827 research outputs found
Optimized time-dependent perturbation theory for pulse-driven quantum dynamics in atomic or molecular systems
We present a time-dependent perturbative approach adapted to the treatment of
intense pulsed interactions. We show there is a freedom in choosing secular
terms and use it to optimize the accuracy of the approximation. We apply this
formulation to a unitary superconvergent technique and improve the accuracy by
several orders of magnitude with respect to the Magnus expansion.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Strong Coupling Theory of Two Level Atoms in Periodic Fields
We present a new convergent strong coupling expansion for two-level atoms in
external periodic fields, free of secular terms. As a first application, we
show that the coherent destruction of tunnelling is a third-order effect. We
also present an exact treatment of the high-frequency region, and compare it
with the theory of averaging. The qualitative frequency spectrum of the
transition probability amplitude contains an effective Rabi frequency.Comment: 4 pages with 3 figure
Added value of bleach sedimentation microscopy for diagnosis of tuberculosis: a cost-effectiveness study.
SETTING: Bleach sedimentation is a method used to increase the diagnostic yield of sputum microscopy for countries with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and limited resources. OBJECTIVES: To compare the relative cost-effectiveness of different microscopy approaches in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in Kenya. METHODS: An analytical decision tree model including cost and effectiveness measures of 10 combinations of direct (D) and overnight bleach (B) sedimentation microscopy was constructed. Data were drawn from the evaluation of the bleach sedimentation method on two specimens (first on the spot [1] and second morning [2]) from 644 TB suspects in a peripheral health clinic. Incremental cost per smear-positive detected case was measured. Costs included human resources and materials using a micro-costing evaluation. RESULTS: All bleach-based microscopy approaches detected significantly more cases (between 23.3% for B1 and 25.9% for B1+B2) than the conventional D1+D2 approach (21.0%). Cost per tested case ranged between respectively euro 2.7 and euro 4.5 for B1 and B1+D2+B2. B1 and B1+B2 were the most cost-effective approaches. D1+B2 and D1+B1 were good alternatives to avoid using approaches exclusively based on bleach sedimentation microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Among several effective microscopy approaches used, including sodium hypochlorite sedimentation, only some resulted in a limited increase in the laboratory workload and would be most suitable for programmatic implementation
Time Minimal Trajectories for a Spin 1/2 Particle in a Magnetic Field
In this paper we consider the minimum time population transfer problem for
the -component of the spin of a (spin 1/2) particle driven by a magnetic
field, controlled along the x axis, with bounded amplitude. On the Bloch sphere
(i.e. after a suitable Hopf projection), this problem can be attacked with
techniques of optimal syntheses on 2-D manifolds. Let be the two
energy levels, and the bound on the field amplitude. For
each couple of values and , we determine the time optimal synthesis
starting from the level and we provide the explicit expression of the time
optimal trajectories steering the state one to the state two, in terms of a
parameter that can be computed solving numerically a suitable equation. For
, every time optimal trajectory is bang-bang and in particular the
corresponding control is periodic with frequency of the order of the resonance
frequency . On the other side, for , the time optimal
trajectory steering the state one to the state two is bang-bang with exactly
one switching. Fixed we also prove that for the time needed to
reach the state two tends to zero. In the case there are time optimal
trajectories containing a singular arc. Finally we compare these results with
some known results of Khaneja, Brockett and Glaser and with those obtained by
controlling the magnetic field both on the and directions (or with one
external field, but in the rotating wave approximation). As byproduct we prove
that the qualitative shape of the time optimal synthesis presents different
patterns, that cyclically alternate as , giving a partial proof of a
conjecture formulated in a previous paper.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures, typos correcte
Pulse-driven quantum dynamics beyond the impulsive regime
We review various unitary time-dependent perturbation theories and compare
them formally and numerically. We show that the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser
technique performs better owing to both the superexponential character of
correction terms and the possibility to optimize the accuracy of a given level
of approximation which is explored in details here. As an illustration, we
consider a two-level system driven by short pulses beyond the sudden limit.Comment: 15 pages, 5 color figure
Tribological properties of room temperature fluorinated graphite heat-treated under fluorine atmosphere
This work is concerned with the study of the tribologic properties of room temperature fluorinated graphite heat-treated under fluorine atmosphere. The fluorinated compounds all present good intrinsic friction properties (friction coefficient in the range 0.05â0.09). The tribologic performances are optimized if the materials present remaining graphitic domains (influenced by the presence of intercalated fluorinated species) whereas the perfluorinated compounds, where the fluorocarbon layers are corrugated (armchair configuration of the saturated carbon rings) present higher friction coefficients. Raman analyses reveal that the friction process induces severe changes in the materials structure especially the partial re-building of graphitic domains in the case of perfluorinated compounds which explains the improvement of ÎŒ during the friction tests for these last materials
Pulse-driven near-resonant quantum adiabatic dynamics: lifting of quasi-degeneracy
We study the quantum dynamics of a two-level system driven by a pulse that
starts near-resonant for small amplitudes, yielding nonadiabatic evolution, and
induces an adiabatic evolution for larger amplitudes. This problem is analyzed
in terms of lifting of degeneracy for rising amplitudes. It is solved exactly
for the case of linear and exponential rising. Approximate solutions are given
in the case of power law rising. This allows us to determine approximative
formulas for the lineshape of resonant excitation by various forms of pulses
such as truncated trig-pulses. We also analyze and explain the various
superpositions of states that can be obtained by the Half Stark Chirped Rapid
Adiabatic Passage (Half-SCRAP) process.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figure
Homelessness among older people: Assessing strategies and frameworks across Canada
Homelessness among older people is expected to rise as a result of unmet need and demographic change. Yet, strategies and responses to homelessness across Canada tend to focus on younger groups, overlooking the circumstances and needs of older people (i.e., age 50+). This article reports the results of a content analysis of government planning documents on homelessness conducted in 2014. A total of 42 local, provincial, and federal strategies were reviewed to assess the extent to which they recognized and targeted the needs of older people. Our review resulted in three categories of documents: 1) documents with no discussion of homelessness among older people (n=16; 38%); 2) documents with a minimal discussion of homelessness among older people (n=22; 55%); and 3) documents with a significant discussion of homelessness among older people (n=4; 7%). Results indicate that while many strategies are beginning to consider older people as a subgroup with unique needs, little action has been taken to develop comprehensive services and supports for this group. We conclude with a call to integrate the needs of diverse groups of older people into strategies to end homelessness and to develop programs and responses that are suitable for older people. LâitinĂ©rance parmi les personnes ĂągĂ©es: Ăvaluations des stratĂ©gies et des structures Ă travers le Canada RĂ©sumĂ©Il est prĂ©vu que lâitinĂ©rance chez les personnes ĂągĂ©es augmentera au cours des prochaines annĂ©es, en raison des changements dĂ©mographiques et des besoins non comblĂ©s que lâon observe actuellement. MalgrĂ© cela, les stratĂ©gies et les rĂ©ponses Ă lâitinĂ©rance au Canada tendent Ă ĂȘtre centrĂ©es sur les populations plus jeunes, ignorant les besoins et rĂ©alitĂ©s des personnes ĂągĂ©es. Cet article prĂ©sente les rĂ©sultats dâune analyse de contenu des stratĂ©gies canadiennes sur lâitinĂ©rance effectuĂ©e en 2014. 42 stratĂ©gies ont Ă©tĂ© recensĂ©es afin dâĂ©valuer dans quelle mesure elles reconnaissaient et ciblaient les besoins des personnes ĂągĂ©es. Notre analyse regroupe en trois catĂ©gories les documents recensĂ©s : 1) les documents qui nâabordent pas lâitinĂ©rance chez les personnes ĂągĂ©es (n=16; 38 pour cent); 2) les documents  abordent trĂšs briĂšvement lâitinĂ©rance des personnes ĂągĂ©es (n=22; 55 pour cent); 3) les documents abordant de façon substantielle lâitinĂ©rance des personnes ĂągĂ©es (n=4; 7 pour cent). Les rĂ©sultats indiquent que bien que plusieurs stratĂ©gies commencent Ă prendre en considĂ©ration le fait que les personnes ĂągĂ©es constituent un sous-groupe qui prĂ©sente des besoins particuliers, peu dâactions ont Ă©tĂ© entreprises afin de  dĂ©velopper des services et un soutien adaptĂ©s Ă leur rĂ©alitĂ©. Nous concluons en rappelant lâimportance dâintĂ©grer les besoins de diffĂ©rents groupes de personnes ĂągĂ©es aux stratĂ©gies qui visent Ă mettre fin Ă Â lâitinĂ©rance et de dĂ©velopper des programmes et rĂ©ponses qui sont adaptĂ©es Ă une population ĂągĂ©e. Mots Clefs : politique; pratique; vieillissement; exclusion sociale; pauvretĂ©; logemen
Euclidean matrix theory of random lasing in a cloud of cold atoms
We develop an ab initio analytic theory of random lasing in an ensemble of
atoms that both scatter and amplify light. The theory applies all the way from
low to high density of atoms. The properties of the random laser are controlled
by an Euclidean matrix with elements equal to the Green's function of the
Helmholtz equation between pairs of atoms in the system. Lasing threshold and
the intensity of laser emission are calculated in the semiclassical
approximation. The results are compared to the outcome of the diffusion theory
of random lasing.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Time-dependent unitary perturbation theory for intense laser driven molecular orientation
We apply a time-dependent perturbation theory based on unitary
transformations combined with averaging techniques, on molecular orientation
dynamics by ultrashort pulses. We test the validity and the accuracy of this
approach on LiCl described within a rigid-rotor model and find that it is more
accurate than other approximations. Furthermore, it is shown that a noticeable
orientation can be achieved for experimentally standard short laser pulses of
zero time average. In this case, we determine the dynamically relevant
parameters by using the perturbative propagator, that is derived from this
scheme, and we investigate the temperature effects on the molecular orientation
dynamics.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure
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