arXiv subjects

George W. Hanson

Publications and source records attributed to George W. Hanson.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Giant Interatomic Energy-Transport Amplification with Nonreciprocal Photonic Topological Insulators

We show that the energy-transport efficiency in a chain of two-level emitters can be drastically enhanced by the presence of a photonic topological insulator (PTI). This is obtained by exploiting the peculiar properties of its nonreciprocal surface plasmon polariton (SPP), which is unidirectional, and immune to backscattering, and propagates in the bulk band gap. This amplification of transport efficiency can be as much as 2 orders of magnitude with respect to reciprocal SPPs. Moreover, we demonstrate that despite the presence of considerable imperfections at the interface of the PTI, the efficiency of the SPP-assisted energy transport is almost unaffected by discontinuities. We also show that the SPP properties allow energy transport over considerably much larger distances than in the reciprocal case, and we point out a particularly simple way to tune the transport. Finally, we analyze the specific case of a two-emitter chain and unveil the origin of the efficiency amplification. The efficiency amplification and the practical advantages highlighted in this work might be particularly useful in the development of new devices intended to manage energy at the atomic scale.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Spontaneous lateral atomic recoil force close to a photonic topological material

We investigate the quantum recoil force acting on an excited atom close to the surface of a nonreciprocal photonic topological insulator (PTI). The main atomic emission channel is the unidirectional surface-plasmon propagating at the PTI-vacuum interface, and we show that it enables a spontaneous lateral recoil force that scales at short distance as $1/d^4$, where $d$ is the atom-PTI separation. Remarkably, the sign of the recoil force is polarization and orientation-independent, and it occurs in a translation-invariant homogeneous system in thermal equilibrium. Surprisingly, the recoil force persists for very small values of the gyration pseudovector, which, for a biased plasma, corresponds to very low cyclotron frequencies. The ultra-strong recoil force is rooted on the quasi-hyperbolic dispersion of the surface-plasmons. We consider both an initially excited atom and a continuous pump scenario, the latter giving rise to a continuous lateral force whose direction can be changed at will by simply varying the orientation of the biasing magnetic field. Our predictions may be tested in experiments with cold Rydberg atoms and superconducting qubits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Casimir-Lifshitz Force for Nonreciprocal Media and Applications to Photonic Topological Insulators

Based on the theory of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, we generalize the expression of the Casimir force for nonreciprocal media. The essential ingredient of this result is the Green's tensor between two nonreciprocal semi-infinite slabs including a reflexion matrix with four coefficients that mixes optical polarizations. This Green's tensor does not obey Lorentz's reciprocity and thus violates time-reversal symmetry. The general result for the Casimir force is analyzed in the retarded and nonretarded limits, concentrating on the influences arising from reflections with or without change of polarization. In a second step we apply our general result to a photonic topological insulator whose nonreciprocity stems from an anisotropic permittivity tensor, namely InSb. We show that there is a regime for the distance between the slabs where the magnitude of the Casimir force is tunable by an external magnetic field. Furthermore the strength of this tuning depends on the orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the slab surfaces.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Berry phase, Berry Connection, and Chern Number for a Continuum Bianisotropic Material from a Classical Electromagnetics Perspective

The properties that quantify photonic topological insulators (PTIs), Berry phase, Berry connection, and Chern number, are typically obtained by making analogies between classical Maxwell's equations and the quantum mechanical Schrödinger equation, writing both in Hamiltonian form. However, the aforementioned quantities are not necessarily quantum in nature, and for photonic systems they can be explained using only classical concepts. Here we provide a derivation and description of PTI quantities using classical Maxwell's equations, we demonstrate how an electromagnetic mode can acquire Berry phase, and we discuss the ramifications of this effect. We consider several examples, including wave propagation in a biased plasma, and radiation by a rotating isotropic emitter. These concepts are discussed without invoking quantum mechanics, and can be easily understood from an engineering electromagnetics perspective.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Notes on photonic topological insulators and scattering-protected edge states - a brief introduction

The topic of photonic topological insulators and scattering-protected edge states bridges concepts from condensed matter physics and electromagnetics, and necessitates understanding the Berry potential and related concepts. These notes are an attempt at a moderately self-contained introduction to the topic, including two detailed photonic examples drawn from the literature. We made these notes in the process of trying to understand this topic ourselves, and we are posting this material in the spirit of helping other researchers start to understand this material. We claim no novelty in the material or its presentation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Directive Surface Plasmons on Tunable Two-Dimensional Hyperbolic Metasurfaces and Black Phosphorus: Green's Function and Complex Plane Analysis

We study the electromagnetic response of two- and quasi-two-dimensional hyperbolic materials, on which a simple dipole source can excite a well-confined and tunable surface plasmon polariton (SPP). The analysis is based on the Green's function for an anisotropic two-dimensional surface, which nominally requires the evaluation of a two-dimensional Sommerfeld integral. We show that for the SPP contribution this integral can be evaluated efficiently in a mixed continuous-discrete form as a continuous spectrum contribution (branch cut integral) of a residue term, in distinction to the isotropic case, where the SPP is simply given as a discrete residue term. The regime of strong SPP excitation is discussed, and complex-plane singularities are identified, leading to physical insight into the excited SPP. We also present a stationary phase solution valid for large radial distances. Examples are presented using graphene strips to form a hyperbolic metasurface, and thin-film black phosphorus. The Green's function and complex-plane analysis developed allows for the exploration of hyperbolic plasmons in general 2D materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

The effects of three-dimensional defects on one-way surface plasmon propagation for photonic topological insulators comprised of continuous media

We have investigated the one-way surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) at the interface of a continuous magneto-plasma material and metal. We demonstrated that TM modes inside a continuous material can be assigned non-trivial Chern numbers analogous to those of topological photonic crystals; moreover these Chern numbers can be calculated analytically. This leads to the appearance of topologically protected surface modes propagating at frequencies inside the bandgap of the magneto-plasma. Previous works considered 2D structures; here we consider the effects of 3D defects, and show that, although backward propagation/reflection cannot occur, side scattering does take place and it has significant effect on the propagation of the surface mode. Several different waveguiding geometries are considered for reducing the effects of side-scattering, and we also consider the effects of metal loss.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Transient and steady-state entanglement mediated by three-dimensional plasmonic waveguides

Entanglement between two qubits (two level atoms) mediated by surface plasmons in three-dimensional plasmonic waveguides is studied using a quantum master equation formalism. Two types of waveguides, a nanowire and a V-shaped channel cut in a flat metal plane, are considered. The Green functions for the waveguides, which rigorously describes the dissipative qubit environment, are calculated numerically using a direct finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) solution of Maxwell's equations. Finite-length effects are shown to play a crucial role in enhancing entanglement, and resonant-length plasmonic waveguides can provide higher entanglement between qubits than infinite-length waveguides. It is also shown that coupling slots can improve entanglement via stronger qubit-waveguide coupling, for both the infinite- and finite-waveguide cases.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Quantum plasmonic excitation in graphene and robust-to-loss propagation

We investigate the excitation of quantum plasmonic states of light in graphene using end-fire and prism coupling. In order to model the excitation process quantum mechanically we quantize the transverse-electric and transverse-magnetic surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes in graphene. A selection of regimes are then studied that enable the excitation of SPPs by photons and we show that efficient coupling of photons to graphene SPPs is possible at the quantum level. Futhermore, we study the excitation of quantum states and their propagation under the effects of loss induced from the electronic degrees of freedom in the graphene. Here, we investigate whether it is possible to protect quantum information using quantum error correction techniques. We find that these techniques provide a robust-to-loss method for transferring quantum states of light in graphene over large distances.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Graphene as a tunable THz reservoir for shaping the Mollow triplet of an artificial atom via plasmonic effects

Using a realistic quantum master equation we show that the resonance fluorescence spectra of a two-level artificial atom (quantum dot) can be tuned by adjusting its photonic local density of states via biasing of one or more graphene monolayers. The structured photon reservoir is included using a photon Green function theory which fully accounts for the loss and dispersion. The field-driven Mollow triplet spectrum can be actively controlled by the graphene bias in the THz frequency regime. We also consider the effect of a dielectric support environment, and multiple graphene layers, on the emitted fluorescence. Finally, thermal bath effects are considered and shown to be important for low THz frequencies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

A planar hyperlens based on a modulated graphene monolayer

The canalization of terahertz surface plasmon polaritons using a modulated graphene monolayer is investigated for subwavelength imaging. An anisotropic surface conductivity formed by a set of parallel nanoribbons with alternating positive and negative imaginary conductivities is used to realize the canalization regime required for hyperlensing. The ribbons are narrow compared to the wavelength, and are created electronically by gating a graphene layer over a corrugated ground plane. Good quality canalization of surface plasmon polaritons is shown in the terahertz even in the presence of realistic loss in graphene, with relevant implications for subwavelength imaging applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Surface plasmon polaritons on soft-boundary graphene nanoribbons and their application as voltage controlled plasmonic switches and frequency demultiplexers

A graphene sheet gated with a ridged ground plane, creating a soft-boundary (SB) graphene nanoribbon, is considered. By adjusting the ridge parameters and bias voltage a channel can be created on the graphene which can guide TM surface plasmon polaritons (SPP). Two types of modes are found; fundemental and higher-order modes with no apparent cutoff frequency and with energy distributed over the created channel, and edge modes with energy concen-trated at the soft-boundary edge. Dispersion curves, electric near-field patterns, and current distributions of these modes are determined. Since the location where energy is concentrated in the edge modes can be easily controlled electronically by the bias voltage and frequency, the edge-mode phenomena is used to propose a novel voltage controlled plasmonic switch and a plasmonic frequency demultiplexer.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Soft-boundary graphene nanoribbon formed by a graphene sheet above a perturbed ground plane: conductivity profile and SPP modal current distribution

An infinite sheet of graphene lying above a perturbed ground plane is studied. The perturbation is a two dimensional ridge, and a bias voltage is applied between the graphene and the ground plane, resulting in a graphene nanoribbonlike structure with a soft-boundary (SB) The spatial distribution of the graphene conductivity forming the soft-boundary is studied as a function of the ridge parameters and the bias voltage. The current distribution of the fundamental TM surface plasmon polariton (SPP) is considered. The effect of the ridge parameters and shape of the soft boundary on the current distributions are investigated, and the conditions are studied under which the mode remains confined to the vicinity of the ridge region.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2008

Dyadic Green's Functions and Guided Surface Waves for a Surface Conductivity Model of Graphene

An exact solution is obtained for the electromagnetic field due to an electric current in the presence of a surface conductivity model of graphene. The graphene is represented by an infinitesimally-thin, local and isotropic two-sided conductivity surface. The field is obtained in terms of dyadic Green's functions represented as Sommerfeld integrals. The solution of plane-wave reflection and transmission is presented, and surface wave propagation along graphene is studied via the poles of the Sommerfeld integrals. For isolated graphene characterized by complex surface conductivity, a proper transverse-electric (TE) surface wave exists if and only if the imaginary part of conductivity is positive (associated with interband conductivity), and a proper transverse-magnetic (TM) surface wave exists when the imaginary part of conductivity is negative (associated with intraband conductivity). By tuning the chemical potential at infrared frequencies, the sign of the imaginary part of conductivity can be varied, allowing for some control over surface wave properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗