Engineering quantum criticality for quantum dot power harvesting

Abstract

Coupling quantum-dot circuits to microwave photons allows one to study the photon-assisted quantum transport. Here, we revisit this typical circuit quantum electrodynamical setup by introducing the Kerr nonlinearity of photons. By exploiting a quantum critical behavior, we propose a powerful scheme to control the power harvesting efficiency in the microwave regime, where the driven-dissipative optical system acts as an energy pump. It drives electron transport against a load in quantum-dot circuit. The energy transfer and consequently the harvesting efficiency is enhanced near the critical point. As the critical point moves towards to low input power, the high efficiency within experimental parameters is achieved. Our results complement fundamental studies of photon-to-electron conversion at the nanoscale, and provide practical guidance for the design of integrated photoelectric device by the quantum criticality.