114 research outputs found
Laser induced fluorescence for axion dark matter detection: a feasibility study in YLiF:Er
We present a detection scheme to search for QCD axion dark matter, that is
based on a direct interaction between axions and electrons explicitly predicted
by DFSZ axion models. The local axion dark matter field shall drive transitions
between Zeeman-split atomic levels separated by the axion rest mass energy . Axion-related excitations are then detected with an upconversion scheme
involving a pump laser that converts the absorbed axion energy (
hundreds of eV) to visible or infrared photons, where single photon
detection is an established technique. The proposed scheme involves rare-earth
ions doped into solid-state crystalline materials, and the optical transitions
take place between energy levels of electron configuration. Beyond
discussing theoretical aspects and requirements to achieve a cosmologically
relevant sensitivity, especially in terms of spectroscopic material properties,
we experimentally investigate backgrounds due to the pump laser at temperatures
in the range K. Our results rule out excitation of the upper Zeeman
component of the ground state by laser-related heating effects, and are of some
help in optimizing activated material parameters to suppress the
multiphonon-assisted Stokes fluorescence.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Control of spin in quantum dots with non-Fermi liquid correlations
Spin effects in the transport properties of a quantum dot with spin-charge
separation are investigated. It is found that the non-linear transport spectra
are dominated by spin dynamics. Strong spin polarization effects are observed
in a magnetic field. They can be controlled by varying gate and bias voltages.
Complete polarization is stable against interactions. When polarization is not
complete, it is power-law enhanced by non-Fermi liquid effects.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Shot noise of a quantum dot with non-Fermi liquid correlations
The shot noise of a one-dimensional wire interrupted by two barriers shows
interesting features related to the interplay between Coulomb blockade effects,
Luttinger correlations and discrete excitations. At small bias the Fano factor
reaches the lowest attainable value, 1/2, irrespective of the ratio of the two
junction resistances. At larger voltages this asymmetry is power-law
renormalized by the interaction strength. We discuss how the measurement of
current and these features of the noise allow to extract the Luttinger liquid
parameter.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures,to be published in Phys. Rev. B. For high
resolution image of Fig.1 see http://server1.fisica.unige.it/~braggio/doc.ht
Exact closed form analytical solutions for vibrating cavities
For one-dimensional vibrating cavity systems appearing in the standard
illustration of the dynamical Casimir effect, we propose an approach to the
construction of exact closed-form solutions. As new results, we obtain
solutions that are given for arbitrary frequencies, amplitudes and time
regions. In a broad range of parameters, a vibrating cavity model exhibits the
general property of exponential instability. Marginal behavior of the system
manifests in a power-like growth of radiated energy.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure
Spectral noise for edge states at filling factor
We present a detailed analysis of finite frequency noise for the
fractional quantum Hall state in a quantum point contact geometry. The results
are obtained within the Pfaffian and anti-Pfaffian models. We show that the
behaviour of the coloured noise allows unambigously to discriminate among
tunneling excitations with different charges. Optimal values of the external
bias are found in order to emphasize the visibility of the noise peak
associated with the tunneling of a 2-agglomerate, namely an excitation with
charge double of the fundamental one. These correspond to the regime in which
the bias is larger than the neutral modes cut-off frequency. The dependence on
the temperature is also investigated in order to discriminate between the
considered models.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to New Journal of Phyisc
Observation of the Dynamical Casimir Effect in a Superconducting Circuit
One of the most surprising predictions of modern quantum theory is that the
vacuum of space is not empty. In fact, quantum theory predicts that it teems
with virtual particles flitting in and out of existence. While initially a
curiosity, it was quickly realized that these vacuum fluctuations had
measurable consequences, for instance producing the Lamb shift of atomic
spectra and modifying the magnetic moment for the electron. This type of
renormalization due to vacuum fluctuations is now central to our understanding
of nature. However, these effects provide indirect evidence for the existence
of vacuum fluctuations. From early on, it was discussed if it might instead be
possible to more directly observe the virtual particles that compose the
quantum vacuum. 40 years ago, Moore suggested that a mirror undergoing
relativistic motion could convert virtual photons into directly observable real
photons. This effect was later named the dynamical Casimir effect (DCE). Using
a superconducting circuit, we have observed the DCE for the first time. The
circuit consists of a coplanar transmission line with an electrical length that
can be changed at a few percent of the speed of light. The length is changed by
modulating the inductance of a superconducting quantum interference device
(SQUID) at high frequencies (~11 GHz). In addition to observing the creation of
real photons, we observe two-mode squeezing of the emitted radiation, which is
a signature of the quantum character of the generation process.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure
Density correlations and dynamical Casimir emission of Bogoliubov phonons in modulated atomic Bose-Einstein condensates
We present a theory of the density correlations that appear in an atomic
Bose-Einstein condensate as a consequence of the dynamical Casimir emission of
pairs of Bogoliubov phonons when the atom-atom scattering length is modulated
in time. Different regimes as a function of the temporal shape of the
modulation are identified and a simple physical picture of the phenomenon is
discussed. Analytical expressions for the density correlation function are
provided for the most significant limiting cases. This theory is able to
explain some unexpected features recently observed in numerical calculations of
Hawking radiation from analog black holes
Relativistic quantum clocks
The conflict between quantum theory and the theory of relativity is
exemplified in their treatment of time. We examine the ways in which their
conceptions differ, and describe a semiclassical clock model combining elements
of both theories. The results obtained with this clock model in flat spacetime
are reviewed, and the problem of generalizing the model to curved spacetime is
discussed, before briefly describing an experimental setup which could be used
to test of the model. Taking an operationalist view, where time is that which
is measured by a clock, we discuss the conclusions that can be drawn from these
results, and what clues they contain for a full quantum relativistic theory of
time.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures. Invited contribution for the proceedings for
"Workshop on Time in Physics" Zurich 201
Fluctuations, dissipation and the dynamical Casimir effect
Vacuum fluctuations provide a fundamental source of dissipation for systems
coupled to quantum fields by radiation pressure. In the dynamical Casimir
effect, accelerating neutral bodies in free space give rise to the emission of
real photons while experiencing a damping force which plays the role of a
radiation reaction force. Analog models where non-stationary conditions for the
electromagnetic field simulate the presence of moving plates are currently
under experimental investigation. A dissipative force might also appear in the
case of uniform relative motion between two bodies, thus leading to a new kind
of friction mechanism without mechanical contact. In this paper, we review
recent advances on the dynamical Casimir and non-contact friction effects,
highlighting their common physical origin.Comment: 39 pages, 4 figures. Review paper to appear in Lecture Notes in
Physics, Volume on Casimir Physics, edited by Diego Dalvit, Peter Milonni,
David Roberts, and Felipe da Rosa. Minor changes, a reference adde
A prospective epidemiological study of new incident GISTs during two consecutive years in Rhône Alpes region: incidence and molecular distribution of GIST in a European region
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