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Giorgio Biasiol

Publications and source records attributed to Giorgio Biasiol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Tunnel-rate controlled local heat distribution in mesoscopic circuits

Solid-state quantum technologies, including qubits and quantum metrology circuits, demand milli-Kelvin operation to preserve fragile quantum states from classical noise. While the negligible electron-phonon coupling is the major impediment, reaching 50 mK electron temperature is further suffered by the high electrical resistance and sub-micron-scale dimensions of typical devices, limiting conventional heat dissipation. Though the phonons are effectively frozen, thermoelectric techniques could offer a viable path for heat management.This work explores thermally driven electrical transport in a gated quantum dot (QD) on a GaAs-AlGaAs two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), to control heat flow between the source and drain reservoirs.By exploiting the QD's discrete energy spectrum and tuneable tunnel rates, a precise control over the polarity and magnitude of the resulting thermoelectric current is demonstrated. A temperature difference of 650 mK is maintained across the QD, a separation of 400 nm, by tuning the tunnel-rates. An experimental gate pulsing method is also introduced to directly measure the electron temperature differences across the QD, bypassing the need for any theoretical fits. The results presented here show that tuneable tunnel barriers can be used for local heat control, and could lead to advanced quantum refrigerators that work efficiently in mesoscopic circuits.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Collapse of edge reconstruction in compressible Quantum Hall fluid within filling fraction range 2/3 to 1

The edge structure of a gate-defined compressible quantum Hall fluids in the filling fraction range 2/3 to 1 is studied using the three reconstructed $e^2/3h$ fractional edge modes of unity filling integer quantum Hall state. We find that the individually excited partially resolved $e^2/3h$ edge modes of the bulk state equilibrate completely even at higher magnetic field when passing through the gate defined compressible fluid with filling between 2/3 and 1. This result is unexpected because edge reconstruction at the smooth boundary is generally expected due to dominant incompressibility at filling 2/3 and 1/3. Recently such reconstructed edge mode has been reported for the compressible fluid in the filling fraction range 1/3 to 2/3. In contrary, equilibration of fractional edge modes in the compressible fluid within the filling fraction range 2/3 to 1 becomes faster with increasing magnetic field. This anomalous results will stimulate further investigations on edge structure in these complex many body systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Intersubband polariton -- LO phonon interaction in mid-infrared non-dispersive cavities: experimental demonstration of spontaneous scattering and perspectives towards polariton lasing

We report experimental evidence of the interaction between intersubband polaritons and longitudinal optical phonons in non-dispersive mid-infrared cavities, under resonant optical injection. The light emission originating from spontaneous polariton-phonon scattering is observed at a frequency corresponding to an energy shift of one phonon below the pump frequency. Given the extremely low spontaneous scattering rate, we employ a custom-developed quantum mechanical model to numerically demonstrate the feasibility to stimulate such process using a pump-probe scheme. Based on this analysis, we identify a set of experimental conditions under which optical gain may be realized in a mid-infrared intersubband polaritonic system.

physics.optics

Edge reconstruction of compressible Quantum Hall fluid in the filling fraction range 1/3 to 2/3

Edge reconstruction of gate-tunable compressible quantum Hall fluids in the filling fraction range 1/3 to 2/3 is studied by measuring transmitted conductance of two individually excited fractional $e^2/3h$ edge modes of bulk 2/3 fractional quantum Hall fluid. Our findings reveal that the measured transmitted conductance deviates from the fully equilibrated value for the filling fraction range 1/3 to 2/3 of the gate-tunable compressible quantum Hall fluids at higher magnetic fields. This observation suggests that at the boundary of the compressible fluid a reconstructed $e^2/3h$ fractional edge mode is present and the mode does not completely equilibrate with the inner dissipative bulk region. Consequently, this outer reconstructed edge mode supports adiabatic charge transport, allowing non-equilibrated current transport through the compressible region. These studies open new avenues for achieving robust fractional edge modes even in compressible quantum Hall fluids under strong magnetic fields, enhancing our understanding of edge state dynamics in these complex systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Bose-Einstein condensation of a two-magnon bound state in a spin-one triangular lattice

In ordered magnets, the elementary excitations are spin waves (magnons), which obey Bose-Einstein statistics. Similarly to Cooper pairs in superconductors, magnons can be paired into bound states under attractive interactions. The Zeeman coupling to a magnetic field is able to tune the particle density through a quantum critical point (QCP), beyond which a "hidden order" is predicted to exist. Here we report direct observation of the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of the two-magnon bound state in Na$_2$BaNi(PO$_4$)$_2$. Comprehensive thermodynamic measurements confirmed the two-dimensional BEC-QCP at the saturation field. Inelastic neutron scattering experiments were performed to establish the microscopic model. An exact solution revealed stable 2-magnon bound states that were further confirmed by electron spin resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, demonstrating that the QCP is due to the pair condensation and the phase below saturation field is likely the long-sought-after spin nematic phase.

cond-mat.str-el

Determination of the current-phase relation of an InAs 2DEG Josephson junction with a microwave resonator

Semiconductor-superconductor hybrid nanocircuits are of high interest due to their potential applications in quantum computing. Semiconductors with a strong spin-orbit coupling and large $g$-factor are particularly attractive since they are the basic building blocks of novel qubit architectures. However, for the engineering of these complex circuits, the building blocks must be characterized in detail. We have investigated a Josephson junction where the weak link is a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) hosted in an InAs/InGaAs heterostructure grown on a GaAs substrate. We employed the in-situ epitaxially grown Al layer as superconducting contacts to form an rf SQUID, and also to create a microwave resonator for sensing the Josephson inductance. We determined the gate-dependent current-phase relation, and observed supercurrent interference in out-of-plane magnetic fields. With the application of an in-plane magnetic field, we induced asymmetry in the interference pattern, which was found to be anisotropic in the device plane.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Gigahertz modulation of a fully dielectric nonlocal metasurface

Nonlocal metasurfaces are currently emerging as advanced tools for the manipulation of electromagnetic radiation, going beyond the widely explored Huygens metasurface concept. Nonetheless, the lack of an unified approach for their fast and efficient tunability still represents a serious challenge to overcome. In this article we report on gigahertz modulation of a dielectric slab-based, nonlocal (i.e. angle-dispersive) metasurface, whose operation relies on the optomechanical coupling with a mechanical wave excited piezoelectrically by a transducer integrated on the same chip. Importantly, the metasurface region is free from any conductive material, thus eliminating optical losses, and making our device of potential interest for delicate environments such as high-power apparatuses or quantum optical systems.

physics.optics

Low intensity saturation of an ISB transition by a mid-IR quantum cascade laser

We demonstrate that absorption saturation of a mid-infrared intersubband transition can be engineered to occur at moderate light intensities of the order of 10-20 kW$.$cm$^{-2}$ and at room temperature. The structure consists of an array of metal-semiconductor-metal patches hosting a judiciously designed 253 nm thick GaAs/AlGaAs semiconductor heterostructure. At low incident intensity the structure operates in the strong light-matter coupling regime and exhibits two absorption peaks at wavelengths close to 8.9 $μ$m. Saturation appears as a transition to the weak coupling regime - and therefore to a single-peaked absorption - when increasing the incident intensity. Comparison with a coupled mode theory model explains the data and permits to infer the relevant system parameters. When the pump laser is tuned at the cavity frequency, the reflectivity decreases with increasing incident intensity. When instead the laser is tuned at the polariton frequencies, the reflectivity non-linearly increases with increasing incident intensity. At those wavelengths the system therefore mimics the behavior of a saturable absorption mirror (SESAM) in the mid-IR range, a technology that is currently missing.

physics.optics

Near-surface InAs 2DEG on a GaAs substrate: characterization and superconducting proximity effect

We have studied a near-surface two-dimensional electron gas based on an InAs quantum well on a GaAs substrate. In devices without a dielectric layer we estimated large electron mobilities on the order of $10^5$ cm$^2$/Vs. We have observed quantized conductance in a quantum point contact, and determined the g-factor. Using samples with an epitaxial Al layer, we defined multiple Josephson junctions and found the critical current to be gate tunable. Based on multiple Andreev reflections the semiconductor-superconductor interface is transparent, with an induced gap of 125 $μ$eV. Our results demonstrate the viability of this platform for hybrid topological superconductor devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Implication of the double-gating mode in hybrid photon counting detector for measurements of transient heat conduction in GaAs/AlAs superlattice structures

Understanding and control of thermal transport in solids at nanoscale is crucial to engineer and to enhance properties of a new generation of optoelectronic, thermoelectric, and photonic devices. In this regard, semiconductor superlattice structures provide a unique platform to study phenomena associated with phonon propagations in solids such as heat conduction. Transient X-ray diffraction can directly probe atomic motions and therefore is among the rare techniques sensitive to phonon dynamics in a condensed matter. Here, we study optically induced transient heat conduction in GaAs/AlAs superlattice structures using EIGER2 detector. Benchmark experiments have been performed at the Austrian SAXS beamline at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste that operated in the hybrid filling mode. We demonstrate that drifts of experimental conditions, such as synchrotron beam fluctuations, become less essential when utilizing EIGER2 double gating mode that results in a faster acquisition of high quality data and facilitates data analysis and data interpretation.

physics.app-ph

Temperature dependent equilibration of spin orthogonal quantum Hall edge modes

Conductance of the edge modes as well as conductance across the co-propagating edge modes around the ν= 4/3, 5/3 and 2 quantum Hall states are measured by individually exciting the modes. Temperature dependent equilibration rates of the outer unity conductance edge mode are presented for different filling fractions. We find that the equilibration rate of the outer unity conductance mode at ν= 2 is higher and more temperature sensitive compared to the mode at fractional filling 5/3 and 4/3. At lowest temperature, equilibration length of the outer unity conductance mode tends to saturate with lowering filling fraction νby increasing magnetic field B. We speculate this saturating nature of equilibration length is arising from an interplay of Coulomb correlation and spin orthogonality.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Ultra-fast amplitude modulation of mid-IR free-space beams at room-temperature

Applications relying on mid-infrared radiation (Mid-IR, $λ\sim$ 3-30 $μ$m) have progressed at a very rapid pace in recent years, stimulated by scientific and technological breakthroughs. Mid-IR cameras have propelled the field of thermal imaging. And the invention of the quantum cascade laser (QCL) has been a milestone, making compact, semiconductor-based mid-IR lasers available to a vast range of applications. All the recent breakthrough advances stemmed from the development of a transformative technology. In addition to the generation and detection of light, a key functionality for most photonics systems is the electrical control of the amplitude and/or phase of an optical beam at ultra-fast rates (GHz or more). However, standalone, broadband, integrated modulators are missing from the toolbox of present mid-IR photonics integrated circuits and systems developers. We have developed a free-space amplitude modulator for mid-IR radiation ($λ\sim$ 10 $μ$m) that can operate up to at least 1.5 GHz (-3dB cut-off at $\sim$ 750 MHz) and at room-temperature. The device relies on a semiconductor hetero-structure enclosed in a judiciously designed metal-metal optical resonator. At zero bias, it operates in the strong light-matter coupling regime up to 300K. By applying an appropriate bias, the device transitions to the weak coupling regime. The large change in reflectivity due to the disappearance of the polaritonic states is exploited to modulate the intensity of a mid-IR continuous-wave laser up to speeds of more than 1.5 GHz.

physics.optics

Magnetic field dependent equilibration of fractional quantum Hall edge modes

Fractional conductance is measured by partitioning $ν= 1$ edge state using gate-tunable fractional quantum Hall (FQH) liquids of filling 1/3 or 2/3 for current injection and detection. We observe two sets of FQH plateaus 1/9, 2/9, 4/9 and 1/6, 1/3, 2/3 at low and high magnetic field ends of the $ν= 1$ plateau respectively. The findings are explained by magnetic field dependent equilibration of three FQH edge modes with conductance $e^2/3h$ arising from edge reconstruction. The results reveal remarkable enhancement of the equilibration lengths of the FQH edge modes with increasing field.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Quasi-static and propagating modes in three-dimensional THz circuits

We provide an analysis of the electromagnetic modes of three-dimensional metamaterial resonators in the THz frequency range. The fundamental resonance of the structures is fully described by an analytical circuit model, which not only reproduces the resonant frequencies but also the coupling of the metamaterial with an incident THz radiation. We also evidence the contribution of the propagation effects, and show how they can be reduced by design. In the optimized design the electric field energy is lumped into ultra-subwavelength ($λ$/100) capacitors, where we insert semiconductor absorber based on the collective electronic excitation in a two dimensional electron gas. The optimized electric field confinement is evidenced by the observation of the ultra-strong light-matter coupling regime, and opens many possible applications for these structures for detectors, modulators and sources of THz radiation.

physics.optics

Departure from Babinet principle in metasurfaces supported by subwavelength dielectric slabs

Symmetry principles and theorems are of crucial importance in optics. Indeed, from one side they allow to get direct insights into phenomena by eliminating unphysical interpretations; from the other side, they guide the designer of photonic components by narrowing down the parameter space of design variables. In this Letter we illustrate a significant departure from the Babinet spectral complementarity in a very common and technologically relevant situation: that of a patterned conducting screen placed on a subwavelength dielectric slab. The symmetry property predicted by Babinet theorem is correctly recovered for pairs of geometrically complementary - but less realistic in terms of applications - free-standing patterned screens. Our analysis merges experimental data with fully vectorial electromagnetic modeling, and provides also an alternative form of Babinet theorem that highlights a connection with the concept of electromagnetic duality.

physics.optics

Programmable quantum Hall bisector: towards a novel resistance standard for quantum metrology

We demonstrate a programmable quantum Hall circuit that implements a novel iterative voltage bisection scheme and allows obtaining any binary fraction $(k/2^n)$ of the fundamental resistance quantum $R_K/2=h/2e^2$. The circuit requires a number $n$ of bisection stages that only scales logarithmically with the precision of the fraction. The value of $k$ can be set to any integer between 1 and $2^n$ by proper gate configuration. The architecture exploits gate-controlled routing, mixing and equilibration of edge modes of robust quantum Hall states. The device does not contain {\em any} internal ohmic contact potentially leading to spurious voltage drops. Our scheme addresses key critical aspects of quantum Hall arrays of resistance standards, which are today widely studied and used to create custom calibration resistances. The approach is demonstrated in a proof-of-principle two-stage bisection circuit built on a high-mobility GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure operating at a temperature of $260\,{\rm mK}$ and a magnetic field of $4.1\,{\rm T}$.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Excitons bound by photon exchange

In contrast to interband excitons in undoped quantum wells, doped quantum wells do not display sharp resonances due to excitonic bound states. In these systems the effective Coulomb interaction between electrons and holes typically only leads to a depolarization shift of the single-electron intersubband transitions. Non-perturbative light-matter interaction in solid-state devices has been investigated as a pathway to tune optoelectronic properties of materials. A recent theoretical work [Cortese et al., Optica 6, 354 (2019)] predicted that, when the doped quantum wells are embedded in a photonic cavity, emission-reabsorption processes of cavity photons can generate an effective attractive interaction which binds electrons and holes together, leading to the creation of an intraband bound exciton. Spectroscopically, this bound state manifests itself as a novel discrete resonance which appears below the ionisation threshold only when the coupling between light and matter is increased above a critical value. Here we report the first experimental observation of such a bound state using doped GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells embedded in metal-metal resonators whose confinement is high enough to permit operation in strong coupling. Our result provides the first evidence of bound states of charged particles kept together not by Coulomb interaction, but by the exchange of transverse photons. Light-matter coupling can thus be used as a novel tool in quantum material engineering, tuning electronic properties of semiconductor heterostructures beyond those permitted by mere crystal structures, with direct applications to mid-infrared optoelectronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Investigation of InAs based devices for topological applications

Hybrid superconductor/semiconductor devices constitute a powerful platform to investigate the emergence of new topological state of matter. Among all possible semiconductor materials, InAs represents a promising choice, owing to its high quality, large g-factor and spin-orbit component. Here, we report on InAs-based devices both in one-dimensional and two-dimensional configurations. In the former, low-temperature measurements on a suspended nanowire are presented, inspecting the intrinsic spin-orbit contribution of the system. In the latter, Josephson Junctions between two Nb contacts comprising an InAs quantum well are investigated. Supercurrent flow is reported, with Nb critical temperature up to T_c~8K. Multiple Andreev reflection signals are observed in the dissipative regime. In both systems, we show that the presence of external gates represents a useful knob, allowing for wide tunability and control of device properties, such as spin-orbit coherence length or supercurrent amplitude.

cond-mat.mes-hall