arXiv subjects

Mikhael T. Sayat

Publications and source records attributed to Mikhael T. Sayat.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Coupling between CaWO$_4$ phonons and Er$^{3+}$ dopants

We investigate the lattice dynamics of CaWO$_4$, a promising host crystal for erbium-based quantum memories, using inelastic neutron scattering together with density-functional perturbation theory. The measured phonon dispersion along the (100), (001), and (101) reciprocal space direction reveals phonon bands extending up to 130 meV, with a gap between 60 and 80 meV, in good agreement with our calculations. From a symmetry analysis of the phonon eigenmodes, we identify eight Raman-active modes that can couple directly to the Er$^{3+}$ crystal-field operators, including a low-energy $B_g$ mode at 9.1 meV that is expected to play a dominant role in phonon-assisted spin-lattice relaxation. These results provide a microscopic description of the phonon bath in CaWO$_4$ and establish a basis for engineering phononic environments to mitigate the loss of stored quantum states and optimize Er-doped CaWO$_4$ for quantum-memory applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Magnetic structure of EuZn$_2$Sb$_2$ single-crystal thin-film

Magnetic topological materials are a class of compounds which can host massless electrons controlled by the magnetic order. One such compound is EuZn$_2$Sb$_2$, which has recently garnered interest due to its strong interplay between the Eu magnetism and charge carriers. However the topology of the electronic band structure, which depends on the ground state magnetic configuration of the europium sublattice, has not been determined. Based on our \textit{ab-initio} calculations, we find that an in-plane and out-of-plane \textit{A}-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) order generates a topological crystalline insulator and Dirac semimetal respectively, whereas a ferromagnetic (FM) order stabilizes a Weyl semimetal. Our resonant x-ray elastic scattering measurements of single-crystal thin film EuZn$_2$Sb$_2$ reveal both a sharp magnetic peak at $\textit{\textbf{Q}}$=$(0,0,\frac{1}{2})$ and broad $\textit{\textbf{Q}}$=$(0,0,1)$ below $T_{\mathrm{N}}=12.9$\,K, which is associated with an \textit{A}-type AFM and FM order, respectively. Our measurements indicate that the FM and AFM layers are spatially separated along the crystal $c$ axis, with the former limited to the top three atomic layers. We propose that EuZn$_2$Sb$_2$ behaves as a Weyl semimetal in the surface FM layers, and as a topological crystalline insulator in the lower AFM layers.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Nuclear quadrupole interaction and zero first-order Zeeman transitions of $^{167}$Er$^{3+}$ in CaWO$_4$

We report microwave spectroscopy of $^{167}$Er$^{3+}$ doped in CaWO$_4$ which reveals the hyperfine splitting of the erbium electronic ground state ($Z_1$, $J_\mathrm{eff.}$=15/2) induced by the $I$=7/2 nuclear spin. From spectra measured below$\sim$50 mK in magnetic fields up to 200 mT, we extract spin Hamiltonian parameters including the electron $\textbf{g}$, hyperfine $\textbf{A}$, and nuclear electric quadrupolar $\textbf{Q}$ tensors. Crucially, our analysis demonstrate unambiguously, that the previously unobserved nuclear electric quadrupolar moment is essential to reproduce the experimental data. With these refined parameters, we identify zero first-order Zeeman (ZEFOZ) transitions at zero magnetic field. Extending the analysis to finite fields, we uncover that ZEFOZ points lie either along the $c$ axis or within the $a$-$b$ plane. These results establish CaWO$_4$ as a promising host for long lifetime quantum memories.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Improving Free-Space Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Adaptive Optics

A significant performance inhibitor of free-space continuous variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) is turbulence, which gives rise to wavefront phase and amplitude aberrations. We demonstrate that in a turbulent channel, during coherent state transmissions from a continuous-wave laser, that the interferometric visibility between the local oscillator (LO) and quantum signal decreases. A solution to this is incorporating adaptive optics at the receiver to correct phase and amplitude aberrations in the wavefronts of the received quantum signal. We demonstrate the increased interferometric visibility and decrease in its fluctuations in a 60 cm and 30 m turbulent channel when using adaptive optics through channel characterisation. In an ideal CVQKD system, we show that this leads to more precise and larger positive secret key rates, improving the performance of free-space CVQKD in turbulent channels.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Polarisation and Temperature Dependence of Er$^{3+}$:CaWO$_4$ -- Towards a Solid-State Rare-Earth Ion-Doped Quantum Memory

In the endeavour of developing quantum memories, Er$^{3+}$:CaWO$_4$ has emerged as a promising rare-earth ion-doped (REID) crystal platform due to its long optical coherence times and compatibility with the 1550 nm telecommunications band. This work investigates the effects of polarisation and temperature on the absorption strength, central wavelength, and linewidth of the $Z_1\to Y_1$ and $Z_1\to Y_2$ optical transitions, with light incident along the crystal $a$ and $c$ axes. It is found that the $Z_1\to Y_1$ transition at 1532.6 nm with the incident laser along the $c$-axis at cryogenic temperatures ($\sim$3 K) is particularly favourable. The transition exhibits a stable central wavelength, narrower linewidth, polarisation independence, larger absorption cross-section, and lies within the C-band -- attributes that make it highly suitable for quantum memory applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Dynamic Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution for Securing a Future Global Quantum Network

Continuous variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) is a developing method to secure information exchange in future quantum networks. With the recent developments in quantum technology and greater access to space, a global quantum network secured by CVQKD could be within reach. In this work, the structures of existing QKD networks are analysed, and how they can be fit into a general overarching three-layer QKD network architecture for the endeavour of a global QKD network. Such a network could comprise of different links in fibre and free-space. The finite size limit secret key rates (SKRs) with multidimensional reconciliation were calculated for the different links for which CVQKD can be used in such a network. The results show that CVQKD generally achieves longer distances and larger SKRs in inter-satellite, satellite-to-ground, fibre, and underwater links in descending order. The different links and nodes were classified and secret key distribution was studied as a graph problem. The link capacity, a routing metric for secret key distribution, which considers a dynamic SKR based on dynamic links is presented. Its use in simulated CVQKD networks is presented for the aim of spatiotemporal secret key distribution through a dynamic CVQKD network.

quant-ph↗