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Chinese Physics Letters

Engineering Quantum Criticality for Quantum Dot Power Harvesting

Jin-Yi 金义 Wang 王, Lei‐Lei Nian, Jing-Tao 京涛 Lü 吕

Published Jan 18, 2024• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Coupling of quantum-dot circuits to microwave photons enables us to investigate photon-assisted quantum transport. Here, we revisit this typical circuit quantum electrodynamical setup by introducing the Kerr nonlinearity of photons. By exploiting quantum critical behavior, we propose a powerful scheme to control the power-harvesting efficiency in the microwave regime, where the driven-dissipative optical system acts as an energy pump. It drives electron transport against a load in the quantum-dot circuit. The energy transfer and, consequently, the harvesting efficiency are enhanced near the critical point. As the critical point moves towards to low input power, high efficiency within experimental parameters is achieved. Our results complement fundamental studies of photon-to-electron conversion at the nanoscale and provide practical guidance for designs of integrated photoelectric devices through quantum criticality.

DOI
10.1088/0256-307x/41/2/020503

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Abstract We propose and analyze an effective scheme to enhance Kerr nonlinearity with a single quantum dot (QD) coupled to a gain cavity. Under the weak-excitation approximation, we derive the analytic formulas used to determine the coefficient of the nonlinear transmission by employing the perturbation technique. Using experimentally achievable parameters, we identify the conditions under which a QD gain cavity coupled system allows us to modify the linear transmission of the input probe field and enhance the Kerr nonlinearity beyond what is achievable in a QD loss cavity system. It is found that enhanced optical Kerr nonlinearity with high linear transmission rate and suppressed nonlinear absorption can be achievable even in the case of weak coupling between QD and gain cavity. The present results illustrate the potential to utilize gain cavity for enhancing optical Kerr nonlinearities and controlling the transmission of light, as well as guide the design of optical devices.