398 research outputs found
Trapping of dielectric particles with light-induced space-charge fields
Light-induced space-charge fields in lithium niobate crystals are used to trap and manipulate dielectric particles on the surface of such crystals. Without any external voltage source, strong field gradients are present in the proximity of the crystal surface. These are used to trap particles with diameters in the range between 100 nm and some tens of micrometers
An Algorithmic Argument for Nonadaptive Query Complexity Lower Bounds on Advised Quantum Computation
This paper employs a powerful argument, called an algorithmic argument, to
prove lower bounds of the quantum query complexity of a multiple-block ordered
search problem in which, given a block number i, we are to find a location of a
target keyword in an ordered list of the i-th block. Apart from much studied
polynomial and adversary methods for quantum query complexity lower bounds, our
argument shows that the multiple-block ordered search needs a large number of
nonadaptive oracle queries on a black-box model of quantum computation that is
also supplemented with advice. Our argument is also applied to the notions of
computational complexity theory: quantum truth-table reducibility and quantum
truth-table autoreducibility.Comment: 16 pages. An extended abstract will appear in the Proceedings of the
29th International Symposium on Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science,
Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Springer-Verlag, Prague, August 22-27,
200
Self-replication and evolution of DNA crystals
Is it possible to create a simple physical system that is capable of replicating itself? Can such a system evolve interesting behaviors, thus allowing it to adapt to a wide range of environments? This paper presents a design for such a replicator constructed exclusively from synthetic DNA. The basis for the replicator is crystal growth: information is stored in the spatial arrangement of monomers and copied from layer to layer by templating. Replication is achieved by fragmentation of crystals, which produces new crystals that carry the same information. Crystal replication avoids intrinsic problems associated with template-directed mechanisms for replication of one-dimensional polymers. A key innovation of our work is that by using programmable DNA tiles as the crystal monomers, we can design crystal growth processes that apply interesting selective pressures to the evolving sequences. While evolution requires that copying occur with high accuracy, we show how to adapt error-correction techniques from algorithmic self-assembly to lower the replication error rate as much as is required
Quantum Weakly Nondeterministic Communication Complexity
We study the weakest model of quantum nondeterminism in which a classical
proof has to be checked with probability one by a quantum protocol. We show the
first separation between classical nondeterministic communication complexity
and this model of quantum nondeterministic communication complexity for a total
function. This separation is quadratic.Comment: 12 pages. v3: minor correction
Rapid solution of problems by nuclear-magnetic-resonance quantum computation
We offer an improved method for using a nuclear-magnetic-resonance quantum
computer (NMRQC) to solve the Deutsch-Jozsa problem. Two known obstacles to the
application of the NMRQC are exponential diminishment of density-matrix
elements with the number of bits, threatening weak signal levels, and the high
cost of preparing a suitable starting state. A third obstacle is a heretofore
unnoticed restriction on measurement operators available for use by an NMRQC.
Variations on the function classes of the Deutsch-Jozsa problem are introduced,
both to extend the range of problems advantageous for quantum computation and
to escape all three obstacles to use of an NMRQC. By adapting it to one such
function class, the Deutsch-Jozsa problem is made solvable without exponential
loss of signal. The method involves an extra work bit and a polynomially more
involved Oracle; it uses the thermal-equilibrium density matrix systematically
for an arbitrary number of spins, thereby avoiding both the preparation of a
pseudopure state and temporal averaging.Comment: 19 page
Knowledge politics and new converging technologies: a social epistemological perspective
The “new converging technologies” refers to the prospect of advancing the human condition by the integrated study and application of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and the cognitive sciences - or “NBIC”. In recent years, it has loomed large, albeit with somewhat different emphases, in national science policy agendas throughout the world. This article considers the political and intellectual sources - both historical and contemporary - of the converging technologies agenda. Underlying it is a fluid conception of humanity that is captured by the ethically challenging notion of “enhancing evolution”
Drip and Mate Operations Acting in Test Tube Systems and Tissue-like P systems
The operations drip and mate considered in (mem)brane computing resemble the
operations cut and recombination well known from DNA computing. We here
consider sets of vesicles with multisets of objects on their outside membrane
interacting by drip and mate in two different setups: in test tube systems, the
vesicles may pass from one tube to another one provided they fulfill specific
constraints; in tissue-like P systems, the vesicles are immediately passed to
specified cells after having undergone a drip or mate operation. In both
variants, computational completeness can be obtained, yet with different
constraints for the drip and mate operations
Entropy and Quantum Kolmogorov Complexity: A Quantum Brudno's Theorem
In classical information theory, entropy rate and Kolmogorov complexity per
symbol are related by a theorem of Brudno. In this paper, we prove a quantum
version of this theorem, connecting the von Neumann entropy rate and two
notions of quantum Kolmogorov complexity, both based on the shortest qubit
descriptions of qubit strings that, run by a universal quantum Turing machine,
reproduce them as outputs.Comment: 26 pages, no figures. Reference to publication added: published in
the Communications in Mathematical Physics
(http://www.springerlink.com/content/1432-0916/
- …