arXiv subjects

Martin Koppenhöfer

Publications and source records attributed to Martin Koppenhöfer.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Optimal synchronization deep in the quantum regime: resource and fundamental limit

We develop an analytical framework to study the synchronization of a quantum self-sustained oscillator to an external signal. Our unified description allows us to identify the resource on which quantum synchronization relies, and to compare quantitatively the synchronization behavior of different limit cycles and signals. We focus on the most elementary quantum system that is able to host a self-sustained oscillation, namely a single spin 1. Despite the spin having no classical analogue, we first show that it can realize the van der Pol limit cycle deep in the quantum regime, which allows us to provide an analytical understanding to recently reported numerical results. Moving on to the equatorial limit cycle, we then reveal the existence of an interference-based quantum synchronization blockade and extend the classical Arnold tongue to a snake-like split tongue. Finally, we derive the maximum synchronization that can be achieved in the spin-1 system, and construct a limit cycle that reaches this fundamental limit asymptotically.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Quantum effects in amplitude death of coupled anharmonic self-oscillators

Coupling two or more self-oscillating systems may stabilize their zero-amplitude rest-state, therefore quenching their oscillation. This phenomenon is termed "amplitude death". Well-known and studied in classical self-oscillators, amplitude death was only recently investigated in quantum self-oscillators [Ishibashi et al., Phys. Rev. E 96, 052210]. Quantitative differences between the classical and quantum descriptions were found. Here, we demonstrate that for quantum self-oscillators with anharmonicity in their energy spectrum, multiple resonances in the mean phonon number can be observed. This is a result of the discrete energy spectrum of these oscillators, and is not present in the corresponding classical model. Experiments can be realized with current technology and would demonstrate these genuine quantum effects in the amplitude death phenomenon.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Unraveling nonclassicality in the optomechanical instability

Conditional dynamics due to continuous optical measurements has successfully been applied for state reconstruction and feedback cooling in optomechanical systems. In this article, we show that the same measurement techniques can be used to unravel nonclassicality in optomechanical limit cycles. In contrast to unconditional dynamics, our approach gives rise to nonclassical limit cycles even in the sideband-unresolved regime, where the cavity decay rate exceeds the mechanical frequency. We predict a significant reduction of the mechanical amplitude fluctuations for realistic experimental parameters.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Creating photon-number squeezed strong microwave fields by a Cooper-pair injection laser

The use of artificial atoms as an active lasing medium opens a way to construct novel sources of nonclassical radiation. An example is the creation of photon-number squeezed light. Here we present a design of a laser consisting of multiple Cooper-pair transistors coupled to a microwave resonator. Over a broad range of experimentally realizable parameters, this laser creates photon-number squeezed microwave radiation, characterized by a Fano factor $F \ll 1$, at a very high resonator photon number. We investigate the impact of gate-charge disorder in a Cooper-pair transistor and show that the system can create squeezed strong microwave fields even in the presence of maximum disorder.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Superconducting quantum metamaterials as active lasing medium: Effects of disorder

A metamaterial formed by superconducting circuits or quantum dots can serve as active lasing medium when coupled to a microwave resonator. For these artificial atoms, in contrast to real atoms, variations in their parameters cannot be avoided. In this paper, we examine the influence of disorder on such a multi-atom lasing setup. We find that the lasing process evolves into a self-organized stationary state that is quite robust against disorder. The reason is that photons created by those atoms which are in or close to resonance with the resonator stimulate the emission also of more detuned atoms. Not only the number of photons grows with the number of atoms, but also the width of the resonance as function of the detuning. Similar properties are found for other types of disorder such as variations in the individual coupling. We present relations how the allowed disorder scales with the number of atoms and confirm it by a numerical analysis. We also provide estimates for the sample-to-sample variations to be expected for setups with moderate numbers of atoms.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Lasing at arbitrary frequencies with atoms with broken inversion symmetry and an engineered electromagnetic environment

With the purpose to devise a novel lasing scheme, we consider a two level system with both a transversal and longitudinal coupling to the electromagnetic field. If the longitudinal coupling is sufficiently strong, multi-photon transitions become possible. We assume furthermore that the electromagnetic environment has a spectrum with a single sharp resonance, which serves as a lasing cavity. Additionally, the electromagnetic environment should have a very broad resonance around a frequency which differs form the sharp resonance. We use the polaron transformation and derive a rate equation to describe the dynamics of such system. We find that lasing at the frequency of the sharp mode is possible, if the energy difference of the atomic transition is similar to the sum of the frequencies of both peaks in the spectral function. This allows for the creation of lasing over a large frequency range and may in perspective enable THz lasing at room temperature.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Creation of a squeezed photon distribution using artificial atoms with broken inversion symmetry

We consider a two level system with both a transversal and a longitudinal coupling to the electromagnetic field of a resonator. Using a polaron transformation, this Hamiltonian can be mapped onto a Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian with generalized field operators acting on the electromagnetic field in the resonator. In contrast to the usual ladder operators $a$ and $a^\dagger$, these operators exhibit a non-monotous coupling strength with respect to the number $n$ of photons in the resonator. Especially, there are roots of the coupling between qubit and resonator at certain photon numbers $n_0$. We show, that this effect can be exploited to generate photon-number squeezed light, characterized by a Fano factor $F \ll 1$, with a large number of photons (e.g. of the order of $10^4$).

cond-mat.mes-hall↗