The Linear Boltzmann Equation as the Low Density Limit of a Random Schrodinger Equation

We study the evolution of a quantum particle interacting with a random potential in the low density limit (Boltzmann-Grad). The phase space density of the quantum evolution defined through the Husimi function converges weakly to a linear Boltzmann equation with collision kernel given by the full quantum scattering cross section.Comment: 74 pages, 4 figures, (Final version -- typos corrected

Watering Down the Clean Water Act: A Critique of the NPDES Water Transfers Rule

The Article focuses on the U.S. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program and its water transfers rule. Information is provided on the U.S. court case Friends of the Everglades v. South Florida Water Management District, which dealt with the regulation of contaminated water being siphoned into a drinking water supply

Doppler-free approach to optical pumping dynamics in the 6S1/2−5D5/26S_{1/2}- 5D_{5/2} electric quadrupole transition of Cesium vapor

The $6S_{1/2}-5D_{5/2}$ electric quadrupole transition is investigated in Cesium vapor at room temperature via nonlinear Doppler-free 6P-6S-5D three-level spectroscopy. Frequency-resolved studies of individual E2 hyperfine lines allow one to analyze optical pumping dynamics, polarization selection rules and line intensities. It opens the way to studies of transfer of light orbital angular momentum to atoms, and the influence of metamaterials on E2 line spectra.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, minor updates from previous versio

Tailoring optical metamaterials to tune the atom-surface Casimir-Polder interaction

Metamaterials are fascinating tools that can structure not only surface plasmons and electromagnetic waves but also electromagnetic vacuum fluctuations. The possibility of shaping the quantum vacuum is a powerful concept that ultimately allows engineering the interaction between macroscopic surfaces and quantum emitters such as atoms, molecules or quantum dots. The long-range atom-surface interaction, known as Casimir-Polder interaction, is of fundamental importance in quantum electrodynamics but also attracts a significant interest for platforms that interface atoms with nanophotonic devices. Here we perform a spectroscopic selective reflection measurement of the Casimir-Polder interaction between a Cs(6P_{3/2}) atom and a nanostructured metallic planar metamaterial. We show that by engineering the near-field plasmonic resonances of the metamaterial, we can successfully tune the Casimir-Polder interaction, demonstrating both a strong enhancement and reduction with respect to its non-resonant value. We also show an enhancement of the atomic spontaneous emission rate due to its coupling with the evanescent modes of the nanostructure. Probing excited state atoms next to nontrivial tailored surfaces is a rigorous test of quantum electrodynamics. Engineering Casimir-Polder interactions represents a significant step towards atom trapping in the extreme near field, possibly without the use of external fields.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figure

Sense-Making of Empirical Knowledge Management through Frames of Reference

This research aims to make sense of empirical perceptions of multidimensional complex KM (knowledge management) issues, through the construction of social cognitive structures such as frames of references. The objective of this study is to derive a set of empirically induced KM frames which may serve three purposes: to establish a set of frameworks for future research in perception congruency or misalignment of KM-related issues; to offer empirical insights to existing KM-related theoretical research models; and to bridge research gaps and inter-link cross-functional, cross-disciplinary perspectives. Our research fits broadly into four phases, with current progression halfway through the second phase. Focus group research, in the context of grounded theory approach, will be used as the main research strategy to induce and refine KM frames

Coupling of atomic quadrupole transitions with resonant surface plasmons

We report on the coupling of an electric quadrupole transition in atom with plasmonic excitation in a nanostructured metallic metamaterial. The quadrupole transition at 685 nm in the gas of Cesium atoms is optically pumped, while the induced ground state population depletion is probed with light tuned on the strong electric dipole transition at 852 nm. We use selective reflection to resolve the Doppler-free hyperfine structure of Cesium atoms. We observed a strong modification of the reflection spectra at the presence of metamaterial and discuss the role of the spatial variation of the surface plasmon polariton on the quadrupole coupling.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure