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P. Lambropoulos

Publications and source records attributed to P. Lambropoulos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2023

The non-Hermitian landscape of autoionization

We report on the existence of exceptional points (EPs) in single-resonance autoionization and provide analytical expressions for their positions in parameter space, in terms of the Fano asymmetry parameter. We additionally propose a reliable method for the experimental determination of EPs, based solely on information about their ionization probability as a function of the system parameters. The links between EPs, the maxima of the asymmetric profile and the effective decay rate of the ground state are investigated in detail. Quantitative numerical examples pertaining to the doubly excited $2s2p({}^1P)$ state of Helium confirm the validity of our formulation and results. In addition to unveiling hidden aspects of autoionization, our treatment and results provide a benchmark for the exploration of EPs and their properties in a variety of materials exhibiting Fano profiles with a broad perspective of possible applications.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2023

Non-Markovianity in the time evolution of open quantum systems assessed by means of quantum state distance

We provide a quantitative evaluation of non-Markovianity (NM) for an XX chain of interacting qubits with one end coupled to a reservoir. The NM of several non-Markovian spectral densities is assessed in terms of various quantum state distance (QSD) measures. Our approach is based on the construction of the density matrix of the open chain, without the necessity of a master equation. For the quantification of NM we calculate the dynamics of the QSD measures between the Markovian-damped and various types of non-Markovian-damped cases. Since in the literature several QSD measures, appear in forms that imply trace preserving density matrices, we introduced appropriate modifications so as to render them applicable to the case of decaying traces. The results produce remarkable consistency between the various QSD measures. They also reveal a subtle and potentially useful interplay between qubit-qubit interaction and non-Markovian damping. Our calculations have also uncovered a surprisingly dramatic slowing-down of dissipation by the squared Lorentzian reservoir.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2022

Coalescence of non-Markovian dissipation, quantum Zeno effect and non-Hermitian physics, in a simple realistic quantum system

Diagonalization of the effective Hamiltonian describing an open quantum system is the usual method of tracking its exceptional points. Although, such a method is successful for tracking EPs in Markovian systems, it may be problematic in non-Markovian systems where a closed expression of the effective Hamiltonian describing the open system may not exist. In this work we provide an alternative method of tracking EPs in open quantum systems, using an experimentally measurable quantity, namely the effective decay rate of a qubit. The quantum system under consideration consists of two non-identical interacting qubits, one of which is coupled to an external environment. We develop a theoretical framework in terms of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation of motion, which provides analytical closed form solutions of the Laplace transforms of the qubit amplitudes for an arbitrary spectral density of the boundary reservoir. The link between the peaked structure of the effective decay rate of the qubit that interacts indirectly with the environment, and the onset of the quantum Zeno effect, is discussed in great detail revealing the connections between the latter and the presence of exceptional points. Our treatment and results have in addition revealed an intricate interplay between non-Markovian dynamics, quantum Zeno effect and non-Hermitian physics

quant-ph↗
arXiv2021

Arbitrary length XX spin chains boundary-driven by non-Markovian environments

In this work we provide a recursive method of calculating the wavefunction of a XX spin chain coupled at both ends to non-Markovian reservoirs with arbitrary spectral density. The method is based on the appropriate handling of the time-dependent Schrodinger's equations of motion in Laplace space and leads to closed form solutions of the transformed amplitudes, for arbitrary chain lengths as well as arbitrary initial conditions, within the single-excitation subspace. Results on the dynamical as well as state transfer properties of the system for various combinations of parameters are also presented. In particular, detailed quantitative comparisons for Lorentzian and Ohmic reservoirs are illustrated.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2021

Entanglement instability in the interaction of two qubits with a common non-Markovian environment

In this work we study the steady state entanglement between two qubits interacting asymetrically with a common non-Markovian environment. Depending on the initial two-qubit state, the asymmetry in the couplings between each qubit and the non-Markovian environment may lead to enhanced entanglement in the steady state of the system, measured in terms of the two-qubit concurrence. Our results indicate that, if a qubit-qubit interaction is also present, the two-qubit steady state concurrence is always favored by the symmetric or anti-symmetric coupling configuration. Although finite, the steady concurrence is predicted to be highly unstable in this regime as long as the interaction between the two qubits is larger than the couplings between each qubit and the non-Markovian reservoir.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2020

Multi-photon enhancement of the Schwinger pair production mechanism under strong FEL radiation

In this work we study the production of electron-positron pairs from vacuum in presence of a field resulting from the collision of two counter-propagating FEL beams that undergo Gaussian amplitude fluctuations. Our work aims to the extension of previous works based on the standing wave hypothesis, by including the inherent stochastic amplitude fluctuations of the individual FEL beams. As shown, depending on the order of the process, a large non-linear enhancement in the number of created pairs can be expected over a big intensity window in the multi-photon regime. Vacuum pair creation in view of future plans on the production of ultra-strong and high energy radiation in FEL facilities is also discussed.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2020

Pairing superbunching with compounded non-linearity in a resonant transition

Through a quantitative analysis of an atomic transition driven strongly by quantized electromagnetic fields of various quantum states, we explore the role of quantum fluctuations on the behavior of the system. The emphasis is on fields with super-Poissonian statistics manifested in photon bunching, with the case of squeezed vacuum radiation serving as a prototype of superbuching. When combined with non-linearly coupling of the resonant states, bunching and superbunching lead to counter-intuitive behavior. The connection to recent progress in squeezed vacuum sources and the opportunity for experimental investigation, as well as challenging open theoretical problems are also outlined.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2019

Revisiting photon-statistics effects on multiphoton ionization. II

In this paper, we extend the results of an earlier paper in which we had demonstrated the limitations of the notion of non-resonant multiphoton ionization, in the exploration of photon statistics effects in non-linear processes. Through the quantitative analysis of specific realistic processes, we provide the connection to conditions of intensity and pulse duration necessary in relevant experiments, including a recent seminal experiment demonstrating the effect of superbunching found in squeezed radiation.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2018

Photon-assisted quantum state transfer and entanglement generation in spin chains

We propose a protocol for state transfer and entanglement generation between two distant spin qubits (sender and receiver) that have different energies. The two qubits are permanently coupled to a far off-resonant spin-chain, and the qubit of the sender is driven by an external field, which provides the energy required to bridge the energy gap between the sender and the receiver. State transfer and entanglement generation are achieved via virtual single-photon and multi-photon transitions to the eigenmodes of the channel.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2018

Revisiting Photon Statistics Effects on Multi-photon Ionization

We present a detailed analysis of the effects of photon statistics on multi-photon ionization. Through a detailed study of the role of intermediate states, we evaluate the conditions under which the premise of non-resonant processes is valid. The limitations of its validity are manifested in the dependence of the process on the stochastic properties of the radiation and found to be quite sensitive to the intensity. The results are quantified through detailed calculations for coherent, chaotic and squeezed vacuum radiation. Their significance in the context of recent developments in radiation sources such as the short wavelength Free Electron Laser and squeezed vacuum radiation are also discussed.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2018

Effects of Field Fluctuations on Driven Autoionizing Resonances

The excitation of an autoionizing resonance by intense radiation requires a theoretical description beyond the transition probability per unit time. This implies a time-dependent formulation incorporating all features of the radiation source, such as pulse temporal shape and duration, as well as stochastic properties, for pulses other than Fourier limited. The radiation from short wavelength free electron lasers is a case in point, as it is the only source that can provide the necessary intensity. In view of ongoing experiments with such sources, we present a systematic study for an isolated autoionizing resonance. We find that intensity, pulse duration and field fluctuations conspire in producing unexpected excitation profiles, not amenable to a description in terms of the usual Fano profile. In particular, the role of intensity fluctuations turns out to pose challenging theoretical problems part of which have been addressed herein.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2017

Autoionizing States driven by Stochastic Electromagnetic Fields

We have examined the profile of an isolated autoionizing resonance driven by a pulse of short duration and moderately strong field. The analysis has been based on stochastic differential equations governing the time evolution of the density matrix under a stochastic field. Having focused our quantitative analysis on the $2s2p({}^1P)$ resonance of Helium, we have investigated the role of field fluctuations and of the duration of the pulse. We report surprisingly strong distortion of the profile, even for peak intensity below the strong field limit. Our results demonstrate the intricate connection between intensity and pulse duration, with the latter appearing to be the determining influence, even for a seemingly short pulse of 50 fs. Further effects that would arise under much shorter pulses are discussed.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2014

Lunar occultation of the diffuse radio sky: LOFAR measurements between 35 and 80 MHz

We present radio observations of the Moon between $35$ and $80$ MHz to demonstrate a novel technique of interferometrically measuring large-scale diffuse emission extending far beyond the primary beam (global signal) for the first time. In particular, we show that (i) the Moon appears as a negative-flux source at frequencies $35<ν<80$ MHz since it is `colder' than the diffuse Galactic background it occults, (ii) using the (negative) flux of the lunar disc, we can reconstruct the spectrum of the diffuse Galactic emission with the lunar thermal emission as a reference, and (iii) that reflected RFI (radio-frequency interference) is concentrated at the center of the lunar disc due to specular nature of reflection, and can be independently measured. Our RFI measurements show that (i) Moon-based Cosmic Dawn experiments must design for an Earth-isolation of better than $80$ dB to achieve an RFI temperature $<1$ mK, (ii) Moon-reflected RFI contributes to a dipole temperature less than $20$ mK for Earth-based Cosmic Dawn experiments, (iii) man-made satellite-reflected RFI temperature exceeds $20$ mK if the aggregate cross section of visible satellites exceeds $80$ m$^2$ at $800$ km height, or $5$ m$^2$ at $400$ km height. Currently, our diffuse background spectrum is limited by sidelobe confusion on short baselines (10-15% level). Further refinement of our technique may yield constraints on the redshifted global $21$-cm signal from Cosmic Dawn ($40>z>12$) and the Epoch of Reionization ($12>z>5$).

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2014

Multiple Ionization of Neon under soft x-rays: Theory vs Experiment

We present a rather elaborate theoretical model describing the dynamics of Neon under radiation of photon energies $\sim 93$ eV and pulse duration in the range of 15 fs, within the framework of Lowest non-vanishing Order of Perturbation Theory (LOPT), cast in terms of rate equations. Our model includes sequential as well as direct multiple ionization channels from the 2s and 2p atomic shells, including aspects of fine structure, whereas the stochastic nature of SASE-FEL light pulses is also taken into account. Our predictions for the ionization yields of the different ionic species are in excellent agreement with the related experimental observations at FLASH.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2014

Multiple Ionization under Strong XUV to X-ray Radiation

We review the main aspects of multiple photoionization processes in atoms exposed to intense, short wavelength radiation. The main focus is the theoretical framework for the description of such processes as well as the conditions under which direct multiphoton multiple ionization processes can dominate over the sequential ones. We discuss in detail the mechanisms available in different wavelength ranges from the infrared to the hard X-rays. The effect of field fluctuations, present at this stage in all SASE free-electron-laser (FEL) facilities, as well as the effect of the interaction volume integration, are also discussed.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2013

Multiphoton Ionization of Magnesium in a Ti-Sapphire laser field

In this paper we report the theoretical results obtained for partial ionization yields and the above-threshold ionization (ATI) spectra of Magnesium in a Ti:sapphire laser field (804 nm) in the range of short pulse duration (20-120 fs). Ionization yield, with linearly polarized light for a 120 fs laser pulse, is obtained as a function of the peak intensity motivated by recent experimental data \cite{gillen:2001}. For this, we have solved the time-dependent Schrödinger equation nonperturbatively on a basis of discretized states obtained with two different methods; one with the two-electron wavefunction relaxed at the boundaries, giving a quadratic discretized basis and the other with the two-electron wavefunction expanded in terms of Mg$^+$-orbitals plus one free electron allowing the handling of multiple continua (open channels). Results, obtained with the two methods, are compared and advantages and disadvantages of the open-channel method are discussed.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2012

Effects of free-electron-laser field fluctuations on the frequency response of driven atomic resonances

We study the effects of field fluctuations on the total yields of Auger electrons, obtained in the excitation of neutral atoms to a core-excited state by means of short-wavelength free-electron-laser pulses. Beginning with a self-contained analysis of the statistical properties of fluctuating free-electron-laser pulses, we analyse separately and in detail the cases of single and double Auger resonances, focusing on fundamental phenomena such as power broadening and ac Stark (Autler-Townes) splitting. In certain cases, field fluctuations are shown to influence dramatically the frequency response of the resonances, whereas in other cases the signal obtained may convey information about the bandwidth of the radiation as well as the dipole moment between Auger states.

quant-ph↗