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We construct a model describing the response of a hybrid system where the electromagnetic field - in particular, surface plasmon polaritons - couples strongly with electronic excitations of atoms or molecules. Our approach is based on the input-output theory of quantum optics, and in particular it takes into account the thermal and quantum vibrations of the molecules. The latter is described within the $P(E)$ theory analogous to that used in the theory of dynamical Coulomb blockade. As a result, we are able to include the effect of the molecular Stokes shift on the strongly coupled response of the system. Our model then accounts for the asymmetric emission from upper and lower polariton modes. It also allows for an accurate description of the partial decoherence of the light emission from the strongly coupled system. Our results can be readily used to connect the response of the hybrid modes to the emission and fluorescence properties of the individual molecules, and thus are relevant in understanding any utilization of such systems, like coherent light harvesting., Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures; included comparison between theory and experiment

Three-dimensional topological semimetals can support band crossings along one-dimensional curves in the momentum space (nodal lines or Dirac lines) protected by structural symmetries and topology. We consider rhombohedrally (ABC) stacked honeycomb lattices supporting Dirac lines protected by time-reversal, inversion and spin rotation symmetries. For typical band structure parameters there exists a pair of nodal lines in the momentum space extending through the whole Brillouin zone in the stacking direction. We show that these Dirac lines are topologically distinct from the usual Dirac lines which form closed loops inside the Brillouin zone. In particular, an energy gap can be opened only by first merging the Dirac lines going through the Brillouin zone in a pairwise manner so that they turn into closed loops inside the Brillouin zone, and then by shrinking these loops into points. We show that this kind of topological phase transition can occur in rhombohedrally stacked honeycomb lattices by tuning the ratio of the tunneling amplitudes in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the layers. We also discuss the properties of the surface states in the different phases of the model.

A process which strongly amplifies both quadrature amplitudes of an oscillatory signal necessarily adds noise. Alternatively, if the information in one quadrature is lost in phase-sensitive amplification, it is possible to completely reconstruct the other quadrature. Here we demonstrate such a nearly perfect phase-sensitive measurement using a cavity optomechanical scheme, characterized by an extremely small noise less than 0.2 quanta. We also observe microwave radiation strongly squeezed by 8 dB below vacuum. A source of bright squeezed microwaves opens up applications in manipulations of quantum systems, and noiseless amplification can be used even at modest cryogenic temperatures., Comment: 5 pages + supplementary

The investigation of the ultimate limits imposed by quantum mechanics on amplification represents an important topic both on a fundamental level and from the perspective of potential applications. We propose here a novel setup for an optomechanical amplifier, constituted by a mechanical resonator dispersively coupled to an optomechanical cavity asymmetrically driven around both mechanical sidebands. We show that, on general grounds, the present amplifier operates in a novel regime-- which we here call phase-mixing amplification. At the same time, for a suitable choice of parameters, the amplifier proposed here operates as a phase-sensitive amplifier. Furthermore, we show that both configurations allow amplification below the standard quantum limit in a parameter range compatible with current experiments in microwave circuit optomechanics., Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, typos fixed, figures improved

We analyze the statistics of charge and energy currents and spin torque in a metallic nanomagnet coupled to a large magnetic metal via a tunnel contact. We derive a Keldysh action for the tunnel barrier, describing the stochastic currents in the presence of a magnetization precessing with the rate $\Omega$. In contrast to some earlier approaches, we include the geometric phases that affect the counting statistics. We illustrate the use of the action by deriving spintronic fluctuation relations, the quantum limit of pumped current noise, and consider the fluctuations in two specific cases: the situation with a stable precession of magnetization driven by spin transfer torque, and the torque-induced switching between the minima of a magnetic anisotropy. The quantum corrections are relevant when the precession rate exceeds the temperature $T$, i.e., for $\hbar \Omega \gtrsim k_B T$., Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures

High-gain amplifiers of electromagnetic signals operating near the quantum limit are crucial for quantum information systems and ultrasensitive quantum measurements. However, the existing techniques have a limited gain-bandwidth product and only operate with weak input signals. Here we demonstrate a two-port optomechanical scheme for amplification and routing of microwave signals, a system that simultaneously performs high-gain amplification and frequency conversion in the quantum regime. Our amplifier, implemented in a two-cavity microwave optomechanical device, shows 41 dB of gain and has a high dynamic range, handling input signals up to $10^{13}$ photons per second, three orders of magnitude more than corresponding Josephson parametric amplifiers. We show that although the active medium, the mechanical resonator, is at a high temperature far from the quantum limit, only 4.6 quanta of noise is added to the input signal. Our method can be readily applied to a wide variety of optomechanical systems, including hybrid optical-microwave systems, creating a universal hub for signals at the quantum level., Comment: 6 pages + supplementary

In superconductors spin-split by an exchange field, thermal effects are coupled to spin transport. We show how an oscillating electromagnetic field in such systems creates spin imbalance, that can be detected with a spin-polarized probe. The sign and magnitude of the probe signal result from a competition between processes converting field induced spin energy imbalance to spin imbalance, dominant at low frequencies, and microwave-driven pair breaking at high frequencies. In the presence of spin-flip scattering, we show that ac excitation also leads to multistabilities in the superconducting state., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

We consider the response of a nanomechanical resonator interacting with an electromagnetic cavity via a radiation pressure coupling and a cross-Kerr coupling. Using a mean field approach we solve the dynamics of the system, and show the different corrections coming from the radiation pressure and the cross-Kerr effect to the usually considered linearized dynamics., Comment: 6 pages, 9 figures

We describe the far from equilibrium non-local transport in a diffusive superconducting wire with a Zeeman splitting, taking into account the different spin relaxation mechanisms. We demonstrate that due to the Zeeman splitting an injection of a current in a superconducting wire creates a spin accumulation that can only relax via thermalization. In addition the Zeeman splitting also causes a suppression of the spin-orbit and spin-flip scattering rates. These two effects lead to long-range spin and charge accumulations detectable in the non-local signal. Our model explains the main qualitative features of recent experimental results in terms of realistic parameters and predicts a strong dependence of the non-local signal on the orbital depairing effect from an induced magnetic field.

We present a theoretical study of spin transport in a superconducting mesoscopic spin valve under the action of a magnetic field misaligned with respect to the injected spin. We demonstrate that superconductivity can either strongly enhance or suppress the coherent spin rotation depending on the type of spin relaxation mechanism being dominated either by spin-orbit coupling or spin-flip scattering at impurities. We also predict a hitherto unknown subgap contribution to the nonlocal conductance in multiterminal superconducting hybrid structures which completely eliminates the effect of spin rotation at sufficiently low temperatures.

The concept of thermophase refers to the appearance of a phase gradient inside a superconductor originating from the presence of an applied temperature bias across it. The resulting supercurrent flow may, in suitable conditions, fully counterbalance the temperature-bias-induced quasiparticle current therefore preventing the formation of any voltage drop, i.e., a thermovoltage, across the superconductor. Yet, the appearance of a thermophase is expected to occur in Josephson-coupled superconductors as well. Here we theoretically investigate the thermoelectric response of a thermally-biased Josephson junction based on a ferromagnetic insulator. In particular, we predict the occurrence of a very large thermophase which can reach $\pi/2$ across the contact for suitable temperatures and structure parameters, i.e., the quasiparticle thermal current can reach the critical current. Such a thermophase can be several orders of magnitude larger than that predicted to occur in conventional Josephson tunnel junctions. In order to assess experimentally the predicted very large thermophase we propose a realistic setup realizable with state-of-the-art nano fabrication techniques and well-established materials which is based on a superconducting quantum interference device. This effect could be of strong relevance in several low-temperature applications, for example, for revealing tiny temperature differences generated by coupling the electromagnetic radiation to one of the superconductors forming the junction., Comment: 4.5 pages, 4 color figures

We study the consequences of non-equilibrium heating and inverse proximity effect in normal metal - insulator - superconductor - insulator - normal metal (NISIN) junctions with a simple quasi-one-dimensional model. We especially focus on observables and parameter regions that are of interest in the design of SINIS coolers with quasiparticle traps. We present numerical results calculated by solving the Usadel equation and also present analytical approximations in two limiting cases: a short junction with a non-negligible resistance in both ends and a long junction with a transparent contact at one end., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

We consider the tension-induced non-linearities of mechanical resonators, and derive the Hamiltonian of the flexural modes up to the fourth order in the position operators. This tension can be controlled by a nearby gate voltage. We focus on systems which allow large deformations $u(x)\gg h$ compared to the thickness $h$ of the resonator and show that in this case the third-order coupling can become non-zero due to the induced dc deformation and offers the possibility to realize equations of motion encountered in optomechanics. The fourth-order coupling is relevant especially for relatively low voltages. It can be detected by accessing the Duffing regime, and by measuring frequency shifts due to mode-mode coupling., Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures - supplementary information included

We propose a mesoscopic setup which exhibits strong and manifestly non-Gaussian fluctuations of energy and temperature when suitably driven out of equilibrium. The setup consists of a normal metal island (N) coupled by tunnel junctions (I) to two superconducting leads (S), forming a SINIS structure, and is biased near the threshold voltage for quasiparticle tunneling, $eV\approx2\Delta$. The fluctuations can be measured by monitoring the time-dependent electric current through the system, which makes the setup suitable for the realization of feedback schemes which allow to stabilize the temperature to the desired value., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

We describe the statistics of temperature fluctuations in a SINIS structure, where a normal metal island (N) is coupled by tunnel junctions (I) to two superconducting leads (S). We specify conditions under which this structure exhibits manifestly non-Gaussian fluctuations of temperature. We consider both the Gaussian and non-Gaussian regimes of these fluctuations, and the current fluctuations that are caused by the fluctuating temperature. We also describe a measurement setup that could be used to observe the temperature fluctuations., Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, final version

Sensitive measurement of electrical signals is at the heart of modern science and technology. According to quantum mechanics, any detector or amplifier is required to add a certain amount of noise to the signal, equaling at best the energy of quantum fluctuations. The quantum limit of added noise has nearly been reached with superconducting devices which take advantage of nonlinearities in Josephson junctions. Here, we introduce a new paradigm of amplification of microwave signals with the help of a mechanical oscillator. By relying on the radiation pressure force on a nanomechanical resonator, we provide an experimental demonstration and an analytical description of how the injection of microwaves induces coherent stimulated emission and signal amplification. This scheme, based on two linear oscillators, has the advantage of being conceptually and practically simpler than the Josephson junction devices, and, at the same time, has a high potential to reach quantum limited operation. With a measured signal amplification of 25 decibels and the addition of 20 quanta of noise, we anticipate near quantum-limited mechanical microwave amplification is feasible in various applications involving integrated electrical circuits., Comment: Main text + supplementary information. 14 pages, 3 figures (main text), 18 pages, 6 figures (supplementary information)

We present here an extensive theoretical analysis of the supercurrent of a superconducting point contact of arbitrary transparency in the presence of a microwave field. Our study is mainly based on two different approaches: a two-level model that describes the dynamics of the Andreev bound states in these systems and a fully microscopic method based on the Keldysh-Green function technique. This combination provides both a deep insight into the physics of irradiated Josephson junctions and quantitative predictions for arbitrary range of parameters. The main predictions of our analysis are: (i) for weak fields and low temperatures, the microwaves can induce transitions between the Andreev states leading to a large suppression of the supercurrent at certain values of the phase, (ii) at strong fields, the current-phase relation is strongly distorted and the corresponding critical current does not follow a simple Bessel-function-like behavior, and (iii) at finite temperature, the microwave field can enhance the critical current by means of transitions connecting the continuum of states outside the gap region and the Andreev states inside the gap. Our study is of relevance for a large variety of superconducting weak links as well as for the proposals of using the Andreev bound states of a point contact for quantum computing applications., Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B

Interplay of cotunneling and single-electron tunneling in a thermally isolated single-electron transistor (SET) leads to peculiar overheating effects. In particular, there is an interesting crossover interval where the competition between cotunneling and single-electron tunneling changes to the dominance of the latter. In this interval, the current exhibits anomalous sensitivity to the effective electron temperature of the transistor island and its fluctuations. We present a detailed study of the current and temperature fluctuations at this interesting point. The methods implemented allow for a complete characterization of the distribution of the fluctuating quantities, well beyond the Gaussian approximation. We reveal and explore the parameter range where, for sufficiently small transistor islands, the current fluctuations become gigantic. In this regime, the optimal value of the current, its expectation value, and its standard deviation differ from each other by parametrically large factors. This situation is unique for transport in nanostructures and for electron transport in general. The origin of this spectacular effect is the exponential sensitivity of the current to the fluctuating effective temperature., Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures

We present a microscopic theory of the effect of a microwave field on the supercurrent through a quantum point contact of arbitrary transmission. Our theory predicts that: (i) for low temperatures and weak fields, the supercurrent is suppressed at certain values of the superconducting phase, (ii) at strong fields, the current-phase relation is strongly modified and the current can even reverse its sign, and (iii) at finite temperatures, the microwave field can enhance the critical current of the junction. Apart from their fundamental interest, our findings are also important for the description of experiments that aim at the manipulation of the quantum state of atomic point contacts., Comment: 4 pages; 3 figures

A long phase coherent normal (N) wire between superconductors (S) is characterized by a dense phase dependent Andreev spectrum . We probe this spectrum in a high frequency phase biased configuration, by coupling an NS ring to a multimode superconducting resonator. We detect a dc flux and frequency dependent response whose dissipative and non dissipative components are related by a simple Debye relaxation law with a characteristic time of the order of the diffusion time through the N part of the ring. The flux dependence exhibits $h/2e$ periodic oscillations with a large harmonics content at temperatures where the Josephson current is purely sinusoidal. This is explained considering that the populations of the Andreev levels are frozen on the time-scale of the experiments., Comment: 5 pages,4 figures

We calculate the heat transfer between electrons to acoustic and optical phonons in monolayer and bilayer graphene (MLG and BLG) within the quasiequilibrium approximation. For acoustic phonons, we show how the temperature-power laws of the electron-phonon heat current for BLG differ from those previously derived for MLG and note that the high-temperature (neutral-regime) power laws for MLG and BLG are also different, with a weaker dependence on the electronic temperature in the latter. In the general case we evaluate the heat current numerically. We suggest that a measurement of the heat current could be used for an experimental determination of the electron-acoustic phonon coupling constants, which are not accurately known. However, in a typical experiment heat dissipation by electrons at very low temperatures is dominated by diffusion, and we estimate the crossover temperature at which acoustic-phonon coupling takes over in a sample with Joule heating. At even higher temperatures optical phonons begin to dominate. We study some examples of potentially relevant types of optical modes, including in particular the intrinsic in-plane modes, and additionally the remote surface phonons of a possible dielectric substrate., Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures; moved details to appendixes, added discussion of remote phonons

We consider the fully overheated single-electron transistor, where the heat balance is determined entirely by electron transfers. We find three distinct transport regimes corresponding to cotunneling, single-electron tunneling, and a competition between the two. We find an anomalous sensitivity to temperature fluctuations at the crossover between the two latter regimes that manifests in an exceptionally large Fano factor of current noise., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, includes Appendix

We study the the transport properties of multiterminal ballistic graphene samples, concentrating on the conductance matrix, fluctuations and cross-correlations. Far away from Dirac point, the current is carried mostly by propagating modes and the results can be explained with the conventional semiclassical picture familiar from ray optics, where electrons propagate along a single direction before scattering or reaching the terminals. However, close to the Dirac point the transport is due to evanescent modes which do not have to follow a rectilinear path. As we show in this Letter, this property of the evanescent modes influences the conductance matrix. However, at best it can be observed by measuring the cross correlations in an exchange Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiment., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

We have investigated shot noise in multiterminal, diffusive multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) at 4.2 K over the frequency f = 600 - 850 MHz. Quantitative comparison of our data to semiclassical theory, based on non-equilibrium distribution functions, indicates that a major part of the noise is caused by a non-equilibrium state imposed by the contacts. Our data exhibits non-local shot noise across weakly transmitting contacts while a low-impedance contact eliminates such noise almost fully. We obtain F_{tube}< 0.03 for the intrinsic Fano factor of our MWNTs., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures