Spectral Analysis of Quantum Field Fluctuations in a Strongly Coupled Optomechanical System.

With a levitodynamics experiment in the strong and coherent quantum optomechanical coupling regime, we demonstrate that the oscillator acts as a broadband quantum spectrum analyzer. The asymmetry between positive and negative frequency branches in the displacement spectrum traces out the spectral features of the quantum fluctuations in the cavity field, which are thus explored over a wide spectral range. Moreover, in our two-dimensional mechanical system the quantum backaction, generated by such vacuum fluctuations, is strongly suppressed in a narrow spectral region due to a destructive interference in the overall susceptibility.

Microwave variable waveguide attenuator.

A new type of cutoff attenuator is presented. The attenuator works in the X-band in conditions of almost perfect matching. This means that the phase of the wave, which propagates inside the guide, does not suffer sensible variation in the passage between X- and K(u)-bands. Moreover, the attenuator works directly in the X-band, avoiding the passage between waveguide and cable, thus eliminating spurious effects due to this (double) passage. Experimental results of attenuation and dephasing using a prototype are also presented.

Real-time analysis of the telegrapher's equation for tunneling processes.

Based on a close analogy with an RLC circuit, a model for interpreting delay times in forbidden regimes (tunneling) is formulated, avoiding the analytical continuation into imaginary time. In this way, a reasonable description of experimental data, which were previously reported for a waveguide propagation below the cutoff frequency at approximately 9.5 GHz, is obtained.

Unexpected behavior of crossing microwave beams.

An anomalous effect in the near field of crossed microwave beams, consisting in an unexpected transfer of modulation from one beam to the other, cannot be fully interpreted, at least not in a simple way, in terms of the usual electromagnetic or related framework. It is hypothesized that a local breaking of the Lorentz invariance, already invoked for an alternative interpretation of superluminal behaviors in these kinds of systems, could provide a partial explanation of the present results, although other interpretations cannot be completely ruled out.

Josephson junction coupled to a transmission line: a comparison of different approaches.

The case of a Josephson junction loaded by a transmission line is reexamined, according to the Green's function method, in order to compare the results with those that we previously obtained, analytically and numerically, following a different procedure.

Tunneling as a stochastic process: a path-integral model for microwave experiments.

Delay time results obtained in microwave experiments at frequencies above and below the cutoff frequency of different waveguide sections are interpreted on the basis of wave propagation in the presence of dissipative effects. Kac's original suggestion was the starting point for the formulation of a stochastic model, which has now been substantially improved, also in relation to the transition-elements theory of Feynman-Hibbs. In this way, an approach to the problem is provided, which is completely distinct from the ones formulated elsewhere.

Anomalous pulse delay in microwave propagation: A stochastic process interpretation.

An experiment involving microwave propagation in the near-field region with two horn antennas demonstrated a superluminal behavior which is strongly dependent on the frequency. The models previously proposed are found to be inadequate for interpreting the results. An attempt is made within the framework of a stochastic model, which can be improved by a path-integral analysis.

Different approach for evaluating dissipation in macroscopic quantum tunneling.

The problem of evaluating dissipative effects in macroscopic quantum tunneling is re-examined for the case of Josephson junctions, with the adoption of an alternative way with respect to several previously proposed and, in some cases, contradictory approaches. The system, which consists of a junction coupled to a transmission line, is analyzed both analytically and numerically. A test of the theoretical model, as compared to the experimental results available, is performed in accordance with a criterion based on a shortening of the traversal time.

Simple stochastic model for optical tunneling.

A simple model, derived from a Brownian-motion scheme, is capable of interpreting the results of delay-time measurements relative to frustrated total reflection experiments at the microwave scale but also in the visible region. In this framework we also obtain a plausible description of the trajectories (rays) inside the tunneling region, the air gap between two paraffin prisms.

Anomalous delay in wave propagation and tunneling: a transition-elements analysis of the traversal time.

An alternative model for near-field propagation and optical tunneling is proposed following the lines of the path-integral method developed by Feynman, and in particular by using a transition-elements analysis. Such a model was able to account for the frequency dependency of delay-time results of an experiment involving microwave propagation in the near field using two horn antennas [A. Ranfagni et al., Phys. Rev. E 66, 036111 (2002)]. Furthermore, this approach is also capable of interpreting delay-time results as a function of the barrier width in a frustrated total internal reflection experiment performed at the microwave scale and in the optical region.

Experimental evidence of tunneling as a stochastic process.

A model for tunneling based on stochastic processes proves to be capable of interpreting the results of two experiments at the microwave scale. The first of these consisted of measuring the penetration time in a subcutoff waveguide; the second one, in measuring the shift of a beam in a frustrated total reflection. Said shift which is a measurement of the traversal time of the barrier. In both cases, a peak in the real-time component was evidenced, as predicted by the theoretical model.

Observation of superluminal behaviors in wave propagation

The possibility of observing superluminal behavior in the propagation of localized microwaves over distances of tens of wavelengths is experimentally demonstrated. These types of waves, better than the evanescent modes of tunneling, can contribute to answering the question on the luminal limit of the signal velocity.