Symmetry breaking of photonic spin-orbit interactions in metasurfaces

Spin-orbit optical phenomena pertain to the wider class of electromagnetic effects originating from the interaction of the photon spin with the spatial structure and propagation characteristics of an optical wave,mediated by suitable optical media.There are many emerging photonic applications of spin-orbit interactions(SOI)of light,such as control of the optical wave propagation via the spin,enhanced optical manipulation,and generation of structured optical fields.Unfortunately,current applications are based on symmetric SOI,that is,the behaviours of polarized photons with two opposite spins are opposite,leading to the limit of spin-based multiplexers.The symmetry of SOI can be broken in our proposed metasurfaces,consisting of spatially varying birefringence,which can arbitrarily and independently build SOI for two opposite spins without reduction of optical energy usage.We obtain three kinds of dual-functional metasurfaces at visible and infrared wavelengths with high efficiency.Our concept of generation of asymmetric SOI for two spins,using anisotropic metasurfaces,will open new degrees of freedoms for building new types of spin-controlled multifunctional shared-aperture devices for the generation of complex structured optical fields.

Zero-Magnetic-Field Spin Splitting of Polaron＇s Ground State Energy Induced by Rashba Spin-Orbit Interaction

We study theoretically the ground state energy of a polaron near the interface of a polar-polar semiconductor by considering the Rashba spin-orbit （SO） coupling with the Lee-Low-Pines intermediate coupling method. Our numerical results show that the Rashba SO interaction originating from the inversion asymmetry in the heterostructure splits the ground state energy of the polaron. The electron area/density and vector dependence of the ratio of the SO interaction to the total ground state energy or other energy composition are obvious. One can see that even without any external magnetic field, the ground state energy can be split by the Rashba SO interaction, and this split is not a single but a complex one. Since the presents of the phonons, whose energy gives negative contribution to the polaron＇s, the spin-splitting states of the polaron are more stable than electron＇s.

Spin-orbit interaction in coupled quantum wells

We theoretically investigate the spin-orbit interaction in GaAs/AlxGal_xAs coupled quantum wells. We consider the contribution of the interface-related Rashba term as well as the linear and cubic Dresselhaus terms to the spin splitting. For the coupled quantum wells which bear an inherent structure inversion asymmetry, the same probability density distribution of electrons in the two step quantum wells results in a large spin splitting from the interface term. If the widths of the two step quantum wells are different, the electron probability density in the wider step quantum well is considerably higher than that in the narrower one, resulting in the decrease of the spin splitting from the interface term. The results also show that the spin splitting of the coupled quantum well is not significantly larger than that of a step quantum well.

Two-dimensional transport and strong spin-orbit interaction in SrMnSb_2

We have carried out magneto-transport measurements for single crystal SrMnSb2. Clear Shubnikov-de Haas oscil- lations were resolved at relatively low magnetic field around 4 T, revealing a quasi-2D Fermi surface. We observed a development of quantized plateaus in Hall resistance （Rxy） at high pulsed fields up to 60 T. Due to the strong 2D confine- ment and layered properties of the samples, we interpreted the observation as bulk quantum Hall effect that is contributed by the parallel 2D conduction channels. Moreover, the spin degeneracy was lifted leading to Landau level splitting. The presence of anisotropic g factor and the formation of the oscillation beating pattern reveal a strong spin-orbit interaction in the SrMnSb2 system.

Cooling Torsional Nanomechanical Vibration by Spin-Orbit Interactions

We propose and study a spin-orbit interaction based mechanism to actively cool down the torsional vibrationof a nanomechanical resonator made by semiconductor materials.We show that the spin-orbit interactions of electronscan induce a coherent coupling between the electron spins and the torsional modes of nanomechanical vibration.Thiscoupling leads to an active cooling for the torsional modes through the dynamical thermalization of the resonator by thespin ensemble.

Spin Hall and spin Nernst effects in graphene with intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit interactions

The spin Hall and spin Nernst effects in graphene are studied based on Green＇s function formalism. We calculate intrinsic contributions to spin Hall and spin Nernst conductivities in the Kane-Mele model with various structures. When both intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit interactions are present, their interplay leads to some characteristics of the dependence of spin Hall and spin Nernst conductivities on the Fermi level. When the Rashba spin--orbit interaction is smaller than intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, a weak kink in the conductance appears. The kink disappears and a divergence appears when the Rashba spin-orbit interaction enhances. When the Rashba spin-orbit interaction approaches and is stronger than intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, the divergence becomes more obvious.

Two Electrons with Spin-Orbit Interactions in InAs Coupled Quantum Dots

We theoretically study the spin properties of two interacting electrons confined in the IhAs parallel coupled quantum dots （CQDs） with spin-orbit interactions （SOI） by exact diagonalization method. Through the SOI induced spin mixing of the singlet and the triplet states, we show the different spin properties for the weak and strong SOI. We investigate the coherent singlet-triplet spin oscillations of the two electrons under the SOI, and demonstrate the detailed behaviors of the spin oscillations depending on the SOI strengths, the inter-dot separations and the external magnetic fields. To better understand the underlying physics of the spin dynamics, we introduce a four-level model Hamiltonian for both weak and strong SOI, and find that the SOI induced in plane effective magnetic fields can be quantitatively extracted from the two-electron excitation energy spectra.

Effect of the Spin-Orbit Interaction (Heisenberg XYZ Model) on Partial Entangled Quantum Network

Dzyaloshiniskii-Moriya (DM) interaction in three directions (Dx, Dy and Dz) is used to generate entangled network from partially entangled states in the presence of the spin-orbit coupling. The effect of the spin coupling on the entanglement between any two nodes of the network is investigated. The entanglement is quantified using Woottores concurrence method. It is shown that the entanglement decays as the coupling increases. For larger values of the spin coupling, the entanglement oscillates within finite bounds. For the initially entangled channels, the upper bound does not exceed its initial value, whereas the entanglement reaches its maximum value for the channels generated via indirect interaction.

Anomalous Hall Effect in Spin-Polarized Two-Dimensional Hole Gas with Cubic-Rashbsa Spin-Orbit Interaction

Based on the Kubo formalism, the anomalous Hall effect in a magnetic two-dimensional hole gas with cubic-Rashba spin-orbit coupling is studied in the presence of δ-function scattering potential. When the weak, shortranged disorder scattering is considered in the Born approximation, we find that the self-energy becomes diagonal in the helicity basis and its value is independent of the wave number, and the vertex correction to the anomalous Hall conductivity due to impurity scattering vanishes when both subbands are occupied. That is to say, the anomalous Hall effect is not vanishing or influenced by the vertex correction for two-dimensional heavy-hole system, which is in sharp contrast to the case of linear-Rashba spin-orbit coupling in the electron band when the short-range disorder scattering is considered and the extrinsic mechanism as well as the effect of external electric field on the SO interaction are ignored.

Spin texturing in quantum wires with Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions and in-plane magnetic field

In this work, we investigate the effects of interplay of spin-orbit interaction and in-plane magnetic fields on the electronic structure and spin texturing of parabolically confined quantum wire. Numerical results reveal that the competing effects between Rashba and Dresselhaus spin--orbit interactions and the external magnetic field lead to a complicated energy spectrum. We find that the spin texturing owing to the coupling between subbands can be modified by the strength of spin- orbit couplings as well as the magnitude and the orientation angle of the external magnetic field.

Thermopower in parallel double quantum dots with Rashba spin-orbit interaction

Based on the Green＇s function technique and the equation of motion approach, this paper theoretically studies the thermoelectric effect in parallel coupled double quantum dots （DQDs）, in which Rashba spin-orbit interaction is taken into account. Rashba spin^rbit interaction contributions, even in a magnetic field, are exhibited obviously in the double quantum dots system for the thermoelectric effect. The periodic oscillation of thermopower can be controlled by tunning the Rashba spin^rbit interaction induced phase. The interesting spin-dependent thermoelectric effects will arise which has important influence on thermoelectric properties of the studied system.

Thermospin effects in parallel coupled double quantum dots in the presence of the Rashba spin-orbit interaction and Zeeman splitting

The thermoelectric and the thermospin transport properties, including electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and thermoelectric figure of merit, of a parallel coupled double-quantum-dot Aharonov-Bohm interferometer are investigated by means of the Green function technique. The periodic Anderson model is used to describe the quantum dot system, the Rashba spin-orbit interaction and the Zeeman splitting under a magnetic field are considered. The theoretical results show the constructive contribution of the Rashba effect and the influence of the magnetic field on the thermospin effects. We also show theoretically that material with a high figure of merit can be obtained by tuning the Zeeman splitting energy only.

Influences of spin-orbit interaction on quantum speed limit and entanglement of spin qubits in coupled quantum dots

Quantum speed limit and entanglement of a two-spin Heisenberg XYZ system in an inhomogeneous external magnetic field are investigated.The physical system studied is the excess electron spin in two adjacent quantum dots.The influences of magnetic field inhomogeneity as well as spin-orbit coupling are studied.Moreover,the spin interaction with surrounding magnetic environment is investigated as a non-Markovian process.The spin-orbit interaction provides two important features:the formation of entanglement when two qubits are initially in a separated state and the degradation and rebirth of the entanglement.

Effect of Spin-Orbit Interaction and Input State on Quantum Discord and Teleportation of Two-Qubit Heisenberg Systems

We study the quant.um discord and teleportation of a two-qubit Heisenberg XXX chain with spin-orbit interaction.The analytical expressions of quantum discord,output state quantum discord and fidelity are obtained for this model The classical correlation,quantum correlation and entanglement of this system depending on coupling interaction,spin-orbit interaction and temperature are investigated in detail It is found that the quantum discord exists for the ferromagnetic case,but entanglement is zero under the same condition.We can obtain fidelity better than any classical communication protocol for the antiferromagnetic case.The robustness of quantum discordagainst the temperature is helpful for the realization of quantum computation.

The conductance and polarization in quantum wires with Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions

The conductance and polarization are studied in one-dimensional ballistic quantum wire with both Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions.Two kinds of structures are considered in the present work,one with mixture of two interactions and the other with sequence structure of them.We find that the conductance and polarization are strongly affected by these two interactions.With both interactions we obtain a multi-peak contour of spin polarization and a dramatic oscillation pattern of spin conductance,which are due to the different combination of the two spin-orbit interactions.

Fine-Structure Splittings of Nitrogen Isoelectronic Sequence： Competitions among Spin-Orbit Interactions, Breit Interactions and Electron Correlations

Using the multi-configuration Dirac-Fock self-consistent field method and the relativistic configuration interaction method with quantum-electrodynamics corrections performed by the GRASP code, we calculate the fine-structure energy levels of the ground-state configuration （1s^22s^22p^3） of the nitrogen isoelectronic sequence, according to the L-S coupling scheme with atomic number Z up to 22. Based on the calculated results, we elucidate the mechanism of the orderings of fine-structure energy levels of 2^ D3/2,5/2 and 2^P1/2,3/2 respectively, i.e. for 2^D3/2,5/2 orderings, the competition between the spin-orbit interactions and the Breit interactions; for 2^P1/2,3/2 orderings, the electron correlations, especially the electron correlations owing to the 2p^5 configuration interactions.

Spin-orbit interaction induced Casimir-Lifshitz torque between two-dimensional electron gases

We investigate theoretically the Casimir interaction between two parallel two-dimensional electron gases(2DEGs)with Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions(SOIs),based on the quantum field theory.We derive an analytical expression for the polarization tensor and obtain the solution to the motion equation of the electromagnetic(EM)field.We calculate the CasimirLifshitz torque(CLT)between two parallel 2DEGs with Rashba and Dresselhaus SOIs,which can be tuned by changing the relative strength between two SOIs.The anisotropic Casimir energy between 2DEGs caused by the interplay between the SOIs of 2DEGs offers a new origin of CLT and a new type of optoelectronic device.

Tailoring Light–Matter Interactions in Overcoupled Resonator for Biomolecule Recognition and Detection

Plasmonic nanoantennas provide unique opportunities for precise control of light–matter coupling in surface-enhanced infrared absorption(SEIRA)spectroscopy,but most of the resonant systems realized so far suffer from the obstacles of low sensitivity,narrow bandwidth,and asymmetric Fano resonance perturbations.Here,we demonstrated an overcoupled resonator with a high plasmon-molecule coupling coefficient(μ)(OC-Hμresonator)by precisely controlling the radiation loss channel,the resonator-oscillator coupling channel,and the frequency detuning channel.We observed a strong dependence of the sensing performance on the coupling state,and demonstrated that OC-Hμresonator has excellent sensing properties of ultra-sensitive(7.25%nm^(−1)),ultra-broadband(3–10μm),and immune asymmetric Fano lineshapes.These characteristics represent a breakthrough in SEIRA technology and lay the foundation for specific recognition of biomolecules,trace detection,and protein secondary structure analysis using a single array(array size is 100×100μm^(2)).In addition,with the assistance of machine learning,mixture classification,concentration prediction and spectral reconstruction were achieved with the highest accuracy of 100%.Finally,we demonstrated the potential of OC-Hμresonator for SARS-CoV-2 detection.These findings will promote the wider application of SEIRA technology,while providing new ideas for other enhanced spectroscopy technologies,quantum photonics and studying light–matter interactions.

Catalyst–Support Interaction in Polyaniline‑Supported Ni_(3)Fe Oxide to Boost Oxygen Evolution Activities for Rechargeable Zn‑Air Batteries

Catalyst–support interaction plays a crucial role in improving the catalytic activity of oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Here we modulate the catalyst–support interaction in polyaniline-supported Ni_(3)Fe oxide(Ni_(3)Fe oxide/PANI)with a robust hetero-interface,which significantly improves oxygen evolution activities with an overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA cm^(-2)and specific activity of 2.08 mA cm_(ECSA)^(-2)at overpotential of 300 mV,3.84-fold that of Ni_(3)Fe oxide.It is revealed that the catalyst–support interaction between Ni_(3)Fe oxide and PANI support enhances the Ni–O covalency via the interfacial Ni–N bond,thus promoting the charge and mass transfer on Ni_(3)Fe oxide.Considering the excellent activity and stability,rechargeable Zn-air batteries with optimum Ni_(3)Fe oxide/PANI are assembled,delivering a low charge voltage of 1.95 V to cycle for 400 h at 10 mA cm^(-2).The regulation of the effect of catalyst–support interaction on catalytic activity provides new possibilities for the future design of highly efficient OER catalysts.

T cell interactions with microglia in immune-inflammatory processes of ischemic stroke

The primary mechanism of secondary injury after cerebral ischemia may be the brain inflammation that emerges after an ischemic stroke,which promotes neuronal death and inhibits nerve tissue regeneration.As the first immune cells to be activated after an ischemic stroke,microglia play an important immunomodulatory role in the progression of the condition.After an ischemic stroke,peripheral blood immune cells(mainly T cells)are recruited to the central nervous system by chemokines secreted by immune cells in the brain,where they interact with central nervous system cells(mainly microglia)to trigger a secondary neuroimmune response.This review summarizes the interactions between T cells and microglia in the immune-inflammatory processes of ischemic stroke.We found that,during ischemic stroke,T cells and microglia demonstrate a more pronounced synergistic effect.Th1,Th17,and M1 microglia can co-secrete proinflammatory factors,such as interferon-γ,tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin-1β,to promote neuroinflammation and exacerbate brain injury.Th2,Treg,and M2 microglia jointly secrete anti-inflammatory factors,such as interleukin-4,interleukin-10,and transforming growth factor-β,to inhibit the progression of neuroinflammation,as well as growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor to promote nerve regeneration and repair brain injury.Immune interactions between microglia and T cells influence the direction of the subsequent neuroinflammation,which in turn determines the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients.Clinical trials have been conducted on the ways to modulate the interactions between T cells and microglia toward anti-inflammatory communication using the immunosuppressant fingolimod or overdosing with Treg cells to promote neural tissue repair and reduce the damage caused by ischemic stroke.However,such studies have been relatively infrequent,and clinical experience is still insufficient.In summary,in ischemic stroke,T cell subsets and activated microglia act synergistically to regulate inflammatory progression,mainly by secreting inflammatory factors.In the future,a key research direction for ischemic stroke treatment could be rooted in the enhancement of anti-inflammatory factor secretion by promoting the generation of Th2 and Treg cells,along with the activation of M2-type microglia.These approaches may alleviate neuroinflammation and facilitate the repair of neural tissues.