Observation of genuine three-photon interference

Multiparticle quantum interference is critical for our understanding and exploitation of quantum information, and for fundamental tests of quantum mechanics. A remarkable example of multi-partite correlations is exhibited by the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state. In a GHZ state, three particles are correlated while no pairwise correlation is found. The manifestation of these strong correlations in an interferometric setting has been studied theoretically since 1990 but no three-photon GHZ interferometer has been realized experimentally. Here we demonstrate three-photon interference that does not originate from two-photon or single photon interference. We observe phase-dependent variation of three-photon coincidences with 90.5 \pm 5.0 % visibility in a generalized Franson interferometer using energy-time entangled photon triplets. The demonstration of these strong correlations in an interferometric setting provides new avenues for multiphoton interferometry, fundamental tests of quantum mechanics and quantum information applications in higher dimensions.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

The Stability of Ti2AlC and V2AlC with Al, and the Synthesis of Composites in the Al-Ti-B-C and Al-V-C systems

As automotive, aerospace and the power industries increasingly look to carbide and boride based aluminum composites for their high specific strengths and increased thermal stability, it is important to characterize the equilibrium phase relations at temperatures common for processing these composites. Herein, two composite systems were investigated. Composites in the Al-Ti-B-C system were fabricated starting with Al, Ti2AlC, and B4C. Composites in the Al-V-C system were fabricated starting with elemental powders. The Ti2AlC/B4C powders were mixed in both 50/50 and 75/25 vol. % ratios and cold pressed into 53 % dense preforms. The preforms were pressureless melt infiltrated in the 900 to 1050 °C temperature range with Al. X-ray diffraction, XRD, and scanning electron microscopy, SEM, confirmed that neither Ti2AlC nor B4C was an equilibrium phase. The equilibrium phases were found to be Al, TiB2, Al3BC, and Al4C3 for the more B-rich composite and Al, TiB2, TiC, and Al4C3 for the Ti-rich composite. From these results, the 1000 °C quaternary phase diagram adjacent to the Al-TiB2- Al4C3 triangle and in the Al-rich corner was developed for the first time. In the Al-V-C system, Al-V2AlC composites were synthesized in situ by quenching from 1000 °C, however fully dense composites have yet to be realized. XRD and SEM investigations indicated a predominately two phase composite (Al and V2AlC), and that some Al particles did not break their oxide shell. Furnace cooled samples did not form two phase composites. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the instability of V2AlC with Al below ≈ 950 °C. Additionally, the Al-V-C phase diagram was characterized in the Al-rich corner at 800 °C. Al and V2AlC were found to be in equilibrium with both Al3V and Al4C3, but not with each other.M.S., Materials Science -- Drexel University, 201

Lattice sites of implanted Cu and Ag in ZnO

The group $\textrm{I}$b impurities Cu and Ag on substitutional Zn sites are among possible candidates for p-type doping of ZnO. In order to explore possible lattice sites of Cu and Ag in ZnO the radioactive impurities $^{67}\!$Cu and $^{111}\!$Ag were implanted at doses of $4\!\times\!10^{12}$cm$^{-2}\to1\!\times\!10^{14}$cm$^{-2}$ at 60 keV into ZnO single crystals. The emission channeling effects of \beta\!^{-} -particles from the decay were studied by means of position-sensitive electron detectors, giving direct evidence that in the as-implanted state large fractions of Cu and Ag atoms (60--70% for Cu and 30% for Ag) occupy almost ideal substitutional Zn sites with root mean square (rms) displacements of 0.014--0.017 nm. However, following vacuum annealing at 600 °C and above both Cu and Ag were found to be located increasingly on sites that are characterized by large rms displacements (0.03--0.05 nm) from Zn sites. We conclude that in high-temperature treated ZnO Cu and Ag are most likely not simply replacing Zn atoms but are incorporated in complexes with other crystal defects or as clusters

Perceptions towards mask use in school children during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: descriptive results from the longitudinal Ciao Corona cohort study

BACKGROUND: Mask wearing contributes to the reduction of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In Switzerland, compulsory use of masks was introduced in indoor public spaces and later in schools. This study explored perceptions of the usefulness of masks in school and public in a cohort of children and adolescents in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, in January to May 2021. METHODS: School children aged 10 to 17 years enrolled in Ciao Corona, a prospective school-based cohort study, responded to nested online surveys between 12 January and 24 March 2021 (Q1) and 10 March and 16 May 2021 (Q2). Secondary school children were surveyed at Q1 and Q2, and primary school children at Q2 only. Surveys for parents and their children included questions on the children’s perception of the usefulness of masks and mask wearing behaviour by applying a non-validated questionnaire. Associations between perceived usefulness of masks and child’s school level and gender, and parents’ educational attainment were analysed with Pearson’s and McNemar’s chi-square tests. Free-text comments provided by children were classified into categories of expressed attitude towards mask wearing. RESULTS: A total of 595 (54% girls) and 1118 (52% girls) school children with predominantly Swiss nationality and a high socioeconomic status responded to online questionnaires at Q1 and Q2, respectively. More than half of the school children perceived masks to be useful at school (Q1: 60% and Q2: 57%) and in public (Q1: 69% and Q2 :60%). Girls perceived masks as useful more often than boys (at Q2 at school: 61% versus 53%, in public: 64% versus 57%), and children of parents with high educational attainment more often than those of parents with lower educational attainment (at Q2 at school: 61% versus 49%, in public: 63% versus 54%). At Q1 and Q2 each, about 20% of children provided individual statements about masks, of which 36% at Q1 and 16% at Q2 reported side effects and discomfort such as skin irritations, headache or difficulties breathing during physical education. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 60% of school children perceived masks at school and in public places as useful. A small but non-negligible proportion of children reported discomfort and side effects that should be considered to ensure high adherence to mask wearing among school children. A validation of the questionnaire is needed

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children, parents and school personnel from June 2020 to April 2021: cohort study of 55 schools in Switzerland

BACKGROUND: Few studies have directly examined the incidence or seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in children, parents and teachers from the same school communities. This study aimed to describe SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence within cantonal districts and school communities in children, parents and school personnel in June-September 2020 and March-April 2021 in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. METHODS: We invited children from 55 randomly selected primary and secondary schools and 275 classes within them to participate in the Ciao Corona study in June-July 2020. Parents of the participating children and all school personnel were invited in August-September 2020. Eligible classes, parents and school personnel were tested again in March-April 2021. Venous blood was tested for SARS-CoV-2 serology. We collected sociodemographic information of the participants in online questionnaires on enrolment in the study. We excluded vaccinated adults and those with unverified vaccination status from the main analysis. Seroprevalence estimates were adjusted for test accuracy. We assessed the variability of seroprevalence within and across cantonal districts and school communities and compared it with the per capita cumulative incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. RESULTS: In June-September 2020, 2,473 children, 1,608 school personnel and 2,045 parents participated in the study. In June-September 2020, seroprevalence was low (4.4% to 5.8%) in all cohorts. In March-April 2021, seroprevalence in children and parents (18.1% and 20.9%) was slightly higher than in school personnel (16.9%). We observed a large variation in seroprevalence estimates of the three cohorts within and between districts and school communities, with the median ratio of children’s seroprevalence to per capita confirmed cases in district inhabitants of 3.1 (interquartile range 2.6 to 3.9). Seroprevalence was lower in children in the upper school level and their parents, but not teachers. Children’s seroprevalence was slightly higher in classes with infected main teachers and families with one infected parent and substantially higher in families with two infected parents. CONCLUSIONS: We observed similar seroprevalence in children and parents, somewhat lower in school personnel in March-April 2021 and striking variation between districts and school communities. Children’s seroprevalence was higher in classes with infected main teachers and from families with infected parents

Surveillance of Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infections in School Children and Point-Prevalence During a Time of High Community Transmission in Switzerland

Background: Switzerland had one of the highest incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in Europe during the second wave. Schools were open as in most of Europe with specific preventive measures in place. However, the frequency and transmission of acute unrecognized, asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic infections in schools during this time of high community transmission is unknown. Thereof, our aim was to pilot a surveillance system that detects acute SARS-CoV-2 infections in schools and possible transmission within classes. Methods: Fourteen out of the randomly selected sample of the Ciao Corona cohort study participated between December 1 and 11, a time when incidence rate for SARS-CoV-2 infections was high for the canton of Zurich. We determined point-prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infections of school children attending primary and secondary school. A buccal swab for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to detect SARS-CoV-2 were taken twice 1 week apart (T1 and T2) in a cohort of children from randomly selected classes. A questionnaire assessed demographics and symptoms compatible with a SARS-CoV-2 infection during the past 5 days. Results: Out of 1,299 invited children, 641 (49%) 6- to 16-year-old children and 66 teachers from 14 schools and 67 classes participated in at least one of two testings. None of the teachers but one child had a positive PCR at T1, corresponding to a point-prevalence in children of 0.2% (95% CI 0.0-1.1%), and no positive PCR was detected at T2. The child with positive PCR at T1 was negative on the RDT at T1 and both tests were negative at T2. There were 7 (0.6%) false positive RDTs in children and 2 (1.7%) false positive RDTs in teachers at T1 or T2 among 5 schools (overall prevalence 0.7%). All 9 initially positive RDTs were negative in a new buccal sample taken 2 h to 2 days later, also confirmed by PCR. Thirty-five percent of children and 8% of teachers reported mild symptoms during the 5 days prior to testing. Conclusion: In a setting of high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections, unrecognized virus spread within schools was very low. Schools appear to be safe with the protective measures in place (e.g., clearly symptomatic children have to stay at home, prompt contact tracing with individual and class-level quarantine, and structured infection prevention measures in school). Specificity of the RDT was within the lower boundary of performance and needs further evaluation for its use in schools. Given the low point prevalence even in a setting of very high incidence, a targeted test, track, isolate and quarantine (TTIQ) strategy for symptomatic children and school personnel adapted to school settings is likely more suitable approach than surveillance on entire classes and schools. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04448717, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04448717