2,298 research outputs found
Controlling single diamond NV color center photoluminescence spectrum with a Fabry-Perot microcavity
We present both theoretical and experimental results on fluorescence of
single defect centers in diamond nanocrystals embedded in a planar dielectric
microcavity. From a theoretical point of view, we show that the overall
fluorescence collection efficiency using moderate numerical aperture microscope
objective can be enhanced by using a low quality factor microcavity. This could
be used in particular for low temperature applications where the numerical
aperture of collection microscope objectives is limited due to the experimental
constraints. We experimentally investigate the control of the fluorescence
spectrum of the emitted light from a single center. We show the simultaneous
narrowing of the room temperature broadband emission spectrum and the increase
of the fluorescence spectral density.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figure
Narrow-band single-photon emission in the near infrared for quantum key distribution
We report on the observation of single colour centers in natural diamond
samples emitting in the near infrared region when optically excited.
Photoluminescence of these single emitters have several striking features, such
as a narrow-band fully polarized emission (FWHM 2 nm) around 780 nm, a short
excited-state lifetime of about 2 ns, and perfect photostability at room
temperature under our excitation conditions. We present a detailed study of
their photophysical properties. Development of a triggered single-photon source
relying on this single colour centre is discussed in the prospect of its
application to quantum key distribution.Comment: 9 page
Antiprotozoan and Antiviral Activities of Non-cytotoxic Truncated and Variant Analogues of Mussel Defensin
We previously reported the crucial role displayed by loop 3 of defensin isolated from the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, in antibacterial and antifungal activities. We now investigated antiprotozoan and antiviral activities of some previously reported fragments B, D, E, P and Q. Two fragments (D and P) efficiently killed Trypanosoma brucei (ID(50) 4–12 μM) and Leishmania major (ID(50) 12–45 μM) in a time/dose-dependent manner. Killing of T. brucei started as early as 1 h after initiation of contact with fragment D and reached 55% mortality after 6 h. Killing was temperature dependent and a temperature of 4°C efficiently impaired the ability to kill T. brucei. Fragments bound to the entire external epithelium of T. brucei. Prevention of HIV-1 infestation was obtained only with fragments P and Q at 20 μM. Even if fragment P was active on both targets, the specificity of fragments D and Q suggest that antiprotozoan and antiviral activities are mediated by different mechanisms. Truncated sequences of mussel defensin, including amino acid replacement to maintain 3D structure and increased positive net charge, also possess antiprotozoan and antiviral capabilities. New alternative and/or complementary antibiotics can be derived from the vast reservoir of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contained in marine invertebrates
Experimental realization of Wheeler's delayed-choice GedankenExperiment
The quantum "mystery which cannot go away" (in Feynman's words) of
wave-particle duality is illustrated in a striking way by Wheeler's
delayed-choice GedankenExperiment. In this experiment, the configuration of a
two-path interferometer is chosen after a single-photon pulse has entered it :
either the interferometer is \textit{closed} (\textit{i.e.} the two paths are
recombined) and the interference is observed, or the interferometer remains
\textit{open} and the path followed by the photon is measured. We report an
almost ideal realization of that GedankenExperiment, where the light pulses are
true single photons, allowing unambiguous which-way measurements, and the
interferometer, which has two spatially separated paths, produces high
visibility interference. The choice between measuring either the 'open' or
'closed' configuration is made by a quantum random number generator, and is
space-like separated -- in the relativistic sense -- from the entering of the
photon into the interferometer. Measurements in the closed configuration show
interference with a visibility of 94%, while measurements in the open
configuration allow us to determine the followed path with an error probability
lower than 1%
Wheeler's delayed-choice thought experiment: Experimental realization and theoretical analysis
Wheeler has strikingly illustrated the wave-particle duality by the
delayed-choice thought experiment, in which the configuration of a 2-path
interferometer is chosen after a single-photon light-pulsed has entered it. We
present a quantitative theoretical analysis of an experimental realization of
Wheeler's proposal
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