Optimal Dynamical Decoherence Control of a Qubit

A theory of dynamical control by modulation for optimal decoherence reduction is developed. It is based on the non-Markovian Euler-Lagrange equation for the energy-constrained field that minimizes the average dephasing rate of a qubit for any given dephasing spectrum.Comment: 6 pages, including 2 figures and an appendi

Implications of longitudinal ridges for the mechanics of ice-free long runout landslides

The emplacement mechanisms of long runout landslides across the Solar System and the formation mechanisms of longitudinal ridges associated with their deposits remain subjects of debate. The similarity of longitudinal ridges in martian long runout landslides and terrestrial landslides emplaced on ice suggests that an icy surface could explain both the reduction of friction associated with the deposition of long runout landslides and the development of longitudinal ridges. However, laboratory experiments on rapid granular flows show that ice is not a necessary requirement for the development of longitudinal ridges, which instead may form from convective cells within high-speed flows. These experiments have shown that the wavelength (S) of the ridges is 2-3 times the thickness (T) of the flow, which has also been demonstrated at field scale on a tens-of-kilometre martian long runout landslide. Here, we present the case study of the 4-km-long, ice-free El Magnifico landslide in Northern Chile which exhibits clear longitudinal ridges, and show for the first time on a terrestrial landslide that the S/T ratio is in agreement with the scaling relationship found for both laboratory rapid granular flows and a previously measured martian long runout landslide. Several outcrops within the landslide allow us to study internal sections of the landslide deposit and their relationship with the longitudinal ridges in order to shed light on the emplacement mechanism. Our observations include interactions without chaotic mixing between different lithologies and the presence of meters-sized blocks that exhibit preserved original bedding discontinuities. We associate these observations with fluctuations in stress, as they are qualitatively similar to numerically modelled rapid granular slides, which were suggested, to some degree, to be associated with acoustic fluidization. Our results suggest that 1) the mechanism responsible for the formation of longitudinal ridges is scale- and environment-independent; 2) while the internal structures observed do not necessarily support a mechanism of convective-style motion, their interpretation could also point to a mechanism of internal deformation of the sliding mass derived from pattern-forming vibrations. Our novel observations and analysis provide important insights for the interpretation of similar features on Earth and Mars and for discerning the underlying mechanisms responsible for the emplacement of long run out landslides

Universal dynamical decoherence control of noisy single-and multi-qubit systems

In this article we develop, step by step, the framework for universal dynamical control of two-level systems (TLS) or qubits experiencing amplitude- or phase-noise (AN or PN) due to coupling to a thermal bath. A comprehensive arsenal of modulation schemes is introduced and applied to either AN or PN, resulting in completely analogous formulae for the decoherence rates, thus underscoring the unified nature of this universal formalism. We then address the extension of this formalism to multipartite decoherence control, where symmetries are exploited to overcome decoherence.Comment: 28 pages, 4 figure

Impeded Growth of Magnetic Flux Bubbles in the Intermediate State Pattern of Type I Superconductors

Normal state bubble patterns in Type I superconducting Indium and Lead slabs are studied by the high resolution magneto-optical imaging technique. The size of bubbles is found to be almost independent of the long-range interaction between the normal state domains. Under bubble diameter and slab thickness proper scaling, the results gather onto a single master curve. On this basis, in the framework of the "current-loop" model [R.E. Goldstein, D.P. Jackson and A.T. Dorsey, Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 3818 (1996)], we calculate the equilibrium diameter of an isolated bubble resulting from the competition between the Biot-and-Savart interaction of the Meissner current encircling the bubble and the superconductor-normal interface energy. A good quantitative agreement with the master curve is found over two decades of the magnetic Bond number. The isolation of each bubble in the superconducting matrix and the existence of a positive interface energy are shown to preclude any continuous size variation of the bubbles after their formation, contrary to the prediction of mean-field models.Comment: \'{e}quipe Nanostructures Quantique

Raman investigation of corrosion products on Roman copper-based artefacts

This paper illustrates a case study related to the characterisation of corrosion products present on recently excavated artefacts. The archaeological findings, from the Rakafot 54 site (Beer-Sheva, Israel), consist of 23 coins and a pendant, all dating back to the Roman period. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify the corrosion products that compose the patina covering the objects. To facilitate and support their identification, spectra were then processed using principal components analysis. This chemometric technique allowed the identification of two main compounds, classified as atacamite and clinoatacamite, which formed the main components of the patinas. The results of this investigation can help in assessing the conservation state of artefacts and defining the correct restoration strategy

Hopf's last hope: spatiotemporal chaos in terms of unstable recurrent patterns

Spatiotemporally chaotic dynamics of a Kuramoto-Sivashinsky system is described by means of an infinite hierarchy of its unstable spatiotemporally periodic solutions. An intrinsic parametrization of the corresponding invariant set serves as accurate guide to the high-dimensional dynamics, and the periodic orbit theory yields several global averages characterizing the chaotic dynamics.Comment: Latex, ioplppt.sty and iopl10.sty, 18 pages, 11 PS-figures, compressed and encoded with uufiles, 170 k

Non-invasive characterization of ancient Cu-based coins using Raman spectroscopy

Characterization of archaeological finds is a challenging case study for researchers, as the need of non-invasive measurements strongly affects the investigation strategies. Moreover, it is almost not possible to follow a fixed protocol, because the measurement conditions should be tailored to the samples under study. This paper presents a preliminary characterization of bronze coins coming from an archaeological site located in the south of Israel. The superficial corrosion layers have been analysed by means of Raman spectroscopy in order to investigate their composition and assess the conservation state of the finds. Reference samples of known composition have also been used to help peaks identification in the Raman spectra. Results coming from this study can help in defining the correct conservation strategies for the artefacts

The Supercooling of a Nematic Liquid Crystal

We investigate the supercooling of a nematic liquid crystal using fluctuating non-linear hydrodynamic equations. The Martin-Siggia-Rose formalism is used to calculate renormalized transport coefficients to one-loop order. Similar theories for isotropic liquids have shown substantial increases of the viscosities as the liquid is supercooled or compressed due to feedback from the density fluctuations which are freezing. We find similar results here for the longitudinal and various shear viscosities of the nematic. However, the two viscosities associated with the nematic director motion do not grow in any dramatic way; i.e.\ there is no apparent freezing of the director modes within this hydrodynamic formalism. Instead a glassy state of the nematic may arise from a ``random anisotropy" coupling of the director to the frozen density.Comment: Late

Characterisation of Roman copper alloy artefacts and soil from Rakafot 54 (Beer Sheva, Israel)

The research presented in this paper focused on the preliminary non-destructive analysis of copper alloys, corrosion, and soil components from a Roman archaeological site in Israel. pXRF, XRD, and micromorphological analyses were carried out to gain a better understanding of the corrosion processes affecting the copper alloy artefacts, by characterising the alloy composition, soil environments, and corrosion products. Preliminary results indicate that the artefacts consist of copper-lead-tin alloys, covered by copper hydroxy-chlorides and lead sulphate phases with slight variations in their crystallisation. The multi-analytical approach revealed the presence of quartz, calcite, gypsum and feldspars in the sediments, while thin sections more specifically indicate loess soils with local micro-environments