33 research outputs found
Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer with cavities: theory
We study the number of coincidences in a Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer exit
whose arms have been supplemented with the addition of one or two optical
cavities. The fourth-order correlation function at the beam-splitter exit is
calculated. In the regime where the cavity length are larger than the
one-photon coherence length, photon coalescence and anti-coalescence
interference is observed. Feynman's path diagrams for the indistinguishable
processes that lead to quantum interference are presented. As application for
the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer with two cavities, it is discussed the
construction of an optical XOR gate
Singularity-driven Second and Third Harmonic Generation in a {\epsilon}-near-zero nanolayer
We show a new path to {\epsilon}~0 materials without resorting to metal-based
metamaterial composites. A medium that can be modeled using Lorentz oscillators
usually displays {\epsilon}=0 crossing points, e.g. {\epsilon}=0 at
{\lambda}~7{\mu}m and 20{\mu}m for SiO2 and CaF2, respectively. We show that a
Lorentz medium yields a singularity-driven enhancement of the electric field
followed by dramatic lowering of thresholds for a plethora of nonlinear optical
phenomena. We illustrate the remarkable enhancement of second and third
harmonic generation in a layer of {\epsilon}~0 material 20nm thick, and discuss
the role of nonlinear surface sources
Computation in Classical Mechanics
There is a growing consensus that physics majors need to learn computational
skills, but many departments are still devoid of computation in their physics
curriculum. Some departments may lack the resources or commitment to create a
dedicated course or program in computational physics. One way around this
difficulty is to include computation in a standard upper-level physics course.
An intermediate classical mechanics course is particularly well suited for
including computation. We discuss the ways we have used computation in our
classical mechanics courses, focusing on how computational work can improve
students' understanding of physics as well as their computational skills. We
present examples of computational problems that serve these two purposes. In
addition, we provide information about resources for instructors who would like
to include computation in their courses.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to American Journal of Physic
Resource use data by patient report or hospital records: Do they agree?
Background: Economic evaluations alongside clinical trials are becoming increasingly common.
Cost data are often collected through the use of postal questionnaires; however, the accuracy of
this method is uncertain. We compared postal questionnaires with hospital records for collecting
data on physiotherapy service use.
Methods: As part of a randomised trial of orthopaedic medicine compared with orthopaedic
surgery we collected physiotherapy use data on a group of patients from retrospective postal
questionnaires and from hospital records.
Results: 315 patients were referred for physiotherapy. Hospital data on attendances was available
for 30% (n = 96), compared with 48% (n = 150) of patients completing questionnaire data (95% Cl
for difference = 10% to 24%); 19% (n = 59) had data available from both sources. The two methods
produced an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.54 (95% Cl 0.31 to 0.70). However, the two
methods produced significantly different estimates of resource use with patient self report recalling
a mean of 1.3 extra visits (95% Cl 0.4 to 2.2) compared with hospital records.
Conclusions: Using questionnaires in this study produced data on a greater number of patients
compared with examination of hospital records. However, the two data sources did differ in the
quantity of physiotherapy used and this should be taken into account in any analysi
Introduction to modern optics
This incisive text provides a basic undergraduate-level course in modern optics for students in physics, technology and engineering. The first half of the book deals with classical physical optics; the second principally with the quantum nature of light. Chapters 1 and 2 treat the propagation of light waves, including the concepts of phase and group velocities, and the vectorial nature of light. Chapter 3 applies the concepts of partial coherence and coherence length to the study of interference, and Chapter 4 takes up multiple-beam interference and includes Fabry-Perot interferometry and mu