21,161 research outputs found
Quantum stochastic integrals as operators
We construct quantum stochastic integrals for the integrator being a
martingale in a von Neumann algebra, and the integrand -- a suitable process
with values in the same algebra, as densely defined operators affiliated with
the algebra. In the case of a finite algebra we allow the integrator to be an
--martingale in which case the integrals are --martingales too
Retrodiction with two-level atoms: atomic previvals
In the Jaynes-Cummings model a two-level atom interacts with a single-mode
electromagnetic field. Quantum mechanics predicts collapses and revivals in the
probability that a measurement will show the atom to be excited at various
times after the initial preparation of the atom and field. In retrodictive
quantum mechanics we seek the probability that the atom was prepared in a
particular state given the initial state of the field and the outcome of a
later measurement on the atom. Although this is not simply the time reverse of
the usual predictive problem, we demonstrate in this paper that retrodictive
collapses and revivals also exist. We highlight the differences between
predictive and retrodictive evolutions and describe an interesting situation
where the prepared state is essentially unretrodictable.Comment: 15 pages, 3 (5) figure
Difficulty of distinguishing product states locally
Non-locality without entanglement is a rather counter-intuitive phenomenon in
which information may be encoded entirely in product (unentangled) states of
composite quantum systems in such a way that local measurement of the
subsystems is not enough for optimal decoding. For simple examples of pure
product states, the gap in performance is known to be rather small when
arbitrary local strategies are allowed. Here we restrict to local strategies
readily achievable with current technology; those requiring neither a quantum
memory nor joint operations. We show that, even for measurements on pure
product states there can be a large gap between such strategies and
theoretically optimal performance. Thus even in the absence of entanglement
physically realizable local strategies can be far from optimal for extracting
quantum information.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur
Retrodiction as a tool for micromaser field measurements
We use retrodictive quantum theory to describe cavity field measurements by
successive atomic detections in the micromaser. We calculate the state of the
micromaser cavity field prior to detection of sequences of atoms in either the
excited or ground state, for atoms that are initially prepared in the excited
state. This provides the POM elements, which describe such sequences of
measurements.Comment: 20 pages, 4(8) figure
Epac and the high affinity rolipram binding conformer of PDE4 modulate neurite outgrowth and myelination using an in vitro spinal cord injury model
<b>Background and Purpose</b><p></p>
cAMP and pharmacological inhibition of PDE4, which degrades it, are promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Using our previously described in vitro SCI model, we studied the mechanisms by which cAMP modulators promote neurite outgrowth and myelination using enantiomers of the PDE4-specific inhibitor rolipram and other modulators of downstream signalling effectors.<p></p>
<b>Experimental Approach</b><p></p>
Rat mixed neural cell myelinating cultures were cut with a scalpel and treated with enantiomers of the PDE4-specific inhibitor rolipram, Epac agonists and PKA antagonists. Neurite outgrowth, density and myelination were assessed by immunocytochemistry and cytokine levels analysed by qPCR.<p></p>
<b>Key Results</b><p></p>
Inhibition of the high-affinity rolipram-binding state (HARBS), rather than the low-affinity rolipram binding state (LARBS) PDE4 conformer promoted neurite outgrowth and myelination. These effects were mediated through the activation of Epac and not through PKA. Expression of the chemokine CXCL10, known to inhibit myelination, was markedly elevated in astrocytes after Rho inhibition and this was blocked by inhibition of Rho kinase or PDE4.<p></p>
<b>Conclusions and Implications</b><p></p>
PDE4 inhibitors targeted at the HARBS conformer or Epac agonists may provide promising novel targets for the treatment of SCI. Our study demonstrates the differential mechanisms of action of these compounds, as well as the benefit of a combined pharmacological approach and highlighting potential promising targets for the treatment of SCI. These findings need to be confirmed in vivo
Discrimination of two mixed quantum states with maximum confidence and minimum probability of inconclusive results
We study an optimized measurement that discriminates two mixed quantum states
with maximum confidence for each conclusive result, thereby keeping the overall
probability of inconclusive results as small as possible. When the rank of the
detection operators associated with the two different conclusive outcomes does
not exceed unity we obtain a general solution. As an application, we consider
the discrimination of two mixed qubit states. Moreover, for the case of
higher-rank detection operators we give a solution for particular states. The
relation of the optimized measurement to other discrimination schemes is also
discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Decoherence of number states in phase-sensitive reservoirs
The non-unitary evolution of initial number states in general Gaussian
environments is solved analytically. Decoherence in the channels is quantified
by determining explicitly the purity of the state at any time. The influence of
the squeezing of the bath on decoherence is discussed. The behavior of coherent
superpositions of number states is addressed as well.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, minor changes, references adde
Security of coherent state quantum cryptography in the presence of Gaussian noise
We investigate the security against collective attacks of a continuous
variable quantum key distribution scheme in the asymptotic key limit for a
realistic setting. The quantum channel connecting the two honest parties is
assumed to be lossy and imposes Gaussian noise on the observed quadrature
distributions. Secret key rates are given for direct and reverse reconciliation
schemes including postselection in the collective attack scenario. The effect
of a non-ideal error correction and two-way communication in the classical
post-processing step is also taken into account.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures updated version including two-way communication;
changed the definition of the excess noise to match the definition given
earlier (Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 117901); submitted to PRA; presented at the 8th
International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement and Computing,
Tsukub
Optimal minimum-cost quantum measurements for imperfect detection
Knowledge of optimal quantum measurements is important for a wide range of
situations, including quantum communication and quantum metrology. Quantum
measurements are usually optimised with an ideal experimental realisation in
mind. Real devices and detectors are, however, imperfect. This has to be taken
into account when optimising quantum measurements. In this paper, we derive the
optimal minimum-cost and minimum-error measurements for a general model of
imperfect detection.Comment: 5 page
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