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.

Determination of quantum-noise parameters of realistic cavities

A procedure is developed which allows one to measure all the parameters occurring in a complete model [A.A. Semenov et al., Phys. Rev. A 74, 033803 (2006); quant-ph/0603043] of realistic leaky cavities with unwanted noise. The method is based on the reflection of properly chosen test pulses by the cavity.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Nonclassical Moments and their Measurement

Practically applicable criteria for the nonclassicality of quantum states are formulated in terms of different types of moments. For this purpose the moments of the creation and annihilation operators, of two quadratures, and of a quadrature and the photon number operator turn out to be useful. It is shown that all the required moments can be determined by homodyne correlation measurements. An example of a nonclassical effect that is easily characterized by our methods is amplitude-squared squeezing.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Conditional quantum-state transformation at a beam splitter

Using conditional measurement on a beam splitter, we study the transformation of the quantum state of the signal mode within the concept of two-port non-unitary transformation. Allowing for arbitrary quantum states of both the input reference mode and the output reference mode on which the measurement is performed, we show that the non-unitary transformation operator can be given as an $s$-ordered operator product, where the value of $s$ is entirely determined by the absolute value of the beam splitter reflectance (or transmittance). The formalism generalizes previously obtained results that can be recovered by simple specification of the non-unitary transformation operator. As an application, we consider the generation of Schr\"odinger-cat-like states. An extension to mixed states and imperfect detection is outlined.Comment: 7 Postscript figures, using Late

Collider design issues based on proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration

Recent simulations have shown that a high-energy proton bunch can excite strong plasma wakefields and accelerate a bunch of electrons to the energy frontier in a single stage of acceleration. It therefore paves the way towards a compact future collider design using the proton beams from existing high-energy proton machines, e.g. Tevatron or the LHC. This paper addresses some key issues in designing a compact electron-positron linear collider and an electron-proton collider based on existing CERN accelerator infrastructure

An epep collider based on proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration

Recent simulations have shown that a high-energy proton bunch can excite strong plasma wakefields and accelerate a bunch of electrons to the energy frontier in a single stage of acceleration. This scheme could lead to a future $ep$ collider using the LHC for the proton beam and a compact electron accelerator of length 170 m, producing electrons of energy up to 100 GeV. The parameters of such a collider are discussed as well as conceptual layouts within the CERN accelerator complex. The physics of plasma wakefield acceleration will also be introduced, with the AWAKE experiment, a proof of principle demonstration of proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration, briefly reviewed, as well as the physics possibilities of such an $ep$ collider.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the DIS 2014 Workshop, 28 April - 2 May, Warsaw, Polan

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

Fatigue crack layer propagation in silicon-iron

Fatigue crack propagation in metal is almost always accompanied by plastic deformation unless conditions strongly favor brittle fracture. The analysis of the plastic zone is crucial to the understanding of crack propagation behavior as it governs the crack growth kinetics. This research was undertaken to study the fatigue crack propagation in a silicon iron alloy. Kinetic and plasticity aspects of fatigue crack propagation in the alloy were obtained, including the characterization of damage evolution