4,540 research outputs found
Stability of Magneto-optical Traps with Large Field Gradients: Limits on the Tight Confinement of Single Atoms
We report measurements of the stability of magneto-optical traps (MOTs) for neutral atoms in the limit of tight confinement of a single atom. For quadrupole magnetic field gradients at the trap center greater than ∼1 kG/cm, we find that stochastic diffusion of atoms out of the trapping volume becomes the dominant particle loss mechanism, ultimately limiting the MOT size to greater than ∼5 μm. We measured and modeled the diffusive loss rate as a function of laser power, detuning, and field gradient for trapped cesium atoms. In addition, for as few as two atoms, the collisional loss rates become very high for tightly confined traps, allowing the direct observation of isolated two-body atomic collisions in a MOT
From science to practice: Bringing innovations to agronomy and forestry
The challenge of the work presented here is to make innovative research output in the agronomy and forestry domain accessible to end-users, so that it can be practically applied. We have developed an approach that consists of three key-elements: an ontology with domain knowledge, a set of documents that have been annotated and meta-annotated, and a system (ask-Valerie) that is based on a dialogue to represent the interaction between end user and system.<br/> We show that the dialogue-metaphor is a good way of modelling the interaction between user and system. The system helps the user in formulating his question and in answering it in a useful way. Meta-annotations of key-paragraphs in the document-base turn out to be relevant in assessing in one glance what the content of a document is. <br/> End-users are very enthusiastic about the possibilities that ask-Valerie offers them in translating scientific results to their own situation
Electrically detected magnetic resonance using radio-frequency reflectometry
The authors demonstrate readout of electrically detected magnetic resonance
at radio frequencies by means of an LCR tank circuit. Applied to a silicon
field-effect transistor at milli-kelvin temperatures, this method shows a
25-fold increased signal-to-noise ratio of the conduction band electron spin
resonance and a higher operational bandwidth of > 300 kHz compared to the kHz
bandwidth of conventional readout techniques. This increase in temporal
resolution provides a method for future direct observations of spin dynamics in
the electrical device characteristics.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure
Single-shot readout of electron spin states in a quantum dot using spin-dependent tunnel rates
We present a method for reading out the spin state of electrons in a quantum
dot that is robust against charge noise and can be used even when the electron
temperature exceeds the energy splitting between the states. The spin states
are first correlated to different charge states using a spin dependence of the
tunnel rates. A subsequent fast measurement of the charge on the dot then
reveals the original spin state. We experimentally demonstrate the method by
performing read-out of the two-electron spin states, achieving a single-shot
visibility of more than 80%. We find very long triplet-to-singlet relaxation
times (up to several milliseconds), with a strong dependence on in-plane
magnetic field.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Control and Detection of Singlet-Triplet Mixing in a Random Nuclear Field
We observe mixing between two-electron singlet and triplet states in a double
quantum dot, caused by interactions with nuclear spins in the host
semiconductor. This mixing is suppressed by applying a small magnetic field, or
by increasing the interdot tunnel coupling and thereby the singlet-triplet
splitting. Electron transport involving transitions between triplets and
singlets in turn polarizes the nuclei, resulting in striking bistabilities. We
extract from the fluctuating nuclear field a limitation on the time-averaged
spin coherence time T2* of 25 ns. Control of the electron-nuclear interaction
will therefore be crucial for the coherent manipulation of individual electron
spins.Comment: 4 pages main text, 4 figure
Real-time detection of single electron tunneling using a quantum point contact
We observe individual tunnel events of a single electron between a quantum
dot and a reservoir, using a nearby quantum point contact (QPC) as a charge
meter. The QPC is capacitively coupled to the dot, and the QPC conductance
changes by about 1% if the number of electrons on the dot changes by one. The
QPC is voltage biased and the current is monitored with an IV-convertor at room
temperature. We can resolve tunnel events separated by only 8 s, limited
by noise from the IV-convertor. Shot noise in the QPC sets a 25 ns lower bound
on the accessible timescales.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, submitte
Zeeman energy and spin relaxation in a one-electron quantum dot
We have measured the relaxation time, T1, of the spin of a single electron
confined in a semiconductor quantum dot (a proposed quantum bit). In a magnetic
field, applied parallel to the two-dimensional electron gas in which the
quantum dot is defined, Zeeman splitting of the orbital states is directly
observed by measurements of electron transport through the dot. By applying
short voltage pulses, we can populate the excited spin state with one electron
and monitor relaxation of the spin. We find a lower bound on T1 of 50
microseconds at 7.5 T, only limited by our signal-to-noise ratio. A continuous
measurement of the charge on the dot has no observable effect on the spin
relaxation.Comment: Replaced with the version published in Phys. Rev. Let
Generation of a flat-top laser beam for gravitational wave detectors by means of a nonspherical Fabry-Perot resonator
We have tested a new kind of Fabry-Perot long-baseline optical resonator proposed to reduce the thermal noise sensitivity of gravitational wave interferometric detectors--the "mesa beam" cavity--whose flat top beam shape is achieved by means of an aspherical end mirror. We present the fundamental mode intensity pattern for this cavity and its distortion due to surface imperfections and tilt misalignments, and contrast the higher order mode patterns to the Gauss-Laguerre modes of a spherical mirror cavity. We discuss the effects of mirror tilts on cavity alignment and locking and present measurements of the mesa beam tilt sensitivity
Factors influencing the surgical process during shoulder joint replacement:Time-action analysis of five different prostheses and three different approaches
Background: To evaluate the per-operative process of shoulder joint replacement, time-action analysis can be used.Material/Methods: Forty procedures performed by 7 surgeons with different experience rising 5 different prostheses and 3 different Surgical approaches were analyzed.Results: The surgical procedures showed a large variation in, for example, duration, tasks of team members, and protocol used. The surgical procedure was influenced by several factors, such as the prosthesis used, the surgical approach, the patient's condition, and the experience of the surgeon. Exposure of the glenoid was difficult and several retractors were needed, which were held by an extra assistant or clamped to the table or the surgeon. Two main limitations were seen in all procedures: repeated actions and waiting. Also, five errors could be identified. None of the alignment instruments was completely reliable and they allowed the surgeon to make major errors.Conclusions: Better alignment instruments, pre-operative planning techniques, and operation protocols are needed for shoulder prostheses. The training of resident surgeons should be focused on the exposure phase, the alignment of the humeral head, the exposure of the glenoid, and the alignment of the glenoid. Evaluating the surgical process using time-action analysis can be used to determine the limitations during surgical procedures. Furthermore, it shows the large variation in factors affecting surgical performance, indicating that a system approach is needed to improve surgical outcome.</p
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