202 research outputs found
Single-photon-level optical storage in a solid-state spin-wave memory
A long-lived quantum memory is a firm requirement for implementing a quantum
repeater scheme. Recent progress in solid-state rare-earth-ion-doped systems
justifies their status as very strong candidates for such systems. Nonetheless
an optical memory based on spin-wave storage at the single-photon-level has not
been shown in such a system to date, which is crucial for achieving the long
storage times required for quantum repeaters. In this letter we show that it is
possible to execute a complete atomic frequency comb (AFC) scheme, including
spin-wave storage, with weak coherent pulses of photons
per pulse. We discuss in detail the experimental steps required to obtain this
result and demonstrate the coherence of a stored time-bin pulse. We show a
noise level of photons per mode during storage, this
relatively low-noise level paves the way for future quantum optics experiments
using spin-waves in rare-earth-doped crystals
Atomic frequency comb memory with spin wave storage in 153Eu3+:Y2SiO5
153Eu3+:Y2SiO5 is a very attractive candidate for a long lived, multimode
quantum memory due to the long spin coherence time (~15 ms), the relatively
large hyperfine splitting (100 MHz) and the narrow optical homogeneous
linewidth (~100 Hz). Here we show an atomic frequency comb memory with spin
wave storage in a promising material 153Eu3+:Y2SiO5, reaching storage times
slightly beyond 10 {\mu}s. We analyze the efficiency of the storage process and
discuss ways of improving it. We also measure the inhomogeneous spin linewidth
of 153Eu3+:Y2SiO5, which we find to be 69 \pm 3 kHz. These results represent a
further step towards realising a long lived multi mode solid state quantum
memory.Comment: 7 pages and 7 figure
The Influence of Air Pollution on Corticolous Lichens near the Strathcona Industrial Area, Alberta
Lichens that grow on the bark of mature trees were studied at 35 sites along an air pollution gradient east of Edmonton, Alberta. Data on species composition, richness, and cover were recorded in October 1999 in a matrix of sites that extends from a known source of pollutants (the Strathcona Industrial Area) east across Strathcona County. Air pollution is affecting the corticolous lichen community. Lichen species richness and total cover increased with distance from the pollution source. Species richness in areas distant from pollution was roughly twice that in areas near the Strathcona Industrial Area. Xanthoria fallax and Phaeophyscia orbicularis were the most pollution tolerant lichens. Xanthoria hasseana, Ochrolechia arborea, Physcia adscendens, Parmelia sulcata, and Melanelia albertana were rare or absent near the pollution source and common in more distant areas. Most of the 15 species assessed were sensitive to air quality to some degree. Some lichens near the refineries and in Sherwood Park showed abnormal coloration and poor thallus integrity indicative of stress. We discuss implications for human health
Error-resistant Single Qubit Gates with Trapped Ions
Coherent operations constitutive for the implementation of single and
multi-qubit quantum gates with trapped ions are demonstrated that are robust
against variations in experimental parameters and intrinsically indeterministic
system parameters. In particular, pulses developed using optimal control theory
are demonstrated for the first time with trapped ions. Their performance as a
function of error parameters is systematically investigated and compared to
composite pulses.Comment: 5 pages 5 figure
Evaluation of mass spectrometric methods for detection of the anti-protozoal drug imidocarb
Imidocarb [N,N\u27-bis[3-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]urea, C19H20N6O1, m.w. 348.41] is a symmetrical carbanilide derivative used to treat disease caused by protozoans of the Babesia genus. Imidocarb, however, is also considered capable of suppressing Babesia-specific immune responses, allowing Babesia-positive horses to pass a complement fixation test (CFT) without eliminating the infection. This scenario could enable Babesia-infected horses to pass CFT-based importation tests. It is imperative to unequivocally identify and quantify equine tissue residues of imidocarb by mass spectrometry to address this issue. As a pretext to development of sensitive tissue assays, we have investigated possibilities of mass spectrometric (MS) detection of imidocarb. Our analyses disclosed that an unequivocal mass spectral analysis of imidocarb is challenging because of its rapid fragmentation under standard gas chromatography (GC)-MS conditions. In contrast, solution chemistry of imidocarb is more stable but involves distribution into mono- and dicationic species, m/z 349 and 175, respectively, in acid owing to the compound\u27s inherent symmetrical nature. Dicationic imidocarb was the preferred complex as viewed by either direct infusion-electrospray-MS or by liquid chromatography (LC)-MS. Dicationic imidocarb multiple reaction monitoring (MRM: m/z 175 → 162, 145, and 188) therefore offer the greatest opportunities for sensitive detection and LC-MS is more likely than GC-MS to yield a useful quantitative forensic analytical method for detecting imidocarb in horses
Individual addressing of trapped ions and coupling of motional and spin states using rf radiation
Individual electrodynamically trapped and laser cooled ions are addressed in
frequency space using radio-frequency radiation in the presence of a static
magnetic field gradient. In addition, an interaction between motional and spin
states induced by an rf field is demonstrated employing rf-optical double
resonance spectroscopy. These are two essential experimental steps towards
realizing a novel concept for implementing quantum simulations and quantum
computing with trapped ions.Comment: Replaced with published versio
Recommended from our members
Lunar Subsurface Exploration Technologies at the University of Glasgow: capabilities and the ‘i-Drill’ case study
Quantum Gates and Memory using Microwave Dressed States
Trapped atomic ions have been successfully used for demonstrating basic
elements of universal quantum information processing (QIP). Nevertheless,
scaling up of these methods and techniques to achieve large scale universal
QIP, or more specialized quantum simulations remains challenging. The use of
easily controllable and stable microwave sources instead of complex laser
systems on the other hand promises to remove obstacles to scalability.
Important remaining drawbacks in this approach are the use of magnetic field
sensitive states, which shorten coherence times considerably, and the
requirement to create large stable magnetic field gradients. Here, we present
theoretically a novel approach based on dressing magnetic field sensitive
states with microwave fields which addresses both issues and permits fast
quantum logic. We experimentally demonstrate basic building blocks of this
scheme to show that these dressed states are long-lived and coherence times are
increased by more than two orders of magnitude compared to bare magnetic field
sensitive states. This changes decisively the prospect of microwave-driven ion
trap QIP and offers a new route to extend coherence times for all systems that
suffer from magnetic noise such as neutral atoms, NV-centres, quantum dots, or
circuit-QED systems.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure
An Elementary Quantum Network of Single Atoms in Optical Cavities
Quantum networks are distributed quantum many-body systems with tailored
topology and controlled information exchange. They are the backbone of
distributed quantum computing architectures and quantum communication. Here we
present a prototype of such a quantum network based on single atoms embedded in
optical cavities. We show that atom-cavity systems form universal nodes capable
of sending, receiving, storing and releasing photonic quantum information.
Quantum connectivity between nodes is achieved in the conceptually most
fundamental way: by the coherent exchange of a single photon. We demonstrate
the faithful transfer of an atomic quantum state and the creation of
entanglement between two identical nodes in independent laboratories. The
created nonlocal state is manipulated by local qubit rotation. This efficient
cavity-based approach to quantum networking is particularly promising as it
offers a clear perspective for scalability, thus paving the way towards
large-scale quantum networks and their applications.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Identification of a Ruminant Origin Group B Rotavirus Associated with Diarrhea Outbreaks in Foals
Equine rotavirus group A (ERVA) is one of the most common causes of foal diarrhea. Starting in February 2021, there was an increase in the frequency of severe watery to hemorrhagic diarrhea cases in neonatal foals in Central Kentucky. Diagnostic investigation of fecal samples failed to detect evidence of diarrhea-causing pathogens including ERVA. Based on Illumina-based metagenomic sequencing, we identified a novel equine rotavirus group B (ERVB) in fecal specimens from the affected foals in the absence of any other known enteric pathogens. Interestingly, the protein sequence of all 11 segments had greater than 96% identity with group B rotaviruses previously found in ruminants. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated clustering of the ERVB with group B rotaviruses of caprine and bovine strains from the USA. Subsequent analysis of 33 foal diarrheic samples by RT-qPCR identified 23 rotavirus B-positive cases (69.69%). These observations suggest that the ERVB originated from ruminants and was associated with outbreaks of neonatal foal diarrhea in the 2021 foaling season in Kentucky. Emergence of the ruminant-like group B rotavirus in foals clearly warrants further investigation due to the significant impact of the disease in neonatal foals and its economic impact on the equine industry
- …