The geometric approach to quantum correlations: Computability versus reliability

We propose a modified metric based on the Hilbert-Schmidt norm and adopt it to define a rescaled version of the geometric measure of quantum discord. Such a measure is found not to suffer from the pathological dependence on state purity. Although the employed metric is still noncontractive under quantum operations, we show that the resulting indicator of quantum correlations is in agreement with other bona fide discord measures in a number of physical examples. We present a critical assessment of the requirements of reliability versus computability when approaching the task of quantifying, or measuring, general quantum correlations in a bipartite state.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures; presentation improved; to appear in J. Phys.

Low temperature deactivation of Ge heavily n-type doped by ion implantation and laser thermal annealing

International audienceHeavy doping of Ge is crucial for several advanced micro-and optoelectronic applications, but, at the same time, it still remains extremely challenging. Ge heavily n-type doped at a concentration of 1 X 10(20) cm(-3) by As ion implantation and melting laser thermal annealing (LTA) is shown here to be highly metastable. Upon post-LTA conventional thermal annealing As electrically deactivates already at 350 degrees C reaching an active concentration of similar to 4 x 10(19) cm(-3). No significant As diffusion is detected up to 450 degrees C, where the As activation decreases further to similar to 3 x 10(19) cm(-3). The reason for the observed detrimental deactivation was investigated by Atom Probe Tomography and in situ High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction measurements. In general, the thermal stability of heavily doped Ge layers needs to be carefully evaluated because, as shown here, deactivation might occur at very low temperatures, close to those required for low resistivity Ohmic contacting of n-type Ge