arXiv subjects

Kazuhiko Hirakawa

Publications and source records attributed to Kazuhiko Hirakawa.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Observation of coherently modulated thermal phonon band and lifetime in superlattice

Manipulating phonon band structures through wave interference in artificial periodic nanostructures is of fundamental interest and forms the foundation of phonon band engineering. Yet, direct observation of thermal phonon wave interference has remained elusive despite half a century of extensive research. Here, utilizing inelastic x-ray scattering, we directly observed momentum-resolved coherently modulated thermal phonon bands and lifetimes in a short-period GaAs/AlAs superlattice at 300 K. The modulation persists at even 500 K, demonstrating robust coherent thermal phonon transport at high temperatures. Our measurements, combined with ab initio lattice-dynamics calculations, further show that thermal phonon interference expands the three-phonon scattering phase space and strengthens anharmonic effects, highlighting the interplay between phonon band modulation and anharmonicity. Our observations establish nanostructuring as a versatile route for engineering thermal phonon bands and lifetimes at high temperatures across diverse applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Real-space imaging reveals symmetry-selected nonlinear energy routing in a mechanical resonator

Nonlinear energy routing among modes underlies phenomena ranging from internal resonance and wave mixing to frequency-comb generation in micro- and nanoelectromechanical resonators, yet modal interactions are typically inferred from spectra rather than imaged in real space. This leaves unresolved how energy is spatially routed and what determines which pathways are selected. Here, we use phase-locked multi-harmonic stroboscopic interferometry to reconstruct harmonic-resolved differential displacement maps in a nearly mirror-symmetric microelectromechanical resonator. These maps reveal that harmonics generated by a driven mode can be carried by distinct spatial eigenmodes, directly resolving pathways of nonlinear energy transfer. We further show that such mode-selective routing occurs even away from integer frequency matching: generated harmonics are dominated by eigenmodes sharing the driven mode's mirror parity, whereas spectrally closer opposite-parity modes remain strongly suppressed. A nonlinear modal framework links this hierarchy to symmetry-dependent modal-overlap integrals. These results identify spatial symmetry as a selection rule for nonlinear energy routing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Ultrastrong light-matter coupling in near-field coupled split-ring resonators revealed by photocurrent spectroscopy

Landau polaritons arising from the coupling between cyclotron resonance and terahertz split-ring resonators (SRRs) have served as a central platform for exploring ultrastrong light-matter interaction for more than a decade. Over this period, a wide variety of SRR architectures, differing in size, geometry, and even material composition, have been investigated. However, the regime of near-field coupled SRRs has remained largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate ultrastrong coupling using photocurrent spectroscopy in two prototypical near-field configurations: a SRR dimer and a topological SRR chain. The measurements reveal hybridization not only with bright resonant modes but also with optically dark modes and topological edge modes, highlighting the exceptional sensitivity of the photocurrent spectroscopy. Moreover, the engineered near-field interactions allow the study of multi-mode ultrastrong coupling and the interplay between topological band structure and cavity quantum electrodynamics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Significant tuning of dispersive mode coupling in doubly clamped MEMS beam resonators using thermally induced buckling effect

Dispersive mode coupling is a promising mechanism for the development of advanced micro/nanoelectromechanical devices. However, strong coupling strength remains a key challenge limiting the practical applications of dispersive mode coupling effect. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the significant tuning of the mode coupling coefficient of two flexural vibrational modes in a doubly-clamped MEMS beam resonator using thermally-induced buckling effect, which enables variable coupling strengths to be implemented for practical applications. Furthermore, a theoretical model is developed to describe the mode coupling coefficient, showing that the tunability is owing to the breakdown of the symmetric shape of the MEMS beam caused by buckling. Moreover, the theoretical model defines a simple relation between the coupling coefficient and the nonlinearity of the two coupled modes. These results provide valuable insight into physical mechanisms underlying dispersive mode coupling effect, as well as pave the way for the development of advanced MEMS devices with application-specified mode coupling strength.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2023

Coherent interaction of a-few-electron quantum dot with a terahertz optical resonator

We have investigated light-matter hybrid excitations in a quantum dot (QD)-terahertz (THz) optical resonator coupled system. We fabricate a gate-defined QD in the vicinity of a THz split-ring resonator (SRR) by using a AlGaAs/GaAs two-dimensional electron system (2DES). By illuminating the system with THz radiation, the QD shows a current change whose spectrum exhibits coherent coupling between the electrons in the QD and the SRR as well as coupling between the 2DES and the SRR. The latter coupling enters the ultrastrong coupling regime and the coupling between the QD and the SRR is also very close to the ultrastrong coupling regime, despite the fact that only a few electrons reside in the QD.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Thermal conductivity minimum of graded superlattices due to phonon localization

The Anderson localization of thermal phonons has been shown only in few nano-structures with strong random disorder by the exponential decay of transmission to zero and a thermal conductivity maximum when increasing system length. In this work, we present a path to demonstrate the phonon localization with distinctive features in graded superlattices with short-range order and long-range disorder. A thermal conductivity minimum with system length appears due to the exponential decay of transmission to a non-zero constant, which is a feature of partial phonon localization caused by the moderate disorder. We provide clear evidence of localization through the combined analysis of the participation ratio, transmission, and real-space phonon number density distribution based on our quantum transport simulation. The present work would promote heat conduction engineering by localization via the wave nature of phonons.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Giant enhancement in the thermal responsivity of microelectromechanical resonators by internal mode coupling

We report on a giant enhancement in the thermal responsivity of the doubly-clamped GaAs microelectromechanical (MEMS) beam resonators by using the internal mode coupling effect. This is achieved by coupling the fundamental bending mode with the fundamental torsional mode of the MEMS beam resonators through the cubic Duffing nonlinearity. In the mode coupling regime, we have found that, when the input heat to the MEMS resonators is modulated at a particular frequency, the resonance frequency shift caused by heating can be enhanced by almost two orders of magnitude. The observed effect is promising for realizing high-sensitivity thermal sensing by using MEMS resonators, such as ultrasensitive terahertz detection at room temperature.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Controllable p$-$n junctions in three$-$dimensional Dirac semimetal Cd$_3$As$_2$ nanowires

We demonstrate a controllable p$-$n junction in a three$-$dimensional Dirac semimetal (DSM) Cd$_3$As$_2$ nanowire with two recessed bottom gates. The device exhibits four different conductance regimes with gate voltages, the unipolar (n$-$n and p$-$p) regime and the bipolar (n$-$p and n$-$p) one, where p$-$n junctions are formed. The conductance in the p$-$n junction regime decreases drastically when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the nanowire, which is due to the suppression of Klein tunneling. In this regime, the device shows quantum dot behavior. On the other hand, clear conductance plateaus are observed in the n$-$n regime likely owing to the cyclotron motion of carriers at high magnetic fields. Our experiment shows that the ambipolar tunability of DSM nanowires can enable the realization of quantum devices based on quantum dots and electron optics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Enhanced thermal sensitivity of MEMS bolometers integrated with two-dimensional phononic crystals

We have fabricated two-dimensional phononic crystal (PnC) structures on GaAs doubly-clamped microelectromechanical system (MEMS) beam resonators to modulate their thermal properties. Owing to the reduction in the thermal conductance of the MEMS beams by introducing the PnC structures, the MEMS bolometers with the PnC structures show 2-3 times larger thermal sensitivities than the unpatterned reference sample. Furthermore, since the heat capacitance of the MEMS beams is also reduced by introducing the PnCs, the thermal decay time of the patterned MEMS beams is increased only by about 30-40 %, demonstrating the effectiveness of the PnCs for enhancing the thermal sensitivities of bolometers without significantly deteriorating their operation bandwidths.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2019

Rattling motion of a single atom in a fullerene cage molecule sensed by terahertz spectroscopy

Upon the discovery of the superatom states in endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs), the superatom properties have become attractive, because ultrafast motion of the trapped atom modifies the charge distribution in the fullerene cage. However, the observation of ultrafast atom motion in the fullerene cage is very challenging, since dynamical processes take place in the terahertz (THz) frequency range in a picometer region. Here, we report on the THz spectroscopy of single Ce@C82 EMF molecules by using the single molecule transistor geometry. Due to the vibron-assisted tunneling process, two broad photocurrent peaks are observed in the THz spectra and are ascribed to the bending and stretching motions of the encapsulated single Ce atom. This work demonstrates that THz spectroscopy using nanogap electrodes can detect a motion of a single atom, opening a door to ultrafast THz nanoscience on the picometer-scale.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Quantum dots formed in three-dimensional Dirac semimetal Cd$_3$As$_2$ nanowires

We demonstrate quantum dot (QD) formation in three-dimensional Dirac semimetal Cd$_{3}$As$_{2}$ nanowires using two electrostatically tuned p$-$n junctions with a gate and magnetic fields. The linear conductance measured as a function of gate voltage under high magnetic fields is strongly suppressed at the Dirac point close to zero conductance, showing strong conductance oscillations. Remarkably, in this regime, the Cd$_{3}$As$_{2}$ nanowire device exhibits Coulomb diamond features, indicating that a clean single QD forms in the Dirac semimetal nanowire. Our results show that a p$-$type QD can be formed between two n$-$type leads underneath metal contacts in the nanowire by applying gate voltages under strong magnetic fields. Analysis of the quantum confinement in the gapless band structure confirms that p$-$n junctions formed between the p$-$type QD and two neighboring n$-$type leads under high magnetic fields behave as resistive tunnel barriers due to cyclotron motion, resulting in the suppression of Klein tunneling. The p$-$type QD with magnetic field-induced confinement shows a single hole filling. Our results will open up a route to quantum devices such as QDs or quantum point contacts based on Dirac and Weyl semimetals.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Single-electron charge sensing in self-assembled quantum dots

Measuring single-electron charge is one of the most fundamental quantum technologies. Charge sensing, which is an ingredient for the measurement of single spins or single photons, has been already developed for semiconductor gate-defined quantum dots, leading to intensive studies on the physics and the applications of single-electron charge, single-electron spin and photon-electron quantum interface. However, the technology has not yet been realized for self-assembled quantum dots despite their fascinating quantum transport phenomena and outstanding optical functionalities. In this paper, we report charge sensing experiments in self-assembled quantum dots. We choose two adjacent dots, and fabricate source and drain electrodes on each dot, in which either dot works as a charge sensor for the other target dot. The sensor dot current significantly changes when the number of electrons in the target dot changes by one, demonstrating single-electron charge sensing. We have also demonstrated real-time detection of single-electron tunnelling events. This charge sensing technique will be an important step towards combining efficient electrical readout of single-electron with intriguing quantum transport physics or advanced optical and photonic technologies developed for self-assembled quantum dots.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Terahertz dynamics of electron-vibron coupling in single molecules with tunable electrostatic potential

Clarifying electronic and vibronic properties at individual molecule level provides key insights to future chemistry, nanoelectronics, and quantum information technologies. The single electron tunneling spectroscopy has been used to study the charging/discharging process in single molecules. The obtained information was, however, mainly on static electronic properties, and access to their dynamical properties was very indirect. Here, we report on the terahertz (THz) spectroscopy of single fullerene molecules by using a single molecule transistor (SMT) geometry. From the time-domain THz autocorrelation measurements, we have obtained THz spectra associated with the THz-induced center-of-mass oscillation of the molecules. The observed peaks are finely split into two, reflecting the difference in the van der Waals potential profile experienced by the molecule on the metal surface when the number of electrons on the molecule fluctuates by one during the single electron tunneling process. Such an ultrahigh-sensitivity to the electronic/vibronic structures of a single molecule upon adding/removing a single electron has been achieved by using the THz spectroscopy in the SMT geometry. This novel scheme provides a new opportunity for investigating ultrafast THz dynamics of sub-nm scale systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Superconducting Transport in single and parallel double InAs Quantum Dot Josephson Junctions with Nb-based Superconducting Electrodes

We report conductance and supercurrent measurements for InAs single and parallel double quantum dot Josephson junctions contacted with Nb or NbTiN superconducting electrodes. Large superconducting gap energy, high critical field and large switching current are observed, all reflecting the features of Nb-based electrodes. For the parallel double dots we observe an enhanced supercurrent when both dots are on resonance, which may reflect split Cooper pair tunneling.

cond-mat.supr-con↗