arXiv subjects

Maxime Richard

Publications and source records attributed to Maxime Richard.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Strain-gradient mapping of semiconductor quantum dots

In the context of fast developing quantum technologies, locating single quantum objects embedded in solid or fluid environment while keeping their properties unchanged is a crucial requirement as well as a challenge. Such "quantum microscopes" have been demonstrated already for NV-centers embedded in diamond [1], and for single atoms within an ultracold gas [2]. In this work, we demonstrate a new method to determine non-destructively the position of randomly distributed semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) deeply embedded in a solid photonic waveguide. By setting the wire in an oscillating motion, we generate large stress gradients across the QDs plane. We then exploit the fact that the QDs emission frequency is highly sensitive to the local material stress [3-5] to infer their positions with an accuracy ranging from +/- 35 nm down to +/-1 nm for close-to-axis QDs.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Exciton-polaritons gas as a nonequilibrium coolant

Using angle-resolved Raman spectroscopy, we show that a resonantly excited ground-state exciton-polariton fluid behaves like a nonequilibrium coolant for its host solid-state semiconductor microcavity. With this optical technique, we obtain a detailed measurement of the thermal fluxes generated by the pumped polaritons. We thus find a maximum cooling power for a cryostat temperature of $50$K and below where optical cooling is usually suppressed, and we identify the participation of an ultrafast cooling mechanism. We also show that the nonequilibrium character of polaritons constitutes an unexpected resource: each scattering event can remove more heat from the solid than would be normally allowed using a thermal fluid with normal internal equilibration.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Reversible work extraction in a hybrid opto-mechanical system

With the progress of nano-technology, thermodynamics also has to be scaled down, calling for specific protocols to extract and measure work. Usually, such protocols involve the action of an external, classical field (the battery) of infinite energy, that controls the energy levels of a small quantum system (the calorific fluid). Here we suggest a realistic device to reversibly extract work in a battery of finite energy : a hybrid optomechanical system. Such devices consist in an optically active two-level quantum system interacting strongly with a nano-mechanical oscillator that provides and stores mechanical work, playing the role of the battery. We identify protocols where the battery exchanges large, measurable amounts of work with the quantum emitter without getting entangled with it. When the quantum emitter is coupled to a thermal bath, we show that thermodynamic reversibility is attainable with state-of-the-art devices, paving the road towards the realization of a full cycle of information-to-energy conversion at the single bit level.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Optical drive of macroscopic mechanical motion by a single two-level system

A quantum emitter coupled to a nano-mechanical oscillator is a hybrid system where a macroscopic degree of freedom is coupled to a purely quantum system. Recent progress in nanotechnology has led to the realization of such devices by embedding single artificial atoms like quantum dots or superconducting qubits into vibrating wires or membranes, opening up new perspectives for quantum information technologies and for the exploration of the quantum-classical boundary. In this letter, we show that the quantum emitter can be turned into a strikingly efficient light-controlled source of mechanical power, by exploiting constructive interferences of classical phonon fields in the mechanical oscillator. We show that this mechanism can be used as a novel strategy to carry out low-background non-destructive single-shot measurement of an optically active quantum bit state.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Strain-mediated coupling in a quantum dot-mechanical oscillator hybrid system

Recent progress in nanotechnology has allowed to fabricate new hybrid systems where a single two-level system is coupled to a mechanical nanoresonator. In such systems the quantum nature of a macroscopic degree of freedom can be revealed and manipulated. This opens up appealing perspectives for quantum information technologies, and for the exploration of quantum-classical boundary. Here we present the experimental realization of a monolithic solid-state hybrid system governed by material strain: a quantum dot is embedded within a nanowire featuring discrete mechanical resonances corresponding to flexural vibration modes. Mechanical vibrations result in a time-varying strain field that modulates the quantum dot transition energy. This approach simultaneously offers a large light extraction efficiency and a large exciton-phonon coupling strength $g_0$. By means of optical and mechanical spectroscopy, we find that $g_0/2π$ is nearly as large as the mechanical frequency, a criterion which defines the ultra-strong coupling regime.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Long range correlations in a 97% excitonic one-dimensional polariton condensate

We report on the realization of an out-of-equilibrium polariton condensate under pulsed excitation in a one-dimensional geometry. We observe macroscopic occupation of a polaritonic mode with only 3% photonic fraction, and a nature strikingly close to that of a bare exciton condensate. With the help of this tiny photonic fraction, the condensate is found to display first-order coherence over distances as large as 10 microns. Based on a driven-dissipative mean field model, we find that the correlations length is limited by the effects of a shallow disorder under non-equilibrium conditions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Subnanosecond spectral diffusion measurement using photon correlation

Spectral diffusion is a result of random spectral jumps of a narrow line as a result of a fluctuating environment. It is an important issue in spectroscopy, because the observed spectral broadening prevents access to the intrinsic line properties. However, its characteristic parameters provide local information on the environment of a light emitter embedded in a solid matrix, or moving within a fluid, leading to numerous applications in physics and biology. We present a new experimental technique for measuring spectral diffusion based on photon correlations within a spectral line. Autocorrelation on half of the line and cross-correlation between the two halves give a quantitative value of the spectral diffusion time, with a resolution only limited by the correlation set-up. We have measured spectral diffusion of the photoluminescence of a single light emitter with a time resolution of 90 ps, exceeding by four orders of magnitude the best resolution reported to date.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2011

From single particle to superfuid excitations in a dissipative polariton gas

Using angle-resolved heterodyne four-wave-mixing technique, we probe the low momentum excitation spectrum of a coherent polariton gas. The experimental results are well captured by the Bogoliubov transformation which describes the transition from single particle excitations of a normal fluid to sound-wave-like excitations of a superfluid. In a dense coherent polariton gas, we find all the characteristics of a Bogoliubov transformation, i.e. the positive and negative energy branch with respect to the polariton gas energy at rest, sound-wave-like shapes for the excitations dispersion, intensity and linewidth ratio between the two branches in agreement with the theory. The influence of the non-equilibrium character of the polariton gas is shown by a careful analysis of its dispersion.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2010

One-dimensional ZnO exciton polaritons with negligible thermal broadening at room temperature

Phonon damping is the main source of pure dephasing in the solid state, limiting many fundamental quantum effects to low temperature observations. Here we show how excitons in semiconductors can be totally decoupled from the phonon bath, even at room temperature, thanks to their strong interaction with photons. To do so, we investigated ZnO microwires, a new semiconductor nanostructure made of large band-gap material where the light can be trapped and guided into whispering gallery modes. In this system, the very large coupling regime between exciton and photon results in unusual exciton-polariton of one-dimensional character and Rabi splitting as large as 300meV. We find that polariton modes of excitonic fraction up to 75% exhibit no thermal broadening up to room temperature. We show that this remarkable behavior is due to the very large Rabi splitting as compared to the LO phonon energy.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Nonlinear relaxation of 0-dimension-trapped microcavity polaritons

We study the emission properties of confined polariton states in shallow zero-dimensional traps under non-resonant excitation. We evidence several relaxation regimes. For slightly negative photon-exciton detuning, we observe a nonlinear increase of the emission intensity, characteristic of carrier-carrier scattering assisted relaxation under strong-coupling regime. This demonstrates the efficient relaxation towards a confined state of the system. For slightly positive detuning, we observe the transition from strong to weak coupling regime and then to single-mode lasing.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Engineering the spatial confinement of exciton-polaritons in semiconductors

We demonstrate the spatial confinement of electronic excitations in a solid state system, within novel artificial structures that can be designed having arbitrary dimensionality and shape. The excitations under study are exciton-polaritons in a planar semiconductor microcavity. They are confined within a micron-sized region through lateral trapping of their photon component. Striking signatures of confined states of lower and upper polaritons are found in angle-resolved light emission spectra, where a discrete energy spectrum and broad angular patterns are present. A theoretical model supports unambiguously our observations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗