arXiv subjects

F. Nori

Publications and source records attributed to F. Nori.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Relativistic Spin-Orbit Interactions of Photons and Electrons

Laboratory optics, typically dealing with monochromatic light beams in a single reference frame, exhibits numerous spin-orbit interaction phenomena due to the coupling between the spin and orbital degrees of freedom of light. Similar phenomena appear for electrons and other spinning particles. Here we examine transformations of paraxial photon and relativistic-electron states carrying the spin and orbital angular momenta (AM) under the Lorentz boosts between different reference frames. We show that transverse boosts inevitably produce a rather nontrivial conversion from spin to orbital AM. The converted part is then separated between the intrinsic (vortex) and extrinsic (transverse shift or Hall effect) contributions. Although the spin, intrinsic-orbital, and extrinsic-orbital parts all point in different directions, such complex behavior is necessary for the proper Lorentz transformation of the total AM of the particle. Relativistic spin-orbit interactions can be important in scattering processes involving photons, electrons, and other relativistic spinning particles, as well as when studying light emitted by fast-moving bodies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Electric current induced unidirectional propagation of surface plasmon-polaritons

Nonreciprocity and one-way propagation of optical signals is crucial for modern nanophotonic technology, and is typically achieved using magneto-optical effects requiring large magnetic biases. Here we suggest a fundamentally novel approach to achieve unidirectional propagation of surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) at metal-dielectric interfaces. We employ a direct electric current in metals, which produces a Doppler frequency shift of SPPs due to the uniform drift of electrons. This tilts the SPP dispersion, enabling one-way propagation, as well as zero and negative group velocities. The results are demonstrated for planar interfaces and cylindrical nanowire waveguides.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Reflective amplification without population inversion from a strongly driven superconducting qubit

Amplification of optical or microwave fields is often achieved by strongly driving a medium to induce population inversion such that a weak probe can be amplified through stimulated emission. Here we strongly couple a superconducting qubit, an artificial atom, to the field in a semi-infinite waveguide. When driving the qubit strongly on resonance such that a Mollow triplet appears, we observe a 7\% amplitude gain for a weak probe at frequencies in-between the triplet. This amplification is not due to population inversion, neither in the bare qubit basis nor in the dressed-state basis, but instead results from a four-photon process that converts energy from the strong drive to the weak probe. We find excellent agreement between the experimental results and numerical simulations without any free fitting parameters. The device demonstrated here may have applications in quantum information processing and quantum-limited measurements.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Spin-valley half-metal as a prospective material for spin-valley-tronics

Half-metallicity (full spin polarization of the Fermi surface) usually occurs in strongly correlated electron systems. We demonstrate that doping a spin-density wave insulator in the weak-coupling regime may also stabilize half-metallic states. The undoped spin-density wave is formed by four nested bands [i.e., each band is characterized by charge (electron/hole) and spin (up/down) labels]. Of these four bands only two accumulate the doped carriers, forming a half-metallic two-valley Fermi surface. Depending on parameters, the spin polarizations of the electron-like and hole-like valleys may be (i) parallel or (ii) antiparallel. The Fermi surface of (i) is fully spin-polarized (similar to usual half-metals). Case (ii), referred to as "a spin-valley half-metal", corresponds to complete polarization with respect to the spin-valley operator. The properties of these states are discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Theory and applications of free-electron vortex states

Both classical and quantum waves can form vortices: with helical phase fronts and azimuthal current densities. These features determine the intrinsic orbital angular momentum carried by localized vortex states. In the past 25 years, optical vortex beams have become an inherent part of modern optics, with many remarkable achievements and applications. In the past decade, it has been realized and demonstrated that such vortex beams or wavepackets can also appear in free electron waves, in particular, in electron microscopy. Interest in free-electron vortex states quickly spread over different areas of physics: from basic aspects of quantum mechanics, via applications for fine probing of matter (including individual atoms), to high-energy particle collision and radiation processes. Here we provide a comprehensive review of theoretical and experimental studies in this emerging field of research. We describe the main properties of electron vortex states, experimental achievements and possible applications within transmission electron microscopy, as well as the possible role of vortex electrons in relativistic and high-energy processes. We aim to provide a balanced description including a pedagogical introduction, solid theoretical basis, and a wide range of practical details. Special attention is paid to translate theoretical insights into suggestions for future experiments, in electron microscopy and beyond, in any situation where free electrons occur.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Circuit quantum acoustodynamics with surface acoustic waves

The experimental investigation of quantum devices incorporating mechanical resonators has opened up new frontiers in the study of quantum mechanics at a macroscopic level$^{1,2}$. Superconducting microwave circuits have proven to be a powerful platform for the realisation of such quantum devices, both in cavity optomechanics$^{3,4}$, and circuit quantum electro-dynamics (QED)$^{5,6}$. While most experiments to date have involved localised nanomechanical resonators, it has recently been shown that propagating surface acoustic waves (SAWs) can be piezoelectrically coupled to superconducting qubits$^{7,8}$, and confined in high-quality Fabry-Perot cavities up to microwave frequencies in the quantum regime$^{9}$, indicating the possibility of realising coherent exchange of quantum information between the two systems. Here we present measurements of a device in which a superconducting qubit is embedded in, and interacts with, the acoustic field of a Fabry-Perot SAW cavity on quartz, realising a surface acoustic version of cavity quantum electrodynamics. This quantum acoustodynamics (QAD) architecture may be used to develop new quantum acoustic devices in which quantum information is stored in trapped on-chip surface acoustic wavepackets, and manipulated in ways that are impossible with purely electromagnetic signals, due to the $10^{5}$ times slower speed of travel of the mechanical waves.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Anomalous time delays and quantum weak measurements in optical micro-resonators

We study inelastic resonant scattering of a Gaussian wave packet with the parameters close to a zero of the complex scattering coefficient. We demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, that such near-zero scattering can result in anomalously-large time delays and frequency shifts of the scattered wave packet. Furthermore, we reveal a close analogy of these anomalous shifts with the spatial and angular Goos-Hänchen optical beam shifts, which are amplified via quantum weak measurements. However, in contrast to other beam-shift and weak-measurement systems, we deal with a one-dimensional scalar wave without any intrinsic degrees of freedom. It is the non-Hermitian nature of the system that produces its rich and non-trivial behaviour. Our results are generic for any scattering problem, either quantum or classical. As an example, we consider the transmission of an optical pulse through a nano-fiber with a side-coupled toroidal micro-resonator. The zero of the transmission coefficient corresponds to the critical coupling conditions. Experimental measurements of the time delays near the critical-coupling parameters verify our weak-measurement theory and demonstrate amplification of the time delay from the typical inverse resonator linewidth scale to the pulse duration scale.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Photonic multipartite entanglement conversion using nonlocal operations

We propose a simple setup for the conversion of multipartite entangled states in a quantum network with restricted access. The scheme uses nonlocal operations to enable the preparation of states that are inequivalent under local operations and classical communication, but most importantly does not require full access to the states. It is based on a flexible linear optical conversion gate that uses photons, which are ideally suited for distributed quantum computation and quantum communication in extended networks. In order to show the basic working principles of the gate, we focus on converting a four-qubit entangled cluster state to other locally inequivalent four-qubit states, such as the GHZ and symmetric Dicke state. We also show how the gate can be incorporated into extended graph state networks, and can be used to generate variable entanglement and quantum correlations without entanglement but nonvanishing quantum discord.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Direct measurements of the extraordinary optical momentum and transverse spin-dependent force using a nano-cantilever

Known since Kepler's observation that a comet's tail is oriented away from the sun, radiation pressure stimulated remarkable discoveries in electromagnetism, quantum physics and relativity [1,2]. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in a variety of systems, from atomic [3-5] to astronomical [6] scales. The pressure of light is associated with the momentum of photons, and it is usually assumed that both the optical momentum and the radiation-pressure force are naturally aligned with the propagation of light, i.e., its wavevector. Here we report the direct observation of an extraordinary optical momentum and force directed perpendicular to the wavevector, and proportional to the optical spin (i.e., degree of circular polarization). Such optical force was recently predicted for evanescent waves [7] and other structured fields [8]. It can be associated with the enigmatic "spin-momentum" part of the Poynting vector, which was introduced by Belinfante in field theory 75 years ago [9-11]. We measure this unusual transverse momentum using a nano-cantilever capable of femto-Newton resolution, which is immersed in an evanescent optical field above the total-internal-reflecting glass surface. Furthermore, the transverse force we measure exhibits another polarization-dependent contribution determined by the imaginary part of the complex Poynting vector. By revealing new types of optical forces in structured fields, our experimental findings revisit fundamental momentum properties of light and bring a new twist to optomechanics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Spin-Hall effect and circular birefringence of a uniaxial crystal plate

The linear birefringence of uniaxial crystal plates is known since the 17th century, and it is widely used in numerous optical setups and devices. Here we demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, a fine lateral circular birefringence of such crystal plates. This effect is a novel example of the spin-Hall effect of light, i.e., a transverse spin-dependent shift of the paraxial light beam transmitted through the plate. The well-known linear birefringence and the new circular birefringence form an interesting analogy with the Goos-Hänchen and Imbert-Fedorov beam shifts that appear in the light reflection at a dielectric interface. We report the experimental observation of the effect in a remarkably simple system of a tilted half-wave plate and polarizers using polarimetric and quantum-weak-measurement techniques for the beam-shift measurements. In view of great recent interest in spin-orbit interaction phenomena, our results could find applications in modern polarization optics and nano-photonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Spin-orbit interactions of light

Light carries spin and orbital angular momentum. These dynamical properties are determined by the polarization and spatial degrees of freedom of light. Modern nano-optics, photonics, and plasmonics, tend to explore subwavelength scales and additional degrees of freedom of structured, i.e., spatially-inhomogeneous, optical fields. In such fields, spin and orbital properties become strongly coupled with each other. We overview the fundamental origins and important applications of the main spin-orbit interaction phenomena in optics. These include: spin-Hall effects in inhomogeneous media and at optical interfaces, spin-dependent effects in nonparaxial (focused or scattered) fields, spin-controlled shaping of light using anisotropic structured interfaces (metasurfaces), as well as robust spin-directional coupling via evanescent near fields. We show that spin-orbit interactions are inherent in all basic optical processes, and they play a crucial role at subwavelength scales and structures in modern optics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Observation of non-Hermitian degeneracies in a chaotic exciton-polariton billiard

Exciton-polaritons are hybrid light-matter quasiparticles formed by strongly interacting photons and excitons (electron-hole pairs) in semiconductor microcavities. They have emerged as a robust solid-state platform for next-generation optoelectronic applications as well as fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics. Importantly, exciton-polaritons are a profoundly open (i.e., non-Hermitian) quantum system: it requires constant pumping of energy and continuously decays releasing coherent radiation. Thus, the exciton-polaritons always exist in a balanced potential landscape of gain and loss. However, the inherent non-Hermitian nature of this potential has so far been largely ignored in exciton-polariton physics. Here we demonstrate that non-Hermiticity dramatically modifies the structure of modes and spectral degeneracies in exciton-polariton systems, and, therefore, will affect their quantum transport, localisation, and dynamical properties. Using a spatially-structured optical pump, we create a chaotic exciton-polariton billiard. Eigenmodes of this billiard exhibit multiple non-Hermitian spectral degeneracies -- exceptional points. These are known to cause remarkable wave phenomena, such as unidirectional transport, anomalous lasing/absorption, and chiral modes. By varying parameters of the billiard, we observe crossing and anti-crossing of energy levels and reveal the nontrivial topological modal structure exclusive to non-Hermitian systems. We also observe the mode switching and topological Berry phase for a parameter loop encircling the exceptional point. Our findings pave the way for studies of non-Hermitian quantum dynamics of exciton-polaritons, which can lead to novel functionalities of polariton-based devices.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2015

Optomechanically-Induced Transparency in partiy-time-symmetric microresonators

Optomechanically-induced transparency (OMIT) and the associated slowing of light provide the basis for storing photons in nanoscale devices. Here we study OMIT in parity-time (PT)-symmetric microresonators with a tunable gain-to-loss ratio. This system features a reversed, non-amplifying transparency, i.e., an inverted-OMIT. When the gain-to-loss ratio is varied, the system exhibits a transition from a PT-symmetric phase to a broken-PT-symmetric phase. This PT-phase transition results in the reversal of the pump and gain dependence of the transmission rates. Moreover, we show that by tuning the pump power at a fixed gain-to-loss ratio, or the gain-to-loss ratio at a fixed pump power, one can switch from slow to fast light and vice versa. These findings provide new tools for controlling light propagation using nanofabricated phononic devices.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Loss-induced suppression and revival of lasing

Controlling and reversing the effects of loss are major challenges in optical systems. For lasers losses need to be overcome by a sufficient amount of gain to reach the lasing threshold. We show how to turn losses into gain by steering the parameters of a system to the vicinity of an exceptional point (EP), which occurs when the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenstates of a system coalesce. In our system of coupled microresonators, EPs are manifested as the loss-induced suppression and revival of lasing. Below a critical value, adding loss annihilates an existing Raman laser. Beyond this critical threshold, lasing recovers despite the increasing loss, in stark contrast to what would be expected from conventional laser theory. Our results exemplify the counterintuitive features of EPs and present an innovative method for reversing the effect of loss.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Imaging the dynamics of free-electron Landau states

Landau levels and states of electrons in a magnetic field are fundamental quantum entities underlying the quantum-Hall and related effects in condensed matter physics. However, the real-space properties and observation of Landau wave functions remain elusive. Here we report the first real-space observation of Landau states and the internal rotational dynamics of free electrons. States with different quantum numbers are produced using nanometer-size electron vortex beams, with a radius chosen to match the waist of the Landau states, in a quasi-uniform magnetic field. Scanning the beams along the propagation direction, we reconstruct the rotational dynamics of the Landau wave functions with angular frequency ~100 GHz. We observe that Landau modes with different azimuthal quantum numbers belong to three classes, which are characterized by rotations with zero, Larmor, and cyclotron frequencies, respectively. This is in sharp contrast to the uniform cyclotron rotation of classical electrons, and in perfect agreement with recent theoretical predictions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

AA-stacked bilayer graphene in an applied electric field: Tunable antiferromagnetism and coexisting exciton order parameter

We study the electronic properties of AA-stacked bilayer graphene in a transverse electric field. The strong on-site Coulomb repulsion stabilizes the antiferromagnetic order in such a system. The antiferromagnetic order is suppressed by the transverse bias voltage, at least partially. The inter-plane Coulomb repulsion and non-zero voltage stabilize an exciton order parameter. The exciton order parameter coexists with the antiferromagnetism and can be as large as several tens of meV for realistic values of the bias voltage and interaction constants. The application of a transverse bias voltage can be used to control the transport properties of the bilayer.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Quantum Fisher information as signature of superradiant quantum phase transition

The single-mode Dicke model is well-known to undergo a quantum phase transition from the so-called normal phase to the supperradiant phase (hereinafter called the "superradiant quantum phase transition"). Normally, quantum phase transitions are closely related to the critical behavior of quantities such as entanglement, quantum fluctuations, and fidelity. In this paper, we study quantum Fisher information (QFI) of the field mode and that of the atoms in the ground state of the Dicke Hamiltonian. For finite and large enough number of atoms, our numerical results show that near the critical atom-field coupling, the QFIs of the atomic and the field subsystems can surpass the classical limits, due to the appearance of nonclassical squeezed states. As the coupling increases far beyond the critical point, the two subsystems are in highly mixed states, which degrade the QFI and hence the ultimate phase sensitivity. In the thermodynamic limit, we present analytical results of the QFIs and their relationships with the reduced variances. For each subsystem, we find that there is a singularity in the derivative of the QFI at the critical point, a clear signature of quantum criticality in the Dicke model.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Strongly anisotropic Dirac quasiparticles in irradiated graphene

We study quasiparticle dynamics in graphene exposed to a linearly-polarized electromagnetic wave of very large intensity. Low-energy transport in such system can be described by an effective time-independent Hamiltonian, characterized by multiple Dirac points in the first Brillouin zone. Around each Dirac point the spectrum is anisotropic: the velocity along the polarization of the radiation significantly exceeds the velocity in the perpendicular direction. Moreover, in some of the points the transverse velocity oscillates as a function of the radiation intensity. We find that the conductance of a graphene p-n junction in the regime of strong irradiation depends on the polarization as $G(θ)\propto|\sinθ|^{3/2}$, where $θ$ is the angle between the polarization and the p-n interface, and oscillates as a function of the radiation intensity.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗