Excitation of Rydberg States in Rubidium with Near Infrared Diode Lasers

A system of three external cavity diode lasers is used to excite Rydberg states in rubidium. The 5S -\u3e 5P -\u3e 5D transitions are driven using lasers with lambda = 780 and 776 nm respectively. From the 5D state, atoms fluoresce down to the 6P state. The final transition to Rydberg levels is from the 6P state with laser light near lambda = 1016 nm. The nS and nD Rydberg states are accessible directly and with the application of a modest electric field nP states can also be excited. As a test of this system, Stark spectra are collected for nD and nP states. (C) 2011 Optical Society of Americ

Excitation of Rydberg States in Rubidium with Near Infrared Diode Lasers

A system of three external cavity diode lasers is used to excite Rydberg states in rubidium. The 5S -\u3e 5P -\u3e 5D transitions are driven using lasers with lambda = 780 and 776 nm respectively. From the 5D state, atoms fluoresce down to the 6P state. The final transition to Rydberg levels is from the 6P state with laser light near lambda = 1016 nm. The nS and nD Rydberg states are accessible directly and with the application of a modest electric field nP states can also be excited. As a test of this system, Stark spectra are collected for nD and nP states. (C) 2011 Optical Society of Americ

Imaging the dipole-dipole energy exchange between ultracold rubidium Rydberg atoms

The long-range, anisotropic nature of the interaction among atoms in an ultracold dipolar gas leads to a rich array of possibilities for studying many-body physics. In this work, an ultracold gas of highly excited atoms is used to study energy transport due to the long-range dipole-dipole interaction. A technique is developed to measure both the internal energy states of the interacting Rydberg atoms and their positions in space. This technique is demonstrated by observing energy exchange between two spatially separated groups of Rydberg atoms excited to two different internal states. Simulations confirm the general features of the energy transport in this system and highlight subtleties associated with the homogeneity of the electric field used in this experiment

Imaging the Dipole-Dipole Energy Exchange Between Ultracold Rubidium Rydberg Atoms

The long-range, anisotropic nature of the interaction among atoms in an ultracold dipolar gas leads to a rich array of possibilities for studying many-body physics. In this work, an ultracold gas of highly excited atoms is used to study energy transport due to the long-range dipole-dipole interaction. A technique is developed to measure both the internal energy states of the interacting Rydberg atoms and their positions in space. This technique is demonstrated by observing energy exchange between two spatially separated groups of Rydberg atoms excited to two different internal states. Simulations confirm the general features of the energy transport in this system and highlight subtleties associated with the homogeneity of the electric field used in this experiment

(Un)Fair(ly) Unknown: New and Neglected Arthurian Television Programming

(Un)Fair(ly) Unknown: New and Neglected Arthurian Television Programming Panel by Carl B. Sell, Richard Fahey, Michael Torregrossa, and Rachael K. Warmington Tech Mod: Tim Len

Recirculating Etalon Spectrometer

Systems, methods, and devices may provide an optical scheme that achieves simultaneous wavelength channels and maintains the resolution and luminosity of an etalon. Various embodiments may provide a method to optically recirculate the light reflected from the etalon back through the same etalon at new angles. Various embodiments create an etalon spectrometer based on angular dispersion without moving parts and without losing the light that is not initially transmitted. Various embodiments may provide a spectrally-resolved receiver and/or transmitter. Various embodiments may provide a system including a retro-reflector, a detector or transmitter array, and an etalon disposed between the retro-reflector and the detector or transmitter array, wherein the retro-reflector is configured to redirect light reflected by the etalon back to the etalon at a different angle of incidence than an original angle of incidence on the etalon of the light reflected by the etalon

Statins Formulary Selection in Qatar, Based on Multi-Indication Pharmacotherapeutic Multi-Criteria Scoring, and Clinician Preference

Purpose: Statins selection for the largest hospital formulary in Qatar is not systematic, not comparative, not cost saving, and does not consider the multi-indication nature of statins. There are no literature reports of multi-indication based comparative scoring models of statins, or reports of statins selection criteria weights that are primarily based on local clinicians' preference and experiences. The study sought to comparatively evaluate statins for first-line therapy in Qatar, and to evaluate the economic impact of this. Methods: An evidence-based, multi-indication, multi-criteria pharmacotherapeutic model was developed for the scoring of statins. This was from the perspective of the main healthcare provider in Qatar, the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Literature and an expert panel informed the selection criteria of statins. Relative weighting of selection criteria was based on the input of the relevant local clinician population. The targeted clinician population was of all specialists and consultants in the departments of cardiology, internal medicine, and nephrology in HMC. Statins were comparatively evaluated according to their total pharmacotherapeutic selection scores, with only the statins that score more than 95% of the highest scoring statin getting recommended for formulary inclusion. Remaining statins that score more than 90% of the highest scoring statin will also be considered, but as non-formulary alternative. The remaining did not progress. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to investigate the robustness of the study outcomes against variations in study inputs. These included deterministic, probabilistic as well as scenario analyses, via @Risk-5.5 Palisade, USA. Findings: This is the first literature report to inform formulary inclusion in Qatar or the Middle Eastern region, and the first in literature that comparatively score statins based on multiple indications, as compared to the typical pharmacoeconomics evaluation method, comparing differences in cost and effect between two statins for an indication of interest to guide the formulary inclusion decisions. With 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error, the scoring model was successfully developed. Selection criteria comprised 28 sub-criteria, under the following main criteria: clinical efficacy, best publish evidence and experience, adverse effects, drug interaction, dosing time, and fixed dose combination availability. Outcome measures of multiple indications related to effects on LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and c-reactive protein. Atorvastatin, pravastatin and rosuvastatin exceeded defined pharmacotherapeutic thresholds. Atorvastatin and pravastatin were suggested for first-line use in HMC, followed by rosuvastatin as a non-formulary alternative. Fluvastatin and simvastatin were recommended for exclusion from any hospital drug lists. This was estimated to produce 17.6% in cost savings, reducing the annual statins expenditure from QAR 152, 118, 200 to QAR 125, 367, 620;. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the evaluation outcomes. The comparative criterion that affected the study conclusion was the availability of fixed dose combination. The possibility of 30% non-formulary drug utilization scenario resulted in an annual expenditure of QAR 129, 654, 180, still associated with up to 14.8% cost saving. Implications: Incorporating a comparative evaluation of statins in Qatari practices, based on a locally-developed, transparent, multi-indication, multi-criteria scoring model, has the potential to considerably reduce the expenditure on statins. Atorvastatin and pravastatin should be the first-line statin therapies in the main Qatari healthcare provider, with rosuvastatin as an alternative. Important, is that the study results are consistent with published clinical guidelines, as well as with practices in overseas.qscienc

Dipole-Dipole Interaction between Rubidium Rydberg Atoms

Ultracold Rydberg atoms in a static electric field can exchange energy via the dipole-dipole interaction. The Stark effect shifts the energy levels of the atoms which tunes the energy exchange into resonance at specific values of the electric field (Forster resonances). We excite rubidium atoms to Rydberg states by focusing either a 480 nm beam from a tunable dye laser or a pair of diode lasers into a magneto-optical trap. The trap lies at the center of a configuration of electrodes. We scan the electric field by controlling the voltage on the electrodes while measuring the fraction of atoms that interact. Dipole-dipole interaction spectra are presented for initially excited rubidium nd states for n = 31 to 46 and for four different pairs of initially excited rubidium ns states. We also present the dipole-dipole interaction spectra for individual rubidium 32d (j, m(j)) fine structure levels that have been selectively excited. The data are compared to calculated spectra