Once again: Instanton method vs. WKB

A recent analytic test of the instanton method performed by comparing the exact spectrum of the Lam${\acute e}$ potential (derived from representations of a finite dimensional matrix expressed in terms of $su(2)$ generators) with the results of the tight--binding and instanton approximations as well as the standard WKB approximation is commented upon. It is pointed out that in the case of the Lam${\acute e}$ potential as well as others the WKB--related method of matched asymptotic expansions yields the exact instanton result as a result of boundary conditions imposed on wave functions which are matched in domains of overlap.Comment: 10 pages, no figures. References list revised according to JHE

Semiquantum key distribution using entangled states

Recently, Boyer et al. presented a novel semiquantum key distribution protocol [M. Boyer, D. Kenigsberg, and T. Mor, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 140501 (2007)], by using four quantum states, each of which is randomly prepared by Z basis or X basis. Here we present a semiquantum key distribution protocol by using entangled states in which quantum Alice shares a secret key with classical Bob. We also show the protocol is secure against eavesdropping.Comment: 6 page

Interfacial thermal transport in atomic junctions

We study ballistic interfacial thermal transport across atomic junctions. Exact expressions for phonon transmission coefficients are derived for thermal transport in one-junction and two-junction chains, and verified by numerical calculation based on a nonequilibrium Green's function method. For a single-junction case, we find that the phonon transmission coefficient typically decreases monotonically with increasing freqency. However, in the range between equal frequency spectrum and equal acoustic impedance, it increases first then decreases, which explains why the Kapitza resistance calculated from the acoustic mismatch model is far larger than the experimental values at low temperatures. The junction thermal conductance reaches a maximum when the interfacial coupling equals the harmonic average of the spring constants of the two semi-infinite chains. For three-dimensional junctions, in the weak coupling limit, we find that the conductance is proportional to the square of the interfacial coupling, while for intermediate coupling strength the conductance is approximately proportional to the interfacial coupling strength. For two-junction chains, the transmission coefficient oscillates with the frequency due to interference effects. The oscillations between the two envelop lines can be understood analytically, thus providing guidelines in designing phonon frequency filters.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figures. Accepted by Phys. Rev.

Photovoltage Detection of Edge Magnetoplasmon Oscillations and Giant Magnetoplasmon Resonances in A Two-Dimensional Hole System

In our high mobility p-type AlGaAs/GaAs two-dimensional hole samples, we originally observe the B-periodic oscillation induced by microwave (MW) in photovoltage (PV) measurements. In the frequency range of our measurements (5 - 40 GHz), the period ({\Delta}B) is inversely proportional to the microwave frequency (f). The distinct oscillations come from the edge magnetoplasmon (EMP) in the high quality heavy hole system. In our hole sample with a very large effective mass, the observation of the EMP oscillations is in neither the low frequency limit nor the high frequency limit, and the damping of the EMP oscillations is very weak under high magnetic fields. Simultaneously, we observe the giant plasmon resonance signals in our measurements on the shallow two-dimensional hole system (2DHS)

Upconversion of optical signals with multi-longitudinal-mode pump lasers

Multi-longitudinal-mode lasers have been believed to be good candidates as pump sources for optical frequency conversion. However, we present a semi-classical model for frequency conversion of optical signals with a multimode pump laser, which shows that fluctuations of the instantaneous pump power limit the conversion efficiency. In an experiment, we upconverted a 1550 nm optical signal in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide using with a multi-longitudinal-mode laser, an observed a maximum conversion efficiency of 70%, in good agreement with our theoretical model. Compared to single-mode pumping, multimode pumping is not a suitable technique for attaining stable near-unity-efficiency frequency conversion. However, the results obtained here could find application in characterization of the spectral or temporal structure of multi-longitudinal-mode lasers.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, comments are welcome

Proximity-induced superconductivity in nanowires: Mini-gap state and differential magnetoresistance oscillations

We study proximity-induced superconductivity in gold nanowires as a function of the length of the nanowire, magnetic field, and excitation current. Short nanowires exhibit a sharp superconducting transition, whereas long nanowires show nonzero resistance. At intermediate lengths, however, we observe two sharp transitions; the normal and superconducting regions are separated by what we call the mini-gap phase. Additionally, we detect periodic oscillations in the differential magnetoresistance. We provide a theoretical model for the mini-gap phase as well as the periodic oscillations in terms of the coexistence of proximity-induced superconductivity with a normal region near the center of the wire, created either by temperature or application of a magnetic field.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

A note on entropic force and brane cosmology

Recently Verlinde proposed that gravity is an entropic force caused by information changes when a material body moves away from the holographic screen. In this note we apply this argument to brane cosmology, and show that the cosmological equation can be derived from this holographic scenario.Comment: 5 pages, no figures;references adde

Sensitive detection of BRAF V600E mutation by Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS)-PCR

BACKGROUND: BRAF mutations occur in approximately 8% of all human cancers and approach 50% in melanoma and papillary carcinoma of thyroid. These mutations provide potentially valuable diagnostic, prognostic and treatment response prediction markers. A sensitive, specific, low-cost assay to detect these mutations is needed. RESULTS: To detect BRAF V600E mutation in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, we developed a method using Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS)-PCR. This method was designed to amplify three products in a single reaction tube: a 200 bp common product serving as an amplification control, a 144 bp BRAF V600E specific product, and a 97 bp wild-type (wt) specific product. The sensitivity of this method was determined to be as low as 0.5% for the BRAF V600E allele in a wild-type background. This method was successfully validated in 72 thyroid tumors. It detected V600E mutation in 22 out of 33 (67%) of the conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 8 out of 12 (75%) of the tall-cell variant of PTC, whereas none of the 10 follicular variant of PTC showed BRAF V600E mutation. In addition, none of the 14 follicular adenomas and 3 follicular carcinomas had BRAF V600E mutation. As a comparison method, direct dideoxy sequencing found only 27 out of 30 (90%) mutations detected by ARMS-PCR method, suggesting that this ARMS-PCR method has higher sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our ARMS-PCR method provides a new tool for rapid detection of BRAF V600E mutation. Our results indicate that ARMS-PCR is more sensitive than automated dideoxy sequencing in detecting low BRAF V600E allele burdens in FFPE tumor specimen. The strategy of this ARMS-PCR design may be adapted for early detection of point mutations of a variety of biomarker genes