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At least 37 records · Page 2

Multimode Strong Coupling in Cavity Optomechanics

Optomechanical systems show great potential as quantum transducers and information storage devices for use in future hybrid quantum networks. In this context, optomechanical strong coupling can enable efficient, high-bandwidth, and deterministic transfer of quantum states. While optomechanical strong coupling has been realized at optical frequencies, it has proven difficult to identify a robust optomechanical system that features the low loss and high coupling rates required for more sophisticated control of mechanical motion. In this paper, we demonstrate strong coupling in a Brillouin-based bulk cavity optomechanical system in both the single-mode and the multimode strong-coupling regime, which leads to a useful device both for applications in quantum information and for investigating decoherence phenomena in bulk acoustic wave resonators. Using nontrivial mode hybridizations in the strong-coupling regime, we create hybridized photonic-phononic modes with lifetimes that are significantly longer than those of the uncoupled system. This surprising lifetime enhancement, which results from the interference of decay channels, showcases the use of multimode strong coupling as a general strategy to control extrinsic decoherence mechanisms. Moreover, phonons supported by such bulk-acoustic-wave resonators have a collection of properties, including high frequencies, long coherence times, and robustness against thermal decoherence, that make this optomechanical system particularly enticing for applications such as quantum transduction and memories. Hence, this system provides access to phenomena in a previously unexplored regime of optomechanical interactions and could serve as an important building block for future quantum devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A quantum processor based on coherent transport of entangled atom arrays

The ability to engineer parallel, programmable operations between desired qubits within a quantum processor is key for building scalable quantum information systems. In most state-of-the-art approaches, qubits interact locally, constrained by the connectivity associated with their fixed spatial layout. Here we demonstrate a quantum processor with dynamic, non-local connectivity, in which entangled qubits are coherently transported in a highly parallel manner across two spatial dimensions, between layers of single- and two-qubit operations. Our approach makes use of neutral atom arrays trapped and transported by optical tweezers; hyperfine states are used for robust quantum information storage, and excitation into Rydberg states is used for entanglement generation. We use this architecture to realize programmable generation of entangled graph states, such as cluster states and a seven-qubit Steane code state. Furthermore, we shuttle entangled ancilla arrays to realize a surface code state with thirteen data and six ancillary qubits and a toric code state on a torus with sixteen data and eight ancillary qubits. Finally, we use this architecture to realize a hybrid analogue–digital evolution and use it for measuring entanglement entropy in quantum simulations, experimentally observing non-monotonic entanglement dynamics associated with quantum many-body scars. Realizing a long-standing goal, these results provide a route towards scalable quantum processing and enable applications ranging from simulation to metrology.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Ferroelectrically switched valley-dependent transmission in SnTe-PbTe-SnTe monolayer lateral heterostructures

A special class of valleytronic two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors possesses carrier pockets (i.e., valleys) along certain directions in the first Brillouin zone, which can be applied as a new degree of freedom for information storage and processing. Here we show that members of this family that are ferroelectric allow the location of these valleys to be switched by rotating the ferroelectric polarization. This makes possible the control of electronic state transmission probability through an energy barrier by ferroelectrically switching the polarization direction, thereby creating or eliminating valley matching in reciprocal space. We apply molecular beam epitaxy to grow lateral sandwich heterostructures with monolayer-thick ferroelectric SnTe separated by nanometer-wide paraelectric PbTe as the barriers. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that the transmission probability of the 2D hole states at the valence band maximum of SnTe monolayer strongly relies on the relative orientation between the polarization directions of the two SnTe electrodes. The transmission can be switched from a suppressed state to a permitted state by rotating the ferroelectric polarization of one SnTe electrode by 90 degrees. Our work demonstrates the electric-field-control of valley locations and its potential for tunnel junction valleytronic devices.

electronic devices↗

Qudit Dynamical Decoupling on a Superconducting Quantum Processor

Multilevel qudit systems are increasingly being explored as alternatives to traditional qubit systems due to their denser information storage and processing potential. However, qudits are more susceptible to decoherence than qubits due to increased loss channels, noise sensitivity, and crosstalk. To address these challenges, we develop protocols for dynamical decoupling (DD) of qudit systems based on the Heisenberg-Weyl group. We implement and experimentally verify these DD protocols on a superconducting transmon processor that supports qudit operation based on qutrits (d = 3) and ququarts (d = 4). Specifically, we demonstrate single-qudit DD sequences to decouple qutrits and ququarts from system-bath-induced decoherence. Here we also introduce two-qudit DD sequences designed to suppress the detrimental cross-Kerr couplings between coupled qudits. This allows us to demonstrate a significant improvement in the fidelity of time-evolved qutrit Bell states. Our results highlight the utility of leveraging DD to enable scalable qudit-based quantum computing.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Perovskite-Derivative Valleytronics

Halide perovskites are revolutionizing the renewable energy sector owing to their high photovoltaic efficiency, low manufacturing cost, and flexibility. Their remarkable mobility and long carrier lifetime are also valuable for information technology, but fundamental challenges like poor stability under an electric field prevent realistic applications of halide perovskites in electronics. Here, it is discovered that valleytronics is a promising route to leverage the advantages of halide perovskites and derivatives for information storage and processing. The synthesized all-inorganic lead-free perovskite derivative, Cs 3 Bi 2 I 9 , exhibits strong light-matter interaction and parity-dependent optically addressable valley degree of freedom. In this work, robust optical helicity in all odd-layer-number crystals with inversion symmetry breaking is observed, indicating excitonic coherence extending well beyond 11 layers. The excellent optical and valley properties of Cs 3 Bi 2 I 9 arise from the unique parallel bands, according to first principles calculations. This discovery points to new materials design principles for scalable valleytronic devices and demonstrates the promise of perovskite derivatives beyond energy applications.

2D materials↗

Anisotropic Excitons Reveal Local Spin Chain Directions in a van der Waals Antiferromagnet

A long‐standing pursuit in materials science is to identify suitable magnetic semiconductors for integrated information storage, processing, and transfer. Van der Waals magnets have brought forth new material candidates for this purpose. Recently, sharp exciton resonances in antiferromagnet NiPS 3 have been reported to correlate with magnetic order, that is, the exciton photoluminescence intensity diminishes above the Néel temperature. Here, it is found that the polarization of maximal exciton emission rotates locally, revealing three possible spin chain directions. This discovery establishes a new understanding of the antiferromagnet order hidden in previous neutron scattering and optical experiments. Furthermore, defect‐bound states are suggested as an alternative exciton formation mechanism that has yet to be explored in NiPS 3 . The supporting evidence includes chemical analysis, excitation power, and thickness dependent photoluminescence and first‐principles calculations. This mechanism for exciton formation is also consistent with the presence of strong phonon side bands. This study shows that anisotropic exciton photoluminescence can be used to read out local spin chain directions in antiferromagnets and realize multi‐functional devices via spin‐photon transduction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Topological Spin Textures in an Insulating van der Waals Ferromagnet

Generation and control of topological spin textures constitutes one of the most exciting challenges of modern spintronics given their potential applications in information storage technologies. Of particular interest are magnetic insulators, which due to low damping, absence of Joule heating and reduced dissipation can provide energy-efficient spin-textures platform. Here, it is demonstrated that the interplay between sample thickness, external magnetic fields, and optical excitations can generate a prolific paramount of spin textures, and their coexistence in insulating CrBr 3 van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnets. Using high-resolution magnetic force microscopy and large-scale micromagnetic simulation methods, the existence of a large region in T-B phase diagram is demonstrated where different stripe domains, skyrmion crystals, and magnetic domains exist and can be intrinsically selected or transformed to each-other via a phase-switch mechanism. Lorentz transmission electron microscopy unveils the mixed chirality of the magnetic textures that are of Bloch-type at given conditions but can be further manipulated into Néel-type or hybrid-type via thickness-engineering. The topological phase transformation between the different magnetic objects can be further inspected by standard photoluminescence optical probes resolved by circular polarization indicative of an existence of exciton-skyrmion coupling mechanism. The findings identify vdW magnetic insulators as a promising framework of materials for the manipulation and generation of highly ordered skyrmion lattices relevant for device integration at the atomic level.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Peptide‐Induced Ferroelectricity in Charge‐Transfer Supramolecular Materials

Organic ferroelectrics are of great interest in sustainable energy conversion, information storage, flexible electronics, and potential biomedical applications as soft implants, among many other applications. Despite their broad potential, the development of organic ferroelectrics has remained limited, with only a few known examples in solid-state systems, primarily due to the lack of well-established design strategies compared to inorganic systems. Bio-inspired supramolecular chemistry offers a path to create functional nanostructures that are water-processable and biocompatible. We report here on supramolecular charge transfer (CT) systems in which peptides are covalently linked to dyads of electron-donating and electron-accepting moieties, creating amphiphiles that self-assemble into nanoscale ribbons in water. The peptide chirality-induced symmetry breaking in these crystalline nanostructures not only results in second harmonic activity but also generates ferroelectric behavior across multiple CT systems, demonstrating a versatile supramolecular approach to the design of new organic ferroelectrics. Furthermore, culturing primary neuron cells on coatings of the ferroelectric materials promoted axonal growth and enhanced action potentials, indicating improved neuronal maturity facilitated by the polar structure of the ferroelectric nanomaterials. The supramolecular strategy used here holds promise to create new water-processable ferroelectric biomaterials, opening avenues for innovative applications in cell charge transfer, neuronal axon growth, peptide symmetry breaking, self-assembling peptides, supramolecular ferroelectrics, proliferation, and bioelectronics.

charge transfer↗

A Heteromeric Carboxylic Acid Based Single-Crystalline Crosslinked Organic Framework

The development of large pore single-crystalline covalently linked organic frameworks is critical in revealing the detailed structure-property relationship with substrates. One emergent approach is to photo-crosslink hydrogen-bonded molecular crystals. Introducing complementary hydrogen-bonded carboxylic acid building blocks is promising to construct large pore networks, but these molecules often form interpenetrated networks or non-porous solids. In this report we introduced heteromeric carboxylic acid dimers to construct a non-interpenetrated molecular crystal. Crosslinking this crystal precursor with dithiols afforded a large pore single-crystalline hydrogen-bonded crosslinked organic framework H C OF-101. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed H C OF-101 as an interlayer connected hexagonal network, which possesses flexible linkages and large porous channels to host a hydrazone photoswitch. Multicycle Z/E-isomerization of the hydrazone took place reversibly within H C OF-101, showcasing the potential use of H C OF-101 for optical information storage.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nonreciprocal spin-wave propagation in YIG/GGG: a limit on the DMI parameter

Materials with low damping, such as Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG), are of interest in connection with spintronic devices. A promising structure for information storage is the Skyrmion, a domain wall quasi-particle. It has been shown that the stabilization of a Skyrmion can be energetically favorable with the addition of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) through the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya Interaction (DMI). This interaction should be largest in metals, but still present in insulators. In order to produce spintronic devices using YIG, we must evaluate the DMI interaction inherent in the substrate used to grow the YIG, which is generally Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG). In this study, we measure nonreciprocal spin wave propagation in a thick YIG film in order to place a limit on the DMI parameter in a YIG/GGG bilayer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Multifunctional Prussian blue analogue magnets: Emerging opportunities

There is a surge of interest to expand the search for entirely new classes of molecular magnets as the emergence of information storage and quantum computing devices. Prussian blue analogues as a family of molecular magnets are especially attracting wide attention due to their large number of derivatives with a range of magnetic ordering temperature from cryogenic to high temperature. Furthermore, this review presents Prussian blue analogues as multifunctional molecular magnets, which involves the development of molecular magnet syntheses and crystal structures, and magnetic properties under external stimuli. In addition, the porous network structures and vacancy order of Prussian blue analogues present a wide capability to interact with water molecules and gas adsorption. External stimuli, such as thermal, pressure, electric and magnetic field and photoexcitation, play an important role in controlling the hidden states and cooperative phenomena of high temperature molecular magnets based on Prussian blue analogues.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nonvolatile electrochemical memory at 600°C enabled by composition phase separation

Silicon-based microelectronics are limited to ~150°C and therefore not suitable for the extremely high temperatures in aerospace, energy, and space applications. While wide-band-gap semiconductors can provide high-temperature logic, nonvolatile memory devices at high temperatures have been challenging. In this work, we develop a nonvolatile electrochemical memory cell that stores and retains analog and digital information at temperatures as high as 600°C. Through correlative scanning transmission electron microscopy, we show that this high-temperature information retention is a result of composition phase separation between the oxidized and reduced forms of amorphous tantalum oxide. This result demonstrates a memory concept that is resilient at extreme temperatures and reveals phase separation as the principal mechanism that enables nonvolatile information storage in these electrochemical memory cells.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Synthesis of Eu(HCOO) 3 and $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$ crystals and observation of their 5 D 0 → 7 F 0 transition for quantum information systems

Two stoichiometric metal-organic frameworks containing Eu 3+ cations are probed as candidates for photon-based quantum information storage. Synthesis procedures for growing 0.2 mm, rod-shaped Eu(HCOO) 3 and 1–3 mm, rhombohedral $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$ single crystals are presented with visible precipitation as soon as 1 h into heating for Eu(HCOO) 3 and 24 h for $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$. Room temperature and 1.4 K photoluminescence measurements of the 5 D 0 → 7 F J transitions of Eu 3+ are analyzed for both compounds. Comparisons of peak width and intensity are discussed along with the notable first report for both of the 5 D 0 → 7 F 0 transition, the hyperfine structure of which has potential use in quantum memory applications. Furthermore, the air instability of $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$ and the transformation of its photoluminescence properties are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Laser-induced forces on atoms during ultrafast demagnetization

Laser-induced femtosecond demagnetization has attracted a broad attention as a possible candidate for information storage technology. However, whether or not lattice vibration directly participates in demagnetization has been highly controversial over a decade. A recent electron diffraction experiment attributed the demagnetization to the polarized phonon effect, but a similar x-ray diffraction experiment attributed it to the Einstein–de Haas effect. Common to both experiments is that neither the angular momentum of the lattice nor the rotation of the sample was directly probed. Here, we report our first first-principles calculation of forces on atoms induced by an ultrafast laser during ultrafast demagnetization. We employ two complementary methods: (i) the frozen lattice with electronic excitation and (ii) frozen excitation but moving the lattice. We find that the forces on atoms start at –50 fs and peak around 30 fs. The magnitude of the force is far smaller than the empirical estimates. Within the limit of our theory, our results suggest that the polarized phonon effect and the Einstein–de Haas effect are unlikely to be the main course of demagnetization. As a result, we expect that our finding has a profound impact on the future direction of laser-induced dynamics in magnetic and quantum materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Structural and electronic characteristics of amorphous Ge 8 Sb 2 Te 11

GeTe-rich phase-change materials can be utilized in rewriteable optical memory due to the large contrast in reflectivity between amorphous and crystalline phases. Here we explored the structure and electronic properties of amorphous Ge 8 Sb 2 Te 11 using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The results indicate that amorphous Ge 8 Sb 2 Te 11 is dominantly composed of Ge-, Sb- and Te-centered octahedrons with distortions, while 30.4 % of Ge-centered clusters are in the form of tetrahedrons which are randomly distributed. The 5-fold rings possess a large proportion, and the Gesingle bondTe and Sbsingle bondTe bonds present larger formation energies than other bonds, leading to the ABAB bonding sequence (A: Ge and Sb, B: Te). The lone pair electrons locating at the opposite direction of bonds possess a large fraction of 14.8 %, which may enhance the distortions of local clusters. Importantly, these structural properties lead to the high stability of amorphous Ge 8 Sb 2 Te 11 and thus long data retention in the information storage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

On the in-plane vibrations and electromechanical resonance characteristics of non-uniformly polarized rectangular piezoelectric wafers: Selective mode-type excitation and specific mode enhancement

Here, we investigate the in-plane vibrations and electromechanical resonance characteristics of non-uniformly polarized rectangular piezoelectric wafers. Non-uniform polarization is represented as a non-uniform electromechanical coupling coefficient using a polarization function. Governing equations are derived for the forced in-plane vibrations of a thin wafer under the assumption of generalized plane stress. The effect of non-uniform polarization is explicitly obtained in the forcing terms of the governing equations. These equations are then recast into a variational weak form that is then solved using the finite element method to obtain the displacement fields for different modes. The electromechanical response of a non-uniformly polarized piezoelectric wafer is derived in terms of the out-of-plane displacement profile on the surface of the wafer. Using the derived analytical expression, a necessary and sufficient condition for the presence/absence of a vibrational mode in the electromechanical impedance spectrum is obtained. Based on this condition, criteria for selective mode-type excitation and specific mode enhancement of vibrational modes in the electromechanical impedance spectrum are postulated. Selective mode-type excitation of in-plane extensional and shear modes is demonstrated for a square wafer and that of in-plane bending modes is demonstrated for a rectangular wafer. Specific mode enhancement is demonstrated for both square and rectangular wafers. In addition, it is also demonstrated how the criteria can be used to suppress specific vibrational modes in the electromechanical impedance spectrum. The proposed methodology of using non-uniformly polarized piezoelectric wafers finds application in the design of single element transducers with multi-frequency operation, frequency-tuned receivers/sensors, acoustic holograms, designing acoustic beams of prescribed shape/lobes, and other non-traditional applications such as information storage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Multiparametric AFM Insights into Electron Transport Mechanisms in Biomemristors

Biomemristors have attracted significant attention due to their applications in biodegradable and flexible electronic devices, and their prospective functions in information storage, neural synapses, and neuromorphic computation. Hence, understanding biomaterials' resistive switching (RS) mechanism is essential to design novel biomemristors with enhanced performance. In the last decade, various atomic force microscopy (AFM) modes, such as Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM), in situ/operando visualize the electron transport behaviors within biomemristors at the nanoscale. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of multiparametric AFM techniques to characterize biomemristors and inspire new ideas in developing next-generation consumer electronics. We also summarize the progress of revealing the internal mechanism of biomemristors with functional AFM to visualize and understand the switching behavior. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of further utilizing multiparametric AFM to explore the electron transport mechanisms in biomemristors are presented.

Shi, Chenyang↗