Normal mode splitting induced synchronization blockade in coupled quantum van der Pol oscillators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a mechanism where normal mode splitting causes a blockade of quantum synchronization in coupled quantum van der Pol oscillators, controllable via coupling strength and detuning.

Contribution

It introduces a novel synchronization blockade mechanism induced by spectral splitting of normal modes in quantum oscillators, with controllable dynamics.

Findings

Synchronization blockade caused by destructive interference in normal modes

Control of blockade through tuning coupling strength and detuning

Analysis of phase-locking and energy redistribution in the system

Abstract

We report a normal-mode induced synchronization blockade in coupled quantum van der Pol oscillators under the influence of external drive. In this mechanism, the coupling hybridizes the oscillator modes into spectrally split normal modes. The destructive interference between the transitions to these modes blocks synchronization. We find that this blockade can be controlled simply by tuning the coupling strength and detuning allowing dynamic manipulation of quantum synchronization through collective mode dynamics. We analyze the phase-locking behaviour using perturbation analysis. Further, by deriving steady-state probability amplitudes we show how the energy redistribution and spectral splitting forms the basis of the blockade. Our results might provide new insights into how synchronization can be controlled in quantum systems.