ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences

About: ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences is a facility organization based out in Barcelona, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Quantum & Quantum entanglement. The organization has 872 authors who have published 1965 publications receiving 56273 citations.

Long-range optofluidic control with plasmon heating.

Abstract: Using light to manipulate fluids has been a long-sought-after goal for lab-on-a-chip applications to address the size mismatch between bulky external fluid controllers and microfluidic devices. Yet, this goal has remained elusive due to the complexity of thermally driven fluid dynamic phenomena, and the lack of approaches that allow comprehensive multiscale and multiparameter studies. Here, we report an innovative optofluidic platform that fulfills this need by combining digital holographic microscopy with state-of-the-art thermoplasmonics, allowing us to identify the different contributions from thermophoresis, thermo-osmosis, convection, and radiation pressure. In our experiments, we demonstrate that a local thermal perturbation at the microscale can lead to mm-scale changes in both the particle and fluid dynamics, thus achieving long-range transport. Furthermore, thanks to a comprehensive parameter study involving sample geometry, temperature increase, light fluence, and size of the heat source, we showcase an integrated and reconfigurable all-optical control strategy for microfluidic devices, thereby opening new frontiers in fluid actuation technology.

Generation of hybrid maximally entangled states in a one-dimensional quantum walk

Abstract: We study the generation of hybrid entanglement in a one-dimensional quantum walk. In particular, we explore the preparation of maximally entangled states between position and spin degrees of freedom. We address it as an optimization problem, where the cost function is the Schmidt norm. We then benchmark the algorithm and compare the generation of entanglement between the Hadamard quantum walk, the random quantum walk and the optimal quantum walk. Finally, we discuss an experimental scheme with a photonic quantum walk in the orbital angular momentum of light. The experimental measurement of entanglement can be achieved with quantum state tomography.

Exponentially many entanglement and correlation constraints for multipartite quantum states

Abstract: We present a family of correlation constraints that apply to all multipartite quantum systems of finite dimension. The size of this family is exponential in the number of subsystems. We obtain these relations by defining and investigating the generalized state inversion map. This map provides a systematic way to obtain local unitary invariants of degree two in the state and is directly linked to the shadow inequalities proved by Rains [IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory 46, 54 (2000)]. The constraints are stated in terms of linear inequalities for the linear entropies of the subsystems. For pure quantum states they turn into monogamy relations that constrain the distribution of bipartite entanglement among the subsystems of the global state.

Hidden String Order in a Hole Superconductor with Extended Correlated Hopping.

Abstract: Ultracold fermions in one-dimensional, spin-dependent nonoverlapping optical lattices are described by a nonstandard Hubbard model with next-nearest-neighbor correlated hopping. In the limit of a kinetically constraining value of the correlated hopping equal to the normal hopping, we map the invariant subspaces of the Hamiltonian exactly to free spinless fermion chains of varying lengths. As a result, the system exactly manifests spin-charge separation and we obtain the system properties for arbitrary filling: ground state collective order characterized by a spin gap, which can be ascribed to an unconventional critical hole superconductor associated with finite long range nonlocal string order. We study the system numerically away from the integrable point and show the persistence of both long range string order and spin gap for appropriate parameters as well as a transition to a ferromagnetic state.