Quantum logic for control and manipulation of molecular ions using a frequency comb

Due to their rich level structure, molecules are well-suited for probing time variation of fundamental constants, precisely measuring parity violation and time-reversal non-invariance effects, studying quantum mechanical aspects of chemical reactions, and implementing scalable quantum information processing architectures. Molecular ions are particularly attractive for these applications due to their long storage times and the near-perfect isolation from environment that result in long coherence times required to achieve high measurement precision and reduce systematic errors. However, the control of molecular quantum states remains a challenge. Based on quantum logic techniques, we propose a scheme for preparation, manipulation, and detection of quantum states of single molecular ions. The scheme relies on coherent coupling between internal and motional degrees of freedom of the molecular ion via a frequency comb laser field, while detection and cooling of the motion of ions is done via a co-trapped atomic ion.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Hot Spots on the Fermi Surface of Bi2212: Stripes versus Superstructure

In a recent paper Saini et al. have reported evidence for a pseudogap around (pi,0) at room temperature in the optimally doped superconductor Bi2212. This result is in contradiction with previous ARPES measurements. Furthermore they observed at certain points on the Fermi surface hot spots of high spectral intensity which they relate to the existence of stripes in the CuO planes. They also claim to have identified a new electronic band along Gamma-M1 whose one dimensional character provides further evidence for stripes. We demonstrate in this Comment that all the measured features can be simply understood by correctly considering the superstructure (umklapp) and shadow bands which occur in Bi2212.Comment: 1 page, revtex, 1 encapsulated postscript figure (color

Improving the energy efficiency of room air conditioners in China: Costs and benefits

China is the world's largest consumer of room air conditioners, and it contributes about a quarter of global space cooling CO2 emissions. We model the costs and benefits of recently proposed new room air conditioner minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) in China. Our results suggest that newly proposed MEPS brings accumulative CO2 emissions reductions of 12.8% between 2019 and 2050, and accumulative bill saving of 2620 billion RMB to China's consumers. The benefits of the proposed MEPS decrease with longer MEPS revision intervals and increase with shorter intervals—indicating that the intervals should be balanced to maximize benefits while accommodating constraints due to air conditioner manufacturer design cycles. We also model potential nationwide benefits from higher MEPS. Across two increasingly aggressive MEPS scenarios, China's room air conditioner electricity consumption and CO2 emissions in 2050 are both reduced by 15–53% compared to the proposed MEPS. The highest-efficiency scenario (reaching MEPS of annual performance factor 5.4 in 2025) provides the largest long-term national benefits. These results could inform development of a Chinese regulatory regime that effectively updates room air conditioner MEPS. Because China is the world's largest manufacturer of room air conditioners, the economic, energy, and emissions benefits resulting from higher Chinese MEPS could also have a global reach

Manin-Olshansky triples for Lie superalgebras

Following V. Drinfeld and G. Olshansky, we construct Manin triples (\fg, \fa, \fa^*) such that \fg is different from Drinfeld's doubles of \fa for several series of Lie superalgebras \fa which have no even invariant bilinear form (periplectic, Poisson and contact) and for a remarkable exception. Straightforward superization of suitable Etingof--Kazhdan's results guarantee then the uniqueness of $q$-quantization of our Lie bialgebras. Our examples give solutions to the quantum Yang-Baxter equation in the cases when the classical YB equation has no solutions. To find explicit solutions is a separate (open) problem. It is also an open problem to list (\`a la Belavin-Drinfeld) all solutions of the {\it classical} YB equation for the Poisson superalgebras \fpo(0|2n) and the exceptional Lie superalgebra \fk(1|6) which has a Killing-like supersymmetric bilinear form but no Cartan matrix

Overall properties of the Gaia DR1 reference frame

We compare quasar positions of the auxiliary quasar solution with ICRF2 sources using different samples and evaluate the influence on the {\it Gaia} DR1 reference frame owing to the Galactic aberration effect over the J2000.0-J20015.0 period. Then we estimate the global rotation between TGAS with {\it Tycho}-2 proper motion systems to investigate the property of the {\it Gaia} DR1 reference frame. Finally, the Galactic kinematics analysis using the K-M giant proper motions is performed to understand the property of {\it Gaia} DR1 reference frame. The positional comparison between the auxiliary quasar solution and ICRF2 shows negligible orientation and validates the declination bias of $\sim$$-0.1$\mas~in {\it Gaia} quasar positions with respect to ICRF2. Galactic aberration effect is thought to cause an offset $\sim$$0.01$\mas~of the $Z$ axis direction of {\it Gaia} DR1 reference frame. The global rotation between TGAS and {\it Tycho}-2 proper motion systems, obtained by different samples, shows a much smaller value than the claimed value $0.24$\masyr. For the Galactic kinematics analysis of the TGAS K-M giants, we find possible non-zero Galactic rotation components beyond the classical Oort constants: the rigid part $\omega_{Y_G} = -0.38 \pm 0.15$\masyr~and the differential part $\omega^\prime_{Y_G} = -0.29 \pm 0.19$\masyr~around the $Y_G$ axis of Galactic coordinates, which indicates possible residual rotation in {\it Gaia} DR1 reference frame or problems in the current Galactic kinematical model.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in A&

Multichannel calculation of excited vector ϕ\phi resonances and the ϕ(2170)\phi(2170)

A multichannel calculation of excited $J^{PC}=1^{--}$ $\phi$ states is carried out within a generalization of the Resonance-Spectrum Expansion, which may shed light on the classification of the $\phi(2170)$ resonance, discovered by BABAR and originally denoted X(2175). In this framework, a complete spectrum of bare $s\bar{s}$ states is coupled to those OZI-allowed decay channels that should be most relevant for the considered energy range. The included $S$- and $P$-wave two-meson channels comprise the lowest pseudoscalar, vector, scalar, and axial-vector mesons, while in the $q\bar{q}$ sector both the $^{3}S_1$ and $^{3}D_1$ states are coupled. The only two free parameters are tuned so as to reproduce mass and width of the $\phi(1020)$, but come out reasonably close to previously used values. Among the model's $T$-matrix poles, there are good candidates for observed resonances, as well other ones that should exist according to the quark model. Besides the expected resonances as unitarized confinement states, a dynamical resonance pole is found at $(2186-i246)$ MeV. The huge width makes its interpretation as the $\phi(2170)$ somewhat dubious, but further improvements of the model may change this conclusion.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, RevTex4; v2: very recent experimental result, some extra discussion, and 2 references added; v3: 3 new figures, 2 new equations, and some rephrasing; version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Meeting update: faecal microbiota transplantation––bench, bedside, courtroom?

A group of stakeholders met, under the aegis of the British Society of Gastroenterology, to discuss the current landscape of faecal microbiota transplant- ation (FMT) within the UK and beyond. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, ranging from the practical aspects of establishing an FMT service and regu- latory issues relating to its delivery, to research implications and likely future directions