arXiv subjects

A. Keller

Publications and source records attributed to A. Keller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Cryogenic System of DMRadio-50L

The DMRadio-50L experiment is designed to search for axion dark matter in the 5 kHz - 5 MHz frequency range using a lumped-element LC resonator and a toroidal magnet and to serve as a testbed for quantum sensors. This paper describes the custom cryogenic system developed to meet the stringent requirements of the experiment within a standard laboratory environment. The system is designed to cool a 200 kg detector assembly to temperatures as low as 50 mK while providing sufficient cooling power at multiple temperature stages. We present the conceptual design, technical implementation, and measured performance of the hybrid cryogenic system, which combines a horizontal dilution refrigerator with a large vertical payload cryostat.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

DMRadio-Core: A new approach for GUT-scale axion searches

Searches for QCD axions with masses in the neV/$c^2$ mass range are strongly motivated by new physics at the GUT scale and by well-motivated pre-inflationary axion symmetry breaking scales. This parameter space is challenging to probe due to the small axion-photon couplings, which typically require large, high-field magnets with substantial stored energy. In this paper, we propose a new experimental geometry based on a narrow-bore, segmented solenoid that optimizes the collection of the axion-induced signal using LC resonators outside the high-field region of the magnet bore. This alternative optimization significantly reduces the required stored magnetic energy while preserving sensitivity, enabling a near-term experiment in the 30-200 MHz (120-830 neV/$c^2$) range, with a cost-effective, staged scaling to a GUT-scale experiment in the 100 kHz-30 MHz (0.4-120 neV/$c^2$) range.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Noise limits for dc SQUID readout of high-$Q$ resonators below 300 MHz

We present the limits on noise for the readout of cryogenic high-$Q$ resonators using dc Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) below 300 MHz. This analysis uses realized first-stage SQUIDs (previously published), whose performance is well described by Tesche-Clarke (TC) theory, coupled directly to the resonators. We also present data from a prototype second-stage dc SQUID array designed to couple to this first-stage SQUID as a follow-on amplifier with high system bandwidth. This analysis is the first full consideration of dc SQUID noise performance referred to a high-$Q$ resonator over this frequency range, and is presented relative to the standard quantum limit. We include imprecision, backaction, and backaction-imprecision noise correlations from TC theory, the noise contributed by the second-stage SQUIDs, wiring, and preamplifiers, and optimizations for both on-resonance measurements and off-resonance scan sensitivity. This architecture has modern relevance due to the increased interest in axion searches and the requirements of the DMRadio-m$^3$ axion search, which will use dc SQUIDs in this frequency range.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Electromagnetic modeling and science reach of DMRadio-m$^3$

DMRadio-m$^3$ is an experiment that is designed to be sensitive to KSVZ and DFSZ QCD axion models in the 10--200\,MHz (41 neV$/c^2$ -- 0.83 $\mu$eV/$c^2$) range. The experiment uses a solenoidal dc magnetic field to convert an axion dark-matter signal to an ac electromagnetic response in a coaxial copper pickup. The current induced by this axion signal is measured by dc SQUIDs. In this work, we present the electromagnetic modeling of the response of the experiment to an axion signal over the full frequency range of DMRadio-m$^3$, which extends from the low-frequency, lumped-element limit to a regime where the axion Compton wavelength is only a factor of two larger than the detector size. With these results, we determine the live time and sensitivity of the experiment. The primary science goal of sensitivity to DFSZ axions across 30--200 MHz can be achieved with a $3\sigma$ live scan time of 2.9 years.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Projected Sensitivity of DMRadio-m$^3$: A Search for the QCD Axion Below $1\,μ$eV

The QCD axion is one of the most compelling candidates to explain the dark matter abundance of the universe. With its extremely small mass ($\ll 1\,\mathrm{eV}/c^2$), axion dark matter interacts as a classical field rather than a particle. Its coupling to photons leads to a modification of Maxwell's equations that can be measured with extremely sensitive readout circuits. DMRadio-m$^3$ is a next-generation search for axion dark matter below $1\,μ$eV using a $>4$ T static magnetic field, a coaxial inductive pickup, a tunable LC resonator, and a DC-SQUID readout. It is designed to search for QCD axion dark matter over the range $20\,\mathrm{neV}\lesssim m_ac^2\lesssim 800\,\mathrm{neV}$ ($5\,\mathrm{MHz}<ν<200\,\mathrm{MHz}$). The primary science goal aims to achieve DFSZ sensitivity above $m_ac^2\approx 120$ neV (30 MHz), with a secondary science goal of probing KSVZ axions down to $m_ac^2\approx40\,\mathrm{neV}$ (10 MHz).

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Introducing DMRadio-GUT, a search for GUT-scale QCD axions

The QCD axion is a leading dark matter candidate that emerges as part of the solution to the strong CP problem in the Standard Model. The coupling of the axion to photons is the most common experimental probe, but much parameter space remains unexplored. The coupling of the QCD axion to the Standard Model scales linearly with the axion mass; therefore, the highly-motivated region 0.4-120 neV, corresponding to a GUT-scale axion, is particularly difficult to reach. This paper presents the design requirements for a definitive search for GUT-scale axions and reviews the technological advances needed to enable this program.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Producing delocalized frequency-time Schrödinger cat-like states with HOM interferometry

In the late 80's, Ou and Mandel experimentally observed signal beatings by performing a non-time resolved coincidence detection of two photons having interfered in a balanced beam splitter [Phys. Rev. Lett 61, 54 (1988)]. In this work, we provide a new interpretation of the fringe pattern observed in this experiment as the direct measurement of the chronocyclic Wigner distribution of a frequency Schrödinger cat-like state produced by local spectral filtering. Based on this analysis, we also study time-resolved HOM experiment to measure such frequency state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Wigner distribution on a double cylinder phase space for studying quantum error correction protocol

We introduce a quasi-probability phase space distribution with two pairs of azimuthal-angular coordinates. This representation is well adapted to describe quantum systems with discrete symmetry. Quantum error correction of states encoded in continuous variables using translationally invariant states is studied as an example of application. We also propose an experimental scheme for measuring such new distribution.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Implementable Hybrid Entanglement Witness

Hybrid encoding of quantum information is a promising approach towards the realisation of optical quantum protocols. It combines advantages of continuous variables encoding, such as high efficiencies, with those of discrete variables, such as high fidelities. In particular, entangled hybrid states were shown to be a valuable ressource for quantum information protocols. In this work, we present a hybrid entanglement witness that can be implemented on currently available experiments and is robust to noise currently observed in quantum optical set-ups. The proposed witness is based on measurements of genuinely hybrid observables. The noise model we consider is general. It is formally characterised with Kraus operators since the considered hybrid system can be expressed in a finite dimension basis. A practical advantage of the witness is that it can be tested by measuring just a few experimentally available observables.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Generation of time-frequency grid state with integrated biphoton frequency combs

Encoding quantum information in continuous variables is intrinsically faulty. Nevertheless, redundant qubits can be used for error correction, as proposed by Gottesman, Kitaev and Preskill in Phys. Rev. A \textbf{64} 012310, (2001). We show how to experimentally implement this encoding using time-frequency continuous degrees of freedom of photon pairs produced by spontaneous parametric down conversion. We experimentally illustrate our results using an integrated AlGaAs photon pairs source. We show how single qubit gates can be implemented and finally propose a theoretical scheme for correcting errors in a circuit-like and in a measurement-based architecture.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Quantum simulation of ultrastrongly coupled bosonic modes using superconducting circuits

The ground state of a pair of ultrastrongly coupled bosonic modes is predicted to be a two-mode squeezed vacuum. However, the corresponding quantum correlations are currently unobservable in condensed matter where such a coupling can be reached, since it cannot be extracted from these systems. Here, we show that superconducting circuits can be used to perform an analog simulation of a system of two bosonic modes in regimes ranging from strong to ultrastrong coupling. More importantly, our quantum simulation setup enables us to detect output excitations that are related to the ground-state properties of the bosonic modes. We compute the emission spectra of this physical system and show that the produced state presents single- and two-mode squeezing simultaneously.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

General conditions for maximal violation of non-contextuality in discrete and continuous variables

The contextuality of quantum mechanics, i.e. the measurement outcome dependence upon previously made measurements, can be shown by the violation of inequalities based on measurements of well chosen observables. An important property of such observables is that their expectation value can be expressed in terms of probabilities of obtaining two exclusive outcomes. In order to satisfy this, inequalities have been constructed using either observables with a dichotomic spectrum or using periodic functions obtained from displacement operators in phase space. Here we identify the general conditions on the spectral decomposition of observables demonstrating state independent contextuality of quantum mechanics. As a consequence, our results not only unify existing strategies for maximal violation of state independent non-contextual inequalities but also lead to new scenarii enabling such violation. Among the consequences of our results is the impossibility of having a state independent maximal violation of non-contextuality in the Peres-Mermin scenario with discrete observables of odd dimensions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Quantum information processing in phase space: A modular variables approach

Binary quantum information can be fault tolerantly encoded in states defined in infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces. Such states define a computational basis, and permit a perfect equivalence between continuous and discrete universal operations. The drawback of this encoding is that the corresponding logical states are unphysical, meaning infinitely localized in phase space. We use the modular variables formalism to show that, in a number of protocols relevant for quantum information and for the realization of fundamental tests of quantum mechanics, it is possible to loosen the requirements on the logical subspace without jeopardizing their usefulness or their successful implementation. Such protocols involve measurements of appropriately chosen modular observables that permit the readout of the encoded discrete quantum information from the corresponding logical states. Finally, we demonstrate the experimental feasibility of our approach by applying it to the transverse degrees of freedom of single photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Output squeezed radiation from dispersive ultrastrong light-matter coupling

We investigate the output generation of squeezed radiation of a cavity photon mode coupled to another off-resonant bosonic excitation. By modulating in time their linear interaction, we predict high degree of output squeezing when the dispersive ultrastrong coupling regime is achieved, i.e., when the interaction rate becomes comparable to the frequency of the lowest energy mode. Our work paves the way to squeezed light generation in frequency domains where the ultrastrong coupling is obtained, e.g., solid-state resonators in the GHz, THz and mid-IR spectral range.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

An alternative representation for pure symmetric states of qubits and its applications to entanglement classification

We prove that the vast majority of symmetric states of qubits can be decomposed in a unique way into a superposition of spin 1/2 coherent states. For the case of two qubits, the proposed decomposition reproduces the Schmidt decomposition and therefore, in the case of a higher number of qubits, can be considered as its generalization. We analyze the geometrical aspects of the proposed representation and its invariant properties under the action of local unitary and local invertible transformations. As an application, we identify the most general classes of entanglement and representative states for any number of qubits in a symmetric state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Testing the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality using observables with arbitrary spectrum

The Clauser-Horne-Shimony and Holt inequality applies when measurements with binary outcomes are performed on physical systems under the assumption of local realism. Testing such inequalities in the quantum realm usually involves either measurements of two--valued quantum observables or pre-defining a context dependent binning procedure. Here we establish the conditions to test the Clauser-Horne-Shimony and Holt inequality using any quantum observable. Our result applies to observables with an arbitrary spectrum and no prior knowledge of their underlying Hilbert space's dimension is required. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed general measurement strategy, that can be seen as positive operator valued measurements performed on the system, using the formalism of modular variables applied to the transverse degrees of freedom of single photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Vector form factor of the pion in chiral effective field theory

The vector form factor of the pion is calculated in the framework of chiral effective field theory with vector mesons included as dynamical degrees of freedom. To construct an effective field theory with a consistent power counting, the complex-mass scheme is applied.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Quantum search with modular variables

We give a dimension independent formulation of the quantum search algorithm introduced in [L. K. Grover, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 79}, 325 (1997)]. This algorithm provides a quadratic gain when compared to its classical counterpart by manipulating quantum two--level systems, qubits. We show that this gain, already known to be optimal, is preserved, irrespectively of the dimension of the system used to encode quantum information. This is shown by adapting the protocol to Hilbert spaces of any dimension using the same sequence of operations/logical gates as its original qubit formulation. Our results are detailed and illustrated for a system described by continuous variables, where qubits can be encoded in infinitely many distinct states using the modular variable formalism.

quant-ph↗