Mutual information--based approach to adaptive homodyne detection of quantum optical states

I propose an approach to adaptive homodyne detection of digitally modulated quantum optical pulses in which the phase of the local oscillator is chosen to maximize the average information gain, i.e., the mutual information, at each step of the measurement. I study the properties of this adaptive detection scheme by considering the problem of classical information content of ensembles of coherent states. Using simulations of quantum trajectories and visualizations of corresponding measurement operators, I show that the proposed measurement scheme adapts itself to the features of each ensemble. For all considered ensembles of coherent states, it consistently outperforms heterodyne detection and Wiseman's adaptive scheme for phase measurements [H.M. Wiseman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 4587 (1995)].Comment: Submutted to Phys. Rev.

Quantum Cryptography without Switching

We propose a new coherent state quantum key distribution protocol that eliminates the need to randomly switch between measurement bases. This protocol provides significantly higher secret key rates with increased bandwidths than previous schemes that only make single quadrature measurements. It also offers the further advantage of simplicity compared to all previous protocols which, to date, have relied on switching.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, Submitte

A hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene-based ditopic receptor for alkylammonium ions controlled by Ag + ions 4

A receptor cone-1 based on a hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene bearing three pyridyl groups 21 was successfully synthesized, which has a C3-symmetric conformation and is capable of binding 22 alkylammonium and metal ions simultaneously in a cooperative fashion. It can bind 23 alkylammonium ions through the -cavity formed by three aryl rings. This behaviour is consistent 24 with the cone-in/cone-out conformational rearrangement needed to reorganize the cavity for 25 endo-complexation. As a C3-symmetrical pyridyl-substituted calixarene, receptor cone-1 can also 26 bind a Ag + ion and the nitrogen atoms are turned towards the inside of the cavity and interact with 27 Ag +. After complexation of tris(2-pyridylamide) derivative receptor cone-1 with Ag + , the original 28 C3-symmetry was retained and higher complexation selectivity for n-BuNH3 + versus t-BuNH3 + was 29 observed. Thus, it is believed that this receptor will have a role to play in the sensing, detection, and 30 recognition of Ag + and n-BuNH3 + ions. 3

The Orbit of the Eclipsing X-ray Pulsar EXO 1722-363

With recent and archival Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) X-ray measurements of the heavily obscured X-ray pulsar EXO 1722-363 (IGR J17252-3616), we carried out a pulse timing analysis to determine the orbital solution for the first time. The binary system is characterized by a_x sin(i) = 101 +/- 3 lt-s and P_orb = 9.7403 +/- 0.0004 days (90% confidence), with the precision of the orbital period being obtained by connecting datasets separated by more than 7 years (272 orbital cycles). The orbit is consistent with circular, and e < 0.19 at the 90% confidence level. The mass function is 11.7 +/- 1.2 M_sun and confirms that this source is a High Mass X-ray Binary (HMXB) system. The orbital period, along with the previously known ~414 s pulse period, places this system in the part of the Corbet diagram populated by supergiant wind accretors. Using previous eclipse time measurements by Corbet et al. and our orbital solution, combined with the assumption that the primary underfills its Roche lobe, we find i > 61 degrees at the 99% confidence level, the radius of the primary is between 21 R_sun and 37 R_sun, and its mass is less than about 22 M_sun. The acceptable range of radius and mass shows that the primary is probably a supergiant of spectral type B0I-B5I. Photometric measurements of its likely counterpart are consistent with the spectral type and luminosity if the distance to the system is between 5.3 kpc and 8.7 kpc. Spectral analysis of the pulsar as a function of orbital phase reveals an evolution of the hydrogen column density suggestive of dense filaments of gas in the downstream wake of the pulsar, with higher levels of absorption seen at orbital phases 0.5-1.0, as well as a variable Fe K_alpha line.Comment: Submitted to ApJ, 11 pages, 11 figure

Pyrene-fused pyrazaacenes with eight rectilinearly arranged aromatic rings

A series of pyrene-fused azaacene-type conjugated molecules containing two pyrazine units and up to eight rectilinearly arranged aromatic rings were prepared by condensation coupling reactions in moderate yields. The geometries and electronic structures associated with 2 and 5 were evaluated by DFT calculations. Photophysical properties indicated that these systems possess delocalized structures, and their optoelectronic properties can be tuned by extending the π-conjugated length and introducing electronic-withdrawing groups. The compounds were thoroughly investigated by XRD studies, electrochemistry and DFT calculations. High thermal stability and tunable energy levels make them excellent candidates as a class of organic molecular materials

A decade of herbicide-resistant crops in Canada

Non-Peer ReviewedThis review examines some agronomic, economic, and environmental impacts of herbicide-resistant (HR) canola, soybean, corn, and wheat in Canada after 10 years of growing HR cultivars. The rapid adoption of HR canola and soybean suggests a net economic benefit to farmers. HR crops often have improved weed management, greater yields or economic returns, and similar or reduced environmental impact compared with their non-HR crop counterparts. There are no marked changes in volunteer weed problems associated with these crops, except in zero-tillage systems when glyphosate is used alone to control canola volunteers. Although gene flow from glyphosate-HR canola to indigenous populations of bird’s rape in eastern Canada has been measured, enrichment of hybrid plants in such populations should only occur when and where herbicide selection pressure is applied. Weed shifts as a consequence of HR canola have been documented, but a reduction in weed species diversity has not been demonstrated. Reliance on HR crops in rotations using the same mode-of-action-herbicide and/or multiple in-crop herbicide applications over time can result in intense selection pressure for weed resistance and consequently, greater herbicide use in the future to control HR weed biotypes. History has repeatedly shown that cropping system diversity is the pillar of sustainable agriculture; stewardship of HR crops must adhere to this fundamental principle

Experimental investigation of continuous variable quantum teleportation

We report the experimental demonstration of quantum teleportation of the quadrature amplitudes of a light field. Our experiment was stably locked for long periods, and was analyzed in terms of fidelity, F; and with signal transfer, T_{q}=T^{+}+T^{-}, and noise correlation, V_{q}=V_{in|out}^{+} V_{in|out}^{-}. We observed an optimum fidelity of 0.64 +/- 0.02, T_{q}= 1.06 +/- 0.02 and V_{q} =0.96 +/- 0.10. We discuss the significance of both T_{q}>1 and V_{q}<1 and their relation to the teleportation no-cloning limit.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Multiple photoluminescence from pyrene-fused hexaarylbenzenes with aggregation-enhanced emission features

© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Multiple photoluminescence, which included monomer emission, excimer emission, and charge-transfer emission processes, has been observed from new pyrene-fused hexaarylbenzene (HAB) compounds, which were synthesized in high yields through a Diels–Alder reaction between bis(2-tert-butylpyren-6-yl)acetylene and tetraphenylcyclopentadienone. Although the differentiation between the two molecules only arose from the geometrical position of one of the pyrenes, the NMR spectra, crystal packing, and physicochemical properties of these pyrene-based HAB hybrids were distinctly different in both the solution and aggregate states. X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated that the pyrene moieties adopted different crystal packing arrangements in the crystalline state that could induce a multiple-photoluminescence phenomenon

Multiple photoluminescence from pyrene-fused hexaarylbenzenes with aggregation enhanced emission features

Multiple photoluminescence, involved in monomer emission, excimer emission and charge transfer emission origin from new pyrene-fused hexaarylbenzenes (HAB) compounds were observed, which were designed and synthesized (in high yield) via the Diels-Alder reaction of bis(2-tert-butylpyren-6-yl)acetylene and tetraphenylcyclopentadienone. Although the distinction of between two molecules arises only from the geometrical position of one of the pyrenes, the NMR spectra, the crystal packing and the physicochemical properties of these pyrene-based HAB hybrids are distinctly different both in their solution state and in aggregation-state. The X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated that the pyrene moieties in this system would form different crystal packing in crystal state that can induce a fantastic multiple photoluminescence phenomenon