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DOE OSTI2026

Redefining precision interferometry and spectroscopy with high-performance optical interference coatings

High-performance optical interference coatings have transformed precision interferometry and spectroscopy by enabling unparalleled control over light–matter interactions. This review explores recent innovations in ion-beam sputtered amorphous dielectric, as well as substrate-transferred crystalline coatings, and their impact on systems at the forefront of precision metrology. These state-of-the-art coating techniques generate multilayers with ultralow optical losses, yielding mirrors with exceptional reflectivity. Refinements in their noise performance push the ultimate limits of sensitivity, resolution, and stability in demanding laser-based metrology applications. These technologies underpin the most advanced timekeeping and spatial measurement tools, enabling high-finesse reference cavities for the world’s most precise optical atomic clocks and low-noise reflective test masses for km-baseline gravitational-wave detectors. Emerging hybrid designs combining these techniques expand access to the mid-infrared spectral region, enabling the first ultralow-optical-loss coatings in the 3000–5000 nm wavelength range for enhanced spectroscopy and trace-gas detection. We highlight how these technologies redefine coating performance metrics and set new benchmarks in quantum science, fundamental physics, and precision optical sensing.

Cole, Garrett D. [University of Arizona, Tucson, A↗

DOE OSTI2025

Harnessing Quantum Information Science for Enhancing Sensors in Harsh Fossil Energy Environments

The main goals of this project are to utilize real-time quantum dynamics simulations and quantum optimal control algorithms to (1) harness near-surface nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers to detect chemical analytes in harsh fossil energy environments, and (2) design optimally constructed electromagnetic fields for initializing these near-surface NV center spins for efficient sensor performance and detectivity.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Compositions for use in diagnosing and treating melanoma, including metastatic melanoma and methods related to same

The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools/compounds comprising a cyclic peptide wherein the compound binds to a MSH receptor to image and treat cancers, especially, melanoma, including metastatic melanoma in vivo. The present invention represents a clear advance in the art which presently relies on tissue biopsy for diagnoses of these cancers. The novel imaging probes are capable of detecting cancerous melanoma cells, as well as their metastatic spread in tissues. This represents a quantum step forward in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, including metastatic melanoma using non-invasive molecular imaging techniques. The novel probes of the present invention will also be useful to initiate therapy for melanoma as well as monitor patients response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of melanoma/metastatic melanoma. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states.

Miao, Yubin↗

DOE OSTI2020

Near-field probing of strong light-matter coupling in single IR antennae

Quantum well intersubband polaritons are traditionally studied in large scale ensembles, over many wavelengths in size.In this presentation, we demonstrate that it is possible to detect and investigate intersubband polaritons in a single sub-wavelength nanoantenna in the IR frequency range. We observe polariton formation using a scattering-type near-fieldmicroscope and nano-FTIR spectroscopy. In this work, we will discuss near-field spectroscopic signatures of plasmonic antennae withand without coupling to the intersubband transition in quantum wells located underneath the antenna. Evanescent fieldamplitude spectra recorded on the antenna surface show a mode anti-crossing behavior in the strong coupling case. Wealso observe a corresponding strong-coupling signature in the phase of the detected field. We anticipate that this near-fieldapproach will enable explorations of strong and ultrastrong light-matter coupling in the single nanoantenna regime,including investigations of the elusive effect of ISB polariton condensation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Microscopic study of the coupled-wire construction and plausible realization in spin-dependent optical lattices

Coupled-wire constructions offer particularly simple and powerful models to capture the essence of strongly correlated topological phases of matter. They often rely on effective theories valid in the low-energy and strong-coupling limits, which impose severe constraints on the physical systems where they could be realized. In this work, we investigate the microscopic relevance of a class of coupled-wire models and their possible experimental realization in cold-atom experiments. We connect with earlier results and prove the emergence of fractional quantum Hall states in the limit of strong interwire tunneling. Contrary to previous studies relying on renormalization group arguments, our microscopic approach exposes the connection between coupled-wire constructions and model wave functions in continuum Landau levels. Then, we use exact-diagonalization methods to investigate the appearance of these fractional quantum Hall states in more realistic settings. We examine the parameter regimes where these strongly correlated phases arise, and provide a way to detect their appearance in cold-atom experiments through standard time-of-flight measurements. Motivated by this experimental probe, we finally propose a realization of our model with cold atoms in spin-dependent optical lattices. Our estimates show that the previous fractional quantum Hall phases lie within experimentally accessible parameter regimes, giving a viable route toward their experimental study.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2023

CP2 skyrmions and skyrmion crystals in realistic quantum magnets

Abstract Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale topological textures that have been recently observed in different families of quantum magnets. These objects are called CP 1 skyrmions because they are built from dipoles—the target manifold is the 1D complex projective space, CP 1 ≅ S 2 . Here we report the emergence of magnetic CP 2 skyrmions in a realistic spin-1 model, which includes both dipole and quadrupole moments. Unlike CP 1 skyrmions, CP 2 skyrmions can also arise as metastable textures of quantum paramagnets, opening a new road to discover emergent topological solitons in non-magnetic materials. The quantum phase diagram of the spin-1 model also includes magnetic field-induced CP 2 skyrmion crystals that can be detected with regular momentum- (diffraction) and real-space (Lorentz transmission electron microscopy) experimental techniques.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2024

Bosenovae with quadratically-coupled scalars in quantum sensing experiments

Abstract Ultralight dark matter (ULDM) particles of massm ϕ ≲ 1 eV can form boson stars in DM halos. Collapse of boson stars leads to explosive bosenova emission of copious relativistic ULDM particles. In this work, we analyze the sensitivity of terrestrial and space-based experiments to detect such relativistic scalar ULDM particles interacting through quadratic couplings with Standard Model constituents, including electrons, photons, and gluons. We highlight key differences with searches for linear ULDM couplings. Screening of ULDM with quadratic couplings near the surface of the Earth can significantly impact observations in terrestrial experiments, motivating future space-based experiments. We demonstrate excellent ULDM discovery prospects, especially for quantum sensors, which can probe quadratic couplings orders below existing constraints by detecting bosenova events in the ULDM mass range 10 −23 eV ≲m ϕ ≲ 10 −5 eV. We also report updated constraints on quadratic couplings of ULDM in case it comprises cold DM.

Physics↗

DOE OSTI2024

Topological quantum computation on a chiral Kondo chain

We describe the chiral Kondo chain model based on the symplectic Kondo effect and demonstrate that it has a quantum critical ground state populated by non-Abelian anyons. We show that the fusion channel of two arbitrary anyons can be detected by locally coupling the two anyons to an extra single channel of chiral current and measuring the corresponding conductance at a finite frequency. Based on such measurements, we propose that the chiral Kondo chain model with symplectic symmetry can be used for the implementation of measurement-only topological quantum computations, and it possesses several distinct features favorable for such applications. Furthermore, the sources and effects of errors in the proposed system are analyzed and possible material realizations are discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2024

Diamond surface functionalization via visible light–driven C–H activation for nanoscale quantum sensing

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are a promising platform for nanoscale NMR sensing. Despite significant progress toward using NV centers to detect and localize nuclear spins down to the single spin level, NV-based spectroscopy of individual, intact, arbitrary target molecules remains elusive. Such sensing requires that target molecules are immobilized within nanometers of NV centers with long spin coherence. The inert nature of diamond typically requires harsh functionalization techniques such as thermal annealing or plasma processing, limiting the scope of functional groups that can be attached to the surface. Solution-phase chemical methods can be readily generalized to install diverse functional groups, but they have not been widely explored for single-crystal diamond surfaces. Moreover, realizing shallow NV centers with long spin coherence times requires highly ordered single-crystal surfaces, and solution-phase functionalization has not yet been shown with such demanding conditions. In this work, we report a versatile strategy to directly functionalize C–H bonds on single-crystal diamond surfaces under ambient conditions using visible light, forming C–F, C–Cl, C–S, and C–N bonds at the surface. This method is compatible with NV centers within 10 nm of the surface with spin coherence times comparable to the state of the art. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, we use shallow ensembles of NV centers to detect nuclear spins from surface-bound functional groups. Our approach to surface functionalization opens the door to deploying NV centers as a tool for chemical sensing and single-molecule spectroscopy.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

DOE OSTI2024

Phonon-mediated quantum efficiency measurement in semiconductors

Accurate quantum efficiency measurement not only provides crucial information for the photovoltaic cell industry but also supports experiments aimed at directly detecting dark matter and elastic neutrino interactions. The dark matter direct searches paradigm has recently expanded to include particles with masses below 1,MeV/c2, where the expected signal in an electron–recoil interaction is approximately in the eV range, just above the energy gap for silicon and germanium. A robust calibration method for ionization signals in this lower energy region is essential. This paper presents a method for measuring quantum efficiency and yield (q/E) in semiconductors using phonon-mediated calorimetry. The Neganov–Trofimov–Luke phonon amplification method in low-temperature semiconductor crystals has been employed to indirectly measure ionization down to single-electron accuracy. Specifically, at zero bias, the phonon readout directly quantifies the total energy deposited within the detector, independent of the ionization yield. This eliminates a significant source of systematic uncertainty in quantum efficiency estimates associated with total energy uncertainty. The paper includes results from an updated ionization efficiency measurement in a germanium detector.

Physics↗

DOE OSTI2023

CRADA Number NFE-20-08292 with Quantum Lock Technologies LLC (CRADA Final Report)

At Quantum Lock Technologies, our mission is to use future-proof hardware and software to bridge the gap between physical access control and cyber security. Physical security includes access to doors, lockboxes/containers, and machinery/robots. Connecting physical access control to the cloud allows for remote detection, fast ledger updates, and mobile or remote access. However, this also opens physical security up to the world of cyber-attacks. At Quantum Lock, we use quantum random number generation to generate completely random and unpredictable digital keys to be used by connected equipment in a facility. This quantum technology is then paired with end-to-end encryption and a one-time-key communication protocol to ensure the highest level of security. Through the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we have developed benchtop prototypes of our technology, connected with utility boards as our first target customers, and prepared for our first pilot with customers (target end of summer 2022).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2023

Quantum Lock Technologies: Innovation Crossroads Final Report

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

DOE OSTI2023

Quantum Lock Technologies: Innovation Crossroads Final CRADA Report

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2022

Spin orbit torque in ferromagnet/topological-quantum-material heterostructures

The main objective of this proposal was to investigate the spin-orbital driven phenomena in topological insulator (TI)/ferromagnet (FM) or transition metal (TM) heterostructures. In particularly, we tried to utilize the spin-momentum locking properties on the surface of TIs to achieve ideal spin-orbit torques (SOTs). In practice, we found that the surface properties have been greatly modified, resulting in much more complicated magneto-transport behaviors than what is expected in SOT-driven magnetotransport. Through systematic and extended investigations, we start to unravel that the nonlinear magnetotransport properties, which was, in the past, mainly attributed to SOT-driven phenomena, can be used to infer the modification of the electronic band structures of TIs and spin textures in FMs which are closely related with charge-spin interconversion phenomena. Regarding the band structures In TIs, we find under electrostatic perturbations imposed by deposition of nonmagnetic TMs, the quantum well states formed on the surface of TIs develop substantial Rashba spin-splitting, which is detected as a bilinear magnetoresistance (BMR). Under magnetic perturbations, the nonlinear planar Hall effect (NPHE) in the topological surface states is greatly enhanced, possibly reflecting the modified surface band structure due to time-reversal symmetry breaking. In a double HM/FM heterostructure where the magnetic anisotropy can be robustly tuned, we observed second-harmonic Hall voltage responses corresponding to domain wall structures with fixed chirality, stabilized by interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI). In addition, in the linear transport regime, we utilized inverse-SHE-induced anomalous Hall effect in Pt to probe the exchange bias on the surface of a doped magnetic insulator Tm 3 Fe 5 O 12 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Signatures of vacuum birefringence in low-power flying focus pulses

Vacuum birefringence produces a differential phase between orthogonally polarized components of a weak electromagnetic probe in the presence of a strong electromagnetic field. Despite representing a hallmark prediction of quantum electrodynamics, vacuum birefringence remains untested in pure light configurations due to the extremely large electromagnetic fields required for a detectable phase difference. Here, we exploit the programmable focal velocity and extended focal range of a flying focus laser pulse to substantially lower the laser power required for detection of vacuum birefringence. In the proposed scheme, a linearly polarized x-ray probe pulse counterpropagates with respect to a flying focus pulse, whose focus moves at the speed of light in the same direction as the x-ray probe. The peak intensity of the flying focus pulse overlaps the probe over millimeter-scale distances and induces a polarization ellipticity on the order of 10 − 10 , which lies within the detection sensitivity of existing x-ray polarimeters. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Design and optimization of high temperature optocouplers as galvanic isolation

The commercial InGaN-based (blue and green) and AlGaInP-based (red) multiple quantum well (MQW) lighting emitting diodes (LEDs) were studied in a wide range of temperatures up to 800 K for their light emission and detection (i.e., LEDs operated under reverse bias as photodiodes (PDs)) characteristics. The results indicate the feasibility of integrating a pair of selected LEDs to fabricate high temperature (HT) optocouplers, which can be utilized as galvanic isolation to replace the bulky isolation transforms in the high-density power modules. A detailed study on LEDs and PDs were performed. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the LED and PDs were calculated. Higher relative external quantum efficiency (EQE) and lower efficiency droops with temperatures are obtained from the blue and green LEDs for display compared with the blue one for lighting and red LED for display. The blue for lighting and red for display devices show superior responsivity, specific detectivity (D*), and EQE compared with blue and green for display when operated as PDs. The results suggest that red LED devices for display can be used to optimize HT optocouplers due to the highest wavelength overlapping compared with others.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Certified quantum measurement of Majorana fermions

Here, we propose a quantum self-testing protocol to certify measurements of fermion parity involving Majorana fermion modes. We further show that observing a set of ideal measurement statistics implies anticommutativity of the implemented Majorana fermion parity operators, a necessary prerequisite for Majorana detection. Our protocol is robust to experimental errors. We obtain lower bounds on the fidelities of the state and measurement operators that are linear in the errors. We propose to analyze experimental outcomes in terms of a contextuality witness W , which satisfies 〈 W 〉 ≤ 3 for any classical probabilistic model of the data. A violation of the inequality witnesses quantum contextuality, and the closeness to the maximum ideal value 〈 W 〉 = 5 indicates the degree of confidence in the detection of Majorana fermions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Open quantum system violates generalized Pauli constraints on quantum device

Abstract The Pauli exclusion principle governs the fundamental structure and function of fermionic systems from molecules to materials. Nonetheless, when such a fermionic system is in a pure state, it is subject to additional restrictions known as the generalized Pauli constraints (GPCs). Here we verify experimentally the violation of the GPCs for an open quantum system using data from a superconducting-qubit quantum computer. We prepare states of systems with three-to-seven qubits directly on the quantum device and measure the one-fermion reduced density matrix (1-RDM) from which we can test the GPCs. We find that the GPCs of the 1-RDM are sufficiently sensitive to detect the openness of the 3-to-7 qubit systems in the presence of a single-qubit environment. Results confirm experimentally that the openness of a many-fermion quantum system can be decoded from only a knowledge of the 1-RDM with potential applications from quantum computing and sensing to noise-assisted energy transfer.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗