48,452 research outputs found
Time- and frequency-domain polariton interference
We present experimental observations of interference between an atomic spin
coherence and an optical field in a {\Lambda}-type gradient echo memory. The
interference is mediated by a strong classical field that couples a weak probe
field to the atomic coherence through a resonant Raman transition. Interference
can be observed between a prepared spin coherence and another propagating
optical field, or between multiple {\Lambda} transitions driving a single spin
coherence. In principle, the interference in each scheme can yield a near unity
visibility.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
High efficiency coherent optical memory with warm rubidium vapour
By harnessing aspects of quantum mechanics, communication and information
processing could be radically transformed. Promising forms of quantum
information technology include optical quantum cryptographic systems and
computing using photons for quantum logic operations. As with current
information processing systems, some form of memory will be required. Quantum
repeaters, which are required for long distance quantum key distribution,
require optical memory as do deterministic logic gates for optical quantum
computing. In this paper we present results from a coherent optical memory
based on warm rubidium vapour and show 87% efficient recall of light pulses,
the highest efficiency measured to date for any coherent optical memory. We
also show storage recall of up to 20 pulses from our system. These results show
that simple warm atomic vapour systems have clear potential as a platform for
quantum memory
Storage and Manipulation of Light Using a Raman Gradient Echo Process
The Gradient Echo Memory (GEM) scheme has potential to be a suitable protocol
for storage and retrieval of optical quantum information. In this paper, we
review the properties of the -GEM method that stores information in
the ground states of three-level atomic ensembles via Raman coupling. The
scheme is versatile in that it can store and re-sequence multiple pulses of
light. To date, this scheme has been implemented using warm rubidium gas cells.
There are different phenomena that can influence the performance of these
atomic systems. We investigate the impact of atomic motion and four-wave mixing
and present experiments that show how parasitic four-wave mixing can be
mitigated. We also use the memory to demonstrate preservation of pulse shape
and the backward retrieval of pulses.Comment: 26 pages, 13 figure
Intimate partner violence among African American and African Caribbean women: prevalence, risk factors, and the influence of cultural attitudes.
BackgroundWomen of African descent are disproportionately affected by intimate partner abuse; yet, limited data exist on whether the prevalence varies for women of African descent in the United States and those in the US territories.ObjectiveIn this multisite study, we estimated lifetime and 2-year prevalence of physical, sexual, and psychological intimate partner abuse (IPA) among 1,545 women of African descent in the United States and US Virgin Islands (USVI). We also examined how cultural tolerance of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) influences abuse.DesignBetween 2009 and 2011, we recruited African American and African Caribbean women aged 18-55 from health clinics in Baltimore, MD, and St. Thomas and St. Croix, USVI, into a comparative case-control study. Screened and enrolled women completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview. Screening-based prevalence of IPA and IPV were stratified by study site and associations between tolerance of IPV and abuse experiences were examined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsMost of the 1,545 screened women were young, of low-income, and in a current intimate relationship. Lifetime prevalence of IPA was 45% in St. Thomas, 38% in St. Croix, and 37% in Baltimore. Lifetime prevalence of IPV was 38% in St. Thomas, 28% in St. Croix, and 30% in Baltimore. Past 2-year prevalence of IPV was 32% in St. Thomas, 22% in St. Croix, and 26% in Baltimore. Risk and protective factors for IPV varied by site. Community and personal acceptance of IPV were independently associated with lifetime IPA in Baltimore and St. Thomas.ConclusionsVariance across sites for risk and protective factors emphasizes cultural considerations in sub-populations of women of African descent when addressing IPA and IPV in given settings. Individual-based interventions should be coupled with community/societal interventions to shape attitudes about use of violence in relationships and to promote healthy relationships
A rapidly expanding Bose-Einstein condensate: an expanding universe in the lab
We study the dynamics of a supersonically expanding ring-shaped Bose-Einstein
condensate both experimentally and theoretically. The expansion redshifts
long-wavelength excitations, as in an expanding universe. After expansion,
energy in the radial mode leads to the production of bulk topological
excitations -- solitons and vortices -- driving the production of a large
number of azimuthal phonons and, at late times, causing stochastic persistent
currents. These complex nonlinear dynamics, fueled by the energy stored
coherently in one mode, are reminiscent of a type of "preheating" that may have
taken place at the end of inflation.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure
First-generation tertiary students: Access is not the same as support
This paper argues that despite the various psychosocial factors affecting the mental health of first-generation students (FGS) in higher education, an integrated support system at the institutional level can help students overcome many of the barriers to success at university. The literature points to such factors as the social incongruity between their different worlds, lack of cultural capital, stigma of social status, and psychological factors such as imposter syndrome, and achievement guilt. All these lead to stress and anxiety, and the additional stigma associated with mental health discussions compounds the issue, and worsens the effect of these factors. The paper is based on a collaborative, relational auto-ethnographic analysis by a dyad of two women, three decades apart in age, but brought together in their roles as FGS student and educator. Despite initial difficulties experienced by the FGS student, we report successful outcomes, mainly due to the influence of key actors, especially teaching staff, who were both empathic and supportive to these students. This findings from this study point toward a more holistic approach to student mental health and wellness in higher education
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