18,742 research outputs found
True photo-counting statistics of multiple on-off detectors
We derive a closed photo-counting formula, including noise counts and a
finite quantum efficiency, for photon number resolving detectors based on
on-off detectors. It applies to detection schemes such as array detectors and
multiplexing setups. The result renders it possible to compare the
corresponding measured counting statistics with the true photon number
statistics of arbitrary quantum states. The photo-counting formula is applied
to the discrimination of photon numbers of Fock states, squeezed states, and
odd coherent states. It is illustrated for coherent states that our formula is
indispensable for the correct interpretation of quantum effects observed with
such devices.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Quantum-state extraction from high-Q cavities
The problem of extraction of a single-mode quantum state from a high-Q cavity
is studied for the case in which the time of preparation of the quantum state
of the cavity mode is short compared with its decay time. The temporal
evolution of the quantum state of the field escaping from the cavity is
calculated in terms of phase-space functions. A general condition is derived
under which the quantum state of the pulse built up outside the cavity is a
nearly perfect copy of the quantum state the cavity field was initially
prepared in. The results show that unwanted losses prevent the realization of a
nearly perfect extraction of nonclassical quantum states from high-Q optical
microcavities with presently available technology.Comment: RevTeX4, 9 pages with 6 figures; extended version as submitted to
Phys. Rev.
Observations of Chemically Enriched QSO Absorbers near z ~ 2.3 Galaxies: Galaxy-Formation Feedback Signatures in the IGM
We present a study of galaxies and intergalactic gas toward the z=2.73 quasar
HS1700+6416, to explore the effects of galaxy formation feedback on the IGM.
Our observations and ionization simulations indicate that the volume within
100-200 h_71^{-1} physical kpc of high-redshift galaxies contains very small,
dense, and metal-rich absorption-line regions. These systems often contain
shock-heated gas seen in OVI, and may exhibit [Si/C] abundance enhancements
suggestive of Type II supernova enrichment. We argue that the absorbers
resemble thin sheets or bubbles, whose physical properties can be explained
with a simple model of radiatively efficient shocks propegating through the
IGM. Their high metallicities suggest that these shocks are being expelled
from--rather than falling into--star forming galaxies. There is a dropoff in
the IGM gas density at galaxy impact parameters beyond ~300 physical kpc that
may trace boundaries of gas structures where the galaxies reside. The local
heavy-element enhancement covers 100-200 kpc; beyond this the observed
abundances blend into the general IGM. Supernova-driven winds or dynamical
stripping of interstellar gas appears to affect the IGM near massive galaxies,
even at R>~100 kpc. However, these feedback systems represent only a few
percent of the Lya forest mass at z~2.5. Their mass could be larger if the more
numerous metal-poor CIV systems at >~200 kpc are tepid remnants of very
powerful winds. Based on present observations it is not clear that this
scenario is to be favored over one involving pre-enrichment by smaller galaxies
at z>~6.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. 26 pages
emulateapj, incl. 5 pages tables, 15 figure
Caging dynamics in a granular fluid
We report an experimental investigation of the caging motion in a uniformly
heated granular fluid, for a wide range of filling fractions, . At low
the classic diffusive behavior of a fluid is observed. However, as
is increased, temporary cages develop and particles become increasingly
trapped by their neighbors. We statistically analyze particle trajectories and
observe a number of robust features typically associated with dense molecular
liquids and colloids. Even though our monodisperse and quasi-2D system is known
to not exhibit a glass transition, we still observe many of the precursors
usually associated with glassy dynamics. We speculate that this is due to a
process of structural arrest provided, in our case, by the presence of
crystallization.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
Plastic-crystalline solid-state electrolytes: Ionic conductivity and orientational dynamics in nitrile mixtures
Many plastic crystals, molecular solids with long-range, center-of-mass
crystalline order but dynamic disorder of the molecular orientations, are known
to exhibit exceptionally high ionic conductivity. This makes them promising
candidates for applications as solid-state electrolytes, e.g., in batteries.
Interestingly, it was found that the mixing of two different
plastic-crystalline materials can considerably enhance the ionic dc
conductivity, an important benchmark quantity for electrochemical applications.
An example is the admixture of different nitriles to succinonitrile, the latter
being one of the most prominent plastic-crystalline ionic conductors. However,
until now only few such mixtures were studied. In the present work, we
investigate succinonitrile mixed with malononitrile, adiponitrile, and
pimelonitrile, to which 1 mol% of Li ions were added. Using differential
scanning calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy, we examine the phase behavior
and the dipolar and ionic dynamics of these systems. We especially address the
mixing-induced enhancement of the ionic conductivity and the coupling of the
translational ionic mobility to the molecular reorientational dynamics,
probably arising via a "revolving-door" mechanism.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; revised version as accepted for publication in J.
Chem. Phy
Universal measurement of quantum correlations of radiation
A measurement technique is proposed which, in principle, allows one to
observe the general space-time correlation properties of a quantized radiation
field. Our method, called balanced homodyne correlation measurement, unifies
the advantages of balanced homodyne detection with those of homodyne
correlation measurements.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, small misprints were corrected, accepted to Phys.
Rev. Let
Strong exciton-plasmon coupling in semiconducting carbon nanotubes
We study theoretically the interactions of excitonic states with surface
electromagnetic modes of small-diameter (~1 nm) semiconducting single-walled
carbon nanotubes. We show that these interactions can result in strong
exciton-surface-plasmon coupling. The exciton absorption line shape exhibits
Rabi splitting ~0.1 eV as the exciton energy is tuned to the nearest interband
surface plasmon resonance of the nanotube. We also show that the quantum
confined Stark effect may be used as a tool to control the exciton binding
energy and the nanotube band gap in carbon nanotubes in order, e.g., to bring
the exciton total energy in resonance with the nearest interband plasmon mode.
The exciton-plasmon Rabi splitting we predict here for an individual carbon
nanotube is close in its magnitude to that previously reported for hybrid
plasmonic nanostructures artificially fabricated of organic semiconductors on
metallic films. We expect this effect to open up paths to new tunable
optoelectronic device applications of semiconducting carbon nanotubes.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, accepted for PR
Quantum tunneling of semifluxons
We consider a system of two semifluxons of opposite polarity in a 0-pi-0 long
Josephson junction, which classically can be in one of two degenerate states:
up-down or down-up. When the distance between the 0-pi boundaries
(semifluxon's centers) is a bit larger than the crossover distance , the
system can switch from one state to the other due to thermal fluctuations or
quantum tunneling. We map this problem to the dynamics of a single particle in
a double well potential and estimate parameters for which quantum effects
emerge. We also determine the classical-to-quantum crossover temperature as
well as the tunneling rate (energy level splitting) between the states up-down
and down-up.Comment: submitted to PRB, comments/questions are welcom
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