10,596 research outputs found
Decoherence in a double-slit quantum eraser
We study and experimentally implement a double-slit quantum eraser in the
presence of a controlled decoherence mechanism. A two-photon state, produced in
a spontaneous parametric down conversion process, is prepared in a maximally
entangled polarization state. A birefringent double-slit is illuminated by one
of the down-converted photons, and it acts as a single-photon two-qubits
controlled not gate that couples the polarization with the transversal momentum
of these photons. The other photon, that acts as a which-path marker, is sent
through a Mach-Zehnder-like interferometer. When the interferometer is
partially unbalanced, it behaves as a controlled source of decoherence for
polarization states of down-converted photons. We show the transition from
wave-like to particle-like behavior of the signal photons crossing the
double-slit as a function of the decoherence parameter, which depends on the
length path difference at the interferometer.Comment: Accepted in Physical Review
Tourmaline 40Ar/39Ar chronology of tourmaline-rich rocks from Central Iberia dates the main Variscan deformation phases
During crustal thickening, metapelites taken to depth release boron-bearing hydrothermal fluids because of progressive heating and dehydration. These fluids swiftly percolate upwards, especially if the crust is being actively deformed, to form tourmaline where the PT conditions and the chemical composition of the host-rock are favorable. The age of the so-formed tourmaline would record the age of the upward admittance of B-bearing fluids and, presumably, the age of the deformation. This process has been documented in the Martinamor Antiform of Central Iberia, a region where tourmaline-bearing rocks are particularly abundant. Metasomatic tourmaline from the Late Cambrian San Pelayo orthogneisses (zircon U-Pb age of 496 ± 5 Ma) yielded 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages at 370 ± 5 Ma and 342 ± 5 Ma. The first value represents the crystallization age of the tourmaline and is so far the most precise estimation of the age of crustal thickening in Central Iberia (D1). The second value reflects a partial loss of Ar caused by the second deformation phase (D2). Tourmaline from mylonitized and folded tourmalinites developed above D2 shear zones yield perturbed spectra with mean "plateau" ages of 347 ± 9 Ma and 342 ± 9 Ma which may represent either the resetting of older tourmaline or the formation of new tourmaline by focused boron metasomatism. After the metamorphic peak and simultaneously with the emplacement of the main granitoids of the Avila Batholith (310-315 Ma), another episode of boron metasomatism precipitated a new generation of tourmaline, which appears either concentrated in fine-layered tourmalinites (318 ± 2 Ma) or disseminated within Ediacaran-Cambrian metasediments (316 ± 2 Ma). The source of boron was the breakdown of previously formed tourmaline during melting reactions. Lastly, tourmaline from a leucogranitic body yielded a saddle-shaped age spectrum with a minimum age of ca. 296 Ma, roughly coeval with the youngest leucograni - tes. Although further work is required, our results suggest that tourmaline can be a useful chronological marker for dating deformation and magmatism
Control of quantum interference in the quantum eraser
We have implemented an optical quantum eraser with the aim of studying this
phenomenon in the context of state discrimination. An interfering single photon
is entangled with another one serving as a which-path marker. As a consequence,
the visibility of the interference as well as the which-path information are
constrained by the overlap (measured by the inner product) between the
which-path marker states, which in a more general situation are non-orthogonal.
In order to perform which-path or quantum eraser measurements while analyzing
non-orthogonal states, we resort to a probabilistic method for the unambiguous
modification of the inner product between the two states of the which-path
marker in a discrimination-like process.Comment: Submitted to New Journal of Physics, March 200
Present and Future Gamma-Ray Probes of the Cygnus OB2 Environment
The MAGIC Collaboration has provided new observational data pertaining to the
TeV J2032+4130 gamma-ray source (within the Cygnus OB2 region), for energies
E_gamma >400 GeV. It is then appropriate to update the impact of these data on
gamma-ray production mechanisms in stellar associations. We consider two
mechanisms of gamma-ray emission, pion production and decay (PION) and
photo-excitation of high-energy nuclei followed by prompt photo-emission from
the daughter nuclei (A*). We find that while the data can be accommodated with
either scenario, the A* features a spectral bump, corresponding to the
threshold for exciting the Giant Dipole Resonance, which can serve to
discriminate between them. We comment on neutrino emission and detection from
the region if the PION and/or A* processes are operative. We also touch on the
implications for this analysis of future Fermi and Cerenkov Telescope Array
data.Comment: 6 pp, 2 figs. Matching version publihed in Phys. Rev.
Agronomic performace in acid soils of wheat lines selected for hematoxylin staining pattern
Laboratory screening techniques enable detection of varying degrees of A1 tolerance during seedling development, but their application to crop improvement programs must be verified in the field. The objective of this study was to compare agronomic responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) lines differing in hematoxylin- staining pattern under naturally acidic and limed field conditions. Experiments were conducted on Bethany-Kirkland (fine, mixed, thermic Pachic-Udertic Paleustolls) or Grant-Pond Creek (fine-silty, mixed thermic Udic-Pachic Argiustolls) silt loam soil complexes. Four sets of three experimental lines were classified as very susceptible (VS), moderately susceptible (MS), intermediate (I), or tolerant based on hematoxylin staining pattern, and evaluated in limed and unlimed plots as separate experiments in 1988 and 1989. The VS group produced the fewest spikes per square meter and the lowest above-ground biomass and grain yield in the unlimed treatments; no such reductions occurred in the limed treatments. Differences in agronomic performance were found between groups of VS and MS lines, with relatively little differentiation among MS, I, and T groups. Comparison of two sister lines from the VS and T groups revealed a 12% increase in spike density, 11% increase in biomass, and a 14% increase in grain yield of the tolerant sib under acidic conditions. The two sibs performed similarly under limed conditions, except the VS line was superior in grain yield. The hematoxylin staining procedure shows promise for identifying wheat genotypes with potentially high sensitivity to acidic soils in the southern Great Plains.Peer reviewedAgronom
Cyclic behavior of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete beam-column joint
[EN] Ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is a unique class of fiber-reinforced concrete featuring ultra-high compressive strength and ductil e tensile strain hardening behavior, accompanied by multiple narrow cracking. Although many studies have confirmed its superior mechanical and damage tolerance properties under monotonic or blast loading, limited research has been carried out on the cyclic performance of UHPFRC structural members. This paper proposes the use of UHPFRC to improve the cyclic performance of structural elements. An experimental program was carried out on a large number of UHPFRC beam-column joint specimens under a cyclic lateral load. After the cyclic loading test, the following results were obtained: (a) hysterical performance, (b) maximum load, (c) maximum displacement, (d) the maximum energy dissipation (measured by hysteresis cycles), (e) stiffness degradation, (f) the cracking pattern, and (g) the cracking area. The analysis showed that UHPFRC specimens have at least 157%
higher energy dissipation than nonfiber conventional reinforced concrete (RC). The initial stiffness of UHPFRC specimens without fibers (NF) was at least 23% higher than the RC specimen. For UHPFRC with fiber, initial stiffness was at least 45% higher than RC specimen.This work was supported by Cementos Argos, Colciencias and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá (Colombia).Sarmiento, PA.; Torres Górriz, B.; Ruiz, DM.; Alvarado Vargas, YA.; Gasch, I.; Machuca, AF. (2019). Cyclic behavior of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete beam-column joint. Structural Concrete. 20(1):348-360. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201800025S34836020
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