Spin and Spin-Wave Dynamics in Josephson Junctions

We extend the Keldysh formulation to quantum spin systems and derive exact equations of motion. This allows us to explore the dynamics of single spins and of ferromagnets when these are inserted between superconducting leads. Several new effects are reported. Chief amongst these are nutations of single S=1/2 spins in Josephson junctions. These nutations are triggered by the superconducting pairing correlations in the leads. Similarly, we find that on rather universal grounds, magnets display unconventional spin wave dynamics when placed in Josephson junctions. These lead to modifications in the tunneling current.Comment: (14 pages, 5 figures

Photoluminescence of the incompressible Laughlin liquid: Excitons, charged excitons, and fractionally charged excitons

The photoluminescence (PL) of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a high magnetic field is studied as a function of the filling factor and the separation d between the electron layer and the valence hole. Depending on the magnitude of d relative to the magnetic length lambda, two distinct regimes in the response of the 2DEG to the valence hole occur, with different elementary emission processes contributing to the PL spectrum. At d<lambda ("strong coupling" regime), the hole binds one or two electrons to form an exciton (X) or one of three possible charged exciton (X-) states, a spin-singlet or one of two spin-triplets. At d>lambda ("weak coupling" regime), the hole decouples or binds one or two Laughlin quasielectrons to form fractionally charged excitons (FCX's). The binding energies as well as the emission energies and intensities of all X- and FCX states are calculated.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, sumbitted to physica status solidi (b

Josephson Current in the Presence of a Precessing Spin

The Josephson current in the presence of a precessing spin between various types of superconductors is studied. It is shown that the Josephson current flowing between two spin-singlet pairing superconductors is not modulated by the precession of the spin. When both superconductors have equal-spin-triplet pairing state, the flowing Josephson current is modulated with twice of the Larmor frequency by the precessing spin. It was also found that up to the second tunneling matrix elements, no Josephson current can occur with only a direct exchange interaction between the localized spin and the conduction electrons, if the two superconductors have different spin-parity pairing states.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Exchange Based Noise Spectroscopy of a Single Precessing Spin with STM

ESR-STM is an emerging technique which is capable of detecting the precession of a single spin. We discuss the mechanism of ESR-STM based on a direct exchange coupling between the tunneling electrons and the local precessing spin S. We claim that since the number of tunneling electrons in a single precessing period is small (~20) one may expect a net temporary polarization within this period that will couple via exchange interaction to the localized spin. This coupling will randomly modulate the tunneling barrier and create a dispersion in the tunneling current which is a product of a Larmor frequency component due to the precession of the single spin and the dispersion of the spin of the tunneling electrons. This noise component is spread over the whole frequency range for random white noise spin polarization of electrons. In opposite case the power spectrum of the spins of the tunneling electrons has a peak at zero frequency an elevated noise in the current at omega_L will appear. We discuss the possible source of this spin polarization. We find that for relevant values of parameters signal to noise ratio in the spectral characteristic is 2-4 and is comparable to the reported signal to noise ratio. The magnitude of the current fluctuation is a relatively weak increaing function of the DC current and the magnetic field. The linewidth produced by the back action effect of tunneling electrons on the precessing spin is also discussed.Comment: Added discussion on spin polarization of tunneling electrons and the role of paramagnetic centers on the tip. To be published; 5 pages latex file, 1 ps figure fil

Solid-State Quantum Computer Based on Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

We propose a solid-state nuclear spin quantum computer based on application of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and well-developed silicon technology. It requires the measurement of tunneling current modulation caused by the Larmor precession of a single electron spin. Our envisioned STM quantum computer would operate at the high magnetic field ($\sim 10$T) and at low temperature $\sim 1$K.Comment: 3pages RevTex including 2 figure

Spectrum of qubit oscillations from Bloch equations

We have developed a formalism suitable for calculation of the output spectrum of a detector continuously measuring quantum coherent oscillations in a solid-state qubit, starting from microscopic Bloch equations. The results coincide with that obtained using Bayesian and master equation approaches. The previous results are generalized to the cases of arbitrary detector response and finite detector temperature.Comment: 8 page

Absorption spectrum of a weakly n-doped semiconductor quantum well

We calculate, as a function of temperature and conduction band electron density, the optical absorption of a weakly n-doped, idealized semiconductor quantum well. In particular, we focus on the absorption band due to the formation of a charged exciton. We conceptualize the charged exciton as an itinerant excitation intimately linked to the dynamical response of itinerant conduction band electrons to the appearance of the photo-generated valence band hole. Numerical results for the absorption in the vicinity of the exciton line are presented and the spectral weights associated with, respectively, the charged exciton band and the exciton line are analyzed in detail. We find, in qualitative agreement with experimental data, that the spectral weight of the charged exciton grows with increasing conduction band electron density and/or decreasing temperature at the expense of the exciton.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure