3,353 research outputs found
Self-Consistent Projection Operator Theory in Nonlinear Quantum Optical Systems: A case study on Degenerate Optical Parametric Oscillators
Nonlinear quantum optical systems are of paramount relevance for modern
quantum technologies, as well as for the study of dissipative phase
transitions. Their nonlinear nature makes their theoretical study very
challenging and hence they have always served as great motivation to develop
new techniques for the analysis of open quantum systems. In this article we
apply the recently developed self-consistent projection operator theory to the
degenerate optical parametric oscillator to exemplify its general applicability
to quantum optical systems. We show that this theory provides an efficient
method to calculate the full quantum state of each mode with high degree of
accuracy, even at the critical point. It is equally successful in describing
both the stationary limit and the dynamics, including regions of the parameter
space where the numerical integration of the full problem is significantly less
efficient. We further develop a Gaussian approach consistent with our theory,
which yields sensibly better results than the previous Gaussian methods
developed for this system, most notably standard linearization techniques.Comment: Comments are welcom
General linearized theory of quantum fluctuations around arbitrary limit cycles
The theory of Gaussian quantum fluctuations around classical steady states in
nonlinear quantum-optical systems (also known as standard linearization) is a
cornerstone for the analysis of such systems. Its simplicity, together with its
accuracy far from critical points or situations where the nonlinearity reaches
the strong coupling regime, has turned it into a widespread technique, which is
the first method of choice in most works on the subject. However, such a
technique finds strong practical and conceptual complications when one tries to
apply it to situations in which the classical long-time solution is time
dependent, a most prominent example being spontaneous limit-cycle formation.
Here we introduce a linearization scheme adapted to such situations, using the
driven Van der Pol oscillator as a testbed for the method, which allows us to
compare it with full numerical simulations. On a conceptual level, the scheme
relies on the connection between the emergence of limit cycles and the
spontaneous breaking of the symmetry under temporal translations. On the
practical side, the method keeps the simplicity and linear scaling with the
size of the problem (number of modes) characteristic of standard linearization,
making it applicable to large (many-body) systems.Comment: Constructive suggestions and criticism are welcom
Floquet theory for temporal correlations and spectra in time-periodic open quantum systems: Application to squeezed parametric oscillation beyond the rotating-wave approximation
Open quantum systems can display periodic dynamics at the classical level
either due to external periodic modulations or to self-pulsing phenomena
typically following a Hopf bifurcation. In both cases, the quantum fluctuations
around classical solutions do not reach a quantum-statistical stationary state,
which prevents adopting the simple and reliable methods used for stationary
quantum systems. Here we put forward a general and efficient method to compute
two-time correlations and corresponding spectral densities of time-periodic
open quantum systems within the usual linearized (Gaussian) approximation for
their dynamics. Using Floquet theory we show how the quantum Langevin equations
for the fluctuations can be efficiently integrated by partitioning the time
domain into one-period duration intervals, and relating the properties of each
period to the first one. Spectral densities, like squeezing spectra, are
computed similarly, now in a two-dimensional temporal domain that is treated as
a chessboard with one-period x one-period cells. This technique avoids
cumulative numerical errors as well as efficiently saves computational time. As
an illustration of the method, we analyze the quantum fluctuations of a damped
parametrically-driven oscillator (degenerate parametric oscillator) below
threshold and far away from rotating-wave approximation conditions, which is a
relevant scenario for modern low-frequency quantum oscillators. Our method
reveals that the squeezing properties of such devices are quite robust against
the amplitude of the modulation or the low quality of the oscillator, although
optimal squeezing can appear for parameters that are far from the ones
predicted within the rotating-wave approximation.Comment: Comments and constructive criticism are welcom
Enhancement of the immunoregulatory potency of mesenchymal stromal cells by treatment with immunosuppressive drugs
Background aims Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are distinguished by their ability to differentiate into a number of stromal derivatives of interest for regenerative medicine, but they also have immunoregulatory properties that are being tested in a number of clinical settings. Methods We show that brief incubations with rapamycin, everolimus, FK506 or cyclosporine A increase the immunosuppressive potency of MSCs and other cell types. Results The treated MSCs are up to 5-fold more potent at inhibiting the induced proliferation of T lymphocytes in vitro. We show that this effect probably is due to adsorption of the drug by the MSCs during pre-treatment, with subsequent diffusion into co-cultures at concentrations sufficient to inhibit T-cell proliferation. MSCs contain measurable amounts of rapamycin after a 15-min exposure, and the potentiating effect is blocked by a neutralizing antibody to the drug. With the use of a pre-clinical model of acute graft-versus-host disease, we demonstrate that a low dose of rapamycin-treated but not untreated umbilical cord–derived MSCs significantly inhibit the onset of disease. Conclusions The use of treated MSCs may achieve clinical end points not reached with untreated MSCs and allow for infusion of fewer cells to reduce costs and minimize potential side effects
Dissipative structures in optomechanical cavities
Motivated by the increasing interest in the properties of multimode
optomechanical devices, here we study a system in which a driven mode of a
large-area optical cavity is despersively coupled to a deformable mechanical
element. Two different models naturally appear in such scenario, for which we
predict the formation of periodic patterns, localized structures (cavity
solitons), and domain walls, among other complex nonlinear phenomena. Further,
we propose a realistic design based on intracavity membranes where our models
can be studied experimentally. Apart from its relevance to the field of
nonlinear optics, the results put forward here are a necessary step towards
understanding the quantum properties of optomechanical systems in the multimode
regime of both the optical and mechanical degrees of freedom.Comment: Updated version with a more general model and a specific
implementation proposal. Comments and (constructive) criticism are welcom
Organic semiconductors: The effect of small modifications on device performance
Invited oral presentationIn the search on new high-mobiliity semiconductors with ambipolar performances, good processability and excellent environmental stability, diverse synthetic strategies have been approached. One of the most widely used consists in the alternation of donor and acceptor moieties in the conjugated skeleton, which allows fine tuning of the frontier molecular orbitals. For OTFT applications,low-lying HOMOs are essential to resist air oxidation and thus increase device stability. However, if the HOMO energy is too low, the resulting barrier to hole injection may compromise the transistor performance. Thus, a delicate balance between these two effects is needed. Furthermore, high performance solution-processable materials require the correct selection and positioning of the specific solubilizing substituents in order to achieve proper HOMO and LUMO energy levels, planar molecular conformations, close intermolecular pi-pi stacking, and proper thin film crystallinity. In this communication, several examples of molecular and polymeric materials where modifications on their conjugated skeletons, donor/acceptor subunits ratio and/or the selection of proper alkyl solubilizing chains induce noticeable changes in their electronic performances.Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec
- …