arXiv subjects

Min Xiao

Publications and source records attributed to Min Xiao.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Greatly enhanced intensity-difference squeezing for narrow-band quantum metrology applications

Narrow-band intensity-difference squeezing beams have important applications in quantum metrology and gravitational wave detection. The best way to generate narrow-band intensity-difference squeezing is to employ parametrically-amplified four-wave mixing process in high-gain atomic media. Such IDS can be further enhanced by cascading multiple parametrically-amplified four-wave mixing processes in separate atomic media. The complicated experimental setup, added losses and required high-power pump laser with the increase of number of stages can limit the wide uses of such scheme in practical applications. Here, we show that by modulating the internal energy level(s) with additional laser(s), the degree of original intensity-difference squeezing can be substantially increased. With an initial intensity-difference squeezing of $-8.5\pm0.4$ dB using parametrically-amplified-non-degenerate four-wave mixing process in a three-level $Λ$-type configuration, the degree of intensity-difference squeezing can be enhanced to $-11.9\pm0.4$ dB/$-13.9\pm0.4$ dB (corrected for losses) when we use one/two laser beam(s) to modulate the involved ground/excited state(s). More importantly, a maximal noise reduction of $-9.7\pm0.4$ dB (only corrected for electronic noise) is observed below the standard quantum limit, which is the strongest reported to date in phase insensitive amplification in four-wave mixing. Applying the model to quantum metrology, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved by 23 dB compared to the conventional Mach-Zehnder interferometer under the same phase-sensing intensity, which is a 14-fold enhancement in rms phase measurement sensitivity beyond the shot noise limit. Our results show a low-loss, robust and efficient way to produce high degree of IDS and facilitate its potential applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Radiation Pressure Cooling as a Quantum Dynamical Process

One of the most fundamental problems in optomechanical cooling is how small the thermal phonon number of a mechanical oscillator can be achieved under the radiation pressure of a proper cavity field. Different from previous theoretical predictions, which were based on an optomechanical system's time-independent steady states, we treat such cooling as a dynamical process of driving the mechanical oscillator from its initial thermal state, due to its thermal equilibrium with the environment, to a stabilized quantum state of higher purity. We find that the stabilized thermal phonon number left in the end actually depends on how fast the cooling process could be. The cooling speed is decided by an effective optomechanical coupling intensity, which constitutes an essential parameter for cooling, in addition to the sideband resolution parameter that has been considered in other theoretical studies. The limiting thermal phonon number that any cooling process cannot surpass exhibits a discontinuous jump across a certain value of the parameter.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Entangling light field with mechanical resonator at high temperature

We present a study on how to realize the widely interested optomechanical entanglement at high temperature. Unlike the majority of the previous experimental and theoretical researches that consider the entanglement of a mechanical resonator with a cavity field created by red-detuned continuous-wave or blue-detuned pulsed driving field, we find that applying blue-detuned continuous-wave pump field to cavity optomechanical systems can achieve considerable degrees of quantum entanglement, which is generally challenging to obtain at high temperature for the known physical systems. The competition between the induced squeezing-type interaction and the existing decoherence leads to stable entanglement in dynamically unstable regime. There is a much more relaxed condition for the existence of entanglement, as compared with the well-known criterion for neglecting the thermal decoherence on optomechanically coupled systems. A simple relation about a boundary in the parameter space, across which the entanglement can exist or not, is found with an analytical expression for the degree of the achieved entanglement at any temperature, which is derived for the systems of highly resolved sideband. The studied scenario with blue-detuned continuous-wave driving field can greatly simplify the generation of the widely interested optomechanical entanglement of macroscopic quantum states. Our study also provides the answers to two fundamentally meaningful open problems: (1) what is the condition for a system to avoid its loss of quantum entanglement under thermal decoherence? (2) is it possible to preserve the entanglement in a thermal environment by increasing the interaction that entangles the subsystems?

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Edge states in dynamical superlattices

We address edge states and rich localization regimes available in the one-dimensional (1D) dynamically modulated superlattices, both theoretically and numerically. In contrast to conventional lattices with straight waveguides, the quasi-energy band of infinite modulated superlattice is periodic not only in the transverse Bloch momentum, but it also changes periodically with increase of the coupling strength between waveguides. Due to collapse of quasi-energy bands dynamical superlattices admit known dynamical localization effect. If, however, such a lattice is truncated, periodic longitudinal modulation leads to appearance of specific edge states that exist within certain periodically spaced intervals of coupling constants. We discuss unusual transport properties of such truncated superlattices and illustrate different excitation regimes and enhanced robustness of edge states in them, that is associated with topology of the quasi-energy band.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Continuous-variable entanglement generated with a hybrid PT-symmetric system

We study a proposal of generating macroscopic continuous-variable entanglement with two coupled waveguides respectively carrying optical damping and optical gain. Moreover, a squeezing element is added into one or both waveguides. We show that quantum noise effect existing in the process is essential to the degree of the generated entanglement. It will totally eliminate the entanglement in the setup of adding the squeezing element into the waveguide filled with optical damping material, but will not completely damp the entanglement to zero in the other configurations of having the squeezing element in the gain medium or in both gain and damping medium. The degree of the generated continuous-variable entanglement is irrelevant to the intensities of the input light in coherent states. Moreover, the relations between the entanglement and system parameters are illustrated in terms of the dynamical evolutions of the created continuous-variable entanglement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Bright-exciton fine structures splittings in single perovskite nanocrystals

Although both epitaxial quantum dots (QDs) and colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) are quantum-confined semiconductor nanostructures, so far they have demonstrated dramatically-different exciton fine structure splittings (FSSs) at the cryogenic temperature. The single-QD photoluminescence (PL) is dominated by the bright-exciton FSS, while it is the energy separation between bright and dark excitons that is often referred to as the FSS in a single NC. Here we show that, in single perovskite CsPbI3 NCs synthesized from a colloidal approach, a bright-exciton FSS as large as hundreds of μeV can be resolved with two orthogonally- and linearly-polarized PL peaks. This PL doublet could switch to a single peak when a single CsPbI3 NC is photo-charged to eliminate the electron-hole exchange interaction. The above findings have prepared an efficient platform suitable for probing exciton and spin dynamics of semiconductor nanostructures at the visible-wavelength range, from which a variety of practical applications such as in entangled photon-pair source and quantum information processing can be envisioned.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Observation of electromagnetically induced Talbot effect in an atomic system

We experimentally demonstrate the Talbot effect resulting from the repeated self-reconstruction of a spatially intensity-modulated probe field under the Fresnel near-field regime. By launching the probe beam into an optically induced atomic lattice (established by interfering two coupling fields) inside a rubidium vapor cell, we can obtain an diffracted probe beam pattern from an formed electromagnetically induced grating (EIG) in a three-level $Λ$-type Doppler-free atomic configuration with the assistance of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The EIG-based diffraction pattern repeats itself at the planes of integer multiple Talbot lengths, which agrees well with the theoretical prediction [Appl. Phys. Lett., 98, 081108 (2011)]. In addition, fractional EIT-induced Talbot effect was also investigated. Such experimentally demonstrated EIT Talbot effect in a coherently-prepared atomic system may pave a way for lensless and nondestructive imaging of ultracold atoms and molecules, and further demonstrating nonlinear/quantum beam dynamical features predicted for established periodic optical systems.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Observation of Parity-Time Symmetry in Optically Induced Atomic Lattices

We experimentally demonstrate PT-symmetric optical lattices with periodical gain and loss profiles in a coherently-prepared four-level N-type atomic system. By appropriately tuning the pertinent atomic parameters, the onset of PT-symmetry breaking is observed through measuring an abrupt phase-shift jump between adjacent gain and loss waveguides. The experimental realization of such readily reconfigurable and effectively controllable PT-symmetric waveguide array structure sets a new stage for further exploiting and better understanding the peculiar physical properties of these non-Hermitian systems in atomic settings.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Analysis of a Triple-cavity Photonic Molecule Based on Coupled Mode Theory

In this paper, we analyze a chain-linked triple-cavity photonic molecule (TCPM) with controllable coupling strengths between the cavities on their spectral properties and field (energy) distributions by solving eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian matrix based on coupled mode theory. Phase transition is extended from double-cavity photonic molecules (DCPMs) to TCPMs, and evolutions of the supermode frequencies and linewidths are analyzed, which have synchronous relations with the degree of coherence between adjacent optical microcavities and energy distributions in the three cavities, respectively. We develop a superposition picture for the three supermodes of the TCPM, as interferences between supermodes of sub-DCPMs. In particular, we demonstrate the abnormal properties of the central supermode in TCPMs, such as dark state in middle cavity and phase shift when energy flowing between side cavities, which are promising in information processing and remote control of energy. General properties of TCPMs are summarized and limitation on linewidths are given. Finally, we make an interesting analog to intracavity electromagnetically induced transparency in multi-level atomic systems using the flexible TCPM platform under appropriate conditions.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Nondestructive on-chip detection of optical orbital angular momentum through a single plasmonic nanohole

Optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) provides an additional dimension for photons to carry information in high-capacity optical communication. Although the practical needs have intrigued the generations of miniaturized devices to manipulate the OAM modes in various integrated platforms, the on-chip OAM detection is still challenging to match the newly-developed compact OAM emitter and OAM transmission fiber. Here, we demonstrate an ultra-compact device, i.e., a single plasmonic nanohole, to efficiently measure an optical beam's OAM state in a nondestructive way. The device size is reduced down to a few hundreds of nanometers, which can be easily fabricated and installed in the current OAM devices. It is a flexible and robust way for in-situ OAM monitoring and detection in optical fiber networks and long-distance optical communication systems. With proper optimization of the nanohole parameters, this approach could be further extended to discriminate the OAM information multiplexed in multiple wavelengths and polarizations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Unveiling the link between fractional Schrödinger equation and light propagation in honeycomb lattice

We establish a link between the fractional Schrödinger equation (FSE) and light propagation in the honeycomb lattice (HCL) - the Dirac-Weyl equation (DWE). The fractional Laplacian in FSE causes a modulation of the dispersion relation of the system, which in the limiting case becomes linear. In the HCL, the dispersion relation is already linear around the Dirac point, suggesting a possible connection with the FSE. Here, we demonstrate this connection by describing light propagation in both FSE and HCL, using DWE. Thus, we propagate Gaussian beams according to FSE, HCL around the Dirac point, and DWE, to discover very similar behavior - the conical diffraction. However, if an additional potential is brought into the system, the link between FSE and HCL is broken, because the added potential serves as a perturbation, which breaks the translational periodicity of HCL and destroys Dirac cones in the dispersion relation.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Interacting photon pulses in Rydberg medium

The understanding of dynamical evolutions of interacting photon pulses in Rydberg atomic ensemble is the prerequisite for realizing quantum devices with such system. We present an approach that efficiently simulates the dynamical processes, using a set of local functions we construct to reflect the profiles of narrowband pulses. For two counter-propagating photon pulses, our approach predicts the distinct phenomena from the widely concerned Rydberg blockade to the previously less noticed significant absorption in the anomalous dispersion regime, which can occur by respectively setting the pulse frequency to the appropriate values. Our numerical simulations also demonstrate how spatially extending photon pulses become deformed under realistic non-uniform interaction over their distributions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Dynamical Phonon Laser in Coupled Active-Passive Microresonators

Effective transition between the population-inverted optical eigenmodes of two coupled microcavities carrying mechanical oscillation realizes a phonon analogue of optical two-level laser. By providing an approach that linearizes the dynamical equations of weak nonlinear systems without relying on their steady states, we study such phonon laser action as a realistic dynamical process, which exhibits time-dependent stimulated phonon field amplification especially when one of the cavities is added with optical gain medium. The approach we present explicitly gives the conditions for the optimum phonon lasing, and thermal noise is found to be capable of facilitating the phonon laser action significantly.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Transport properties in the photonic super-honeycomb lattice - a hybrid fermionic and bosonic system

We report on transport properties of the super-honeycomb lattice, the band structure of which possesses a flat band and Dirac cones, according to the tight-binding approximation. This super-honeycomb model combines the honeycomb lattice and the Lieb lattice and displays the properties of both. The super-honeycomb lattice also represents a hybrid fermionic and bosonic system, which is rarely seen in nature. By choosing the phases of input beams properly, the flat-band mode of the super-honeycomb will be excited and the input beams will exhibit strong localization during propagation. On the other hand, if the modes of Dirac cones of the super-honeycomb lattice are excited, one will observe conical diffraction. Furthermore, if the input beam is properly chosen to excite a sublattice of the super-honeycomb lattice and the modes of Dirac cones with different pseudospins, e.g., the three-beam interference pattern, the pseudospin-mediated vortices will be observed.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Demonstration of a Chip-based Nonlinear Optical Isolator

Despite fundamentally challenging in integrated (nano)photonics, achieving chip-based light nonreciprocity becomes increasingly urgent in signal processing and optical communications. Because of material incompatibilities in conventional approaches based on Faraday effects, alternative solutions have resorted to nonlinear processes to obtain one-way transmission. However, revealed dynamic reciprocity in a recent theoretical analysis has pinned down the functionalities of these nonlinear isolators. To overcome this dynamic reciprocity, we here report the first demonstration of a nonlinear optical isolator on a silicon chip enforced by phase-matched parametric amplification. Using a high-Q microtoroid resonator, we realize highly nonreciprocal transport at the 1,550 nm wavelength when waves are simultaneously launched in both forward and backward directions. Our design, compatible with current CMOS technique, yields convincing isolation performance with sufficiently low insertion loss for a wide range of input power levels. Moreover, our work evidences the possibility of designing chip-based real nonlinear isolators for information processing and laser protection.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Nonparaxial accelerating Talbot effect

We demonstrate the fractional Talbot effect of nonpraxial accelerating beams, theoretically and numerically. It is based on the interference of nonparaxial accelerating solutions of the Helmholtz equation in two dimensions. The effect originates from the interfering lobes of a superposition of the solutions that accelerate along concentric semicircular trajectories with different radii. Talbot images form along certain central angles, which are referred to as the Talbot angles. The fractional nonparaxial Talbot effect is obtained by choosing the coefficients of beam components properly. A single nonparaxial accelerating beam possesses duality --- it can be viewed as a Talbot effect of itself with an infinite or zero Talbot angle. These results improve the understanding of nonparaxial accelerating beams and the Talbot effect among them.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

New face-centered photonic square lattices with flat bands

We report two new classes of face-centered photonic square lattices with flat bands which we call the Lieb-I and the Lieb-II lattices. There are 5 and 7 sites in the corresponding unit cells of the simplest Lieb-I and Lieb-II lattices, respectively. The number of flat bands $m$ in the new Lieb lattices is related to the number of sites $N$ in the unit cell by $m=(N-1)/2$. Physical properties of the lattices with even and odd number of flat bands are different. We also consider localization of light in such Lieb lattices. If the input beam excites the flat-band mode, it will not diffract during propagation, owing to the strong localization in the flat-band mode. For the Lieb-II lattice, we also find that the beam will oscillate and still not diffract during propagation, because of the intrinsic oscillating properties of certain flat-band modes. The period of oscillation is determined by the energy difference between the two flat bands. This study provides a new platform for the investigation of flat-band modes.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Slow Auger Recombination of Charged Excitons in Nonblinking Perovskite Nanocrystals without Spectral Diffusion

Over the last two decades, intensive research efforts have been devoted to the suppressions of photoluminescence (PL) blinking and Auger recombination in metal-chalcogenide nanocrystals (NCs), with significant progresses being made only very recently in several specific heterostructures. Here we show that nonblinking PL is readily available in the newly-synthesized perovskite CsPbI3 (cesium lead iodide) NCs, and their Auger recombination of charged excitons is greatly slowed down, as signified by a PL lifetime about twice shorter than that of neutral excitons. Moreover, spectral diffusion is completely absent in single CsPbI3 NCs at the cryogenic temperature, leading to a resolution-limited PL linewidth of ~200 μeV.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗