Spectroscopy of SrRuO/Ru Junctions in Eutectic

We have investigated the tunnelling properties of the interface between superconducting Sr2RuO4 and a single Ru inclusion in eutectic. By using a micro-fabrication technique, we have made Sr2RuO4/Ru junctions on the eutectic system that consists of Sr2RuO4 and Ru micro-inclusions. Such a eutectic system exhibits surface superconductivity, called the 3-K phase. A zero bias conductance peak (ZBCP) was observed in the 3-K phase. We propose to use the onset of the ZBCP to delineate the phase boundary of a time-reversal symmetry breaking state.Comment: To be published in Proc of 24th Int. Conf. on Low Temperature Physics (LT24); 2 page

Dephasing of a superconducting flux qubit

In order to gain a better understanding of the origin of decoherence in superconducting flux qubits, we have measured the magnetic field dependence of the characteristic energy relaxation time ($T_1$) and echo phase relaxation time ($T_2^{\rm echo}$) near the optimal operating point of a flux qubit. We have measured $T_2^{\rm echo}$ by means of the phase cycling method. At the optimal point, we found the relation $T_2^{\rm echo}\approx 2T_1$. This means that the echo decay time is {\it limited by the energy relaxation} ($T_1$ process). Moving away from the optimal point, we observe a {\it linear} increase of the phase relaxation rate ($1/T_{2}^{\rm echo}$) with the applied external magnetic flux. This behavior can be well explained by the influence of magnetic flux noise with a $1/f$ spectrum on the qubit

Dephasing of a superconducting flux qubit

In order to gain a better understanding of the origin of decoherence in superconducting flux qubits, we have measured the magnetic field dependence of the characteristic energy relaxation time ($T_1$) and echo phase relaxation time ($T_2^{\rm echo}$) near the optimal operating point of a flux qubit. We have measured $T_2^{\rm echo}$ by means of the phase cycling method. At the optimal point, we found the relation $T_2^{\rm echo}\approx 2T_1$. This means that the echo decay time is {\it limited by the energy relaxation} ($T_1$ process). Moving away from the optimal point, we observe a {\it linear} increase of the phase relaxation rate ($1/T_{2}^{\rm echo}$) with the applied external magnetic flux. This behavior can be well explained by the influence of magnetic flux noise with a $1/f$ spectrum on the qubit

Vacuum Rabi oscillations in a macroscopic superconducting qubit LC oscillator system

We have observed the coherent exchange of a single energy quantum between a flux qubit and a superconducting LC circuit acting as a quantum harmonic oscillator. The exchange of an energy quantum is known as the vacuum Rabi oscillations: the qubit is oscillating between the excited state and the ground state and the oscillator between the vacuum state and the first excited state. We have also obtained evidence of level quantization of the LC circuit by observing the change in the oscillation frequency when the LC circuit was not initially in the vacuum state.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Phase-Coherent Dynamics of a Superconducting Flux Qubit with Capacitive-Bias Readout

We present a systematic study of the phase-coherent dynamics of a superconducting three-Josephson-junction flux qubit. The qubit state is detected with the integrated-pulse method, which is a variant of the pulsed switching DC SQUID method. In this scheme the DC SQUID bias current pulse is applied via a capacitor instead of a resistor, giving rise to a narrow band-pass instead of a pure low-pass filter configuration of the electromagnetic environment. Measuring one and the same qubit with both setups allows a direct comparison. With the capacitive method about four times faster switching pulses and an increased visibility are achieved. Furthermore, the deliberate engineering of the electromagnetic environment, which minimizes the noise due to the bias circuit, is facilitated. Right at the degeneracy point the qubit coherence is limited by energy relaxation. We find two main noise contributions. White noise is limiting the energy relaxation and contributing to the dephasing far from the degeneracy point. 1/f-noise is the dominant source of dephasing in the direct vicinity of the optimal point. The influence of 1/f-noise is also supported by non-random beatings in the Ramsey and spin echo decay traces. Numeric simulations of a coupled qubit-oscillator system indicate that these beatings are due to the resonant interaction of the qubit with at least one point-like fluctuator, coupled especially strongly to the qubit.Comment: Minor changes. 21 pages, 15 figure

Bmp and Nodal Independently Regulate lefty1 Expression to Maintain Unilateral Nodal Activity during Left-Right Axis Specification in Zebrafish

In vertebrates, left-right (LR) axis specification is determined by a ciliated structure in the posterior region of the embryo. Fluid flow in this ciliated structure is responsible for the induction of unilateral left-sided Nodal activity in the lateral plate mesoderm, which in turn regulates organ laterality. Bmp signalling activity has been implied in repressing Nodal expression on the right side, however its mechanism of action has been controversial. In a forward genetic screen for mutations that affect LR patterning, we identified the zebrafish linkspoot (lin) mutant, characterized by cardiac laterality and mild dorsoventral patterning defects. Mapping of the lin mutation revealed an inactivating missense mutation in the Bmp receptor 1aa (bmpr1aa) gene. Embryos with a mutation in lin/bmpr1aa and a novel mutation in its paralogue, bmpr1ab, displayed a variety of dorsoventral and LR patterning defects with increasing severity corresponding with a decrease in bmpr1a dosage. In Bmpr1a-deficient embryos we observed bilateral expression of the Nodal-related gene, spaw, coupled with reduced expression of the Nodal-antagonist lefty1 in the midline. Using genetic models to induce or repress Bmp activity in combination with Nodal inhibition or activation, we found that Bmp and Nodal regulate lefty1 expression in the midline independently of each other. Furthermore, we observed that the regulation of lefty1 by Bmp signalling is required for its observed downregulation of Nodal activity in the LPM providing a novel explanation for this phenomenon. From these results we propose a two-step model in which Bmp regulates LR patterning. Prior to the onset of nodal flow and Nodal activation, Bmp is required to induce lefty1 expression in the midline. When nodal flow has been established and Nodal activity is apparent, both Nodal and Bmp independently are required for lefty1 expression to assure unilateral Nodal activation and correct LR patterning

Rasl11b Knock Down in Zebrafish Suppresses One-Eyed-Pinhead Mutant Phenotype

The EGF-CFC factor Oep/Cripto1/Frl1 has been implicated in embryogenesis and several human cancers. During vertebrate development, Oep/Cripto1/Frl1 has been shown to act as an essential coreceptor in the TGFβ/Nodal pathway, which is crucial for germ layer formation. Although studies in cell cultures suggest that Oep/Cripto1/Frl1 is also implicated in other pathways, in vivo it is solely regarded as a Nodal coreceptor. We have found that Rasl11b, a small GTPase belonging to a Ras subfamily of putative tumor suppressor genes, modulates Oep function in zebrafish independently of the Nodal pathway. rasl11b down regulation partially rescues endodermal and prechordal plate defects of zygotic oep−/− mutants (Zoep). Rasl11b inhibitory action was only observed in oep-deficient backgrounds, suggesting that normal oep expression prevents Rasl11b function. Surprisingly, rasl11b down regulation does not rescue mesendodermal defects in other Nodal pathway mutants, nor does it influence the phosphorylation state of the downstream effector Smad2. Thus, Rasl11b modifies the effect of Oep on mesendoderm development independently of the main known Oep output: the Nodal signaling pathway. This data suggests a new branch of Oep signaling that has implications for germ layer development, as well as for studies of Oep/Frl1/Cripto1 dysfunction, such as that found in tumors

A Variant of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (Fgfr2) Regulates Left-Right Asymmetry in Zebrafish

Many organs in vertebrates are left-right asymmetrical located. For example, liver is at the right side and stomach is at the left side in human. Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling is important for left-right asymmetry. To investigate the roles of Fgfr2 signaling in zebrafish left-right asymmetry, we used splicing blocking morpholinos to specifically block the splicing of fgfr2b and fgfr2c variants, respectively. We found that the relative position of the liver and the pancreas were disrupted in fgfr2c morphants. Furthermore, the left-right asymmetry of the heart became random. Expression pattern of the laterality controlling genes, spaw and pitx2c, also became random in the morphants. Furthermore, lefty1 was not expressed in the posterior notochord, indicating that the molecular midline barrier had been disrupted. It was also not expressed in the brain diencephalon. Kupffer's vesicle (KV) size became smaller in fgfr2c morphants. Furthermore, KV cilia were shorter in fgfr2c morphants. We conclude that the fgfr2c isoform plays an important role in the left-right asymmetry during zebrafish development