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:2304.06189

Coherent quantum beats: spectroscopy of energy differences masked by inhomogeneous broadening

Harish D. Ramachandran, Julia E. Ford, Amar C. Vutha

Published Apr 12, 2023• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Precision spectroscopy of solid-state systems is challenging due to inhomogeneous broadening. We describe a technique -- coherent quantum beats -- that enables the measurement of small frequency shifts within an inhomogeneously broadened distribution while addressing the full ensemble. We show that the technique can be used to obtain improvements in signal size and spectral resolution, offering advantages for precision measurements in solids.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2304.06189

Related papers

Coherent Excitation Spectroscopy on Inhomogeneous Exciton Ensembles

A. Euteneuer, E. Finger, Martin Rudolf Hofmann +7 more

A new spectroscopic technique is demonstrated on three characteristically different semiconductor quantum-well samples. Coherent excitation spectroscopy reveals coherent coupling and effectively suppresses the signatures of inhomogeneous broadening and incoherent transfer between various excitonic states in quantum wells. Coherently coupled homogeneous subsystems are analyzed in an inhomogeneously broadened excitonic ensemble.

Physical Review Letters•Sep 6, 1999•40 citations

Structure and Dynamics in Solids As Probed by Optical Spectroscopy

James L. Skinner, W. E. Moerner

Optical spectroscopy provides a useful tool for probing the structure and dynamics of solids. Over the years, optical methods have evolved from absorption spectroscopy to more complex methods such as spectral hole burning, photon echoes, and luminescence line narrowing. The absorption spectrum provides information about inhomogeneous broadening, while the latter approaches provide information about the systematics of the homogeneous line shape information that is often obscured by inhomogeneous broadening. When external perturbations such as strain or electric fields are applied, details of the local site can be obtained. Recently, the ultimate limit of optical spectroscopy has been attained, in which the spectral properties of individual single impurity molecules in a solid can be measured, with all ensemble averaging removed. This novel regime has provided additional, previously unobtainable, information on a highly local scale, such as the direct observation of the spectral shifting of a single molecule produced by configurational transitions of the host. It is to be expected that further surprises await us in this new frontier of single-molecule spectroscopy in solids.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry•Jan 1, 1996•124 citations

Optical coherent control in semiconductors: Fringe contrast and inhomogeneous broadening

John Erland, Vadim G. Lyssenko, J. M. Hvam

Optical coherent control experiments in semiconductors reveal how inhomogeneous broadening must be taken into account in contrast to previous coherent control experiments in atomic and molecular systems. With spectral resolution of the coherent control signal, the optical phases involved in the interplay between the homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadenings are measured. Based on these experiments, a coherent control model describing the optical fringe contrast using different detection schemes, such as photoluminescence or four-wave mixing, is established. Significant spectral modulation is observed in the four-wave mixing spectra as a function of phase-delay representing coherent control in the spectral domain. The spectral phase change of this modulation provides a spectroscopic tool to analyze contributions of inhomogeneous broadening to electronic resonances in semiconductor structures.

Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Mar 30, 2001•27 citations

Influence of Inhomogeneous Broadening on Quantum Beats

John Erland, K.‐H. Pantke, Vygantas Mizeikis +2 more

Current issues in the study of light-matter interactions are coherence and quantum interference. With ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy such as transient four-wave mixing (TFWM) the imposed coherence on the optical excitations in e.g. GaAs multiple quantum wells has been studied. In this contribution, we study the influence of inhomogeneous broadening on quantum beats observed by spectrally resolved TFWM. In artificially grown semiconductor structures as e.g. quantum wells, inhomogeneities due to interface-disorder has, up till now, been inevitable. In the experiments, the light-hole exciton (lhx) and the heavy-hole exciton (hhx) in a 100 Å GaAs multiple quantum well are excited simultaneously with 150 fs pulses from a self mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. The spectral profile is shown in the inset of Fig. 1.

International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena•Jan 1, 1994•0 citations

Linewidth Reduction of Quantum Beats by Recurrent Excitation

Kazuyuki Nakayama, Shigeki Furue, Tomoji Ogawa +5 more

A high-resolution coherent spectroscopy, based on the iterative excitation using the atomic response, is studied. The Zeeman quantum beats in the ground state 3 2 S 1/2 of Na atoms were produced and monitored by optical means. Significant reductions of the spectral width were observed for resonance lines broadened by inhomogeneity of the magnetic field. Theoretical analysis for the coherence-beat signals is given. The experimental results were well explained by the theory.

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan•Oct 15, 2004•0 citations

Hole-burning spectroscopy: concepts and applications

Urs P. Wild, Alois Renn

The lowest electronic transitions of many absorbing centers in solid hosts consist of extremely narrow zero phonon lines distributed over a broad spectral range. Frequency selective modification of such inhomogeneously broadened bands has several potential applications. In very dilute samples inhomogeneous broadening provides a key for spectroscopic isolation of single absorber resonances.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 24, 1993•0 citations
Precision spectroscopy of solid-state systems is challenging due to inhomogeneous broadening. We describe a technique -- coherent quantum beats -- that enables the measurement of small frequency shifts within an inhomogeneously broadened distribution while addressing the full ensemble. We show that the technique can be used to obtain improvements in signal size and spectral resolution, offering advantages for precision measurements in solids.
Optical spectroscopy provides a useful tool for probing the structure and dynamics of solids. Over the years, optical methods have evolved from absorption spectroscopy to more complex methods such as spectral hole burning, photon echoes, and luminescence line narrowing. The absorption spectrum provides information about inhomogeneous broadening, while the latter approaches provide information about the systematics of the homogeneous line shape information that is often obscured by inhomogeneous broadening. When external perturbations such as strain or electric fields are applied, details of the local site can be obtained. Recently, the ultimate limit of optical spectroscopy has been attained, in which the spectral properties of individual single impurity molecules in a solid can be measured, with all ensemble averaging removed. This novel regime has provided additional, previously unobtainable, information on a highly local scale, such as the direct observation of the spectral shifting of a single molecule produced by configurational transitions of the host. It is to be expected that further surprises await us in this new frontier of single-molecule spectroscopy in solids.
Optical coherent control experiments in semiconductors reveal how inhomogeneous broadening must be taken into account in contrast to previous coherent control experiments in atomic and molecular systems. With spectral resolution of the coherent control signal, the optical phases involved in the interplay between the homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadenings are measured. Based on these experiments, a coherent control model describing the optical fringe contrast using different detection schemes, such as photoluminescence or four-wave mixing, is established. Significant spectral modulation is observed in the four-wave mixing spectra as a function of phase-delay representing coherent control in the spectral domain. The spectral phase change of this modulation provides a spectroscopic tool to analyze contributions of inhomogeneous broadening to electronic resonances in semiconductor structures.
Current issues in the study of light-matter interactions are coherence and quantum interference. With ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy such as transient four-wave mixing (TFWM) the imposed coherence on the optical excitations in e.g. GaAs multiple quantum wells has been studied. In this contribution, we study the influence of inhomogeneous broadening on quantum beats observed by spectrally resolved TFWM. In artificially grown semiconductor structures as e.g. quantum wells, inhomogeneities due to interface-disorder has, up till now, been inevitable. In the experiments, the light-hole exciton (lhx) and the heavy-hole exciton (hhx) in a 100 Å GaAs multiple quantum well are excited simultaneously with 150 fs pulses from a self mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. The spectral profile is shown in the inset of Fig. 1.