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Xing Rong

Publications and source records attributed to Xing Rong.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Observation of the Knot Topology of Non-Hermitian Systems in a Single Spin

The non-Hermiticity of the system gives rise to distinct knot topology that has no Hermitian counterpart. Here, we report a comprehensive study of the knot topology in gapped non-Hermitian systems based on the universal dilation method with a long coherence time nitrogen-vacancy center in a $^{\text{12}}$C isotope purified diamond. Both the braiding patterns of energy bands and the eigenstate topology are revealed. Furthermore, the global biorthogonal Berry phase related to the eigenstate topology has been successfully observed, which identifies the topological invariance for the non-Hermitian system. Our method paves the way for further exploration of the interplay among band braiding, eigenstate topology and symmetries in non-Hermitian quantum systems.

quant-ph↗

Experimental test of the Jarzynski equality in a single spin-1 system using high-fidelity single-shot readouts

The Jarzynski equality (JE), which connects the equilibrium free energy with non-equilibrium work statistics, plays a crucial role in quantum thermodynamics. Although practical quantum systems are usually multi-level systems, most tests of the JE were executed in two-level systems. A rigorous test of the JE by directly measuring the work distribution of a physical process in a high-dimensional quantum system remains elusive. Here, we report an experimental test of the JE in a single spin-1 system. We realized nondemolition projective measurement of this three-level system via cascading high-fidelity single-shot readouts and directly measured the work distribution utilizing the two-point measurement protocol. The validity of the JE was verified from the non-adiabatic to adiabatic zone and under different effective temperatures. Our work puts the JE on a solid experimental foundation and makes the NV center system a mature toolbox to perform advanced experiments of stochastic quantum thermodynamics.

quant-ph↗

Experimental study on the principle of minimal work fluctuations

The central quantity in the celebrated quantum Jarzynski equality is $e^{-βW}$, where $W$ is work and $β$ is the inverse temperature. The impact of quantum randomness on the fluctuations of $e^{-βW}$ and hence on the predictive power of the Jarzynski estimator is an important problem. Working on a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond and riding on an implementation of two-point measurement of non-equilibrium work with single-shot readout, we have conducted a direct experimental investigation of the relationship between the fluctuations of $e^{-βW}$ and adiabaticity of non-equilibrium work protocols. It is observed that adiabatic processes minimize the variance of $e^{-βW}$, thus verifying an early theoretical concept, the so-called principle of minimal work fluctuations. Furthermore, it is experimentally demonstrated that shortcuts-to-adiabaticity control can be exploited to minimize the variance of $e^{-βW}$ in fast work protocols. Our work should stimulate further experimental studies of quantum effects on the bias and error in the estimates of free energy differences based on the Jarzynski equality.

quant-ph↗

Improved Limits on an Exotic Spin- and Velocity-Dependent Interaction at the Micrometer Scale with an Ensemble-NV-Diamond Magnetometer

Searching for exotic interactions provides a path for exploring new particles beyond the standard model. Here, we used an ensemble-NV-diamond magnetometer to search for an exotic spin- and velocity-dependent interaction between polarized electron spins and unpolarized nucleons at the micrometer scale. A thin layer of nitrogen-vacancy electronic spin ensemble in diamond is utilized as both the solid-state spin quantum sensor and the polarized electron source, and a vibrating lead sphere serves as the moving unpolarized nucleon source. The exotic interaction is searched by detecting the possible effective magnetic field induced by the moving unpolarized nucleon source using the ensemble-NV-diamond magnetometer. Our result establishes new bounds for the coupling parameter $f_\perp$ within the force range from 5 to 400 $\rm μ$m. The upper limit of the coupling parameter at 100 $\rm μ$m is $\lvert f_\perp \rvert \leq 1.1\times 10^{-11}$, which is 3 orders of magnitude more stringent than the previous constraint. This result shows that NV ensemble can be a promising platform to search for hypothetical particles beyond the standard model.

hep-ex↗

Experimental investigation of quantum correlations in a two-qutrit spin system

We report an experimental investigation of quantum correlations in a two-qutrit spin system in a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond at room temperatures. Quantum entanglement between two qutrits was observed at room temperature and the existence of non-classical correlations beyond entanglement in the qutrit case has been revealed. Our work demonstrates the potential of the NV centers as the multi-qutrit system to execute quantum information tasks and provides a powerful experimental platform for studying fundamental physics of high-dimensional quantum systems in future.

quant-ph↗

Experimental violation of the Leggett-Garg inequality with a single-spin system

Investigation the boundary between quantum mechanical description and classical realistic view is of fundamental importance. The Leggett-Garg inequality provides a criterion to distinguish between quantum systems and classical systems, and can be used to prove the macroscopic superposition state. A larger upper bound of the LG function can be obtained in a multi-level system. Here, we present an experimental violation of the Leggett-Garg inequality in a three-level system using nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond by ideal negative result measurement. The experimental maximum value of Leggett-Garg function is $K_{3}^{exp}=1.625\pm0.022$ which exceeds the Lüders bound with a $5σ$ level of confidence.

quant-ph↗

$T_2$-limited dc Quantum Magnetometry via Flux Modulation

High-sensitivity magnetometry is of critical importance to the fields of biomagnetism and geomagnetism. However, the magnetometry for the low-frequency signal detection meets the challenge of sensitivity improvement, due to multiple types of low-frequency noise sources. In particular, for the solid-state spin quantum magnetometry, the sensitivity of low frequency magnetic field has been limited by short $T_2^*$. Here, we demonstrate a $T_2$-limited dc quantum magnetometry based on the nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. The magnetometry, combining the flux modulation and the spin-echo protocol, promotes the sensitivity from being limited by $T_2^*$ to $T_2$ of orders of magnitude longer. The sensitivity of the dc magnetometry of 32 $\rm pT/Hz^{1/2}$ has been achieved, overwhelmingly improved by 100 folds over the Ramsey-type method result of 4.6 $\rm nT/Hz^{1/2}$. Further enhancement of the sensitivity have been systematically analyzed, although challenging but plenty of room is achievable. Our result sheds light on realization of room temperature dc quantum magnetomerty with femtotesla-sensitivity in the future.

quant-ph↗

Spin Quantum Heat Engine Quantified by Quantum Steering

Following the rising interest in quantum information science, the extension of a heat engine to the quantum regime by exploring microscopic quantum systems has seen a boom of interest in the last decade. Although quantum coherence in the quantum system of the working medium has been investigated to play a nontrivial role, a complete understanding of the intrinsic quantum advantage of quantum heat engines remains elusive. We experimentally demonstrate that the quantum correlation between the working medium and the thermal bath is critical for the quantum advantage of a quantum Szilard engine, where quantum coherence in the working medium is naturally excluded. By quantifying the non-classical correlation through quantum steering, we reveal that the heat engine is quantum when the demon can truly steer the working medium. The average work obtained by taking different ways of work extraction on the working medium can be used to verify the real quantum Szilard engine.

quant-ph↗

Experimental Constraints on Exotic Spin-Dependent Interactions by a Magnetometer with Ensembles of Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond

Improved constraints on exotic spin-dependent interactions are established at the micrometer scale by a magnetometer with ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. A thin layer of NV electronic spin ensembles is utilized as the sensor, and a lead sphere is taken as the source of the nucleons. The exotic spin-dependent interactions are explored by detecting the possible effective magnetic fields by the sensor. Stringent bounds on an exotic parity-odd spin- and velocity-dependent interaction are set within the force range from 5 to 500 $μ$m. The upper limit of the corresponding coupling constant, $g_A^eg_V^N$, is improved by more than three orders of magnitude at 330 $μ$m. Improved constraints of $P, T$-violating scalar-pseudoscalar nucleon-electron interactions, are established within the force range from 6 to 45 $μ$m. The limit of the corresponding coupling constant, $g_S^Ng_P^e$, is improved by more than one order of magnitude at 30 $μ$m. Our result shows that a magnetometer with a NV ensemble can be a powerful platform for probing exotic spin-dependent interactions.

quant-ph↗

A New Design of Resonant Cavity for the W-band EPR spectrometer

We report a new design of resonant cavity for W-band EPR spectrometer. It suits with both solenoid-type and split-pair magnets. The cavity operates on the TE$_{011}$ mode, where the microwave magnetic field is along the cylindrical axis. Its cylindrical axis is horizontal, so the magnetic field of the microwave is always perpendicular to the vertical external magnetic field provided by a solenoid-type magnet. By rotating the cavity, the microwave magnetic field can also be perpendicular to a horizontal external field when a split-pair magnet is used. Furthermore, a tiny metal cylinder allows for the adjustment of coupling. This enables both continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed EPR experiments. The coupling-varying ability has been demonstrated by reflection coefficient (S11) measurement, and CW and pulsed EPR experiments have been conducted. The performance data indicates a prospect of wide applications of the cavity in the fields of physics, chemistry and biology.

physics.ins-det↗

Searching spin-mass interaction using a diamagnetic levitated magnetic resonance force sensor

Axion-like particles (ALPs) are predicted to mediate exotic interactions between spin and mass. We propose an ALP-searching experiment based on the levitated micromechanical oscillator, which is one of the most sensitive sensors for spin-mass forces at a short distance. The proposed experiment tests the spin-mass resonant interaction between the polarized electron spins and a diamagnetically levitated microsphere. By periodically flipping the electron spins, the contamination from nonresonant background forces can be eliminated. The levitated microoscillator can prospectively enhance the sensitivity by nearly $10^3$ times over current experiments for ALPs with mass in the range 4 meV to 0.4 eV.

quant-ph↗

Observation of a new interaction between a single spin and a moving mass

Searching for physics beyond the standard model is crucial for understanding the mystery of the universe, such as the dark matter. We utilized a single spin in a diamond as a sensor to explore the spin-dependent interactions mediated by the axion-like particles, which are well motivated by dark matter candidates. We recorded non-zero magnetic fields exerted on the single electron spin from a moving mass. The strength of the magnetic field is proportional to the velocity of the moving mass. The dependency of the magnetic field on the distance between the spin and the moving mass has been experimentally characterized. We analyzed the possible sources of this magnetic signal, and our results provide highly suggestive of the existence of a new spin-dependent interaction. Our work opens a door for investigating the physics beyond the standard model in laboratory.

quant-ph↗

Experimental Constraint on an Exotic Parity-Odd Spin- and Velocity-Dependent Interaction with a Single Electron Spin Quantum Sensor

n improved laboratory bound on the exotic spin- and velocity-dependent interaction at micrometer scale is established with a single electron spin quantum sensor. The single electron spin of a near-surface nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond is utilized as the quantum sensor and a vibrating half-sphere lens is taken as the source of the moving nucleons. The exotic interaction between the polarized electron and the moving nucleon source is explored by measuring the possible magnetic field felt by the electron spin quantum sensor. Our experiment set improved constraints on the exotic spin- and velocity-dependent interaction within the force range from 1 to 330 $μ$m. The upper limit of the coupling $g_A^eg_V^N $ at $200 ~μm$ is $| g_A^e g_V^N| \leq 8.0\times10^{-19}$, significantly improving the current laboratory limit by more than four orders of magnitude.

quant-ph↗

Quantum simulation for three-dimensional chiral topological insulator

Quantum simulation, as a state-of-art technique, provides the powerful way to explore topological quantum phases beyond natural limits. Nevertheless, a previously-not-realized three-dimensional (3D) chiral topological insulator, and demonstrate by quantum quenches a complete study of both the bulk and surface topological physics. First, a dynamical bulk-surface correspondence in momentum space is observed, showing that the bulk topology of the 3D phase uniquely corresponds to the nontrivial quench dynamics emerging on 2D momentum hypersurfaces called band inversion surfaces (BISs), equivalent to the bulk-boundary correspondence in real space. Further, the symmetry protection of the 3D chiral phase is uncovered by measuring dynamical spin textures on BISs, which exhibit perfect (broken) topology when the chiral symmetry is preserved (broken). Finally we measure the topological charges to characterize directly the bulk topology, and identify an emergent dynamical topological transition when varying the quenches from deep to shallow regimes. This work opens a new avenue of quantum simulation towards for the complete study of topological quantum phases.

quant-ph↗

Nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging of proteins in a single cell

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive and label-free technique widely used in medical diagnosis and life science research, and its success has benefited greatly from continuing efforts on enhancing contrast and resolution. Here we reported nanoscale MRI in a single cell using an atomic-size quantum sensor. With nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond, the intracellular protein ferritin has been imaged with a spatial resolution of ~ 10 nanometers, and ferritin-containing organelles were co-localized by correlative MRI and electron microscopy. Comparing to the current micrometer resolution in current state-of-art conventional MRI, our approach represents a 100-fold enhancement, and paves the way for MRI of intracellular proteins.

physics.bio-ph↗

Single DNA Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy in Aqueous Solutions

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of single biomolecules under near-physiological conditions may substantially advance understanding of biological function, yet remains very challenging. Here we use nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds to detect electron spin resonance spectra of individual, tethered DNA duplexes labeled with a nitroxide spin label in aqueous buffer solutions at ambient temperatures. This paves the way for magnetic resonance studies on single biomolecules and their inter-molecular interactions in a native-like environment.

physics.bio-ph↗

Dynamically encircling an exceptional point in a real quantum system

The exceptional point, known as the non-Hermitian degeneracy, has special topological structure, leading to various counterintuitive phenomena and novel applications, which are refreshing our cognition of quantum physics. One particularly intriguing behavior is the mode switch phenomenon induced by dynamically encircling an exceptional point in the parameter space. While these mode switches have been explored in classical systems, the experimental investigation in the quantum regime remains elusive due to the difficulty of constructing time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonians in a real quantum system. Here we experimentally demonstrate dynamically encircling the exceptional point with a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond. The time-dependent non-Hermitian Hamiltonians are realized utilizing a dilation method. Both the asymmetric and symmetric mode switches have been observed. Our work reveals the topological structure of the exceptional point and paves the way to comprehensively explore the exotic properties of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians in the quantum regime.

quant-ph↗

Experimental sensing quantum atmosphere of a single spin

Understanding symmetry-breaking states of materials is a major challenge in the modern physical sciences. Quantum atmosphere proposed recently sheds light on the hidden world of these symmetry broken patterns. But the requirements for exquisite sensitivity to the small shift and tremendous spatial resolution to local information pose huge obstacles to its experimental manifestation. In our experiment, we prepare time-reversal-symmetry conserved and broken quantum atmosphere of a single nuclear spin and successfully observe their symmetry properties. Our work proves in principle that finding symmetry patterns from quantum atmosphere is conceptually viable. It also opens up entirely new possibilities in the potential application of quantum sensing in material diagnosis.

quant-ph↗