arXiv subjects

Emmanuel Paspalakis

Publications and source records attributed to Emmanuel Paspalakis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Dynamical blockade in a bosonic Josephson junction using optimal coupling

In this article we use time-dependent Josephson coupling to enhance unconventional photon blockade in a system of two coupled nonlinear bosonic modes which are initially loaded with weakly populated coherent states, so the evolution is restricted to the manifold of up to two field quanta. Using numerical optimal control, we find the optimal coupling which minimizes the two-photon occupation of one mode, which is actually transferred to the other, while maintains a non-zero one-photon occupation in the same mode. Moreover, we choose the continuous coupling to vanish after the transfer between the modes such that they are decoupled and one of them is left only with some one-photon population which can be observed upon its decay. We numerically find lower values of the second-order correlation function obtained at earlier times than with constant coupling, with larger one-photon populations and for longer time windows, corresponding thus to higher emission efficiency and easier detection. The presented methodology is not restricted to the system under study, but it can also be transferred to other related frameworks, to find the optimal driving fields which can improve the single-photon emission statistics from these systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Control of nonlinear optical phenomena and spatially structured optical effects in a four-level quantum system near a plasmonic nanostructure

We investigate the nonlinear optical response of a four-level double-V-type quantum system interacting with a pair of weak probe fields while located near a two-dimensional array of metal-coated dielectric nanospheres. Such a quantum system contains a V-type subsystem interacting with surface plasmons, and another V-type subsystem interacting with the free-space vacuum. A distinctive feature of the proposed setup is its sensitivity to the relative phase of the applied fields when placed near the plasmonic nanostructure. We demonstrate that due to the presence of the plasmonic nanostructure, the third-order (Kerr-type) susceptibility for one of the laser fields can be significantly modified while another probe field is acting. Moreover, the Kerr nonlinearity of the system can be controlled and even enhanced by varying the distance of the quantum system from the plasmonic nanostructure.We also show that the Kerr nonlinearity of such a system can be controlled by adjusting the relative phase of the applied fields. The results obtained may find potential applications in on-chip nanoscale photonic devices. We also study the light-matter interaction in the case where one probe field carries an optical vortex, and another probe field has no vortex. We demonstrate that due to the phase sensitivity of the closed-loop double V-type quantum system, the linear and nonlinear susceptibility of the nonvortex probe beam depends on the azimuthal angle and orbital angular momentum (OAM) of the vortex probe beam. This feature is missing in open four-level double V-type quantum system interacting with free-space vacuum, as no quantum interference occurs in this case. We use the azimuthal dependence of optical susceptibility of the quantum system to determine the regions of spatially-structured transmittance.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Off-axis optical vortices using double-Raman singlet and doublet light-matter schemes

We study the formation of off-axis optical vortices propagating inside a double-Raman gain atomic medium. The atoms interact with two weak probe fields as well as two strong pump beams which can carry orbital angular momentum (OAM). We consider a situation when only one of the strong pump lasers carries an OAM. A particular superposition of probe fields coupled to the matter is shown to form specific optical vortices with shifted axes. Such off-axis vortices can propagate inside the medium with sub- or superluminal group velocity depending on the value of the two-photon detuning. The superluminal optical vortices are associated with the amplification as the energy of pump fields is transferred to the probe fields. The position of the peripheral vortices can be manipulated by the OAM and intensity of the pump fields. We show that the exchange of optical vortices is possible between individual probe beams and the pump fields when the amplitude of the second probe field is zero at the beginning of the atomic cloud. The model is extended to a more complex double Raman doublet interacting with four pump fields. In contrast to the double-Raman-singlet, now the generation of the off-axis sub- or superluminal optical vortices is possible even for zero two-photon detuning.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Complete energy conversion between light beams carrying orbital angular momentum using coherent population trapping for a coherently driven double-Λatom-light coupling

We propose a procedure to achieve a complete energy conversion between laser pulses carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) in a cloud of cold atoms characterized by a double-Λatom-light coupling scheme. A pair of resonant spatially dependent control fields prepare atoms in a position-dependent coherent population trapping state, while a pair of much weaker vortex probe beams propagate in the coherently driven atomic medium. Using the adiabatic approximation we derive the propagation equations for the probe beams. We consider a situation where the second control field is absent at the entrance to the atomic cloud and the first control field goes to zero at the end of the atomic medium. In that case the incident vortex probe beam can transfer its OAM to a generated probe beam. We show that the efficiency of such an energy conversion approaches the unity under the adiabatic condition. On the other hand, by using spatially independent profiles of the control fields, the maximum conversion efficiency is only 1/2.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Speeding up adiabatic passage with an optimal modified Roland-Cerf protocol

In this article we propose a novel method to accelerate adiabatic passage in a two-level system with only longitudinal field (detuning) control, while the transverse field is kept constant. The suggested method is a modification of the Roland-Cerf protocol, during which the parameter quantifying local adiabaticity is held constant. Here, we show that with a simple ``on-off" modulation of this local adiabaticity parameter, a perfect adiabatic passage can be obtained for every duration larger than the lower bound $π/Ω$, where $Ω$ is the constant transverse field. For a fixed maximum amplitude of the local adiabaticity parameter, the timings of the ``on-off" pulse-sequence which achieves perfect fidelity in minimum time are obtained using optimal control theory. The corresponding detuning control is continuous and monotonic, a significant advantage compared to the detuning variation at the quantum speed limit which includes non-monotonic jumps. The proposed methodology can be applied in several important core tasks in quantum computing, for example to the design of a high fidelity controlled-phase gate, which can be mapped to the adiabatic quantum control of such a qubit. Additionally, it is expected to find applications across all Physics disciplines which exploit the adiabatic control of such a two-level system.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Resonant shortcuts for adiabatic rapid passage with only $z$-field control

In this work we derive novel ultrafast shortcuts for adiabatic rapid passage for a qubit where the only control variable is the longitudinal $z$-field, while the transverse $x$-field remains constant. This restrictive framework is pertinent to some important tasks in quantum computing, for example the design of a high fidelity controlled-phase gate can be mapped to the adiabatic quantum control of such a qubit. We study this problem in the adiabatic reference frame and with appropriately rescaled time, using as control input the derivative of the total field polar angle (with respect to rescaled time). We first show that a constant pulse can achieve perfect adiabatic rapid passage at only specific times, corresponding to resonant shortcuts to adiabaticity. We next show that, by using "on-off-on-...-on-off-on" pulse-sequences with appropriate characteristics (amplitude, timing, and number of pulses), a perfect fidelity can be obtained for every duration larger than the limit $π/Ω$, where $Ω$ is the constant transverse $x$-field. We provide equations from which these characteristics can be calculated. The proposed methodology for generalized resonant shortcuts exploits the advantages of composite pulses in the rescaled time, while the corresponding control $z$-field varies continuously and monotonically in the original time. Of course, as the total duration approaches the lower limit, the changes in the control signal become more abrupt. These results are not restricted only to quantum information processing applications, but is also expected to impact other areas, where adiabatic rapid passage is used.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Non-Markovian spontaneous emission dynamics of a quantum emitter near a MoS$_2$ nanodisk

We introduce a photonic nanostructure made of two dimensional materials that can lead to non-Markovian dynamics in the spontaneous emission of a nearby quantum emitter. Specifically, we investigate the spontaneous emission dynamics of a two-level quantum emitter with picosecond free-space decay time, modelling J-aggregates, close to a MoS$_2$ nanodisk. Reversible population dynamics in the quantum emitter is obtained when the emitter's frequency matches the frequency of an exciton-polariton resonance created by the nanodisk. When such isolated resonances exist, decaying Rabi oscillations may occur. The overlapping of exciton-polariton resonances also affects strongly the decay dynamics at close distances to the nanodisk, giving rise to complex decaying population oscillations. At very close distances of the emitter to the nanodisk the ultrastrong coupling regime appears, where after a very fast oscillatory partial decay of the initial population, the emitter rest population remains constant over long times and population trapping occurs. The size and material quality of the nanodisk is shown to be of lesser influence on the above results.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Light-matter interaction of a quantum emitter near a half-space graphene nanostructure

The Purcell factor and the spontaneous emission spectrum of a quantum emitter (QE) placed close to the edge of a graphene half-space nanostructure is investigated, using semi-analytical methods at the electrostatic regime. The half-space geometry supports an edge and a bulk surface plasmon (SP) mode. The Purcell factor of the QE is enhanced over eight orders of magnitude when its emission energy matches the resonance energy modes, for a specific value of the in-plane wave vector, at a separation distance of $5\,$nm. The different transition dipole moment orientations influence differently the enhancement factor of a QE, leading to large anisotropic behavior when positioned at different places above the half-space geometry. The field distribution is presented, showing clearly the excitation of the SP modes at the edge of the nanostructures. Also, we present the spontaneous emission spectrum of the QE near the half-space graphene nanostructure and show that strong light-matter coupling may emerge. When a QE with a free-space lifetime of $1\,$ns is placed at a distance of $10\,$nm away from the edge of the graphene half-space, a Rabi splitting of $80 \,m$eV is found. Our contribution can be used for designing future quantum applications using combination of QEs and graphene nanostructures.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Transfer of optical vortices in coherently prepared media

We consider transfer of optical vortices between laser pulses carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) in a cloud of cold atoms characterized by the $Λ$ configuration of the atom-light coupling. The atoms are initially prepared in a coherent superposition of the lower levels, creating a so-called phaseonium medium. If a single vortex beam initially acts on one transition of the $Λ$ scheme, an extra laser beam is subsequently generated with the same vorticity as that of the incident vortex beam. The absorption of the incident probe beam takes place mostly at the beginning of the atomic medium within the absorption length. The losses disappear as the probe beam propagates deeper into the medium where the atoms are transferred to their dark states. The method is extended to a tripod atom-light coupling scheme and a more general $n+1$-level scheme containing $n$ ground states and one excited state, allowing for creating of multiple twisted light beams. We also analyze generation of composite optical vortices in the $Λ$ scheme using a superposition of two initial vortex beams and study lossless propagation of such composite vortices.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Efficient Generation of the Triplet Bell State Between Coupled Spins Using Transitionless Quantum Driving and Optimal Control

We consider a pair of coupled spins with Ising interaction in z-direction and study the problem of generating efficiently the triplet Bell state. We initially analyze the transitionless quantum driving shortcut to adiabaticity method and point out its limitations when the available duration approaches zero. In this short time limit we explicitly calculate the fidelity of the method and find it to be much lower than unity, no matter how large become the available control fields. We find that there is a lower bound on the necessary time to complete this transfer, set by the finite value of the interaction between the spins. We then use numerical optimal control to find bang-bang pulse sequences, as well as, smooth controls, which can generate high levels of the target Bell state in the minimum possible time. The results of the present work are not restricted only to spin systems, but is expected to find also applications in other physical systems which can be modeled as interacting spins, such as, for example, coupled quantum dots.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Efficient entanglement generation between exciton-polaritons using shortcuts to adiabaticity

We use shortcuts to adiabaticity, a method introduced to speed up adiabatic quantum dynamics, for the efficient generation of entanglement between exciton-polaritons in coupled semiconductor microcavities. A substantial improvement is achieved, compared to a recently proposed method which essentially enhances the nonlinearity of the system. Our method takes advantage of a time-dependent nonlinearity which can become larger than the Josephson coupling between the cavities, while the conventional method is restricted to a constant nonlinearity lower than the coupling. The suggested procedure is expected to find also application in other research areas in optics, where nonlinear interacting bosons are encountered.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Maximizing entanglement in bosonic Josephson junctions using shortcuts to adiabaticity and optimal control

In this article we consider a bosonic Josephson junction, a model system composed by two coupled nonlinear quantum oscillators which can be implemented in various physical contexts, initially prepared in a product of weakly populated coherent states. We quantify the maximum achievable entanglement between the modes of the junction and then use shortcuts to adiabaticity, a method developed to speed up adiabatic quantum dynamics, as well as numerical optimization, to find time-dependent controls (the nonlinearity and the coupling of the junction) which bring the system to a maximally entangled state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Boosting Entanglement Between Exciton-Polaritons with On-Off Switching of Josephson Coupling

We show that the appropriate on-off switching of Josephson coupling between exciton-polaritons in coupled semiconductor microcavities can reveal the full capacity for generating entanglement with a recently proposed method which essentially enhances the nonlinearity of the system. The improvement achieved with this simple modulation of the coupling is substantial over the case where it is kept constant. The suggested procedure is expected to find also application in other research areas, where nonlinear interacting bosons are encountered.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Generation of maximally entangled states in hybrid two quantum dots mediated by a spherical metal nanoparticle driven by external laser field

We theoretically study the generation of quantum correlations in a hybrid system composed by two interacting semiconductor quantum dots mediated by a metal nanoparticle and coupled to an external laser field. Interactions present in the hybrid system are treated using a semiclassical approximation except for the direct dipole-dipole interaction. We report the entanglement of formation, which gives information about entanglement quantum correlations, for continuous wave and pulsed driving applied fields. We have found that for proper values of the physical and geometrical parameters of the hybrid system the applied field can be tuned producing quantum correlations of significant value so that they can be useful in quantum information and computation processes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Journeys from Quantum Optics to Quantum Technology

Sir Peter Knight is a pioneer in quantum optics which has now grown to an important branch of modern physics to study the foundations and applications of quantum physics. He is leading an effort to develop new technologies from quantum mechanics. In this collection of essays, we recall the time we were working with him as a postdoc or a PhD student and look at how the time with him has influenced our research.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2015

Dynamic Effective Medium Theory for Two-Dimensional Non-Magnetic Metamaterial Lattices using Multipole Expansion

We present a formulation for deriving effective medium properties of infinitely periodic two-dimensional metamaterial lattice structures beyond the static and quasi-static limits. We utilize the multipole expansions, where the polarization currents associated with the supported Bloch modes are expressed via the electric dipole, magnetic dipole, and electric quadrupole moments per unit length. We then propose a method to calculate the Bloch modes based on the lattice geometry and individual unit element structure. The results revert to well-known formulas in the quasistatic limit and are useful for the homogenization of nanorod-type metamaterials which are frequently used in optical applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2004

Photonic crystals and inhibition of spontaneous emission: an introduction

In the first part of this introductory review we outline the developments in photonic band gap materials from the physics of photonic band gap formation to the fabrication and potential applications of photonic crystals. We briefly describe the analogies between electron and photon localization, present a simple model of a band structure calculation and describe some of the techniques used for fabricating photonic crystals. Also some applications in the field of photonics and optical circuitry are briefly presented. In the second part, we discuss the consequences for the interaction between an atom and the light field when the former is embedded in photonic crystals of a specific type, exhibiting a specific form of a gap in the density of states. We first briefly review the standard treatment (Weisskopf-Wigner theory) in describing the dynamics of spontaneous emission in free space from first principles, and then proceed by explaining the alterations needed to properly treat the case of a two-level atom embedded in a photonic band gap material.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Entanglement in a Two-Qubit Ising Model Under a Site-Dependent External Magnetic Field

We investigate the ground state and the thermal entanglement in the two-qubit Ising model interacting with a site-dependent magnetic field. The degree of entanglement is measured by calculating the concurrence. For zero temperature and for certain direction of the applied magnetic field, the quantum phase transition observed under a uniform external magnetic field disappears once a very small non-uniformity is introduced. Furthermore, we have shown analytically and confirmed numerically that once the direction of one of the magnetic field is along the Ising axis then no entangled states can be produced, independently of the degree of non-uniformity of the magnetic fields on each site.

quant-ph↗