arXiv subjects

D. Ullmo

Publications and source records attributed to D. Ullmo.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Chaos-assisted tunneling resonances in a synthetic Floquet superlattice

The field of quantum simulation, which aims at using a tunable quantum system to simulate another, has been developing fast in the past years as an alternative to the all-purpose quantum computer. In particular, the use of temporal driving has attracted a huge interest recently as it was shown that certain fast drivings can create new topological effects, while a strong driving leads to e.g. Anderson localization physics. In this work, we focus on the intermediate regime to observe a quantum chaos transport mechanism called chaos-assisted tunneling which provides new possibilities of control for quantum simulation. Indeed, this regime generates a rich classical phase space where stable trajectories form islands surrounded by a large sea of unstable chaotic orbits. This mimics an effective superlattice for the quantum states localized in the regular islands, with new controllable tunneling properties. Besides the standard textbook tunneling through a potential barrier, chaos-assisted tunneling corresponds to a much richer tunneling process where the coupling between quantum states located in neighboring regular islands is mediated by other states spread over the chaotic sea. This process induces sharp resonances where the tunneling rate varies by orders of magnitude over a short range of parameters. We experimentally demonstrate and characterize these resonances for the first time in a quantum system. This opens the way to new kinds of quantum simulations with long-range transport and new types of control of quantum systems through complexity.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2018

Can a periodically driven particle resist laser cooling and noise?

Studying a single atomic ion confined in a time-dependent periodic anharmonic potential, we find large amplitude trajectories stable for millions of oscillation periods in the presence of stochastic laser cooling. The competition between energy gain from the time-dependent drive and damping leads to the stabilization of such stochastic limit cycles. Instead of converging to the global minimum of the averaged potential, the steady-state phase-space distribution develops multiple peaks in the regions of phase space where the frequency of the motion is close to a multiple of the periodic drive. Such distinct nonequilibrium behaviour can be observed in realistic radio-frequency traps with laser-cooled ions, suggesting that Paul traps offer a well-controlled test-bed for studying transport and dynamics of microscopically driven systems.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2018

Far-from-equilibrium noise heating and laser cooling dynamics in radio-frequency Paul traps

We study the stochastic dynamics of a particle in a periodically driven potential. For atomic ions trapped in radio-frequency Paul traps, noise heating and laser cooling typically act slowly in comparison with the unperturbed motion. These stochastic processes can be accounted for in terms of a probability distribution defined over the action variables, which would otherwise be conserved within the regular regions of the Hamiltonian phase space. We present a semiclassical theory of low-saturation laser cooling applicable from the limit of low-amplitude motion to large-amplitude motion, accounting fully for the time-dependent and anharmonic trap. We employ our approach to a detailed study of the stochastic dynamics of a single ion, drawing general conclusions regarding the nonequilibrium dynamics of laser-cooled trapped ions. We predict a regime of anharmonic motion in which laser cooling becomes diffusive (i.e., it is equally likely to cool the ion as it is to heat it), and can also turn into effective heating. This implies that a high-energy ion could be easily lost from the trap despite being laser cooled; however, we find that this loss can be counteracted using a laser detuning much larger than Doppler detuning.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2018

Phase-space study of surface-electrode Paul traps: Integrable, chaotic, and mixed motions

We present a comprehensive phase-space treatment of the motion of charged particles in electrodynamic traps. Focusing on five-wire surface-electrode Paul traps, we study the details of integrable and chaotic motion of a single ion. We introduce appropriate phase-space measures and give a universal characterization of the trap effectiveness as a function of the parameters. We rigorously derive the commonly used (time-independent) pseudopotential approximation, quantify its regime of validity and analyze the mechanism of its breakdown within the time-dependent potential. The phase space approach that we develop gives a general framework for describing ion dynamics in a broad variety of surface Paul traps. To probe this framework experimentally, we propose and analyze, using numerical simulations, an experiment that can be realized with an existing four-wire trap. We predict a robust experimental signature of the existence of trapping pockets within a mixed regular and chaotic phase-space structure. Intricately rich escape dynamics suggest that surface traps give access to exploring microscopic Hamiltonian transport phenomena in phase space.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2011

The Zak phase and the existence of edge states in graphene

We develop a method to predict the existence of edge states in graphene ribbons for a large class of boundaries. This approach is based on the bulk-edge correspondence between the quantized value of the Zak phase Z(k), which is a Berry phase across an appropriately chosen one-dimensional Brillouin zone, and the existence of a localized state of momentum k at the boundary of the ribbon. This bulk-edge correspondence is rigorously demonstrated for a one dimensional toy model as well as for graphene ribbons with zigzag edges. The range of k for which edge states exist in a graphene ribbon is then calculated for arbitrary orientations of the edges. Finally, we show that the introduction of an anisotropy leads to a topological transition in terms of the Zak phase, which modifies the localization properties at the edges. Our approach gives a new geometrical understanding of edge states, it confirms and generalizes the results of several previous works.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Ground State and Excitations of Quantum Dots with "Magnetic Impurities"

We consider an "impurity" with a spin degree of freedom coupled to a finite reservoir of non-interacting electrons, a system which may be realized by either a true impurity in a metallic nano-particle or a small quantum dot coupled to a large one. We show how the physics of such a spin impurity is revealed in the many-body spectrum of the entire finite-size system; in particular, the evolution of the spectrum with the strength of the impurity-reservoir coupling reflects the fundamental many-body correlations present. Explicit calculation in the strong and weak coupling limits shows that the spectrum and its evolution are sensitive to the nature of the impurity and the parity of electrons in the reservoir. The effect of the finite size spectrum on two experimental observables is considered. First, we propose an experimental setup in which the spectrum may be conveniently measured using tunneling spectroscopy. A rate equation calculation of the differential conductance suggests how the many-body spectral features may be observed. Second, the finite-temperature magnetic susceptibility is presented, both the impurity susceptibility and the local susceptibility. Extensive quantum Monte-Carlo calculations show that the local susceptibility deviates from its bulk scaling form. Nevertheless, for special assumptions about the reservoir -- the "clean Kondo box" model -- we demonstrate that finite-size scaling is recovered. Explicit numerical evaluations of these scaling functions are given, both for even and odd parity and for the canonical and grand-canonical ensembles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Fermi Edge Singularities in the Mesoscopic Regime: II. Photo-absorption Spectra

We study Fermi edge singularities in photo-absorption spectra of generic mesoscopic systems such as quantum dots or nanoparticles. We predict deviations from macroscopic-metallic behavior and propose experimental setups for the observation of these effects. The theory is based on the model of a localized, or rank one, perturbation caused by the (core) hole left behind after the photo-excitation of an electron into the conduction band. The photo-absorption spectra result from the competition between two many-body responses, Anderson's orthogonality catastrophe and the Mahan-Nozieres-DeDominicis contribution. Both mechanisms depend on the system size through the number of particles and, more importantly, fluctuations produced by the coherence characteristic of mesoscopic samples. The latter lead to a modification of the dipole matrix element and trigger one of our key results: a rounded K-edge typically found in metals will turn into a (slightly) peaked edge on average in the mesoscopic regime. We consider in detail the effect of the "bound state" produced by the core hole.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2003

On Breaking Time Reversal in a Simple, Smooth, Chaotic System

Within random matrix theory, the statistics of the eigensolutions depend fundamentally on the presence (or absence) of time reversal symmetry. Accepting the Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit conjecture, this statement extends to quantum systems with chaotic classical analogs. For practical reasons, much of the supporting numerical studies of symmetry breaking have been done with billiards or maps, and little with simple, smooth systems. There are two main difficulties in attempting to break time reversal invariance in a continuous time system with a smooth potential. The first is avoiding false symmetry breaking. The second is locating a parameter regime in which the symmetry breaking is strong enough to transition the fluctuation properties fully toward the broken symmetry case, and yet remain weak enough so as not to regularize the dynamics sufficiently that the system is no longer chaotic. We give an example of a system of two-coupled quartic oscillators whose energy level statistics closely match those of the Gaussian unitary ensemble, and which possesses only a minor proportion of regular motion in its phase space.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2000

Interaction-Induced Magnetization of the Two-Dimensional Electron Gas

We consider the contribution of electron-electron interactions to the orbital magnetization of a two-dimensional electron gas, focusing on the ballistic limit in the regime of negligible Landau-level spacing. This regime can be described by combining diagrammatic perturbation theory with semiclassical techniques. At sufficiently low temperatures, the interaction-induced magnetization overwhelms the Landau and Pauli contributions. Curiously, the interaction-induced magnetization is third-order in the (renormalized) Coulomb interaction. We give a simple interpretation of this effect in terms of classical paths using a renormalization argument: a polygon must have at least three sides in order to enclose area. To leading order in the renormalized interaction, the renormalization argument gives exactly the same result as the full treatment.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Interactions and Interference in Quantum Dots: Kinks in Coulomb Blockade Peak Positions

We investigate the spin of the ground state of a geometrically confined many-electron system. For atoms, shell structure simplifies this problem-- the spin is prescribed by the well-known Hund's rule. In contrast, quantum dots provide a controllable setting for studying the interplay of quantum interference and electron-electron interactions in general cases. In a generic confining potential, the shell-structure argument suggests a singlet ground state for an even number of electrons. The interaction among the electrons produces, however, accidental occurrences of spin-triplet ground states, even for weak interaction, a limit which we analyze explicitly. Variaton of an external parameter causes sudden switching between these states and hence a kink in the conductance. Experimental study of these kinks would yield the exchange energy for the ``chaotic electron gas''.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1997

Semiclassical Approach to Orbital Magnetism of Interacting Diffusive Quantum Systems

We study interaction effects on the orbital magnetism of diffusive mesoscopic quantum systems. By combining many-body perturbation theory with semiclassical techniques, we show that the interaction contribution to the ensemble averaged quantum thermodynamic potential can be reduced to an essentially classical operator. We compute the magnetic response of disordered rings and dots for diffusive classical dynamics. Our semiclassical approach reproduces the results of previous diagrammatic quantum calculations.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1997

Chaos and Interacting Electrons in Ballistic Quantum Dots

We show that the classical dynamics of independent particles can determine the quantum properties of interacting electrons in the ballistic regime. This connection is established using diagrammatic perturbation theory and semiclassical finite-temperature Green functions. Specifically, the orbital magnetism is greatly enhanced over the Landau susceptibility by the combined effects of interactions and finite size. The presence of families of periodic orbits in regular systems makes their susceptibility parametrically larger than that of chaotic systems, a difference which emerges from correlation terms.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1996

Orbital Magnetism in the Ballistic Regime: Geometrical Effects

We present a general semiclassical theory of the orbital magnetic response of noninteracting electrons confined in two-dimensional potentials. We calculate the magnetic susceptibility of singly-connected and the persistent currents of multiply-connected geometries. We concentrate on the geometric effects by studying confinement by perfect (disorder free) potentials stressing the importance of the underlying classical dynamics. We demonstrate that in a constrained geometry the standard Landau diamagnetic response is always present, but is dominated by finite-size corrections of a quasi-random sign which may be orders of magnitude larger. These corrections are very sensitive to the nature of the classical dynamics. Systems which are integrable at zero magnetic field exhibit larger magnetic response than those which are chaotic. This difference arises from the large oscillations of the density of states in integrable systems due to the existence of families of periodic orbits. The connection between quantum and classical behavior naturally arises from the use of semiclassical expansions. This key tool becomes particularly simple and insightful at finite temperature, where only short classical trajectories need to be kept in the expansion. In addition to the general theory for integrable systems, we analyze in detail a few typical examples of experimental relevance: circles, rings and square billiards. In the latter, extensive numerical calculations are used as a check for the success of the semiclassical analysis. We study the weak-field regime where classical trajectories remain essentially unaffected, the intermediate field regime where we identify new oscillations characteristic for ballistic mesoscopic structures, and the high-field regime where the typical de Haas-van Alphen oscillations exhibit finite-size corrections. We address the comparison with experimental data obtained in high-mobility semiconductor microstructures discussing the differences between individual and ensemble measurements, and the applicability of the present model.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1996

Integrability and Disorder in Mesoscopic Systems: Application to Orbital Magnetism

We present a semiclassical theory of weak disorder effects in small structures and apply it to the magnetic response of non-interacting electrons confined in integrable geometries. We discuss the various averaging procedures describing different experimental situations in terms of one- and two-particle Green functions. We demonstrate that the anomalously large zero-field susceptibility characteristic of clean integrable structures is only weakly suppressed by disorder. This damping depends on the ratio of the typical size of the structure with the two characteristic length scales describing the disorder (elastic mean-free-path and correlation length of the potential) in a power-law form for the experimentally relevant parameter region. We establish the comparison with the available experimental data and we extend the study of the interplay between disorder and integrability to finite magnetic fields.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1995

The Level Splitting Distribution in Chaos-assisted Tunneling

A compound tunneling mechanism from one integrable region to another mediated by a delocalized state in an intermediate chaotic region of phase space was recently introduced to explain peculiar features of tunneling in certain two-dimensional systems. This mechanism is known as chaos-assisted tunneling. We study its consequences for the distribution of the level splittings and obtain a general analytical form for this distribution under the assumption that chaos assisted tunneling is the only operative mechanism. %The validity of this form can then in %principle be checked either numerically or even experimentally. We have checked that the analytical form we obtain agrees with splitting distributions calculated numerically for a model system in which chaos-assisted tunneling is known to be the dominant mechanism. The distribution depends on two parameters: The first gives the scale of the splittings and is related to the magnitude of the classically forbidden processes, the second gives a measure of the efficiency of possible barriers to classical transport which may exist in the chaotic region. If these are weak, this latter parameter is irrelevant; otherwise it sets an energy scale at which the splitting distribution crosses over from one type of behavior to another. The detailed form of the crossover is also obtained and found to be in good agreement with numerical results for models for chaos-assisted tunneling.

chao-dyn↗