Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Diego A. R. Dalvit

Publications and source records attributed to Diego A. R. Dalvit.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Engineering multi-mode bosonic squeezed states using Monte-Carlo optimization

Bosonic systems, such as photons and ultracold atoms, have played a central role in demonstrating quantum-enhanced sensing. Quantum entanglement, through squeezed and GHZ states, enables sensing beyond classical limits. However, such a quantum advantage has so far been confined to two-mode bosonic systems, as analogous multi-mode squeezed states are non-trivial to prepare. Here, we develop a Monte-Carlo based optimization technique which can be used to efficiently engineer a Hamiltonian control-sequence for multi-mode bosonic systems to prepare multi-mode squeezed states. Specifically, we consider a Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical lattice, relevant for applications in gravimetry and gradiometry, and demonstrate that metrologically useful squeezed states can be generated using the Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian which includes on-site atomic interactions, tunable via Feshbach resonances. By analyzing the distribution (density) of the quantum Fisher information (QFI) over the Hilbert space, we identify a characteristic \textit{intermediate scaling} of the QFI: $\mathcal{O}(N^2 L+L^2 N)$, which lies between the standard quantum limit (SQL) and the Heisenberg limit (HL) for $N$ atoms in $L$ modes. We show that in general, within the Hilbert space there is a finite, $\mathcal{O}(1)$ measure subset of Hilbert space with an intermediate QFI scaling. Therefore, one can find a Hamiltonian control sequence using a Monte Carlo optimization over random control sequences, that produces a state with intermediate scaling of the QFI. We assume an experimentally accessible range of the control parameters in the Hamiltonian resources and show that the intermediate scaling can be readily achieved. Our results indicate that the HL can be approached in quantum gravimetry using realistic experimental parameters for systems with $L=\mathcal{O}(1)$ and $N\gg L$.

quant-ph↗

Breakdown of the Kirchhoff's law of thermal radiation by a spatiotemporally modulated nonreciprocal metasurface

Kirchhoff's law of thermal radiation, which dictates that the emissivity of a surface equals its absorptivity under thermal equilibrium, which dictates that the emissivity of a surface equals its absorptivity under thermal equilibrium, fundamentally limits the efficiency of photonic systems by enforcing reciprocal energy exchange between source and detector. Breaking this reciprocity is particularly important for advancing photonic devices for energy conversion, radiative cooling, and mid-infrared sensing and imaging. Driven by the growing need for photonic platforms to overcome reciprocity constraints, we present the first demonstration of spatiotemporally modulated nonreciprocal metasurfaces operating at mid-infrared frequencies suitable for the violation of the Kirchhoff's law at room temperature. We fabricate a graphene-based integrated photonic structure and experimentally demonstrate nonreciprocal reflection from a metasurface modulated at gigahertz frequencies. We develop a theoretical framework to relate nonreciprocal scattering under spatiotemporal modulation with unequal absorptivity and emissivity for violation of the spectral directional Kirchhoff's law. Our experiment and theory imply effective decoupling of absorption and emission channels by breaking time-reversal symmetry at thermal wavelengths.

physics.optics↗

Requirements for probing chiral Casimir-Polder forces in a molecular Talbot-Lau interferometer

We theoretically investigate the influence of chiral Casimir-Polder (CP) forces in Talbot-Lau interferometry, based on three nanomechanical gratings. We study scenarios where the second grating is either directly written into a chiral material or where the nanomask is coated with chiral substances. We show requirements for probing enantiospecific effects in matter-wave interferometry in the transmission signal and the interference fringe visibility, which depend on the de Broglie wavelength and the molecular chirality. The proposed setup is particularly sensitive to CP forces in the non-retarded regime where chiral effects can be comparable in magnitude to their electric and magnetic counterparts. While the first and third gratings do not change the phase of the matter wave, applying a coating of chiral substances to them enhances the instrument's chiral selectivity.

quant-ph↗

Nonperturbative Zou-Wang-Mandel effect

The Zou-Wang-Mandel (ZWM) effect is a remarkable consequence of photon indistinguishability and continuous-variable entanglement in which an optical phase shift is imprinted on photonic modes associated with optical paths that that do not pass through the phase shift source. By bringing the canonical formalism of continuous-variable Gaussian states to bear on the mode-structure of the ZWM experiment, we show that the physical consequence of implementing optical path identity is a renormalization of quadrature squeezing which governs the entanglement of four effective optical modes. Nonperturbative expressions for the ZWM interference patterns and normalized first-order coherence function are derived. Generalizations to $\mathcal{H}$-graph states with more than four modes directly follow from the general method used to analyze the minimal example. We show that a ZWM interferometer with a laser-seeded signal mode, which estimates an idler phase shift by detecting photons that did not propagate through the phase shift, exhibits an optimal sensitivity comparable to that of a laser-seeded $SU(1,1)$ interferometer if path identity is implemented with high fidelity.

quant-ph↗

Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer Eigenmodes

The near-field electromagnetic interaction between nanoscale objects produces enhanced radiative heat transfer that can greatly surpass the limits established by far-field black-body radiation. Here, we present a theoretical framework to describe the temporal dynamics of the radiative heat transfer in ensembles of nanostructures, which is based on the use of an eigenmode expansion of the equations that govern this process. Using this formalism, we identify the fundamental principles that determine the thermalization of collections of nanostructures, revealing general but often unintuitive dynamics. Our results provide an elegant and precise approach to efficiently analyze the temporal dynamics of the near-field radiative heat transfer in systems containing a large number of nanoparticles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Shaping Dynamical Casimir Photons

Temporal modulation of the quantum vacuum through fast motion of a neutral body or fast changes of its optical properties is known to promote virtual into real photons, the so-called dynamical Casimir effect. Empowering modulation protocols with spatial control could enable to shape the spectral, spatial, spin, and entanglement properties of the emitted photon pairs. Space-time quantum metasurfaces have been proposed as a platform to realize this physics via modulation of their optical properties. Here, we report the mechanical analog of this phenomenon by considering systems whose lattice structure undergoes modulation in space and in time. We develop a microscopic theory that applies both to moving mirrors with modulated surface profile and atomic array meta-mirrors with perturbed lattice configuration. Spatio-temporal modulation enables motion-induced generation of steered frequency-path entangled photon pairs in co- and cross-polarized states, as well as vortex photon pairs featuring frequency-angular momentum entanglement. The proposed space-time dynamical Casimir effect can be interpreted as an induced dynamical asymmetry in the quantum vacuum.

quant-ph↗

Space-Time Quantum Metasurfaces

Metasurfaces are a key photonic platform to manipulate classical light using sub-wavelength structures with designer optical response. Static metasurfaces have recently entered the realm of quantum photonics, showing their ability to tailor nonclassical states of light. We introduce the concept of space-time quantum metasurfaces for dynamical control of quantum light. We provide illustrative examples of the impact of spatio-temporally modulated metasurfaces in quantum photonics, including the creation of frequency-spin-path hyperentanglement on a single photon and the realization of space-time asymmetry at the deepest level of the quantum vacuum. Photonic platforms based on the space-time quantum metasurface concept have the potential to enable novel functionalities, such as on-demand entanglement generation for quantum communications, nonreciprocal photon propagation for free-space quantum isolation, and reconfigurable quantum imaging and sensing.

physics.optics↗

Extreme Nonreciprocity with Spatio-Temporally Modulated Metasurfaces

Emerging photonic functionalities are mostly governed by the fundamental principle of Lorentz reciprocity. Lifting the constraints imposed by this principle could circumvent deleterious effects that limit the performance of photonic systems. A variety of approaches have recently been explored to break reciprocity, yet most efforts have been limited to confined photonic systems. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a spatio-temporally modulated metasurface capable of extreme breakdown of Lorentz reciprocity. Through tailoring the momentum and frequency harmonic contents of the scattered waves, we achieve dynamical beam steering, reconfigurable focusing, and giant free-space optical isolation exemplifying the flexibility of our platform. We develop a generalized Bloch-Floquet theory which offers physical insights into the demonstrated extreme nonreciprocity, and its predictions are in excellent agreement with experiments. Our work opens exciting opportunities in applications where free-space nonreciprocal wave propagation is desired, including wireless communications and radiative energy transfer.

physics.app-ph↗

Nanoscale transfer of angular momentum mediated by the Casimir torque

Casimir interactions play an important role in the dynamics of nanoscale objects. Here, we investigate the noncontact transfer of angular momentum at the nanoscale through the analysis of the Casimir torque acting on a chain of rotating nanoparticles. We show that this interaction, which arises from the vacuum and thermal fluctuations of the electromagnetic field, enables an efficient transfer of angular momentum between the elements of the chain. Working within the framework of fluctuational electrodynamics, we derive analytical expressions for the Casimir torque acting on each nanoparticle in the chain, which we use to study the synchronization of chains with different geometries and to predict unexpected dynamics, including a rattleback-like behavior. Our results provide new insights into the Casimir torque and how it can be exploited to achieve efficient noncontact transfer of angular momentum at the nanoscale, and therefore have important implications for the control and manipulation of nanomechanical devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Passive radiative "thermostat" enabled by phase-change photonic nanostructures

A thermostat senses the temperature of a physical system and switches heating or cooling devices on or off, regulating the flow of heat to maintain the system's temperature near a desired setpoint. Taking advantage of recent advances in radiative heat transfer technologies, here we propose a passive radiative "thermostat" based on phase-change photonic nanostructures for thermal regulation at room temperature. By self-adjusting their visible to mid-IR absorptivity and emissivity responses depending on the ambient temperature, the proposed devices use the sky to passively cool or heat during day-time using the phase-change transition temperature as the setpoint, while at night-time temperature is maintained at or below ambient. We simulate the performance of a passive nanophotonic thermostat design based on vanadium dioxide thin films, showing daytime passive cooling (heating) with respect to ambient in hot (cold) days, maintaining an equilibrium temperature approximately locked within the phase transition region. Passive radiative thermostats can potentially enable novel thermal management technologies, e.g. to moderate diurnal temperature in regions with extreme annual thermal swings.

physics.optics↗

High-Temperature Refractory Metasurfaces for Solar Thermophotovoltaic Energy Harvesting

Solar energy promises a viable solution to meet the ever-increasing power demand by providing a clean, renewable energy alternative to fossil fuels. For solar thermophotovoltaics (STPV), high-temperature absorbers and emitters with strong spectral selectivity are imperative to efficiently couple solar radiation into photovoltaic cells. Here, we demonstrate refractory metasurfaces for STPV with tailored absorptance and emittance characterized by in-situ high-temperature measurements, featuring thermal stability up to at least 1200 C. Our tungsten-based metasurface absorbers have close-to-unity absorption from visible to near infrared and strongly suppressed emission at longer wavelengths, while our metasurface emitters provide wavelength-selective emission spectrally matched to the band-edge of InGaAsSb photovoltaic cells. The projected overall STPV efficiency is as high as 18% when employing a fully integrated absorber/emitter metasurface structure, much higher than those achievable by stand-alone PV cells. Our work opens a path forward for high-performance STPV systems based on refractory metasurface structures.

physics.app-ph↗

Nonlocal Optical Response in Topological Phase Transitions in the Graphene Family

We investigate the electromagnetic response of staggered two-dimensional materials of the graphene family, including silicene, germanene, and stanene, as they are driven through various topological phase transitions using external fields. Utilizing Kubo formalism, we compute their optical conductivity tensor taking into account the frequency and wave vector of the electromagnetic excitations, and study its behavior over the full electronic phase diagram of the materials. We also consider the plasmon excitations in the graphene family and find that nonlocality in the optical response can affect the plasmon dispersion spectra of the various phases. The expressions for the conductivity components are valid for the entire graphene family and can be readily used by others.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Topological quantum friction

We develop the theory of quantum friction in two-dimensional topological materials. The quantum drag force on a metallic nanoparticle moving above such systems is sensitive to the non-trivial topology of their electronic phases, shows a novel distance scaling law, and can be manipulated through doping or via the application of external fields. We use the developed framework to investigate quantum friction due to the quantum Hall effect in magnetic field biased graphene, and to topological phase transitions in the graphene family materials. It is shown that topologically non-trivial states in two-dimensional materials enable an increase of two orders of magnitude in the quantum drag force with respect to conventional neutral graphene systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Casimir Force Phase Transitions in the Graphene Family

The Casimir force is a universal interaction induced by electromagnetic quantum fluctuations between any types of objects. The expansion of the graphene family by adding silicene, germanene, and stanene, 2D allotropes of Si, Ge, and Sn, lands itself as a platform to probe Dirac-like physics in honeycomb staggered systems in such a ubiquitous interaction. We discover Casimir force phase transitions between these staggered 2D materials induced by the complex interplay between Dirac physics, spin-orbit coupling, and externally applied fields. In particular, we find that the interaction energy experiences different power law distance decays, magnitudes, and dependences on characteristic physical constants. Furthermore, due to the topological properties of these materials, repulsive and quantized Casimir interactions become possible.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Nonequilibrium Casimir-Polder plasmonic interactions

We investigate how the combination of nonequilibrium effects and material properties impacts on the Casimir-Polder interaction between an atom and a surface. By addressing systems with temperature inhomogeneities and laser interactions, we show that nonmonotonous energetic landscapes can be produced where barriers and minima appear. Our treatment provides a self-consistent quantum theoretical framework for investigating the properties of a class of nonequilibrium atom-surface interactions.

quant-ph↗

Radiative heat transfer in 2D Dirac materials

We compute the radiative heat transfer between two sheets of 2D Dirac materials, including topological Chern insulators and graphene, within the framework of the local approximation for the optical response of these materials. In this approximation, which neglects spatial dispersion, we derive both numerically and analytically the short-distance asymptotic of the near-field heat transfer in these systems, and show that it scales as the inverse of the distance between the two sheets. Finally, we discuss the limitations to the validity of this scaling law imposed by spatial dispersion in 2D Dirac materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Friction forces on atoms after acceleration

The aim of this paper is to revisit the calculation of atom-surface quantum friction in the quantum field theory formulation put forward by Barton [New J. Phys. 12 (2010) 113045]. We show that the power dissipated into field excitations and the associated friction force depend on how the atom is boosted from being initially at rest to a configuration in which it is moving at constant velocity (v) parallel to the planar interface. In addition, we point out that there is a subtle cancellation between the one-photon and part of the two-photon dissipating power, resulting in a leading order contribution to the frictional power which goes as v^4. These results are also confirmed by an alternative calculation of the average radiation force, which scales as v^3.

quant-ph↗

Geometry-induced Casimir suspension of oblate bodies in fluids

We predict that a low-permittivity oblate body (disk-shaped object) above a thin metal substrate (plate with a hole) immersed in a fluidof intermediate permittivity will experience a meta-stable equilibrium (restoring force) near the center of the hole. Stability is the result of a geometry-induced transition in the sign of the force, from repulsive to attractive, that occurs as the disk approaches the hole---in planar or nearly-planar geometries, the same material combination yields a repulsive force at all separations in accordance with the Dzyaloshinskii--Lifshitz--Pitaevskii condition of fluid-induced repulsion between planar bodies. We explore the stability of the system with respect to rotations and lateral translations of the disks, and demonstrate interesting transitions (bifurcations) in the rotational stability of the disks as a function of their size. Finally, we consider the reciprocal situation in which the disk--plate materials are interchanged, and find that in this case the system also exhibits meta-stability. The forces in the system are sufficiently large to be observed in experiments and should enable measurements based on the diffusion dynamics of the suspended bodies.

cond-mat.other↗