Quantum Groups, Coherent States, Squeezing and Lattice Quantum Mechanics

By resorting to the Fock--Bargmann representation, we incorporate the quantum Weyl--Heisenberg ($q$-WH) algebra into the theory of entire analytic functions. The main tool is the realization of the $q$--WH algebra in terms of finite difference operators. The physical relevance of our study relies on the fact that coherent states (CS) are indeed formulated in the space of entire analytic functions where they can be rigorously expressed in terms of theta functions on the von Neumann lattice. The r\^ole played by the finite difference operators and the relevance of the lattice structure in the completeness of the CS system suggest that the $q$--deformation of the WH algebra is an essential tool in the physics of discretized (periodic) systems. In this latter context we define a quantum mechanics formalism for lattice systems.Comment: 22 pages, TEX file, DFF188/9/93 Firenz

Seismic scattering and absorption mapping from intermediate-depth earthquakes reveals complex tectonic interactions acting in the Vrancea region and surroundings (Romania)

The present study was performed during a stay at the University of Münster financed by a grant awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in 2014. Data used in the present study were provided by the National Institute for Earth Physics (Romania) and processed within the National Data Centre in Magurele. Seismic Analysis Code (SAC) (Goldstein and Snoke, 2005) and GMT (Wessel et al., 2013) codes were used. We thank the College of Physical Sciences (University of Aberdeen) and the Santander Mobility Award for providing travel grant to LDS to complete this manuscript. We are grateful as well to the anonymous reviewer for his useful remarks which helped us to improve the paper.Peer reviewedPostprin

Influence of trapping potentials on the phase diagram of bosonic atoms in optical lattices

We study the effect of external trapping potentials on the phase diagram of bosonic atoms in optical lattices. We introduce a generalized Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian that includes the structure of the energy levels of the trapping potential, and show that these levels are in general populated both at finite and zero temperature. We characterize the properties of the superfluid transition for this situation and compare them with those of the standard Bose-Hubbard description. We briefly discuss similar behaviors for fermionic systems.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; final version, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Determination of ground state properties in quantum spin systems by single qubit unitary operations and entanglement excitation energies

We introduce a method for analyzing ground state properties of quantum many body systems, based on the characterization of separability and entanglement by single subsystem unitary operations. We apply the method to the study of the ground state structure of several interacting spin-1/2 models, described by Hamiltonians with different degrees of symmetry. We show that the approach based on single qubit unitary operations allows to introduce {\it ``entanglement excitation energies''}, a set of observables that can characterize ground state properties, including the quantification of single-site entanglement and the determination of quantum critical points. The formalism allows to identify the existence and location of factorization points, and a purely quantum {\it ``transition of entanglement''} that occurs at the approach of factorization. This kind of quantum transition is characterized by a diverging ratio of excitation energies associated to single-qubit unitary operations.Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev.

Space-weighted seismic attenuation mapping of the aseismic source of Campi Flegrei 1983-84 unrest

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

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

Non-locality and entropic uncertainty relations in neutrino oscillations

Using the wave-packet approach to neutrino oscillations, we analyze quantum-memory-assisted entropic uncertainty relations and show that uncertainty and the non-local advantage of quantum coherence are anti-correlated. Furthermore, we explore the hierarchy among three different definitions of NAQC, those based on l1-norm, relative entropy and skew information coherence measures, and we find that the coherence content detected by the l1-norm-based NAQC overcomes the other two. The connection between QMA-EUR and NAQC could provide a better understanding of the physical meaning of the results so far obtained and suggest their extension to quantum field theory

The Interconnected Magmatic Plumbing System of the Natron Rift

Understanding the magmatic plumbing system of rift volcanoes is essential when examining the interplay between magmatic and tectonic forces. Recent seismicity, volcanic activity, magma emplacement, and volatile release make the Natron basin the ideal location to study these processes in the East African Rift System. Here, we present the first high-resolution tomographic imaging of Oldoinyo Lengai volcano and surrounding volcanic systems using attenuation mapping. High scattering and absorption features reveal fluid-filled fracture networks below regions of magmatic volatile release at the surface and a close spatial association between carbonatite volcanism and deeply penetrating, fluid-filled faults. High-absorption features appear sensitive to fluids and thermal gradients, revealing a central sill complex and connected plumbing system down to the mid-crust, which links volcanoes and rift segments across the developing magmatic rift

Optimal estimation of losses at the ultimate quantum limit with non-Gaussian states

We address the estimation of the loss parameter of a bosonic channel probed by arbitrary signals. Unlike the optimal Gaussian probes, which can attain the ultimate bound on precision asymptotically either for very small or very large losses, we prove that Fock states at any fixed photon number saturate the bound unconditionally for any value of the loss. In the relevant regime of low-energy probes, we demonstrate that superpositions of the first low-lying Fock states yield an absolute improvement over any Gaussian probe. Such few-photon states can be recast quite generally as truncations of de-Gaussified photon-subtracted states.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure