Quasi-Particle Breakthrough: Bridging Microwave and Optical Domains

2023-09-19 02:15:30

New quasi-particle bridges microwave and optical domains

In a recent study published in Nature Communications, scientists from the Paul-Drude-Institut in Berlin, Germany, and the Instituto Balseiro in Bariloche, Argentina, have discovered a new quasi-particle called phonoriton. This quasi-particle is a combination of a photon (quantum of light), a phonon (quantum of sound), and a semiconductor exciton. The mixing of these quantum fluids of light and GHz sound has opened up possibilities for coherent information conversion between the optical and microwave domains. The findings have significant implications for photonics, optomechanics, and optical communication technologies.

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The researchers drew inspiration from the transfer of energy between two coupled oscillators, like two pendulums connected by a spring. In the strong-coupling regime, energy continuously oscillates between the two pendulums, which are no longer independent. This phenomenon applies to photonic and electronic quantum states as well, making it essential for quantum state control and swapping.

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However, in hybrid quantum systems, where information transfer is required between oscillators with different frequencies, coherent transfer becomes challenging. This is especially true for networks of quantum computers that operate with microwave qubits but efficiently transfer quantum information using near-infrared photons. One alternative is to mediate the conversion by a third particle that can efficiently couple to both microwave qubits and photons. In this study, the researchers explored the use of GHz vibrations of the lattice, known as phonons, for this purpose.

Phonoriton: A Novel Quasi-Particle

The theory behind strong coupling between light and phonons was established in 1982 by Keldysh and Ivanov. They suggested that semiconductor crystals can mix photons and phonons through another quasi-particle called exciton-polariton. The interaction of a phonon with polariton oscillators of different frequencies leads to the formation of the phonoriton, which combines exciton, photon, and phonon.

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Despite the scientific importance of the phonoriton, its emergence has been challenging to achieve experimentally. However, this recent study successfully demonstrated the creation of phonoritons in a patterned microcavity resonator. By trapping polaritons and phonons within the microcavity, the researchers enhanced the interaction between the two particles, enabling the formation of phonoritons.

Cross-Domain Conversion and Applications

The synchronized oscillations of the two polariton fluids, facilitated by the absorption and emission of phonons, allow for bidirectional microwave-to-optical conversion. By precisely controlling the densities of the polariton fluids, the energy splitting between them can be tuned, leading to efficient and coherent conversion between the two domains. Unlike conventional optomechanical systems, the interaction strength in this system depends on both the polariton and phonon populations.

This breakthrough in coherent bidirectional microwave-to-optical conversion holds promise for various applications, especially in the field of quantum computing. It provides a new intermediary for transferring quantum information between microwave qubits and photons, thereby addressing the inefficiencies observed in direct conversion.

Overall, the work conducted by Alexander Kuznetsov and his team has demonstrated the potential of bridging the microwave and optical domains using the newly discovered phonoriton. Their findings contribute to advancing the fields of photonics, optomechanics, and optical communication technologies.

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