Generation of spectrally uncorrelated biphotons via fiber nonlinear quantum interference

Spectrally uncorrelated biphotons are the essential resources for achieving various quantum information processing protocols.We theoretically investigate the generation of spectrally uncorrelated biphotons emitted by spontaneous fourwave mixing from a fiber nonlinear interferometer which consists of an N-stage nonlinear gain fiber and an(N-1)-stage dispersion modulation fiber.The output biphoton states of nonlinear interference are the coherent superposition of various biphoton states born in each nonlinear fiber,and thus the interference fringe will reshape the biphoton joint spectra.As a result,resorting to Taylor expansion to first order for phase mismatching,we theoretically verify that the orientation of phase matching contours will rotate in a specific way with only varying the length of dispersion modulation fiber.The rotation in orientation of phase matching contours may result in spectrally uncorrelated biphotons and even arbitrary correlation biphotons.Further,we choose micro/nanofiber as the nonlinear gain fiber and single-mode communication fiber as dispersion modulation fiber to numerically simulate the generation of spectrally uncorrelated biphotons from spontaneous fourwave mixing.Here,due to significant frequency detuning(hundreds of THz),Raman background noise can be considerably suppressed,even at room temperature,and photons with largely tunable wavelengths can be achieved,indicating a practicability in many quantum fields.A photon mode purity of 97.2%will be theoretically attained without weakening the heralding nature of biphoton sources.We think that this fiber nonlinear interference with the flexibly engineered quantum state can be an excellent practical source for quantum information processing.

Spectral feature with sub-natural linewidth due to quantum interference in a four-level system

This paper studies the narrow spectral feature appearing in a four-level system coupled by two strong coherent fields and probed by a weak laser field. The linewidth is examined as a function of the Rabi frequencies of coupling fields, and the result is explained by using the dressed-state formalism.

Collisional quantum interference on rotational energy transfer： physical interpretation of the differential interference angle

Collisional quantum interference （CQI） on the intramolecular rotational energy transfer is observed in an experiment with a static cell, and the integral interference angles are measured. To obtain more accurate information, an experiment with a molecular beam is carried out, and thereby the relationship between the differential interference angle and the scattering angle is obtained. Based on the first-Born approximation of time-dependent perturbation theory, the theoretical model of CQI is developed in an atom-diatom system in the condition of the molecular beam, with the long-range interaction potential taken into account. The method of measuring correctly the differential interference angle is presented. The tendencies of the differential interference angle changing with the impact parameter and rel- ative velocity are discussed. The theoretical model presented here is important for understanding or performing the experiment in the molecular beam.

Phase-dependent quantum interference between different pathways in bichromatic harmonic generation

This paper studies the harmonic generation of the hydrogen atom subjected to a collinear bichromatic laser field by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrbdinger equation using the split-operator pseudo-spectral method. By adding a frequency variation to the additional field, the contributions of different pathways to particular order harmonic generation can be isolated. The quantum interference pattern between harmonic pathways, which influences the harmonic intensity, is found to be either constructive or destructive with respect to different relative phase of the two field components. Detailed description of up to the 35th-order harmonics and the harmonic pathways for a wide range of field parameters is presented.

Low-T_c direct current superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer-based 36-channel magnetocardiography system in a magnetically shielded room

We constructed a 36-channel magnetocardiography（MCG） system based on low-Tc direct current（DC） superconducting quantum interference device（SQUID） magnetometers operated inside a magnetically shielded room（MSR）. Weakly damped SQUID magnetometers with large Steward–Mc Cumber parameter βc（βc≈ 5）, which could directly connect to the operational amplifier without any additional feedback circuit, were used to simplify the readout electronics. With a flux-to-voltage transfer coefficient V / Φ larger than 420 μV/Φ0, the SQUID magnetometers had a white noise level of about 5.5 f T·Hz-1/2when operated in MSR. 36 sensing magnetometers and 15 reference magnetometers were employed to realize software gradiometer configurations. The coverage area of the 36 sensing magnetometers is 210×210 mm2. MCG measurements with a high signal-to-noise ratio of 40 d B were done successfully using the developed system.

Quantum interference in laser-assisted photo-ionization excited by a femtosecond x-ray pulse

The photoelectron energy spectra （PESs） excited by monochromatic femtosecond x-ray pulses in the presence of a femtosecond laser are investigated. APES is composed of a set of separate peaks, showing interesting comb-like structures. These structures result from the quantum interferences between photoelectron wave packets generated at different times. The width and the localization of each peak as well as the number of peaks are determined by all the laser and x-ray parameters. Most of peak heights of the PES are higher than the classical predictions.

Quantum interference between heralded single photon state and coherent state

Balanced homodyne detection has been introduced as a reliable technique of reconstructing the quantum state of a single photon Fock state, which is based on coupling the single photon state and a strong coherent local oscillator in a beam splitter and detecting the field quadrature at the output ports separately. The main challenge associated with a tomographic characterization of the single photon state is mode matching between the single photon state and the local oscillator. Utilizing the heralded single photon generated by the spontaneous parametric process, the multi-mode theoretical model of quantum interference between the single photon state and the coherent state in the fiber beam splitter is established.Moreover, the analytical expressions of the temporal-mode matching coefficient and interference visibility and relationship between the two parameters are shown. In the experimental scheme, the interference visibility under various temporalmode matching coefficients is demonstrated, which is almost accordant with the theoretical value. Our work explores the principle of temporal-mode matching between the single photon state and the coherent photon state, originated from a local oscillator, and could provide guidance for designing the high-performance balanced homodyne detection system.

Implementation of quantum partial search with superconducting quantum interference device qudits in cavity QED

We present a method to implement the quantum partial search of the database separated into any number of blocks with qudits, D-level quantum systems. Compared with the partial search using qubits, our method needs fewer iteration steps and uses the carriers of the information more economically. To illustrate how to realize the idea with concrete physical systems, we propose a scheme to carry out a twelve-dimensional partial search of the database partitioned into three blocks with superconducting quantum interference devices （SQUIDs） in cavity QED. Through the appropriate modulation of the amplitudes of the microwave pulses, the scheme can overcome the non-identity of the cavity-SQUID coupling strengths due to the parameter variations resulting from the fabrication processes. Numerical simulation under the influence of the cavity and SQUID decays shows that the scheme could be achieved efficiently within current state-of-the-art technology.

Stable quantum interference enabled by coexisting detuned and resonant STIRAPs

Inspired by a recent experiment[Phys.Rev.Lett.122253201(2019)]that an unprecedented quantum interference was observed in the way of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage(STIRAP)due to the coexisting resonant-and detuned-STIRAPs,we comprehensively study this effect.Our results uncover the scheme robustness towards any external-field fluctuations coming from laser intensity noise and imperfect resonance condition,as well as the persistence of high-contrast interference pattern even when more nearby excited levels are involved.We verify that an auxiliary dynamical phase accumulated in hold time caused by the presence of the quasi-dark state in detuned-STIRAP can sensitively manipulate the visibility and frequency of the interference pattern,representing a new hallmark to measure the hyperfine energy accurately.The robust stability of the scheme comes from the intrinsic superiority embedded in the STIRAP mechanism that preserves the coherence of population transfer,which promises a remarkable performance of quantum interference in a practical implementation.

Field-free molecular orientation induced by combined femtosecond single-and dual-color laser pulses: The role of delay time and quantum interference

The coherent control of field-free molecular orientation of CO with combined femtosecond single- and dual-color laser pulses has been theoretically studied. The effect of the delay time between the femtosecond single- and dual-color laser pulses is discussed, and the physical mechanism of the enhancement of molecular orientation with pre-alignment of the molecule is investigated. It is found that the basic mechanism is based on the creation of a rotational wave packet by the femtosecond single-color laser pulse. Furthermore, we investigate the interference between multiple rotational excitation pathways following pre-alignment with femtosecond single-color laser pulse. It is shown that such interference can lead to an enhancement of the orientation of CO molecule by a factor of 1.6.

Dynamical effects of the four-wave mixing enhancement induced by constructive quantum interference

In a four-level system of ultracold STRb atoms, through analytical and numerical calculations we propose an efficient scheme to achieve the enhanced four-wave mixing process and demonstrate its dynamical control by various parameters such as the travel distance z, probe detuning δ and the probe pulse width T. In particular, we find that the maximal intensity of the nonlinearly generated signal pulse can be about 80% of the initial input probe under the optimal condition. This greatly enhanced conversion efficiency occurs due to the constructive quantum interference between two different components of the generated signal pulse.

Quantum interferences in four-wave mixing processes inside a cavity driven by quantized fields

Interferences in the quantum fluctuations of the output fields are demonstrated in four-wave mixing processes inside a cavity, which is driven by two quantized fields at the signal and the idler frequencies. These interferences depend on the phase fluctuations of the input fields and induce mode splitting in the transmission spectra.

Quantum Interference by Entangled Trajectories

The quantum interference pattern in the double-slit experiment is qualitatively reproduced by using the entangled trajectory molecular dynamics method and compared with previous works. We compare entangled trajectory and classical trajectory with the same initial state in the phase space to show quantum effect in the evolution of trajectories. It is involved with breakdown in the statistical independence of the trajectories. Although our result does not agree well with exact quantum calculation in quantitatively with loss of part of interference pattern peaks, we can offer a reasonable explanation by analyzing quantum interference of two Gaussian wave packets in the phase space.

Ballistic transport and quantum interference in InSb nanowire devices

An experimental realization of a ballistic superconductor proximitized semiconductor nanowire device is a necessary step towards engineering topological quantum electronics. Here, we report on ballistic transport in In Sb nanowires grown by molecular-beam epitaxy contacted by superconductor electrodes. At an elevated temperature, clear conductance plateaus are observed at zero magnetic field and in agreement with calculations based on the Landauer formula. At lower temperature, we have observed characteristic Fabry–Pérot patterns which confirm the ballistic nature of charge transport.Furthermore, the magnetoconductance measurements in the ballistic regime reveal a periodic variation related to the Fabry–Pérot oscillations. The result can be reasonably explained by taking into account the impact of magnetic field on the phase of ballistic electron＇s wave function, which is further verified by our simulation. Our results pave the way for better understanding of the quantum interference effects on the transport properties of In Sb nanowires in the ballistic regime as well as developing of novel device for topological quantum computations.

True Random Number Generator Realized by Extracting Entropy from a Negative-Inductance Superconducting Quantum Interference Device

A new type of superconductive true random number generator (TRNG) based on a negative-inductance superconducting quantum interference device (nSQUID) is proposed. The entropy harnessed to generate random numbers comes from the phenomenon of symmetry breaking in the nSQUID. The experimental circuit is fabricated by the Nb-based lift-off process. Low-temperature tests of the circuit verify the basic function of the proposed TRNG. The frequency characteristics of the TRNG have been analyzed by simulation. The generation rate of random numbers is expected to achieve hundreds of megahertz to tens of gigahertz.

Switching on/off phosphorescent or non-radiative channels by aggregation-induced quantum interference

Pure organic materials with persistent and efficient room-temperature phosphorescence have recently aroused great research interest due to their vast potential in applications.One crucial design principle for such materials is to suppress as much as possible the non-radiative decay of the triplet exciton while maintaining a moderate phosphorescent radiative rate.However,molecular engineering often exhibits similar regulation trends for the two processes.Here,we propose that the quantum interference caused by aggregation can be utilized to control the phosphorescent and non-radiative decay channels.We systematically analyze various constructive and destructive transition pathways in aggregates with different molecular packing types and establish clear relationships between the luminescence characters and the signs of the singlet and triplet excitonic couplings.It is shown that the decay channels can be flexibly switched on or off by regulating the packing type and excitonic couplings.Most importantly,an enhanced phosphorescent decay and a completely suppressed non-radiative decay can be simultaneously realized in the aggregate packed with inversion symmetry.This work lays the theoretical foundation for future experimental realization of quantum interference effects in phosphorescence.

Removing the Destructive Quantum Interference in Cross Conjugation System by Structural Restraint

Understanding the quantum effect in the cross-conjugated system is of fundamental significance in molecular electronics.In this study,four molecules Xa-O,Xa,BP and BP-O were synthesized to investigate the destructive quantum interference(DQI)of a carbonyl bridge.The single-molecule conductance measured by the scanning tunneling microscope break junction(STM-BJ)technique demonstrates an increase in the conductance from molecule BP-O to molecule Xa-O as the cross-conjugated system is extended.Theoretical calculations show that the explicit DQI feature is presented in BP-O but absent in Xa-O,which indicates the removal of DQI in the restrained structures and results in the conductance enhancement in Xa-O.

Quantum interference with independent single-photon sources over 300 km fiber

In the quest to realize a scalable quantum network,semiconductor quantum dots(QDs)offer distinct advantages,including high single-photon efficiency and indistinguishability,high repetition rate(tens of gigahertz with Purcell enhancement),interconnectivity with spin qubits,and a scalable on-chip platform.However,in the past two decades,the visibility of quantum interference between independent QDs rarely went beyond the classical limit of 50%,and the distances were limited from a few meters to kilometers.Here,we report quantum interference between two single photons from independent QDs separated by a 302 km optical fiber.The single photons are generated from resonantly driven single QDs deterministically coupled to microcavities.Quantum frequency conversions are used to eliminate the QD inhomogeneity and shift the emission wavelength to the telecommunication band.The observed interference visibility is 0.670.02(0.930.04)without(with)temporal filtering.Feasible improvements can further extend the distance to∼600 km.Our work represents a key step to long-distance solid-state quantum networks.

Quantum interference enhanced thermopower in single-molecule thiophene junctions

Quantum interference(QI)effects,which offer unique opportunities to widely manipulate the charge transport properties in the molecular junctions,will have the potential for achieving high thermopower.Here we developed a scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique to investigate the thermopower through single-molecule thiophene junctions.We observed that the thermopower of 2,4-TPSAc with destructive quantum interference(DQI)was nearly twice of 2,5-TP-SAc without DQI,while the conductance of the 2,4-TP-SAc was two orders of magnitude lower than that of 2,5-TP-SAc.Furthermore,we found the thermopower was almost the same by altering the anchoring group or thiophene core in the control experiments,suggesting that the QI effect is responsible for the increase of thermopower.The density functional theory(DFT)calculations are in quantitative agreement with the experimental data.Our results reveal that QI effects can provide a promising platform to enhance the thermopower of molecular junctions.

Freezing the conductance of platinum(Ⅱ)complexes by quantum interference effect

Understanding the impact of substituents on the quantum interference effect at single molecule scale is of great importance for the design of molecular devices.In this work,three platinum(Ⅱ)complexes with–H,–NH_(2)and–NO_(2)groups on conductive backbones were designed and synthesized.Single-molecule conductance,which was measured using scanning tunnelling microscope break junction(STM-BJ)technique,demonstrated a conductance freeze phenomenon under the variation of substituents.Theoretical study revealed that,despite the electronic effect of the substituents shifting the energy level of molecular orbital,the quantum interference effect vanished the influence of electronic effect on the conductance and eventually leaded to the conductance freeze.