Margaux Cartier | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Universal Defect Statistics in Reverse Quenches

We derive an extension of the generalized Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM), which provides a stochastic approach to defect formation, to reverse quench protocols. While the universal scaling behavior of defects in reverse quenches has been observed previously in certain 1D chains, we argument from a probability-theoretical perspective that this scaling persists in general, and is given by the double of the defect density variance in forward quenches. We validate these results analytically for the one-dimensional transverse field Ising model and numerically for its bond-disordered variant governed by an infinite randomness fixed point. Starting from the paramagnetic phase, this protocol relies solely on global control of the system's magnetic field and global magnetization measurements, enabling the extraction of critical exponents without microscopic access to individual defects. This approach offers a robust and experimentally feasible method for probing quantum critical behavior through entirely global operations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Optical properties of single CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots synthesized by a modified ligand-assisted reprecipitation method

Colloidal perovskite quantum dots (pQDs) are promising quantum light emitters, and investigations at the single pQD scale have so far relied mostly on hot-injection synthesis, which requires precise temperature control and an inert atmosphere. While alternative synthesis routes under milder conditions are often associated with structural and surface defects that may have limited impact in ensemble measurements, demonstrating high optical quality at the level of individual pQDs constitutes the most stringent benchmark for a new synthesis protocol. Here, we demonstrate that a modified ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP) approach yields CsPbBr3 pQDs showing state-of-the-art optical properties at the scale of single emitters. By combining an amine-mediated post-synthetic size-trimming strategy with didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) ligands for enhanced surface passivation and colloidal stability, we obtain isolated pQDs with stable emission and minimal spectral diffusion at cryogenic temperatures. Micro-photoluminescence experiments resolve the characteristic fine structure of the bright exciton, its low-energy optical phonon replicas, and the trion and biexciton states. Time-resolved and photon correlation measurements show a ~90 ps lifetime and high purity single photon emission, respectively. These results demonstrate that modified LARP synthesis constitutes an accessible alternative to hot injection, preserving the intrinsic excitonic and quantum optical properties of individual pQDs while offering greater flexibility for post-synthetic ligand engineering, as exemplified here by the use of DDAB for surface passivation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗