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Full-Text Articles in Quantum Physics

High-Frequency Diode Effect In Superconducting Nb3Sn Microbridges, Sara Chahid, Serafim Teknowijoyo, Iris Mowgood, Armen Gulian Feb 2023

High-Frequency Diode Effect In Superconducting Nb3Sn Microbridges, Sara Chahid, Serafim Teknowijoyo, Iris Mowgood, Armen Gulian

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The superconducting diode effect has recently been reported in a variety of systems and different symmetry-breaking mechanisms have been examined. However, the frequency range of these potentially important devices still remains obscure. We investigated superconducting microbridges of Nb3Sn in out-of-plane magnetic fields; optimum magnetic fields of ∼10 mT generate ∼10% diode efficiency, while higher fields of ∼15–20 mT quench the effect. The diode changes its polarity with magnetic field reversal. We documented superconductive diode rectification at frequencies up to 100 kHz, the highest reported as of today. Interestingly, the bridge resistance during diode operation reaches a value that is a …


Exact Solution Of Quadratic Fermionic Hamiltonians For Arbitrary Boundary Conditions, Abhijeet Alase, Emilio Cobanera, Gerardo Ortiz, Lorenza Viola Aug 2016

Exact Solution Of Quadratic Fermionic Hamiltonians For Arbitrary Boundary Conditions, Abhijeet Alase, Emilio Cobanera, Gerardo Ortiz, Lorenza Viola

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present a procedure for exactly diagonalizing finite-range quadratic fermionic Hamiltonians with arbitrary boundary conditions in one of D dimensions, and periodic in the remaining D−1. The key is a Hamiltonian-dependent separation of the bulk from the boundary. By combining information from the two, we identify a matrix function that fully characterizes the solutions, and may be used to construct an efficiently computable indicator of bulk-boundary correspondence. As an illustration, we show how our approach correctly describes the zero-energy Majorana modes of a time-reversal-invariant s-wave two-band superconductor in a Josephson ring configuration, and predicts that a fractional 4π-periodic Josephson effect …


Anyonic Superconductivity In A Modified Large-U Hubbard Model, Asim Gangopadhyaya, Prasanta Panigrahi Dec 2015

Anyonic Superconductivity In A Modified Large-U Hubbard Model, Asim Gangopadhyaya, Prasanta Panigrahi

Asim Gangopadhyaya

A modified large-U Hubbard model at half filling is analyzed by a mean-field approach. Preserving a local U(1) symmetry of the action, the fluctuations about half filling are studied in the spirit of the commensurate-flux-phase condition. The fluctuations then contribute a Chern-Simons term to the tree-level Lagrangian with a coefficient appropriate to that of a half fermion. With the Coulomb repulsion term, we study the low-energy excitations of the model and show the existence of superconductivity in the presence of a four-Fermi interaction term.


Majorana Flat Bands In S -Wave Gapless Topological Superconductors, Shusa Deng, Gerardo Ortiz, Amrit Poudel, Lorenza Viola Apr 2014

Majorana Flat Bands In S -Wave Gapless Topological Superconductors, Shusa Deng, Gerardo Ortiz, Amrit Poudel, Lorenza Viola

Dartmouth Scholarship

We demonstrate how the nontrivial interplay between spin-orbit coupling and nodeless s-wave superconductivity can drive a fully gapped two-band topological insulator into a time-reversal invariant gapless topological superconductor supporting symmetry-protected Majorana flat bands. We characterize topological phase diagrams by a Z2×Z2 partial Berry-phase invariant, and show that, despite the trivial crystal geometry, no unique bulk-boundary correspondence exists. We trace this behavior to the anisotropic quasiparticle bulk gap closing, linear vs quadratic, and argue that this provides a unifying principle for gapless topological superconductivity. Experimental implications for tunneling conductance measurements are addressed, relevant for lead chalcogenide materials.


Multiband S -Wave Topological Superconductors: Role Of Dimensionality And Magnetic Field Response, Shusa Deng, Gerardo Ortiz, Lorenza Viola May 2013

Multiband S -Wave Topological Superconductors: Role Of Dimensionality And Magnetic Field Response, Shusa Deng, Gerardo Ortiz, Lorenza Viola

Dartmouth Scholarship

We further investigate a class of time-reversal-invariant two-band s-wave topological superconductors introduced earlier [Deng, Viola, and Ortiz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 036803 (2012)]. Provided that a sign reversal between the two superconducting pairing gaps is realized, the topological phase diagram can be determined exactly (within mean field) in one and two dimensions as well as in three dimensions upon restricting to the excitation spectrum of time-reversal-invariant momentum modes. We show how, in the presence of time-reversal symmetry, Z2 invariants that distinguish between trivial and nontrivial quantum phases can be constructed by considering only one of the Kramers’ sectors …


Structures And Incommensurate Spin Excitations In Excess Oxygen-Doped La2cuo4+Y, Robert Birgeneau, Rebecca Christianson, Yasuo Endoh, Marc Kastner, Young Lee, Gen Shirane, Barrett Wells, Kazuyoshi Yamada Jul 2012

Structures And Incommensurate Spin Excitations In Excess Oxygen-Doped La2cuo4+Y, Robert Birgeneau, Rebecca Christianson, Yasuo Endoh, Marc Kastner, Young Lee, Gen Shirane, Barrett Wells, Kazuyoshi Yamada

Rebecca J. Christianson

Over the past decade, we have studied in detail the low-energy spin fluctuations in :a2−xSrxCuO4 for xbetween 0 and 0.18. Our experiments, as well as those by others, have revealed a fascinating interplay between the hole doping, the static and dynamic spin fluctuations and superconductivity. Recently, using electrochemical techniques, we have learned how to produce large single crystals of La2CuO4+y which are relatively homogenous. In this latter system, the dopants are characterized by annealed rather than quenched disorder. Furthermore, we have demonstrated staging behavior of the excess oxygen analogous to staging in intercalated graphite. We have now succeeded in carrying …


Majorana Modes In Time-Reversal Invariant S -Wave Topological Superconductors, Shusa Deng, Lorenza Viola, Gerardo Ortiz Jan 2012

Majorana Modes In Time-Reversal Invariant S -Wave Topological Superconductors, Shusa Deng, Lorenza Viola, Gerardo Ortiz

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present a time-reversal invariant s-wave superconductor supporting Majorana edge modes. The multiband character of the model together with spin-orbit coupling are key to realizing such a topological superconductor. We characterize the topological phase diagram by using a partial Chern number sum, and show that the latter is physically related to the parity of the fermion number of the time-reversal invariant modes. By taking the self-consistency constraint on the s-wave pairing gap into account, we also establish the possibility of a direct topological superconductor-to-topological insulator quantum phase transition.


Upper Limits On A Possible Gluon Mass, Shmuel Nussinov, Robert Shrock Jan 2010

Upper Limits On A Possible Gluon Mass, Shmuel Nussinov, Robert Shrock

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We analyze upper limits on a possible gluon mass, mg. We first discuss various ways to modify quantum chromodynamics to include m(g) not equal 0, including a bare mass, a Higgs mechanism, and dynamical breaking of color SU(3)(c). From an examination of experimental data, we infer an upper limit m(g) < O(1) MeV. As part of our analysis, we show that a claim, hitherto unrefuted in the literature, of a much stronger upper limit on m(g), is invalid. We discuss subtleties in interpreting gluon mass limits in view of the fact that at scales below Lambda(QCD), quantum chromodynamics is strongly coupled, perturbation theory is not reliable, and the physics is not accurately described in terms of the Lagrangian degrees of freedom, including gluons. We also point out a fundamental difference in the behavior of quantum chromodynamics with a nonzero gluon mass and a weakly coupled gauge theory with a gauge boson mass.


Probing The Quantum Coherence Of A Nanomechanical Resonator Using A Superconducting Qubit: I. Echo Scheme, A. D. Armour, M. P. Blencowe Sep 2008

Probing The Quantum Coherence Of A Nanomechanical Resonator Using A Superconducting Qubit: I. Echo Scheme, A. D. Armour, M. P. Blencowe

Dartmouth Scholarship

We propose a scheme in which the quantum coherence of a nanomechanical resonator can be probed using a superconducting qubit. We consider a mechanical resonator coupled capacitively to a Cooper pair box and assume that the superconducting qubit is tuned to the degeneracy point so that its coherence time is maximized and the electro-mechanical coupling can be approximated by a dispersive Hamiltonian. When the qubit is prepared in a superposition of states, this drives the mechanical resonator progressively into a superposition which in turn leads to apparent decoherence of the qubit. Applying a suitable control pulse to the qubit allows …


Probing The Quantum Coherence Of A Nanomechanical Resonator Using A Superconducting Qubit: Ii. Implementation, M. P. Blencowe, A. D. Armour Sep 2008

Probing The Quantum Coherence Of A Nanomechanical Resonator Using A Superconducting Qubit: Ii. Implementation, M. P. Blencowe, A. D. Armour

Dartmouth Scholarship

We describe a possible implementation of the nanomechanical quantum superposition generation and detection scheme described in the preceding, companion paper (Armour A D and Blencowe M P 2008 New. J. Phys. 10 095004). The implementation is based on the circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) set-up, with the addition of a mechanical degree of freedom formed out of a suspended, doubly-clamped segment of the superconducting loop of a dc SQUID located directly opposite the centre conductor of a coplanar waveguide (CPW). The relative merits of two SQUID based qubit realizations are addressed, in particular a capacitively coupled charge qubit and inductively coupled …


Quantum Analysis Of A Nonlinear Microwave Cavity-Embedded Dc Squid Displacement Detector, P. D. Nation, M. P. Blencowe, E. Buks Sep 2008

Quantum Analysis Of A Nonlinear Microwave Cavity-Embedded Dc Squid Displacement Detector, P. D. Nation, M. P. Blencowe, E. Buks

Dartmouth Scholarship

We carry out a quantum analysis of a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) mechanical displacement detector, comprising a SQUID with mechanically compliant loop segment, which is embedded in a microwave transmission line resonator. The SQUID is approximated as a nonlinear current-dependent inductance, inducing an external flux tunable nonlinear Duffing self-interaction term in the microwave resonator mode equation. Motion of the compliant SQUID loop segment is transduced inductively through changes in the external flux threading SQUID loop, giving a ponderomotive radiation pressure-type coupling between the microwave and mechanical resonator modes. Expressions are derived for the detector signal response and noise, …


Quantum Analysis Of A Linear Dc Squid Mechanical Displacement Detector, M. P. Blencowe, E. Buks Jul 2007

Quantum Analysis Of A Linear Dc Squid Mechanical Displacement Detector, M. P. Blencowe, E. Buks

Dartmouth Scholarship

We provide a quantum analysis of a dc SQUID mechanical displacement detector within the subcritical Josephson current regime. A segment of the SQUID loop forms the mechanical resonator and motion of the latter is transduced inductively through changes in the flux threading the loop. Expressions are derived for the detector signal response and noise, which are used to evaluate the position and force detection sensitivity. We also investigate cooling of the mechanical resonator due to detector back reaction.


Decoherence And Recoherence In A Vibrating Rf Squid, Eyal Buks, M. P. Blencowe Nov 2006

Decoherence And Recoherence In A Vibrating Rf Squid, Eyal Buks, M. P. Blencowe

Dartmouth Scholarship

We study an rf SQUID, in which a section of the loop is a freely suspended beam that is allowed to oscillate mechanically. The coupling between the rf SQUID and the mechanical resonator originates from the dependence of the total magnetic flux threading the loop on the displacement of the resonator. Motion of the latter affects the visibility of Rabi oscillations between the two lowest energy states of the rf SQUID. We address the feasibility of experimental observation of decoherence and recoherence, namely decay and rise of the visibility, in such a system.


Dynamics Of A Nanomechanical Resonator Coupled To A Superconducting Single-Electron Transistor, M. P. Blencowe, J. Imbers, A. D. Armour Nov 2005

Dynamics Of A Nanomechanical Resonator Coupled To A Superconducting Single-Electron Transistor, M. P. Blencowe, J. Imbers, A. D. Armour

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present an analysis of the dynamics of a nanomechanical resonator coupled to a superconducting single-electron transistor (SSET) in the vicinity of Josephson quasi-particle (JQP) and double Josephson quasi-particle (DJQP) resonances. For weak coupling and wide separation of dynamical timescales, we find that for either superconducting resonances the dynamics of the resonator are given by a Fokker–Planck equation, i.e. the SSET behaves effectively as an equilibrium heat bath, characterized by an effective temperature, which also damps the resonator and renormalizes its frequency. Depending on the gate and drain–source voltage bias points with respect to the superconducting resonance, the SSET can …


Anyonic Superconductivity In A Modified Large-U Hubbard Model, Asim Gangopadhyaya, Prasanta K. Panigrahi Nov 1991

Anyonic Superconductivity In A Modified Large-U Hubbard Model, Asim Gangopadhyaya, Prasanta K. Panigrahi

Physics: Faculty Publications and Other Works

A modified large-U Hubbard model at half filling is analyzed by a mean-field approach. Preserving a local U(1) symmetry of the action, the fluctuations about half filling are studied in the spirit of the commensurate-flux-phase condition. The fluctuations then contribute a Chern-Simons term to the tree-level Lagrangian with a coefficient appropriate to that of a half fermion. With the Coulomb repulsion term, we study the low-energy excitations of the model and show the existence of superconductivity in the presence of a four-Fermi interaction term.