Quantum Heating Research Articles

Chiral quantum heating and cooling with an optically controlled ion

Quantum heat engines and refrigerators are open quantum systems, whose dynamics can be well understood using a non-Hermitian formalism. A prominent feature of non-Hermiticity is the existence of exceptional points (EPs), which has no counterpart in closed quantum systems. It has been shown in classical systems that dynamical encirclement in the vicinity of an EP, whether the loop includes the EP or not, could lead to chiral mode conversion. Here, we show that this is valid also for quantum systems when dynamical encircling is performed in the vicinity of their Liouvillian EPs (LEPs), which include the effects of quantum jumps and associated noise—an important quantum feature not present in previous works. We demonstrate, using a Paul-trapped ultracold ion, the first chiral quantum heating and refrigeration by dynamically encircling a closed loop in the vicinity of an LEP. We witness the cycling direction to be associated with the chirality and heat release (absorption) of the quantum heat engine (quantum refrigerator). Our experiments have revealed that not only the adiabaticity breakdown but also the Landau–Zener–Stückelberg process play an essential role during dynamic encircling, resulting in chiral thermodynamic cycles. Our observations contribute to further understanding of chiral and topological features in non-Hermitian systems and pave a way to exploring the relation between chirality and quantum thermodynamics.

Feasibility of lasing in the GaAs Reststrahlen band with HgTe multiple quantum well laser diodes

Operation of semiconductor lasers in the 20–50 µm wavelength range is hindered by strong non-radiative recombination in the interband laser diodes, and strong lattice absorption in GaAs-based quantum cascade structures. Here, we propose an electrically pumped laser diode based on multiple HgTe quantum wells with band structure engineered for Auger recombination suppression. Using a comprehensive model accounting for carrier drift and diffusion, electron and hole capture in quantum wells, Auger recombination, and heating effects, we show the feasibility of lasing at λ = 26, …, 30 µm at temperatures up to 90 K. The output power in the pulse can reach up to 8 mW for microsecond-duration pulses.

Boltzmann sampling from the Ising model using quantum heating of coupled nonlinear oscillators

A network of Kerr-nonlinear parametric oscillators without dissipation has recently been proposed for solving combinatorial optimization problems via quantum adiabatic evolution through its bifurcation point. Here we investigate the behavior of the quantum bifurcation machine (QbM) in the presence of dissipation. Our numerical study suggests that the output probability distribution of the dissipative QbM is Boltzmann-like, where the energy in the Boltzmann distribution corresponds to the cost function of the optimization problem. We explain the Boltzmann distribution by generalizing the concept of quantum heating in a single nonlinear oscillator to the case of multiple coupled nonlinear oscillators. The present result also suggests that such driven dissipative nonlinear oscillator networks can be applied to Boltzmann sampling, which is used, e.g., for Boltzmann machine learning in the field of artificial intelligence.

Quantum heating as an alternative of reheating

To model a realistic situation for the beginning we consider massive real scalar $\phi^4$ theory in a (1+1)-dimensional asymptotically static Minkowski spacetime with an intermediate stage of expansion. To have an analytic headway we assume that scalars have a big mass. At past and future infinities of the background we have flat Minkowski regions which are joint by the inflationary expansion region. We use the tree-level Keldysh propagator in the theory in question to calculate the expectation value of the stress-energy tensor which is, thus, due to the excitations of the zero-point fluctuations. Then we show that even for large mass, if the de Sitter expansion stage is long enough, the quantum loop corrections to the expectation value of the stress-energy tensor are not negligible in comparison with the tree-level contribution. That is revealed itself via the excitation of the higher-point fluctuations of the exact modes: During the expansion stage a non-zero particle number density for the exact modes is generated. This density is not Plankian and serves as a quench which leads to a thermalization in the out Minkowski stage.

Interferometric evidence for quantum heated particles in the inner region of protoplanetary disks around Herbig stars

To understand the chemical composition of planets, it is important to know the chemical composition of the region where they form in protoplanetary disks. Due to its fundamental role in chemical and biological processes, carbon is a key element to trace. We aim to identify the carriers and processes behind the extended NIR flux observed around several Herbig stars. We compare the extended NIR flux from objects in the PIONIER Herbig Ae/Be survey with their flux in the PAH features. HD 100453 is used as a benchmark case to investigate the influence of quantum heated particles, like PAHs or very small carbonaceous grains, in more detail. We use the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code MCMax to do a parameter study of the QHP size and scale- height and examine the influence of quantum heating on the amount of extended flux in the NIR visibilities. There is a correlation between the PAH feature flux of a disk and the amount of its extended NIR flux. We find that very small carbonaceous grains create the observed extended NIR flux around HD 100453 and still lead to a realistic SED. These results can not be achieved without using quantum heating effects, e.g. only with scattered light and grains in thermal equilibrium. It is possible to explain the extended NIR emission around Herbig stars with the presence of carbonaceous, quantum heated particles. Interferometric observations can be used to constrain the spatial distribution and typical size of carbonaceous material in the terrestrial planet forming region.

Real photons from vacuum fluctuations in optomechanics: The role of polariton interactions

The effect of vacuum fluctuations on the state of a single-cavity optomechanical system, so-called quantum heating, is studied, and several resulting physical phenomena such as polariton thermalization and parametric instabilities are predicted.

Quantum fluctuations in modulated nonlinear oscillators

We use a modulated oscillator to study quantum fluctuations far from thermal equilibrium. A simple but important nonequilibrium effect that we discuss first is quantum heating, where quantum fluctuations lead to a finite-width distribution of a resonantly modulated oscillator over its quasienergy (Floquet) states. We also discuss the recent observation of quantum heating. We analyze large rare fluctuations responsible for the tail of the quasienergy distribution and switching between metastable states of forced vibrations. We find the most probable paths followed by the quasienergy in rare events, and in particular in switching. Along with the switching rates, such paths are observable characteristics of quantum fluctuations. As we show, they can change discontinuously once the detailed balance condition is broken. A different kind of quantum heating occurs where oscillators are modulated nonresonantly. Nonresonant modulation can also cause oscillator cooling. We discuss different microscopic mechanisms of these effects.

Quantum Heating

Quantum Heating

Quantum heating of a nonlinear resonator probed by a superconducting qubit.

We measure the quantum fluctuations of a pumped nonlinear resonator using a superconducting artificial atom as an in situ probe. The qubit excitation spectrum gives access to the frequency and amount of excitation of the intracavity field fluctuations, from which we infer its effective temperature. These quantities are found to be in agreement with theoretical predictions; in particular, we experimentally observe the phenomenon of quantum heating.

Quantum heating of a parametrically modulated oscillator: Spectral signatures

We show that the noise spectrum of a parametrically excited nonlinear oscillator can display a fine structure. It emerges from the interplay of the nonequidistance of the oscillator quasienergy levels and quantum heating that accompanies relaxation. The heating leads to a finite-width distribution over the quasienergy, or Floquet states, even for zero temperature of the thermal reservoir coupled to the oscillator. The fine structure is due to transitions from different quasienergy levels, and thus it provides a sensitive tool for studying the distribution. For larger damping, where the fine structure is smeared out, quantum heating can be detected from the characteristic double-peak structure of the spectrum, which results from transitions accompanied by the increase or decrease of the quasienergy.

Quantum dynamics in phase space: from coherent states to the Gaussian representation

We give an outlook on the future of coherence theory and many-body quantum dynamics as experiments develop in the arena of ultra-cold atoms. Novel results on quantum heating of centre-of-mass temperature in evaporative cooling and simulation methods for long-range interactions are obtained, using positive-P phase-space techniques.

Nonequilibrium fluctuations and decoherence in nanomechanical devices coupled to the tunnel junction

We analyze the dynamics of a nanomechanical oscillator coupled to an electrical tunnel junction with an arbitrary voltage applied to the junction and arbitrary temperature of electrons in leads. We obtain the explicit expressions for the fluctuations of oscillator position, its damping/decoherence rate, and the current through the structure. It is shown that quantum heating of the oscillator results in nonlinearity of the current-voltage characteristics. The effects of mechanical vacuum fluctuations are also discussed.

Quantum-classical transition induced by electrical measurement.

A model of an electrical tunnel junction coupled to a mechanical system (oscillator) is studied to simulate the dephasing effect of measurement on a quantum system. The problem is solved at zero temperature under conditions of strong nonequilibrium in the measurement apparatus. For linear coupling between the oscillator and tunneling electrons, it is found that the oscillator dynamics becomes damped, with the effective temperature determined by the voltage drop across the junction. It is demonstrated that both the quantum heating and the quantum damping of the oscillator manifest themselves in the current-voltage characteristic of the tunnel junction.

RE3+ emission in garnets: multisites, energy transfer and quantum efficiency

The connection between the high-resolution spectral disordering of the rare earth-doped garnets and the manifestation of the energy transfer in the global or selective emission decay is discussed. It is shown that the identification of the pair satellites and the investigation of their decay properties are important for determination or verification of the mechanisms of interaction that determine the energy transfer in simply activated or in sensitized crystals. The competition of various energy transfer processes in de-excitation of the metastable levels such as down-conversion and up-conversion in Nd: YAG under high intensity pump is discussed. It is shown that the energy transfer parameters determined from the emission decay could give a consistent description of data on quantum efficiency or heating effects.

Negative differential photoconductivity in quantum-dot infrared photodetectors

We present a simple model for quantum-dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) describing nontrivial (decreasing) dependences of the photocurrent on the QD density and the applied voltage. It is shown that recent experiments demonstrating a negative differential photoconductivity in QDIPs can be interpreted in terms of this model. The effects under consideration can be attributed to the repulsive potential of charged quantum dots and heating of mobile electrons influencing the rate of the electron capture. Qualitative distinctions between the QDIP photocurrent–voltage and dark current–voltage characteristics are explained as well.

Temperature description of transport in single- and multiple-barrier structures

Barrier calculations based upon solutions of the Liouville equation in the coordinate representation reveal a complicated spatial dependence of the quantum distribution function near and within the barriers. Within the framework of classical transport this spatial dependence suggests equilibrium electron temperature values that differ from the ambient. The prospect of quantum heating and cooling under equilibrium conditions is examined and dispelled in favour of an interpretation that includes density-gradient contributions.