12,996 research outputs found
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
Arkansas Cotton Variety Test 2016
The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Test is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas
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
Maximum Confidence Quantum Measurements
We consider the problem of discriminating between states of a specified set
with maximum confidence. For a set of linearly independent states unambiguous
discrimination is possible if we allow for the possibility of an inconclusive
result. For linearly dependent sets an analogous measurement is one which
allows us to be as confident as possible that when a given state is identified
on the basis of the measurement result, it is indeed the correct state.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Enhancing space transportation: The NASA program to develop electric propulsion
The NASA Office of Aeronautics, Exploration, and Technology (OAET) supports a research and technology (R and T) program in electric propulsion to provide the basis for increased performance and life of electric thruster systems which can have a major impact on space system performance, including orbital transfer, stationkeeping, and planetary exploration. The program is oriented toward providing high-performance options that will be applicable to a broad range of near-term and far-term missions and vehicles. The program, which is being conducted through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Lewis Research Center (LeRC) includes research on resistojet, arcjets, ion engines, magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters, and electrodeless thrusters. Planning is also under way for nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) as part of the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI)
Space-time variation of malaria incidence in Yunnan province, China
BACKGROUND Understanding spatio-temporal variation in malaria incidence provides a basis for effective disease control planning and monitoring. METHODS Monthly surveillance data between 1991 and 2006 for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria across 128 counties were assembled for Yunnan, a province of China with one of the highest burdens of malaria. County-level Bayesian Poisson regression models of incidence were constructed, with effects for rainfall, maximum temperature and temporal trend. The model also allowed for spatial variation in county-level incidence and temporal trend, and dependence between incidence in June-September and the preceding January-February. RESULTS Models revealed strong associations between malaria incidence and both rainfall and maximum temperature. There was a significant association between incidence in June-September and the preceding January-February. Raw standardised morbidity ratios showed a high incidence in some counties bordering Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, and counties in the Red River valley. Clusters of counties in south-western and northern Yunnan were identified that had high incidence not explained by climate. The overall trend in incidence decreased, but there was significant variation between counties. CONCLUSION Dependence between incidence in summer and the preceding January-February suggests a role of intrinsic host-pathogen dynamics. Incidence during the summer peak might be predictable based on incidence in January-February, facilitating malaria control planning, scaled months in advance to the magnitude of the summer malaria burden. Heterogeneities in county-level temporal trends suggest that reductions in the burden of malaria have been unevenly distributed throughout the province.This project was supported by a University of Queensland New Research Scientist Start-Up Fund grant. RWS is a Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow (#079080) and receives additional support from the Wellcome Trust for the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP, http://www.map.ox.ac.uk)
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
Heavy ion beam lifetimes at relativistic and ultrarelativistic colliders
The effects of higher order corrections in ultra-relativistic nuclear
collisions are considered. It is found that higher order contributions are
small at low energy, large at intermediate energy and small again at very high
energy. An explanation for this effect is given. This means that the
Weizsacker-Williams formula is a good approximation to use in calculating cross
sections and beam lifetimes at energies relevant to RHIC and LHC.Comment: 10 pages, 2 tables, 4 figure
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