Simulating Z_2 topological insulators with cold atoms in a one-dimensional optical lattice

We propose an experimental scheme to simulate and detect the properties of time-reversal invariant topological insulators, using cold atoms trapped in one-dimensional bichromatic optical lattices. This system is described by a one-dimensional Aubry-Andre model with an additional SU(2) gauge structure, which captures the essential properties of a two-dimensional Z2 topological insulator. We demonstrate that topologically protected edge states, with opposite spin orientations, can be pumped across the lattice by sweeping a laser phase adiabatically. This process constitutes an elegant way to transfer topologically protected quantum states in a highly controllable environment. We discuss how density measurements could provide clear signatures of the topological phases emanating from our one-dimensional system.Comment: 5 pages +, 3 figures, to appear in Physical Review

Few-Body Systems Composed of Heavy Quarks

Within the past ten years many new hadrons states were observed experimentally, some of which do not fit into the conventional quark model. I will talk about the few-body systems composed of heavy quarks, including the charmonium-like states and some loosely bound states.Comment: Plenary talk at the 20th International IUPAP Conference on Few-Body Problems in Physics, to appear in Few Body Systems (2013

Persistent Antigen and Prolonged AKT-mTORC1 Activation Underlie Memory CD8 T Cell Impairment in the Absence of CD4 T Cells

Recall responses by memory CD8 T cells are impaired in the absence of CD4 T cells. Although several mechanisms have been proposed, the molecular basis is still largely unknown. Using a local influenza virus infection in the respiratory tract and the lung of CD4[superscript −/−] mice, we show that memory CD8 T cell impairment is limited to the lungs and the lung-draining lymph nodes, where viral Ags are unusually persistent and abundant in these mice. Persistent Ag exposure results in prolonged activation of the AKT–mTORC1 pathway in Ag-specific CD8 T cells, favoring their development into effector memory T cells at the expense of central memory T cells, and inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin largely corrects the impairment by promoting central memory T cell development. The findings suggest that the prolonged AKT–mTORC1 activation driven by persistent Ag is a critical mechanism underlying the impaired memory CD8 T cell development and responses in the absence of CD4 T cells.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant AI69208)Singapore. National Research Foundation (Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART). Infectious Disease Research Program)Ivan R. Cottrell Professorship and Research FundNational Cancer Institute (U.S.) (David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. Support (Core) Grant P30-CA14051

Simple scheme for expanding a polarization-entangled W state by adding one photon

We propose a simple scheme for expanding a polarization-entangled W state. By mixing a single photon and one of the photons in an n-photon W state at a polarization-dependent beam splitter (PDBS), we can obtain an (n+1)-photon W state after post-selection. Our scheme also opens the door for generating n-photon W states using single photons and linear optics.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Fully Band Resolved Scattering Rate in MgB2 Revealed by Nonlinear Hall Effect and Magnetoresistance Measurements

We have measured the normal state temperature dependence of the Hall effect and magnetoresistance in epitaxial MgB2 thin films with variable disorders characterized by the residual resistance ratio RRR ranging from 4.0 to 33.3. A strong nonlinearity of the Hall effect and magnetoresistance have been found in clean samples, and they decrease gradually with the increase of disorders or temperature. By fitting the data to the theoretical model based on the Boltzmann equation and ab initio calculations for a four-band system, for the first time, we derived the scattering rates of these four bands at different temperatures and magnitude of disorders. Our method provides a unique way to derive these important parameters in multiband systems.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Ultrasensitive and highly specific detection of iodine ions using zirconium (IV)-enhanced oxidation

Nuclear energy has significantly promoted the development of human society. However, nuclear pollution caused by nuclear accidents can lead to significant hazards to the environment and human health. As a major radioactive product, radioactive iodine (mainly existing as I−) detection has attracted significant attentions. In this study, zirconium(IV) is used to enhance the oxidation of environmental I− to form I2. Subsequently, the generated I2 oxidizes the chemical chromogenic substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, which is used for I− detection and realizes an ultralow limit of detection (LoD) of 0.176 nM. The LoD of our method, to the best of our knowledge, is the lowest among those of the available chemical methods for I− detection. Furthermore, our detection method also shows high specificity and reliability, making it a promising technique for detecting I− in practical environments

More Efficient Purifying scheme via Controlled- Controlled NOT Gate

A new modified version of the Oxford purification protocol is proposed. This version is based on the controlled-controlled NOT gate instead of controlled NOT in the original one. Comparisons between the results of the new version and the original and an earlier modification are given. It is found that the new version converges faster and consumes fewer initial qubit pairs of low fidelity per final qubit pair of high fidelity