369 research outputs found
Covariant spinor representation of and quantization of the spinning relativistic particle
A covariant spinor representation of is constructed for the
quantization of the spinning relativistic particle. It is found that, with
appropriately defined wavefunctions, this representation can be identified with
the state space arising from the canonical extended BFV-BRST quantization of
the spinning particle with admissible gauge fixing conditions after a
contraction procedure. For this model, the cohomological determination of
physical states can thus be obtained purely from the representation theory of
the algebra.Comment: Updated version with references included and covariant form of
equation 1. 23 pages, no figure
Two-dimensional Nanolithography Using Atom Interferometry
We propose a novel scheme for the lithography of arbitrary, two-dimensional
nanostructures via matter-wave interference. The required quantum control is
provided by a pi/2-pi-pi/2 atom interferometer with an integrated atom lens
system. The lens system is developed such that it allows simultaneous control
over atomic wave-packet spatial extent, trajectory, and phase signature. We
demonstrate arbitrary pattern formations with two-dimensional 87Rb wavepackets
through numerical simulations of the scheme in a practical parameter space.
Prospects for experimental realizations of the lithography scheme are also
discussed.Comment: 36 pages, 4 figure
Quantum Dynamics of Three Coupled Atomic Bose-Einstein Condensates
The simplest model of three coupled Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC) is
investigated using a group theoretical method. The stationary solutions are
determined using the SU(3) group under the mean field approximation. This
semiclassical analysis using the system symmetries shows a transition in the
dynamics of the system from self trapping to delocalization at a critical value
for the coupling between the condensates. The global dynamics are investigated
by examination of the stable points and our analysis shows the structure of the
stable points depends on the ratio of the condensate coupling to the
particle-particle interaction, undergoes bifurcations as this ratio is varied.
This semiclassical model is compared to a full quantum treatment, which also
displays the dynamical transition. The quantum case has collapse and revival
sequences superposed on the semiclassical dynamics reflecting the underlying
discreteness of the spectrum. Non-zero circular current states are also
demonstrated as one of the higher dimensional effects displayed in this system.Comment: Accepted to PR
An Improved Experimental Limit on the Electric Dipole Moment of the Neutron
An experimental search for an electric-dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron has
been carried out at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Grenoble. Spurious
signals from magnetic-field fluctuations were reduced to insignificance by the
use of a cohabiting atomic-mercury magnetometer. Systematic uncertainties,
including geometric-phase-induced false EDMs, have been carefully studied. Two
independent approaches to the analysis have been adopted. The overall results
may be interpreted as an upper limit on the absolute value of the neutron EDM
of |d_n| < 2.9 x 10^{-26} e cm (90% CL).Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. The published PRL is slightly more terse (e.g. no
section headings) than this version, due to space constraints. Note a small
correction-to-a-correction led to an adjustment of the final limit from 3.0
to 2.9 E-26 e.cm compared to the first version of this preprin
Simulations and Experiments on Polarisation Squeezing in Optical Fibre
We investigate polarisation squeezing of ultrashort pulses in optical fibre,
over a wide range of input energies and fibre lengths. Comparisons are made
between experimental data and quantum dynamical simulations, to find good
quantitative agreement. The numerical calculations, performed using both
truncated Wigner and exact phase-space methods, include nonlinear and
stochastic Raman effects, through coupling to phonons variables. The
simulations reveal that excess phase noise, such as from depolarising GAWBS,
affects squeezing at low input energies, while Raman effects cause a marked
deterioration of squeezing at higher energies and longer fibre lengths. The
optimum fibre length for maximum squeezing is also calculated.Comment: 19 pages, lots of figure
Completeness of the Bethe Ansatz solution of the open XXZ chain with nondiagonal boundary terms
A Bethe Ansatz solution of the open spin-1/2 XXZ quantum spin chain with
nondiagonal boundary terms has recently been proposed. Using a numerical
procedure developed by McCoy et al., we find significant evidence that this
solution can yield the complete set of eigenvalues for generic values of the
bulk and boundary parameters satisfying one linear relation. Moreover, our
results suggest that this solution is practical for investigating the ground
state of this model in the thermodynamic limit.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX; amssymb, amsmath, no figures, 5 tables; v2 contains
an additional footnote and a "Note Added"; v3 contains an Addendu
Quantum dynamics in ultra-cold atomic physics
We review recent developments in the theory of quantum dynamics in ultra-cold
atomic physics, including exact techniques, but focusing on methods based on
phase-space mappings that are appli- cable when the complexity becomes
exponentially large. These phase-space representations include the truncated
Wigner, positive-P and general Gaussian operator representations which can
treat both bosons and fermions. These phase-space methods include both
traditional approaches using a phase-space of classical dimension, and more
recent methods that use a non-classical phase-space of increased
dimensionality. Examples used include quantum EPR entanglement of a four-mode
BEC, time-reversal tests of dephasing in single-mode traps, BEC quantum
collisions with up to 106 modes and 105 interacting particles, quantum
interferometry in a multi-mode trap with nonlinear absorp- tion, and the theory
of quantum entropy in phase-space. We also treat the approach of variational
optimization of the sampling error, giving an elementary example of a nonlinear
oscillator
Enhanced absorption Hanle effect on the Fg=F->Fe=F+1 closed transitions
We analyse the Hanle effect on a closed transition. Two
configurations are examined, for linear- and circular-polarized laser
radiation, with the applied magnetic field collinear to the laser light
wavevector. We describe the peculiarities of the Hanle signal for
linearly-polarized laser excitation, characterized by narrow bright resonances
at low laser intensities. The mechanism behind this effect is identified, and
numerical solutions for the optical Bloch equations are presented for different
transitions.Comment: to be published in J. Opt. B, special issue on Quantum Coherence and
Entanglement (February 2001
All-fibre source of amplitude-squeezed light pulses
An all-fibre source of amplitude squeezed solitons utilizing the self-phase
modulation in an asymmetric Sagnac interferometer is experimentally
demonstrated. The asymmetry of the interferometer is passively controlled by an
integrated fibre coupler, allowing for the optimisation of the noise reduction.
We have carefully studied the dependence of the amplitude noise on the
asymmetry and the power launched into the Sagnac interferometer. Qualitatively,
we find good agreement between the experimental results, a semi-classical
theory and earlier numerical calculations [Schmitt etl.al., PRL Vol. 81,
p.2446, (1998)]. The stability and flexibility of this all-fibre source makes
it particularly well suited to applications in quantum information science
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