We design, simulate, and experimentally characterize a reconfigurable elastic metamaterial with beyond-nearest-neighbor (BNN) coupling. The structure is composed from the popular British model-construction system Meccano and supports backward waves with opposite directions of phase and group velocities. We experimentally verify three distinct configurations and acoustically infer their spatial vibration spectra.

Organic field-effect transistors (FETs) are witnessing a revolution in their performance, in part, due to a reduction in contact resistance, and through controlled morphology of the organic semiconducting film. Another major consideration is the role of the dielectric layer in dictating transport properties. The transient electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) technique allows visualization of carrier dynamics in the channel region of a FET by capturing the movement of the induced dielectric polarization. A microscopic imaging system using a broadband femtosecond laser and a pulse compensation arrangement is constructed for imaging transient EFISHG from organic FETs by synchronized laser and voltage pulses. By varying the dielectric layer in organic FETs comprising pentacene and a donor-acceptor conjugated polymer as semiconducting layers, we show that EFISHG images provide an accurate estimate of the carrier mobility along with providing insights into channel formation and the electric field distribution within the channel region. We further correlate the interface charging effects observed in EFISHG to the interface trap density obtained by capacitance-voltage and conductance-voltage from metal-insulator-semiconductor diodes.

Conventionally, band gaps of water waves can be obtained with periodic arrays of bottom-mounted obstacles or vertical cylinders. However, such structures need to possess a large ratio of volume in water, and may not be easy to build and move in practical ocean engineering. Here, we theoretically propose and experimentally demonstrate that when the water surface is pierced by a fixed, rigid cylinder array, a complete band gap of water waves can be achieved, in which the propagation of water waves is forbidden in all the directions. Such a band gap can exist even when the cylinders have a draft much smaller than the water depth ($d\ll h$). Based on the complete band gap, a semicircular shape of the fixed-surface disk array is further constructed, which can block omnidirectional water waves generated by a point source.

Multiplexing techniques combine multiple signals into one channel, in order to increase the channel capacity and speed. Here we propose a correlation-based imaging method to efficiently measure the quantum states of orbital-angular-momentum (OAM)-multiplexed Gaussian light. The covariance matrices for all OAM components of the multiplexed Gaussian light can be efficiently reconstructed by one homodyne measurement on each beam. We also show that the proposed scheme can be simplified and implemented with only two charge coupled device detectors.

We extend the theory for a Josephson-junction traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) operating in the three-wave-mixing regime and we propose a scheme for achieving high gain. The continuous three-mode model [P.K. Tien, J. Appl. Phys. 29, 1347 (1958)] is, on one hand, extended to describe a discrete chain of Josephson junctions at high frequencies close to the spectral cutoff where there is no up-conversion. On the other hand, we also develop a continuous multimode theory for the small frequency limit where the frequency dispersion is close to linear. We find that in both cases the gain is significantly reduced compared to the prediction by the continuous three-mode model as the result of increasingly strong dispersion at the high frequencies and generation of up-converted modes at the small frequencies. The developed theory is in quantitative agreement with simulations of the full solution of the dynamical equations. To recover the high gain, we propose to engineer a chain with dispersive features to form a two-band frequency spectrum and to place the pump frequency within the upper band close to the spectral cutoff. We prove that there exists a sweet spot, where the signal and the pump are phase matched, while the up-conversion is inhibited. This results in a high gain, which grows exponentially with the length of the TWPA.

Higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) in classical systems, featuring robust multidimensional boundary states protected by various crystalline symmetries, have become a fast-growing research branch in the vast topological family. Therein, valley pseudospins and layer pseudospins are separately introduced as extra degrees of freedom (DOFs) to manipulate topological phases. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that, by combining valley and layer DOFs, intriguing HOTIs can be realized. They host topological edge and corner states that are simultaneously valley dependent and layer polarized. We implement such HOTIs in bilayer sonic crystals (SCs) consisting of carefully stacked triangular scatterers. By rotating the scatterers, the valley and layer DOFs are interplayed, producing combined valley-layer polarizations. Correspondingly, the SCs exhibit versatile sound transport and localization. This inspires us to design an acoustic multiplexer, where sound waves can be guided along specific directions or trapped at specific locations, depending on the excitation frequencies. Our study of higher-order topology based on the interplay between valley and layer DOFs enriches the topological physics. With combined valley and layer polarizations, the resultant HOTIs also offer versatile ways to guide and/or trap sound waves, which have potential applications in integrated and multiplexing phononic devices.

In recent years, twisted bilayer graphene has become a hot topic and inspired the upsurge of research on the photonic moiré lattice. Here, we design a photonic moiré superlattice with two synthetic twist angles and construct a synthetic moiré sphere based on these two angles. Thus, we have more degrees of freedom to design the band structure flexibly. A type of transition photonic band (TPB) is obtained in such a moiré superlattice. We investigate the influence of two twist angles on TPBs and find a series of magic angle pairs with optimal band compression of the TPB. Interesting optical properties of TPBs are experimentally demonstrated, including pulse delay, nonlinear optical enhancement, and pulse-width compression. Our work introduces an alternative path to explore multitwist-angle moiré superlattices and reveals that the designed photonic moiré superlattice based on moiré spheres has broad application prospects, including optical signal processing, nonlinear optic processes, and other light-matter interactions.

Tunability of an artificial quantum system is crucial to its capability to process quantum information. However, tunability usually poses significant demand on the design and fabrication of a device. In this work, we demonstrate that Floquet engineering based on longitudinal driving provides distinct possibilities in enhancing the tunability of a quantum system without needing additional resources. In particular, we study a multilevel model based on gate-defined double quantum dots, where coherent interference occurs when the system is driven longitudinally. We develop an effective model to describe the driven dynamics of this multilevel system, and show that it is highly tunable via the driving field. We then illustrate the versatility and rich physics of a driven multilevel system by exploring phenomena such as driving modulation of resonances, adiabatic state transfer, and dark state. In the context of qubit control, we propose noise-resistant quantum gates based on adiabatic passage. The theoretical consideration we present here is rather general, and is in principle valid for other multilevel quantum systems.

Motivated by the synthesized ${\mathrm{Cu}}_4{\mathrm{Ti}\mathrm{Se}}_4$ with ultralow room-temperature thermal conductivity [Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 60, 9106 (2021)], we systematically investigate its thermoelectric (TE) properties via combining Boltzmann transport equations and first-principles calculations. The results show that the thermal conductivity of ${\mathrm{Cu}}_4{\mathrm{Ti}\mathrm{Se}}_4$ determined considering only three-phonon scattering is reduced by about 40% after including four-phonon scattering at room temperature, indicating the importance of four-phonon scattering in phonon transport. On the other hand, the coexistence of high dispersion and valley degeneracy at the top valence band in the electronic structure causes a high power factor. Consequently, the isotropic figure of merit (ZT) value of 1.5 at 500 K is captured in the p-type doped ${\mathrm{Cu}}_4{\mathrm{Ti}\mathrm{Se}}_4$. In addition, the value of ZT can be further enhanced to 2.2 by applying 2.25% triaxial tensile strain, which is ascribed to the remarkably enhanced four-phonon scattering processes induced by the tensile strain. Meanwhile, the significant suppression of thermal conductivity allows the optimal carrier concentration for the ZT peak to be reduced, which is of important practical significance for the experimental preparation of ${\mathrm{Cu}}_4{\mathrm{Ti}\mathrm{Se}}_4$-based TE devices. Our results pave a way for the design of adjustable medium-temperature TE devices.

Twisted bilayer two-dimensional electronic systems give rise to many exotic phenomena and unveil a new frontier for the study of quantum materials. In photonics, twisted two-dimensional systems coupled via near-field interactions offer a platform to study localization and lasing. Here, we theoretically propose that twisting can be an unprecedented tool to tune the performance of near-field thermophotovoltaic systems. Remarkably, through twisting-induced photonic topological transitions, we achieve significant tuning of the thermophotovoltaic energy efficiency and power. The underlying mechanism is related to the change of the photonic isofrequency contours from elliptical to hyperbolic geometries in a setup where the hexagonal-boron-nitride metasurface serves as the heat source and the indium-antimonide $p$-$n$ junction serves as the cell. We find that a notably high energy efficiency, nearly 53 of the Carnot efficiency, can be achieved in our thermophotovoltaic system, while the output power can reach up to $1.1\times {10}^4\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{m}}^2$ without requiring a large temperature difference between the source and the cell. Our results indicate the promising future of twisted near-field thermophotovoltaics and paves the way towards tunable, high-performance thermophotovoltaics and infrared detection.

On-resonance Rydberg atom–based radio-frequency- (rf) electric-field sensing methods remain limited by the narrow frequency-signal detection bands available from resonant transitions. An additional rf tuner field can be used to dress or shift a target Rydberg state to return a detuned signal field to resonance and thus dramatically extend the frequency range available for resonant sensing. Here we investigate three distinct tuning-level schemes based on adjacent Rydberg transitions, which are shown to have distinct characteristics and can be controlled with the frequency or the strength of the tuning field. We further show that a two-photon Raman peak can be used as an effective tuning feature separate from conventional Autler-Townes splitting. We compare our tuning schemes with ac Stark effect–based broadband rf-field sensing and show that although the sensitivity is diminished with tuning away from a resonant state, it nevertheless can be used in configurations where there is a low density of Rydberg states, which would result in a weak ac Stark effect.

Relativistic laser-wakefield acceleration is characterized by an unsurpassed accelerating gradient, which is very suitable for electron acceleration over short distances and could be a promising candidate for next-generation compact accelerators. However, using this technique for positron acceleration remains challenging because positively charged particles are commonly defocused in the accelerating structure of a standard nonlinear wakefield driven by an ultrashort laser pulse. Here we propose and numerically demonstrate a scheme to accelerate an externally injected positron beam in a nonlinear laser wakefield in a regime where a tail wave is formed behind density cusps of the wakefield. This tail wave can provide a focusing force in addition to longitudinal acceleration for the positrons. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that a trapping efficiency of positrons of nearly 100% in the nonlinear wakefield is possible. This scheme may open a simple way to achieve compact positron acceleration of hundreds of MeV at high repetition rates with terawatt-class laser systems without the need for special laser modes and plasma structures.

Ultrafast laser breakdown of wide-band-gap dielectrics is today a key for major technologies ranging from three-dimensional material processing in optical materials to nanosurgery. However, a contradiction persists between the strongly nonlinear character of energy absorption and the robustness of processes to the changes of the band gap:wavelength ratio depending on applications. While various materials and band gaps have been studied, we concentrate here on the investigations of the spectral domain with experiments performed with wavelength drivers varied from deep ultraviolet (258 nm) to midinfrared (3.5 µm). The measured fluence thresholds for single-shot ablation in dielectrics using 200-fs pulses exhibit a plateau extending from the visible domain up to 3.5-µm wavelength. This is accompanied, after ablation crater analysis, by a remarkable invariance of the observed ablation precision and efficiency. Only at the shortest tested wavelength of 258 nm, a twofold decrease of the ablation threshold and significant changes of the machining depths are detected. This defines a lower spectral limit of the wavelength-independence of the ablation process. By comparison with simulations, avalanche ionization coefficients are extracted and compared with those predicted with the Drude model. This must be beneficial to improve predictive models and process engineering developments exploiting the emerging high-power ultrafast laser technologies emitting in various spectral domains.

The thermal conductance and thermal conductivity of surface plasmon polaritons propagating along a metallic nanofilm deposited on a substrate are quantified and analyzed, as functions of the film thickness, length, and temperature. This is done by analytically solving the dispersion relation of plasmons for their wave vectors and propagation length. It is shown that the plasmon energy transport along the film interfaces is driven by two modes characterized by symmetric and antisymmetric spatial distributions of the magnetic field. For a gold nanofilm deposited on a silicon substrate, both modes have comparable contributions of the plasmon thermal conductance, which takes higher values for hotter and/or longer nanofilms and saturates for films thicker than 50 nm. This saturation arises from the decoupling of the plasmon modes, the transition of which to a coupled state for thinner films maximizes the plasmon thermal conductivity. For a 1-cm-long gold nanofilm at 300 K, the maximum thermal conductivity appears for a thickness of 10 nm and takes the value of $15\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}{\mathrm{K}}^{-1}$, which is about 25% of its electron counterpart. As a result of the huge propagation distance ($>1\mathrm{cm}$) of plasmons, this plasmon thermal conductivity increases significantly with the film length and temperature and it could therefore be useful to improve the heat dissipation along metallic nanofilms.

Type-II superlattices (T2SLs) are being investigated as an alternative to traditional bulk materials in infrared photodetectors due to predicted fundamental advantages. Subject to significant quantum effects, these materials require the use of quantum transport methodologies, such as the nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism to fully capture the relevant physics without uncontrolled approximations. Carrier mobility is a useful parameter that affects carrier collection in photodetectors. This work investigates the application of mobility extraction methodologies from quantum transport simulations in the case of T2SLs exemplified using an InAs/GaSb midwave structure. In a resistive region, the average velocity can be used to calculate an apparent mobility that incorporates both diffusive and ballistic effects. However, the validity of this mobility for predicting device properties is limited to cases of diffusive limited transport or when the entire device can be included in the simulation domain. Two methods that have been proposed to extract diffusive limited mobility, one based on approximating the ballistic component of transport and the other which considers the scaling of resistance with simulation size, were also studied. In particular, the resistance scaling approach is demonstrated to be the method most physically relevant to predicting macroscopic transport. We present a method for calculating the mobility from resistance scaling considerations that accounts for carrier density variation between calculations, which is particularly relevant in the case of electrons. Finally, we comment on the implications of applying the different mobility extraction methodologies to device property predictions. The conclusions of this study are not limited to T2SLs, and may be generally relevant to quantum transport mobility studies.

Low-electron-density Drude (LEDD) materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) are receiving considerable attention for their combination of CMOS compatibility, unique epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) behavior, and giant ultrafast nonlinear thermo-optic response. However, current understanding of the electronic and optical response of LEDD materials is limited due to the simplistic modeling that extends only the known models of noble metals without considering the interplay among the lower electron density, relatively high Debye energy, and the nonparabolic band structure. We bridge this knowledge gap and provide a complete understanding of the nonlinear electronic-thermal-optical response of LEDD materials. In particular, we rely on state-of-the-art electron dynamics modeling, as well as a time-dependent permittivity model for LEDD materials under optical pumping within the adiabatic approximation. We find the electron temperature may reach values much higher than realized before, even exceeding the Fermi temperature, in which case the effective chemical potential dramatically decreases and even becomes negative, thus, transient giving the material some characteristics of a semiconductor. We further show that the nonlinear optical response of LEDD materials originating from the changes to the real part of the permittivity is associated with changes of the population. This resolves the argument about the rise time of the permittivity, showing that it is instantaneous. In this vein, we show that referring to the LEDD permittivity as having a Kerr or “saturable” nonlinearity is unsuitable since its permittivity dynamics is absorptive rather than nonresonant and does not originate from population inversion. Finally, we analyze the probe-pulse dynamics and unlike previous work, we obtain a quantitative agreement with the results of recent experiments.

Ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy centers (NVCs) in diamond can be employed for sensitive magnetometry. In this work, we present a fiber-coupled NVC magnetometer with an unshielded sensitivity of $(30\pm 10)\mathrm{pT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ in a (10–500)-Hz frequency range. This sensitivity is enabled by a relatively high green-to-red photon conversion efficiency, the use of a [100] bias-field alignment, microwave and lock-in amplifier (LIA) parameter optimization, as well as a balanced hyperfine-excitation scheme. Furthermore, a silicon carbide ($\mathrm{SiC}$) heat spreader is used for microwave delivery, alongside low-strain 1-${\mathrm{mm}}^3{}^{12}$$\mathrm{C}$ diamonds, one of which is placed in a second magnetically insensitive fluorescence-collecting sensor head for common-mode noise cancellation. The magnetometer is capable of detecting signals from sources such as a vacuum pump up to 2 m away, with some orientation dependence but no complete dead zones, demonstrating its potential for use in remote-sensing applications.

The von Neumann and quantum Rényi entropies characterize fundamental properties of quantum systems and lead to many theoretical and practical applications. Quantum algorithms using a purified quantum query model can speed up quantum entropy estimation, while little is known about the complexity of using identical copies of the quantum state. This paper presents quantum entropy estimation algorithms with a cost of copies scaling polynomially in the rank of the state. In contrast to current methods that depend on the dimension of the system, our methods could provide exponential resource savings in the scenario of low-rank states. Furthermore, we show how to construct quantum circuits using primitive single-qubit or two-qubit gates efficiently and thus provide practical methods for estimating quantum entropies of quantum systems. We also conduct simulation experiments to show the effectiveness and noise robustness of our algorithms.