arXiv subjects

Eyal Buks

Publications and source records attributed to Eyal Buks.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Exploring the nonlinear regime of light-matter interaction using electronic spins in diamond

The coupling between defects in diamond and a superconducting microwave resonator is studied in the nonlinear regime. Both negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy and P1 defects are explored. The measured cavity mode response exhibits strong nonlinearity near a spin resonance. Data is compared with theoretical predictions and a good agreement is obtained in a wide range of externally controlled parameters. The nonlinear effect under study in the current paper is expected to play a role in any cavity-based magnetic resonance imaging technique and to impose a fundamental limit upon its sensitivity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Local tuning of the order parameter in superconducting weak links: A zero-inductance nano device

Controlling both the amplitude and phase of the quantum order parameter (ψ) in nanostructures is important for next-generation information and communication technologies. The long-range coherence of attractive electrons in superconductors render these materials as a nearly ideal platform for such applications. To-date, control over ψ has remained limited to the macroscopic scale, either by adjusting untunable materials properties, such as film thickness, stoichiometry and homogeneity or by tuning external magnetic fields. Yet, although local tuning of ψ is desired, the lack of electric resistance in superconductors, which may be advantageous for some technologies hinders convenient voltage-bias tuning. Likewise, challenges related to nanoscale fabrication of superconductors encumber local tunability of ψ. Here, we demonstrate local tunability of ψ, obtained by patterning with a single lithography step a Nb nano superconducting quantum interference device (nano-SQUID) that is biased at its nano bridges. Our design helped us reveal also unusual electric characteristics-effective zero inductance, which is promising for quantum technologies and nanoscale magnetic sensing. Finally, we accompanied our experimental results by a semi-classical model, which not only is extending the applicability of our devices, but is also useful for describing planar nano-SQUIDs in general.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Damping in a Superconducting Mechanical Resonator

We study a mechanical resonator made of aluminum near the normal to super conductivity phase transition. A sharp drop in the rate of mechanical damping is observed below the critical temperature. The experimental results are compared with predictions based on the Bardeen Cooper Schrieffer theory of superconductivity and a fair agreement is obtained.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Off resonance coupling between a cavity mode and an ensemble of driven spins

We study the interaction between a superconducting cavity and a spin ensemble. The response of a cavity mode is monitored while simultaneously the spins are driven at a frequency close to their Larmor frequency, which is tuned to a value much higher than the cavity resonance. We experimentally find that the effective damping rate of the cavity mode is shifted by the driven spins. The measured shift in the damping rate is attributed to the retarded response of the cavity mode to the driven spins. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions and fair agreement is found.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Diamond Magnetometry of Meissner Currents in a Superconducting Film

We study magnetic field penetration into a thin film made of a superconducting niobium. Imaging of magnetic field is performed by optically detecting magnetic resonances of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy defects inside a single crystal diamond, which is attached to the niobium film under study. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions based on the critical state model, and good agreement is obtained.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Superharmonic Resonances in a Strongly Coupled Cavity-Atom System

We study a system consisting of a superconducting flux qubit strongly coupled to a microwave cavity. The fundamental cavity mode is externally driven and the response is investigated in the weak nonlinear regime. We find that near the crossing point, at which the resonance frequencies of the cavity mode and qubit coincide, the sign of the Kerr coefficient changes, and consequently the type of nonlinear response changes from softening to hardening. Furthermore, the cavity response exhibits superharmonic resonances when the ratio between the qubit frequency and the cavity fundamental mode frequency is tuned close to an integer value. The nonlinear response is characterized by the method of intermodulation and both signal and idler gains are measured. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions and good qualitative agreement is obtained. The superharmonic resonances have potential for applications in quantum amplification and generation of entangled states of light.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Devil's Staircase in an Optomechanical Cavity

We study self-excited oscillation (SEO) in an on-fiber optomechanical cavity. While the phase of SEO randomly diffuses in time when the laser power that is injected into the cavity is kept constant, phase locking may occur when the laser power is periodically modulated in time. We investigate the dependence of phase locking on the amplitude and frequency of the laser power modulation. We find that phase locking can be induced with a relatively low modulation amplitude provided that the ratio between the modulation frequency and the frequency of SEO is tuned close to a rational number of relatively low hierarchy in the Farey tree. To account for the experimental results a one dimensional map, which allows evaluating the time evolution of the phase of SEO, is theoretically derived. By calculating the winding number of the one dimensional map the regions of phase locking can be mapped in the plane of modulation amplitude and modulation frequency. Comparison between the theoretical predictions and the experimental findings yields a partial agreement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Sensing Dispersive and Dissipative Forces by an Optomechanical Cavity

We experimentally study an optomechanical cavity that is formed between a mechanical resonator, which serves as a movable mirror, and a stationary on-fiber dielectric mirror. A significant change in the behavior of the system is observed when the distance between the fiber's tip and the mechanical resonator is made smaller than about 1 micrometer. The observed effects are attributed to the combined influence of Casimir force, Coulomb interaction due to trapped charges, and optomechanical coupling. The comparison between experimental results and theory yields a partial agreement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Tunable strong nonlinearity of a micromechanical beam embedded in a dc-SQUID

We present a study of the controllable nonlinear dynamics of a micromechanical beam coupled to a dc-SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device). The coupling between these systems places the modes of the beam in a highly nonlinear potential, whose shape can be altered by varying the control parameters of the SQUID. We detect the position of the beam by placing it in an optical cavity, which frees the SQUID to be used solely for actuation. This enables us to probe the previously unexplored full parameter space of this device. We measure the frequency response of the beam and find that it displays a periodic dependence on applied magnetic flux. To account for this, we develop a model based on the standard theory for SQUID dynamics. In addition, with the aim of understanding if the device can reach nonlinearity at the single phonon level, we use this model to show that the responsivity of the current circulating in the SQUID to the position of the beam can become divergent, with its magnitude limited only by noise. This suggests a direction for the generation of macroscopically distinguishable superposition states of the beam.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Synchronization in an Optomechanical Cavity

We study self-excited oscillations (SEO) in an on-fiber optomechanical cavity. Synchronization is observed when the optical power that is injected into the cavity is periodically modulated. A theoretical analysis based on the Fokker-Planck equation evaluates the expected phase space distribution (PSD) of the self-oscillating mechanical resonator. A tomography technique is employed for extracting PSD from the measured reflected optical power. Time-resolved state tomography measurements are performed to study phase diffusion and phase locking of the SEO. The detuning region inside which synchronization occurs is experimentally determined and the results are compared with the theoretical prediction.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Time Resolved Phase Space Tomography of an Optomechanical Cavity

We experimentally study the phase space distribution (PSD) of a mechanical resonator that is simultaneously coupled to two electromagnetic cavities. The first one, operating in the microwave band, is employed for inducing either cooling or self-excited oscillation, whereas the second one, operating in the optical band, is used for displacement detection. A tomography technique is employed for extracting the PSD from the signal reflected by the optical cavity. Measurements of PSD are performed in steady state near the threshold of self-excited oscillation while sweeping the microwave cavity detuning. In addition, we monitor the time evolution of the transitions from an optomechanically cooled state to a state of self excited oscillation. This transition is induced by abruptly switching the microwave driving frequency from the red-detuned region to the blue-detuned one. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions that are obtained by solving the Fokker-Planck equation. The feasibility of generating quantum superposition states in the system under study is briefly discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Semiclassical dynamics of a flux qubit coupled to a nanomechanical oscillator

We present a theory describing the semiclassical dynamics of a superconducting flux qubit inductively coupled to a nanomechanical oscillator. Focusing on the influence of the qubit on the mechanical element, and on the nonlinear phenomena displayed by this device, we show that it exhibits retardation effects and self-excited oscillations. These can be harnessed for the generation of non-classical states of the mechanical oscillator. In addition, we find that this system shares several fundamental properties with cavity optomechanical systems, and elucidate the analogy between these two classes of devices.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Intermittency in an Optomechanical Cavity Near a Subcritical Hopf Bifurcation

We experimentally study an optomechanical cavity consisting of an oscillating mechanical resonator embedded in a superconducting microwave transmission line cavity. Tunable optomechanical coupling between the mechanical resonator and the microwave cavity is introduced by positioning a niobium-coated single mode optical fiber above the mechanical resonator. The capacitance between the mechanical resonator and the coated fiber gives rise to optomechanical coupling, which can be controlled by varying the fiber-resonator distance. We study radiation pressure induced self-excited oscillations as a function of microwave driving parameters (frequency and power). Intermittency between limit cycle and steady state behaviors is observed with blue-detuned driving frequency. The experimental results are accounted for by a model that takes into account the Duffing-like nonlinearity of the microwave cavity. A stability analysis reveals a subcritical Hopf bifurcation near the region where intermittency is observed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Phase Space Distribution Near Self-Excited Oscillation Threshold

We study phase space distribution of an optomechanical cavity near the threshold of self-excited oscillation. A fully on-fiber optomechanical cavity is fabricated by patterning a suspended metallic mirror on the tip of the fiber. Optically induced self-excited oscillation of the suspended mirror is observed above a threshold value of the injected laser power. A theoretical analysis based on Fokker-Planck equation evaluates the expected phase space distribution near threshold. A tomography technique is employed for extracting phase space distribution from the measured reflected optical power vs. time in steady state. Comparison between theory and experimental results allows the extraction of device's parameters.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors On-Fiber

We present a novel design of a superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) fabricated on a core of a single mode optical fiber. The proposed design allows high overlap between the fiber light mode and the detector, and consequently, our fabricated devices can remain small in dimension and maintain speed of operation, without scarifying the detection efficiency. The on-fiber fabrication method is detailed, together with experimental results. The proposed method can be exploited in the future for the fabrication of other fiber coupled devices.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

On-Fiber Optomechanical Cavity

A fully on-fiber optomechanical cavity is fabricated by patterning a suspended metallic mirror on the tip of an optical fiber. Optically induced self-excited oscillations of the suspended mirror are experimentally demonstrated. We discuss the feasibility of employing on-fiber optomechanical cavities for sensing applications. A theoretical analysis evaluates the sensitivity of the proposed sensor, which is assumed to operate in the region of self-excited oscillations, and the results are compared with the experimental data. Moreover, the sensitivity that is obtained in the region of self-excited oscillations is theoretically compared with the sensitivity that is achievable when forced oscillations are driven by applying an oscillatory external force.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Optomechanical Cavity with a Buckled Mirror

We study an optomechanical cavity, in which a buckled suspended beam serves as a mirror. The mechanical resonance frequency of the beam obtains a minimum value near the buckling temperature. Contrary to the common case, in which self-excited oscillations of the suspended mirror are optically induced by injecting blue detuned laser light, in our case self-excited oscillations are observed with red detuned light. These observations are attributed to a retarded thermal (i.e. bolometric) force acting on the buckled mirror in the inwards direction (i.e. towards to other mirror). With relatively high laser power other interesting effects are observed including period doubling of self-excited oscillations and intermode coupling.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Nonlinear Induction Detection of Electron Spin Resonance

We present a new approach to the induction detection of electron spin resonance (ESR) signals exploiting the nonlinear properties of a superconducting resonator. Our experiments employ a yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) superconducting stripline microwave (MW) resonator integrated with a microbridge. A strong nonlinear response of the resonator is thermally activated in the microbridge when exceeding a threshold in the injected MW power. The responsivity factor characterizing the ESR-induced change in the system's output signal is about 100 times larger when operating the resonator near the instability threshold, compared to the value obtained in the linear regime of operation. Preliminary experimental results, together with a theoretical model of this phenomenon are presented. Under appropriate conditions nonlinear induction detection of ESR can potentially improve upon the current capabilities of conventional linear induction detection ESR.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗