Feedback control of quantum transport

Strong suppression of shot noise in a feedback-controlled single-electron transistor

Feedback control of quantum mechanical systems is rapidly attracting attention not only due to fundamental questions about quantum measurements, but also because of its novel applications in many fields in physics. Quantum control has been studied intensively in quantum optics but progress has recently been made in the control of solid-state qubits as well. In quantum transport only a few active and passive feedback experiments have been realized on the level of single electrons, although theoretical proposals exist. Here we demonstrate the suppression of shot noise in a single-electron transistor using an exclusively electronic closed-loop feedback to monitor and adjust the counting statistics. With increasing feedback response we observe a stronger suppression and faster freezing of charge current fluctuations. Our technique is analogous to the generation of squeezed light with in-loop photodetection as used in quantum optics. Sub-Poisson single-electron sources will pave the way for high-precision measurements in quantum transport similar to optical or optomechanical equivalents.

Suppression of Noise-Induced Modulations in Multidelay Systems

Many physical systems involve time-delayed feedback or coupling. In such delay systems, noise can give rise to undesirable oscillations at frequencies resonant to the delay times. We investigate how an additional feedback term can suppress noise-induced modulations in delay systems with self-feedback that exhibit deterministic oscillatory dynamics. A simple characteristic equation is derived to predict optimal delay times for the prototypical example of a Stuart-Landau oscillator subject to two feedback terms. We then show that a characteristic equation of the same form accurately describes the dominant Floquet modes of more complex oscillatory systems and hence can be used to optimize the suppression of noise-induced modulations. This is shown for mode-locked lasers and FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators subject to self-feedback.

Feedback control of waiting times

Feedback loops are known as a versatile tool for controlling transport in small systems, which usually have large intrinsic fluctuations. Here we investigate the control of a temporal correlation function, the waiting-time distribution, under active and passive feedback conditions. We develop a general formalism and then specify to the simple unidirectional transport model, where we compare costs of open-loop and feedback control and use methods from optimal control theory to optimize waiting-time distributions.

Enhancement of mobility in an interacting colloidal system under feedback control

Feedback control schemes are a promising way to manipulate transport properties of driven colloidal suspensions. In the present article, we suggest a feedback scheme to enhance the collective transport of colloidal particles with repulsive interactions through a one-dimensional tilted washboard potential. The control is modeled by a harmonic confining potential, mimicking an optical "trap," with the center of this trap moving with the (instantaneous) mean particle position. Our theoretical analysis is based on the Smoluchowski equation combined with dynamical density functional theory for systems with hard-core or ultrasoft (Gaussian) interactions. For either type of interaction, we find that the feedback control can lead to an enhancement of the mobility by several orders of magnitude relative to the uncontrolled case. The largest effects occur for intermediate stiffness of the trap and large particle numbers. Moreover, in some regions of the parameter space the feedback control induces oscillations of the mean velocity. Finally, we show that the enhancement of mobility is robust against a small time delay in implementing the feedback control.

Feedback between interacting transport channels

A model of particle transport through a large number of channels is introduced. Interactions among the particles can lead to a strong suppression of fluctuations in the particle number statistics. Within a mean-field-type limit, this becomes equivalent to a time-dependent (nonautonomous) collective feedback control mechanism. The dynamics can be interpreted as a diffusive spreading of a feedback signal across the channels that displays scaling, can be quantified via the flow of information, and becomes visible, e.g., in the spectral function of the particle noise.

Feedback network models for quantum transport

Quantum feedback networks have been introduced in quantum optics as a framework for constructing arbitrary networks of quantum mechanical systems connected by unidirectional quantum optical fields, and has allowed for a system theoretic approach to open quantum optics systems. Our aim here is to establish a network theory for quantum transport systems where typically the mediating fields between systems are bidirectional. Mathematically, this leads us to study quantum feedback networks where fields arrive at ports in input-output pairs, making it a special case of the unidirectional theory where inputs and outputs are paired. However, it is conceptually important to develop this theory in the context of quantum transport theory-the resulting theory extends traditional approaches which tend to view the components in quantum transport as scatterers for the various fields, in the process allowing us to consider emission and absorption of field quanta by these components. The quantum feedback network theory is applicable to both Bose and Fermi fields, moreover, it applies to nonlinear dynamics for the component systems. We advance the general theory, but study the case of linear passive quantum components in some detail.

Delay-induced transport in a rocking ratchet under feedback control

Based on the Fokker-Planck equation we investigate the transport of an overdamped colloidal particle in a static, asymmetric periodic potential supplemented by a time-dependent, delayed feedback force, F(fc). For a given time t, F(fc) depends on the status of the system at a previous time t-τ(D), with τ(D) being a delay time, specifically on the delayed mean particle displacement (relative to some "switching position"). For nonzero delay times F(fc)(t) develops nearly regular oscillations, generating a net current in the system. Depending on the switching position, this current is nearly as large or even larger than that in a conventional open-loop rocking ratchet. We also investigate thermodynamic properties of the delayed nonequilibrium system and we suggest an underlying Langevin equation which reproduces the Fokker-Planck results.

Delayed feedback control in quantum transport

Feedback control in quantum transport has been predicted to give rise to several interesting effects, among them quantum state stabilization and the realization of a mesoscopic Maxwell's daemon. These results were derived under the assumption that control operations on the system are affected instantaneously after the measurement of electronic jumps through it. In this contribution, I describe how to include a delay between detection and control operation in the master equation theory of feedback-controlled quantum transport. I investigate the consequences of delay for the state stabilization and Maxwell's daemon schemes. Furthermore, I describe how delay can be used as a tool to probe coherent oscillations of electrons within a transport system and how this formalism can be used to model finite detector bandwidth.

Spin-resolved bunching and noise characteristics in double quantum dots coupled to ferromagnetic electrodes

We study spin-resolved noise in Coulomb blockaded double quantum dots coupled to ferromagnetic electrodes. The modulation of the interdot coupling and spin polarization in the electrodes gives rise to an intriguing dynamical spin ↑-↑ (↓-↓) blockade mechanism: bunching of up (down) spins due to dynamical blockade of an up (down) spin. In contrast to the conventional dynamical spin ↑-↓ bunching (bunching of up spins associated with a dynamical blockade of a down spin), this new bunching behavior is found to be intimately associated with the spin mutual-correlation, i.e. the noise fluctuation between opposite spin currents. We further demonstrate that the dynamical spin ↑-↑ and ↑-↓ bunching of tunneling events may be coexistent in the regime of weak interdot coupling and low spin polarization.

Quantum fluctuations and coherence in high-precision single-electron capture

The phase of a single quantum state is undefined unless the history of its creation provides a reference point. Thus, quantum interference may seem hardly relevant for the design of deterministic single-electron sources which strive to isolate individual charge carriers quickly and completely. We provide a counterexample by analyzing the nonadiabatic separation of a localized quantum state from a Fermi sea due to a closing tunnel barrier. We identify the relevant energy scales and suggest ways to separate the contributions of quantum nonadiabatic excitation and back tunneling to the rare noncapture events. In the optimal regime of balanced decay and nonadiabaticity, our simple electron trap turns into a single-lead Landau-Zener back tunneling interferometer, revealing the dynamical phase accumulated between the particle capture and leakage. The predicted "quantum beats in back tunneling" may turn the error of a single-electron source into a valuable signal revealing essentially nonadiabatic energy scales of a dynamic quantum dot.

Nonequilibrium thermodynamics of feedback control

We establish a general theory of feedback control on classical stochastic thermodynamic systems and generalize nonequilibrium equalities such as the fluctuation theorem and the Jarzynski equality in the presence of feedback control with multiple measurements. Our results are generalizations of the previous relevant works to the situations with general measurements and multiple heat baths. The obtained equalities involve additional terms that characterize the information obtained by measurements or the efficacy of feedback control. A generalized Szilard engine and a feedback-controlled ratchet are shown to satisfy the derived equalities.