Non-divisibility vs backflow of information in understanding revivals of quantum correlations for continuous-variable systems interacting with fluctuating environments

We address the dynamics of quantum correlations for a bipartite continuous-variable quantum system interacting with its fluctuating environment. In particular, we consider two independent quantum oscillators initially prepared in a Gaussian state, e.g. a squeezed thermal state, and compare the dynamics resulting from local noise, i.e. oscillators coupled to two independent external fields, to that originating from common noise, i.e. oscillators interacting with a single common field. We prove non-Markovianity (non-divisibility) of the dynamics in both regimes and analyze the connections between non-divisibility, backflow of information and revivals of quantum correlations. Our main results may be summarized as follows: (i) revivals of quantumness are present in both scenarios, however, the interaction with a common environment better preserves the quantum features of the system; (ii) the dynamics is always non-divisible but revivals of quantum correlations are present only when backflow of information is present as well. We conclude that non-divisibility in its own is not a resource to preserve quantum correlations in our system, i.e. it is not sufficient to observe recoherence phenomena. Rather, it represents a necessary prerequisite to obtain backflow of information, which is the true ingredient to obtain revivals of quantumness

Entanglement as a resource for discrimination of classical environments

We address extended systems interacting with classical fluctuating environments and analyze the use of quantum probes to discriminate local noise, described by independent fluctuating fields, from common noise, corresponding to the interaction with a common one. In particular, we consider a bipartite system made of two non interacting harmonic oscillators and assess discrimination strategies based on homodyne detection, comparing their performances with the ultimate bounds on the error probabilities of quantum-limited measurements. We analyze in details the use of Gaussian probes, with emphasis on experimentally friendly signals. Our results show that a joint measurement of the position-quadrature on the two oscillators outperforms any other homodyne-based scheme for any input Gaussian state

Fully representable and *-semisimple topological partial *-algebras

We continue our study of topological partial *-algebras, focusing our attention to *-semisimple partial *-algebras, that is, those that possess a {multiplication core} and sufficiently many *-representations. We discuss the respective roles of invariant positive sesquilinear (ips) forms and representable continuous linear functionals and focus on the case where the two notions are completely interchangeable (fully representable partial *-algebras) with the scope of characterizing a *-semisimple partial *-algebra. Finally we describe various notions of bounded elements in such a partial *-algebra, in particular, those defined in terms of a positive cone (order bounded elements). The outcome is that, for an appropriate order relation, one recovers the \M-bounded elements introduced in previous works.Comment: 26 pages, Studia Mathematica (2012) to appea

Partial inner product spaces: Some categorical aspects

We make explicit in terms of categories a number of statements from the theory of partial inner product spaces (PIP spaces) and operators on them. In particular, we construct sheaves and cosheaves of operators on certain PIP spaces of practical interest.Comment: 21 page

Detection of the ultranarrow temporal correlation of twin beams via sum-frequency generation

We demonstrate the ultranarrow temporal correlation (6 fs full width half maximum) of twin beams generated by parametric down-conversion, by using the inverse process of sum-frequency generation. The result relies on an achromatic imaging of a huge bandwith of twin beams and on a careful control of their spatial degrees of freedom. The detrimental effects of spatial filtering and of imperfect imaging are shown toghether with the theoretical model used to describe the results

A Real-time Strategy Agent Framework and Strategy Classifier for Computer Generated Forces

This research effort is concerned with the advancement of computer generated forces AI for Department of Defense (DoD) military training and education. The vision of this work is agents capable of perceiving and intelligently responding to opponent strategies in real-time. Our research goal is to lay the foundations for such an agent. Six research objectives are defined: 1) Formulate a strategy definition schema effective in defining a range of RTS strategies. 2) Create eight strategy definitions via the schema. 3) Design a real-time agent framework that plays the game according to the given strategy definition. 4) Generate an RTS data set. 5) Create an accurate and fast executing strategy classifier. 6) Find the best counterstrategies for each strategy definition. The agent framework is used to play the eight strategies against each other and generate a data set of game observations. To classify the data, we first perform feature reduction using principal component analysis or linear discriminant analysis. Two classifier techniques are employed, k-means clustering with k-nearest neighbor and support vector machine. The resulting classifier is 94.1% accurate with an average classification execution speed of 7.14 us. Our research effort has successfully laid the foundations for a dynamic strategy agent

Control of ion channel expression for patch clamp recordings using an inducible expression system in mammalian cell lines

BACKGROUND: Many molecular studies of ion channel function rely on the ability to obtain high quality voltage clamp recordings using the patch clamp technique. For a variety of channel types studied in mammalian cell heterologous expression systems, the lack of experimenter control over expression levels severely hinders the ability to obtain a high percentage of cells with an expression level suitable for high quality recordings. Moreover, it has been nearly impossible to obtain expression levels in mammalian cells well suited for single channel recordings. We describe here the use of an inducible promoter system in a stably transfected mammalian cell line that produces nearly 100% success in obtaining ion channel expression levels suitable for either whole cell or single ion channel studies. RESULTS: We used a tetracycline-regulated expression system to control K(+ )channel expression in a CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cell line. Current magnitudes within a reasonably narrow range could be easily and reliably obtained for either macroscopic or single channel recordings. Macroscopic currents of 1 – 2 nA could be obtained in nearly 100% of cells tested. The desired expression level could be obtained within just 2 to 3 hours, and remained stable at room temperature. Very low expression levels of transfected channels could also be obtained, which resulted in a >70% success rate in the ability to record single channel currents from a patch. Moreover, at these low expression levels, it appeared that endogenous channels produced little or no contamination. CONCLUSION: This approach to controlling ion channel expression is relatively simple, greatly enhances the speed and efficiency with which high quality macroscopic current data can be collected, and makes it possible to easily and reliably record single channel currents in a mammalian cell heterologous expression system. Whereas we demonstrate the ability of this system to control expression levels of voltage-gated K(+ )channels, it should be applicable to all other channel types that express well in mammalian expression systems

Weak commutation relations of unbounded operators: nonlinear extensions

We continue our analysis of the consequences of the commutation relation [S,T]=\Id, where $S$ and $T$ are two closable unbounded operators. The {\em weak} sense of this commutator is given in terms of the inner product of the Hilbert space \H where the operators act. {We also consider what we call, adopting a physical terminology}, a {\em nonlinear} extension of the above commutation relations