100 research outputs found
An integrated source of broadband quadrature squeezed light
An integrated silicon nitride resonator is proposed as an ultra-compact
source of bright single-mode quadrature squeezed light at 850 nm. Optical
properties of the device are investigated and tailored through numerical
simulations, with particular attention paid to loss associated with interfacing
the device. An asymmetric double layer stack waveguide geometry with inverse
vertical tapers is proposed for efficient and robust fibre-chip coupling,
yielding a simulated total loss of -0.75 dB/facet. We assess the feasibility of
the device through a full quantum noise analysis and derive the output
squeezing spectrum for intra-cavity pump self-phase modulation. Subject to
standard material loss and detection efficiencies, we find that the device
holds promises for generating substantial quantum noise squeezing over a
bandwidth exceeding 1 GHz. In the low-propagation loss regime, approximately -7
dB squeezing is predicted for a pump power of only 50 mW.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figure
Measurement-induced macroscopic superposition states in cavity optomechanics
We present a novel proposal for generating quantum superpositions of
macroscopically distinct states of a bulk mechanical oscillator, compatible
with existing optomechanical devices operating in the readily achievable
bad-cavity limit. The scheme is based on a pulsed cavity optomechanical quantum
non-demolition (QND) interaction, driven by displaced non-Gaussian states, and
measurement-induced feedback, avoiding the need for strong single-photon
optomechanical coupling. Furthermore, we show that single-quadrature cooling of
the mechanical oscillator is sufficient for efficient state preparation, and we
outline a three-pulse protocol comprising a sequence of QND interactions for
squeezing-enhanced cooling, state preparation, and tomography.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
Ultrahigh finesse Fabry-Perot superconducting resonator
We have built a microwave Fabry-Perot resonator made of diamond-machined
copper mirrors coated with superconducting niobium. Its damping time (Tc = 130
ms at 51 GHz and 0.8 K) corresponds to a finesse of 4.6 x 109, the
highest ever reached for a Fabry-Perot in any frequency range. This result
opens novel perspectives for quantum information, decoherence and non-locality
studies
Squeezing of Atomic Quantum Projection Noise
We provide a framework for understanding recent experiments on squeezing of a
collective atomic pseudo-spin, induced by a homodyne measurement on
off-resonant probe light interrogating the atoms. The detection of light
decimates the atomic state distribution and we discuss the conditions under
which the resulting reduced quantum fluctuations are metrologically relevant.
In particular, we consider a dual probe scheme which benefits from a
cancelation of classical common mode noise sources such that quantum
fluctuations from light and atoms are the main contributions to the detected
signal.Comment: Submitted to Journal of Modern Optic
Quantum-enhanced micromechanical displacement sensitivity
We report on a hitherto unexplored application of squeezed light: for
quantum-enhancement of mechanical transduction sensitivity in microcavity
optomechanics. Using a toroidal silica microcavity, we experimentally
demonstrate measurement of the transduced phase modulation signal with a
sensitivity \,dB below the shot noise level. This is achieved
for resonant probing in the highly under-coupled regime, by preparing the probe
in a weak coherent state with phase squeezed vacuum states at sideband
frequencies
Clinical and molecular characterization of isolated M1 disease in pediatric medulloblastoma: experience from the German HIT-MED studies
PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical impact of isolated spread of medulloblastoma cells into cerebrospinal fluid without additional macroscopic metastases (M1-only).
METHODS: The HIT-MED database was searched for pediatric patients with M1-only medulloblastoma diagnosed from 2000 to 2019. Corresponding clinical and molecular data was evaluated. Treatment was stratified by age and changed over time for older patients.
RESULTS: 70 patients with centrally reviewed M1-only disease were identified. Clinical data was available for all and molecular data for 45/70 cases. 91% were non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma (Grp3/4). 5-year PFS for 52 patients ≥ 4 years was 59.4 (± 7.1) %, receiving either upfront craniospinal irradiation (CSI) or SKK-sandwich chemotherapy (CT). Outcomes did not differ between these strategies (5-year PFS: CSI 61.7 ± 9.9%, SKK-CT 56.7 ± 6.1%). For patients < 4 years (n = 18), 5-year PFS was 50.0 (± 13.2) %. M1-persistence occurred exclusively using postoperative CT and was a strong negative predictive factor (p < 0.01). Patients with additional clinical or molecular high-risk (HR) characteristics had worse outcomes (5-year PFS 42.7 ± 10.6% vs. 64.0 ± 7.0%, p = 0.03). In n = 22 patients ≥ 4 years with full molecular information and without additional HR characteristics, risk classification by molecular subtyping had an effect on 5-year PFS (HR 16.7 ± 15.2%, SR 77.8 ± 13.9%; p = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that M1-only is a high-risk condition, and further underline the importance of CSF staging. Specific risk stratification of affected patients needs attention in future discussions for trials and treatment recommendations. Future patients without contraindications may benefit from upfront CSI by sparing risks related to higher cumulative CT applied in sandwich regimen
Clinical and molecular characterization of isolated M1 disease in pediatric medulloblastoma: experience from the German HIT-MED studies
PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical impact of isolated spread of medulloblastoma cells into cerebrospinal fluid without additional macroscopic metastases (M1-only). METHODS: The HIT-MED database was searched for pediatric patients with M1-only medulloblastoma diagnosed from 2000 to 2019. Corresponding clinical and molecular data was evaluated. Treatment was stratified by age and changed over time for older patients. RESULTS: 70 patients with centrally reviewed M1-only disease were identified. Clinical data was available for all and molecular data for 45/70 cases. 91% were non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma (Grp3/4). 5-year PFS for 52 patients ≥ 4 years was 59.4 (± 7.1) %, receiving either upfront craniospinal irradiation (CSI) or SKK-sandwich chemotherapy (CT). Outcomes did not differ between these strategies (5-year PFS: CSI 61.7 ± 9.9%, SKK-CT 56.7 ± 6.1%). For patients < 4 years (n = 18), 5-year PFS was 50.0 (± 13.2) %. M1-persistence occurred exclusively using postoperative CT and was a strong negative predictive factor (p(PFS/OS) < 0.01). Patients with additional clinical or molecular high-risk (HR) characteristics had worse outcomes (5-year PFS 42.7 ± 10.6% vs. 64.0 ± 7.0%, p = 0.03). In n = 22 patients ≥ 4 years with full molecular information and without additional HR characteristics, risk classification by molecular subtyping had an effect on 5-year PFS (HR 16.7 ± 15.2%, SR 77.8 ± 13.9%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that M1-only is a high-risk condition, and further underline the importance of CSF staging. Specific risk stratification of affected patients needs attention in future discussions for trials and treatment recommendations. Future patients without contraindications may benefit from upfront CSI by sparing risks related to higher cumulative CT applied in sandwich regimen. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11060-021-03913-5
- …