1,610 research outputs found
Characterization of the non-classical nature of conditionally prepared single photons
A reliable single photon source is a prerequisite for linear optical quantum
computation and for secure quantum key distribution. A criterion yielding a
conclusive test of the single photon character of a given source, attainable
with realistic detectors, is therefore highly desirable. In the context of
heralded single photon sources, such a criterion should be sensitive to the
effects of higher photon number contributions, and to vacuum introduced through
optical losses, which tend to degrade source performance. In this paper we
present, theoretically and experimentally, a criterion meeting the above
requirements.Comment: 4 pages; 3 figure
Simplified Quantum Process Tomography
We propose and evaluate experimentally an approach to quantum process
tomography that completely removes the scaling problem plaguing the standard
approach. The key to this simplification is the incorporation of prior
knowledge of the class of physical interactions involved in generating the
dynamics, which reduces the problem to one of parameter estimation. This allows
part of the problem to be tackled using efficient convex methods, which, when
coupled with a constraint on some parameters allows globally optimal estimates
for the Kraus operators to be determined from experimental data. Parameterising
the maps provides further advantages: it allows the incorporation of mixed
states of the environment as well as some initial correlation between the
system and environment, both of which are common physical situations following
excitation of the system away from thermal equilibrium. Although the approach
is not universal, in cases where it is valid it returns a complete set of
positive maps for the dynamical evolution of a quantum system at all times.Comment: Added references to interesting related work by Bendersky et a
Encoding a qubit into multilevel subspaces
We present a formalism for encoding the logical basis of a qubit into
subspaces of multiple physical levels. The need for this multilevel encoding
arises naturally in situations where the speed of quantum operations exceeds
the limits imposed by the addressability of individual energy levels of the
qubit physical system. A basic feature of the multilevel encoding formalism is
the logical equivalence of different physical states and correspondingly, of
different physical transformations. This logical equivalence is a source of a
significant flexibility in designing logical operations, while the multilevel
structure inherently accommodates fast and intense broadband controls thereby
facilitating faster quantum operations. Another important practical advantage
of multilevel encoding is the ability to maintain full quantum-computational
fidelity in the presence of mixing and decoherence within encoding subspaces.
The formalism is developed in detail for single-qubit operations and
generalized for multiple qubits. As an illustrative example, we perform a
simulation of closed-loop optimal control of single-qubit operations for a
model multilevel system, and subsequently apply these operations at finite
temperatures to investigate the effect of decoherence on operational fidelity.Comment: IOPart LaTeX, 2 figures, 31 pages; addition of a numerical simulatio
Integrated Photonic Sensing
Loss is a critical roadblock to achieving photonic quantum-enhanced
technologies. We explore a modular platform for implementing integrated
photonics experiments and consider the effects of loss at different stages of
these experiments, including state preparation, manipulation and measurement.
We frame our discussion mainly in the context of quantum sensing and focus
particularly on the use of loss-tolerant Holland-Burnett states for optical
phase estimation. In particular, we discuss spontaneous four-wave mixing in
standard birefringent fibre as a source of pure, heralded single photons and
present methods of optimising such sources. We also outline a route to
programmable circuits which allow the control of photonic interactions even in
the presence of fabrication imperfections and describe a ratiometric
characterisation method for beam splitters which allows the characterisation of
complex circuits without the need for full process tomography. Finally, we
present a framework for performing state tomography on heralded states using
lossy measurement devices. This is motivated by a calculation of the effects of
fabrication imperfections on precision measurement using Holland-Burnett
states.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figure
ATLASGAL - towards a complete sample of massive star forming clumps
By matching infrared-selected, massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) and compact HII regions in the Red MSX Source survey to massive clumps found in the submillimetre ATLASGAL (APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy) survey, we have identified ~1000 embedded young massive stars between 280{ring operator} <lPeer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
Urinary eicosanoid metabolites in HIV-infected women with central obesity switching to raltegravir: an analysis from the women, integrase, and fat accumulation trial.
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of HIV infection. Eicosanoids reflect inflammation, oxidant stress, and vascular health and vary by sex and metabolic parameters. Raltegravir (RAL) is an HIV-1 integrase inhibitor that may have limited metabolic effects. We assessed urinary F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), prostaglandin E2 (PGE-M), prostacyclin (PGI-M), and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) in HIV-infected women switching to RAL-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Thirty-seven women (RAL = 17; PI/NNRTI = 20) with a median age of 43 years and BMI 32 kg/m(2) completed week 24. TxB2 increased in the RAL versus PI/NNRTI arm (+0.09 versus -0.02; P = 0.06). Baseline PGI-M was lower in the RAL arm (P = 0.005); no other between-arm cross-sectional differences were observed. In the PI/NNRTI arm, 24-week visceral adipose tissue change correlated with PGI-M (rho = 0.45; P = 0.04) and TxB2 (rho = 0.44; P = 0.005) changes, with a trend seen for PGE-M (rho = 0.41; P = 0.07). In an adjusted model, age ≥ 50 years (N = 8) was associated with increased PGE-M (P = 0.04). In this randomized trial, a switch to RAL did not significantly affect urinary eicosanoids over 24 weeks. In women continuing PI/NNRTI, increased visceral adipose tissue correlated with increased PGI-M and PGE-M. Older age (≥ 50) was associated with increased PGE-M. Relationships between aging, adiposity, ART, and eicosanoids during HIV-infection require further study
A necklace of dense cores in the high-mass star forming region G35.20-0.74N: ALMA observations
The present study aims at characterizing the massive star forming region
G35.20N, which is found associated with at least one massive outflow and
contains multiple dense cores, one of them recently found associated with a
Keplerian rotating disk. We used ALMA to observe the G35.20N region in the
continuum and line emission at 350 GHz. The observed frequency range covers
tracers of dense gas (e.g. H13CO+, C17O), molecular outflows (e.g. SiO), and
hot cores (e.g. CH3CN, CH3OH). The ALMA 870 um continuum emission map reveals
an elongated dust structure (0.15 pc long and 0.013 pc wide) perpendicular to
the large-scale molecular outflow detected in the region, and fragmented into a
number of cores with masses 1-10 Msun and sizes 1600 AU. The cores appear
regularly spaced with a separation of 0.023 pc. The emission of dense gas
tracers such as H13CO+ or C17O is extended and coincident with the dust
elongated structure. The three strongest dust cores show emission of complex
organic molecules characteristic of hot cores, with temperatures around 200 K,
and relative abundances 0.2-2x10^(-8) for CH3CN and 0.6-5x10^(-6) for CH3OH.
The two cores with highest mass (cores A and B) show coherent velocity fields,
with gradients almost aligned with the dust elongated structure. Those velocity
gradients are consistent with Keplerian disks rotating about central masses of
4-18 Msun. Perpendicular to the velocity gradients we have identified a
large-scale precessing jet/outflow associated with core B, and hints of an
east-west jet/outflow associated with core A. The elongated dust structure in
G35.20N is fragmented into a number of dense cores that may form massive stars.
Based on the velocity field of the dense gas, the orientation of the magnetic
field, and the regularly spaced fragmentation, we interpret this elongated
structure as the densest part of a 1D filament fragmenting and forming massive
stars.Comment: 24 pages, 26 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysics (abstract modified to fit arXiv restrictions
NH_3(1_0-0_0) in the pre-stellar core L1544
Pre-stellar cores represent the initial conditions in the process of star and
planet formation, therefore it is important to study their physical and
chemical structure. Because of their volatility, nitrogen-bearing molecules are
key to study the dense and cold gas present in pre-stellar cores. The NH_3
rotational transition detected with Herschel-HIFI provides a unique combination
of sensitivity and spectral resolution to further investigate physical and
chemical processes in pre-stellar cores. Here we present the velocity-resolved
Herschel-HIFI observations of the ortho-NH_3(1_0-0_0) line at 572 GHz and study
the abundance profile of ammonia across the pre-stellar core L1544 to test
current theories of its physical and chemical structure.
Recently calculated collisional coefficients have been included in our
non-LTE radiative transfer code to reproduce Herschel observations. A gas-grain
chemical model, including spin-state chemistry and applied to the (static)
physical structure of L1544 is also used to infer the abundance profile of
ortho-NH_3 . The hyperfine structure of ortho-NH_3(1_0-0_0) is resolved for the
first time in space. All the hyperfine components are strongly self-absorbed.
The profile can be reproduced if the core is contracting in quasi-equilibrium,
consistent with previous work, and if the NH_3 abundance is slightly rising
toward the core centre, as deduced from previous interferometric observations
of para-NH_3(1,1). The chemical model overestimates the NH_3 abundance at radii
between ~ 4000 and 15000 AU by about two orders of magnitude and underestimates
the abundance toward the core centre by more than one order of magnitude. Our
observations show that chemical models applied to static clouds have problems
in reproducing NH_3 observations.Comment: accepted for publication in A&A Letter
A ferrofluid based neural network: design of an analogue associative memory
We analyse an associative memory based on a ferrofluid, consisting of a
system of magnetic nano-particles suspended in a carrier fluid of variable
viscosity subject to patterns of magnetic fields from an array of input and
output magnetic pads. The association relies on forming patterns in the
ferrofluid during a trainingdphase, in which the magnetic dipoles are free to
move and rotate to minimize the total energy of the system. Once equilibrated
in energy for a given input-output magnetic field pattern-pair the particles
are fully or partially immobilized by cooling the carrier liquid. Thus produced
particle distributions control the memory states, which are read out
magnetically using spin-valve sensors incorporated in the output pads. The
actual memory consists of spin distributions that is dynamic in nature,
realized only in response to the input patterns that the system has been
trained for. Two training algorithms for storing multiple patterns are
investigated. Using Monte Carlo simulations of the physical system we
demonstrate that the device is capable of storing and recalling two sets of
images, each with an accuracy approaching 100%.Comment: submitted to Neural Network
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