Positive noise cross-correlations in superconducting hybrids: Roles of interfaces and interactions

Shot noise cross-correlations in normal metal-superconductor-normal metal structures are discussed at arbitrary interface transparencies using both the scattering approach of Blonder, Tinkham and Klapwik and a microscopic Green's function approach. Surprisingly, negative crossed conductance in such set-ups [R. Melin and D. Feinberg, Phys. Rev. B 70, 174509 (2004)] does not preclude the possibility of positive noise cross-correlations for almost transparent contacts. We conclude with a phenomenological discussion of interactions in the one dimensional leads connected to the superconductor, which induce sign changes in the noise cross-correlations.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Quantum optical signal processing in diamond

Controlling the properties of single photons is essential for a wide array of emerging optical quantum technologies spanning quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. Essential components for these technologies include single photon sources, quantum memories, waveguides, and detectors. The ideal spectral operating parameters (wavelength and bandwidth) of these components are rarely similar; thus, frequency conversion and spectral control are key enabling steps for component hybridization. Here we perform signal processing of single photons by coherently manipulating their spectra via a modified quantum memory. We store 723.5 nm photons, with 4.1 nm bandwidth, in a room-temperature diamond crystal; upon retrieval we demonstrate centre frequency tunability over 4.2 times the input bandwidth, and bandwidth modulation between 0.5 to 1.9 times the input bandwidth. Our results demonstrate the potential for diamond, and Raman memories in general, to be an integrated platform for photon storage and spectral conversion.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Storage and retrieval of ultrafast single photons using a room-temperature diamond quantum memory

We report the storage and retrieval of single photons, via a quantum memory, in the optical phonons of room-temperature bulk diamond. The THz-bandwidth heralded photons are generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion and mapped to phonons via a Raman transition, stored for a variable delay, and released on demand. The second-order correlation of the memory output is $g^{(2)}(0) = 0.65 \pm 0.07$, demonstrating preservation of non-classical photon statistics throughout storage and retrieval. The memory is low-noise, high-speed and broadly tunable; it therefore promises to be a versatile light-matter interface for local quantum processing applications.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Storage of polarization-entangled THz-bandwidth photons in a diamond quantum memory

Bulk diamond phonons have been shown to be a versatile platform for the generation, storage, and manipulation of high-bandwidth quantum states of light. Here we demonstrate a diamond quantum memory that stores, and releases on demand, an arbitrarily polarized $\sim$250 fs duration photonic qubit. The single-mode nature of the memory is overcome by mapping the two degrees of polarization of the qubit, via Raman transitions, onto two spatially distinct optical phonon modes located in the same diamond crystal. The two modes are coherently recombined upon retrieval and quantum process tomography confirms that the memory faithfully reproduces the input state with average fidelity $0.784\pm0.004$ with a total memory efficiency of $(0.76\pm0.03)\%$. In an additional demonstration, one photon of a polarization-entangled pair is stored in the memory. We report that entanglement persists in the retrieved state for up to 1.3 ps of storage time. These results demonstrate that the diamond phonon platform can be used in concert with polarization qubits, a key requirement for polarization-encoded photonic processing

Resolving the order parameter of High-Tc_{c} Superconductors through quantum pumping spectroscopy

The order parameter of High-T$_{c}$ superconductors through a series of experiments has been quite conclusively demonstrated to not be of the normal $s-wave$ type. It is either a pure $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$-wave type or a mixture of a $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}-wave$ with a small imaginary $s-wave$ or $d_{xy}-wave$ component. In this work a distinction is brought out among the four types, i.e., $s- wave$, $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}- wave$, $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}+is - wave$ and $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}+id_{xy}- wave$ types with the help of quantum pumping spectroscopy. This involves a normal metal double barrier structure in contact with a High-T$_{c}$ superconductor. The pumped current, heat and noise show different characteristics with change in order parameter revealing quite easily the differences among these.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, Manuscript revised with new material on d+id' cas

State Legislative Update

Senate Bill 1970 was introduced in the Florida Senate on March 2, 2004. It was initially referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it passed on April 19 with an 8-0 vote. Senate Bill 1970 was read for the first time in the Senate on April 21. The bill passed the full Senate on April 24 with a 39-0 vote. It was then sent to the full House on April 26 where it was substituted for House Bill 1765. Senate Bill 1970 was read and passed in the House on April 27 with a 114-0 vote. The bill was presented to Govenor Bush for signature on June 9 and signed into law on June 10, 2004

Ginzburg Criterion for Coulombic Criticality

To understand the range of close-to-classical critical behavior seen in various electrolytes, generalized Debye-Hueckel theories (that yield density correlation functions) are applied to the restricted primitive model of equisized hard spheres. The results yield a Landau-Ginzburg free-energy functional for which the Ginzburg criterion can be explicitly evaluated. The predicted scale of crossover from classical to Ising character is found to be similar in magnitude to that derived for simple fluids in comparable fashion. The consequences in relation to experiments are discussed briefly.Comment: 4 pages, revtex, 2 tables (latex2.09 required due to revtex's incompatibility with latex2e tables

Hypervelocity Stars III. The Space Density and Ejection History of Main Sequence Stars from the Galactic Center

We report the discovery of 3 new unbound hypervelocity stars (HVSs), stars traveling with such extreme velocities that dynamical ejection from a massive black hole (MBH) is their only suggested origin. We also detect a population of possibly bound HVSs. The significant asymmetry we observe in the velocity distribution -- we find 26 stars with v_rf > 275 km/s and 1 star with v_rf < -275 km/s -- shows that the HVSs must be short-lived, probably 3 - 4 Msun main sequence stars. Any population of hypervelocity post-main sequence stars should contain stars falling back onto the Galaxy, contrary to the observations. The spatial distribution of HVSs also supports the main sequence interpretation: longer-lived 3 Msun HVSs fill our survey volume; shorter-lived 4 Msun HVSs are missing at faint magnitudes. We infer that there are 96 +- 10 HVSs of mass 3 - 4 Msun within R < 100 kpc, possibly enough HVSs to constrain ejection mechanisms and potential models. Depending on the mass function of HVSs, we predict that SEGUE may find up to 5 - 15 new HVSs. The travel times of our HVSs favor a continuous ejection process, although a ~120 Myr-old burst of HVSs is also allowed.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted to ApJ, minor revision

1,4-Di-n-hept­yloxy-2,5-dinitro­benzene

The complete molecule of the title compound, C20H32N2O6, is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The two mutually trans nitro substituents are hence in fully eclipsed conformation and also twisted by 43.2 (2)° with respect to the phenyl ring plane. The benzene-connected portions of the alk­oxy substituents lie almost coplanar with the ring [C—O—C—C torsion angle = 2.0 (2)°]. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O interactions link the molecules