Comment on ``Creating Metastable Schroedinger Cat States''

After a careful analysis of the feedback model recently proposed by Slosser and Milburn [Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 418 (1995)], we are led to the conclusion that---under realistic conditions---their scheme is not significantly more effective in the production of linear superpositions of macroscopically distinguishable quantum states than the usual quantum-optical Kerr effect.Comment: 1 page, RevTeX, 1 eps figure (fig_1.eps), accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters [Phys. Rev. Lett. 77 (9) (1996)

Reply to Comment by J. Zhang and N. Makris on “Estimates of the Ground Accelerations at Point Reyes Station during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake” by A. Anooshehpoor, T. H. Heaton, B. Shi, and J. N. Brune

Contrary to the comments by Zhang and Makris (hereafter, ZM), our equations of motion governing the rocking response of a rectangular block subjected to a full-sine acceleration pulse are correct. Therefore, the first part of ZM's discussion, which is based primarily upon the assumption that the equations of motion in our article were incorrect, is inappropriate. In the second part of the discussion, ZM present new results for mode 2, toppling without impact. We did not consider this mode because it was not relevant to the Point Reyes train, which by eyewitness accounts, had overturned after experiencing one impact. However, as explained in this reply, toppling with no impact is never the minimum condition for overturning, and would in general involve very large horizontal accelerations, especially at frequencies where mode 2 is the only overturning mode

Precision Measurements of d(d,p)t and d(d,n)^3He Total Cross Sections at Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis Energies

Recent Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) measurements have determined the baryon density of the Universe $\Omega_b$ with a precision of about 4%. With $\Omega_b$ tightly constrained, comparisons of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) abundance predictions to primordial abundance observations can be made and used to test BBN models and/or to further constrain abundances of isotopes with weak observational limits. To push the limits and improve constraints on BBN models, uncertainties in key nuclear reaction rates must be minimized. To this end, we made new precise measurements of the d(d,p)t and d(d,n)^3He total cross sections at lab energies from 110 keV to 650 keV. A complete fit was performed in energy and angle to both angular distribution and normalization data for both reactions simultaneously. By including parameters for experimental variables in the fit, error correlations between detectors, reactions, and reaction energies were accurately tabulated by computational methods. With uncertainties around 2% +/- 1% scale error, these new measurements significantly improve on the existing data set. At relevant temperatures, using the data of the present work, both reaction rates are found to be about 7% higher than those in the widely used Nuclear Astrophysics Compilation of Reaction Rates (NACRE). These data will thus lead not only to reduced uncertainties, but also to modifications in the BBN abundance predictions.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figures, minor editorial change

Evidence for Three Nucleon Force Effects in p-d Elastic Scattering

A new measurement of the p-d differential cross section at Ep= 1 MeV has been performed. These new data and older data sets at energies below the deuteron breakup are compared to calculations using the two-nucleon Argonne v18 and the three-nucleon Urbana IX potentials. A quantitative estimate of the capability of these interactions to describe the data is given in terms of a chi^2 analysis. The chi^2 per datum drastically improves when the three-nucleon interaction is included in the Hamiltonian.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Generating and probing a two-photon Fock state with a single atom in a cavity

A two-photon Fock state is prepared in a cavity sustaining a "source mode " and a "target mode", with a single circular Rydberg atom. In a third-order Raman process, the atom emits a photon in the target while scattering one photon from the source into the target. The final two-photon state is probed by measuring by Ramsey interferometry the cavity light shifts induced by the target field on the same atom. Extensions to other multi-photon processes and to a new type of micromaser are briefly discussed

Test of quantum nonlocality for cavity fields

There have been studies on formation of quantum-nonlocal states in spatially separate two cavities. We suggest a nonlocal test for the field prepared in the two cavities. We couple classical driving fields with the cavities where a nonlocal state is prepared. Two independent two-level atoms are then sent through respective cavities to interact off-resonantly with the cavity fields. The atomic states are measured after the interaction. Bell's inequality can be tested by the joint probabilities of two-level atoms being in their excited or ground states. We find that quantum nonlocality can also be tested using a single atom sequentially interacting with the two cavities. Potential experimental errors are also considered. We show that with the present experimental condition of 5% error in the atomic velocity distribution, the violation of Bell's inequality can be measured.Comment: 14pages, 2figures. accepted to Phys. Rev.

Strain-Dependence of Surface Diffusion: Ag on Ag(111) and Pt(111)

Using density-functional theory with the local-density approximation and the generalized gradient approximation we compute the energy barriers for surface diffusion for Ag on Pt(111), Ag on one monolayer of Ag on Pt(111), and Ag on Ag(111). The diffusion barrier for Ag on Ag(111) is found to increase linearly with increasing lattice constant. We also discuss the reconstruction that has been found experimentally when two Ag layers are deposited on Pt(111). Our calculations explain why this strain driven reconstruction occurs only after two Ag layers have been deposited.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Phys. Rev. B 55 (1997), in pres

Overview of the Summer 2004 Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment–North America (INTEX-A)

The INTEX-A field mission was conducted in the summer of 2004 (1 July to 15 August 2004) over North America (NA) and the Atlantic in cooperation with multiple national and international partners as part of a consortium called ICARTT. The main goals of INTEX-A were to (1) characterize the composition of the troposphere over NA, (2) characterize the outflow of pollution from NA and determine its chemical evolution during transatlantic transport, (3) validate satellite observations of tropospheric composition, (4) quantitatively relate atmospheric concentrations of gases and aerosols with their sources and sinks, and (5) investigate aerosol properties and their radiative effects. INTEX-A primarily relied on instrumented DC-8 and J-31 aircraft platforms to achieve its objectives. The DC-8 was equipped to measure detailed gas and aerosol composition and provided sufficient range and altitude capability to coordinate activities with distant partners and to sample the entire midlatitude troposphere. The J-31 was specifically focused on radiative effects of clouds and aerosols and operated largely in the Gulf of Maine. Satellite products along with meteorological and 3-D chemical transport model forecasts were integrated into the flight planning process. Intercomparisons were performed to quantify the accuracy of data and to create a unified data set. Satellite validation activities principally focused on Terra (MOPITT, MODIS, and MISR), Aqua (AIRS and MODIS) and Envisat (SCIAMACHY) to validate observations of CO, NO2, HCHO, H2O, and aerosol. Persistent fires in Alaska and NW Canada offered opportunities to quantify emissions from fires and study the transport and evolution of biomass burning plumes. Contrary to expectations, several pollution plumes of Asian origin, frequently mixed with stratospheric air, were sampled over NA. Quasi-Lagrangian sampling was successfully carried out to study chemical aging of plumes during transport over the Atlantic. Lightning NOx source was found to be far larger than anticipated and provided a major source of error in model simulations. The composition of the upper troposphere was significantly perturbed by influences from surface pollution and lightning. Drawdown of CO2 was characterized over NA and its atmospheric abundance related to terrestrial sources and sinks. INTEX-A observations provide a comprehensive data set to test models and evaluate major pathways of pollution transport over NA and the Atlantic. This overview provides a context within which the present and future INTEX-A/ICARTT publications can be understood.Earth and Planetary SciencesEngineering and Applied Science