302 research outputs found
Exciton-assisted optomechanics with suspended carbon nanotubes
We propose a framework for inducing strong optomechanical effects in a
suspended carbon nanotube based on deformation potential exciton-phonon
coupling. The excitons are confined using an inhomogeneous axial electric field
which generates optically active quantum dots with a level spacing in the
milli-electronvolt range and a characteristic size in the 10-nanometer range. A
transverse field induces a tunable parametric coupling between the quantum dot
and the flexural modes of the nanotube mediated by electron-phonon
interactions. We derive the corresponding excitonic deformation potentials and
show that this interaction enables efficient optical ground-state cooling of
the fundamental mode and could allow us to realise the strong and ultra-strong
coupling regimes of the Jaynes-Cummings and Rabi models.Comment: 25 pages, 2 figure
All-optical non-demolition measurement of single-hole spin in a quantum-dot molecule
We propose an all-optical scheme to perform a non-demolition measurement of a
single hole spin localized in a quantum-dot molecule. The latter is embedded in
a microcavity and driven by two lasers. This allows to induce Raman transitions
which entangle the spin state with the polarization of the emitted photons. We
find that the measurement can be completed with high fidelity on a timescale of
100 ps, shorter than the typical T2. Furthermore, we show that the scheme can
be used to induce and observe spin oscillations without the need of
time-dependent magnetic fields
Nonlinear nanomechanical resonators for quantum optoelectromechanics
We present a scheme for tuning and controlling nano mechanical resonators by
subjecting them to electrostatic gradient fields, provided by nearby tip
electrodes. We show that this approach enables access to a novel regime of
optomechanics, where the intrinsic nonlinearity of the nanoresonator can be
explored. In this regime, one or several laser driven cavity modes coupled to
the nanoresonator and suitably adjusted gradient fields allow to control the
motional state of the nanoresonator at the single phonon level. Some
applications of this platform have been presented previously [New J. Phys. 14,
023042 (2012), Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 120503 (2013)]. Here, we provide a
detailed description of the corresponding setup and its optomechanical coupling
mechanisms, together with an in-depth analysis of possible sources of damping
or decoherence and a discussion of the readout of the nanoresonator state.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure
Parametric Normal-Mode Splitting in Cavity Optomechanics
Recent experimental progress in cavity optomechanics has allowed cooling of
mesoscopic mechanical oscillators via dynamic backaction provided by the
parametric coupling to either an optical or an electrical resonator. Here we
analyze the occurrence of normal-mode splitting in backaction cooling at high
input power. We find that a hybridization of the oscillator's motion with the
fluctuations of the driving field occurs and leads to a splitting of the
mechanical and optical fluctuation spectra. Moreover, we find that cooling
experiences a classical limitation through the cavity lifetime.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Radiation induced force between two planar waveguides
We study the electromagnetic force exerted on a pair of parallel slab
waveguides by the light propagating through them. We have calculated the
dependence of the force on the slab separation by means of the Maxwell--Stress
tensor formalism and we have discussed its main features for the different
propagation modes: spatially symmetric (antisymmetric) modes give rise to an
attractive (repulsive) interaction. We have derived the asymptotic behaviors of
the force at small and large separation and we have quantitatively estimated
the mechanical deflection induced on a realistic air-bridge structure.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure
Spin-based optical quantum gates via Pauli blocking in semiconductor quantum dots
We present a solid-state implementation of ultrafast conditional quantum
gates. Our proposal for a quantum-computing device is based on the spin degrees
of freedom of electrons confined in semiconductor quantum dots, thus benefiting
from relatively long decoherence times. More specifically, combining Pauli
blocking effects with properly tailored ultrafast laser pulses, we are able to
obtain sub-picosecond spin-dependent switching of the Coulomb interaction,
which is the essence of our conditional phase-gate proposal. This allows us to
realize {\it a fast two qubit gate which does not translate into fast
decoherence times} and paves the road for an all-optical spin-based quantum
computer.Comment: 14 Pages RevTeX, 3 eps figures include
Quantum Theory of Cavity-Assisted Sideband Cooling of Mechanical Motion
We present a fully quantum theory describing the cooling of a cantilever
coupled via radiation pressure to an illuminated optical cavity. Applying the
quantum noise approach to the fluctuations of the radiation pressure force, we
derive the opto-mechanical cooling rate and the minimum achievable phonon
number. We find that reaching the quantum limit of arbitrarily small phonon
numbers requires going into the good cavity (resolved phonon sideband) regime
where the cavity linewidth is much smaller than the mechanical frequency and
the corresponding cavity detuning. This is in contrast to the common assumption
that the mechanical frequency and the cavity detuning should be comparable to
the cavity damping.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
Laser cooling of a nanomechanical resonator mode to its quantum ground state
We show that it is possible to cool a nanomechanical resonator mode to its
ground state. The proposed technique is based on resonant laser excitation of a
phonon sideband of an embedded quantum dot. The strength of the sideband
coupling is determined directly by the difference between the electron-phonon
couplings of the initial and final states of the quantum dot optical
transition. Possible applications of the technique we describe include
generation of non-classical states of mechanical motion.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, revtex
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