76 research outputs found
Spatial and Spectral Coherent Control with Frequency Combs
Quantum coherent control (1-3) is a powerful tool for steering the outcome of
quantum processes towards a desired final state, by accurate manipulation of
quantum interference between multiple pathways. Although coherent control
techniques have found applications in many fields of science (4-9), the
possibilities for spatial and high-resolution frequency control have remained
limited. Here, we show that the use of counter-propagating broadband pulses
enables the generation of fully controlled spatial excitation patterns. This
spatial control approach also provides decoherence reduction, which allows the
use of the high frequency resolution of an optical frequency comb (10,11). We
exploit the counter-propagating geometry to perform spatially selective
excitation of individual species in a multi-component gas mixture, as well as
frequency determination of hyperfine constants of atomic rubidium with
unprecedented accuracy. The combination of spectral and spatial coherent
control adds a new dimension to coherent control with applications in e.g
nonlinear spectroscopy, microscopy and high-precision frequency metrology.Comment: 12 page
Precise Spatiotemporal Control of Optogenetic Activation Using an Acousto-Optic Device
Light activation and inactivation of neurons by optogenetic techniques has emerged as an important tool for studying neural circuit function. To achieve a high resolution, new methods are being developed to selectively manipulate the activity of individual neurons. Here, we report that the combination of an acousto-optic device (AOD) and single-photon laser was used to achieve rapid and precise spatiotemporal control of light stimulation at multiple points in a neural circuit with millisecond time resolution. The performance of this system in activating ChIEF expressed on HEK 293 cells as well as cultured neurons was first evaluated, and the laser stimulation patterns were optimized. Next, the spatiotemporally selective manipulation of multiple neurons was achieved in a precise manner. Finally, we demonstrated the versatility of this high-resolution method in dissecting neural circuits both in the mouse cortical slice and the Drosophila brain in vivo. Taken together, our results show that the combination of AOD-assisted laser stimulation and optogenetic tools provides a flexible solution for manipulating neuronal activity at high efficiency and with high temporal precision
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