Generation of spin-dependent coherent states in a quantum wire

TL;DR

This paper proposes a nanodevice that uses electrically controlled Rashba spin-orbit coupling in a semiconductor nanowire to generate spin-dependent coherent states, including Schrödinger cat states, for quantum information applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for creating spin-dependent coherent and superposition states in a nanowire using resonant Rashba coupling modulation, enabling qubit initialization.

Findings

Successful theoretical demonstration of coherent state generation

Realistic three-dimensional simulations support the scheme

Potential for initializing spin qubits in coherent states

Abstract

We propose an all-electrically controlled nanodevice - a gated semiconductor nanowire - capable of generating a coherent state of a single electron trapped in a harmonic oscillator or superposition of such coherent states - the Schr\"odinger cat state. In the proposed scheme, electron in the ground state of the harmonic potential is driven by resonantly oscillating Rashba spin-orbit coupling. This allows for the creation of the Schr\"odinger cat state with superposition amplitudes depending on the initial electron spin state. Such a method can be used for initialization of a single spin qubit defined in a coherent state. The harmonic confinement potential along the InSb nanowire and the modulation of the Rashba spin-orbit coupling is obtained by proper gating. The results are supported by realistic three-dimensional time-dependent self consistent Poisson-Schr\"odinger calculations.