arXiv subjects

T. H. Oosterkamp

Publications and source records attributed to T. H. Oosterkamp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

An experimental proposal to study collapse of the wave function in travelling-wave parametric amplifiers

The read-out of a microwave qubit state occurs using an amplification chain that enlarges the quantum state to a signal detectable with a classical measurement apparatus. However, at what point in this process is the quantum state really 'measured'? In order to investigate whether the `measurement' takes place in the amplification chain, in which a parametric amplifier is often chosen as the first amplifier, it is proposed to construct a microwave interferometer that has such an amplifier added to each of its arms. Feeding the interferometer with single photons, the interference visibility depends on the gain of the amplifiers and whether a measurement collapse has taken place during the amplification process. The visibility as given by standard quantum mechanics is calculated as a function of gain, insertion loss and temperature. We find a visibility of 1/3 in the limit of large gain without taking into account losses, which is reduced to 0.26 in case the insertion loss of the amplifiers is 2.2 dB at a temperature of 50 mK. It is shown that if the wave function collapses within the interferometer, the measured visibility is reduced compared to its magnitude predicted by standard quantum mechanics once this collapse process sets in.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Dissipation and resonance frequency shift of a resonator magnetically coupled to a semiclassical spin

We calculate the change of the properties of a resonator, when coupled to a semiclassical spin by means of the magnetic field. Starting with the Lagrangian of the complete system, we provide an analytical expression for the linear response function for the motion of the resonator, thereby considering the influence of the resonator on the spin and vice versa. This analysis shows that the resonance frequency and effective dissipation factor can change significantly due to the relaxation times of the spin. We first derive this for a system consisting of a spin and mechanical resonator and thereafter apply the same calculations to an electromagnetic resonator. Moreover, the applicability of the method is generalized to a resonator coupled to general two and more level systems, providing a key to understand some of the problems of two level systems in quantum devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

A method for mechanical generation of radio frequency fields in nuclear magnetic resonance force microscopy

We present an innovative method for magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) with ultra-low dissipation, by using the higher modes of the mechanical detector as radio frequency (rf) source. This method allows MRFM on samples without the need to be close to an rf source. Furthermore, since rf sources require currents that give dissipation, our method enables nuclear magnetic resonance experiments at ultra-low temperatures. Removing the need for an on-chip rf source is an important step towards a MRFM which can be widely used in condensed matter physics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Probing the Nuclear Spin-Lattice Relaxation Time at the Nanoscale

Nuclear spin-lattice relaxation times are measured on copper using magnetic resonance force microscopy performed at temperatures down to 42 mK. The low temperature is verified by comparison with the Korringa relation. Measuring spin-lattice relaxation times locally at very low temperatures opens up the possibility to measure the magnetic properties of inhomogeneous electron systems realized in oxide interfaces, topological insulators and other strongly correlated electron systems such as high-Tc superconductors.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Friction as Contrast Mechanism in Heterodyne Force Microscopy

The nondestructive imaging of subsurface structures on the nanometer scale has been a long-standing desire in both science and industry. A few impressive images were published so far that demonstrate the general feasibility by combining ultrasound with an Atomic Force Microscope. From different excitation schemes, Heterodyne Force Microscopy seems to be the most promising candidate delivering the highest contrast and resolution. However, the physical contrast mechanism is unknown, thereby preventing any quantitative analysis of samples. Here we show that friction at material boundaries within the sample is responsible for the contrast formation. This result is obtained by performing a full quantitative analysis, in which we compare our experimentally observed contrasts with simulations and calculations. Surprisingly, we can rule out all other generally believed responsible mechanisms, like Rayleigh scattering, sample (visco)elasticity, damping of the ultrasonic tip motion, and ultrasound attenuation. Our analytical description paves the way for quantitative SubSurface-AFM imaging.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Spin-mediated dissipation and frequency shifts of a cantilever at milliKelvin temperatures

We measure the dissipation and frequency shift of a magnetically coupled cantilever in the vicinity of a silicon chip, down to $25$ mK. The dissipation and frequency shift originates from the interaction with the unpaired electrons, associated with the dangling bonds in the native oxide layer of the silicon, which form a two dimensional system of electron spins. We approach the sample with a $3.43$ $μ$m-diameter magnetic particle attached to an ultrasoft cantilever, and measure the frequency shift and quality factor as a function of temperature and the distance. Using a recent theoretical analysis [J. M. de Voogd et al., arXiv:1508.07972 (2015)] of the dynamics of a system consisting of a spin and a magnetic resonator, we are able to fit the data and extract the relaxation time $T_1=0.39\pm0.08$ ms and spin density $σ=0.14\pm0.01$ spins per nm$^2$. Our analysis shows that at temperatures $\leq500$ mK magnetic dissipation is an important source of non-contact friction.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Upper bounds on spontaneous wave-function collapse models using millikelvin-cooled nanocantilevers

Collapse models predict a tiny violation of energy conservation, as a consequence of the spontaneous collapse of the wave function. This property allows to set experimental bounds on their parameters. We consider an ultrasoft magnetically tipped nanocantilever cooled to millikelvin temperature. The thermal noise of the cantilever fundamental mode has been accurately estimated in the range $0.03-1$ K, and any other excess noise is found to be negligible within the experimental uncertainty. From the measured data and the cantilever geometry, we estimate the upper bound on the Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) collapse rate in a wide range of the correlation length $r_C$. Our upper bound improves significantly previous constraints for $r_C>10^{-6}$ m, and partially excludes the enhanced collapse rate suggested by Adler. We discuss future improvements.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Probing the magnetic moment of FePt micromagnets prepared by Focused Ion Beam milling

We investigate the degradation of the magnetic moment of a 300 nm thick FePt film induced by Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling. A $1~μ\mathrm{m} \times 8~μ\mathrm{m}$ rod is milled out of a film by a FIB process and is attached to a cantilever by electron beam induced deposition. Its magnetic moment is determined by frequency-shift cantilever magnetometry. We find that the magnetic moment of the rod is $μ= 1.1 \pm 0.1 \times 10 ^{-12} \mathrm{Am}^2$, which implies that 70% of the magnetic moment is preserved during the FIB milling process. This result has important implications for atom trapping and magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM), that are addressed in this paper.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Atomic resolution STM in a cryogen free dilution refrigerator at 15 mK

Pulse tube refrigerators are becoming more common, because they are cost efficient and demand less handling than conventional (wet) refrigerators. However, a downside of a pulse tube system is the vibration level at the cold-head, which is in most designs several micrometers. We implemented vibration isolation techniques which significantly reduced vibration levels at the experiment. These optimizations were necessary for the vibration sensitive Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy experiments (MRFM) at milli-kelvin temperatures for which the cryostat is intended. With these modifications we show atomic resolution STM on graphite. This is promising for scanning probe microscopy applications at very low temperatures.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2011

Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy of paramagnetic electron spins at millikelvin temperatures

Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM) is a powerful technique to detect a small number of spins that relies on force-detection by an ultrasoft magnetically tipped cantilever and selective magnetic resonance manipulation of the spins. MRFM would greatly benefit from ultralow temperature operation, because of lower thermomechanical noise and increased thermal spin polarization. Here, we demonstrate MRFM operation at temperatures as low as 30 mK, thanks to a recently developed SQUID-based cantilever detection technique which avoids cantilever overheating. In our experiment, we detect dangling bond paramagnetic centers on a silicon surface down to millikelvin temperatures. Fluctuations of such kind of defects are supposedly linked to 1/f magnetic noise and decoherence in SQUIDs as well as in several superconducting and single spin qubits. We find evidence that spin diffusion plays a key role in the low temperature spin dynamics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Deterministic nano-assembly of a coupled quantum emitter - photonic crystal cavity system

The interaction of a single quantum emitter with its environment is a central theme in quantum optics. When placed in highly confined optical fields, such as those created in optical cavities or plasmonic structures, the optical properties of the emitter can change drastically. In particular, photonic crystal (PC) cavities show high quality factors combined with an extremely small mode volume. Efficiently coupling a single quantum emitter to a PC cavity is challenging because of the required positioning accuracy. Here, we demonstrate deterministic coupling of single Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers to high-quality gallium phosphide PC cavities, by deterministically positioning their 50 nm-sized host nanocrystals into the cavity mode maximum with few-nanometer accuracy. The coupling results in a 25-fold enhancement of NV center emission at the cavity wavelength. With this technique, the NV center photoluminescence spectrum can be reshaped allowing for efficient generation of coherent photons, providing new opportunities for quantum science.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

A SQUID based read-out of sub-attoNewton force sensor operating at millikelvin temperatures

An increasing number of experiments require the use of ultrasensitive nanomechanical resonators. Relevant examples are the investigation of quantum effects in mechanical systems [1] or the detection of exceedingly small forces as in Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM) [2]. The force sensitivity of a mechanical resonator is typically limited by thermal fluctuations, which calls for detection methods capable of operating at ultralow temperature. Commonly used interferometric techniques, despite their excellent sensitivity, may not be an optimal choice at millikelvin temperatures, because of unwanted resonator heating caused by photon absorption. Although alternative detection techniques based on microwave cavities [3] [4] [5] have shown to perform better at ultralow temperature, these techniques still suffer from the fact that the detection sensitivity decreases as the power input is decreased. Here, we present a measurement approach based on the detection, through a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), of the change of magnetic flux induced in a coil by the motion of a magnetic particle attached to a resonator. This detection scheme avoids direct heating of the resonator, as it does not involve reflecting optical or microwave photons to the resonator. By cooling an ultrasoft silicon resonator to 25 mK, we achieve a force noise of 0.5 aN in a 1 Hz bandwidth. We believe this detection technique can in principle be used even at sub-millikelvin temperatures. Furthermore, it could be used to improve the sensitivity of MRFM experiments, which aim at three dimensional imaging at atomic resolution.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2009

Nanopositioning of a diamond nanocrystal containing a single NV defect center

Precise control over the position of a single quantum object is important for many experiments in quantum science and nanotechnology. We report on a technique for high-accuracy positioning of individual diamond nanocrystals. The positioning is done with a home-built nanomanipulator under real-time scanning electron imaging, yielding an accuracy of a few nanometers. This technique is applied to pick up, move and position a single NV defect center contained in a diamond nanocrystal. We verify that the unique optical and spin properties of the NV center are conserved by the positioning process.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Mechanical properties of Pt monatomic chains

The mechanical properties of platinum monatomic chains were investigated by simultaneous measurement of an effective stiffness and the conductance using our newly developed mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) technique with a tuning fork as a force sensor. When stretching a monatomic contact (two-atom chain), the stiffness and conductance increases at the early stage of stretching and then decreases just before breaking, which is attributed to a transition of the chain configuration and bond weakening. A statistical analysis was made to investigate the mechanical properties of monatomic chains. The average stiffness shows minima at the peak positions of the length-histogram. From this result we conclude that the peaks in the length-histogram are a measure of the number of atoms in the chains, and that the chains break from a strained state. Additionally, we find that the smaller the initial stiffness of the chain is, the longer the chain becomes. This shows that softer chains can be stretched longer.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2002

Photon Assisted Tunneling in Quantum Dots

We review experiments on single electron transport through single quantum dots in the presence of a microwave signal. In the case of a small dot with well-resolved discrete energy states, the applied high-frequency signal allows for inelastic tunnel events that involve the exchange of photons with the microwave field. These photon assisted tunneling (PAT) processes give rise to sideband resonances in addition to the main resonance. Photon absorption can also lead to tunneling via excited states instead of tunneling via the ground state of the quantum dot.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1998

Stability of the maximum density droplet in quantum dots at high magnetic fields

We have measured electron transport through a vertical quantum dot containing a tunable number of electrons between 0 and 40. Over some region in magnetic field the electrons are spin polarized and occupy successive angular momentum states, i.e. the maximum density droplet (MDD) state. The stability region where the MDD state is the ground state, decreases for increasing electron number. The instability of the MDD is accompanied by a redistribution of charge which increases the area of the electron droplet.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1998

Microwave spectroscopy on a quantum-dot molecule

Quantum dots are small conductive regions in a semiconductor, containing a variable number of electrons (N=1 to 1000) that occupy well defined discrete quantum states. They are often referred to as artificial atoms with the unique property that they can be connected to current and voltage contacts. This allows one to use transport measurements to probe the discrete energy spectra. To continue the analogy with atoms, two quantum dots can be connected to form an 'artificial molecule'. Depending on the strength of the inter-dot coupling, the two dots can have an ionic binding (i.e. electrons are localized on the individual dots) or a covalent binding (i.e. electrons are delocalized over both dots). The covalent binding leads to a bonding and an anti-bonding state with an energy splitting proportional to the tunnel coupling. In the dc current response to microwave excitation we observe a transition from an ionic bonding to a covalent bonding, when we vary the inter-dot coupling strength. This demonstrates controllable quantum coherence in single electron devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1998

Spontaneous Emission Spectrum in Double Quantum Dot Devices

A double quantum dot device is a tunable two-level system for electronic energy states. A dc electron current directly measures the rates for elastic and inelastic transitions between the two levels. For inelastic transitions energy is exchanged with bosonic degrees of freedom in the environment. The inelastic transition rates are well described by the Einstein coefficients, relating absorption with stimulated and spontaneous emission. The most effectively coupled bosons in the specific environment of our semiconductor device are acoustic phonons. The experiments demonstrate the importance of vacuum fluctuations in the environment for little circuits of coherent quantum devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗