Ultrafast spectroscopy of single molecules

We present a single-molecule study on femtosecond dynamics in multichromophoric systems, combining fs pump-probe, emission-spectra and fluorescence-lifetime analysis. At the single molecule level a wide range of exciton delocalisation lengths and energy redistribution times is revealed. Next, two color pump-probe experiments are presented as a step to addressing ultrafast energy transfer in individual complexes

On the counterfactual nature of gambling near-misses: An experimental study

Research on gambling near-misses has shown that objectively-equivalent outcomes can yield divergent emotional and motivational responses. The subjective processing of gambling outcomes is affected substantially by close but non-obtained outcomes (i.e. counterfactuals). In the current paper, we investigate how different types of near-misses influence self-perceived luck and subsequent betting behavior in a wheel-of-fortune task. We investigate the counterfactual mechanism of these effects by testing the relationship with a second task measuring regret/relief processing. Across two experiments (Experiment 1, $\textit{n}$ = 51; Experiment 2, $\textit{n}$ = 104), we demonstrate that near-wins (neutral outcomes that a reclose to a jackpot) decreased self-perceived luck, whereas near-losses (neutral outcomes that are close to a major penalty) increased luck ratings. The effects of near-misses varied by near-miss position (i.e. whether the spinner stopped just short of, or passed through, the counterfactual outcome), consistent with established distinctions between upward versus downward, and additive versus subtractive, counterfactual thinking. In Experiment 1, individuals who showed stronger counterfactual processing on the regret/relief task were more responsive to near-wins and near-losses on the wheel-of-fortune task. The effect of near-miss position was attenuated when the anticipatory phase (i.e. the spin and deceleration) was removed in Experiment 2. Further differences were observed within the objective gains and losses, between “clear” and “narrow” outcomes. Taken together, these results help substantiate the counterfactual mechanism of near-misses.This work was completed within the University of Cambridge Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute (director: TW Robbins), supported by a consortium award from the Medical Research Council (MRC Ref G1000183) and Wellcome Trust (WT Ref 093875/Z/10/Z). YW was supported by Shenzhen University Research Fund (701/00036973), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31600923, 31271088) and the Treherne Studentship in Biological Sciences from Downing College, Cambridge. The Centre for Gambling Research at UBC (LC) is supported by funding from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Province of British Columbia

Topdown Digital Literature: The Effects of Institutional Collaborations and Communities

Modern and Contemporary Studie

Bohmian description of a decaying quantum system

We present a Bohmian description of a decaying quantum system. A particle is initially confined in a region around the origin which is surrounded by a repulsive potential barrier. The particle leaks out in time tunneling through the barrier. We determine Bohm trajectories with which we can visualize various features of the decaying system.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure