17 research outputs found
States for phase estimation in quantum interferometry
Ramsey interferometry allows the estimation of the phase of rotation
of the pseudospin vector of an ensemble of two-state quantum systems. For
small, the noise-to-signal ratio scales as the spin-squeezing parameter
, with possible for an entangled ensemble. However states with
minimum are not optimal for single-shot measurements of an arbitrary
phase. We define a phase-squeezing parameter, , which is an appropriate
figure-of-merit for this case. We show that (unlike the states that minimize
), the states that minimize can be created by evolving an
unentangled state (coherent spin state) by the well-known 2-axis
counter-twisting Hamiltonian. We analyse these and other states (for example
the maximally entangled state, analogous to the optical "NOON" state ) using several different properties, including ,
, the coefficients in the pseudo angular momentum basis (in the three
primary directions) and the angular Wigner function . Finally
we discuss the experimental options for creating phase squeezed states and
doing single-shot phase estimation.Comment: 8 pages and 5 figure
Quantum Computing
Quantum mechanics---the theory describing the fundamental workings of
nature---is famously counterintuitive: it predicts that a particle can be in
two places at the same time, and that two remote particles can be inextricably
and instantaneously linked. These predictions have been the topic of intense
metaphysical debate ever since the theory's inception early last century.
However, supreme predictive power combined with direct experimental observation
of some of these unusual phenomena leave little doubt as to its fundamental
correctness. In fact, without quantum mechanics we could not explain the
workings of a laser, nor indeed how a fridge magnet operates. Over the last
several decades quantum information science has emerged to seek answers to the
question: can we gain some advantage by storing, transmitting and processing
information encoded in systems that exhibit these unique quantum properties?
Today it is understood that the answer is yes. Many research groups around the
world are working towards one of the most ambitious goals humankind has ever
embarked upon: a quantum computer that promises to exponentially improve
computational power for particular tasks. A number of physical systems,
spanning much of modern physics, are being developed for this task---ranging
from single particles of light to superconducting circuits---and it is not yet
clear which, if any, will ultimately prove successful. Here we describe the
latest developments for each of the leading approaches and explain what the
major challenges are for the future.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figures, 291 references. Early draft of Nature 464, 45-53
(4 March 2010). Published version is more up-to-date and has several
corrections, but is half the length with far fewer reference
Quantum computing implementations with neutral particles
We review quantum information processing with cold neutral particles, that
is, atoms or polar molecules. First, we analyze the best suited degrees of
freedom of these particles for storing quantum information, and then we discuss
both single- and two-qubit gate implementations. We focus our discussion mainly
on collisional quantum gates, which are best suited for atom-chip-like devices,
as well as on gate proposals conceived for optical lattices. Additionally, we
analyze schemes both for cold atoms confined in optical cavities and hybrid
approaches to entanglement generation, and we show how optimal control theory
might be a powerful tool to enhance the speed up of the gate operations as well
as to achieve high fidelities required for fault tolerant quantum computation.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figures; From the issue entitled "Special Issue on
Neutral Particles
Altered networks in bothersome tinnitus: a functional connectivity study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective was to examine functional connectivity linked to the auditory system in patients with bothersome tinnitus. Activity was low frequency (< 0.1 Hz), spontaneous blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses at rest. The question was whether the experience of chronic bothersome tinnitus induced changes in synaptic efficacy between co-activated components. Functional connectivity for seed regions in auditory, visual, attention, and control networks was computed across all 2 mm<sup>3 </sup>brain volumes in 17 patients with moderate-severe bothersome tinnitus (<it>Tinnitus Handicap Index: average </it>53.5 ± 3.6 (range 38-76)) and 17 age-matched controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In bothersome tinnitus, negative correlations reciprocally characterized functional connectivity between auditory and occipital/visual cortex. Negative correlations indicate that when BOLD response magnitudes increased in auditory or visual cortex they decreased in the linked visual or auditory cortex, suggesting reciprocally phase reversed activity between functionally connected locations in tinnitus. Both groups showed similar connectivity with positive correlations within the auditory network. Connectivity for primary visual cortex in tinnitus included extensive negative correlations in the ventral attention temporoparietal junction and in the inferior frontal gyrus and rostral insula - executive control network components. Rostral insula and inferior frontal gyrus connectivity in tinnitus also showed greater negative correlations in occipital cortex.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results imply that in bothersome tinnitus there is dissociation between activity in auditory cortex and visual, attention and control networks. The reciprocal negative correlations in connectivity between these networks might be maladaptive or reflect adaptations to reduce phantom noise salience and conflict with attention to non-auditory tasks.</p
Ewing Sarcoma in the cervical trachea of a pediatric patient: A case report and review of the literature
Malignant pediatric tracheal tumors are rare and often present with non-specific findings. Here we present the first case of a primary Ewing tracheal sarcoma in a pediatric patient. Initial presentation, surgical management, post-operative care, and a review of the literature are discussed