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Chuan-Cun Shu

Publications and source records attributed to Chuan-Cun Shu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Non-Abelian holonomic transformations in digitally coupled acoustic waveguides guided by the global adiabatic criterion

An acoustic platform is validated for implementing compact non-Abelian holonomic transformations (NHTs) guided by a global adiabatic criterion (GAC). A tripod model is mapped onto a digitally coupled four-waveguide structure, where designed coupling envelopes and an acoustically-induced-transparency phase-control module implement a two-stage phase-stitched holonomic evolution. Compared with a reference Gaussian envelope, the GAC-guided power-law profile flattens the spatial distribution of the global nonadiabatic burden, thereby providing a quantitative basis for compact acoustic implementation. Full-wave simulations show Pauli-$X$ and Hadamard-type target transformations, with excellent agreement between the extracted normalized intensities and analytical coupled-mode predictions. These target responses are obtained with half the coupling length required by the reference Gaussian implementations. More uniquely, the same phase-stitched structure also supports unidirectional acoustic mode conversion, which is closely related to a reduced two-mode non-Hermitian picture associated with an encircled exceptional point (EP). These results validate acoustic NHTs as a robust geometric route for compact wave control, establish the GAC as a powerful guideline for fast adiabatic transport in digitally coupled systems, and further demonstrate that the same phase-stitched architecture supports unidirectional mode conversion through EP-assisted branch selection.

physics.optics

Static entanglement structure and adiabatic Bell-state preparation in the tripartite quantum Rabi model

The tripartite quantum Rabi model couples two qubits to a bosonic mode through a collective spin-oscillator interaction, providing a simple setting for studying two-qubit entanglement. In the zero-detuning limit, the triplet part of the spectrum splits into branches with zero and maximal entanglement, while the antisymmetric singlet ladder remains exactly decoupled. Within the triplet sector, finite detuning turns the crossings between these branches into avoided crossings and redistributes this entanglement. We identify an eigenbranch whose entanglement grows from nearly zero to a nearly maximal value through such avoided-crossing mixing. The weak-coupling level ordering yields a simple analytic criterion for whether this eigenbranch has a separable weak-coupling endpoint. A three-state effective model explains how the Bell-state component becomes dominant as the coupling increases. We further use a finite-time linear ramp of the collective coupling to benchmark the final coupling and ramp time required for high Bell-state fidelity. These results show how collective spin-oscillator coupling reorganizes spectral entanglement and connects static branch structure to finite-time Bell-state preparation.

quant-ph

Non-Abelian Thouless pumping based on the global adiabatic criterion in Rydberg synthetic lattices

We study a quantum implementation of non-Abelian Thouless pumping in Lieb lattices using Rydberg synthetic dimensions. The lattice is encoded in twelve selected microwave-coupled Rydberg levels, forming a three-cell structure with six degenerate zero-energy states. These zero-energy states define the working subspace for cyclic modulation of the microwave couplings, while the remaining bright states provide the dominant leakage channels at finite evolution time. To choose the relative timing of the Gaussian pulses, we introduce a global adiabatic criterion (GAC), which evaluates the mean value and temporal fluctuation of a nonadiabatic factor obtained from a representative $Λ$-type transfer paradigm. With the resulting timing applied to the full twelve-level pumping dynamics, composing two elementary pumping cycles in opposite temporal orders produces distinct projected population maps. It is exactly consistent with noncommuting matrix-valued adiabatic operations in the zero-energy subspace. We numerically simulate the non-Abelian Thouless pumping using the Lindblad master equation with state-dependent Rydberg loss and representative perturbations. The results show that the GAC-selected timing within the same Gaussian pulse family gives higher target-state population than two literature-adapted Gaussian pulse schedules over the simulated parameter ranges. This quantum implementation of non-Abelian Thouless pumping, enabled by the GAC, marks a major milestone in finite-time geometric control and paves the way for transformative applications in holonomic quantum computing with Rydberg synthetic lattices.

quant-ph

Chirped-pulse engineering for robust control of single-molecule orientation in a cavity

We present a theoretical investigation of coherent control over the orientation of an individual molecule strongly coupled with a cavity using chirped-pulse driving. Specifically, we explore the dynamics of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) molecules under the influence of two chirped pulses with different spectral phases. We compare two pulse configurations: one with equal chirp rates ($β_{+} = β_{-}$) and another with unequal chirp rates ($β_{+} \neq β_{-}$). Numerical simulations reveal that chirped pulses enable precise control of the molecular orientation, achieving a maximum orientation degree of 0.5773. By analyzing the distribution of molecular polariton states, we show that chirped pulses can activate multiphoton processes, leading to deviations from the predictions of first-order Magnus expansion methods. Additionally, we demonstrate the robustness of the maximum orientation with respect to chirp amplitude and detuning, providing insights into the role of pulse parameters in optimizing control. This work introduces a new strategy for controlling molecular orientation in cavity-based systems and offers valuable perspectives for future experimental applications.

quant-ph

Liouvillian spectral control for fast charging of quantum batteries

Quantum batteries, which use quantum systems to store and deliver energy, are promising for next-generation energy storage. However, optimizing charging strategies and understanding the interplay between dissipation and quantum coherence remain open challenges. Here, we investigate steady-state charging in an open quantum battery and demonstrate that the charging timescale depends on the spectral gap of the Liouvillian operator governing dissipative dynamics. As a minimal example, we examine a three-level quantum battery realized in a single trapped ${}^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$ ion, where energy from an engineered thermal photon reservoir is coherently transferred to a long-lived metastable storage state. We find that long-term dynamics are confined to a low-dimensional manifold of slow Liouvillian modes, with their spectral structure determining the relaxation rate to the charged steady state. By adjusting experimentally accessible parameters, such as reservoir occupation and coherent coupling strength, the non-Hermitian Liouvillian spectrum can approach an exceptional point. This increases the spectral gap and accelerates the approach to steady state. As a result, this mechanism significantly enhances asymptotic charging power without relying on many-body collectivity or steady coherence. Our findings offer fundamental insights into open quantum thermodynamics and provide a path to efficient energy storage and fast-charging solutions in emerging quantum technologies.

quant-ph

Analytical two-pulse control of universal single-qubit gates in rotational ultracold NaCs molecules

Complex control protocols and sensitivity to experimental imperfections have limited the practical implementation of quantum gate operations. Here, we present an analytical framework for universal single-qubit gates using rotational states of ultracold NaCs molecules. By encoding qubits in the lowest rotational energy levels, we employ a first-order Magnus expansion to derive closed-form unitary evolution from an optimized two-pulse sequence. This approach establishes precise amplitude and phase conditions for arbitrary single-qubit rotations, achieving gate fidelities above 0.9999 in numerical simulations. We further demonstrate that complex multi-gate sequences, including phase-locked operations, can be executed with minimal population leakage into auxiliary states. The time-dependent molecular orientation is shown to faithfully encode both the gate truth table and coherence dynamics, enabling practical gate tomography via weak-field polarization detection. Our analytical method is also applicable to other molecules and physical platforms, offering a potential path to high-fidelity, scalable molecular quantum processors.

quant-ph

Universal qutrit control in asymmetric-top molecules

We present a theoretical framework for universal single-qutrit control in asymmetric-top molecules, advancing molecular quantum information processing. In this approach, the qutrit is encoded in three rotational eigenstates, with an auxiliary state providing independent phase control within the computational manifold. We explore an analytic protocol for arbitrary single-qutrit gates, combining directly addressable SU(2) rotations with auxiliary-state-mediated phase operations. To support this, we derive a multilevel pulse-area theorem that provides an explicit analytic mapping between gate parameters and control fields, enabling systematic design of high-fidelity microwave pulse sequences. Numerical simulations with 1,2-propanediol confirm the robustness of our approach, achieving Walsh-Hadamard gates with minimal leakage from the computational subspace. We further examine four SU(2) decomposition strategies and find that phase-error sensitivity depends on the decomposition sequence, while amplitude errors propagate along specific coherence pathways. Our results establish asymmetric-top molecules as a viable platform for qutrit-based quantum operations and offer an analytical method for precise quantum control of complex multilevel systems.

quant-ph

Ultrafast Stiffening of the Lattice Potential and Metastable State Formation in 1$T$-TiSe$_2$

We use ultrafast optical spectroscopy to investigate the electronic and lattice dynamics of the charge-density wave (CDW) material 1$T$-TiSe$_2$ across various temperatures and pump fluences. We reveal a close relationship between the observed ultrafast dynamical processes and two characteristic temperatures: $T_{\rm CDW}$ ($\sim$202 K) and $T^*$ ($\sim$165 K). Two coherent phonon modes are identified: a high-frequency $A_{1g}$ mode ($ω_{1}$) and a lower-frequency $A_{1g}$ CDW amplitude mode ($ω_{2}$). In stark contrast to thermal melting, where phonons soften, the CDW amplitude mode exhibits anomalous hardening (frequency upshift) with increasing pump fluence. We establish this hardening as the direct signature of an ultrafast restoration of the bare lattice potential. The photoexcited carrier plasma screens the long-range electron-phonon interactions that drive the Peierls-like instability, effectively ``undressing" the soft phonon and driving its frequency toward the stiffer value of the unrenormalized lattice. Furthermore, an abrupt increase in the excited state buildup time above a critical pump fluence marks a sharp boundary to a photoinduced metastable metallic state. These findings demonstrate that the CDW order in 1$T$-TiSe$_2$ is governed by a fragile, fluence-tunable competition between excitonic correlations and lattice dynamics.

cond-mat.str-el

Topological enhancement of a PT-symmetric Su-Schrieffer-Heeger quantum battery

We investigate a non-Hermitian quantum battery based on the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) lattice, charged through a parity-time (PT)-symmetric protocol that alternates gain and loss between the two sublattices. The interplay between lattice topology and non-Hermiticity gives rise to both bulk and edge exceptional points (EPs), which govern the charging dynamics. In the topological regime, an edge-state EP appears at a smaller gain-loss strength than the bulk thresholds and gives rise to an additional edge-broken regime absent in the trivial configuration. This topology-specific spectral structure is reflected in the charging dynamics, where the topological phase exhibits more favorable transient and long-time performance in the representative non-Hermitian regimes considered here. We further examine the corresponding Lindblad dynamics, identifying the non-Hermitian model as the conditional no-jump description of the same gain-loss processes. The Lindblad results show that the topological advantage remains visible at the level of stored energy, extractable work, and extractable fraction under unconditional open-system evolution. These findings demonstrate that topology constitutes a genuine physical resource for enhancing the performance of quantum batteries.

quant-ph

Precise quantum control of unidirectional field-free molecular orientation

The capability to control molecular rotation for field-free orientation, which arranges molecules in specific spatial directions without external fields, is crucial in physics, chemistry, and quantum information science. However, conventional methods typically lead to transient orientations characterized by periodic directional reversals and necessitate the generation of coherent superpositions across a broad spectrum of rotational states of ultracold molecules. In this work, we develop a theoretical framework for achieving unidirectional field-free orientation by selectively manipulating two specific rotational states of symmetric top molecules. By leveraging the interplay between coherent superpositions and the precise selection of initial states, we demonstrate that both the maximum achievable orientation and its direction can be effectively controlled. To attain the desired two-state orientation, we present a quantum control strategy that utilizes a single control pulse, significantly simplifying the complexities of conventional multistate or multipulse schemes. Numerical simulations validate the effectiveness and feasibility of this approach for methyl iodide (CH$_3$I) molecules, even when accounting for molecular centrifugal distortion.The results highlight the critical roles of initial-state selection and quantum coherence in achieving long-lasting, high unidirectional molecular orientation, opening new directions in stereochemistry, precision spectroscopy, and quantum computing.

quant-ph

All-optical Raman control of ultracold atomic hyperfine states using pulsed jump protocol

We develop a pulse-driven jump protocol to achieve all-optical Raman control of ultracold atomic hyperfine states. By establishing general conditions for adiabatic evolution between quantum states in parameter space, we derive the essential pulse area and phase conditions necessary for quantum state transfer in a resonant single-$Λ$ three-level system. We extend this approach to a double-$Λ$ four-level system by incorporating a neighboring intermediate state, which leads to a single-photon detuned $Λ$ three-level system. Through numerical simulations of the ultracold $^{87}$Rb atomic system, we demonstrate that high-fidelity and robust control of quantum state transfer can be achieved in the single-$Λ$ three-level system using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) and the pulsed jump protocol. Furthermore, we show that the destructive quantum interference effects between resonant and detuned Raman pathways in the double-$Λ$ four-level system can be mitigated by optimizing the pulse area and two-photon detuning parameters within the pulsed jump protocol. This work presents a promising approach for achieving all-optical Raman control of quantum state transfer in ultracold atomic hyperfine states.

quant-ph

Precise Quantum Control of Molecular Rotation Toward a Desired Orientation

The lack of a direct map between control fields and desired control objectives poses a significant challenge in applying quantum control theory to quantum technologies. Here, we propose an analytical framework to precisely control a limited set of quantum states and construct desired coherent superpositions using a well-designed laser pulse sequence with optimal amplitudes, phases, and delays. This theoretical framework that corresponds to a multi-level pulse-area theorem establishes a straightforward mapping between the control parameters of the pulse sequence and the amplitudes and phases of rotational states within a specific subspace. As an example, we utilize this approach to generate 15 distinct and desired rotational superpositions of ultracold polar molecules, leading to 15 desired field-free molecular orientations. By optimizing the superposition of the lowest 16 rotational states, we demonstrate that this approach can achieve a maximum orientation value of $|\langle\cosθ\rangle|_{\rm{max}}$ above 0.99, which is very close to the global optimal value of 1 that could be achieved in an infinite-dimensional state space. This work marks a significant advancement in achieving precise control over multi-level subsystems within molecules. It holds potential applications in molecular alignment and orientation, as well as in various interdisciplinary fields related to the precise quantum control of ultracold polar molecules, opening up considerable opportunities in molecular-based quantum techniques.

quant-ph

Field-induced quantum interference of inelastic scattering in ultracold atomic collisions

xploiting quantum interference remains a significant challenge in ultracold inelastic scattering. In this work, we propose a method to enable detectable quantum interference within the two-body loss rate resulting from various inelastic scattering channels. Our approach utilizes a ``ring-coupling" configuration, achieved by combining external radio-frequency and static electric fields during ultracold atomic collisions. We conduct close-coupling calculations for $^7$Li-$^{41}$K collisions at ultracold limit to validate our proposal. The results show that the interference profile displayed in two-body loss rate is unable to be observed with unoptimized external field parameters. Particularly, our findings demonstrate that the two-body loss rate coefficient exhibits distinct constructive and destructive interference patterns near the magnetically induced $p$-wave resonance in the incoming channel near which a rf-induced scattering resonance exists. These interference patterns become increasingly pronounced with greater intensities of the external fields. This work opens a new avenue for controlling inelastic scattering processes in ultracold collisions.

cond-mat.quant-gas

Exploring Intrinsic Magnetic Topological Insulators: The Case of EuIn$_2$As$_2$

In this study, ultrafast optical spectroscopy was employed to elucidate the intricate topological features of EuIn$_2$As$_2$, a promising candidate for a magnetic topological-crystalline axion insulator. Our investigation, focusing on the real-time evolution of topological states, unveiled a narrow surface magnetic gap (2$Δ_0$ $\simeq$ 8.2 meV)) emerging at the antiferromagnetic transition temperature ($T_N$ $\approx$ 16 K). Below $T_N$, two extremely low-energy collective modes, $ω_1$ and $ω_2$, with frequencies of $\sim$9.9 and 21.6 GHz at $T$ = 4 K, respectively, were observed, exhibiting strong temperature dependence. $ω_1$ correlates with an acoustic phonon, while $ω_2$ is associated with a magnon. The results suggest that EuIn$_2$As$_2$ has the potential to manifest a magnetic topological-crystalline axion insulator, presenting a small magnetic energy gap on the (001) surface. The findings further our understanding of the interplay between magnetism and topology in this material, showcasing its potential for applications in quantum information processing and spintronics.

cond-mat.str-el

Observation of polaronic state assisted sub-bandgap saturable absorption

Polaronic effects involving stabilization of localized charge character by structural deformations and polarizations have attracted considerable investigations in soft lattice lead halide perovskites. However, the concept of polaron assisted nonlinear photonics remains largely unexplored, which has a wide range of applications from optoelectronics to telecommunications and quantum technologies. Here, we report the first observation of the polaronic state assisted saturable absorption through subbandgap excitation with a redshift exceeding 60 meV. By combining photoluminescence, transient absorption measurements and density functional theory calculations, we explicate that the anomalous nonlinear saturable absorption is caused by the transient picosecond timescale polaronic state formed by strong carrier exciton phonon coupling effect. The bandgap fluctuation can be further tuned through exciton phonon coupling of perovskites with different Young's modulus. This suggests that we can design targeted soft lattice lead halide perovskite with a specific structure to effectively manipulate exciton phonon coupling and exciton polaron formation. These findings profoundly expand our understanding of exciton polaronic nonlinear optics physics and provide an ideal platform for developing actively tunable nonlinear photonics applications.

physics.optics

Maximizing orientation of a three-state molecule in a cavity with analytically designed pulses

We theoretically explore the precise control of a molecular polariton by strongly coupling the lowest three rotational states of a single molecule with a single-mode cavity. We examine two distinct cavity resonance configurations: a fundamental frequency cavity ($ω_c = 2B$ with the rotational constant $B$) resonating with the lowest two rotational states, and a second harmonic cavity ($ω_c = 4B$) coupling with the first and second excited rotational states. We propose two control schemes based on the two polariton configurations and derive the corresponding pulse-area theorems to achieve a theoretical maximum orientation of 0.7746, identical to the molecule in the absence of the cavity. The control schemes are analyzed in Carbonyl Sulfide (OCS) molecules in their ground rotational state. Our numerical simulation results demonstrate the theoretical control schemes and analyze the sensitivity of the molecular polariton orientation degree to the control field bandwidth and phases. This work provides a valuable reference for achieving maximum field-free orientation of ultracold three-state molecules in a cavity using analytically designed pulses.

quant-ph

Anisotropic Rabi model with two-photon relaxation

The interplay of three light-matter interaction processes - rotating and counter-rotating interactions and two-photon relaxation of the light field - is a topic of interest in quantum optics and quantum information processing. In this work, we theoretically investigate the three light-matter interaction processes using the anisotropic Rabi model, which accounts for different strengths of rotating and counter-rotating interactions and the unique occurrence of photon escape exclusively in pairs. By numerically solving the Lindblad master equation, we analyze the excitation-relaxation dynamics and derive a non-Hermitian effective Hamiltonian to gain further physical insights. To explore the individual effects of these interactions, we examine three analytically tractable limits of the effective Hamiltonian. Our analysis reveals that the three competitive light-matter interaction processes exhibit sensitivity to parity, leading to intriguing phenomena in both transient and steady states. Particularly interesting dynamical patterns resembling quantum phase transitions emerge when these three interaction terms compete. This work deepens the understanding of ultrastrong light-matter interaction in open quantum systems and offers valuable insights into cavity-based quantum computations.

quant-ph

Quantum Speed Limit under Brachistochrone Evolution

According to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle between time and energy fluctuation, a concept of the quantum speed limit (QSL) has been established to determine the minimum evolutionary time between quantum states. Considerable theoretical and experimental efforts are invested in obtaining the QSL time bounds in various scenarios. However, it remains a long-standing goal to derive a meaningful QSL bound for a general quantum problem. Here, we propose a geometrical approach to derive a QSL bound for closed and open quantum systems. By solving a quantum brachistochrone problem in the framework of the Riemannian metric, we show that the QSL between a given initial state to a final state is determined not only by the entire dynamics of the system but also by the individual dynamics of a critical parameter. We exemplify the utility of the new bound in three representative scenarios, demonstrating a pronounced advantage in finding a tight and meaningful QSL bound of a general quantum evolution problem.

quant-ph