Electron-photon Interaction Research Articles

Delocalization of electrons by cavity photons in transport through a quantum dot molecule

We present results on cavity-photon-assisted electron transport through two lateral quantum dots embedded in a finite quantum wire. The double quantum dot system is weakly connected to two leads and strongly coupled to a single quantized photon cavity mode with initially two linearly polarized photons in the cavity. Including the full electron–photon interaction, the transient current controlled by a plunger-gate in the central system is studied by using quantum master equation. Without a photon cavity, two resonant current peaks are observed in the range selected for the plunger gate voltage: The ground state peak, and the peak corresponding to the first-excited state. The current in the ground state is higher than in the first-excited state due to their different symmetry. In a photon cavity with the photon field polarized along or perpendicular to the transport direction, two extra side peaks are found, namely, photon-replica of the ground state and photon-replica of the first-excited state. The side-peaks are caused by photon-assisted electron transport, with multiphoton absorption processes for up to three photons during an electron tunneling process. The inter-dot tunneling in the ground state can be controlled by the photon cavity in the case of the photon field polarized along the transport direction. The electron charge is delocalized from the dots by the photon cavity. Furthermore, the current in the photon-induced side-peaks can be strongly enhanced by increasing the electron–photon coupling strength for the case of photons polarized along the transport direction.

Theory of Raman enhancement by two-dimensional materials: Applications for graphene-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

We propose a third-order time-dependent perturbation theory approach to describe the chemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of molecules interacting with two-dimensional (2D) surfaces such as an ideal 2D metal and graphene, which are both 2D metallic monolayers. A detailed analysis is performed for all the possible scattering processes involving both electrons and holes and considering the different time orderings for the electron-photon and electron-phonon interactions. We show that for ideal 2D metals a surface enhancement of the Raman scattering is possible if the Fermi energy of the surface is near the energy of either the HOMO or the LUMO states of the molecule and that a maximum enhancement is obtained when the Fermi energy matches the energy of either the HOMO or the LUMO energies plus or minus the phonon energy. The graphene-enhanced Raman spectroscopy effect is then explained as a particular case of a 2D surface, on which the density of electronic states is not constant, but increases linearly with the energy measured from the charge neutrality point. In the case of graphene, the Raman enhancement can occur for any value of the Fermi energy between the HOMO and LUMO states of the molecule. The proposed model allows for a formal approach for calculating the Raman intensity of molecules interacting with different 2D materials.

Effects of geometry and linearly polarized cavity photons on charge and spin currents in a quantum ring with spin-orbit interactions

We calculate the persistent spin current inside a quantum ring as a function of the strength of the Rashba or Dresselhaus spin-orbit interaction. We provide analytical results for the spin current of a one-dimensional (1D) ring of non-interacting electrons for comparison. Furthermore, we calculate the time evolution in the transient regime of a two-dimensional (2D) quantum ring connected to electrically biased semi-infinite leads using a time-convolutionless non-Markovian generalized master equation. In the latter case, the electrons are correlated via the Coulomb interaction and the ring can be embedded in a photon cavity with a single mode of linearly polarized photon field. The electron-electron and electron-photon interactions are described by exact numerical diagonalization. The photon field can be polarized perpendicular or parallel to the charge transport. We find a pronounced charge current dip associated with many-electron level crossings at the Aharonov-Casher phase $\Delta\Phi=\pi$, which can be disguised by linearly polarized light. Qualitative agreement is found for the spin currents of the 1D and 2D ring. Quantatively, however, the spin currents are weaker in the more realistic 2D ring, especially for weak spin-orbit interaction, but can be considerably enhanced with the aid of a linearly polarized electromagnetic field. Specific spin current symmetries relating the Dresselhaus spin-orbit interaction case to the Rashba one are found to hold for the 2D ring in the photon cavity.

Polarization and Angular Distribution of Lℓ X-Ray Following Inner-Shell 2p3/2 Photoionization of Magnesium-Like Ions

The inner-shell 2p3/2 photoionization and the subsequent decay of Mg-like Fe14+, Cd36+, W62+ and U80+ ions are studied theoretically within the multiconfiguration Dirac—Fock method and the density matrix theory. Special attention is paid to exploring the influence of the non-dipole terms which arise from the multipole expansion of the electron-photon interaction in the photoionization process. The results show that the non-dipole contribution to the total cross section, the magnetic sublevels cross section of the photoionization process, the degree of linear polarization and angular distribution of the subsequent characteristic x-ray radiation become more important with the increase of photons energy and atomic nuclear Z. Especially for the cross section and the degree of linear polarization, the non-dipole contribution arrives at 50% for U80+ at four time energy threshold units. However, for the angular distribution, the maximum contribution does not exceed 4%, even for U80+ ions.

Inelastic Raman scattering of light by hydrogenlike ions

The inelastic Raman scattering of light by hydrogenlike ions has been studied by means of second-order perturbation theory and the relativistic Coulomb Green's-function approach. In particular, we investigate the total and angle-differential Raman cross sections as well as the magnetic sublevel population of the residual (excited) ions. Detailed calculations are performed for the inelastic scattering of photons by neutral hydrogen as well as hydrogenlike xenon and uranium ions, accompanied by the $1{s}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2{s}_{1/2}$, $1{s}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2{p}_{1/2}$, and $1{s}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2{p}_{3/2}$ transitions. Moreover, we discuss how the Raman scattering is affected by relativistic and resonance effects as well as the higher-multipole contributions to the electron-photon interaction.

Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy: Mathematical formulation of the relation between the experimental observables and the optically driven charge density of nanoparticles

Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM) enables the visualization of the plasmon fields of nanoparticles via measurement of photon-electron interaction [S. T. Park et al., New J. Phys. 12, 123028 (2010)]. In this paper, the field integral, which is a mechanical work performed on a fast electron by the total electric field, plays a key role in understanding the interaction. Here, we reexamine the field integral and give the physical meaning by decomposing the contribution of the field from the charge-density distribution. It is found that the ``near-field integral'' (the near-field approximation of the field integral) can be expressed as a convolution of the two-dimensional projection of the optically driven charge-density distribution in the nanoparticle with a broad radial response function. This approach, which we call the ``convolution method,'' is validated by applying it to Rayleigh scattering cases, where previous analytical expressions for the field integrals in near-field approximations are reproduced by the convolution method. The convolution method is applied to discrete dipole approximation calculations of a silver nanorod, and the nature of the induced charge-density distributions of its plasmons is discussed.

Polarization correlations in the elastic Rayleigh scattering of photons by hydrogenlike ions

The (elastic) Rayleigh scattering of hard x rays by hydrogenlike ions has been investigated within the framework of second-order perturbation theory and Dirac's relativistic equation. The focus of this study was, in particular, on two questions: (i) How is the polarization of scattered photons affected if the incident light is itself (linearly) polarized, and (ii) how do the nondipole contributions to the electron-photon interaction and the relativistic contraction of the wave functions influence such a polarization transfer? Detailed calculations were performed for Ne${}^{9+}$, Xe${}^{53+}$, and U${}^{91+}$ targets and for photon energies up to ten times the $1s$ ionization threshold of the ions. From the comparison of these fully relativistic computations with the (nonrelativistic) dipole approximation we conclude that relativistic and higher-multipole effects often lead to a significant or even complete depolarization for heavy targets and at high photon energies.

Optical Absorption in Nano-Structures: Classical and Quantum Models

In the last decade, nano-structured materials have gained a significant interest for applications in solar cells and other optical and opto-electronic devices. Due to carrier confinement, the absorption characteristics in these structures are quite different from the absorption in bulk materials and thin films. Optical absorption coefficients of a silicon nano-wire are obtained based on a semi-classical model where the photon-electron interaction is described by the interaction of an electromagnetic wave with the electrons in the valence band of a semiconductor. The absorption characteristics showed enhanced optical absorption but no resonant peaks. In our modified model, we have identified optically active inter band transitions by performing electronic structure calculations on unit cells of nano-dimensions. The absorption spectrum obtained here shows explicit excitonic processes. This absorption is tunable from the visible region to near UV portion of the solar spectrum. In our previous work on thin films (100 nm) of ITO, we have used classical Drude model to describe free electron absorption. Using the imaginary part of the calculated complex dielectric function, we have plotted the absorption coefficient versus wavelength of the photon and compared with the experimental data showing good agreement between theory and experiment.

Study of the electron–photon interaction on the spin-dependent transport in nano-structures

Transport through a nano device in the presence of light illumination has been studied by using unitary-transformation scheme together with the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism. The non-interacting Hamiltonian is written within the framework of the tight binding model and structureless electrodes are described in wide-band approximation. The interaction between electrons is modeled by the mean-field Hubbard term. Our results indicate that we can tune the "intrinsic magnetization of zigzag edge" and "spin-polarized current" by using light illumination.

Electron transport through a quantum dot assisted by cavity photons

We investigate transient transport of electrons through a single quantum dot controlled by a plunger gate. The dot is embedded in a finite wire with length Lx assumed to lie along the x-direction with a parabolic confinement in the y-direction. The quantum wire, originally with hard-wall confinement at its ends, ±Lx/2, is weakly coupled at t = 0 to left and right leads acting as external electron reservoirs. The central system, the dot and the finite wire, is strongly coupled to a single cavity photon mode. A non-Markovian density-matrix formalism is employed to take into account the full electron–photon interaction in the transient regime. In the absence of a photon cavity, a resonant current peak can be found by tuning the plunger-gate voltage to lift a many-body state of the system into the source–drain bias window. In the presence of an x-polarized photon field, additional side peaks can be found due to photon-assisted transport. By appropriately tuning the plunger-gate voltage, the electrons in the left lead are allowed to undergo coherent inelastic scattering to a two-photon state above the bias window if initially one photon was present in the cavity. However, this photon-assisted feature is suppressed in the case of a y-polarized photon field due to the anisotropy of our system caused by its geometry.

Band nesting and the optical response of two-dimensional semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides

We have studied the optical conductivity of two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (STMDC) using ab-initio density functional theory (DFT). We find that this class of materials presents large optical response due to the phenomenon of band nesting. The tendency towards band nesting is enhanced by the presence of van Hove singularities in the band structure of these materials. Given that 2D crystals are atomically thin and naturally transparent, our results show that it is possible to have strong photon-electron interactions even in 2D

Polarization correlations between photons emitted in dielectronic recombination of high-Z ions

Polarization correlations between photons emitted in dielectronic recombination (DR) of initially hydrogen-like ions are analysed based on a density matrix approach and relativistic Dirac's theory. Special attention is given to the non-dipole contributions in the photon field expansion of the electron–photon interaction. In particular, we apply our general formalism to the radiative decay of the L1/2L3/2 resonance that is formed in DR of (initially) hydrogen-like uranium ions. The corresponding calculations show that a mixing between the leading electric dipole (E1) and the magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions can significantly affect the polarization correlations between the emitted photons.

Polarization dependence of the photocurrent due to an anisotropic electron-photon interaction in Pd-graphene-Pd devices

We measured the polarization dependence of the photocurrent in symmetric Pd-graphene-Pd photodevices. The photocurrent is maximum when the polarization angle of the incident light is parallel to the edge of an electrode. On the other hand, when the polarization direction is parallel to the graphene channel, the photocurrent is minimum. This polarization dependence of the photocurrent is similar to what has been observed in an asymmetric Pd-graphene-Ti device and results from an anisotropic electron-photon interaction in graphene, which generates photocarriers with momenta predominantly in the direction perpendicular to the polarization direction.

Polaron on a one-dimensional lattice: II. A moving polaron

Continuum-limit equations for moving polarons on a one-dimensional lattice with a harmonic interaction potential between adjacent particles and a simple nonlinear potential with a cubic nonlinearity are derived for the first time; for some particular cases, their solutions are obtained. For a harmonic lattice in the continuum limit, a system of integrable nonlinear partial differential equations is derived. A one-soliton solution to this system describes a polaron moving with a constant velocity. The speed of this polaron is uniquely related to its amplitude, with its values ranging from zero to the speed of sound. For a nonlinear lattice, the resulting system of differential equations is integrable at a certain ratio of the problem parameters. The one-soliton solution to this system, as in the harmonic case, describes a polaron moving with a constant velocity. At arbitrary values of the lattice parameters, the nonlinear lattice was studied by numerical methods. It turned out that, in the entire range of parameters, the nonlinear lattice gives rise to moving polarons, with the speed of the polaron being determined by the competition between the electron-photon interaction parameter α and the nonlinearity parameter β. At α ≫ β, the behavior of the polaron is very close to the dynamics on the harmonic lattice. In the opposite case, the dynamic nonlinearity begins to dominate, giving rise to dynamics inherent to solitons, so that speed of the polaron can exceed the speed of sound. In a certain range of α and β, numerical calculations revealed a family of polaron-type stable solutions, the envelope of which can have several peaks. The numerical and exact analytical solutions are in very good agreement for a sufficiently large radius of the polaron, when the system of equations obtained in the continuum approximation has a solution.

Validation of Geant4 Simulation of Electron Energy Deposition

Geant4-based simulations of the energy deposited by electrons in various materials are quantitatively compared to high-precision calorimetric measurements taken at Sandia Laboratories. The experimental data concern electron beams of energy between a few tens of kilolectron volt and 1 MeV at various incidence angles. Two experimental scenarios are evaluated: the longitudinal energy deposition pattern in a finely segmented detector, and the total energy deposited in a larger size calorimeter. The simulations are produced with Geant4 versions from 9.1 to 9.6; they involve models of electron-photon interactions in the standard and low energy electromagnetic packages, and various implementations of electron multiple scattering. Significant differences in compatibility with experimental data are observed in the longitudinal energy deposition patterns produced by the examined Geant4 versions, while the total deposited energy exhibits smaller variations across the various Geant4 versions, with the exception Geant4 9.4. The validation analysis, based on statistical methods, shows that the best compatibility between simulation and experimental energy deposition profiles is achieved using electromagnetic models based on the EEDL and EPDL evaluated data libraries with Geant4 9.1. The results document the accuracy achievable in the simulation of the energy deposited by low energy electrons with Geant4; they provide guidance for application in similar experimental scenarios and for improving Geant4.

SIGN REVERSAL OF COULOM INTERACTION BETWEEN TWO QUASIPARTICLES IN MOMENTUM SPACE

The main misconception regarding the interaction between quasiparticles stems from the assertion that the interaction energy between two quasiparticles is exactly identical to that of the renormalized interaction between two particles due to interparticle interaction in the Fermi system. If the main concept regarding the definition of quasiparticle as a weakly excited state of the Fermi system with conservation of charge and spin is paramount (except for the charge and spin separation models), the concept of the interaction between quasiparticles is very different from the assumption in the common sense. In this paper, we will prove a general theorem that the interaction between two quasiparticles is very much different from the renormalized interaction between two particles. The major difference lies in two places: the interaction between two quasiparticles is just negative to the renormalized interaction between two particles, and the interaction energy between the two particles is proportional to the product of two Fermi liquid renormalization factors. The result shed light on the reinterpretation of Cooper's pairing without invoking electron-photon interaction.

Symmetric excitation and de-excitation of a cavity QED system

We calculate the time evolution of a cavity-QED system subject to a time dependent sinusoidal drive. The drive is modulated by an envelope function with the shape of a pulse. The system consists of electrons embedded in a semiconductor nanostructure which is coupled to a single mode quantized electromagnetic field. The electron-electron as well as photon-electron interaction is treated exactly using “exact numerical diagonalization” and the time evolution is calculated by numerically solving the equation of motion for the system’s density matrix. We find that the drive causes symmetric excitation and de-excitation where the system climbs up the Jaynes-Cummings ladder and descends back down symmetrically into its original state. This effect is known at low electron-photon coupling strengths but our main finding is how robust the effect is even at ultra-strong coupling strength where the JC-model does not give qualitatively correct results. We investigate the robustness of this symmetric behavior with respect to the drive de-tuning and pulse duration.

Magnetoresistance of non-180° domain wall in the presence of electron-photon interaction

In the present paper, influence of photon on resistance of non-180° domain wall in metallic magnetic nanowires has been studied using the semiclassical approach. The analysis has been based on the Boltzmann transport equation, within the relaxation time approximation. The one-dimensional Neel-type domain wall between two ferromagnetic domains with relative magnetization angle less than 180° is considered. By increasing this angle, the contribution of the domain wall in the resistivity of the nanowire becomes considerable. It is also found that the fundamental contribution of the domain wall in resistivity can be controlled by propagating photon. These results are valuable in designing spintronic devices based on magnetic nanowires.

Photon dressed electronic states in topological insulators: tunneling and conductance

We have obtained analytic results for the surface states of three-dimensional topological insulators in the presence of circularly polarized light. This electron–photon interaction results in an energy gap as well as a novel energy dispersion of the dressed electron–photon states, different from both graphene and the standard two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Additionally, we made calculations of the ballistic conductance and Klein tunneling in both two- and three-dimensional topological insulators as well as investigating how these phenomena are affected in the presence of circularly polarized light. We have found a critical energy for an incoming particle, separating two substantially different types of tunneling.

Exact wave functions for atomic electron interacting with photon fields

Many nonlinear quantum optical physics phenomena need more accurate wave functions and corresponding energy or quasienergy levels to account for. An analytic expression of wave functions with corresponding energy levels for an atomic electron interacting with a photon field is presented as an exact solution to the Schrodinger-like equation involved with both atomic Coulomb interaction and electron-photon interaction. The solution is a natural generalization of the quantum-field Volkov states for an otherwise free electron interacting with a photon field. The solution shows that an Nlevel atom in light form stationary states without extra energy splitting in addition to the Floquet mechanism. The treatment developed here with computing codes can be conveniently transferred to quantum optics in classical-field version as research tools to benefit the whole physics community.