In this thesis various subjects at the crossroads of quantummechanics and device physics are treated, spanning from afundamental study on quantum measurements to fabricationtechniques of controlling gates for nanoelectroniccomponents. Electron waveguide components, i.e. electronic componentswith a size such that the wave nature of the electron dominatesthe device characteristics, are treated both experimentally andtheoretically. On the experimental side, evidence of partialballistic transport at room-temperature has been found anddevices controlled by in-plane Pt/GaAs gates have beenfabricated exhibiting an order of magnitude improvedgate-efficiency as compared to an earlier gate-technology. Onthe theoretical side, a novel numerical method forself-consistent simulations of electron waveguide devices hasbeen developed. The method is unique as it incorporates anenergy resolved charge density calculation allowing for e.g.calculations of electron waveguide devices to which a finitebias is applied. The method has then been used in discussionson the influence of space-charge on gate-control of electronwaveguide Y-branch switches. Electron waveguides were also used in a proposal for a novelscheme of carrierinjection in low-dimensional semiconductorlasers, a scheme which altogether by- passes the problem ofslow carrier relaxation in suchstructures. By studying aquantum mechanical two-level system serving as a model forelectroabsorption modulators, the ultimate limits of possiblemodulation rates of such modulators have been assessed andfound to largely be determined by the adiabatic response of thesystem. The possibility of using a microwave field to controlRabi oscillations in two-level systems such that a large numberof states can be engineered has also been explored. A more fundamental study on quantum mechanical measurementshas been done, in which the transition from a classical to aquantum "interaction free" measurement was studied, making aconnection with quantum non-demolition measurements.

<p>In this thesis various subjects at the crossroads of quantummechanics and device physics are treated, spanning from afundamental study on quantum measurements to fabricationtechniques of controlling gates for nanoelectroniccomponents.</p><p>Electron waveguide components, i.e. electronic componentswith a size such that the wave nature of the electron dominatesthe device characteristics, are treated both experimentally andtheoretically. On the experimental side, evidence of partialballistic transport at room-temperature has been found anddevices controlled by in-plane Pt/GaAs gates have beenfabricated exhibiting an order of magnitude improvedgate-efficiency as compared to an earlier gate-technology. Onthe theoretical side, a novel numerical method forself-consistent simulations of electron waveguide devices hasbeen developed. The method is unique as it incorporates anenergy resolved charge density calculation allowing for e.g.calculations of electron waveguide devices to which a finitebias is applied. The method has then been used in discussionson the influence of space-charge on gate-control of electronwaveguide Y-branch switches.</p><p>Electron waveguides were also used in a proposal for a novelscheme of carrierinjection in low-dimensional semiconductorlasers, a scheme which altogether by- passes the problem ofslow carrier relaxation in suchstructures. By studying aquantum mechanical two-level system serving as a model forelectroabsorption modulators, the ultimate limits of possiblemodulation rates of such modulators have been assessed andfound to largely be determined by the adiabatic response of thesystem. The possibility of using a microwave field to controlRabi oscillations in two-level systems such that a large numberof states can be engineered has also been explored.</p><p>A more fundamental study on quantum mechanical measurementshas been done, in which the transition from a classical to aquantum "interaction free" measurement was studied, making aconnection with quantum non-demolition measurements.</p>

The linear propagation of optical beams through a transvers al periodic pattern, such as an optically induced lattice, have been reported to induce power oscillations between a pair of Fourier modes related by the Bragg resonance condition. These are Bloch modes with frequency within the band gap and thus, confined to the transversal plane (x,y), but otherwise traveling freely in the z-direction. Stemming from the coupling between the light beam and the periodic lattice, these twin-mode power oscillations have been referred as Rabi optical oscillations, due to the analogy with matter Rabi oscillations. In this work, investigates numerically investigate the behavior of such Rabi-type oscillations, under the influence of a selfdefocusing nonlinearity along the propagation direction. Is considered the incidence of a light pulse characterized by a Gaussian spectrum centered in one of the modes of the twin pair, into a one-dimensional photonic structure, with a periodic modulation of the optical refractive index lying in a transversal direction x. For a weak nonlinearities, observed an interesting interplay between linear twin coupling and selfdefocusing: the selfdefocusing effect spread energy of the central frequency to new neighboring modes occurring within the Gaussian spectrum input, centered in one mode of the pair, and transfer proportion of this energy to the correspondent resonant mode. In this way the center mode or frequency component of the spectrum in the presence of selfdefocusing effect, oscillates from one extreme to ano ther within the Brillouin zone. By increasing the nonlinearity, one finds a balanced combination of both effects, that is, Bragg resonance and selfdefocusing, which promotes the transference of the nonlinear reshaping of a Gaussian spectrum, occurring around the central frequency at the input, to the neighborhood of its twin mode. Thus, the nonlinear Rabi oscillations might reveal itself quite useful for optical techniques and optical devices in the sense that, by suitably tailoring the electromagnetic space one could allow the tuning of the nonlinear frequency spreading. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A propagação linear de feixes ópticos através de um padrão periódico transversal, como uma rede induzida opticamente, é conhecida por induzir as oscilações de potência entre um par de modos de Fourier relacionados pela condição de ressonância de Bragg. Estes são os modos de Bloch com frequência dentro do band gap, por conseguinte, confinados no plano transversal (x,y), mas viajam livrementena direção z. Partindo do acoplamento entre um feixe óptico e a rede periódica,essas oscilações das potências dos modos acoplados têm sido referidas como as oscilações de Rabi ópticas, devido à analogia com as oscilações de Rabi na matéria. Neste trabalho, investiga-se numericamente o comportamento de tais oscilações tipo Rabi, sob a influência da não linearidade de autodesfocalização ao longo da direção de propagação. Considera-se a incidência de um pulso de luz caracterizado por um espectro Gaussiano, centrado em um dos modos do par acoplado, em uma estrutura fotônica unidimensional com uma modulação periódica do índice de refração na direção transversal x. Para uma não linearidade fraca, pode-se observar uma interessante interação entre os dois modos acoplados em regime linear e o efeito de autodesfocalização: O efeito de autodesfocalização distribui energia da frequência central para os novos modos vizinhos, dentro do espectro inicialmente Gaussiano, centrado em dos modos acoplados, e transfere parte dessa energia para o modo ressonante correspondente. Desta forma, o modo ou a componente de frequência central do espectro na presença do efeito de autodesfocalização oscila de um extremo a outro dentro da zona de Brillouin. Ao aumentar a não linearidade, encontra-se uma combinação balanceada de ambos os efeitos, que são, ressonância de Bragg e autodesfocalização, que promovem a transferência não linear remodelando o espectro Gaussiano, que ocorre na entrada em torno de uma frequência central, para seu modo vizinho. Assim, as oscilações de Rabi não lineares podem revelar-se bastante proveitosas para técnicas ópticas e dispositivos ópticos no sentido de que, atravésde um espaço eletromagnético adequado permitir a sintonia de espalhamento não linear da frequência.

No description available.

Ce travail de thèse porte sur l'étude par la résonance paramagnétique électronique (RPE) des sels à transfert de charge quasi-unidimensionnels (TMTTF)$ {2}$X (X=AsF$ {6}$, PF$ {6}$, SbF$ {6}$), matériaux modèles de chaînes de spins quantiques. Tout d'abord, nous avons examiné en onde continue et sur une large gamme de température et de fréquence, la phase d'ordre de charge déjà observée dans ces matériaux en dessous de la température T$ {CO}$. Nous avons mis en évidence deux nouveaux phénomènes à T < T$ {CO}$: la rotation des axes principaux du facteur g et une modification structurale liée à un dédoublement de la maille cristallographique. Un calcul de chimie quantique a été réalisé à l'aide de la méthode DFT confirmant nos résultats expérimentaux. Dans la seconde partie de ces travaux de thèse, nous avons présenté les résultats obtenus par RPE en onde continue et en onde pulsée sur l'étude des défauts corrélés dans les systèmes à chaînes de spins. En onde continue, nous avons détecté pour la première fois une raie RPE fine à basse température, suggérant la présence de défauts corrélés ayant les caractéristiques de solitons. Les mesures par RPE pulsée nous ont permis d'observer les premières oscillations de Rabi de solitons piégés et de déterminer leur caractère robuste. Ces derniers résultats offrent une approche alternative aux qubits à base de spins pour le traitement de l’information quantique. / This thesis focuses on the study by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) of the quasi-one-dimensional charge transfer salts (TMTTF)$ {2}$X (X=AsF$ {6}$, PF$ {6}$, SbF$ {6}$), model materials of quantum spin chains. First, we have examined in continuous wave and on a wide range of temperature and frequency, the charge-ordered phase already observed in these materials below the temperature T$ {CO}$. We have identified two new phenomena at T <T$ {CO}$: the rotation of the principal axes of the g factor and a structural change related to a doubling of the unit cell parameter. A quantum chemical calculation was carried out using DFT confirming our experimental results. In the second part of the thesis, we have presented the results obtained by EPR in continuous wave and pulsed wave on the correlated defects study in spin chain systems. In continuous wave, we have detected for the first time a narrow EPR line at low temperature, suggesting the presence of correlated defects having the characteristics of solitons. The pulsed EPR measurements allowed us to observe the first Rabi oscillations of trapped solitons and to determine their robust character. These latter results offer an alternative approach for spin qubits in quantum information processing.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / The recent progress in the manufacturing of semiconductor quantum dots (QD) systems has made possible the coherent control of quantum states in QDs using optical or electrical techniques. Laser pulses have been recently used to coherently coponto quânticontrol the exciton population in QDs. The coherent manipulation of quantum states is a high priority task to the development of quantum information and quantum computation. One particular signature of coherency in quantum systems is the Rabi oscillations, which were recently observed in a few experimental works. Here we theoretically study a system composed of a semiconductor QD, tunnel coupled to electron reservoirs. In the presence of a laser field an electron-hole pair is created in the QD. An external source-drain (bias) voltage allows electrons and holes to tunnel to the reservoirs. The study was developed via the non-equilibrium Green s function technique. We solve numerically a set of coupled differential equations to the retarded and lesser Green functions. This gives the occupation probabilities of the two levels of the QD and the laserinduced photocurrent as a function of time. We focus our attention on the effects of temperature on the Rabi oscillations. Our main findings encompass a thermal activated Pauli blockade of the Rabi oscillations that can be controlled via the reservoirs temperature. We also discussed the effects of this thermal activation of Pauli blockade on the photocurrent. These results suggest that ability to measure temperatures via quantum coherent signals, thus suggesting the possibility of a new quantum-dot based thermometer. / O recente progresso na fabricação de sistemas de pontos quânticos semicondutores (PQ) tem tornado possível o controle coerente de estados quânticos em PQs utilizando técnicas ópticas ou elétricas. Pulsos de laser têm sido recentemente utilizados para controlar coerentemente a população de éxcitons em PQs. A manipulação coerente de estados quânticos é uma tarefa de alta prioridade para o desenvolvimento da informação e computação quântica. Uma assinatura particular de coerência em estados quânticos são as oscilações de Rabi, as quais foram recentemente observadas em trabalhos experimentais. Neste trabalho estudamos, teoricamente, um sistema composto por um PQ semicondutor, túnel-acoplado a reservatórios de elétrons. Na presença de um campo de laser um par elétron-buraco é criado no PQ. Uma tensão fonte-dreno (bias) permite que elétrons e buracos tunelem para os reservatórios. O estudo foi desenvolvido através da técnica de funções de Green de não-equilíbrio. Resolvemos numericamente um conjunto de equações diferenciais acopladas para as funções de Green retardada e menor. Estas fornecem a probabilidade de ocupação dos dois níveis no PQ e a fotocorrente induzida por laser. Concentramos nossa atenção nos efeitos da temperatura sobre as oscilações de Rabi. Nossos principais resultados incluem um bloqueio de Pauli termicamente ativado na fotocorrente. Estes resultados sugerem a habilidade de medir temperatura via sinais quânticos coerentes, sugerindo, assim, a possibilidade de um novo termômetro baseado em pontos quânticos. / Mestre em Física

No description available.

In dieser Arbeit untersuchen wir kollektive Strahlungseffekte in Nanofaser-gekoppelten atomaren Ensembles, die sich über Tausende von optischen Wellenlängen erstrecken. Wir koppeln bis zu 1000 Atome optisch an die geführten Moden einer optischen Nanofaser, die langreichweitige Dipol-Dipol Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Atomen vermittelt. Wir realisieren eine unidirektionale Kopplung und damit ein kaskadiertes Quantensystem, in dem die Dynamik jedes Atoms ausschließlich durch die Dynamik der vorgelagerten Atome bestimmt wird. Wir regen die Atome mit nanofasergeführten optischen Pulsen kohärent an, was uns ermöglicht, den gesamten Parameterbereich von schwacher Anregung bis hin zur voll-ständigen Inversion zu erforschen. Wir stellen fest, dass die kohärente Vorwärtsstreuung, die für die Superradianz im Regime der schwachen Anregung verantwortlich ist, auch nahe voller Inversion eine wichtige Rolle für die Dynamik spielt. Wir beobachten superradiante Puls-Dynamik, die in unserem System trotz des makroskopischen Abstands zwischen den Atomen und einer asymmetrischen Kopplung auftritt. Wir stellen fest, dass die emittierte Spitzenleistung noch schneller mit der Anzahl der Atome skaliert als im Fall der idealen Dicke Superradianz, was auf eine kollektiv erhöhte Sammeleffizienz der nanofasergeführten Mode zurückzuführen ist. Die Analyse der Kohärenz-Eigenschaften des superradianten Pulses erlaubt es uns, zwei Regime der Puls-Dynamik zu identifizieren. Wir entwickeln ein kaskadiertes Wechselwirkungsmodell und zeigen, dass es die kollektive Dynamik unseres Systems über den gesamten in dieser Arbeit untersuchten Parameterbereich akkurat beschreibt. Schließlich untersuchen wir die getriebene Dynamik eines Nanofaser-gekoppelten Ensembles von Drei-Niveau-Atomen. Wir treiben Zwei-Photonen-Rabi-Oszillationen zwischen den beiden Grundzuständen eines $\Lambda$-Systems und beobachten die damit verbundene oszillatorische Raman-Verstärkung und -Absorption. / In this thesis, we study collective radiative effects in nanofiber-coupled atomic ensembles that extend over thousands of optical wavelengths. We optically couple up to 1000 atoms to the guided modes of an optical nanofiber, which mediates long-range dipole-dipole interactions between the atoms. We engineer the coupling to be unidirectional, realizing a cascaded quantum system in which the dynamics of each atom is solely determined by the dynamics of upstream atoms. We coherently excite the atoms using nanofiber-guided optical pulses, allowing us to explore the entire parameter regime from weak excitation to full inversion. We find that coherent forward scattering, which is responsible for superradiance in the weak excitation regime, plays an important role for the dynamics even close to full inversion. We observe superradiant burst dynamics, which occurs in our system despite the macroscopic separation between the atoms and an asymmetric coupling. We find that the peak-emitted power scales even faster with the number of atoms than in the case of ideal Dicke superradiance due to a collectively enhanced channeling efficiency into the nanofiber-guided mode. By analyzing the coherence properties of the superradiant burst, we directly identify two regimes of burst dynamics. In the second regime, there is no initial coherence, and the superradiant burst is seeded by vacuum fluctuations. We introduce a cascaded interaction model and find that it accurately describes the collective dynamics of our system over the entire parameter regime explored in this thesis. Finally, we study the driven dynamics of a nanofiber-coupled ensemble of three-level atoms. We drive two-photon Rabi oscillations between the two ground states of a $\Lambda$ system and observe the associated oscillatory Raman gain and absorption.