arXiv subjects

Ka-Di Zhu

Publications and source records attributed to Ka-Di Zhu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Single-Photon Fourier Transform

The extraction of information carried by light plays an increasingly important role in optical communication, imaging, and detection. However, the information can only be successfully extracted when the light pulse is comparably strong, leaving untouched scenarios where survived photons are extremely sparse. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a single-photon Fourier transform scheme. By retrieving the implicit correlation shared in the sparse singlephoton stream globally, we are able to precisely classify each photon and synchronously extract multiple ultra-weak signals with high fidelity against extreme environments. Our experiment results give a full picture of the scheme in terms of multi-terminal expandability, wide frequency adaptability, 125 dB loss tolerance, and -10.4 dB signal-to-noise ratio robustness. Even when the pulse repetition frequencies of all terminals are the same, we can still recognize the free-running clock drift and separate different messages. Our work can be a general scheme to extend the capability boundary for all the extremely low-light-flux scenarios, and makes many challenging tasks possible, such as in-orbit optical communication network with complex topology, navigation in extremely lossy and noisy environments, and wide-range single-photon imaging with multi-source illumination.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Double-sphere enhanced optomechanical spectroscopy constrains symmetron dark energy

Screened scalar fields such as the symmetron provide a viable description of dark energy yet their laboratory detection remains challenging. We propose an optomechanical scheme to constrain symmetron interactions using two optically levitated nanospheres inside a cavity. The symmetron-mediated interaction induces an effective coupling which leads to a measurable splitting in the optomechanical resonance spectrum. We forecast constraints in the regime $μ\sim 10^{-2}$eV-$10^{-4}$ eV, which shows that this approach can improve existing laboratory bounds by up to several orders of magnitude, demonstrating the sensitivity of optomechanical spectroscopy to screened fifth forces.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

A Spin-Based Pathway to Testing the Quantum Nature of Gravity

A key open problem in physics is the correct way to combine gravity (described by general relativity) with everything else (described by quantum mechanics). This problem suggests that general relativity and possibly also quantum mechanics need fundamental corrections. Most physicists expect that gravity should be quantum in character, but gravity is fundamentally different to the other forces because it alone is described by spacetime geometry. Experiments are needed to test whether gravity, and hence space-time, is quantum or classical. We propose an experiment to test the quantum nature of gravity by checking whether gravity can entangle two micron-sized crystals. A pathway to this is to create macroscopic quantum superpositions of each crystal first using embedded spins and Stern-Gerlach forces. These crystals could be nanodiamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres. The spins can subsequently be measured to witness the gravitationally generated entanglement. This is based on extensive theoretical feasibility studies and experimental progress in quantum technology. The eventual experiment will require a medium-sized consortium with excellent suppression of decoherence including vibrations and gravitational noise. In this white paper, we review the progress and plans towards realizing this. While implementing these plans, we will further explore the most macroscopic superpositions that are possible, which will test theories that predict a limit to this.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Femtojoule-per-operation photonic computer for the subset sum problem

Energy-efficient computing is becoming increasingly important in the information era. However, electronic computers with von Neumann architecture can hardly meet the challenge due to the inevitable energy-intensive data movement, especially when tackling computationally hard problems or complicated tasks. Here, we experimentally demonstrate an energy-efficient photonic computer that solves intractable subset sum problem (SSP) by making use of the extremely low energy level of photons (~10^(-19) J) and a time-of-flight storage technique. We show that the energy consumption of the photonic computer maintains no larger than 10^(-15) J per operation at a reasonably large problem size N=33, and it consumes 10^(8) times less energy than the most energy-efficient supercomputer for a medium-scale problem. In addition, when the photonic computer is applied to deal with real-life problems that involves iterative computation of the SSP, the photonic advantage in energy consumption is further enhanced and massive energy can be saved. Our results indicate the superior competitiveness of the photonic computer in the energy costs of complex computation, opening a possible path to green computing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Fundamental limit of linear bosonic sensors and the Schawlow-Townes laser linewidth limit

In recent years, many peculiar sensors have been proposed, such as the sensors based on exceptional points, Parity-Time symmetric structures or non-reciprocal systems. It is crucial to evaluate the fundamental limit of these sensing schemes and to judge whether there is an enhanced performance. Several papers have already investigated the fundamental limits based on different aspects and criteria, some led to different conclusions. In this paper, we suggest that for linear bosonic sensors that can be modeled as coupled oscillators below threshold, a measurement of the mode frequency $w_0$ can not has a precision beyond $\frac{\sqrt{κ_0}}{2\sqrt{nτ}}$, in which $κ_{0}$ is the intrinsic loss, $n$ is the average particle number at that mode and $τ$ is the measurement time. Such a precision limit can already be achieved for a single mode passive sensor, and we have proved that it can not be exceeded by adding gain components, or by coupling it to other modes to form a n-mode linear sensor. Further more, we recognize that the above limit is comparative to the frequency uncertainty ($\frac{\sqrt{κ_0}}{\sqrt{2 nτ}}$) for an above-threshold oscillation mode (e.g. a laser cavity above threshold), which is related to the Schawlow-Townes laser linewidth limit. This observation makes us conjecture that the limit we proposed for linear sensors may be a basic general limit which restricts most, if not all, sensors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Measurement of Neutron Lifetime and Purcell Effect

Purcell effect predicts that spontaneous radiation is not an intrinsic property of matter, but is affected by the environment in which it is located, and is the result of the interaction of matter and field. Purcell effect can be inferred from Fermi Gold rule through strict quantum electrodynamics (QED), and through it can achieve the enhancement or suppression of radiation. We suggest that, in principle, the Purcell effect can be detected at the percentage level of neutron decay in experiments with trapped ultra-cold neutrons. As a test of our claim, we propose a currently achievable experimental protocol that can detect whether Purcell effect has occurred in an trapped ultra-cold neutron lifetime measurement experiment. Finally, we discuss the discrepancy in current methods of measuring neutron lifetime, which may be caused by different experimental setups.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2021

Machine Learning Percolation Model

Recent advances in machine learning have become increasingly popular in the applications of phase transitions and critical phenomena. By machine learning approaches, we try to identify the physical characteristics in the two-dimensional percolation model. To achieve this, we adopt Monte Carlo simulation to generate dataset at first, and then we employ several approaches to analyze the dataset. Four kinds of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), one variational autoencoder (VAE), one convolutional VAE (cVAE), one principal component analysis (PCA), and one $k$-means are used for identifying order parameter, the permeability, and the critical transition point. The former three kinds of CNNs can simulate the two order parameters and the permeability with high accuracy, and good extrapolating performance. The former two kinds of CNNs have high anti-noise ability. To validate the robustness of the former three kinds of CNNs, we also use the VAE and the cVAE to generate new percolating configurations to add perturbations into the raw configurations. We find that there is no difference by using the raw or the perturbed configurations to identify the physical characteristics, under the prerequisite of corresponding labels. In the case of lacking labels, we use unsupervised learning to detect the physical characteristics. The PCA, a classical unsupervised learning, performs well when identifying the permeability but fails to deduce order parameter. Hence, we apply the fourth kinds of CNNs with different preset thresholds, and identify a new order parameter and the critical transition point. Our findings indicate that the effectiveness of machine learning still needs to be evaluated in the applications of phase transitions and critical phenomena.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2020

Gravitational waves detection with exceptional points in micro cavities

Here we propose a new gravitational waves(GWs) detector in broad frequency band, which is operated at exceptional points(EPs) in micro cavities. The detected signal is an eigenfrequency split of the mechanical modes caused by the spatial strain. Due to the complex square root topology near the EP, the splitting is greatly enhanced for sufficiently small perturbations. Compared to current strategies, it can be achieved at the room temperature and has advantages in micro device scale, wide frequency band and higher sensitivity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Enhanced sensing of non-Newtonian effects at ultrashort range with exceptional points in optomechanical systems

We propose an optomechanical nano-gravimeter based on exceptional points. The system is a coupled cavity optomechanical system, in which the gain and loss are applied by driving the cavities with a blue detuned and red detuned electromagnetic field, respectively. When the gain and loss reach a balance, the system will show the degeneracy of exceptional points, and any perturbation will cause an eigenfrequencies split, which is proportional to the square root of the perturbation strength. Compared with the traditional optomechanical sensors, the sensitivity is greatly enhanced. This work paves the way for the design of optomechanical ultrasensitive force sensors that can be applied to detect non-Newtonian effects, high-order weak interactions, and so on.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Detecting large extra dimensions with optomechanical levitated sensors

Numbers of tabletop experiments have made efforts to detect large extra dimensions for the range from solar system to submillimeter system, but the direct evidence is still lacking. Here we present a scheme to test the gravitational law in 4+2 dimensions at microns by using cavity optomechanical method. We have investigated the probe spectrum for coupled quantum levitated oscillators in optical cavities. The results show that the spectral splitting can be obtained once the large extra dimensions present. Compare to the previous experiment, the sensitivity can be improved by the using of a specific geometry and a shield mirror to control and suppress the effect of the Casimir background. The weak frequency splitting can be optically read by the pump-probe scheme. Thus we can detect the gravitational deviation in the bulk based ADD model via spectroscopy without the isoelectronic technique.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Probing millicharged particles with ultrasensitive optical nonlinear sensor based on levitated cavity optomechanics

Particles with electric charge 10^(-12)e in bulk mass are not excluded by present experiments. In the present letter we provide a feasible scheme to measure the millicharged particles via the optical cavity coupled to a levitated microsphere. The results show that the optical probe spectrum of the micro-oscillator presents a distinct shift due to the existence of millicharged particles. Owing to the very narrow linewidth(10^(-7) Hz) of the optical Kerr effect, this shift will be more obvious, which makes the millicharges more easy to be detectable. We propose a method to eliminate the polarization force background via the homogeneously charged ring, which makes the scheme displays strong advantages in precision than the current experiments. The technique proposed here paves the way for new applications for probing dark matter and nonzero charged neutrino in the condensed matter.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2015

Robust Majorana signature detection with a coupled quantum dot-nanomechanical resonator in all-optical domain

Motivated by a recent experiment [Nadj-Perge et al., Science 346, 602 (2014)] providing evidence for Majorana zero modes in iron chains on the superconducting Pb surface, in the present work, we theoretically propose an all-optical scheme to detect Majorana fermions, which is very different from the current tunneling measurement based on electrical means. The optical detection proposal consists of a quantum dot embedded in a nanomechanical resonator with optical pump-probe technology. With the optical means, the signal in the coherent optical spectrum presents a distinct signature for the existence of Majorana fermions in the end of iron chains. Further, the vibration of the nanomechanical resonator behaving as a phonon cavity will enhance the exciton resonance spectrum, which makes the Majorana fermions more sensitive to be detectable. This optical scheme affords a potential supplement for detection of Majorana fermions and supports to use Majorana fermions in Fe chains as qubits for potential applications in quantum computing devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

A Quantum Optomechanical Transistor Based on a Cavity-Optomechanical System

We theoretically propose a scheme to realize an all-optically controlled quantum optomechanical transistor based on a cavity-optomechanical system, where the cavity photons interfere with the input signal photons while the pump field controls the transmission spectrum of the signal laser. Theoretical analysis shows such a quantum optomechanical transistor can be switched on or off by turning on or off the pump laser, which corresponds to amplification or attenuation of the signal laser, respectively. The results further demonstrate that the output signal gain is enhanced abruptly with increasing the input pump power. The scheme proposed here will pave the way towards many important applications such as all-optical logic circuits and quantum repeaters.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Ultrasensitive Detection of Majorana Fermions via Spin-based Optomechanics with Carbon Nanotubes

We propose a novel optical method to detect the existence of Majorana fermions at the ends of the semiconductor nanowire via the coupling to an electron spin trapped on a carbon nanotube resonator under the control of a strong pump field and a weak probe field. The coupling strength of Majorana fermion to the spin in the carbon nanotube and the decay rate of the Majorana fermion can be easily measured from the probe absorption spectrum via manipulating the spin-mechanical coupling in the suspended\ carbon nanotube. The scheme proposed here will open a good perspective for its applications in all-optical controlled Majorana fermion-based quantum computation and quantum information processing.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

A photonic transistor device based on photons and phonons in a cavity electromechanical system

We present a scheme for photonic transistors based on photons and phonons in a cavity electromechanical system, which is consisted of a superconducting microwave cavity coupled to a nanomechanical resonator. Control of the propagation of photons is achieved through the interaction of microwave field (photons) and nanomechanical vibrations (phonons). By calculating the transmission spectrum of the signal field, we show that the signal field can be efficiently attenuated or amplified, depending on the power of a second `gating'(pump) field. This scheme may be a promising candidate for single-photon transistors and pave the way for numerous applications in telecommunication and quantum information technologies.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2011

Dynamics of a driven spin coupled to an antiferromagnetic spin bath

We study the behavior of the Rabi oscillations of a driven central spin (qubit) coupled to an antiferromagnetic spin bath (environment). It is found that the decoherence behavior of the central spin depends on the detuning, driving strength, the qubit-bath coupling and an important factor, associated with the number of the coupled atoms, the detailed lattice structure, and the temperature of the environment. If the detuning exists, the Rabi oscillations may show the behavior of collapses and revivals; however, if the detuning is zero, such a behavior will not appear. We investigate the weighted frequency distribution of the time evolution of the central spin inversion and give this phenomenon of collapses and revivals a reasonable explanation. We also discuss the decoherence and the pointer states of the qubit from the perspectives of the von Neumann entropy. It is found that the eigenstates of the qubit self-Hamiltonian emerge as the pointer states in the weak system-environment coupling limit.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Tunable pulse delay and advancement in a coupled nanomechanical resonator-superconducting microwave cavity system

We theoretically study the transmission of a weak probe field under the influence of a strong pump field in a coupled nanomechanical resonator-superconducting microwave cavity system. Using the standard input-output theory, we find that both pulse delay (slow light effect) and advancement (fast light effect) of the probe field can appear in this coupled system provided that we choose the suitable detuning of the pump field from cavity resonance. The magnitude of the delay (advancement) can be tuned continuously by adjusting the power of the pump field. This technique demonstrates great potential in applications including microwave phase shifter and delay line.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

All-Optical Control of Light Group Velocity with a Cavity Optomechanical System

We theoretically demonstrate complete all-optical control of light group velocity via a cavity optomechanical system composed of an optical cavity and a mechanical resonator. The realization depends on no specific materials inside the cavity, and the control of light group velocity stems from the interaction between the signal light and the moving optical diffraction grating within the cavity in analogy to the stimulated Brillouin scattering(SBS). Furthermore, we show that a tunable switch from slow light to fast light can be achieved only by simply adjusting the pump-cavity detuning. The scheme proposed here will open a novel way to control light velocity by all-optical methods in optomechanical systems.

physics.optics↗