Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1101.4784 · Physical Review B

Quantum-limited charge detection with two quantum point contacts

Kang-Ho Lee, Kicheon Kang

Published Jul 7, 2011• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We present a scheme for tuning two quantum point contacts as a quantum-limited charge detector. Based on the scattering matrix approach, we analyze a general condition of quantum-limited detection with a single-channel quantum detector possessing time-reversal symmetry. From this analysis we find that quantum-limited detection can be easily realized with two quantum point contacts connected in series, which is not possible if only a single quantum point contact is used. We also discuss the sensitivity enhancement due to multiple reflections of the two point contacts.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.84.033404

Related papers

Ultimate charge sensitivity and efficiency of a quantum point contact with a superposed input state

Kang-Ho Lee, Kicheon Kang

We address the ultimate charge detection scheme with a quantum point contact. It is shown that a superposed input state is necessary to exploit the full sensitivity of a quantum point contact detector. The coherence of the input state provides an improvement in charge sensitivity, and this improvement is a result of a fundamental property of the scattering matrix. Further, a quantum-limited (maximally efficient) detection is made possible by controlling the interference between the two output waves. Our scheme provides the ultimate sensitivity and efficiency of charge detection with a generic quantum point contact.

arXiv:1208.0818•Physical Review B•Jan 7, 2013•0 citations

Edge-state Fabry-Perot interferometer as a high-sensitivity charge detector

Pradyumna K. Pathak, Kicheon Kang

We present a scheme for high-sensitivity and high-efficiency charge detection in the integer quantum-Hall regime using two point contacts in series. The setup is an electronic analog of an optical Fabry-Perot interferometer. We show that for small transmission through the point contacts the sensitivity of the interferometer is very high due to multiple reflections at the point contacts. The sensitivity can be further enhanced twice by using electrons in spin-entangled state. We show that for point contacts having different reflection probabilities, the detector can be tuned for the quantum-limited measurement.

arXiv:0806.0913•Physical Review B•Jun 8, 2009•2 citations

Time-resolved charge detection with cross-correlation techniques

Bruno Küng, Oliver Pfäffli, Simon Gustavsson +4 more

We present time-resolved charge-sensing measurements on a GaAs double quantum dot with two proximal quantum point-contact (QPC) detectors. The QPC currents are analyzed with cross-correlation techniques, which enable us to measure dot charging and discharging rates for significantly smaller signal-to-noise ratios than required for charge detection with a single QPC. This allows us to reduce the current level in the detector and therefore the invasiveness of the detection process and may help to increase the available measurement bandwidth in noise-limited setups.

arXiv:0810.2406•Physical Review B•Jan 13, 2009•18 citations

Counting Statistics and Detector Properties of Quantum Point Contacts

D. V. Averin, Eugene V. Sukhorukov

Quantum detector properties of the quantum point contact (QPC) are analyzed for an arbitrary electron transparency and coupling strength to the measured system and are shown to be determined by the electron counting statistics. Conditions of the quantum-limited operation of the QPC detector, which prevent information loss through the scattering time and scattering phases, are found for arbitrary coupling. We show that the phase information can be restored and used for the quantum-limited detection by inclusion of the QPC detector in the electronic Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

arXiv:cond-mat/0505647•Physical Review Letters•Sep 15, 2005•82 citations

Charge detection in a closed-loop Aharonov-Bohm interferometer

Gyong Luck Khym, Kicheon Kang

We report on a study of complementarity in a two-terminal closed-loop Aharonov-Bohm interferometer. In this interferometer, the simple picture of two-path interference cannot be applied. We introduce a nearby quantum point contact to detect the electron in a quantum dot inserted in the interferometer. We found that charge detection reduces but does not completely suppress the interference even in the limit of perfect detection. We attribute this phenomenon to the unique nature of the closed-loop interferometer. That is, the closed-loop interferometer cannot be simply regarded as a two-path interferometer because of multiple reflections of electrons. As a result, there exist indistinguishable paths of the electron in the interferometer and the interference survives even in the limit of perfect charge detection. This implies that charge detection is not equivalent to path detection in a closed-loop interferometer. We also discuss the phase rigidity of the transmission probability for a two-terminal conductor in the presence of a detector.

arXiv:quant-ph/0606117•Physical Review B•Oct 20, 2006•17 citations

Two-qubit charger-battery system subject to weak, continuous measurements with quantum point contacts

Banumathy Manickam, Anil Shaji

Quantum batteries modeled as two-qubit systems coupled to Markovian thermal reservoirs have been shown to benefit from measurement-assisted charging, where projective measurements enhance the charging rate at an infinite thermodynamic resource cost. In this work, we consider weak, continuous measurements implemented via quantum point contact detectors (QPC), which enhance the charging rate at a definite and quantifiable resource cost. We analyze three measurement configurations namely, a single QPC, two independent QPCs, and a series-coupled (coherent) two-QPC scheme, and study their effect on the steady-state charging rate, defined as the rate of energy flow from the charger qubit to the battery qubit, relative to the unmeasured baseline. We find that the charging rate enhancement is non-monotonic as a function of the temperature gradient and potential gradient required to drive the QPCs, exhibiting a plateau of near-optimal enhancement. Comparing the three configurations, the plateau of optimal enhancement contracts toward lower temperature and chemical potential for both the cases with two QPCs compared to the single QPC case. The coherent measurement further shows a lowering of the resource requirement relative to the two independent QPC case for achieving the same enhancement. The hierarchy is coherent greater than two independent QPCs which is greater than single QPC with respect to both the magnitude of the charging rate enhancement and the minimization of measurement resources.

quant-pharXiv:2605.31319•Jun 1, 2026•0 citations
We present a scheme for tuning two quantum point contacts as a quantum-limited charge detector. Based on the scattering matrix approach, we analyze a general condition of quantum-limited detection with a single-channel quantum detector possessing time-reversal symmetry. From this analysis we find that quantum-limited detection can be easily realized with two quantum point contacts connected in series, which is not possible if only a single quantum point contact is used. We also discuss the sensitivity enhancement due to multiple reflections of the two point contacts.
We address the ultimate charge detection scheme with a quantum point contact. It is shown that a superposed input state is necessary to exploit the full sensitivity of a quantum point contact detector. The coherence of the input state provides an improvement in charge sensitivity, and this improvement is a result of a fundamental property of the scattering matrix. Further, a quantum-limited (maximally efficient) detection is made possible by controlling the interference between the two output waves. Our scheme provides the ultimate sensitivity and efficiency of charge detection with a generic quantum point contact.
We present a scheme for high-sensitivity and high-efficiency charge detection in the integer quantum-Hall regime using two point contacts in series. The setup is an electronic analog of an optical Fabry-Perot interferometer. We show that for small transmission through the point contacts the sensitivity of the interferometer is very high due to multiple reflections at the point contacts. The sensitivity can be further enhanced twice by using electrons in spin-entangled state. We show that for point contacts having different reflection probabilities, the detector can be tuned for the quantum-limited measurement.
We present time-resolved charge-sensing measurements on a GaAs double quantum dot with two proximal quantum point-contact (QPC) detectors. The QPC currents are analyzed with cross-correlation techniques, which enable us to measure dot charging and discharging rates for significantly smaller signal-to-noise ratios than required for charge detection with a single QPC. This allows us to reduce the current level in the detector and therefore the invasiveness of the detection process and may help to increase the available measurement bandwidth in noise-limited setups.
Quantum detector properties of the quantum point contact (QPC) are analyzed for an arbitrary electron transparency and coupling strength to the measured system and are shown to be determined by the electron counting statistics. Conditions of the quantum-limited operation of the QPC detector, which prevent information loss through the scattering time and scattering phases, are found for arbitrary coupling. We show that the phase information can be restored and used for the quantum-limited detection by inclusion of the QPC detector in the electronic Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
We report on a study of complementarity in a two-terminal closed-loop Aharonov-Bohm interferometer. In this interferometer, the simple picture of two-path interference cannot be applied. We introduce a nearby quantum point contact to detect the electron in a quantum dot inserted in the interferometer. We found that charge detection reduces but does not completely suppress the interference even in the limit of perfect detection. We attribute this phenomenon to the unique nature of the closed-loop interferometer. That is, the closed-loop interferometer cannot be simply regarded as a two-path interferometer because of multiple reflections of electrons. As a result, there exist indistinguishable paths of the electron in the interferometer and the interference survives even in the limit of perfect charge detection. This implies that charge detection is not equivalent to path detection in a closed-loop interferometer. We also discuss the phase rigidity of the transmission probability for a two-terminal conductor in the presence of a detector.
Quantum batteries modeled as two-qubit systems coupled to Markovian thermal reservoirs have been shown to benefit from measurement-assisted charging, where projective measurements enhance the charging rate at an infinite thermodynamic resource cost. In this work, we consider weak, continuous measurements implemented via quantum point contact detectors (QPC), which enhance the charging rate at a definite and quantifiable resource cost. We analyze three measurement configurations namely, a single QPC, two independent QPCs, and a series-coupled (coherent) two-QPC scheme, and study their effect on the steady-state charging rate, defined as the rate of energy flow from the charger qubit to the battery qubit, relative to the unmeasured baseline. We find that the charging rate enhancement is non-monotonic as a function of the temperature gradient and potential gradient required to drive the QPCs, exhibiting a plateau of near-optimal enhancement. Comparing the three configurations, the plateau of optimal enhancement contracts toward lower temperature and chemical potential for both the cases with two QPCs compared to the single QPC case. The coherent measurement further shows a lowering of the resource requirement relative to the two independent QPC case for achieving the same enhancement. The hierarchy is coherent greater than two independent QPCs which is greater than single QPC with respect to both the magnitude of the charging rate enhancement and the minimization of measurement resources.