arXiv subjects

Hirokazu Kobayashi

Publications and source records attributed to Hirokazu Kobayashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

All-optical control of coherent perfect absorption via frequency conversion

Coherent perfect absorption (CPA) extinguishes optical fields through interference and dissipation, but conventional implementations rely on material loss that is largely fixed after fabrication. Here we demonstrate all-optically controllable CPA based on frequency conversion in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide resonator. Pump-driven frequency conversion couples a resonant signal field at 1581 nm in the main system to a non-resonant environmental mode at 780 nm, creating a dynamically tunable effective loss channel. The nonlinear cavity acts as a tunable lossy beamsplitter without intrinsic material absorption. Under coherent two-sided signal injection, we observe up to 92 % absorption. We further introduce environment-assisted CPA by injecting an external field into the frequency-converted environmental mode, turning the environment from a passive loss reservoir into an addressable coherent control port. Our results establish a frequency-conversion-based platform for all-optical control of dissipation in CPA, combining pump-tunable loss with environment-assisted coherent control.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Quantum Gouy phase singularities in a propagating biphoton state

Phase singularities are topological defects around which the phase winds by an integer multiple of $2π$. In entangled multiphoton states, they can emerge nonlocally in the joint wavefunction rather than in the field of either subsystem alone. Here we show that the quantum Gouy phase generates nonlocal phase singularities (NPSs) in the two-dimensional longitudinal propagation space of entangled photon pairs. We consider photon pairs produced via spontaneous parametric down-conversion pumped by a Laguerre--Gaussian beam, with the signal and idler photons propagating independently over different longitudinal distances. The accumulated radial-mode-dependent Gouy phases induce destructive interference among biphoton spatial-mode components, producing isolated intensity nulls with quantized phase winding. For a pump with radial mode number $p$, the NPS topological charges have magnitude $p$, whereas their propagation positions and charge signs are governed by the Rayleigh ranges of the pump and phase-matching functions. We further identify the radial-mode structure required for their formation, showing that separable biphoton states cannot support isolated longitudinal NPSs. Our results extend nonlocal singular optics from transverse spatial correlations to longitudinal propagation dynamics and establish propagation distance as a coordinate space for topological structures in entangled photon pairs.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Comparative analysis of wavenumber response in phase contrast and spiral phase imaging systems for plasma diagnostics

Phase contrast imaging (PCI) has been used for decades to study plasma density fluctuations, but its wavenumber response $k$ is constrained by the phase plate groove width and beam waist. Spiral phase contrast imaging (SPCI) with a spiral phase plate may offer broader sensitivity, even though its output signal is quadratic, because it has no constraint except at the central singularity, i.e., $k = 0$. In this work, we numerically compare the wavenumber response of both techniques using two distinct models: (i) static square phase objects with scale lengths $R$ ranging from 5 to 25 mm, and (ii) a time-evolving, anisotropic, multi-scale turbulence field with a Kolmogorov-like spectrum. For static square objects, PCI exhibits a lower cutoff at $k_{\text{min}} \approx 0.1$ mm$^{-1}$, while SPCI produces measurable signals down to $k_{\text{min}} \approx 0.007$ mm$^{-1}$ via the autocorrelation of the gradient spectrum. For the plasma-like turbulence model, PCI retains its lower cutoff at $k \approx 0.1$ mm$^{-1}$. In contrast, SPCI produces measurable signals down to $k \approx 0.007$ mm$^{-1}$. These results suggest that SPCI provides low-wavenumber information below the PCI cutoff, offering complementary diagnostic information for multi-scale plasma turbulence studies.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

Phase-edge imaging using q-plate shifts for faster and simpler microscopy

We present a simplified method for isolating the edges of a phase object from the edges of an amplitude object using a 4f system with an off-axis q-plate. Instead of the four off-axis shifts of the q-plate required in previous work, we need only two shifts (along +/- x) combined with linear polarizers at 45 degrees and 135 degrees. The number of measurements is reduced by half, potentially doubling the acquisition speed. We derive the theoretical basis, showing that the resulting intensity corresponds to the phase gradient squared, with amplitude-object contributions eliminated. Experiments on two phase-amplitude object samples demonstrate amplitude-edge reduction up to 97.6% and correlation coefficients up to 0.78 (sample 1) and 0.75 (sample 2). In overlapping regions, the phase edge is partially recovered; full recovery would require additional processing such as inverse filtering. This research is useful for biological imaging applications where fast and simple phase-edge isolation is desired.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Single-pixel edge enhancement of object via convolutional filtering with localized vortex phase

Microscopy is an essential tool in imaging research, and the edge-enhanced microscope by using the vortex filter is of particular interest as an optical information processing that highlights amplitude and phase edges of object in all directions. The application of this technique is not limited to the visible range, but edge enhancement of object in invisible wavelength is also crucial for near-infrared fluorescence and electronic circuit inspection through silicon semiconductors. One disadvantage of near-infrared imaging is that digital cameras such as CCD and CMOS become much more expensive than cameras for the visible spectrum. As an cost-effective method to implement invisible edge enhancement, the Fourier single-pixel imaging has already been proposed without using a camera, but using a single-pixel detector. However, this method requires 3 or 4 times more single-pixel measurements due to the three-phase or four-phase shift to detect optical complex amplitude in Fourier domain. In response, we propose a method for single-pixel edge enhancement of object via convolutional filtering with a localized vortex phase, eliminating the extra single-pixel measurements required by the phase-shifting method. Our simulation results show that the correlation coefficient between the ideal edges of an object and the edge enhanced by our proposed method is 0.95, indicating that our method is effective way to detect the edges. This novel and effective approach for enhancing and detecting the edges of object can be valuable in various invisible imaging applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Optical response of edge modes in time-reversal symmetric topological superconductors

Topological superconductors and Majorana edge modes at their boundaries have been theoretically predicted. However, their experimental observation remains controversial. Recent theoretical studies suggest that chiral Majorana edge modes exhibit distinct spatially-resolved optical conductivity compared to chiral Dirac edge modes. In this work, we investigate the optical conductivity and spatially-resolved optical conductivity induced by Majorana edge modes and Dirac edge modes under time-reversal symmetry and crystalline symmetry. We conduct numerical calculations and analytical calculations with edge effective theory for two-dimensional ${\mathbb Z}_2$ topological insulators, strong topological superconductors, and topological crystalline superconductors. Our results show that even under time-reversal symmetry and crystalline symmetry, Majorana edge modes and Dirac edge modes exhibit different optical responses.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Impurity contribution to ultraviolet absorption of saturated fatty acids

Saturated fatty acids are abundant organic compounds in oceans and sea sprays. Their photochemical reactions induced by solar radiation have recently been discovered as an abiotic source of volatile organic compounds, which serve as precursors of secondary organic aerosols. However, photoabsorption of wavelengths longer than 250 nm in liquid saturated fatty acids remains unexplained, despite being first reported in 1931. Here we demonstrate that the previously reported absorption of wavelengths longer than 250 nm by liquid nonanoic acid [CH3(CH2)7COOH)] originates from traces of impurities (0.1% at most) intrinsically contained in nonanoic acid reagents. Absorption cross sections of nonanoic acid newly obtained here indicate that the upper limit of its photolysis rate is three-to-five orders of magnitude smaller than those for atmospherically relevant carbonyl compounds.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Isolation of phase edges using off-axis q-plate filters

Edge-enhanced microscopes with q-plate have been attracted more attention to enhance the edges of phase-amplitude objects in biological sample due to their capability for all-directional edge enhancement, while differential interference-contrast microscopy enhances edges in only one-direction. However, the edge-enhanced microscopes cannot distinguish the edges of phase and amplitude objects, as both edges are equally enhanced. This study introduces a novel method for isolating the edge of a phase object from an amplitude object using an off-axis q-plate filter in a 4f system. Herein, we combined off-axis q-plates with four different displacements to isolate the phase object edge from the amplitude object. To demonstrate the proposed method, we conducted experiments using two distinct samples. The first sample comprised a phase test target surrounded by an aperture, and the second sample involved an overlap between the phase test target and a white hair with non-zero transmittance. In the samples, the isolated phase object edge is in good agreement with the theoretical expectations, and the amplitude object edge was reduced by approximately 93%. The proposed method is a novel and effective approach for isolating the edge of a phase object from an amplitude object and can be useful in various biological imaging applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Edge-Enhanced Microscopy of Comlplex Object using Scalar and Vectorial Vortex Filtering

Recently, $4f$ system containing a q-plate has been used to perform edge detection and enhancement of amplitude and phase objects. However, only few studies have concentrated on edge enhancement of phase-amplitude objects. Here, we experimentally verified the functional difference between scalar and vectorial vortex filtering using an onion cell, the experimental results agree well with theoretical analysis. We verified our experimental results through numerical simulation. Although vectorial vortex filtering successfully enhanced the edges of phase and amplitude objects in the phase-amplitude object, they are indistinguishable due to the equal enhancement of the edges of the phase and amplitude objects. To address this, we propose a method to isolate the edge of the phase object from the edge of the amplitude object using off-axis beam illumination. We theoretically calculated the isolation of the edge of the phase object from the amplitude object, and verified via numerical simulations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Vanishing and non-vanishing persistent currents of various conserved quantities

For every conserved quantity written as a sum of local terms, there exists a corresponding current operator that satisfies the continuity equation. The expectation values of current operators at equilibrium define the persistent currents that characterize spontaneous flows in the system. In this work, we consider quantum many-body systems on a finite one-dimensional lattice and discuss the scaling of the persistent currents as a function of the system size. We show that, when the conserved quantities are given as the Noether charges associated with internal symmetries or the Hamiltonian itself, the corresponding persistent currents can be bounded by a correlation function of two operators at a distance proportional to the system size, implying that they decay at least algebraically as the system size increases. In contrast, the persistent currents of accidentally conserved quantities can be nonzero even in the thermodynamic limit and even in the presence of the time-reversal symmetry. We discuss `the current of energy current' in $S=1/2$ XXZ spin chain as an example and obtain an analytic expression of the persistent current.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Atomic-scale observation of ordered structure induced by surface segregation in annealed Pt@Co core-shell nanoparticles

The ordered structure of binary alloy nanoparticles determines their magnetic and catalytic characteristics. In the alloys after annealing, one of the components preferentially segregates on the surface to reduce surface energy. This surface segregation has been known as a factor in the construction of an ordered phase near the surface. However, the segregation-induced ordering has not been observed for nanoparticles. Here, platinum@cobalt (Pt@Co) core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized, and their structural changes after annealing at 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C for 3 hours were observed by a scanning transmission electron microscope. We discovered an L10-PtCo structure near the surface at 700°C, which was unexpected given the initial Pt:Co ratio of about 4:1. The L10-PtCo structure was considered to form due to surface segregation of Pt atoms and diffusion insufficient to mix Pt and Co atoms in the particle overall because the structure did not form at 600°C and 800°C.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Complex counterpart of variance in quantum measurements for pre- and post-selected systems

The variance of an observable in a pre-selected quantum system, which is always real and non-negative, appears as an increase in the probe wave packet width in indirect measurements. Extending this framework to pre- and post-selected systems, we formulate a complex-valued counterpart of the variance called "weak variance." In our formulation, the real and imaginary parts of the weak variance appear as changes in the probe wave packet width in the vertical-horizontal and diagonal-antidiagonal directions, respectively, on the quadrature phase plane. Using an optical system, we experimentally demonstrate these changes in the probe wave packet width caused by the real negative and purely imaginary weak variances. Furthermore, we show that the weak variance can be expressed as the variance of the weak-valued probability distribution in pre- and post-selected systems. These operational and statistical interpretations support the rationality of formulating the weak variance as a complex counterpart of the variance in pre- and post-selected systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Direct measurement of ultrafast temporal wavefunctions

The large capacity and robustness of information encoding in the temporal mode of photons is important in quantum information processing, in which characterizing temporal quantum states with high usability and time resolution is essential. We propose and demonstrate a direct measurement method of temporal complex wavefunctions for weak light at a single-photon level with subpicosecond time resolution. Our direct measurement is realized by ultrafast metrology of the interference between the light under test and self-generated monochromatic reference light; no external reference light or complicated post-processing algorithms are required. Hence, this method is versatile and potentially widely applicable for temporal state characterization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Operational formulation of weak values without probe systems

Weak values are the fundamental values for observables in a pre- and post-selected system. Weak values are typically measured by weak measurement, in which weak values appear in the change of not the pre- and post-selected system but the probe system. This indirect characteristic of weak measurement obscures the meaning of weak values for the pre- and post-selected system, in contrast to conventional physical quantities, which have a clear operational meaning. In this study, we operationally formulate weak values as the sensitivity of post-selection probability amplitude to small transformation in a pre- and post-selected system. This formulation of weak values, which is free from the concept of probe shift assumed in weak measurement, gives a direct interpretation of strange weak values for the pre- and post-selected system. We further explain that this formulation can simplify weak-value measurement experiments because no probe system is required.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Integer Multiplier for Orbital Angular Momentum of Light using Circular-Sector Transformation

This paper describes an integer multiplier for the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light through the parallel implementation of multiple circular-sector transformations, whereby the cross-sectional circular shape of the OAM mode is geometrically transformed to the circular-sector shape. Experiments show that the conversion accuracy of both OAM doubler and tripler formulations is significantly better than that of the previous method. This is because the proposed method uses a simple implementation with a single spatial light modulator. The proposed method has strong potential for the spatial mode manipulation of OAM and other useful spatial modes.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

A framework for measuring weak values without weak interactions and its diagrammatic representation

Weak values are typically obtained experimentally by performing weak measurements, which involve weak interactions between the measured system and a probe. However, the determination of weak values does not necessarily require weak measurements, and several methods without weak system-probe interactions have been developed previously. In this work, a framework for measuring weak values is proposed to describe the relationship between various weak measurement techniques in a unified manner. This framework, which uses a probe-controlled system transformation instead of the weak system-probe interaction, improves the understanding of the currently used weak value measurement methods. Furthermore, a diagrammatic representation of the proposed framework is introduced to intuitively identify the complex values obtained in each measurement system. By using this diagram, a new method for measuring weak values with a desired function can be systematically derived. As an example, a scan-free and more efficient direct measurement method of wavefunctions than the conventional techniques using weak measurements is developed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Classical reconstruction of interference patterns of position-wavevector-entangled photon pairs by time-reversal method

The quantum interference of entangled photons forms a key phenomenon underlying various quantum-optical technologies. It is known that the quantum interference patterns of entangled photon pairs can be reconstructed classically by the time-reversal method; however, the time-reversal method has been applied only to time-frequency-entangled two-photon systems in previous experiments. Here, for the first time, we apply the time-reversal method to the position-wavevector-entangled two-photon systems: the two-photon Young interferometer and the two-photon beam focusing system. We experimentally demonstrate that the time-reversed systems classically reconstruct the same interference patterns as the position-wavevector-entangled two-photon systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Quantification of Concurrence via Weak Measurement

Since entanglement is not an observable per se, measuring its value in practice is a difficult task. Here we propose a protocol for quantifying a particular entanglement measure, namely concurrence, of an arbitrary two-qubit pure state via a single fixed measurement set-up by exploiting so-called weak measurements and the associated weak values together with the properties of the Laguerre-Gaussian modes. The virtue of our technique is that it is generally applicable for all two-qubit systems and does not involve simultaneous copies of the entangled state. We also propose an explicit optical implementation of the protocol.

quant-ph↗