Proposed realization of the Dicke-model quantum phase transition in an optical cavity QED system

The Dicke model describing an ensemble of two-state atoms interacting with a single quantized mode of the electromagnetic field (with omission of the Â^2 term) exhibits a zero-temperature phase transition at a critical value of the dipole coupling strength. We propose a scheme based on multilevel atoms and cavity-mediated Raman transitions to realize an effective Dicke model operating in the phase transition regime. Optical light from the cavity carries signatures of the critical behavior, which is analyzed for the thermodynamic limit where the number of atoms is very large

Simulation of interaction Hamiltonians by quantum feedback: a comment on the dynamics of information exchange between coupled systems

Since quantum feedback is based on classically accessible measurement results, it can provide fundamental insights into the dynamics of quantum systems by making available classical information on the evolution of system properties and on the conditional forces acting on the system. In this paper, the feedback-induced interaction dynamics between a pair of quantum systems is analyzed. It is pointed out that any interaction Hamiltonian can be simulated by local feedback if the levels of decoherence are sufficiently high. The boundary between genuine entanglement generating quantum interactions and non-entangling classical interactions is identified and the nature of the information exchange between two quantum systems during an interaction is discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures; invited paper for the special issue of J. Opt. B on quantum contro

Measuring photon-photon interactions via photon detection

The strong non-linearity plays a significant role in physics, particularly, in designing novel quantum sources of light and matter as well as in quantum chemistry or quantum biology. In simple systems, the photon-photon interaction can be determined analytically. However, it becomes challenging to obtain it for more compex systems. Therefore, we show here how to measure strong non-linearities via allowing the sample to interact with a weakly pumped quantized leaking optical mode. We found that the detected mean-photon number versus pump-field frequency shows several peaks. Interestingly, the interval between neighbour peaks equals the photon-photon interaction potential. Furthermore, the system exhibits sub-Poissonian photon statistics, entanglement and photon switching with less than one photon. Finally, we connect our study with existing related experiments.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Indistinguishability of independent single photons

The indistinguishability of independent single photons is presented by decomposing the single photon pulse into the mixed state of different transform limited pulses. The entanglement between single photons and outer environment or other photons induces the distribution of the center frequencies of those transform limited pulses and makes photons distinguishable. Only the single photons with the same transform limited form are indistinguishable. In details, the indistinguishability of single photons from the solid-state quantum emitter and spontaneous parametric down conversion is examined with two-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer. Moreover, experimental methods to enhance the indistinguishability are discussed, where the usage of spectral filter is highlighted.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Quantum memories based on engineered dissipation

Storing quantum information for long times without disruptions is a major requirement for most quantum information technologies. A very appealing approach is to use self-correcting Hamiltonians, i.e. tailoring local interactions among the qubits such that when the system is weakly coupled to a cold bath the thermalization process takes a long time. Here we propose an alternative but more powerful approach in which the coupling to a bath is engineered, so that dissipation protects the encoded qubit against more general kinds of errors. We show that the method can be implemented locally in four dimensional lattice geometries by means of a toric code, and propose a simple 2D set-up for proof of principle experiments.Comment: 6 +8 pages, 4 figures, Includes minor corrections updated references and aknowledgement

Review of world experience and properties of materials for encapsulation of terrestrial photovoltaic arrays

Published and unpublished information relating to encapsulation systems and materials properties was collected by searching the literature and appropriate data bases (over 1,300 documents were selected and reviewed) and by personal contacts including site and company visits. A data tabulation summarizing world experience with terrestrial photovoltaic arrays (50 installations) is presented in the report. Based on criteria of properties, processability, availability, and cost, candidate materials were identified which have potential for use in encapsulation systems for arrays with a lifetime of over 20 years high reliability, an efficiency greater than 10 percent, a total price less than $500/kW, and a production capacity of 500,000 kW/yr. The recommended materials (all commercially available) include, depending upon the device design, various borosilicate and soda-lime glasses and numerous polymerics suitable for specific encapsulation system functions

Quantum computing with incoherent resources and quantum jumps

Spontaneous emission and the inelastic scattering of photons are two natural processes usually associated with decoherence and the reduction in the capacity to process quantum information. Here we show that when suitably detected, these photons are sufficient to build all the fundamental blocks needed to perform quantum computation in the emitting qubits while protecting them from deleterious dissipative effects. We exemplify by showing how to teleport an unknown quantum state and how to efficiently prepare graph states for the implementation of measurement-based quantum computation.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Collective spin systems in dispersive optical cavity QED: Quantum phase transitions and entanglement

We propose a cavity QED setup which implements a dissipative Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model -- an interacting collective spin system. By varying the external model parameters the system can be made to undergo both first-and second-order quantum phase transitions, which are signified by dramatic changes in cavity output field properties, such as the probe laser transmission spectrum. The steady-state entanglement between pairs of atoms is shown to peak at the critical points and can be experimentally determined by suitable measurements on the cavity output field. The entanglement dynamics also exhibits pronounced variations in the vicinities of the phase transitions.Comment: 19 pages, 18 figures, shortened versio

Non-Markovian non-stationary completely positive open quantum system dynamics

By modeling the interaction of a system with an environment through a renewal approach, we demonstrate that completely positive non-Markovian dynamics may develop some unexplored non-standard statistical properties. The renewal approach is defined by a set of disruptive events, consisting in the action of a completely positive superoperator over the system density matrix. The random time intervals between events are described by an arbitrary waiting-time distribution. We show that, in contrast to the Markovian case, if one performs a system-preparation (measurement) at an arbitrary time, the subsequent evolution of the density matrix evolution is modified. The non-stationary character refers to the absence of an asymptotic master equation even when the preparation is performed at arbitrary long times. In spite of this property, we demonstrate that operator expectation values and operators correlations have the same dynamical structure, establishing the validity of a non-stationary quantum regression hypothesis. The non-stationary property of the dynamic is also analyzed through the response of the system to an external weak perturbation.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure