1,203 research outputs found
Mesoscopic Mechanical Resonators as Quantum Non-Inertial Reference Frames
An atom attached to a micrometer-scale wire that is vibrating at a frequency
of 100 MHz and with displacement amplitude 1 nm experiences an acceleration
magnitude 10^9 ms^-2, approaching the surface gravity of a neutron star. As one
application of such extreme non-inertial forces in a mesoscopic setting, we
consider a model two-path atom interferometer with one path consisting of the
100 MHz vibrating wire atom guide. The vibrating wire guide serves as a
non-inertial reference frame and induces an in principle measurable phase shift
in the wave function of an atom traversing the wire frame. We furthermore
consider the effect on the two-path atom wave interference when the vibrating
wire is modeled as a quantum object, hence functioning as a quantum
non-inertial reference frame. We outline a possible realization of the
vibrating wire, atom interferometer using a superfluid helium quantum
interference setup.Comment: Published versio
Quantum analysis of a nonlinear microwave cavity-embedded dc SQUID displacement detector
We carry out a quantum analysis of a dc SQUID mechanical displacement
detector, comprising a SQUID with mechanically compliant loop segment, which is
embedded in a microwave transmission line resonator. The SQUID is approximated
as a nonlinear, current dependent inductance, inducing an external flux
tunable, nonlinear Duffing self-interaction term in the microwave resonator
mode equation. Motion of the compliant SQUID loop segment is transduced
inductively through changes in the external flux threading SQUID loop, giving a
ponderomotive, radiation pressure type coupling between the microwave and
mechanical resonator modes. Expressions are derived for the detector signal
response and noise, and it is found that a soft-spring Duffing self-interaction
enables a closer approach to the displacement detection standard quantum limit,
as well as cooling closer to the ground state
Quantum master equation descriptions of a nanomechanical resonator coupled to a single-electron transistor
We analyse the quantum dynamics of a nanomechanical resonator coupled to a
normal-state single-electron transistor (SET). Starting from a microscopic
description of the system, we derive a master equation for the SET island
charge and resonator which is valid in the limit of weak electro-mechanical
coupling. Using this master equation we show that, apart from brief transients,
the resonator always behaves like a damped harmonic oscillator with a shifted
frequency and relaxes into a thermal-like steady state. Although the behaviour
remains qualitatively the same, we find that the magnitude of the resonator
damping rate and frequency shift depend very sensitively on the relative
magnitudes of the resonator period and the electron tunnelling time. Maximum
damping occurs when the electrical and mechanical time-scales are the same, but
the frequency shift is greatest when the resonator moves much more slowly than
the island charge. We then derive reduced master equations which describe just
the resonator dynamics. By making slightly different approximations, we obtain
two different reduced master equations for the resonator. Apart from minor
differences, the two reduced master equations give rise to a consistent picture
of the resonator dynamics which matches that obtained from the master equation
including the SET island charge.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figure
The Effect of Surface Roughness on the Universal Thermal Conductance
We explain the reduction of the thermal conductance below the predicted
universal value observed by Schwab et al. in terms of the scattering of thermal
phonons off surface roughness using a scalar model for the elastic waves. Our
analysis shows that the thermal conductance depends on two roughness
parameters: the roughness amplitude and the correlation length .
At sufficiently low temperatures the conductance decrease from the universal
value quadratically with temperature at a rate proportional to .
Values of equal to 0.22 and equal to about 0.75 of the width of
the conduction pathway give a good fit to the data.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures. Ref. added, typo correcte
Combining research and design: A mixed methods approach aimed at understanding and optimising inpatient medication storage systems
BACKGROUND: Almost every patient admitted to hospital will receive medication during their stay. Medication errors are an important cause of patient morbidity and mortality, as well as an economic burden for healthcare institutions. Research suggests that current methods of storing medication on hospital wards are not fit for purpose, contributing to inefficiency and error. AIM: To improve medication storage in inpatient areas, by exploring variation and challenges related to medication storage and designing a prototype solution. METHODS: Set in four hospitals in an English teaching hospital trust, the study used a mixed methods approach comprising a quantitative descriptive survey of storage facilities and practices followed by mixed methods observations of medication rounds and interviews with patients, nurses and pharmacy staff. Quantitative data were presented descriptively and qualitative data analysed thematically and using a human-centered design approach. RESULTS: We identified wide variation in medication storage facilities and practices across 77 wards. Observations and staff interviews in six wards revealed five problem areas: poor management of multiple storage facilities; lack of visibility and organisation of medication within trolleys; inadequate size of storage; lack of ownership and knowledge of standard practice; and use of key locks. Patients were largely satisfied with receiving their medication. Systematic and consistent physical organisation of medication in medication trolleys, and integrating and implementing principles of best practice, were identified as areas for intervention. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Variation in medication storage facilities and practices existed both across the organization and on individual wards. Multiple challenges were identified in how medication was stored, which if addressed may improve the efficiency and safety of medication administration and in turn, staff and patient experience. The use of design principles alongside a research approach resulted in a rapid, iterative process for developing and refining potential solutions to improve inpatient medication storage
Phonon-mediated thermal conductance of mesoscopic wires with rough edges
We present an analysis of acoustic phonon propagation through long,
free-standing, insulating wires with rough surfaces. Due to a crossover from
ballistic propagation of the lowest-frequency phonon mode at to a diffusive (or even localized) behavior upon the increase of
phonon frequency, followed by re-entrance into the quasi-ballistic regime, the
heat conductance of a wire acquires an intermediate tendency to saturate within
the temperature range .Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures included; minor changes and corrections, figures 1
and 2 replaced by better versions; to appear in PRB Brief Report
Noise properties of two single electron transistors coupled by a nanomechanical resonator
We analyze the noise properties of two single electron transistors (SETs)
coupled via a shared voltage gate consisting of a nanomechanical resonator.
Working in the regime where the resonator can be treated as a classical system,
we find that the SETs act on the resonator like two independent heat baths. The
coupling to the resonator generates positive correlations in the currents
flowing through each of the SETs as well as between the two currents. In the
regime where the dynamics of the resonator is dominated by the back-action of
the SETs, these positive correlations can lead to parametrically large
enhancements of the low frequency current noise. These noise properties can be
understood in terms of the effects on the SET currents of fluctuations in the
state of a resonator in thermal equilibrium which persist for times of order
the resonator damping time.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Graphical Evolution of Spin Network States
The evolution of spin network states in loop quantum gravity can be described
by introducing a time variable, defined by the surfaces of constant value of an
auxiliary scalar field. We regulate the Hamiltonian, generating such an
evolution, and evaluate its action both on edges and on vertices of the spin
network states. The analytical computations are carried out completely to yield
a finite, diffeomorphism invariant result. We use techniques from the
recoupling theory of colored graphs with trivalent vertices to evaluate the
graphical part of the Hamiltonian action. We show that the action on edges is
equivalent to a diffeomorphism transformation, while the action on vertices
adds new edges and re-routes the loops through the vertices.Comment: 24 pages, 21 PostScript figures, uses epsfig.sty, Minor corrections
in the final formula in the main body of the paper and in the formula for the
Tetrahedral net in the Appendi
Closed-Flux Solutions to the Constraints for Plane Gravity Waves
The metric for plane gravitational waves is quantized within the Hamiltonian
framework, using a Dirac constraint quantization and the self-dual field
variables proposed by Ashtekar. The z axis (direction of travel of the waves)
is taken to be the entire real line rather than the torus (manifold
coordinatized by (z,t) is RxR rather than x R). Solutions to the
constraints proposed in a previous paper involve open-ended flux lines running
along the entire z axis, rather than closed loops of flux; consequently, these
solutions are annihilated by the Gauss constraint at interior points of the z
axis, but not at the two boundary points. The solutions studied in the present
paper are based on closed flux loops and satisfy the Gauss constraint for all
z.Comment: 18 pages; LaTe
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