Qubit measurement using a quantum point contact with a quantum Langevin equation approach

We employ a quantum Langevin equation approach to establish non-Markovian dynamical equations, on a fully microscopic basis, to investigate the measurement of the state of a coupled quantum dot qubit by a nearby quantum point contact. The ensuing Bloch equations allow us to examine qubit relaxation and decoherence induced by measurement, and also the noise spectrum of meter output current with the help of a quantum regression theorem, at arbitrary bias-voltage and temperature. Our analyses provide a clear resolution of a recent debate concerning the occurrence of a quantum oscillation peak in the noise spectrum.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted, published version in Phys. Rev.

Early diagenesis of plant-derived dissolved organic matter along a wetland, mangrove, estuary ecotone

We studied the role of photochemical and microbial processes in contributing to the transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from various plants that dominate the Florida Everglades. Plant-derived DOM leachate samples were exposed to photochemical and microbial degradation and the optical, chemical, and molecular weight characteristics measured over time. Optical parameters such as the synchronous fluorescence intensity between 270 and 290 nm (Fnpeak I), a strong indicator of protein and/or polyphenol content, decreased exponentially in all plant leachate samples, with microbial decay constants ranging from 21.0 d21 for seagrass to 20.11 d21 for mangrove (half-life [t1/2] 5 0.7–6.3 d). Similar decreases in polyphenol content and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration also occurred but were generally an order of magnitude lower or did not change significantly over time. The initial molecular weight composition was reflected in the rate of Fnpeak I decay and suggests that plantderived DOM with a large proportion of high molecular weight structures, such as seagrass derived DOM, contain high concentrations of easily microbially degradable proteinaceous components. For samples exposed to extended simulated solar radiation, polyphenol and Fnpeak I photochemical decay constants were on average 20.7 d21 (t1/2 1.0 d). Our data suggest that polyphenol structures of plant-derived DOM are particularly sensitive to photolysis, whereas high molecular weight protein-like structures are degraded primarily through physical–chemical and microbial processes. Furthermore, microbial and physical processes initiated the formation of recalcitrant, highly colored high molecular weight polymeric structures in mangrove-derived DOM. Thus, partial, biogeochemical transformation of plant-derived DOM from coastal areas is rapid and is likely to influence carbon and nutrient cycling, especially in areas dominated by seagrass and mangrove forests

On the nature of cosmic rays above the Greisen--Zatsepin--Kuz'min cut off

A re-examination of the atmospheric cascade profile of the highest energy cosmic ray is presented. The study includes air-shower simulations considering different cross sections, particle multiplicity and variation of the hadronic-event-generator to model interactions above 200 GeV. The analysis provides evidence that a medium mass nucleus primary reproduces the shower profile quite well. This result does not support the idea, increasingly popular at present, that the highest energy particles are protons, derived from the decay of supermassive relic particles. On the other hand, we show that debris of relativistic super-heavy nuclei, which can survive a 100 Mpc journey through the primeval radiation are likely to generate such a kind of cascade.Comment: Revised version, improvements per referee's suggestions. To be published in Phys. Lett.