence and discord vanished when the decoherence factor decayed to zero. Besides, we also find that the environmental scale N, coupling strength g and parameter P of Werner state do not change the evolution rules of quantum correlation, but accelerate their decay rate with these parameters’ increase.

Evolution from clusters to precipitates in niobium-micro-alloyed ferritic steel: A combined in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy and atomistic study

Nano-sized carbides are essential for strengthening steel. In this study, we examined the evolution of metal carbide (M-C) clusters (M = Ti and Nb) into MC precipitates within a ferrite matrix through a reverse Bain transformation at the atomic level using the first-principles method. Through in situ transmission electron microscopy, the evolution of the Nb-C cluster into an NbC precipitate was observed for the first time. The Nb-C cluster was confirmed to maintain coherence with a limited carbon content, assuming a disc-shaped form that grew in a specific direction owing to misfit strain upon reaching a critical size. Interface dislocations were also formed. The NbC precipitate formation was subsequently completed through additional carbon diffusion. The findings of this study indicate that MC precipitation in a ferrite matrix can be attained through coherent cluster evolution with a specific carbon content.

Turbulence structure of the Rayleigh–Bénard convection using liquid CO2 as working fluid

We studied the evolution of flow structures and large-scale circulations (LSC) in Rayleigh–Bénard convection (RBC) using liquid carbon dioxide as the working medium. In this experiment, a transparent sapphire pressure vessel with observable internal flow was designed, and different temperature differences were applied between the upper and the lower surfaces of the fluid to obtain different Rayleigh numbers (Ra). We employed proper orthogonal decomposition and reconstruction to extract internal flow structures from the shadowgraphy images. We used optical flow techniques to acquire the velocity field of the flow, and we reconstructed the temperature field inside the supercritical fluid using the relationship between shadowgraphy images and refractive index. It is clearly observed that the RBC begins to produce different flow structures under a small temperature difference of 0.4 °C. As the number of Ra increases, the number and the speed of plumes increase, and the morphology of plumes gradually becomes elongated. When Ra exceeds a certain critical value, an LSC structure appears in the flow field, and the plumes translate laterally with the large-scale circulation, and the disorder of the vortex structure in the central flow region increases significantly. Three typical flow structures were observed: (1) single plume, (2) thermal boundary layer traveling waves, and (3) Rayleigh–Taylor instability waves. We believe that the traveling wave structure is the precursor to the single plume. The temperature field analysis of the three structures was carried out, and the velocity of the typical plume was calculated by the optical flow method. It was found that LSC transitioned from oval to square shape with the increase in Ra, and the internal plume Reynolds number slowly increased with the increase in Ra. By the in-depth study of the thermal turbulence characteristics and the coherent structure evolution law of RBC, this paper provides experimental support for revealing the mechanism of enhanced heat transfer in energy system with a liquid CO2 working fluid.

Evolution of spin coherence of radical pairs due to spin-selective recombination: Comparison of three models.

This study looked for a way to evaluate the validity of previously suggested models for describing the spin-selective recombination of radical pairs. As an example, for analysis, we used the conventional model, the model by Jones and Hore [Chem. Phys. Lett. 488, 90 (2010)], and the model by Salikhov [Am. J. Phys. Chem. 11, 67 (2022)]. To do this, analytical solutions to the evolution of the radical pair density matrix due to a radical pair's spin-selective recombination and singlet-triplet transitions in a strong magnetic field were obtained for the conventional model and the Jones and Hore model. Spin interactions included in the Hamiltonian were time-independent exchange interactions as well as Zeeman and hyperfine interactions. The most striking difference between the models' predictions appeared when considering the fraction of singlet pairs among all currently existing ones. In the Jones and Hore model, this ratio has the form of damped oscillations for any values of the spin-hamiltonian parameters. The conventional model and the Salikhov model both predicted that this ratio had the form of undamped oscillations in the absence of exchange interaction and at a sufficiently low recombination rate. Besides, the conventional model predicts the possibility of a resonance-like behavior of this ratio when singlet-triplet transitions in a part of the radical pair ensemble are completely suppressed by tuning the magnetic field strength. Possible experimental conditions in which distinguishing between the models seems to be most straightforward were suggested.

Mineral Chemistry of Pyrochlore Supergroup Minerals as Records of Nb Mineralization Processes in NYF-Type Pegmatites: A Case Study of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, SW China

Alkaline igneous rocks have become a potentially important source of Nb, except for the carbonatites. The metallogenetic mechanism of Nb during the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of alkaline rocks remains ambiguous. From the perspective of Nb minerals, the mineral chemistry of pyrochlore supergroup minerals provides the mineralogical evidence for indicating the respective contributions of magma and hydrothermal fluids to Nb mineralization. In the Miyi County of the Panzhihua-Xichang (Pan-Xi) area, the central zone of the Permian Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) in SW China, hundreds of Nb-Y-F mineralized pegmatites (NYF-type) are exposed. This study conducted in situ mineral chemistry analyses on four types of pyrochlores to elucidate the Nb mineralization process. Both Pcl-I and Pcl-II exhibit well-developed oscillatory zoning (OZ), representing magmatic pyrochlore formed through disequilibrium crystallization in an oscillatory environment. Pcl-III, with a homogeneous and less variable composition, is also considered of magmatic origin due to its coherent chemical evolution with Pcl-II. Pcl-IV is considered of hydrothermal origin based on its irregular zoning texture, extremely high Na2O contents, and compositional gap compared with magmatic types. The decrease in TiO2 contents, coupled with the increase in Na2O, F, and Nb2O5 contents from Pcl-I to Pcl-III and from the core to the rim of zoned Pcl-II, indicates that fractional crystallization facilitates the crystallization of albite and the enrichment of volatiles, as well as the precipitation of Nb from the early to late stages. During the magmatic-hydrothermal transition stage, the reductive, Na- and F-enriched fluid transports Nb more effectively, leading to further Nb enrichment in pyrochlore. Consequently, there are two-stage Nb mineralization processes associated with the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution in the Miyi pegmatite, with the primary magmatic ore assemblages being the dominant Nb mineralization, which may be a general model for the mineralization of NYF-type pegmatites.

Cross polarization from dipolar-order under magic angle spinning: The ADRF-CPMAS NMR experiment

Techniques for enhancing the signals arising from low-γ, insensitive (I) nuclei are central to solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. One of the leading and best-established methods to sensitize these unreceptive species is Hartmann–Hahn cross polarization (HH-CP), a polarization transfer mechanism often executed under MAS. Herein, we explore the possibility of utilizing the 1H dipolar order created via adiabatic demagnetization in the rotating frame (ADRF), to enhance the unreceptive spins under MAS. It is found that an efficient polarization transfer via ADRF-CPMAS is not only possible but can exceed, at least in some instances involving plastic crystals, the efficiency of an optimized HH-CPMAS transfer. The experiment requires low radiofrequency nutation fields on both the 1H- and the I-spin channels, and displays unusual matching conditions that are reminiscent of the zero- and double-quantum matching conditions arising under CPMAS, albeit centered at zero frequency and demanding the simultaneous involvement of several spins. The origin of these multi-spin transfer processes is analytically derived and numerically simulated in predictions that compare well with experimental 13C and 15N results collected on model compounds at different spinning speeds. These derivations start from descriptions that depart from traditional thermodynamic arguments, and treat instead the ADRF processes in static and spinning solids on the basis of coherent evolutions. The predictions of these analytical derivations are corroborated by numerical simulations. The effects of additional factors, including chemical shift anisotropies, J-couplings, and radiofrequency inhomogeneities, are also theoretically and experimentally explored.