Experimental Demonstration of Macroscopic Quantum Coherence in Gaussian States

We witness experimentally the presence of macroscopic coherence in Gaussian quantum states using a recently proposed criterion (E.G. Cavalcanti and M. Reid, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 170405 (2006)). The macroscopic coherence stems from interference between macroscopically distinct states in phase space and we prove experimentally that even the vacuum state contains these features with a distance in phase space of $0.51\pm0.02$ shot noise units (SNU). For squeezed states we found macroscopic superpositions with a distance of up to $0.83\pm0.02$ SNU. The proof of macroscopic quantum coherence was investigated with respect to squeezing and purity of the states.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Carbon Nanotube/Nanofibers and Graphite Hybrids for Li-Ion Battery Application

To improve the electrical conductivity of negative electrodes of lithium ion batteries, we applied a direct CVD synthesis of carbon nanomaterials on the surface of graphite particles. To prepare a catalyst, two alternative approaches were utilized: colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) and metal (Ni and Co) nitrate salt precursors deposited on the graphite surface. Both colloidal and precursor systems allowed us to produce carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the graphite surface with high coverage under the optimum CVD conditions. Electrical measurements revealed that the resistivity of the actual electrodes fabricated from CNFs coated graphite particles was about 40% lower compared to the original pristine graphite electrodes.Peer reviewe

Calibration of the AKARI Far-Infrared Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) onboard the AKARI satellite has a spectroscopic capability provided by a Fourier transform spectrometer (FIS-FTS). FIS-FTS is the first space-borne imaging FTS dedicated to far-infrared astronomical observations. We describe the calibration process of the FIS-FTS and discuss its accuracy and reliability. The calibration is based on the observational data of bright astronomical sources as well as two instrumental sources. We have compared the FIS-FTS spectra with the spectra obtained from the Long Wavelength Spectrometer (LWS) of the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) having a similar spectral coverage. The present calibration method accurately reproduces the spectra of several solar system objects having a reliable spectral model. Under this condition the relative uncertainty of the calibration of the continuum is estimated to be $\pm$ 15% for SW, $\pm$ 10% for 70-85 cm^(-1) of LW, and $\pm$ 20% for 60-70 cm^(-1) of LW; and the absolute uncertainty is estimated to be +35/-55% for SW, +35/-55% for 70-85 cm^(-1) of LW, and +40/-60% for 60-70 cm^(-1) of LW. These values are confirmed by comparison with theoretical models and previous observations by the ISO/LWS.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figure

Gastric Endocrine Cell Carcinoma with Long-Term Survival Developing Metachronous Remnant Cancer

A rare case of primary gastric endocrine cell carcinoma in a 79-year-old man is reported. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a large Bormann's type 2 tumour located in the middle of the stomach. On computed tomography, the gastric wall was thickened by the large tumour, and there were no distant metastases. Distal gastrectomy, lymph node dissection, and partial resection of the transverse colon were performed because the tumour involved the transverse mesocolon. The final pathological diagnosis was endocrine cell carcinoma, with tumour infiltration up to the subserous layer. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given, but metachronous remnant gastric cancer developed 2 years after surgery. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed for the early 0-IIc type gastric cancer, and the surgical margin was preserved. The patient has survived for 5 years after the primary surgery, remaining disease-free so far

Massive-Star Forming Infrared Loop around the Crab-like Supernova Remnant G54.1+0.3: Post Main-Sequence Triggered Star Formation?

We report the discovery of a star-forming loop around the young, Crab-like supernova remnant (SNR) G54.1+0.3 using the AKARI infrared satellite. The loop consists of at least eleven young stellar objects (YSOs) embedded in a ring-like diffuse emission of radius ~1'. The YSOs are bright in the mid-infrared and are also visible in the Spitzer Space Telescope Galactic plane survey images. Their Spitzer colors are similar to those of class II YSOs in [3.6]-[5.8] but significantly redder in [8]-[24], i.e., 0<[3.6]-[5.8]<1.2 and 5<[8]-[24]<9. Most of them have near-infrared counterparts in the 2MASS JHKs images, and some of them have an optical counterpart too. Their JHKs colors and magnitudes indicate that the YSOs are massive (<= 10 Msun) pre-main-sequence stars at the same distance to the SNR, i.e., 8 kpc, which supports the association of the star-forming loop with the SNR. The dereddened spectral energy distributions are similar to eraly Herbig Be stars, which are early B-type pre-main-sequence stars with inner disks that have been destroyed. The confinement to a loop structure indicates that the YSOs are young, i.e., <= 2 Myr. We propose that their formation is triggered by the progenitor star of G54.1+0.3, which has a mass of <= 15 Msun. The triggering must have occurred near the end of the progenitor's life, possibly after it had evolved off the main sequence.Comment: 6 pages, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters; added a reference for section

Tranßcripting: playful subversion with Chinese characters

This article discusses a relatively under-explored phenomenon that we call Tranßcripting - writing, designing and digitally generating new scripts with elements from different scriptal and semiotic systems. The data are drawn from examples of such scripts created by multilingual Chinese users in everyday online social interaction. We analyse the dynamic processes of how such scripts are created that transcend language boundaries as well as transforming the subjectivities of the writer and the reader. We are particularly interested in the playful subversiveness of such practices, and discuss it against the background of uni-scriptal language ideology in China. We are also interested in the methodological challenges of researching such practices, including the challenge of drawing distinctions between the ‘ordinary’ and the ‘unordinary’. We analyse the data from a translanguaging perspective

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) for AKARI

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) is one of two focal plane instruments on the AKARI satellite. FIS has four photometric bands at 65, 90, 140, and 160 um, and uses two kinds of array detectors. The FIS arrays and optics are designed to sweep the sky with high spatial resolution and redundancy. The actual scan width is more than eight arcmin, and the pixel pitch is matches the diffraction limit of the telescope. Derived point spread functions (PSFs) from observations of asteroids are similar to the optical model. Significant excesses, however, are clearly seen around tails of the PSFs, whose contributions are about 30% of the total power. All FIS functions are operating well in orbit, and its performance meets the laboratory characterizations, except for the two longer wavelength bands, which are not performing as well as characterized. Furthermore, the FIS has a spectroscopic capability using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS). Because the FTS takes advantage of the optics and detectors of the photometer, it can simultaneously make a spectral map. This paper summarizes the in-flight technical and operational performance of the FIS.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures, and 2 tables. Accepted for publication in the AKARI special issue of the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japa

Continuously variable diffraction gratings using electroconvection in liquid crystals for beam steering applications

There is a great technological need for the development of devices capable of producing wide-angle and efficient, transmissive optical beam steering. In this article, variable pitch phase diffraction gratings using electroconvection in liquid crystals are considered for applications in electrically controllable beam-steerers. The devices contain thin layers of nematic liquid crystal mixtures of negative dielectric anisotropy, which are doped with different concentrations of an ionic species to determine the effect of conductivity on the beam-steering characteristics. The devices are seen to act as continuously variable diffraction gratings, where the pitch increases with the frequency of the applied electric field. The second order diffraction peak is found to be the most efficient, with absolute efficiency ranging from 5% to 15%, and continuous steering from 4° to 8° within 20 μm spaced devices. Devices with thinner layers of liquid crystal were also examined; these demonstrated wider angle steering but had substantial losses of efficiency due to lowering of optical contrast. Suggestions for possible methodologies for optimizing such devices are discussed