No Arabic abstract
Stuckelberg interferometry describes the interference of two strongly coupled modes during a double passage through an avoided energy level crossing. In this work, we experimentally investigate finite time effects in Stuckelberg interference and provide an exact analytical solution of the Stuckelberg problem. Approximating this solution in distinct limits reveals uncharted parameter regimes of Stuckelberg interferometry. Experimentally, we study these regimes using a purely classical, strongly coupled nanomechanical two-mode system of high quality factor. The classical two-mode system consists of the in-plane and out-of-plane fundamental flexural mode of a high stress silicon nitride string resonator, coupled via electric gradient fields. The dielectric control and microwave cavity enhanced universal transduction of the nanoelectromechanical system allows for the experimental access to all theoretically predicted Stuckelberg parameter regimes. We exploit our experimental and theoretical findings by studying the onset of Stuckelberg interference in dependence of the characteristic system control parameters and obtain characteristic excitation oscillations between the two modes even without the explicit need of traversing the avoided crossing. The presented theory is not limited to classical mechanical two-mode systems but can be applied to every strongly coupled (quantum) two-level system, for example a spin-1/2 system or superconducting qubit.
The transition from classical to quantum mechanics has intrigued scientists in the past and remains one of the most fundamental conceptual challenges in state-of-the-art physics. Beyond the quantum mechanical correspondence principle, quantum-classical analogies have attracted considerable interest. In this work, we present classical two-mode interference for a nanomechanical two-mode system, realizing classical Stuckelberg interferometry. In the past, Stuckelberg interferometry has been investigated exclusively in quantum mechanical two-level systems. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a classical analog of Stuckelberg interferometry taking advantage of coherent energy exchange between two-strongly coupled, high quality factor nanomechanical resonator modes. Furthermore, we provide an exact theoretical solution for the double passage Stuckelberg problem which reveals the analogy of the return probabilities in the quantum mechanical and the classical version of the problem. This result qualifies classical two-mode systems at large as a testbed for quantum mechanical interferometry.
We report on the realization of a time-domain `Stuckelberg interferometer, which is based on the internal state structure of ultracold Feshbach molecules. Two subsequent passages through a weak avoided crossing between two different orbital angular momentum states in combination with a variable hold time lead to high-contrast population oscillations. This allows for a precise determination of the energy difference between the two molecular states. We demonstrate a high degree of control over the interferometer dynamics. The interferometric scheme provides new possibilities for precision measurements with ultracold molecules.
We perform Landau-Zener-Stuckelberg-Majorana (LZSM) spectroscopy on a system with strong spin-orbit interaction (SOI), realized as a single hole confined in a gated double quantum dot. In analogy to the electron systems, at magnetic field B=0 and high modulation frequencies we observe the photon-assisted tunneling (PAT) between dots, which smoothly evolves into the typical LZSM funnel-shaped interference pattern as the frequency is decreased. In contrast to electrons, the SOI enables an additional, efficient spin-flipping interdot tunneling channel, introducing a distinct interference pattern at finite B. Magneto-transport spectra at low-frequency LZSM driving show the two channels to be equally coherent. High-frequency LZSM driving reveals complex photon-assisted tunneling pathways, both spin-conserving and spin-flipping, which form closed loops at critical magnetic fields. In one such loop an arbitrary hole spin state is inverted, opening the way toward its all-electrical manipulation.
We perform Landau-Zener-Stuckelberg interferometry on a single electron GaAs charge qubit by repeatedly driving the system through an avoided crossing. We observe coherent destruction of tunneling, where periodic driving with specific amplitudes inhibits current flow. We probe the quantum dot occupation using a charge sensor, observing oscillations in the qubit population resulting from the microwave driving. At a frequency of 9 GHz we observe excitation processes driven by the absorption of up to 17 photons. Simulations of the qubit occupancy are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Using the Landau-Zener-Stuckelberg-Majorana-type (LZSM) semiclassical approach, we study both graphene and a thin film of a Weyl semimetal subjected to a strong AC electromagnetic field. The spectrum of quasi energies in the Weyl semimetal turns out to be similar to that of a graphene sheet. Earlier it has been predicted qualitatively that the transport properties of strongly-irradiated graphene oscillate as a function of the radiation intensity [S.V. Syzranov et al., Phys. Rev. B 88, 241112 (2013)]. Here we obtain rigorous quantitative results for a driven linear conductance of graphene and a thin film of a Weyl semimetal. The exact quantitative structure of oscillations exhibits two contributions. The first one is a manifestation of the Ramsauer-Townsend effect, while the second contribution is a consequence of the LZSM interference defining the spectrum of quasienergies.