CATCH 1.4 User's Guide

The Monte Carlo program CATCH (Capture And Transport of CHarged particles in a crystal) for the simulation of planar channelling in bent crystals is presented. The program tracks a charged particle through the distorted-crystal lattice with the use of continuous-potential approximation and the non-diffusion approach to the processes of scattering on electrons and nuclei. The output consists of the exit angular distributions, the energy loss spectra, and the spectra of any close-encounter process of interest. The curvature variability, face twist, and various surface imperfections of the real crystal can be taken into account.Comment: 12 page

Programming Quantum Computers Using Design Automation

Recent developments in quantum hardware indicate that systems featuring more than 50 physical qubits are within reach. At this scale, classical simulation will no longer be feasible and there is a possibility that such quantum devices may outperform even classical supercomputers at certain tasks. With the rapid growth of qubit numbers and coherence times comes the increasingly difficult challenge of quantum program compilation. This entails the translation of a high-level description of a quantum algorithm to hardware-specific low-level operations which can be carried out by the quantum device. Some parts of the calculation may still be performed manually due to the lack of efficient methods. This, in turn, may lead to a design gap, which will prevent the programming of a quantum computer. In this paper, we discuss the challenges in fully-automatic quantum compilation. We motivate directions for future research to tackle these challenges. Yet, with the algorithms and approaches that exist today, we demonstrate how to automatically perform the quantum programming flow from algorithm to a physical quantum computer for a simple algorithmic benchmark, namely the hidden shift problem. We present and use two tool flows which invoke RevKit. One which is based on ProjectQ and which targets the IBM Quantum Experience or a local simulator, and one which is based on Microsoft's quantum programming language Q$\#$.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures. To appear in: Proceedings of Design, Automation and Test in Europe (DATE 2018

The Eccentuator: A new concept in actuation

A new concept in actuation for aerospace mechanisms is presented. This actuator, called an 'eccentuator', features unique output characteristics, installation and envelope efficiencies, and relative simplicity. The actuator can be powered by either hydraulic or mechanical inputs. Potential applications of the 'eccentuator' and development efforts are discussed

Wavelength-independent coupler from fiber to an on-chip cavity, demonstrated over an 850nm span

A robust wide band (850 nm) fiber coupler to a whispering-gallery cavity with ultra-high quality factor is experimentally demonstrated. The device trades off ideality for broad-band, efficient input coupling. Output coupling efficiency can remain high enough for practical applications wherein pumping and power extraction must occur over very broad wavelength spans