Gaussian Wave Packet Research Articles

Efficient, high-fidelity single-photon switch based on waveguide-coupled cavities

We demonstrate theoretically that waveguide-coupled cavities with embedded two-level emitters can act as a highly efficient, high-fidelity single-photon switch. The photon switch is an optical router triggered by a classical signal—the propagation direction of single input photons in the waveguide is controlled by changing the emitter-cavity coupling parameters , for example, using applied fields. The switch reflects photons in the weak emitter-cavity coupling regime and transmits photons in the strong coupling regime. By calculating transmission and reflection spectra using the input-output formalism of quantum optics and the transfer matrix approach, we obtain the fidelity and efficiency of the switch with a single-photon input in both regimes. We find that a single waveguide-coupled cavity can route input photon wave packets with near-unity efficiency and fidelity if the wave packet width is smaller than the cavity mode linewidth. We also find that using multiple waveguide-coupled cavities increases the switching bandwidth, allowing wider wave packets to be routed with high efficiency and fidelity. For example, an array of three waveguide-coupled cavities can reflect an input Gaussian wave packet with a full width at half-maximum of 1 nm (corresponding to a few-picosecond pulse) with an efficiency Er=96.4% and a fidelity Fr=97.7%, or transmit the wave packet with an efficiency Et=99.7% and a fidelity Ft=99.8%. Such efficient, high-fidelity single-photon routing is essential for scalable photonic quantum technologies. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Thawed Gaussian Wavepacket Dynamics with Δ-Machine-Learned Potentials.

A method for performing variable-width (thawed) Gaussian wavepacket (GWP) variational dynamics on machine-learned potentials is presented. Instead of fitting the potential energy surface (PES), the anharmonic correction to the global harmonic approximation (GHA) is fitted using kernel ridge regression─this is a Δ-machine learning approach. The training set consists of energy differences between ab initio electronic energies and values given by the GHA. The learned potential is subsequently used to propagate a single thawed GWP by using the time-dependent variational principle to compute the autocorrelation function, which provides direct access to vibronic spectra via its Fourier transform. We applied the developed method to simulate the photoelectron spectrum of ammonia and found excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental spectra. We show that fitting the anharmonic corrections requires a smaller training set as compared to fitting total electronic energies. We also demonstrate that our approach allows to reduce the dimensionality of the nuclear space used to scan the PES when constructing the training set. Thus, only the degrees of freedom associated with large-amplitude motions need to be treated with Δ-machine learning, which paves a way for reliable simulations of vibronic spectra of large floppy molecules.

Semiclassical perturbations of single-degree–of–freedom Hamiltonian systems I: Separatrix splitting

We study semiclassical perturbations of single-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian systems possessing hyperbolic saddles with homoclinic orbits, and provide a sufficient condition for the separatrices to split, using a Melnikov-type approach. The semiclassical systems give approximations of the expectation values of the positions and momenta to the semiclassical Schrödinger equations with Gaussian wave packets as the initial conditions. The occurrence of separatrix splitting explains a mechanism for the existence of trajectories to cross the separatrices on the classical phase plane in the expectation value dynamics. Such separatrix splitting does not occur in standard systems of Hagedorn and Heller for the semiclassical Gaussian wave packet dynamics as well as in the classical systems. We illustrate our theory for the potential of a simple pendulum and give numerical computations for the stable and unstable manifolds in the semiclassical system as well as solutions crossing the separatrices.

Propagation of spatiotemporal Airy-Laguerre complex-variable-function Gaussian wave packets in a chiral medium

We analyze the propagation of spatiotemporal Airy-Laguerre complex-variable-function Gaussian (ALCG) wave packets using phase modulation. These wave packets can split into left circularly polarized ALCG (LCP-ALCG) and right circularly polarized ALCG (RCP-ALCG) components due to circular birefringence in a chiral medium. Our discussion primarily focuses on the effects of polynomial order, angle parameters, distribution factor, cross-phase factor, first-order chirp factor, and chiral parameter on the ALCG wave packets. The distinct LCP-ALCG and RCP-ALCG wave packet characteristics are obtained, and the radiation forces on Rayleigh dielectric particles are investigated. Our results emphasize the influence of various parameters in the propagation properties of ALCG wave packets, unveiling their potential for advancements in optical communication and optical trapping domains.

Semiclassical perturbations of single-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian systems II: Nonintegrability

Continuing from Paper I [Ohsawa and Yagasaki, J. Math. Phys. 65, 102706 (2024)], we study semiclassical perturbations of single-degree-of-freedom analytic Hamiltonian systems and provide a sufficient condition for its meromorphic nonintegrability such that the first integrals depend on the small parameter meromorphically. Our approach is based on a generalization due to Ayoul and Zung of the Morales-Ramis theory, which enables us to show the meromorphic nonintegrability of dynamical systems by using the differential Galois theory. We remark that standard systems of Hagedorn and Heller for the semiclassical Gaussian wave packet dynamics are analytically integrable as well as the corresponding classical systems. We illustrate our theory for a bounded potential.

Dynamic protected states in the non-Hermitian system

The non-Hermitian skin effect and nonreciprocal behavior are sensitive to the boundary conditions, which are unique features of non-Hermitian systems. In such systems, eigenenergies can become complex, and all eigenstates tend to localize at the boundary, a phenomenon that contrasts with Hermitian topologies. In this work, we theoretically study the dynamic behavior of the propagation of Gaussian wavepackets inside a non-Hermitian lattice and analyze the self-acceleration process of bulk state or Gaussian wavepackets toward the system’s boundary. The initial wavepackets will not only propagate toward the side where the eigenstates are localized, but also their momentum will approach to a specific value. This value corresponds to the maximum imaginary components of the energy dispersion. In addition, if the wavepackets in the momentum space cover this specific momentum, they will eventually exhibit exponentially increasing amplitudes with time evolution, maintaining the dynamic protected condition for an extended period of time until they approach the boundary. We also take two widely used toy models as examples in one and two dimensions to verify the correspondence of the non-Hermitian skin effect and the dynamic protected state.

Quantising a Hamiltonian curl force

Abstract Classical curl forces are position-dependent Newtonian forces (accelerations) that are not the gradient of a scalar potential, and in general cannot be described by Hamiltonians. However, a special class of curl forces can be described by Hamiltonians, with the unusual feature that the kinetic energy is anisotropic in the momentum components. Therefore they can be quantised conventionally. We quantise the simplest such case: motion in the plane, with a curl force azimuthally directed and linear. As expected, the quantum propagator, and the way this drives Gaussian wavepackets, directly reflects the spiralling classical curl force dynamics. Two classes of stationary states—eigenfunctions of a continuous spectrum for the unbounded Hamiltonian—are described. They possess unusual singularities and an unfamiliar quantisation condition; their explanation requires asymptotics and unfamiliar singularities in the underlying families of classical trajectories. The analysis is supported and illustrated numerically.

Entanglement in Bound States of Two Particles with a Localized Center-of-Mass Wave-Function

Abstract We explore some entanglement-related features of systems consisting of two particles coupled through a central potential. We consider two types of systems, constituted by particles in one spatial dimension interacting through an attractive Dirac Delta potential, or through a harmonic quadratic potential. The degree of freedom corresponding to the system’s center of mass is either regarded as confined within a one dimensional box, or described by a localized Gaussian wave-packet. As a quantitative indicator of the degree of entanglement between the particles, we use the linear entropy of the one-particle marginal density matrix. In general, this quantity cannot be calculated analytically (except in some special cases related to the Harmonic interaction). Consequently, the linear entropy has to be evaluated numerically. Since the concomitant numerical problem consist in evaluating a multi-dimensional integral in four dimensions, the Monte Carlo integration method is an appropriate one for this task. We explore numerically how the system’s entanglement depends on the different interaction potentials, on the different types of confinement for the system’s center of mass, and on the associated parameters describing the size and geometry of the system.

Superposition and interference of Gaussian wave packets for laser transverse modes

We interpret the intrinsic mechanism of the transition from geometric modes to eigenmodes in the Gaussian wave-packet representation based on numerical simulation. We then construct multiaxial super-geometric modes and polygonal vortex modes based on Gaussian wave packets. We highlight that the superposition of Gaussian wave packets can build the geometric modes described by Hermite polynomials and that the eigenmodes are the result of the interference of Gaussian wave packets. We conclude that Gaussian wave packets might serve as a complete basis for constructing structured light generated in solid-state laser cavities. Our study may provide meaningful insight into Gaussian wave packets for laser transverse modes.

Dynamical theory of single-photon transport through a qubit chain coupled to a one-dimensional nanophotonic waveguide

We study the dynamics of a single-photon pulse traveling through a linear qubit chain coupled to continuum modes in a one-dimensional (1D) photonic waveguide. We derive a time-dependent dynamical theory for qubits’ amplitudes and for transmitted and reflected spectra. We show that the requirement for the photon-qubit coupling to exist only for positive frequencies can significantly change the dynamics of the system. First, it leads to the additional photon-mediated dipole-dipole interaction between qubits which results in the violation of the phase coherence between them. Second, the spectral lines of transmitted and reflected spectra crucially depend on the shape of the incident pulse and on the initial distance between the pulse center and the first qubit in the chain. We apply our theory to one-qubit and two-qubit systems. For these cases we obtain the explicit expressions for the qubits’ amplitudes and for the photon radiation spectra as time tends to infinity. Specific calculations are performed for superconducting qubits operating in GHz frequency range. For the incident Gaussian wave packet we calculate the line shapes of transmitted and reflected photons.

Scaling law for a buckled elastic filament in a shear flow.

We analyze the three-dimensional (3D) buckling of an elastic filament in a shear flow of a viscous fluid at low Reynolds number and high Péclet number. We apply the Euler-Bernoulli beam (elastica) theoretical model. We show the universal character of the full 3D spectral problem for a small perturbation of a thin filament from a straight position of arbitrary orientation. We use the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for the linearized elastica equationin the shear plane, found earlier by Liu etal. [Phys. Rev. Fluids 9, 014101 (2024)2469-990X10.1103/PhysRevFluids.9.014101] with the Chebyshev spectral collocation method, to solve the full 3D eigenproblem. We provide a simple analytic approximation of the eigenfunctions, represented as Gaussian wave packets. As the main result of the paper, we derive the square-root dependence of the eigenfunction wave number on the parameter χ[over ̃]=-ηsin2ϕsin^{2}θ, where η is the elastoviscous number and the filament orientation is determined by the zenith angle θ with respect to the vorticity direction and the azimuthal angle ϕ relative to the flow direction. We also compare the eigenfunctions with shapes of slightly buckled elastic filaments with a non-negligible thickness with the same Young's modulus, using the bead model and performing numerical simulations with the precise hydromultipole numerical codes.

Time evolution as an optimization problem: The hydrogen atom in strong laser fields in a basis of time-dependent Gaussian wave packets.

Recent advances in attosecond science have made it increasingly important to develop stable, reliable, and accurate algorithms and methods to model the time evolution of atoms and molecules in intense laser fields. A key process in attosecond science is high-harmonic generation, which is challenging to model with fixed Gaussian basis sets, as it produces high-energy electrons, with a resulting rapidly varying and highly oscillatory wave function that extends over dozens of ångström. Recently, Rothe's method, where time evolution is rephrased as an optimization problem, has been applied to the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation. Here, we apply Rothe's method to the hydrogen wave function and demonstrate that thawed, complex-valued Gaussian wave packets with time-dependent width, center, and momentum parameters are able to reproduce spectra obtained from essentially exact grid calculations for high-harmonic generation with only 50-181 Gaussians for field strengths up to 5 × 1014 W/cm2. This paves the way for the inclusion of continuum contributions into real-time, time-dependent electronic-structure theory with Gaussian basis sets for strong fields and eventually accurate simulations of the time evolution of molecules without the Born-Oppenheimer approximation.

Variational Gaussian approximation for the magnetic Schrödinger equation *

In the present paper we consider the semiclassical magnetic Schrödinger equation, which describes the dynamics of particles under the influence of a magnetic field. The solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation is approximated by a single Gaussian wave packet via the time-dependent Dirac–Frenkel variational principle. For the approximation we derive ordinary differential equations of motion for the parameters of the variational solution. Moreover, we prove L 2-error bounds and observable error bounds for the approximating Gaussian wave packet.

Quasinormal modes and greybody factor of a Lorentz-violating black hole

Recently, a static spherically symmetric black hole solution was found in gravity nonminimally coupled a background Kalb-Ramond field. The Lorentz symmetry is spontaneously broken when the Kalb-Ramond field has a nonvanishing vacuum expectation value. In this work, we focus on the quasinormal modes and greybody factor of this black hole. The master equations for the perturbed scalar field, electromagnetic field, and gravitational field can be written into a Schrödinger equation. We use three methods to solve the quasinormal frequencies in the frequency domain. The results agree well with each other. The time evolution of a Gaussian wave packet is studied. The quasinormal frequencies fitted from the time evolution data agree well with that of frequency domain. The greybody factor is calculated by Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method. The effect of the Lorentz-violating parameter on the quasinormal modes and greybody factor are also studied.

Simulation of Gaussian wave packets used to illustrate elementary quantum mechanics scenarios

In this paper we numerically solve the time dependent Schrödinger equation for scenarios using wave packets. These examples include the free wave packet, which we use to show the difference between group and phase velocities, the packet in a harmonic oscillator potential with non-trivial initial conditions in one and two dimensions, which is compared with their classical analogs to show how Ehrenfest theorem holds. We also include simulations of the diffraction through the single and double slit potentials, the refraction with a step potential and the dispersion by a central potential. The aim of this paper is to illustrate with simulations, nowadays easy to implement, scenarios that can help explaining the basics of the wave-particle duality.

Non-perturbative dynamics of flat-band systems with correlated disorder

Abstract We develop a numerical method for the time evolution of Gaussian wave packets on flat-band lattices in the presence of correlated disorder. To achieve this, we introduce a method to generate random on-site energies with prescribed correlations. We verify this method with a one-dimensional (1D) cross-stitch model, and find good agreement with analytical results obtained from the disorderdressed evolution equations. This allows us to reproduce previous findings, that disorder can mobilize 1D flat-band states which would otherwise remain localized. As explained by the corresponding disorder-dressed evolution equations, such mobilization requires an asymmetric disorder-induced coupling to dispersive bands, a condition that is generically not fulfilled when the flat-band is resonant with the dispersive bands at a Dirac point-like crossing. We exemplify this with the 1D Lieb lattice. While analytical expressions are not available for the two-dimensional (2D) system due to its complexity, we extend the numerical method to the 2D α-T 3 model, and find that the initial flat-band wave packet preserves its localization when α = 0, regardless of disorder and intersections. However, when α ≠ 0, the wave packet shifts in real space. We interpret this as a Berry phase controlled, disorder-induced wave-packet mobilization. In addition, we present density functional theory calculations of candidate materials, specifically Hg1-xCdxTe. The flat-band emerges near the Γ point (k =0) in the Brillouin zone.

Quantum versus classical quenches and the broadening of wave packets

The time dependence of one-dimensional quantum mechanical probability densities is presented when the potential in which a particle moves is suddenly changed, called a quench. Quantum quenches are mainly addressed, but a comparison with results for the dynamics in the framework of classical statistical mechanics is useful. Analytical results are presented when the initial and final potentials are harmonic oscillators. When the final potential vanishes, the problem reduces to the broadening of wave packets. A simple introduction to the concept of the Wigner function is presented, which allows a better understanding of the dynamics of general wave packets. It is pointed out how special the broadening of Gaussian wave packets is, the only example usually presented in quantum mechanics textbooks.

Gouy phase and quantum interference with cross-Wigner functions for matter-waves

The Gouy phase is essential for accurately describing various wave phenomena, ranging from classical electromagnetic waves to matter waves and quantum optics. In this work, we employ phase-space methods based on the cross-Wigner transformation to analyze spatial and temporal interference in the evolution of matter waves characterized initially by a correlated Gaussian wave packet. First, we consider the cross-Wigner of the initial wave function with its free evolution, and second for the evolution through a double-slit arrangement. Different from the wave function which acquires a global Gouy phase, we find that the cross-Wigner acquires a Gouy phase difference due to different evolution times. The results suggest that temporal like-Gouy phase difference is important for an accurate description of temporal interference. Furthermore, we propose a technique based on the Wigner function to reconstruct the cross-Wigner from the spatial intensity interference term in a double-slit experiment with matter waves.

Chirality-assisted enhancement of tripartite entanglement in waveguide QED

We study the generation and control of genuine tripartite entanglement among quantum emitters (QEs) that are side-coupled to one-dimensional spin-momentum locked (or chiral) waveguides. By applying the machinery of Fock state master equations along with the recently proposed concurrence fill measure of tripartite entanglement [S. Xie and J. H. Eberly, Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 040403 (2021)], we analyze how three-photon Gaussian wavepackets can distribute entanglement among two and three QEs. We show that with a five times larger waveguide decay rate in the right direction as compared to the left direction, the maximum value of tripartite entanglement can be elevated by 35%\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$35\\%$$\\end{document} as compared to the symmetric scenario where both left, and right direction decay rates are equal. Additionally, chirality can maintain the tripartite entanglement for longer than the corresponding symmetric decay rate. Finally, we study the influence of detunings and spontaneous emission on the resulting entanglement. We envision quantum networking and long-distance quantum communication as two main areas of applications of this work.

Finite-Temperature Correlation Functions Obtained from Combined Real- and Imaginary-Time Propagation of Variational Thawed Gaussian Wavepackets.

We apply the so-called variational Gaussian wavepacket approximation (VGA) for conducting both real- and imaginary-time dynamics to calculate thermal correlation functions. By considering strongly anharmonic systems, such as a quartic potential and a double-well potential at high and low temperatures, it is shown that this method is partially able to account for tunneling. This is contrary to other popular many-body methods, such as ring polymer molecular dynamics and the classical Wigner method, which fail in this respect. It is a historical peculiarity that no one has considered the VGA method for representing both the Boltzmann operator and the real-time propagation. This method should be well suited for molecular systems containing many atoms.