210 research outputs found
Electromagnetically Induced Transparency from a Single Atom in Free Space
We report an absorption spectroscopy experiment and the observation of
electromagnetically induced transparency from a single trapped atom. We focus a
weak and narrowband Gaussian light beam onto an optically cooled Barium ion
using a high numerical aperture lens. Extinction of this beam is observed with
measured values of up to 1.3 %. We demonstrate electromagnetically induced
transparency of the ion by tuning a strong control beam over a two-photon
resonance in a three-level lambda-type system. The probe beam extinction is
inhibited by more than 75 % due to population trapping.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Long Distance Coupling of a Quantum Mechanical Oscillator to the Internal States of an Atomic Ensemble
We propose and investigate a hybrid optomechanical system consisting of a
micro-mechanical oscillator coupled to the internal states of a distant
ensemble of atoms. The interaction between the systems is mediated by a light
field which allows to couple the two systems in a modular way over long
distances. Coupling to internal degrees of freedom of atoms opens up the
possibility to employ high-frequency mechanical resonators in the MHz to GHz
regime, such as optomechanical crystal structures, and to benefit from the rich
toolbox of quantum control over internal atomic states. Previous schemes
involving atomic motional states are rather limited in both of these aspects.
We derive a full quantum model for the effective coupling including the main
sources of decoherence. As an application we show that sympathetic ground-state
cooling and strong coupling between the two systems is possible.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure
The Relationship between Brachycephalic Head Features in Modern Persian Cats and Dysmorphologies of the Skull and Internal Hydrocephalus
Background: Cat breeders observed a frequent occurrence of internal hydrocephalus in Persian cats with extreme brachycephalic head morphology. Objective: To investigate a possible relationship among the grade of brachycephaly, ventricular dilatation, and skull dysmorphologies in Persian cats. Animals: 92 Persian-, 10 Domestic shorthair cats. Methods: The grade of brachycephaly was determined on skull models based on CT datasets. Cranial measurements were examined with regard to a possible correlation with relative ventricular volume, and cranial capacity. Persians with high (peke-face Persians) and lower grades of brachycephaly (doll-face Persians) were investigated for the presence of skull dysmorphologies.
Results: The mean cranial index of the peke-face Persians (0.97 ± 0.14) was significantly higher than the mean cranial index of doll-face Persians (0.66 ± 0.04; P < 0.001). Peke-face Persians had a lower relative nasal bone length (0.15 ± 0.04) compared to doll-face (0.29 ± 0.08; P < 0.001). The endocranial volume was significantly lower in doll-face than peke-face Persians (89.6 ± 1.27% versus 91.76 ± 2.07%; P < 0.001). The cranial index was significantly correlated with this variable (Spearman´s r: 0.7; P < 0.0001).
Mean ventricle: Brain ratio of the peke-face group (0.159 ± 0.14) was significantly higher compared to doll-face Persians (0.015 ± 0.01; P < 0.001). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: High grades of brachycephaly are also associated with malformations of the calvarial and facial bones as well as dental malformations. As these dysmorphologies can affect animal welfare, the selection for extreme forms of brachycephaly in Persian cats should be reconsidered
Quantum jumps and spin dynamics of interacting atoms in a strongly coupled atom-cavity system
We experimentally investigate the spin dynamics of one and two neutral atoms
strongly coupled to a high finesse optical cavity. We observe quantum jumps
between hyperfine ground states of a single atom. The interaction-induced
normal mode splitting of the atom-cavity system is measured via the atomic
excitation. Moreover, we observe evidence for conditional dynamics of two atoms
simultaneously coupled to the cavity mode. Our results point towards the
realization of measurement-induced entanglement schemes for neutral atoms in
optical cavities.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, published versio
Single-atom imaging of fermions in a quantum-gas microscope
Single-atom-resolved detection in optical lattices using quantum-gas
microscopes has enabled a new generation of experiments in the field of quantum
simulation. Fluorescence imaging of individual atoms has so far been achieved
for bosonic species with optical molasses cooling, whereas detection of
fermionic alkaline atoms in optical lattices by this method has proven more
challenging. Here we demonstrate single-site- and single-atom-resolved
fluorescence imaging of fermionic potassium-40 atoms in a quantum-gas
microscope setup using electromagnetically-induced-transparency cooling. We
detected on average 1000 fluorescence photons from a single atom within 1.5s,
while keeping it close to the vibrational ground state of the optical lattice.
Our results will enable the study of strongly correlated fermionic quantum
systems in optical lattices with resolution at the single-atom level, and give
access to observables such as the local entropy distribution and individual
defects in fermionic Mott insulators or anti-ferromagnetically ordered phases.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures; Nature Physics, published online 13 July 201
Unusual mixed solvent supramolecular crystal framework formed of a new tecton-like tetracarboxylic building block
Broken symmetry and the variation of critical properties in the phase behaviour of supramolecular rhombus tilings
The degree of randomness, or partial order, present in two-dimensional
supramolecular arrays of isophthalate tetracarboxylic acids is shown to vary
due to subtle chemical changes such as the choice of solvent or small
differences in molecular dimensions. This variation may be quantified using an
order parameter and reveals a novel phase behaviour including random tiling
with varying critical properties as well as ordered phases dominated by either
parallel or non-parallel alignment of neighbouring molecules, consistent with
long-standing theoretical studies. The balance between order and randomness is
driven by small differences in the intermolecular interaction energies, which
we show, using numerical simulations, can be related to the measured order
parameter. Significant variations occur even when the energy difference is much
less than the thermal energy highlighting the delicate balance between entropic
and energetic effects in complex self-assembly processes
Two-Dimensional 1,3,5-Tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene Self-Assembly at the 1-Phenyloctane/Graphite Interface Revisited
International audienceTwo-dimensional (2D) self-assembly of star-shaped 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene molecules is investigated. Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals that this molecule can form three hydrogen-bonded networks at the 1-phenyloctane/graphite interface. One of these structures is close-packed and the two other ones are porous structures, with hexagonal and rectangular cavities. The network with rectangular cavities appears to be the most stable structure
Groping through the black box of variability: An integrative taxonomic and nomenclatural re-evaluation of Zospeum isselianum Pollonera, 1887 and allied species using new imaging technology (Nano-CT, SEM), conchological, histological and molecular data (Ellobioidea, Carychiidae).
The minute troglobitic species, Zospeum isselianum Pollonera, 1887 (Eupulmonata: Ellobioidea, Carychiidae) is widely distributed within its Southern Alpine-Dinaric range. Its broad distribution and highly variable shell has caused this species to be historically lumped into its current taxonomic state of ambiguity. In an integrative taxonomic approach, phenotypic and genotypic data are synthesized to assess the intraspecific variability recently inferred for this taxon. We collected 16 Zospeum specimens in the Slovenian Alpine Arc encompassing the type locality for Z. isselianum. The material comprises five morphologically recognized (sub)species. The species are re-evaluated using SEM, X-ray nanotomography (nano-CT), conchological, histological and molecular data. Four well-defined lineages are present, which can be attributed to i) Z. isselianum s.str. from its new type locality (Turjeva jama), ii) a highly morphologically variable lineage that so far cannot be attributed to a single morphospecies, iii) Z. kupitzense A. Stummer, 1984 (raised to species rank) and iv) a lineage comprising the two subspecies Z. alpestre alpestre (Freyer, 1855) and Z. alpestre bolei Slapnik, 1991 plus Z. isselianum individuals. The latter is treated as a single taxon Z. alpestre. After considering the severely degraded syntype material of Zospeum isselianum, we provide a taxonomic re-description and propose aneotype for this species. Furthermore, new diagnostic information is revealed regarding the columella of Zospeum isselianum and allied species. Detailed anatomical study reveals new structural aspects of Zospeum morphology and provides groundwork for future investigations
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