Professor Huajun Chen's research team from the School of Mechanics and Optoelectronic Physics, Anhui University of Technology, proposed a hybrid multi-mode quantum system with a carbon nanotube resonator as a universal quantum interface. By effectively controlling the phase of the phonon coupling modulation in the system, the quantum manipulation of the group velocity is realized, providing a promising integrated platform for quantum information processing on a chip scale. The relevant research results were recently published in Frontiers of Science.
Hybrid Quantum System Model Diagram
Introduction
Hybrid quantum systems couple fundamentally different physical elements, combining their unique properties while mitigating their individual drawbacks. This approach opens up new possibilities for studying quantum phenomena and developing quantum technologies.
Motivation and Design
"Quantum units such as photons, atoms, spins, mesoscopic superconductors, and nanomechanical systems have significant applications in quantum information processing and ultra-precise sensing," explains Hua Jun Chen. "However, in practical applications, integrating these units is necessary to compensate for their individual weaknesses."
To address this, Chen and his team proposed a hybrid quantum system comprising a diamond vacancy spin, a carbon nanotube mechanical oscillator, and multiple mechanical modes. This design harnesses the exceptional properties of both diamond vacancy spins and carbon nanotubes.
Significance
Studying the optical properties of this multimode hybrid quantum system provides a theoretical basis for using light as a quantum information carrier and enables the development of optical quantum information processing. Additionally, the system offers a platform for exploring the complex interactions and dynamics in multicomponent systems.
Key Findings
By controlling the system's bichromatic electromagnetically induced transparency, Chen's team effectively manipulated the propagation of light, inducing delays or advancements. The modulation phase could cyclically manipulate the fast and slow light phenomena produced by the bichromatic electromagnetically induced transparency.
Generalizability and Applications
"Our proposed system is universal," says Chen. "The two-level system in our model can be replaced with various other two-level systems, such as superconducting qubits, semiconductor quantum dots, semiconductor defects, and atomic systems. The carbon nanotube oscillator could also be substituted with semiconductor nanowire oscillators, cantilever oscillators, or layered two-dimensional graphene or molybdenum disulfide oscillators."
This system bridges the gap between optics and mechanics, providing a promising integration platform for applications such as on-chip quantum information processing.
Expert Review
Reviewers for npj Quantum Information commented, "The authors present a multimode hybrid quantum system that allows for bichromatic electromagnetically induced transparency, leading to quantum control of light propagation. This work has important implications for quantum information processing."
Link to Paper:
