Reordering of Nuclear Quantum States in Rare Isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flanagan, Kieran

2010-02-01

A key question in modern nuclear physics relates to the ordering of quantum states, and whether the predictions made by the shell model hold true far from stability. Recent innovations in technology and techniques at radioactive beam facilities have allowed access to rare isotopes previously inaccessible to experimentalists. Measurements that have been performed in several regions of the nuclear chart have yielded surprising and dramatic changes in nuclear structure, where level ordering is quite different than expected from previous theoretical descriptions. In order to reconcile the difference between experiment and theory, new shell-model interactions have been proposed, which include the role of the tensor force as part of the monopole term from the expansion of the residual proton-neutron interaction. This has motivated a series of laser spectroscopy experiments that have studied the neutron-rich copper and gallium isotopes at the ISOLDE facility. This work has deduced without nuclear-model dependence the spin, moments and charge radii. The results of this work and their implications for nuclear structure near ^78Ni will be discussed. )

Non-equilibrium reactive flux: A unified framework for slow and fast reaction kinetics.

PubMed

Bose, Amartya; Makri, Nancy

2017-10-21

The flux formulation of reaction rate theory is recast in terms of the expectation value of the reactive flux with an initial condition that corresponds to a non-equilibrium, factorized reactant density. In the common case of slow reactive processes, the non-equilibrium expression reaches the plateau regime only slightly slower than the equilibrium flux form. When the reactants are described by a single quantum state, as in the case of electron transfer reactions, the factorized reactant density describes the true initial condition of the reactive process. In such cases, the time integral of the non-equilibrium flux expression yields the reactant population as a function of time, allowing characterization of the dynamics in cases where there is no clear separation of time scales and thus a plateau regime cannot be identified. The non-equilibrium flux offers a unified approach to the kinetics of slow and fast chemical reactions and is ideally suited to mixed quantum-classical methods.

Size-Dependent Biexciton Quantum Yields and Carrier Dynamics of Quasi-Two-Dimensional Core/Shell Nanoplatelets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ma, Xuedan; Diroll, Benjamin T.; Cho, Wooje

Quasi-two-dimensional nanoplatelets (NPLs) possess fundamentally different excitonic properties from zero-dimensional quantum dots. We study lateral size-dependent photon emission statistics and carrier dynamics of individual NPLs using second-order photon correlation (g( 2)(τ)) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) intensity-dependent lifetime analysis. Room-temperature radiative lifetimes of NPLs can be derived from maximum PL intensity periods in PL time traces. It first decreases with NPL lateral size and then stays constant, deviating from the electric dipole approximation. Analysis of the PL time traces further reveals that the single exciton quantum yield in NPLs decreases with NPL lateral size and increases with protecting shell thickness, indicatingmore » the importance of surface passivation on NPL emission quality. Second-order photon correlation (g( 2)(τ)) studies of single NPLs show that the biexciton quantum yield is strongly dependent on the lateral size and single exciton quantum yield of the NPLs. In large NPLs with unity single exciton quantum yield, the corresponding biexciton quantum yield can reach unity. In conclusion, these findings reveal that by careful growth control and core–shell material engineering, NPLs can be of great potential for light amplification and integrated quantum photonic applications.« less

Size-Dependent Biexciton Quantum Yields and Carrier Dynamics of Quasi-Two-Dimensional Core/Shell Nanoplatelets

DOE PAGES

Ma, Xuedan; Diroll, Benjamin T.; Cho, Wooje; ...

2017-08-08

Quasi-two-dimensional nanoplatelets (NPLs) possess fundamentally different excitonic properties from zero-dimensional quantum dots. We study lateral size-dependent photon emission statistics and carrier dynamics of individual NPLs using second-order photon correlation (g( 2)(τ)) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) intensity-dependent lifetime analysis. Room-temperature radiative lifetimes of NPLs can be derived from maximum PL intensity periods in PL time traces. It first decreases with NPL lateral size and then stays constant, deviating from the electric dipole approximation. Analysis of the PL time traces further reveals that the single exciton quantum yield in NPLs decreases with NPL lateral size and increases with protecting shell thickness, indicatingmore » the importance of surface passivation on NPL emission quality. Second-order photon correlation (g( 2)(τ)) studies of single NPLs show that the biexciton quantum yield is strongly dependent on the lateral size and single exciton quantum yield of the NPLs. In large NPLs with unity single exciton quantum yield, the corresponding biexciton quantum yield can reach unity. In conclusion, these findings reveal that by careful growth control and core–shell material engineering, NPLs can be of great potential for light amplification and integrated quantum photonic applications.« less

Absolute I(asterisk) quantum yields for the ICN A state by diode laser gain-vs-absorption spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hess, Wayne P.; Leone, Stephen R.

1987-01-01

Absolute I(asterisk) quantum yields have been measured as a function of wavelength for room temperature photodissociation of the ICN A state continuum. The yields are obtained by the technique of time-resolved diode laser gain-vs-absorption spectroscopy. Quantum yields are evaluated at seven wavelengths from 248 to 284 nm. The yield at 266 nm is 66.0 + or - 2 percent and it falls off to 53.4 + or - 2 percent and 44.0 + or - 4 percent at 284 and 248 nm, respectively. The latter values are significantly higher than those obtained by previous workers using infrared fluorescence. Estimates of I(asterisk) quantum yields obtained from analysis of CN photofragment rotational distributions, as discussed by other workers, are in good agreement with the I(asterisk) yields reported here. The results are considered in conjunction with recent theoretical and experimental work on the CN rotational distributions and with previous I(asterisk) quantum yield results.

Unity quantum yield of photogenerated charges and band-like transport in quantum-dot solids.

PubMed

Talgorn, Elise; Gao, Yunan; Aerts, Michiel; Kunneman, Lucas T; Schins, Juleon M; Savenije, T J; van Huis, Marijn A; van der Zant, Herre S J; Houtepen, Arjan J; Siebbeles, Laurens D A

2011-09-25

Solid films of colloidal quantum dots show promise in the manufacture of photodetectors and solar cells. These devices require high yields of photogenerated charges and high carrier mobilities, which are difficult to achieve in quantum-dot films owing to a strong electron-hole interaction and quantum confinement. Here, we show that the quantum yield of photogenerated charges in strongly coupled PbSe quantum-dot films is unity over a large temperature range. At high photoexcitation density, a transition takes place from hopping between localized states to band-like transport. These strongly coupled quantum-dot films have electrical properties that approach those of crystalline bulk semiconductors, while retaining the size tunability and cheap processing properties of colloidal quantum dots.

Control of Emission Color of High Quantum Yield CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite Quantum Dots by Precipitation Temperature.

PubMed

Huang, He; Susha, Andrei S; Kershaw, Stephen V; Hung, Tak Fu; Rogach, Andrey L

2015-09-01

Emission color controlled, high quantum yield CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 perovskite quantum dots are obtained by changing the temperature of a bad solvent during synthesis. The products for temperatures between 0 and 60 °C have good spectral purity with narrow emission line widths of 28-36 nm, high absolute emission quantum yields of 74% to 93%, and short radiative lifetimes of 13-27 ns.

Creating high yield water soluble luminescent graphene quantum dots via exfoliating and disintegrating carbon nanotubes and graphite flakes.

PubMed

Lin, Liangxu; Zhang, Shaowei

2012-10-21

We have developed an effective method to exfoliate and disintegrate multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphite flakes. With this technique, high yield production of luminescent graphene quantum dots with high quantum yield and low oxidization can be achieved.

Note: Measuring instrument of singlet oxygen quantum yield in photodynamic effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhongwei; Zhang, Pengwei; Zang, Lixin; Qin, Feng; Zhang, Zhiguo; Zhang, Hongli

2017-06-01

Using diphenylisobenzofuran (C20H14O) as a singlet oxygen (1O2) reporter, a comparison method, which can be used to measure the singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) of the photosensitizer quantitatively, is presented in this paper. Based on this method, an automatic measuring instrument of singlet oxygen quantum yield is developed. The singlet oxygen quantum yield of the photosensitizer hermimether and aloe-emodin is measured. It is found that the measuring results are identical to the existing ones, which verifies the validity of the measuring instrument.

Questioning quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frappier, Mélanie

2018-03-01

A century after its inception, quantum mechanics continues to puzzle us with dead-and-alive cats, waves "collapsing" into particles, and "spooky action at a distance." In his first book, What Is Real?, science writer and astrophysicist Adam Becker sets out to explore why the physics community is still arguing today about quantum mechanics's true meaning.

Quantum Yields in Mixed-Conifer Forests and Ponderosa Pine Plantations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, L.; Marshall, J. D.; Zhang, J.

2008-12-01

Most process-based physiological models require canopy quantum yield of photosynthesis as a starting point to simulate carbon sequestration and subsequently gross primary production (GPP). The quantum yield is a measure of photosynthetic efficiency expressed in moles of CO2 assimilated per mole of photons absorbed; the process is influenced by environmental factors. In the summer 2008, we measured quantum yields on both sun and shade leaves for four conifer species at five sites within Mica Creek Experimental Watershed (MCEW) in northern Idaho and one conifer species at three sites in northern California. The MCEW forest is typical of mixed conifer stands dominated by grand fir (Abies grandis (Douglas ex D. Don) Lindl.). In northern California, the three sites with contrasting site qualities are ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson var. ponderosa) plantations that were experimentally treated with vegetation control, fertilization, and a combination of both. We found that quantum yields in MCEW ranged from ~0.045 to ~0.075 mol CO2 per mol incident photon. However, there were no significant differences between canopy positions, or among sites or tree species. In northern California, the mean value of quantum yield of three sites was 0.051 mol CO2/mol incident photon. No significant difference in quantum yield was found between canopy positions, or among treatments or sites. The results suggest that these conifer species maintain relatively consistent quantum yield in both MCEW and northern California. This consistency simplifies the use of a process-based model to accurately predict forest productivity in these areas.

Absolute 1* quantum yields for the ICN A state by diode laser gain versus absorption spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hess, Wayne P.; Leone, Stephen R.

1987-01-01

Absolute I* quantum yields were measured as a function of wavelength for room temperature photodissociation of the ICN A state continuum. The temperature yields are obtained by the technique of time-resolved diode laser gain-versus-absorption spectroscopy. Quantum yields are evaluated at seven wavelengths from 248 to 284 nm. The yield at 266 nm is 66.0 +/- 2% and it falls off to 53.4 +/- 2% and 44.0 +/- 4% at 284 and 248 respectively. The latter values are significantly higher than those obtained by previous workers using infrared fluorescence. Estimates of I* quantum yields obtained from analysis of CN photofragment rotational distributions, as discussed by other workers, are in good agreement with the I* yields. The results are considered in conjunction with recent theoretical and experimental work on the CN rotational distributions and with previous I* yield results.

High quantum yield ZnO quantum dots synthesizing via an ultrasonication microreactor method.

PubMed

Yang, Weimin; Yang, Huafang; Ding, Wenhao; Zhang, Bing; Zhang, Le; Wang, Lixi; Yu, Mingxun; Zhang, Qitu

2016-11-01

Green emission ZnO quantum dots were synthesized by an ultrasonic microreactor. Ultrasonic radiation brought bubbles through ultrasonic cavitation. These bubbles built microreactor inside the microreactor. The photoluminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots synthesized with different flow rate, ultrasonic power and temperature were discussed. Flow rate, ultrasonic power and temperature would influence the type and quantity of defects in ZnO quantum dots. The sizes of ZnO quantum dots would be controlled by those conditions as well. Flow rate affected the reaction time. With the increasing of flow rate, the sizes of ZnO quantum dots decreased and the quantum yields first increased then decreased. Ultrasonic power changed the ultrasonic cavitation intensity, which affected the reaction energy and the separation of the solution. With the increasing of ultrasonic power, sizes of ZnO quantum dots first decreased then increased, while the quantum yields kept increasing. The effect of ultrasonic temperature on the photoluminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots was influenced by the flow rate. Different flow rate related to opposite changing trend. Moreover, the quantum yields of ZnO QDs synthesized by ultrasonic microreactor could reach 64.7%, which is higher than those synthesized only under ultrasonic radiation or only by microreactor. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cosmological implications of quantum mechanics parametrization of dark energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szydłowski, Marek; Stachowski, Aleksander; Urbanowski, Krzysztof

2017-08-01

We consider the cosmology with the running dark energy. The parametrization of dark energy is derived from the quantum process of transition from the false vacuum state to the true vacuum state. This model is the generalized interacting CDM model. We consider the energy density of dark energy parametrization, which is given by the Breit-Wigner energy distribution function. The idea of the process of the quantum mechanical decay of unstable states was formulated by Krauss and Dent. We used this idea in our considerations. In this model is an energy transfer in the dark sector. In this evolutional scenario the universe starts from the false vacuum state and goes to the true vacuum state of the present day universe. The intermediate regime during the passage from false to true vacuum states takes place. In this way the cosmological constant problem can be tried to solve. We estimate the cosmological parameters for this model. This model is in a good agreement with the astronomical data and is practically indistinguishable from CDM model.

Non-Markovianity and reservoir memory of quantum channels: a quantum information theory perspective

PubMed Central

Bylicka, B.; Chruściński, D.; Maniscalco, S.

2014-01-01

Quantum technologies rely on the ability to coherently transfer information encoded in quantum states along quantum channels. Decoherence induced by the environment sets limits on the efficiency of any quantum-enhanced protocol. Generally, the longer a quantum channel is the worse its capacity is. We show that for non-Markovian quantum channels this is not always true: surprisingly the capacity of a longer channel can be greater than of a shorter one. We introduce a general theoretical framework linking non-Markovianity to the capacities of quantum channels and demonstrate how harnessing non-Markovianity may improve the efficiency of quantum information processing and communication. PMID:25043763

Degradation Mechanisms in Blue Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Devices by Exciton-Polaron Interactions: Loss in Quantum Yield versus Loss in Charge Balance.

PubMed

Zhang, Yingjie; Aziz, Hany

2017-01-11

We study the relative importance of deterioration of material quantum yield and charge balance to the electroluminescence stability of PHOLEDs, with a special emphasis on blue devices. Investigations show that the quantum yields of both host and emitter in the emission layer degrade due to exciton-polaron interactions and that the deterioration in material quantum yield plays the primary role in device degradation under operation. On the other hand, the results show that the charge balance factor is also affected by exciton-polaron interactions but only plays a secondary role in determining device stability. Finally, we show that the degradation mechanisms in blue PHOLEDs are fundamentally the same as those in green PHOLEDs. The limited stability of the blue devices is a result of faster deterioration in the quantum yield of the emitter.

Fluorescence Quantum Yield Measurements of Fluorescent Proteins: A Laboratory Experiment for a Biochemistry or Molecular Biophysics Laboratory Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wall, Kathryn P.; Dillon, Rebecca; Knowles, Michelle K.

2015-01-01

Fluorescent proteins are commonly used in cell biology to assess where proteins are within a cell as a function of time and provide insight into intracellular protein function. However, the usefulness of a fluorescent protein depends directly on the quantum yield. The quantum yield relates the efficiency at which a fluorescent molecule converts…

Quantum scattering studies of spin-orbit effects in the Cl({sup 2}P) + HCl {yields} ClH + Cl({sup 2}P) reaction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schatz, G.C.; McCabe, P.; Connor, J.N.L.

1998-07-01

The authors present quantum scattering calculations for the Cl + HCl {yields} ClH + Cl reaction in which they include the three electronic states that correlate asymptotically to the ground state of Cl({sup 2}P) + HCl(X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}). The potential surfaces and couplings are taken from the recent work of C.S. Maierle, G.C. Schatz, M.S. Gordon, P. McCabe and J.N.L. Connor, J. Chem. Soc. Farad. Trans. (1997). They are based on extensive ab initio calculations for geometries in the vicinity of the lowest energy saddle point, and on an electrostatic expansion (plus empirical dispersion and repulsion) for long range geometriesmore » including the van der Waals wells. Spin-orbit coupling has been included using a spin-orbit coupling parameter {lambda} that is assumed to be independent of nuclear geometry, and Coriolis interactions are incorporated accurately. The scattering calculations use a hyperspherical coordinate coupled channel method in full dimensionality. AJ-shifting approximation is employed to convert cumulative reaction probabilities for total angular momentum quantum number J = 1/2 into state selected and thermal rate coefficients. Two issues have been studied: (a) the influence of the magnitude of {lambda} on the fine-structure resolved cumulative probabilities and rate coefficients (the authors consider {lambda}`s that vary from 0 to {+-}100% of the true Cl value), and (b) the transition state resonance spectrum, and its variation with {lambda} and with other parameters in the calculations. Cl + HCl is a simple hydrogen transfer reaction which serves as a canonical model both for heavy-light-heavy atom reactions, and for the reactions of halogen atoms with closed shell molecules.« less

Dose dependence of true stress parameters in irradiated bcc, fcc, and hcp metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byun, T. S.

2007-04-01

The dose dependence of true stress parameters has been investigated for nuclear structural materials: A533B pressure vessel steels, modified 9Cr-1Mo and 9Cr-2WVTa ferritic martensitic steels, 316 and 316LN stainless steels, and Zircaloy-4. After irradiation to significant doses, these alloys show radiation-induced strengthening and often experience prompt necking at yield followed by large necking deformation. In the present work, the critical true stresses for deformation and fracture events, such as yield stress (YS), plastic instability stress (PIS), and true fracture stress (FS), were obtained from uniaxial tensile tests or calculated using a linear strain-hardening model for necking deformation. At low dose levels where no significant embrittlement was detected, the true fracture stress was nearly independent of dose. The plastic instability stress was also independent of dose before the critical dose-to-prompt-necking at yield was reached. A few bcc alloys such as ferritic martensitic steels experienced significant embrittlement at doses above ∼1 dpa; and the true fracture stress decreased with dose. The materials fractured before yield at or above 10 dpa.

Negativity and strong monogamy of multiparty quantum entanglement beyond qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Jin Hyuk; Kim, Jeong San

2015-10-01

We propose the square of convex-roof extended negativity (SCREN) as a powerful candidate to characterize strong monogamy of multiparty quantum entanglement. We first provide a strong monogamy inequality of multiparty entanglement using SCREN and show that the tangle-based multiqubit strong-monogamy inequality can be rephrased by SCREN. We further show that the SCREN strong-monogamy inequality is still true for the counterexamples that violate tangle-based the strong-monogamy inequality in higher-dimensional quantum systems other than qubits. We also analytically show that SCREN strong-monogamy inequality is true for a large class of multiqudit states, a superposition of multiqudit generalized W -class states and vacuums. Thus SCREN is a good alternative to characterize the strong monogamy of entanglement even in multiqudit systems.

Spectroscopy characterization and quantum yield determination of quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contreras Ortiz, S. N.; Mejía Ospino, E.; Cabanzo, R.

2016-02-01

In this paper we show the characterization of two kinds of quantum dots: hydrophilic and hydrophobic, with core and core/shell respectively, using spectroscopy techniques such as UV-Vis, fluorescence and Raman. We determined the quantum yield in the quantum dots using the quinine sulphate as standard. This salt is commonly used because of its quantum yield (56%) and stability. For the CdTe excitation, we used a wavelength of 549nm and for the CdSe/ZnS excitation a wavelength of 527nm. The results show that CdSe/ZnS (49%) has better fluorescence, better quantum dots, and confirm the fluorescence result. The quantum dots have shown a good fluorescence performance, so this property will be used to replace dyes, with the advantage that quantum dots are less toxic than some dyes like the rhodamine. In addition, in this work we show different techniques to find the quantum dots emission: fluorescence spectrum, synchronous spectrum and Raman spectrum.

Quantum Yields of Soluble and Particulate Material in the Ocean

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-09-30

and prospects. IEEE Transactions, 46(5): 825-829 In Press Moisan, T.A. & B.G. Mitchell UV Absorption by Mycosporine - like Amino Acids in Phaeocystis...were grown to evaluate the spectral quantum yield of in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence. We determined that mycosporine amino acids with UV absorption...evaluate the role of photoprotective pigments, including mycosporine amino acids and the xanthophyll pigments in Phaeocystis, on the spectral quantum yield

[Fluorescence spectra and quantum yield of TiO2 nanocrystals synthesized by alcohothermal method].

PubMed

Song, Cui-Hong; Li, Yan-Ting; Li, Jing; Wei, Yong-Ju; Hu, Yu-Zhu; Wei, Yu

2008-01-01

Fluorescence spectra and fluorescence quantum yield of TiO2 nanocrystals were studied. Using tetra n-butyl titanate as a starting material, a facile alcohothermal technique was used to synthesize TiO2 nanocrystals. As can be seen from the transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) image, TiO2 nanocrystals with a relatively uniform particle size distribution of < 10 nm are present in the transparent sol. The transparent sol presents a strong stable fluorescence emission with a maximum at 450 nm, which is greatly dependent on the size quantization effects, defect energy level and the surface state of TiO2 nanocrystals. The quantum yield (gamma) of TiO2 was determined by the relative comparison procedure, using freshly prepared analytical purity quinine sulfate in 0.05 mol x L(-1) H2SO4 as a relative quantum yield standard. The emission quantum yield of TiO2 nanocrystals prepared in alcoholic media was calculated to be about 0.20 at wavelengths ranging from 330 to 370 nm, which was much higher than the values reported in previous works. So, it is supposed that nano-TiO2 will be applied as a potential quantum dots fluorescence probe in biological analysis.

Ensemble brightening and enhanced quantum yield in size-purified silicon nanocrystals

DOE PAGES

Miller, Joseph B.; Van Sickle, Austin R.; Anthony, Rebecca J.; ...

2012-07-18

Here, we report on the quantum yield, photoluminescence (PL) lifetime and ensemble photoluminescent stability of highly monodisperse plasma-synthesized silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) prepared though density-gradient ultracentrifugation in mixed organic solvents. Improved size uniformity leads to a reduction in PL line width and the emergence of entropic order in dry nanocrystal films. We find excellent agreement with the anticipated trends of quantum confinement in nanocrystalline silicon, with a solution quantum yield that is independent of nanocrystal size for the larger fractions but decreases dramatically with size for the smaller fractions. We also find a significant PL enhancement in films assembled from themore » fractions, and we use a combination of measurement, simulation and modeling to link this ‘brightening’ to a temporally enhanced quantum yield arising from SiNC interactions in ordered ensembles of monodisperse nanocrystals. Using an appropriate excitation scheme, we exploit this enhancement to achieve photostable emission.« less

Aeronomical determinations of the quantum yields of O (1S) and O (1D) from dissociative recombination of O2(+)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yee, Jeng-Hwa; Abreu, Vincent J.; Colwell, William B.

1989-01-01

Data from the visible-airglow experiment on the Atmosphere Explorer-E satellite have been used to determine the quantum yields of O (1S) and O (1D) from the dissociative recombination of O2(+) based on a constant total recombination rate from each vibrational level. A range of values between 0.05 and 0.18 has been obtained for the quantum yield of O (1S) and shows a positive correlation with the extent of the vibrational excitation of O2(+). The quantum yield of O (1D) has been measured to be 0.9 + or - 0.2, with no apparent dependence on the vibrational distribution of O2(+).

Non-local classical optical correlation and implementing analogy of quantum teleportation

PubMed Central

Sun, Yifan; Song, Xinbing; Qin, Hongwei; Zhang, Xiong; Yang, Zhenwei; Zhang, Xiangdong

2015-01-01

This study reports an experimental realization of non-local classical optical correlation from the Bell's measurement used in tests of quantum non-locality. Based on such a classical Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen optical correlation, a classical analogy has been implemented to the true meaning of quantum teleportation. In the experimental teleportation protocol, the initial teleported information can be unknown to anyone and the information transfer can happen over arbitrary distances. The obtained results give novel insight into quantum physics and may open a new field of applications in quantum information. PMID:25779977

Tuning Single Quantum Dot Emission with a Micromirror.

PubMed

Yuan, Gangcheng; Gómez, Daniel; Kirkwood, Nicholas; Mulvaney, Paul

2018-02-14

The photoluminescence of single quantum dots fluctuates between bright (on) and dark (off) states, also termed fluorescence intermittency or blinking. This blinking limits the performance of quantum dot-based devices such as light-emitting diodes and solar cells. However, the origins of the blinking remain unresolved. Here, we use a movable gold micromirror to determine both the quantum yield of the bright state and the orientation of the excited state dipole of single quantum dots. We observe that the quantum yield of the bright state is close to unity for these single QDs. Furthermore, we also study the effect of a micromirror on blinking, and then evaluate excitation efficiency, biexciton quantum yield, and detection efficiency. The mirror does not modify the off-time statistics, but it does change the density of optical states available to the quantum dot and hence the on times. The duration of the on times can be lengthened due to an increase in the radiative recombination rate.

Solvent Dependency in the Quantum Efficiency of 4-[(4-Aminophenyl)-(4-imino-1-cyclohexa-2, 5- dienylidene) methyl] Aniline Hydrochloride.

PubMed

Pathrose, Bini; Nampoori, V P N; Radhakrishnan, P; Sahira, H; Mujeeb, A

2015-05-01

In the present work dual beam thermal lens technique is used for studying the solvent dependency on the quantum efficiency of a novel dye used for biomedical applications. The role of solvent in the absolute fluorescence quantum yield of 4-[(4-Aminophenyl)-(4-imino-1-cyclohexa-2, 5- dienylidene) methyl] aniline hydrochloride is studied using thermal lens technique. It is observed that the variation in solvents and its concentration results considerable variations in the fluorescence quantum yield. These variations are due to the non-radiative relaxation of the absorbed energy and because of the different solvent properties. The highest quantum yield of the dye is observed in the polar protic solvent-water.

In Search of the Perfect Photocage: Structure-Reactivity Relationships in meso-Methyl BODIPY Photoremovable Protecting Groups.

PubMed

Slanina, Tomáš; Shrestha, Pradeep; Palao, Eduardo; Kand, Dnyaneshwar; Peterson, Julie A; Dutton, Andrew S; Rubinstein, Naama; Weinstain, Roy; Winter, Arthur H; Klán, Petr

2017-10-25

A detailed investigation of the photophysical parameters and photochemical reactivity of meso-methyl BODIPY photoremovable protecting groups was accomplished through systematic variation of the leaving group (LG) and core substituents as well as substitutions at boron. Efficiencies of the LG release were evaluated using both steady-state and transient absorption spectroscopies as well as computational analyses to identify the optimal structural features. We find that the quantum yields for photorelease with this photocage are highly sensitive to substituent effects. In particular, we find that the quantum yields of photorelease are improved with derivatives with higher intersystem crossing quantum yields, which can be promoted by core heavy atoms. Moreover, release quantum yields are dramatically improved by boron alkylation, whereas alkylation in the meso-methyl position has no effect. Better LGs are released considerably more efficiently than poorer LGs. We find that these substituent effects are additive, for example, a 2,6-diiodo-B-dimethyl BODIPY photocage features quantum yields of 28% for the mediocre LG acetate and a 95% quantum yield of release for chloride. The high chemical and quantum yields combined with the outstanding absorption properties of BODIPY dyes lead to photocages with uncaging cross sections over 10 000 M -1 cm -1 , values that surpass cross sections of related photocages absorbing visible light. These new photocages, which absorb strongly near the second harmonic of an Nd:YAG laser (532 nm), hold promise for manipulating and interrogating biological and material systems with the high spatiotemporal control provided by pulsed laser irradiation, while avoiding the phototoxicity problems encountered with many UV-absorbing photocages. More generally, the insights gained from this structure-reactivity relationship may aid in the development of new highly efficient photoreactions.

Quantum yield measurements of light-induced H₂ generation in a photosystem I-[FeFe]-H₂ase nanoconstruct.

PubMed

Applegate, Amanda M; Lubner, Carolyn E; Knörzer, Philipp; Happe, Thomas; Golbeck, John H

2016-01-01

The quantum yield for light-induced H2 generation was measured for a previously optimized bio-hybrid cytochrome c 6-crosslinked PSI(C13G)-1,8-octanedithiol-[FeFe]-H2ase(C97G) (PSI-H2ase) nanoconstruct. The theoretical quantum yield for the PSI-H2ase nanoconstruct is 0.50 molecules of H2 per photon absorbed, which equates to a requirement of two photons per H2 generated. Illumination of the PSI-H2ase nanoconstruct with visible light between 400 and 700 nm resulted in an average quantum yield of 0.10-0.15 molecules of H2 per photon absorbed, which equates to a requirement of 6.7-10 photons per H2 generated. A possible reason for the difference between the theoretical and experimental quantum yield is the occurrence of non-productive PSI(C13G)-1,8-octanedithiol-PSIC13G (PSI-PSI) conjugates, which would absorb light without generating H2. Assuming the thiol-Fe coupling is equally efficient at producing PSI-PSI conjugates as well as in producing PSI-H2ase nanoconstructs, the theoretical quantum yield would decrease to 0.167 molecules of H2 per photon absorbed, which equates to 6 photons per H2 generated. This value is close to the range of measured values in the current study. A strategy that purifies the PSI-H2ase nanoconstructs from the unproductive PSI-PSI conjugates or that incorporates different chemistries on the PSI and [FeFe]-H2ase enzyme sites could potentially allow the PSI-H2ase nanoconstruct to approach the expected theoretical quantum yield for light-induced H2 generation.

Photogeneration of reactive transient species upon irradiation of natural water samples: Formation quantum yields in different spectral intervals, and implications for the photochemistry of surface waters.

PubMed

Marchisio, Andrea; Minella, Marco; Maurino, Valter; Minero, Claudio; Vione, Davide

2015-04-15

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in surface waters is a photochemical source of several transient species such as CDOM triplet states ((3)CDOM*), singlet oxygen ((1)O2) and the hydroxyl radical (OH). By irradiation of lake water samples, it is shown here that the quantum yields for the formation of these transients by CDOM vary depending on the irradiation wavelength range, in the order UVB > UVA > blue. A possible explanation is that radiation at longer wavelengths is preferentially absorbed by the larger CDOM fractions, which show lesser photoactivity compared to smaller CDOM moieties. The quantum yield variations in different spectral ranges were definitely more marked for (3)CDOM* and OH compared to (1)O2. The decrease of the quantum yields with increasing wavelength has important implications for the photochemistry of surface waters, because long-wavelength radiation penetrates deeper in water columns compared to short-wavelength radiation. The average steady-state concentrations of the transients ((3)CDOM*, (1)O2 and OH) were modelled in water columns of different depths, based on the experimentally determined wavelength trends of the formation quantum yields. Important differences were found between such modelling results and those obtained in a wavelength-independent quantum yield scenario. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantum Yield Heterogeneity among Single Nonblinking Quantum Dots Revealed by Atomic Structure-Quantum Optics Correlation

DOE PAGES

Orfield, Noah J.; McBride, James R.; Wang, Feng; ...

2016-02-05

Physical variations in colloidal nanostructures give rise to heterogeneity in expressed optical behavior. This correlation between nanoscale structure and function demands interrogation of both atomic structure and photophysics at the level of single nanostructures to be fully understood. In this paper, by conducting detailed analyses of fine atomic structure, chemical composition, and time-resolved single-photon photoluminescence data for the same individual nanocrystals, we reveal inhomogeneity in the quantum yields of single nonblinking “giant” CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots (g-QDs). We find that each g-QD possesses distinctive single exciton and biexciton quantum yields that result mainly from variations in the degree of charging,more » rather than from volume or structure inhomogeneity. We further establish that there is a very limited nonemissive “dark” fraction (<2%) among the studied g-QDs and present direct evidence that the g-QD core must lack inorganic passivation for the g-QD to be “dark”. Finally and therefore, in contrast to conventional QDs, ensemble photoluminescence quantum yield is principally defined by charging processes rather than the existence of dark g-QDs.« less

Experimental Bayesian Quantum Phase Estimation on a Silicon Photonic Chip.

PubMed

Paesani, S; Gentile, A A; Santagati, R; Wang, J; Wiebe, N; Tew, D P; O'Brien, J L; Thompson, M G

2017-03-10

Quantum phase estimation is a fundamental subroutine in many quantum algorithms, including Shor's factorization algorithm and quantum simulation. However, so far results have cast doubt on its practicability for near-term, nonfault tolerant, quantum devices. Here we report experimental results demonstrating that this intuition need not be true. We implement a recently proposed adaptive Bayesian approach to quantum phase estimation and use it to simulate molecular energies on a silicon quantum photonic device. The approach is verified to be well suited for prethreshold quantum processors by investigating its superior robustness to noise and decoherence compared to the iterative phase estimation algorithm. This shows a promising route to unlock the power of quantum phase estimation much sooner than previously believed.

FPGA and USB based control board for quantum random number generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jian; Wan, Xu; Zhang, Hong-Fei; Gao, Yuan; Chen, Teng-Yun; Liang, Hao

2009-09-01

The design and implementation of FPGA-and-USB-based control board for quantum experiments are discussed. The usage of quantum true random number generator, control- logic in FPGA and communication with computer through USB protocol are proposed in this paper. Programmable controlled signal input and output ports are implemented. The error-detections of data frame header and frame length are designed. This board has been used in our decoy-state based quantum key distribution (QKD) system successfully.

The Broken Ring: Reduced Aromaticity in Lys-Trp Cations and High pH Tautomer Correlates with Lower Quantum Yield and Shorter Lifetimes

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Several nonradiative processes compete with tryptophan fluorescence emission. The difficulty in spectral interpretation lies in associating specific molecular environmental features with these processes and thereby utilizing the fluorescence spectral data to identify the local environment of tryptophan. Here, spectroscopic and molecular modeling study of Lys-Trp dipeptide charged species shows that backbone-ring interactions are undistinguished. Instead, quantum mechanical ground state isosurfaces reveal variations in indole π electron distribution and density that parallel charge (as a function of pK1, pK2, and pKR) on the backbone and residues. A pattern of aromaticity-associated quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime changes emerges. Where quantum yield is high, isosurfaces have a charge distribution similar to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of indole, which is the dominant fluorescent ground state of the 1La transition dipole moment. Where quantum yield is low, isosurface charge distribution over the ring is uneven, diminished, and even found off ring. At pH 13, the indole amine is deprotonated, and Lys-Trp quantum yield is extremely low due to tautomer structure that concentrates charge on the indole amine; the isosurface charge distribution bears scant resemblance to the indole HOMO. Such greatly diminished fluorescence has been observed for proteins where the indole nitrogen is hydrogen bonded, lending credence to the association of aromaticity changes with diminished quantum yield in proteins as well. Thus tryptophan ground state isosurfaces are an indicator of indole aromaticity, signaling the partition of excitation energy between radiative and nonradiative processes. PMID:24882092

Primary quantum yields of NO2 photodissociation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gardner, Edward P.; Sperry, Paul D.; Calvert, Jack G.

1987-01-01

The quantum yields of formation of NO, O2, and NO2 loss are measured for NO2 vapor at low pressures (0.13-0.30 torr) irradiated at 334-405 nm wavelengths and temperature in the range 273-370 K in order to study the primary quantum efficiencies of NO2 photodecomposition. The temperature and wavelength dependences of the primary quantum efficiencies are examined. It is observed that the primary quantum efficiencies increase rapidly from near zero at 424 nm to near unity for excitation at wavelengths less than 394 nm. The theory of Pitts et al. (1964) that the energy deficiency for photodissociation of NO2 excited at wavelengths greater than 397.9 nm is due to the rotational and vibrational energy of the NO2 molecules is confirmed by the data. Values for the primary quantum yields of NO2 photodecomposition as a function of wavelength are presented.

Photosensitized electron transfer processes in SiO2 colloids and sodium lauryl sulfate micellar systems: Correlation of quantum yields with interfacial surface potentials

PubMed Central

Laane, Colja; Willner, Itamar; Otvos, John W.; Calvin, Melvin

1981-01-01

The effectiveness of negatively charged colloidal SiO2 particles in controlling photosensitized electron transfer reactions has been studied and compared with that of the negatively charged sodium lauryl sulfate (NaLauSO4) micellar system. In particular, the photosensitized reduction of the zwitterionic electron acceptor propylviologen sulfonate (PVS0) with tris(2,2′-bipyridinium)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bipy)32+] as the sensitizer and triethanolamine as the electron donor is found to have a quantum yield of 0.033 for formation of the radical anion (PVS[unk]) in the SiO2 colloid compared with 0.005 in the homogeneous system and 0.0086 in a NaLauSO4 micellar solution. The higher quantum yields obtained with the SiO2 colloidal system are attributed to substantial stabilization against back reaction of the intermediate photoproducts—i.e., Ru(bipy)33+ and PVS[unk]—by electrostatic repulsion of the reduced electron acceptor from the negatively charged particle surface. The binding properties of the SiO2 particles and NaLauSO4 micelles were investigated by flow dialysis. The results show that the sensitizer binds to both interfaces and that the SiO2 interface is characterized by a much higher surface potential than the micellar interface (≈-170 mV vs. -85 mV). The effect of ionic strength on the surface potential was estimated from the Gouy-Chapman theory, and the measured quantum yields of photosensitized electron transfer were correlated with surface potential at different ionic strengths. This correlation shows that the quantum yield is not affected by surface potentials smaller than ≈-40 mV. At larger potentials, the quantum yield increases rapidly. The quantum yield obtained in the micellar system at different strengths fits nicely on the correlation curve for the colloid SiO2 system. These results indicate that the surface potential is the dominant factor in the quantum yield improvement for PVS0 reduction. PMID:16593095

The New Quantum Logic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffiths, Robert B.

2014-06-01

It is shown how all the major conceptual difficulties of standard (textbook) quantum mechanics, including the two measurement problems and the (supposed) nonlocality that conflicts with special relativity, are resolved in the consistent or decoherent histories interpretation of quantum mechanics by using a modified form of quantum logic to discuss quantum properties (subspaces of the quantum Hilbert space), and treating quantum time development as a stochastic process. The histories approach in turn gives rise to some conceptual difficulties, in particular the correct choice of a framework (probabilistic sample space) or family of histories, and these are discussed. The central issue is that the principle of unicity, the idea that there is a unique single true description of the world, is incompatible with our current understanding of quantum mechanics.

Electro Optical Properties of Copolymer Blends: Lasing, Electroluminescence and Photophysics

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-04-15

conjugated main chain structures with high photoluminescent and electroluminescent quantum yields. The structures incorporated fluorene containing moieties...The systems studied focused on novel conjugated main chain structures with high photoluminescent and electroluminescent quantum yields. The structures...the quantum efficient fluorine group. The properties of segmented copolymers that incorporate fluorenes were compared to the homo-PPV type systems

[MODIS Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbott, Mark R.

1996-01-01

Our first activity is based on delivery of code to Bob Evans (University of Miami) for integration and eventual delivery to the MODIS Science Data Support Team. As we noted in our previous semi-annual report, coding required the development and analysis of an end-to-end model of fluorescence line height (FLH) errors and sensitivity. This model is described in a paper in press in Remote Sensing of the Environment. Once the code was delivered to Miami, we continue to use this error analysis to evaluate proposed changes in MODIS sensor specifications and performance. Simply evaluating such changes on a band by band basis may obscure the true impacts of changes in sensor performance that are manifested in the complete algorithm. This is especially true with FLH that is sensitive to band placement and width. The error model will be used by Howard Gordon (Miami) to evaluate the effects of absorbing aerosols on the FLH algorithm performance. Presently, FLH relies only on simple corrections for atmospheric effects (viewing geometry, Rayleigh scattering) without correcting for aerosols. Our analysis suggests that aerosols should have a small impact relative to changes in the quantum yield of fluorescence in phytoplankton. However, the effect of absorbing aerosol is a new process and will be evaluated by Gordon.

A versatile method for the determination of photochemical quantum yields via online UV-Vis spectroscopy.

PubMed

Stadler, Eduard; Eibel, Anna; Fast, David; Freißmuth, Hilde; Holly, Christian; Wiech, Mathias; Moszner, Norbert; Gescheidt, Georg

2018-05-16

We have developed a simple method for determining the quantum yields of photo-induced reactions. Our setup features a fibre coupled UV-Vis spectrometer, LED irradiation sources, and a calibrated spectrophotometer for precise measurements of the LED photon flux. The initial slope in time-resolved absorbance profiles provides the quantum yield. We show the feasibility of our methodology for the kinetic analysis of photochemical reactions and quantum yield determination. The typical chemical actinometers, ferrioxalate and ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde, as well as riboflavin, a spiro-compound, phosphorus- and germanium-based photoinitiators for radical polymerizations and the frequently utilized photo-switch azobenzene serve as paradigms. The excellent agreement of our results with published data demonstrates the high potential of the proposed method as a convenient alternative to the time-consuming chemical actinometry.

Fluorescence quantum yield measurements of fluorescent proteins: a laboratory experiment for a biochemistry or molecular biophysics laboratory course.

PubMed

Wall, Kathryn P; Dillon, Rebecca; Knowles, Michelle K

2015-01-01

Fluorescent proteins are commonly used in cell biology to assess where proteins are within a cell as a function of time and provide insight into intracellular protein function. However, the usefulness of a fluorescent protein depends directly on the quantum yield. The quantum yield relates the efficiency at which a fluorescent molecule converts absorbed photons into emitted photons and it is necessary to know for assessing what fluorescent protein is the most appropriate for a particular application. In this work, we have designed an upper-level, biochemistry laboratory experiment where students measure the fluorescence quantum yields of fluorescent proteins relative to a standard organic dye. Four fluorescent protein variants, enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP), enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), mCitrine, and mCherry, were used, however the methods described are useful for the characterization of any fluorescent protein or could be expanded to fluorescent quantum yield measurements of organic dye molecules. The laboratory is designed as a guided inquiry project and takes two, 4 hr laboratory periods. During the first day students design the experiment by selecting the excitation wavelength, choosing the standard, and determining the concentration needed for the quantum yield experiment that takes place in the second laboratory period. Overall, this laboratory provides students with a guided inquiry learning experience and introduces concepts of fluorescence biophysics into a biochemistry laboratory curriculum. © 2014 The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Photochemical redox reactions of copper(II)-alanine complexes in aqueous solutions.

PubMed

Lin, Chen-Jui; Hsu, Chao-Sheng; Wang, Po-Yen; Lin, Yi-Liang; Lo, Yu-Shiu; Wu, Chien-Hou

2014-05-19

The photochemical redox reactions of Cu(II)/alanine complexes have been studied in deaerated solutions over an extensive range of pH, Cu(II) concentration, and alanine concentration. Under irradiation, the ligand-to-metal charge transfer results in the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and the concomitant oxidation of alanine, which produces ammonia and acetaldehyde. Molar absorptivities and quantum yields of photoproducts for Cu(II)/alanine complexes at 313 nm are characterized mainly with the equilibrium Cu(II) speciation where the presence of simultaneously existing Cu(II) species is taken into account. By applying regression analysis, individual Cu(I) quantum yields are determined to be 0.094 ± 0.014 for the 1:1 complex (CuL) and 0.064 ± 0.012 for the 1:2 complex (CuL2). Individual quantum yields of ammonia are 0.055 ± 0.007 for CuL and 0.036 ± 0.005 for CuL2. Individual quantum yields of acetaldehyde are 0.030 ± 0.007 for CuL and 0.024 ± 0.007 for CuL2. CuL always has larger quantum yields than CuL2, which can be attributed to the Cu(II) stabilizing effect of the second ligand. For both CuL and CuL2, the individual quantum yields of Cu(I), ammonia, and acetaldehyde are in the ratio of 1.8:1:0.7. A reaction mechanism for the formation of the observed photoproducts is proposed.

Polariton-Assisted Singlet Fission in Acene Aggregates.

PubMed

Martínez-Martínez, Luis A; Du, Matthew; F Ribeiro, Raphael; Kéna-Cohen, Stéphane; Yuen-Zhou, Joel

2018-04-19

Singlet fission is an important candidate to increase energy conversion efficiency in organic photovoltaics by providing a pathway to increase the quantum yield of excitons per photon absorbed in select materials. We investigate the dependence of exciton quantum yield for acenes in the strong light-matter interaction (polariton) regime, where the materials are embedded in optical microcavities. Starting from an open-quantum-systems approach, we build a kinetic model for time-evolution of species of interest in the presence of singlet quenchers and show that polaritons can decrease or increase exciton quantum yields compared to the cavity-free case. In particular, we find that hexacene, under the conditions of our model, can feature a higher yield than cavity-free pentacene when assisted by polaritonic effects. Similarly, we show that pentacene yield can be increased when assisted by polariton states. Finally, we address how various relaxation processes between bright and dark states in lossy microcavities affect polariton photochemistry. Our results also provide insights on how to choose microcavities to enhance similarly related chemical processes.

Bell's local causality, Leggett's crypto-nonlocality, and quantum separability are genuinely different concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Branciard, Cyril

2013-10-01

I clarify here the relation between Leggett's concept of crypto-nonlocality and the better known notions of Bell's local causality and quantum separability, emphasizing that these are three genuinely different concepts. In particular, I show that while the correlations of separable quantum states clearly satisfy the assumptions of crypto-nonlocality, the opposite is not true: there exist entangled states whose correlations are always compatible with Leggett's crypto-nonlocality.

Light propagation and fluorescence quantum yields in liquid scintillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buck, C.; Gramlich, B.; Wagner, S.

2015-09-01

For the simulation of the scintillation and Cherenkov light propagation in large liquid scintillator detectors a detailed knowledge about the absorption and emission spectra of the scintillator molecules is mandatory. Furthermore reemission probabilities and quantum yields of the scintillator components influence the light propagation inside the liquid. Absorption and emission properties are presented for liquid scintillators using 2,5-Diphenyloxazole (PPO) and 4-bis-(2-Methylstyryl)benzene (bis-MSB) as primary and secondary wavelength shifter. New measurements of the quantum yields for various aromatic molecules are shown.

Quantum mechanics: The Bayesian theory generalized to the space of Hermitian matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benavoli, Alessio; Facchini, Alessandro; Zaffalon, Marco

2016-10-01

We consider the problem of gambling on a quantum experiment and enforce rational behavior by a few rules. These rules yield, in the classical case, the Bayesian theory of probability via duality theorems. In our quantum setting, they yield the Bayesian theory generalized to the space of Hermitian matrices. This very theory is quantum mechanics: in fact, we derive all its four postulates from the generalized Bayesian theory. This implies that quantum mechanics is self-consistent. It also leads us to reinterpret the main operations in quantum mechanics as probability rules: Bayes' rule (measurement), marginalization (partial tracing), independence (tensor product). To say it with a slogan, we obtain that quantum mechanics is the Bayesian theory in the complex numbers.

Intermediate quantum maps for quantum computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giraud, O.; Georgeot, B.

2005-10-01

We study quantum maps displaying spectral statistics intermediate between Poisson and Wigner-Dyson. It is shown that they can be simulated on a quantum computer with a small number of gates, and efficiently yield information about fidelity decay or spectral statistics. We study their matrix elements and entanglement production and show that they converge with time to distributions which differ from random matrix predictions. A randomized version of these maps can be implemented even more economically and yields pseudorandom operators with original properties, enabling, for example, one to produce fractal random vectors. These algorithms are within reach of present-day quantum computers.

Quantum Yields of CAM Plants Measured by Photosynthetic O2 Exchange 1

PubMed Central

Adams, William W.; Nishida, Kojiro; Osmond, C. Barry

1986-01-01

The quantum yield of photosynthetic O2 exchange was measured in eight species of leaf succulents representative of both malic enzyme type and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase type CAM plants. Measurements were made at 25°C and CO2 saturation using a leaf disc O2 electrode system, either during or after deacidification. The mean quantum yield was 0.095 ± 0.012 (sd) moles O2 per mole quanta, which compared with 0.094 ± 0.006 (sd) moles O2 per mole quanta for spinach leaf discs measured under the same conditions. There were no consistent differences in quantum yield between decarboxylation types or during different phases of CAM metabolism. On the basis of current notions of compartmentation of CAM biochemistry, our observations are interpreted to indicate that CO2 refixation is energetically independent of gluconeogenesis during deacidification. PMID:16664793

Linguistic Determinants of the Difficulty of True-False Test Items

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Candida C.; Peterson, James L.

1976-01-01

Adults read a prose passage and responded to passages based on it which were either true or false and were phrased either affirmatively or negatively. True negatives yielded most errors, followed in order by false negatives, true affirmatives, and false affirmatives. (Author/RC)

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) supported copper nanoclusters: glutathione enhanced blue photoluminescence for application in phosphor converted light emitting devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenguang; Susha, Andrei S.; Chen, Bingkun; Reckmeier, Claas; Tomanec, Ondrej; Zboril, Radek; Zhong, Haizheng; Rogach, Andrey L.

2016-03-01

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) supported Cu nanoclusters were synthesized by reduction of Cu(ii) ions with ascorbic acid in water, and initially showed blue photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 8%. An enhancement of the emission quantum yield has been achieved by treatment of Cu clusters with different electron-rich ligands, with the most pronounced effect (photoluminescence quantum yield of 27%) achieved with glutathione. The bright blue emission of glutathione treated Cu NCs is fully preserved in the solid state powder, which has been combined with commercial green and red phosphors to fabricate down-conversion white light emitting diodes with a high colour rendering index of 92.Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) supported Cu nanoclusters were synthesized by reduction of Cu(ii) ions with ascorbic acid in water, and initially showed blue photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 8%. An enhancement of the emission quantum yield has been achieved by treatment of Cu clusters with different electron-rich ligands, with the most pronounced effect (photoluminescence quantum yield of 27%) achieved with glutathione. The bright blue emission of glutathione treated Cu NCs is fully preserved in the solid state powder, which has been combined with commercial green and red phosphors to fabricate down-conversion white light emitting diodes with a high colour rendering index of 92. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: The optical spectra of control experiments for Cu NC synthesis, optimization of the reaction conditions, and spectra for LEDs chips and blue LEDs. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr00806b

Single-particle tracking of quantum dot-conjugated prion proteins inside yeast cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tsuji, Toshikazu; Kawai-Noma, Shigeko; Pack, Chan-Gi

2011-02-25

Research highlights: {yields} We develop a method to track a quantum dot-conjugated protein in yeast cells. {yields} We incorporate the conjugated quantum dot proteins into yeast spheroplasts. {yields} We track the motions by conventional or 3D tracking microscopy. -- Abstract: Yeast is a model eukaryote with a variety of biological resources. Here we developed a method to track a quantum dot (QD)-conjugated protein in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We chemically conjugated QDs with the yeast prion Sup35, incorporated them into yeast spheroplasts, and tracked the motions by conventional two-dimensional or three-dimensional tracking microscopy. The method paves the way towardmore » the individual tracking of proteins of interest inside living yeast cells.« less

Photoelectric Effect: Back to Basics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Powell, R. A.

1978-01-01

Presents a simplified theoretical analysis of the variation of quantum yield with photon energy in the photoelectric experiment. Describes a way to amplify the experiment and make it more instructive to advanced students through the measurement of quantum yield of a photo cell. (GA)

DETERMINATION OF APPARENT QUANTUM YIELD SPECTRA FOR THE FORMATION OF BIOLOGICALLY LABILE PHOTOPRODUCTS

EPA Science Inventory

Quantum yield spectra for the photochemical formation of biologically labile photoproducts from dissolved organic matter (DOM) have not been available previously, although they would greatly facilitate attempts to model photoproduct formation rates across latitudinal, seasonal, a...

Terahertz cascades from nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnardottir, K. B.; Liew, T. C. H.

2018-05-01

In this article we propose a system capable of terahertz (THz) radiation with quantum yield above unity. The system consists of nanoparticles where the material composition varies along the radial direction of each nanoparticle in such a way that a ladder of equidistant energy levels emerges. By then exciting the highest level of this ladder we produce multiple photons of the same frequency in the THz range. We demonstrate how we can calculate a continuous material composition profile that achieves a high quantum yield and then show that a more experimentally friendly design of a multishell nanoparticle can still result in a high quantum yield.

Photo-kinetics of photoinduced transformation reaction of methylene green with titanium trichloride in different solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadeem, Syed Muhammad Saqib; Saeed, Rehana

2017-08-01

The photo-kinetics of photoinduced transformation reaction of methylene green and titanium trichloride was investigated in water and different aqueous-alcoholic solvents. The reaction is pseudo-first order, dependent only on the concentration of titanium trichloride at fixed concentration of methylene green. The effect of water and aqueous-alcoholic solvents was studied in the acidic range from 4 to 7. It was observed that the quantum yield (φ) of reaction increased with increase in polarity of the solvent. The quantum yield (φ) was high in acidic condition and decreased with further increase in acidity. The quantum yield (φ) increased sharply with increase in concentration of titanium trichloride while it almost remained unaffected by change in concentration of methylene green. The addition of ions increased the quantum yield (φ) of reaction. The increase in temperature decreased the rate and quantum yield (φ) of reaction. An electron transfer mechanism for the reaction has been proposed in accordance with the kinetics of reaction. The absence of any reaction intermediate was confirmed by spectroscopic investigations. Activation energy ( E a) was calculated by Arrhenius relation. Thermodynamic parameters such as activation energy ( E a), enthalpy change (Δ H), free energy change (Δ G) and entropy change (Δ S) were also evaluated.

Fluorescence quantum yield of carbon dioxide for quantitative UV laser-induced fluorescence in high-pressure flames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, T.; Bessler, W. G.; Yoo, J.; Schulz, C.; Jeffries, J. B.; Hanson, R. K.

2008-11-01

The fluorescence quantum yield for ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence of CO2 is determined for selected excitation wavelengths in the range 215-250 nm. Wavelength-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra of CO2, NO, and O2 are measured in the burned gases of a laminar CH4/air flame ( φ=0.9 and 1.1) at 20 bar with additional NO seeded into the flow. The fluorescence spectra are fit to determine the relative contribution of the three species to infer an estimate of fluorescence quantum yield for CO2 that ranges from 2-8×10-6 depending on temperature and excitation wavelength with an estimated uncertainty of ±0.5×10-6. The CO2 fluorescence signal increases linearly with gas pressure for flames with constant CO2 mole fraction for the 10 to 60 bar range, indicating that collisional quenching is not an important contributor to the CO2 fluorescence quantum yield. Spectral simulation calculations are used to choose two wavelengths for excitation of CO2, 239.34 and 242.14 nm, which minimize interference from LIF of NO and O2. Quantitative LIF images of CO2 are demonstrated using these two excitation wavelengths and the measured fluorescence quantum yield.

Control of the external photoluminescent quantum yield of emitters coupled to nanoantenna phased arrays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Ke; Verschuuren, Marc A.; Lozano, Gabriel

2015-08-21

Optical losses in metals represent the largest limitation to the external quantum yield of emitters coupled to plasmonic antennas. These losses can be at the emission wavelength, but they can be more important at shorter wavelengths, i.e., at the excitation wavelength of the emitters, where the conductivity of metals is usually lower. We present accurate measurements of the absolute external photoluminescent quantum yield of a thin layer of emitting material deposited over a periodic nanoantenna phased array. Emission and absorptance measurements of the sample are performed using a custom-made setup including an integrating sphere and variable angle excitation. The measurementsmore » reveal a strong dependence of the external quantum yield on the angle at which the optical field excites the sample. Such behavior is attributed to the coupling between far-field illumination and near-field excitation mediated by the collective resonances supported by the array. Numerical simulations confirm that the inherent losses associated with the metal can be greatly reduced by selecting an optimum angle of illumination, which boosts the light conversion efficiency in the emitting layer. This combined experimental and numerical characterization of the emission from plasmonic arrays reveals the need to carefully design the illumination to achieve the maximum external quantum yield.« less

Efficient Carrier Multiplication in Colloidal Silicon Nanorods

DOE PAGES

Stolle, Carl Jackson; Lu, Xiaotang; Yu, Yixuan; ...

2017-08-01

In this study, auger recombination lifetimes, absorption cross sections, and the quantum yields of carrier multiplication (CM), or multiexciton generation (MEG), were determined for solvent-dispersed silicon (Si) nanorods using transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). Nanorods with an average diameter of 7.5 nm and aspect ratios of 6.1, 19.3, and 33.2 were examined. Colloidal Si nanocrystals of similar diameters were also studied for comparison. The nanocrystals and nanorods were passivated with organic ligands by hydrosilylation to prevent surface oxidation and limit the effects of surface trapping of photoexcited carriers. All samples used in the study exhibited relatively efficient photoluminescence. The Auger lifetimesmore » increased with nanorod length, and the nanorods exhibited higher CM quantum yield and efficiency than the nanocrystals with a similar band gap energy E g. Beyond a critical length, the CM quantum yield decreases. Finally, nanorods with the aspect ratio of 19.3 had the highest CM quantum yield of 1.6 ± 0.2 at 2.9E g, which corresponded to a multiexciton yield that was twice as high as observed for the spherical nanocrystals.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stolle, Carl Jackson; Lu, Xiaotang; Yu, Yixuan

In this study, auger recombination lifetimes, absorption cross sections, and the quantum yields of carrier multiplication (CM), or multiexciton generation (MEG), were determined for solvent-dispersed silicon (Si) nanorods using transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). Nanorods with an average diameter of 7.5 nm and aspect ratios of 6.1, 19.3, and 33.2 were examined. Colloidal Si nanocrystals of similar diameters were also studied for comparison. The nanocrystals and nanorods were passivated with organic ligands by hydrosilylation to prevent surface oxidation and limit the effects of surface trapping of photoexcited carriers. All samples used in the study exhibited relatively efficient photoluminescence. The Auger lifetimesmore » increased with nanorod length, and the nanorods exhibited higher CM quantum yield and efficiency than the nanocrystals with a similar band gap energy E g. Beyond a critical length, the CM quantum yield decreases. Finally, nanorods with the aspect ratio of 19.3 had the highest CM quantum yield of 1.6 ± 0.2 at 2.9E g, which corresponded to a multiexciton yield that was twice as high as observed for the spherical nanocrystals.« less

Unconditional room-temperature quantum memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseini, M.; Campbell, G.; Sparkes, B. M.; Lam, P. K.; Buchler, B. C.

2011-10-01

Just as classical information systems require buffers and memory, the same is true for quantum information systems. The potential that optical quantum information processing holds for revolutionizing computation and communication is therefore driving significant research into developing optical quantum memory. A practical optical quantum memory must be able to store and recall quantum states on demand with high efficiency and low noise. Ideally, the platform for the memory would also be simple and inexpensive. Here, we present a complete tomographic reconstruction of quantum states that have been stored in the ground states of rubidium in a vapour cell operating at around 80°C. Without conditional measurements, we show recall fidelity up to 98% for coherent pulses containing around one photon. To unambiguously verify that our memory beats the quantum no-cloning limit we employ state-independent verification using conditional variance and signal-transfer coefficients.

Photosynthetic Energy Transfer at the Quantum/Classical Border.

PubMed

Keren, Nir; Paltiel, Yossi

2018-06-01

Quantum mechanics diverges from the classical description of our world when very small scales or very fast processes are involved. Unlike classical mechanics, quantum effects cannot be easily related to our everyday experience and are often counterintuitive to us. Nevertheless, the dimensions and time scales of the photosynthetic energy transfer processes puts them close to the quantum/classical border, bringing them into the range of measurable quantum effects. Here we review recent advances in the field and suggest that photosynthetic processes can take advantage of the sensitivity of quantum effects to the environmental 'noise' as means of tuning exciton energy transfer efficiency. If true, this design principle could be a base for 'nontrivial' coherent wave property nano-devices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantum Correlations in Nonlocal Boson Sampling.

PubMed

Shahandeh, Farid; Lund, Austin P; Ralph, Timothy C

2017-09-22

Determination of the quantum nature of correlations between two spatially separated systems plays a crucial role in quantum information science. Of particular interest is the questions of if and how these correlations enable quantum information protocols to be more powerful. Here, we report on a distributed quantum computation protocol in which the input and output quantum states are considered to be classically correlated in quantum informatics. Nevertheless, we show that the correlations between the outcomes of the measurements on the output state cannot be efficiently simulated using classical algorithms. Crucially, at the same time, local measurement outcomes can be efficiently simulated on classical computers. We show that the only known classicality criterion violated by the input and output states in our protocol is the one used in quantum optics, namely, phase-space nonclassicality. As a result, we argue that the global phase-space nonclassicality inherent within the output state of our protocol represents true quantum correlations.

Secret sharing based on quantum Fourier transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Wei; Huang, Liusheng; Shi, Runhua; He, Libao

2013-07-01

Secret sharing plays a fundamental role in both secure multi-party computation and modern cryptography. We present a new quantum secret sharing scheme based on quantum Fourier transform. This scheme enjoys the property that each share of a secret is disguised with true randomness, rather than classical pseudorandomness. Moreover, under the only assumption that a top priority for all participants (secret sharers and recovers) is to obtain the right result, our scheme is able to achieve provable security against a computationally unbounded attacker.

High quantum-yield phosphors via quantum splitting and upconversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Joayoung

The Gd3+ ion has been used to induce quantum splitting in luminescent materials by using cross-relaxation energy transfer (CRET). In Nd:LiGdF4, quantum splitting results from a two-step CRET between Gd3+ and Nd3+, first involving a transition 6G→6I on Gd3+ and an excitation within the 4f3 configuration of Nd3+ followed by a second CRET that brings Gd3+ to 6P7/2. The excited Nd3+ ion rapidly relaxes nonradiatively to the emitting 4F3/2. The excited Gd3+ ion then transfers its energy back to Nd3+, which gives rise to the second photon. The result is a quantum yield of 1.05 +/- 0.35 with emission in the NIR following excitation at 175 nm. GdF3:Pr3+, Eu 3+ also exhibits quantum splitting, but only at very low concentration of Pr3+ (0.3%) and Eu3+ (0.2%), resulting in a quantum yield of approximately 20% under 160-nm excitation. Host intrinsic emission via a self-trapped exciton (STE) was also examined as a means to sensitize Gd3+ emission. The material ScPO4:Gd 3+ exhibits a high absolute quantum yield of 0.9 +/- 0.2 under 170-nm excitation, demonstrating a potentially new and efficient pathway for exciting quantum splitting phosphors. Single crystals of the material GdZrF7 were grown, and its structure was established via single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Doped samples of GdZrF7:Yb3+, Er3+ exhibit bright up-conversion luminescence with light output that is up to twice that of a commercial material based on the host Gd2O2S. When doped with Eu3+, the fluoride also emits a nearly white color under vacuum ultraviolet excitation with an absolute quantum yield near 0.9. The new compound Gd4.67(SiO4)3S was synthesized and studied. The structure was established via single-crystal X-ray methods, and the luminescence of Tb3+ samples was investigated.

[Prediction of the side-cut product yield of atmospheric/vacuum distillation unit by NIR crude oil rapid assay].

PubMed

Wang, Yan-Bin; Hu, Yu-Zhong; Li, Wen-Le; Zhang, Wei-Song; Zhou, Feng; Luo, Zhi

2014-10-01

In the present paper, based on the fast evaluation technique of near infrared, a method to predict the yield of atmos- pheric and vacuum line was developed, combined with H/CAMS software. Firstly, the near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy method for rapidly determining the true boiling point of crude oil was developed. With commercially available crude oil spectroscopy da- tabase and experiments test from Guangxi Petrochemical Company, calibration model was established and a topological method was used as the calibration. The model can be employed to predict the true boiling point of crude oil. Secondly, the true boiling point based on NIR rapid assay was converted to the side-cut product yield of atmospheric/vacuum distillation unit by H/CAMS software. The predicted yield and the actual yield of distillation product for naphtha, diesel, wax and residual oil were compared in a 7-month period. The result showed that the NIR rapid crude assay can predict the side-cut product yield accurately. The near infrared analytic method for predicting yield has the advantages of fast analysis, reliable results, and being easy to online operate, and it can provide elementary data for refinery planning optimization and crude oil blending.

Experimental study of a quantum random-number generator based on two independent lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Shi-Hai; Xu, Feihu

2017-12-01

A quantum random-number generator (QRNG) can produce true randomness by utilizing the inherent probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Recently, the spontaneous-emission quantum phase noise of the laser has been widely deployed for quantum random-number generation, due to its high rate, its low cost, and the feasibility of chip-scale integration. Here, we perform a comprehensive experimental study of a phase-noise-based QRNG with two independent lasers, each of which operates in either continuous-wave (CW) or pulsed mode. We implement the QRNG by operating the two lasers in three configurations, namely, CW + CW, CW + pulsed, and pulsed + pulsed, and demonstrate their trade-offs, strengths, and weaknesses.

Magnetic control of dipolaritons in quantum dots.

PubMed

Rojas-Arias, J S; Rodríguez, B A; Vinck-Posada, H

2016-12-21

Dipolaritons are quasiparticles that arise in coupled quantum wells embedded in a microcavity, they are a superposition of a photon, a direct exciton and an indirect exciton. We propose the existence of dipolaritons in a system of two coupled quantum dots inside a microcavity in direct analogy with the quantum well case and find that, despite some similarities, dipolaritons in quantum dots have different properties and can lead to true dark polariton states. We use a finite system theory to study the effects of the magnetic field on the system, including the emission, and find that it can be used as a control parameter of the properties of excitons and dipolaritons, and the overall magnetic behaviour of the structure.

Photoactive High Explosives: Substituents Effects on Tetrazine Photochemistry and Photophysics

DOE PAGES

McGrane, Shawn David; Bolme, Cynthia Anne; Greenfield, Margo Torello; ...

2016-01-21

High explosives that are photoactive, i.e., can be initiated with light, offer significant advantages in reduced potential for accidental electrical initiation. In this study, we examined a series of structurally related tetrazine based photoactive high explosive materials to detail their photochemical and photophysical properties. Using photobleaching infrared absorption, we determined quantum yields of photochemistry for nanosecond pulsed excitation at 355 and 532 nm. Changes in mass spectrometry during laser irradiation in vacuum measured the evolution of gaseous products. Fluorescence spectra, quantum yields, and lifetimes were measured to observe radiative channels of energy decay that compete with photochemistry. For the 6more » materials studied, quantum yields of photochemistry ranged from <10 –5 to 0.03 and quantum yield of fluorescence ranged from <10 –3 to 0.33. In all cases, the photoexcitation nonradiatively relaxed primarily to heat, appropriate for supporting photothermal initiation processes. Lastly, the photochemistry observed was dominated by ring scission of the tetrazine, but there was evidence of more extensive multistep reactions as well.« less

Optomechanical Control of Quantum Yield in Trans-Cis Ultrafast Photoisomerization of a Retinal Chromophore Model.

PubMed

Valentini, Alessio; Rivero, Daniel; Zapata, Felipe; García-Iriepa, Cristina; Marazzi, Marco; Palmeiro, Raúl; Fdez Galván, Ignacio; Sampedro, Diego; Olivucci, Massimo; Frutos, Luis Manuel

2017-03-27

The quantum yield of a photochemical reaction is one of the most fundamental quantities in photochemistry, as it measures the efficiency of the transduction of light energy into chemical energy. Nature has evolved photoreceptors in which the reactivity of a chromophore is enhanced by its molecular environment to achieve high quantum yields. The retinal chromophore sterically constrained inside rhodopsin proteins represents an outstanding example of such a control. In a more general framework, mechanical forces acting on a molecular system can strongly modify its reactivity. Herein, we show that the exertion of tensile forces on a simplified retinal chromophore model provokes a substantial and regular increase in the trans-to-cis photoisomerization quantum yield in a counterintuitive way, as these extension forces facilitate the formation of the more compressed cis photoisomer. A rationale for the mechanochemical effect on this photoisomerization mechanism is also proposed. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Understanding High Rate Behavior Through Low Rate Analog

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-28

uni- axial compression over all rates tested at 20 °C; (b) True yield stress as a function of strain rate...of temperature. (a) (b) Figure 11. Representative behaviour of PPVC-2. (a) True stress-true strain response in uni- axial compression over all...pages 33 of 78 (a) (b) Figure 15. Representative behaviour of PPVC-6. (a) True stress-true strain response in uni- axial compression

Diffusion of Magnesium in Led Structures with InGaN/GaN Quantum Wells at True Growth Temperatures 860-980°C of p-GaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanov, I. S.; Prudaev, I. A.; Brudnyi, V. N.

2018-05-01

The results of an investigation of Mg diffusion in blue LED structures with InGaN/GaN quantum wells are presented for various growth temperatures of the p-GaN layer. The values of the diffusion coefficient estimated for true growth temperatures of 860, 910, and 980°C were 7.5·10-17, 2.8·10-16, and 1.2·10-15 cm2/s, respectively. The temperature values given in the work were measured on the surface of the growing layer in situ using a pyrometer. The calculated activation energy for the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient was 2.8 eV.

Cosmological implications of the transition from the false vacuum to the true vacuum state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stachowski, Aleksander; Szydłowski, Marek; Urbanowski, Krzysztof

2017-06-01

We study cosmology with running dark energy. The energy density of dark energy is obtained from the quantum process of transition from the false vacuum state to the true vacuum state. We use the Breit-Wigner energy distribution function to model the quantum unstable systems and obtain the energy density of the dark energy parametrization ρ _ {de}(t). We also use Krauss and Dent's idea linking properties of the quantum mechanical decay of unstable states with the properties of the observed Universe. In the cosmological model with this parametrization there is an energy transfer between dark matter and dark energy. The intensity of this process, measured by a parameter α , distinguishes two scenarios. As the Universe starts from the false vacuum state, for the small value of α (0<α <0.4) it goes through an intermediate oscillatory (quantum) regime of the density of dark energy, while for α > 0.4 the density of the dark energy jumps down. In both cases the present value of the density of dark energy is reached. From a statistical analysis we find this model to be in good agreement with the astronomical data and practically indistinguishable from the Λ CDM model.

Photosynthetic Physiological Response of Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) Seedlings to Nicosulfuron

PubMed Central

Ning, Na; Wen, Yinyuan; Dong, Shuqi; Yin, Meiqiang; Guo, Meijun; Wang, Binqiang; Feng, Lei; Guo, Pingyi

2014-01-01

Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicine plants. However, there is no suitable herbicide used for weed control in Radix Isatidis field during postemergence stage. To explore the safety of sulfonylurea herbicide nicosulfuron on Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) seedlings and the photosynthetic physiological response of the plant to the herbicide, biological mass, leaf area, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, and P700 parameters of Radix Isatidis seedlings were analyzed 10 d after nicosulfuron treatment at 5th leaf stage in this greenhouse research. The results showed that biological mass, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, PS II maximum quantum yield, PS II effective quantum yield, PS II electron transport rate, photochemical quenching, maximal P700 change, photochemical quantum yield of PS I, and PS I electron transport rate decreased with increasing herbicide concentrations, whereas initial fluorescence, quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PS II and quantum yield of non-photochemical energy dissipation due to acceptor side limitation in PS I increased. It suggests that nicosulfuron ≥1 mg L−1 causes the damage of chloroplast, PS II and PS I structure. Electron transport limitations in PS I receptor side, and blocked dark reaction process may be the main cause of the significantly inhibited growth and decreased photosynthetic rate of Radix Isatidis seedlings. PMID:25165819

Synthesis, characterization and photophysical-theoretical analysis of compounds A-π-D. 1. Effect of alkyl-phenyl substituted amines in photophysical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortega, E.; Montecinos, R.; Cattin, L.; Díaz, F. R.; del Valle, M. A.; Bernède, J. C.

2017-08-01

The study of new dipolar A-π-D molecules, which have an acceptor (A) and donor (D) charge joined by a conjugate bridge, have been an attention focus in the recent years due their different properties. In the current work, a molecular system has been modified in order to compare the effect on properties, such as quantum yield. Thus, two series were generated (alkyl- and alkoxy-substituted) to determine if molecules with tertiary asymmetric amines change their optical properties and whether quantum yield is affected. The different products have been characterized by several techniques such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry, elemental analysis, NMR, FT-IR, mass spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, their behavior in eight organic solvents, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, 1,4-dioxane, acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide were experimentally and theoretically studied. The quantum yields were higher for the alkyl-substituted series. Theoretically, the dihedral angles formed between the tertiary amine and carbonyl group moieties have a correlation with quantum yield values, helping to explain why they are higher in non-polar solvents. Consequently, the maximum quantum yield was obtained with (E)-2-cyano-3-(5-((E)-2-(9,9-diethyl-7-(methyl(phenyl)amino)-9H-fluoren-2-yl) vinyl)thiophen-2-yl)acrylic acid (M8-1) in 1,4-dioxane, reaching 98.8%.

Silicon Nanoparticles with Surface Nitrogen: 90% Quantum Yield with Narrow Luminescence Bandwidth and the Ligand Structure Based Energy Law.

PubMed

Li, Qi; Luo, Tian-Yi; Zhou, Meng; Abroshan, Hadi; Huang, Jingchun; Kim, Hyung J; Rosi, Nathaniel L; Shao, Zhengzhong; Jin, Rongchao

2016-09-27

Silicon nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely accepted as an alternative material for typical quantum dots and commercial organic dyes in light-emitting and bioimaging applications owing to silicon's intrinsic merits of least toxicity, low cost, and high abundance. However, to date, how to improve Si nanoparticle photoluminescence (PL) performance (such as ultrahigh quantum yield, sharp emission peak, high stability) is still a major issue. Herein, we report surface nitrogen-capped Si NPs with PL quantum yield up to 90% and narrow PL bandwidth (full width at half-maximum (fwhm) ≈ 40 nm), which can compete with commercial dyes and typical quantum dots. Comprehensive studies have been conducted to unveil the influence of particle size, structure, and amount of surface ligand on the PL of Si NPs. Especially, a general ligand-structure-based PL energy law for surface nitrogen-capped Si NPs is identified in both experimental and theoretical analyses, and the underlying PL mechanisms are further discussed.

Two-time quantum transport and quantum diffusion.

PubMed

Kleinert, P

2009-05-01

Based on the nonequilibrium Green's function technique, a unified theory is developed that covers quantum transport and quantum diffusion in bulk semiconductors on the same footing. This approach, which is applicable to transport via extended and localized states, extends previous semiphenomenological studies and puts them on a firm microscopic basis. The approach is sufficiently general and applies not only to well-studied quantum-transport problems, but also to models, in which the Hamiltonian does not commute with the dipole operator. It is shown that even for the unified treatment of quantum transport and quantum diffusion in homogeneous systems, all quasimomenta of the carrier distribution function are present and fulfill their specific function. Particular emphasis is put on the double-time nature of quantum kinetics. To demonstrate the existence of robust macroscopic transport effects that have a true double-time character, a phononless steady-state current is identified that appears only beyond the generalized Kadanoff-Baym ansatz.

Multiparty quantum mutual information: An alternative definition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Asutosh

2017-07-01

Mutual information is the reciprocal information that is common to or shared by two or more parties. Quantum mutual information for bipartite quantum systems is non-negative, and bears the interpretation of total correlation between the two subsystems. This may, however, no longer be true for three or more party quantum systems. In this paper, we propose an alternative definition of multipartite information, taking into account the shared information between two and more parties. It is non-negative, observes monotonicity under partial trace as well as completely positive maps, and equals the multipartite information measure in literature for pure states. We then define multiparty quantum discord, and give some examples. Interestingly, we observe that quantum discord increases when a measurement is performed on a large number of subsystems. Consequently, the symmetric quantum discord, which involves a measurement on all parties, reveals the maximal quantumness. This raises a question on the interpretation of measured mutual information as a classical correlation.

Do the cations in clay and the polymer matrix affect quantum dot fluorescent properties?

PubMed

Wei, Wenjun; Liu, Cui; Liu, Jiyan; Liu, Xueqing; Zou, Linling; Cai, Shaojun; Shi, Hong; Cao, Yuan-Cheng

2016-06-01

This paper studied the effects of cations and polymer matrix on the fluorescent properties of quantum dots (QDs). The results indicated that temperature has a greater impact on fluorescence intensity than clay cations (mainly K(+) and Na(+) ). Combined fluorescence lifetime and steady-state spectrometer tests showed that QD lifetimes all decreased when the cation concentration was increased, but the quantum yields were steady at various cation concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.5 and 1 M. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and diepoxy resin were used to study the effects of polymers on QD lifetime and quantum yield. The results showed that the lifetime for QDs 550 nm in PEO and PVA was 17.33 and 17.12 ns, respectively; for the epoxy resin, the lifetime was 0.74 ns, a sharp decrease from 24.47 ns. The quantum yield for QDs 550 nm changed from 34.22% to 7.45% and 7.81% in PEO and PVA, respectively; for the epoxy resin the quantum yield was 2.25%. QDs 580 nm and 620 nm showed the same results as QDs 550 nm. This study provides useful information on the design, synthesis and application of QDs-polymer luminescent materials. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Action spectra of photosystems II and I and quantum yield of photosynthesis in leaves in State 1.

PubMed

Laisk, Agu; Oja, Vello; Eichelmann, Hillar; Dall'Osto, Luca

2014-02-01

The spectral global quantum yield (YII, electrons/photons absorbed) of photosystem II (PSII) was measured in sunflower leaves in State 1 using monochromatic light. The global quantum yield of PSI (YI) was measured using low-intensity monochromatic light flashes and the associated transmittance change at 810nm. The 810-nm signal change was calibrated based on the number of electrons generated by PSII during the flash (4·O2 evolution) which arrived at the PSI donor side after a delay of 2ms. The intrinsic quantum yield of PSI (yI, electrons per photon absorbed by PSI) was measured at 712nm, where photon absorption by PSII was small. The results were used to resolve the individual spectra of the excitation partitioning coefficients between PSI (aI) and PSII (aII) in leaves. For comparison, pigment-protein complexes for PSII and PSI were isolated, separated by sucrose density ultracentrifugation, and their optical density was measured. A good correlation was obtained for the spectral excitation partitioning coefficients measured by these different methods. The intrinsic yield of PSI was high (yI=0.88), but it absorbed only about 1/3 of quanta; consequently, about 2/3 of quanta were absorbed by PSII, but processed with the low intrinsic yield yII=0.63. In PSII, the quantum yield of charge separation was 0.89 as detected by variable fluorescence Fv/Fm, but 29% of separated charges recombined (Laisk A, Eichelmann H and Oja V, Photosynth. Res. 113, 145-155). At wavelengths less than 580nm about 30% of excitation is absorbed by pigments poorly connected to either photosystem, most likely carotenoids bound in pigment-protein complexes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

True fir spacing and yield trials—20-year update

Treesearch

Robert O. Curtis

2013-01-01

This report updates data and comparisons from previous reports (Curtis and others 2000, Curtis 2008) on a series of precommercial thinning and yield trials in high-elevation true fir–hemlock stands, using data from the 12 replicates for which 20-year data are now available. The stands were varying mixtures of Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis (Douglas ex Loudon)...

ABSORBANCE, ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT, AND APPARENT QUANTUM YIELD: A COMMENT ON AMBIGUITY IN THE USE OF THESE OPTICAL CONCEPTS

EPA Science Inventory

Several important optical terms such as "absorbance" and "absorption coefficient" are frequently used ambiguously in the current peer-reviewed literature. Since they are important terms that are required to derive other quantities such as the "apparent quantum yield" of photoprod...

Influence of the dark exciton state on the optical and quantum optical properties of single quantum dots.

PubMed

Reischle, M; Beirne, G J; Rossbach, R; Jetter, M; Michler, P

2008-10-03

The dark exciton state strongly affects the optical and quantum optical properties of flat InP/GaInP quantum dots. The exciton intensity drops sharply compared to the biexciton with rising pulsed laser excitation power while the opposite is true with temperature. Also, the decay rate is faster for the exciton than the biexciton and the dark-to-bright state spin flip is enhanced with temperature. Furthermore, long-lived dark state related memory effects are observed in second-order cross-correlation measurements between the exciton and biexciton and have been simulated using a rate-equation model.

Quantum Criticality and Black Holes

ScienceCinema

Sachdev, Subir [Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

2017-12-09

I will describe the behavior of a variety of condensed matter systems in the vicinity of zero temperature quantum phase transitions. There is a remarkable analogy between the hydrodynamics of such systems and the quantum theory of black holes. I will show how insights from this analogy have shed light on recent experiments on the cuprate high temperature superconductors. Studies of new materials and trapped ultracold atoms are yielding new quantum phases, with novel forms of quantum entanglement. Some materials are of technological importance: e.g. high temperature superconductors. Exact solutions via black hole mapping have yielded first exact results for transport coefficients in interacting many-body systems, and were valuable in determining general structure of hydrodynamics. Theory of VBS order and Nernst effect in cuprates. Tabletop 'laboratories for the entire universe': quantum mechanics of black holes, quark-gluon plasma, neutrons stars, and big-bang physics.

Brightly Luminescent and Color-Tunable Colloidal CH3NH3PbX3 (X = Br, I, Cl) Quantum Dots: Potential Alternatives for Display Technology.

PubMed

Zhang, Feng; Zhong, Haizheng; Chen, Cheng; Wu, Xian-gang; Hu, Xiangmin; Huang, Hailong; Han, Junbo; Zou, Bingsuo; Dong, Yuping

2015-04-28

Organometal halide perovskites are inexpensive materials with desirable characteristics of color-tunable and narrow-band emissions for lighting and display technology, but they suffer from low photoluminescence quantum yields at low excitation fluencies. Here we developed a ligand-assisted reprecipitation strategy to fabricate brightly luminescent and color-tunable colloidal CH3NH3PbX3 (X = Br, I, Cl) quantum dots with absolute quantum yield up to 70% at room temperature and low excitation fluencies. To illustrate the photoluminescence enhancements in these quantum dots, we conducted comprehensive composition and surface characterizations and determined the time- and temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra. Comparisons between small-sized CH3NH3PbBr3 quantum dots (average diameter 3.3 nm) and corresponding micrometer-sized bulk particles (2-8 μm) suggest that the intense increased photoluminescence quantum yield originates from the increase of exciton binding energy due to size reduction as well as proper chemical passivations of the Br-rich surface. We further demonstrated wide-color gamut white-light-emitting diodes using green emissive CH3NH3PbBr3 quantum dots and red emissive K2SiF6:Mn(4+) as color converters, providing enhanced color quality for display technology. Moreover, colloidal CH3NH3PbX3 quantum dots are expected to exhibit interesting nanoscale excitonic properties and also have other potential applications in lasers, electroluminescence devices, and optical sensors.

Structural Basis for Near Unity Quantum Yield Core/Shell Nanostructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McBride, James; Treadway, Joe; Pennycook, Stephen J

2006-01-01

Aberration-corrected Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy of core/shell nanocrystals shows clear correlations between structure and quantum efficiency. Uniform shell coverage is obtained only for a graded CdS/ZnS shell material and is found to be critical to achieving near 100% quantum yield. The sublattice sensitivity of the images confirms that preferential growth takes place on the anion-terminated surfaces. This explains the three-dimensional "nanobullet" shape observed in the case of core/shell nanorods.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen Lin; Chen Yixin

We show that no universal quantum cloning machine exists that can broadcast an arbitrary mixed qubit with a constant fidelity. Based on this result, we investigate the dependent quantum cloner in the sense that some parameter of the input qubit {rho}{sub s}({theta},{omega},{lambda}) is regarded as constant in the fidelity. For the case of constant {omega}, we establish the 1{yields}2 optimal symmetric dependent cloner with a fidelity 1/2. It is also shown that the 1{yields}M optimal quantum cloning machine for pure qubits is also optimal for mixed qubits, when {lambda} is the unique parameter in the fidelity. For general N{yields}M broadcastingmore » of mixed qubits, the situation is very different.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bisio, Alessandro; D'Ariano, Giacomo Mauro; Perinotti, Paolo

We analyze quantum algorithms for cloning of a quantum measurement. Our aim is to mimic two uses of a device performing an unknown von Neumann measurement with a single use of the device. When the unknown device has to be used before the bipartite state to be measured is available we talk about 1{yields}2 learning of the measurement, otherwise the task is called 1{yields}2 cloning of a measurement. We perform the optimization for both learning and cloning for arbitrary dimension d of the Hilbert space. For 1{yields}2 cloning we also propose a simple quantum network that achieves the optimal fidelity.more » The optimal fidelity for 1{yields}2 learning just slightly outperforms the estimate and prepare strategy in which one first estimates the unknown measurement and depending on the result suitably prepares the duplicate.« less

Quantum probability, choice in large worlds, and the statistical structure of reality.

PubMed

Ross, Don; Ladyman, James

2013-06-01

Classical probability models of incentive response are inadequate in "large worlds," where the dimensions of relative risk and the dimensions of similarity in outcome comparisons typically differ. Quantum probability models for choice in large worlds may be motivated pragmatically - there is no third theory - or metaphysically: statistical processing in the brain adapts to the true scale-relative structure of the universe.

Hidden symmetry in the confined hydrogen atom problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pupyshev, Vladimir I.; Scherbinin, Andrei V.

2002-07-01

The classical counterpart of the well-known quantum mechanical model of a spherically confined hydrogen atom is examined in terms of the Lenz vector, a dynamic variable featuring the conventional Kepler problem. It is shown that a conditional conservation law associated with the Lenz vector is true, in fair agreement with the corresponding quantum problem previously found to exhibit a hidden symmetry as well.

Quantum cryptography: Security criteria reexamined

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaszlikowski, Dagomir; Liang, Y.C.; Englert, Berthold-Georg

2004-09-01

We find that the generally accepted security criteria are flawed for a whole class of protocols for quantum cryptography. This is so because a standard assumption of the security analysis, namely that the so-called square-root measurement is optimal for eavesdropping purposes, is not true in general. There are rather large parameter regimes in which the optimal measurement extracts substantially more information than the square-root measurement.

Distribution of Bell-inequality violation versus multiparty-quantum-correlation measures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Kunal; Das, Tamoghna; Sen (de), Aditi; Sen, Ujjwal

Violation of a Bell inequality guarantees the existence of quantum correlations in a shared quantum state. A pure bipartite quantum state, having nonvanishing quantum correlation, always violates a Bell inequality. Such correspondence is absent for multipartite pure quantum states in the case of multipartite correlation function Bell inequalities with two settings at each site. We establish a connection between the monogamy of Bell-inequality violation and multiparty quantum correlations for shared multisite quantum states. We believe that the relation is generic, as it is true for a number of different multisite measures that are defined from radically different perspectives. Precisely, we quantify the multisite-quantum-correlation content in the states by generalized geometric measure, a genuine multisite entanglement measure, as well as three monogamybased multiparty-quantum-correlation measures, viz., 3-tangle, quantum-discord score, and quantum-work-deficit score. We find that generalized Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states and another single-parameter family of states, which we refer to as the special Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states, have the status of extremal states in such relations.

Distribution of Bell-inequality violation versus multiparty-quantum-correlation measures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Kunal; Das, Tamoghna; SenDe, Aditi; Sen, Ujjwal

2016-06-01

Violation of a Bell inequality guarantees the existence of quantum correlations in a shared quantum state. A pure bipartite quantum state, having nonvanishing quantum correlation, always violates a Bell inequality. Such correspondence is absent for multipartite pure quantum states in the case of multipartite correlation function Bell inequalities with two settings at each site. We establish a connection between the monogamy of Bell-inequality violation and multiparty quantum correlations for shared multisite quantum states. We believe that the relation is generic, as it is true for a number of different multisite measures that are defined from radically different perspectives. Precisely, we quantify the multisite-quantum-correlation content in the states by generalized geometric measure, a genuine multisite entanglement measure, as well as three monogamy-based multiparty-quantum-correlation measures, viz., 3-tangle, quantum-discord score, and quantum-work-deficit score. We find that generalized Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states and another single-parameter family of states, which we refer to as the special Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states, have the status of extremal states in such relations.

Influence of quantum dot's quantum yield to chemiluminescent resonance energy transfer.

PubMed

Wang, Hai-Qiao; Li, Yong-Qiang; Wang, Jian-Hao; Xu, Qiao; Li, Xiu-Qing; Zhao, Yuan-Di

2008-03-03

The resonance energy transfer between chemiluminescence donor (luminol-H2O2 system) and quantum dots (QDs, emission at 593 nm) acceptors (CRET) was investigated. The resonance energy transfer efficiencies were compared while the oil soluble QDs, water soluble QDs (modified with thioglycolate) and QD-HRP conjugates were used as acceptor. The fluorescence of QD can be observed in the three cases, indicating that the CRET occurs while QD acceptor in different status was used. The highest CRET efficiency (10.7%) was obtained in the case of oil soluble QDs, and the lowest CRET efficiency (2.7%) was observed in the QD-HRP conjugates case. This result is coincident with the quantum yields of the acceptors (18.3% and 0.4%). The same result was observed in another similar set of experiment, in which the amphiphilic polymer modified QDs (emission at 675 nm) were used. It suggests that the quantum yield of the QD in different status is the crucial factor to the CRET efficiency. Furthermore, the multiplexed CRET between luminol donor and three different sizes QD acceptors was observed simultaneously. This work will offer useful support for improving the CRET studies based on quantum dots.

Noise Analysis of Simultaneous Quantum Key Distribution and Classical Communication Scheme Using a True Local Oscillator

DOE PAGES

Qi, Bing; Lim, Charles Ci Wen

2018-05-07

Recently, we proposed a simultaneous quantum and classical communication (SQCC) protocol where random numbers for quantum key distribution and bits for classical communication are encoded on the same weak coherent pulse and decoded by the same coherent receiver. Such a scheme could be appealing in practice since a single coherent communication system can be used for multiple purposes. However, previous studies show that the SQCC protocol can tolerate only very small phase noise. This makes it incompatible with the coherent communication scheme using a true local oscillator (LO), which presents a relatively high phase noise due to the fact thatmore » the signal and the LO are generated from two independent lasers. We improve the phase noise tolerance of the SQCC scheme using a true LO by adopting a refined noise model where phase noises originating from different sources are treated differently: on the one hand, phase noise associated with the coherent receiver may be regarded as trusted noise since the detector can be calibrated locally and the photon statistics of the detected signals can be determined from the measurement results; on the other hand, phase noise due to the instability of fiber interferometers may be regarded as untrusted noise since its randomness (from the adversary’s point of view) is hard to justify. Simulation results show the tolerable phase noise in this refined noise model is significantly higher than that in the previous study, where all of the phase noises are assumed to be untrusted. In conclusion, we conduct an experiment to show that the required phase stability can be achieved in a coherent communication system using a true LO.« less

Noise Analysis of Simultaneous Quantum Key Distribution and Classical Communication Scheme Using a True Local Oscillator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qi, Bing; Lim, Charles Ci Wen

Recently, we proposed a simultaneous quantum and classical communication (SQCC) protocol where random numbers for quantum key distribution and bits for classical communication are encoded on the same weak coherent pulse and decoded by the same coherent receiver. Such a scheme could be appealing in practice since a single coherent communication system can be used for multiple purposes. However, previous studies show that the SQCC protocol can tolerate only very small phase noise. This makes it incompatible with the coherent communication scheme using a true local oscillator (LO), which presents a relatively high phase noise due to the fact thatmore » the signal and the LO are generated from two independent lasers. We improve the phase noise tolerance of the SQCC scheme using a true LO by adopting a refined noise model where phase noises originating from different sources are treated differently: on the one hand, phase noise associated with the coherent receiver may be regarded as trusted noise since the detector can be calibrated locally and the photon statistics of the detected signals can be determined from the measurement results; on the other hand, phase noise due to the instability of fiber interferometers may be regarded as untrusted noise since its randomness (from the adversary’s point of view) is hard to justify. Simulation results show the tolerable phase noise in this refined noise model is significantly higher than that in the previous study, where all of the phase noises are assumed to be untrusted. In conclusion, we conduct an experiment to show that the required phase stability can be achieved in a coherent communication system using a true LO.« less

Noise Analysis of Simultaneous Quantum Key Distribution and Classical Communication Scheme Using a True Local Oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Bing; Lim, Charles Ci Wen

2018-05-01

Recently, we proposed a simultaneous quantum and classical communication (SQCC) protocol where random numbers for quantum key distribution and bits for classical communication are encoded on the same weak coherent pulse and decoded by the same coherent receiver. Such a scheme could be appealing in practice since a single coherent communication system can be used for multiple purposes. However, previous studies show that the SQCC protocol can tolerate only very small phase noise. This makes it incompatible with the coherent communication scheme using a true local oscillator (LO), which presents a relatively high phase noise due to the fact that the signal and the LO are generated from two independent lasers. We improve the phase noise tolerance of the SQCC scheme using a true LO by adopting a refined noise model where phase noises originating from different sources are treated differently: on the one hand, phase noise associated with the coherent receiver may be regarded as trusted noise since the detector can be calibrated locally and the photon statistics of the detected signals can be determined from the measurement results; on the other hand, phase noise due to the instability of fiber interferometers may be regarded as untrusted noise since its randomness (from the adversary's point of view) is hard to justify. Simulation results show the tolerable phase noise in this refined noise model is significantly higher than that in the previous study, where all of the phase noises are assumed to be untrusted. We conduct an experiment to show that the required phase stability can be achieved in a coherent communication system using a true LO.

Interconversion of Anthozoa GFP-like fluorescent and non-fluorescent proteins by mutagenesis

PubMed Central

Bulina, Maria E; Chudakov, Dmitry M; Mudrik, Nikolay N; Lukyanov, Konstantin A

2002-01-01

Background Within the family of green fluorescent protein (GFP) homologs, one can mark two main groups, specifically, fluorescent proteins (FPs) and non-fluorescent or chromoproteins (CPs). Structural background of differences between FPs and CPs are poorly understood to date. Results Here, we applied site-directed and random mutagenesis in order to to transform CP into FP and vice versa. A purple chromoprotein asCP (asFP595) from Anemonia sulcata and a red fluorescent protein DsRed from Discosoma sp. were selected as representatives of CPs and FPs, respectively. For asCP, some substitutions at positions 148 and 165 (numbering in accordance to GFP) were found to dramatically increase quantum yield of red fluorescence. For DsRed, substitutions at positions 148, 165, 167, and 203 significantly decreased fluorescence intensity, so that the spectral characteristics of these mutants became more close to those of CPs. Finally, a practically non-fluorescent mutant DsRed-NF was generated. This mutant carried four amino acid substitutions, specifically, S148C, I165N, K167M, and S203A. DsRed-NF possessed a high extinction coefficient and an extremely low quantum yield (< 0.001). These spectral characteristics allow one to regard DsRed-NF as a true chromoprotein. Conclusions We located a novel point in asCP sequence (position 165) mutations at which can result in red fluorescence appearance. Probably, this finding could be applied onto other CPs to generate red and far-red fluorescent mutants. A possibility to transform an FP into CP was demonstrated. Key role of residues adjacent to chromophore's phenolic ring in fluorescent/non-fluorescent states determination was revealed. PMID:11972899

Triazatruxene: A Rigid Central Donor Unit for a D-A3 Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Material Exhibiting Sub-Microsecond Reverse Intersystem Crossing and Unity Quantum Yield via Multiple Singlet-Triplet State Pairs.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Paloma L; Ward, Jonathan S; Congrave, Daniel G; Batsanov, Andrei S; Eng, Julien; Stacey, Jessica E; Penfold, Thomas J; Monkman, Andrew P; Bryce, Martin R

2018-06-01

By inverting the common structural motif of thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials to a rigid donor core and multiple peripheral acceptors, reverse intersystem crossing (rISC) rates are demonstrated in an organic material that enables utilization of triplet excited states at faster rates than Ir-based phosphorescent materials. A combination of the inverted structure and multiple donor-acceptor interactions yields up to 30 vibronically coupled singlet and triplet states within 0.2 eV that are involved in rISC. This gives a significant enhancement to the rISC rate, leading to delayed fluorescence decay times as low as 103.9 ns. This new material also has an emission quantum yield ≈1 and a very small singlet-triplet gap. This work shows that it is possible to achieve both high photoluminescence quantum yield and fast rISC in the same molecule. Green organic light-emitting diode devices with external quantum efficiency >30% are demonstrated at 76 cd m -2 .

The Effect of Correlated Energetic Disorder on Charge Transport in Organic Semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, Jonathan; Röding, Sebastian; Cherqui, Charles; Dunlap, David

2012-10-01

In their 1995 paper describing a Monte Carlo simulation for dissociation of an electron-hole pair in the presence of Gaussian energetic disorder, Albrect and Bäassler reported a surprising result. They found that increasing the width σ of the energetic disorder increases the quantum yield φ. They attributed this behavior to the tendency for energy fluctuations to compete against the Coulombic pair attraction, driving the electron-hole pair apart at short distances where, without disorder, recombination would be almost certain. We have expanded upon this notion, and introduced spatial correlation into the energetic disorder. By correlating the energetic disorder, we have demonstrated even larger quantum yields in simulation, attributable to the tendency of correlation to drive the charges further apart spatially than merely random disorder. Our results generally support the findings of Greenham et al. in that a larger correlation radius gives a larger quantum yield. In addition to larger quantum yield, we believe that correlated disorder could be used to create pathways for charge transport within a material, allowing the charge carrier behavior to be tuned.

Generic emergence of classical features in quantum Darwinism.

PubMed

Brandão, Fernando G S L; Piani, Marco; Horodecki, Paweł

2015-08-12

Quantum Darwinism posits that only specific information about a quantum system that is redundantly proliferated to many parts of its environment becomes accessible and objective, leading to the emergence of classical reality. However, it is not clear under what conditions this mechanism holds true. Here we prove that the emergence of classical features along the lines of quantum Darwinism is a general feature of any quantum dynamics: observers who acquire information indirectly through the environment have effective access at most to classical information about one and the same measurement of the quantum system. Our analysis does not rely on a strict conceptual splitting between a system-of-interest and its environment, and allows one to interpret any system as part of the environment of any other system. Finally, our approach leads to a full operational characterization of quantum discord in terms of local redistribution of correlations.

Generic emergence of classical features in quantum Darwinism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandão, Fernando G. S. L.; Piani, Marco; Horodecki, Paweł

2015-08-01

Quantum Darwinism posits that only specific information about a quantum system that is redundantly proliferated to many parts of its environment becomes accessible and objective, leading to the emergence of classical reality. However, it is not clear under what conditions this mechanism holds true. Here we prove that the emergence of classical features along the lines of quantum Darwinism is a general feature of any quantum dynamics: observers who acquire information indirectly through the environment have effective access at most to classical information about one and the same measurement of the quantum system. Our analysis does not rely on a strict conceptual splitting between a system-of-interest and its environment, and allows one to interpret any system as part of the environment of any other system. Finally, our approach leads to a full operational characterization of quantum discord in terms of local redistribution of correlations.

Tailoring the Energy Landscape in Quasi-2D Halide Perovskites Enables Efficient Green-Light Emission.

PubMed

Quan, Li Na; Zhao, Yongbiao; García de Arquer, F Pelayo; Sabatini, Randy; Walters, Grant; Voznyy, Oleksandr; Comin, Riccardo; Li, Yiying; Fan, James Z; Tan, Hairen; Pan, Jun; Yuan, Mingjian; Bakr, Osman M; Lu, Zhenghong; Kim, Dong Ha; Sargent, Edward H

2017-06-14

Organo-metal halide perovskites are a promising platform for optoelectronic applications in view of their excellent charge-transport and bandgap tunability. However, their low photoluminescence quantum efficiencies, especially in low-excitation regimes, limit their efficiency for light emission. Consequently, perovskite light-emitting devices are operated under high injection, a regime under which the materials have so far been unstable. Here we show that, by concentrating photoexcited states into a small subpopulation of radiative domains, one can achieve a high quantum yield, even at low excitation intensities. We tailor the composition of quasi-2D perovskites to direct the energy transfer into the lowest-bandgap minority phase and to do so faster than it is lost to nonradiative centers. The new material exhibits 60% photoluminescence quantum yield at excitation intensities as low as 1.8 mW/cm 2 , yielding a ratio of quantum yield to excitation intensity of 0.3 cm 2 /mW; this represents a decrease of 2 orders of magnitude in the excitation power required to reach high efficiency compared with the best prior reports. Using this strategy, we report light-emitting diodes with external quantum efficiencies of 7.4% and a high luminescence of 8400 cd/m 2 .

Diffusion of Magnesium in Led Structures with InGaN/GaN Quantum Wells at True Growth Temperatures 860–980°C of p-GaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanov, I. S.; Prudaev, I. A.; Brudnyi, V. N.

2018-05-01

The results of an investigation of Mg diffusion in blue LED structures with InGaN/GaN quantum wells are presented for various growth temperatures of the p-GaN layer. The values of the diffusion coefficient estimated for true growth temperatures of 860, 910, and 980°C were 7.5·10-17, 2.8·10-16, and 1.2·10-15 cm2/s, respectively. The temperature values given in the work were measured on the surface of the growing layer in situ using a pyrometer. The calculated activation energy for the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient was 2.8 eV.

Measurement of fluorophore concentrations and fluorescence quantum yield in tissue-simulating phantoms using three diffusion models of steady-state spatially resolved fluorescence.

PubMed

Diamond, Kevin R; Farrell, Thomas J; Patterson, Michael S

2003-12-21

Steady-state diffusion theory models of fluorescence in tissue have been investigated for recovering fluorophore concentrations and fluorescence quantum yield. Spatially resolved fluorescence, excitation and emission reflectance Carlo simulations, and measured using a multi-fibre probe on tissue-simulating phantoms containing either aluminium phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPcS4), Photofrin meso-tetra-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine dihydrochloride The accuracy of the fluorophore concentration and fluorescence quantum yield recovered by three different models of spatially resolved fluorescence were compared. The models were based on: (a) weighted difference of the excitation and emission reflectance, (b) fluorescence due to a point excitation source or (c) fluorescence due to a pencil beam excitation source. When literature values for the fluorescence quantum yield were used for each of the fluorophores, the fluorophore absorption coefficient (and hence concentration) at the excitation wavelength (mu(a,x,f)) was recovered with a root-mean-square accuracy of 11.4% using the point source model of fluorescence and 8.0% using the more complicated pencil beam excitation model. The accuracy was calculated over a broad range of optical properties and fluorophore concentrations. The weighted difference of reflectance model performed poorly, with a root-mean-square error in concentration of about 50%. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that there are some situations where the weighted difference of reflectance is as accurate as the other two models, although this was not confirmed experimentally. Estimates of the fluorescence quantum yield in multiple scattering media were also made by determining mu(a,x,f) independently from the fitted absorption spectrum and applying the various diffusion theory models. The fluorescence quantum yields for AlPcS4 and TPPS4 were calculated to be 0.59 +/- 0.03 and 0.121 +/- 0.001 respectively using the point source model, and 0.63 +/- 0.03 and 0.129 +/- 0.002 using the pencil beam excitation model. These results are consistent with published values.

Diagnostic System for Decomposition Studies of Energetic Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-03

transition states and reaction pathways are sought. The overall objective for these combined experimental studies and quantum mechanics investigations...peak-to-peak 1 min: 50,000:1 ( 8.6×10-6 AU noise) peak-to-peak Interferometer UltraScan linear air bearing scanner with True -Alignment Aperture... True 24 bit dynamic range for all scan velocities, dual channel data acquisition Validation Internal validation unit, 6 positions, certified

Observation of an anomalous decoherence effect in a quantum bath at room temperature

PubMed Central

Huang, Pu; Kong, Xi; Zhao, Nan; Shi, Fazhan; Wang, Pengfei; Rong, Xing; Liu, Ren-Bao; Du, Jiangfeng

2011-01-01

The decoherence of quantum objects is a critical issue in quantum science and technology. It is generally believed that stronger noise causes faster decoherence. Strikingly, recent theoretical work suggests that under certain conditions, the opposite is true for spins in quantum baths. Here we report an experimental observation of an anomalous decoherence effect for the electron spin-1 of a nitrogen-vacancy centre in high-purity diamond at room temperature. We demonstrate that, under dynamical decoupling, the double-transition can have longer coherence time than the single-transition even though the former couples to the nuclear spin bath as twice strongly as the latter does. The excellent agreement between the experimental and theoretical results confirms the controllability of the weakly coupled nuclear spins in the bath, which is useful in quantum information processing and quantum metrology. PMID:22146389

Single-photon-level quantum image memory based on cold atomic ensembles

PubMed Central

Ding, Dong-Sheng; Zhou, Zhi-Yuan; Shi, Bao-Sen; Guo, Guang-Can

2013-01-01

A quantum memory is a key component for quantum networks, which will enable the distribution of quantum information. Its successful development requires storage of single-photon light. Encoding photons with spatial shape through higher-dimensional states significantly increases their information-carrying capability and network capacity. However, constructing such quantum memories is challenging. Here we report the first experimental realization of a true single-photon-carrying orbital angular momentum stored via electromagnetically induced transparency in a cold atomic ensemble. Our experiments show that the non-classical pair correlation between trigger photon and retrieved photon is retained, and the spatial structure of input and retrieved photons exhibits strong similarity. More importantly, we demonstrate that single-photon coherence is preserved during storage. The ability to store spatial structure at the single-photon level opens the possibility for high-dimensional quantum memories. PMID:24084711

Quantum coherence: Reciprocity and distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Asutosh

2017-03-01

Quantum coherence is the outcome of the superposition principle. Recently, it has been theorized as a quantum resource, and is the premise of quantum correlations in multipartite systems. It is therefore interesting to study the coherence content and its distribution in a multipartite quantum system. In this work, we show analytically as well as numerically the reciprocity between coherence and mixedness of a quantum state. We find that this trade-off is a general feature in the sense that it is true for large spectra of measures of coherence and of mixedness. We also study the distribution of coherence in multipartite systems by looking at monogamy-type relation-which we refer to as additivity relation-between coherences of different parts of the system. We show that for the Dicke states, while the normalized measures of coherence violate the additivity relation, the unnormalized ones satisfy the same.

Cryogenic on-chip multiplexer for the study of quantum transport in 256 split-gate devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Taie, H.; Smith, L. W.; Xu, B.; See, P.; Griffiths, J. P.; Beere, H. E.; Jones, G. A. C.; Ritchie, D. A.; Kelly, M. J.; Smith, C. G.

2013-06-01

We present a multiplexing scheme for the measurement of large numbers of mesoscopic devices in cryogenic systems. The multiplexer is used to contact an array of 256 split gates on a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure, in which each split gate can be measured individually. The low-temperature conductance of split-gate devices is governed by quantum mechanics, leading to the appearance of conductance plateaux at intervals of 2e2/h. A fabrication-limited yield of 94% is achieved for the array, and a "quantum yield" is also defined, to account for disorder affecting the quantum behaviour of the devices. The quantum yield rose from 55% to 86% after illuminating the sample, explained by the corresponding increase in carrier density and mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas. The multiplexer is a scalable architecture, and can be extended to other forms of mesoscopic devices. It overcomes previous limits on the number of devices that can be fabricated on a single chip due to the number of electrical contacts available, without the need to alter existing experimental set ups.

Adaptation to high CO2 concentration in an optimal environment: radiation capture, canopy quantum yield and carbon use efficiency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monje, O.; Bugbee, B.

1998-01-01

The effect of elevated [CO2] on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Veery 10) productivity was examined by analysing radiation capture, canopy quantum yield, canopy carbon use efficiency, harvest index and daily C gain. Canopies were grown at either 330 or 1200 micromoles mol-1 [CO2] in controlled environments, where root and shoot C fluxes were monitored continuously from emergence to harvest. A rapidly circulating hydroponic solution supplied nutrients, water and root zone oxygen. At harvest, dry mass predicted from gas exchange data was 102.8 +/- 4.7% of the observed dry mass in six trials. Neither radiation capture efficiency nor carbon use efficiency were affected by elevated [CO2], but yield increased by 13% due to a sustained increase in canopy quantum yield. CO2 enrichment increased root mass, tiller number and seed mass. Harvest index and chlorophyll concentration were unchanged, but CO2 enrichment increased average life cycle net photosynthesis (13%, P < 0.05) and root respiration (24%, P < 0.05). These data indicate that plant communities adapt to CO2 enrichment through changes in C allocation. Elevated [CO2] increases sink strength in optimal environments, resulting in sustained increases in photosynthetic capacity, canopy quantum yield and daily C gain throughout the life cycle.

Rigidifying fluorescent linkers by metal-organic framework formation for fluorescence blue shift and quantum yield enhancement.

PubMed

Wei, Zhangwen; Gu, Zhi-Yuan; Arvapally, Ravi K; Chen, Ying-Pin; McDougald, Roy N; Ivy, Joshua F; Yakovenko, Andrey A; Feng, Dawei; Omary, Mohammad A; Zhou, Hong-Cai

2014-06-11

We demonstrate that rigidifying the structure of fluorescent linkers by structurally constraining them in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to control their conformation effectively tunes the fluorescence energy and enhances the quantum yield. Thus, a new tetraphenylethylene-based zirconium MOF exhibits a deep-blue fluorescent emission at 470 nm with a unity quantum yield (99.9 ± 0.5%) under Ar, representing ca. 3600 cm(-1) blue shift and doubled radiative decay efficiency vs the linker precursor. An anomalous increase in the fluorescence lifetime and relative intensity takes place upon heating the solid MOF from cryogenic to ambient temperatures. The origin of these unusual photoluminescence properties is attributed to twisted linker conformation, intramolecular hindrance, and framework rigidity.

The reaction of NH2 with NO2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jayanty, R. K. M.; Simonaitis, R.; Heicklen, J.

1976-01-01

Ammonia (NH3) was photolyzed at 213.9 nm in the presence of NO2 at 25 C in order to study the reactions of NH2 with NO2. The products included NO, with a quantum yield of 1.0. The other measured products of the reaction were N2 and N2O with respective quantum yields of 0.94 plus or minus 0.10 and 0.3 in the presence of small amounts of He and 0.65 plus or minus 0.15 and 0.13 in the presence of a large excess of He. The quantum yield for NO2 consumption was 6.0 plus or minus 2.0 in the absence of He. These results are explained in terms of various reactions.

AgCl-doped CdSe quantum dots with near-IR photoluminescence.

PubMed

Kotin, Pavel Aleksandrovich; Bubenov, Sergey Sergeevich; Mordvinova, Natalia Evgenievna; Dorofeev, Sergey Gennadievich

2017-01-01

We report the synthesis of colloidal CdSe quantum dots doped with a novel Ag precursor: AgCl. The addition of AgCl causes dramatic changes in the morphology of synthesized nanocrystals from spherical nanoparticles to tetrapods and finally to large ellipsoidal nanoparticles. Ellipsoidal nanoparticles possess an intensive near-IR photoluminescence ranging up to 0.9 eV (ca. 1400 nm). In this article, we explain the reasons for the formation of the ellipsoidal nanoparticles as well as the peculiarities of the process. The structure, Ag content, and optical properties of quantum dots are also investigated. The optimal conditions for maximizing both the reaction yield and IR photoluminescence quantum yield are found.

Quantum state discrimination bounds for finite sample size

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Audenaert, Koenraad M. R.; Mosonyi, Milan; Mathematical Institute, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Egry Jozsef u 1., Budapest 1111

2012-12-15

In the problem of quantum state discrimination, one has to determine by measurements the state of a quantum system, based on the a priori side information that the true state is one of the two given and completely known states, {rho} or {sigma}. In general, it is not possible to decide the identity of the true state with certainty, and the optimal measurement strategy depends on whether the two possible errors (mistaking {rho} for {sigma}, or the other way around) are treated as of equal importance or not. Results on the quantum Chernoff and Hoeffding bounds and the quantum Stein'smore » lemma show that, if several copies of the system are available then the optimal error probabilities decay exponentially in the number of copies, and the decay rate is given by a certain statistical distance between {rho} and {sigma} (the Chernoff distance, the Hoeffding distances, and the relative entropy, respectively). While these results provide a complete solution to the asymptotic problem, they are not completely satisfying from a practical point of view. Indeed, in realistic scenarios one has access only to finitely many copies of a system, and therefore it is desirable to have bounds on the error probabilities for finite sample size. In this paper we provide finite-size bounds on the so-called Stein errors, the Chernoff errors, the Hoeffding errors, and the mixed error probabilities related to the Chernoff and the Hoeffding errors.« less

One hundred years of quantum physics.

PubMed

Kleppner, D; Jackiw, R

2000-08-11

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Max Planck's creation of the quantum concept, an idea so revolutionary that it took nearly 30 years for scientists to develop it into the theory that has transformed the way scientists view reality. In this month's essay, Daniel Kleppner and Roman Jackiw recount how quantum theory, which they rate as "the most precisely tested and most successful theory in the history of science," came to be, how it changed the world, and how it might continue to evolve to make the dream of ultimate understanding of the universe come true.

Seasonal and spatial variabilities in the water chemistry of prairie pothole wetlands influence the photoproduction of reactive intermediates.

PubMed

McCabe, Andrew J; Arnold, William A

2016-07-01

The hydrology and water chemistry of prairie pothole wetlands vary spatially and temporally, on annual and decadal timescales. Pesticide contamination of wetlands arising from agricultural activities is a foremost concern. Photochemical reactions are important in the natural attenuation of pesticides and may be important in limiting ecological and human exposure. Little is known, however, about the variable influence of wetland water chemistry on indirect photochemistry. In this study, seasonal water samples were collected from seven sites throughout the prairie pothole region over three years to understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of reactive intermediate photoproduction. Samples were classified by the season in which they were collected (spring, summer, or fall) and the typical hydroperiod of the wetland surface water (temporary or semi-permanent). Under photostable conditions, steady-state concentrations and apparent quantum yields or quantum yield coefficients were measured for triplet excited states of dissolved organic matter, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and carbonate radical under simulated sunlight. Steady-state concentrations and quantum yields increased on average by 15% and 40% from spring to fall, respectively. Temporary wetlands had 40% higher steady-state concentrations of reactive intermediates than semi-permanent wetlands, but 50% lower quantum yields. Computed quantum yields for reactive intermediate formation were used to predict the indirect photochemical half-lives of seven pesticides in average temporary and semi-permanent prairie pothole wetlands. As a first approximation, the predictions agree to within two orders of magnitude of previously reported half-lives. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exact CNOT gates with a single nonlocal rotation for quantum-dot qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Arijeet; Rashba, Emmanuel I.; Halperin, Bertrand I.

2015-09-01

We investigate capacitively-coupled exchange-only two-qubit quantum gates based on quantum dots. For exchange-only coded qubits electron spin S and its projection Sz are exact quantum numbers. Capacitive coupling between qubits, as distinct from interqubit exchange, preserves these quantum numbers. We prove, both analytically and numerically, that conservation of the spins of individual qubits has a dramatic effect on the performance of two-qubit gates. By varying the level splittings of individual qubits, Ja and Jb, and the interqubit coupling time, t , we can find an infinite number of triples (Ja,Jb,t ) for which the two-qubit entanglement, in combination with appropriate single-qubit rotations, can produce an exact cnot gate. This statement is true for practically arbitrary magnitude and form of capacitive interqubit coupling. Our findings promise a large decrease in the number of nonlocal (two-qubit) operations in quantum circuits.

Quantum random number generation

DOE PAGES

Ma, Xiongfeng; Yuan, Xiao; Cao, Zhu; ...

2016-06-28

Quantum physics can be exploited to generate true random numbers, which play important roles in many applications, especially in cryptography. Genuine randomness from the measurement of a quantum system reveals the inherent nature of quantumness -- coherence, an important feature that differentiates quantum mechanics from classical physics. The generation of genuine randomness is generally considered impossible with only classical means. Based on the degree of trustworthiness on devices, quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can be grouped into three categories. The first category, practical QRNG, is built on fully trusted and calibrated devices and typically can generate randomness at a highmore » speed by properly modeling the devices. The second category is self-testing QRNG, where verifiable randomness can be generated without trusting the actual implementation. The third category, semi-self-testing QRNG, is an intermediate category which provides a tradeoff between the trustworthiness on the device and the random number generation speed.« less

Using quantum process tomography to characterize decoherence in an analog electronic device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostrove, Corey; La Cour, Brian; Lanham, Andrew; Ott, Granville

The mathematical structure of a universal gate-based quantum computer can be emulated faithfully on a classical electronic device using analog signals to represent a multi-qubit state. We describe a prototype device capable of performing a programmable sequence of single-qubit and controlled two-qubit gate operations on a pair of voltage signals representing the real and imaginary parts of a two-qubit quantum state. Analog filters and true-RMS voltage measurements are used to perform unitary and measurement gate operations. We characterize the degradation of the represented quantum state with successive gate operations by formally performing quantum process tomography to estimate the equivalent decoherence channel. Experimental measurements indicate that the performance of the device may be accurately modeled as an equivalent quantum operation closely resembling a depolarizing channel with a fidelity of over 99%. This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research under Grant No. N00014-14-1-0323.

Quantum secured gigabit optical access networks

PubMed Central

Fröhlich, Bernd; Dynes, James F.; Lucamarini, Marco; Sharpe, Andrew W.; Tam, Simon W.-B.; Yuan, Zhiliang; Shields, Andrew J.

2015-01-01

Optical access networks connect multiple endpoints to a common network node via shared fibre infrastructure. They will play a vital role to scale up the number of users in quantum key distribution (QKD) networks. However, the presence of power splitters in the commonly used passive network architecture makes successful transmission of weak quantum signals challenging. This is especially true if QKD and data signals are multiplexed in the passive network. The splitter introduces an imbalance between quantum signal and Raman noise, which can prevent the recovery of the quantum signal completely. Here we introduce a method to overcome this limitation and demonstrate coexistence of multi-user QKD and full power data traffic from a gigabit passive optical network (GPON) for the first time. The dual feeder implementation is compatible with standard GPON architectures and can support up to 128 users, highlighting that quantum protected GPON networks could be commonplace in the future. PMID:26656307

Experimental quantum compressed sensing for a seven-qubit system

PubMed Central

Riofrío, C. A.; Gross, D.; Flammia, S. T.; Monz, T.; Nigg, D.; Blatt, R.; Eisert, J.

2017-01-01

Well-controlled quantum devices with their increasing system size face a new roadblock hindering further development of quantum technologies. The effort of quantum tomography—the reconstruction of states and processes of a quantum device—scales unfavourably: state-of-the-art systems can no longer be characterized. Quantum compressed sensing mitigates this problem by reconstructing states from incomplete data. Here we present an experimental implementation of compressed tomography of a seven-qubit system—a topological colour code prepared in a trapped ion architecture. We are in the highly incomplete—127 Pauli basis measurement settings—and highly noisy—100 repetitions each—regime. Originally, compressed sensing was advocated for states with few non-zero eigenvalues. We argue that low-rank estimates are appropriate in general since statistical noise enables reliable reconstruction of only the leading eigenvectors. The remaining eigenvectors behave consistently with a random-matrix model that carries no information about the true state. PMID:28513587

Generalized Weyl-Wigner map and Vey quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dias, Nuno Costa; Prata, João Nuno

2001-12-01

The Weyl-Wigner map yields the entire structure of Moyal quantum mechanics directly from the standard operator formulation. The covariant generalization of Moyal theory, also known as Vey quantum mechanics, was presented in the literature many years ago. However, a derivation of the formalism directly from standard operator quantum mechanics, clarifying the relation between the two formulations, is still missing. In this article we present a covariant generalization of the Weyl order prescription and of the Weyl-Wigner map and use them to derive Vey quantum mechanics directly from the standard operator formulation. The procedure displays some interesting features: it yields all the key ingredients and provides a more straightforward interpretation of the Vey theory including a direct implementation of unitary operator transformations as phase space coordinate transformations in the Vey idiom. These features are illustrated through a simple example.

Can quantum transition state theory be defined as an exact t = 0+ limit?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Seogjoo; Voth, Gregory A.

2016-02-01

The definition of the classical transition state theory (TST) as a t → 0+ limit of the flux-side time correlation function relies on the assumption that simultaneous measurement of population and flux is a well defined physical process. However, the noncommutativity of the two measurements in quantum mechanics makes the extension of such a concept to the quantum regime impossible. For this reason, quantum TST (QTST) has been generally accepted as any kind of quantum rate theory reproducing the TST in the classical limit, and there has been a broad consensus that no unique QTST retaining all the properties of TST can be defined. Contrary to this widely held view, Hele and Althorpe (HA) [J. Chem. Phys. 138, 084108 (2013)] recently suggested that a true QTST can be defined as the exact t → 0+ limit of a certain kind of quantum flux-side time correlation function and that it is equivalent to the ring polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD) TST. This work seeks to question and clarify certain assumptions underlying these suggestions and their implications. First, the time correlation function used by HA as a starting expression is not related to the kinetic rate constant by virtue of linear response theory, which is the first important step in relating a t = 0+ limit to a physically measurable rate. Second, a theoretical analysis calls into question a key step in HA's proof which appears not to rely on an exact quantum mechanical identity. The correction of this makes the true t = 0+ limit of HA's QTST different from the RPMD-TST rate expression, but rather equal to the well-known path integral quantum transition state theory rate expression for the case of centroid dividing surface. An alternative quantum rate expression is then formulated starting from the linear response theory and by applying a recently developed formalism of real time dynamics of imaginary time path integrals [S. Jang, A. V. Sinitskiy, and G. A. Voth, J. Chem. Phys. 140, 154103 (2014)]. It is shown that the t → 0+ limit of the new rate expression vanishes in the exact quantum limit.

Purcell-enhanced quantum yield from carbon nanotube excitons coupled to plasmonic nanocavities

DOE PAGES

Luo, Yue; Ahmadi, Ehsaneh D.; Shayan, Kamran; ...

2017-11-10

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are promising absorbers and emitters to enable novel photonic applications and devices but are also known to suffer from low optical quantum yields. Here we demonstrate SWCNT excitons coupled to plasmonic nanocavity arrays reaching deeply into the Purcell regime with Purcell factors (F P) up to F P = 180 (average F P = 57), Purcell-enhanced quantum yields of 62% (average 42%), and a photon emission rate of 15 MHz into the first lens. The cavity coupling is quasi-deterministic since the photophysical properties of every SWCNT are enhanced by at least one order of magnitude. Furthermore,more » the measured ultra-narrow exciton linewidth (18 ueV) reaches the radiative lifetime limit, which is promising towards generation of transform-limited single photons. Furthermore, to demonstrate utility beyond quantum light sources we show that nanocavity-coupled SWCNTs perform as single-molecule thermometers detecting plasmonically induced heat at cryogenic temperatures in a unique interplay of excitons, phonons, and plasmons at the nanoscale.« less

Quantum yield and rate constant of the singlet 1Δ g oxygen luminescence in an aqueous medium in the presence of nanoscale inhomogeneities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarnikova, E. S.; Parkhats, M. V.; Stasheuski, A. S.; Lepeshkevich, S. V.; Dzhagarov, B. M.

2017-04-01

The quantum yields and lifetimes of photosensitized luminescence of the 1Δ g state of singlet oxygen in an aquatic media with a controlled concentration of dielectric anisotropy centers (polyethylene glycol) have been measured using the methods of laser fluorometry. It is established that the quantum yield and the rate constant ( k r ) of the a 1Δ g → X 3Σ g - luminescence of 1O2 increase as the polymer concentration increases. The effect is analyzed within a general approach involving a relationship between kr and dielectric properties of the medium and is explained by the increased density of photon states and the local field factor in the space around O2( a 1Δ g ).

Accurate quantum yields by laser gain vs absorption spectroscopy - Investigation of Br/Br(asterisk) channels in photofragmentation of Br2 and IBr

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haugen, H. K.; Weitz, E.; Leone, S. R.

1985-01-01

Various techniques have been used to study photodissociation dynamics of the halogens and interhalogens. The quantum yields obtained by these techniques differ widely. The present investigation is concerned with a qualitatively new approach for obtaining highly accurate quantum yields for electronically excited states. This approach makes it possible to obtain an accuracy of 1 percent to 3 percent. It is shown that measurement of the initial transient gain/absorption vs the final absorption in a single time-resolved signal is a very accurate technique in the study of absolute branching fractions in photodissociation. The new technique is found to be insensitive to pulse and probe laser characteristics, molecular absorption cross sections, and absolute precursor density.

Cross sections and quantum yields of the 3 micron emission for Er(3+) and Ho(3+) dopants in crystalsls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Payne, Stephen A.; Smith, Larry K.; Krupke, William F.

1995-05-01

The lifetime, quantum yields, and branching ratios for the 2.8 micron emissions of several Er-and Ho-doped fluorides and oxides were measured. Among the fluoride crystals examined, which included LiYF4, BaY2F8, LaF3, and KY3F10, only the Ho:LiFY4 systems showed any proof of nonradiative decay. Conversely, all the oxide crystals were affected by nonradiative processes, resulting in measured quantum yields ranging from 3.6% for Er:Y3Al5O12 to 62% for Er in Gd3Sc2Ga3O12. In addition, plots of the 2.8 micron emission cross sections for seven Er- and Ho-doped crystals were presented.

Sample-averaged biexciton quantum yield measured by solution-phase photon correlation.

PubMed

Beyler, Andrew P; Bischof, Thomas S; Cui, Jian; Coropceanu, Igor; Harris, Daniel K; Bawendi, Moungi G

2014-12-10

The brightness of nanoscale optical materials such as semiconductor nanocrystals is currently limited in high excitation flux applications by inefficient multiexciton fluorescence. We have devised a solution-phase photon correlation measurement that can conveniently and reliably measure the average biexciton-to-exciton quantum yield ratio of an entire sample without user selection bias. This technique can be used to investigate the multiexciton recombination dynamics of a broad scope of synthetically underdeveloped materials, including those with low exciton quantum yields and poor fluorescence stability. Here, we have applied this method to measure weak biexciton fluorescence in samples of visible-emitting InP/ZnS and InAs/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals, and to demonstrate that a rapid CdS shell growth procedure can markedly increase the biexciton fluorescence of CdSe nanocrystals.

Testing quantum gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansson, Johan; Francois, Stephane

The search for a theory of quantum gravity is the most fundamental problem in all of theoretical physics, but there are as yet no experimental results at all to guide this endeavor. What seems to be needed is a pragmatic way to test if gravitation really occurs between quantum objects or not. In this paper, we suggest such a potential way out of this deadlock, utilizing macroscopic quantum systems; superfluid helium, gaseous Bose-Einstein condensates and “macroscopic” molecules. It turns out that true quantum gravity effects — here defined as observable gravitational interactions between truly quantum objects — could and should be seen (if they occur in nature) using existing technology. A falsification of the low-energy limit in the accessible weak-field regime would also falsify the full theory of quantum gravity, making it enter the realm of testable, potentially falsifiable theories, i.e. becoming real physics after almost a century of pure theorizing. If weak-field gravity between quantum objects is shown to be absent (in the regime where the approximation should apply), we know that gravity then is a strictly classical phenomenon absent at the quantum level.

RAPID COMMUNICATIONS: Long-distance quantum teleportation assisted with free-space entanglement distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Ji-Gang; Yang, Bin; Yi, Zhen-Huan; Zhou, Fei; Chen, Kai; Peng, Cheng-Zhi; Pan, Jian-Wei

2009-08-01

Faithful long-distance quantum teleportation necessitates prior entanglement distribution between two communicated locations. The particle carrying on the unknown quantum information is then combined with one particle of the entangled states for Bell-state measurements, which leads to a transfer of the original quantum information onto the other particle of the entangled states. However in most of the implemented teleportation experiments nowadays, the Bell-state measurements are performed even before successful distribution of entanglement. This leads to an instant collapse of the quantum state for the transmitted particle, which is actually a single-particle transmission thereafter. Thus the true distance for quantum teleportation is, in fact, only in a level of meters. In the present experiment we design a novel scheme which has overcome this limit by utilizing fiber as quantum memory. A complete quantum teleportation is achieved upon successful entanglement distribution over 967 meters in public free space. Active feed-forward control techniques are developed for real-time transfer of quantum information. The overall experimental fidelities for teleported states are better than 89.6%, which signify high-quality teleportation.

Water relation, leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence imaging of soybean leaves infected with Colletotrichum truncatum.

PubMed

Dias, Carla Silva; Araujo, Leonardo; Alves Chaves, Joicy Aparecida; DaMatta, Fábio M; Rodrigues, Fabrício A

2018-06-01

Considering the potential of anthracnose to decrease soybean yield and the need to gain more information regarding its effect on soybean physiology, the present study performed an in-depth analysis of the photosynthetic performance of soybean leaflets challenged with Colletotrichum truncatum by combining chlorophyll a fluorescence images with gas-exchange measurements and photosynthetic pigment pools. There were no significant differences between non-inoculated and inoculated plants in leaf water potential, apparent hydraulic conductance, net CO 2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance to water vapor and transpiration rate. For internal CO 2 concentration, significant difference between non-inoculated and inoculated plants occurred only at 36 h after inoculation. Reductions in the values of the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters [initial fluorescence (F 0 ), maximal fluorescence (F m ), maximal photosystem II quantum yield (F v /F m ), quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y(NPQ))] and increases in effective PS II quantum yield (Y(II)), quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation Y(NO) and photochemical quenching coefficient (q P ) were noticed on the necrotic vein tissue in contrast to the surrounding leaf tissue. It appears that the impact of the infection by C. truncatum on the photosynthetic performance of the leaflets was minimal considering the preference of the fungus to colonize the veins. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Violet-to-Blue Gain and Lasing from Colloidal CdS Nanoplatelets: Low-Threshold Stimulated Emission Despite Low Photoluminescence Quantum Yield

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Diroll, Benjamin T.; Talapin, Dmitri V.; Schaller, Richard D.

Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and lasing from solution-processed materials are demonstrated in the challenging violet-to-blue (430–490 nm) spectral region for colloidal nanoplatelets of CdS and newly synthesized core/shell CdS/ZnS nanoplatelets. Despite modest band-edge photoluminescence quantum yields of 2% or less for single excitons, which we show results from hole trapping, the samples exhibit low ASE thresholds. Furthermore, four-monolayer CdS samples show ASE at shorter wavelengths than any reported film of colloidal quantum-confined material. This work underlines that low quantum yields for single excitons do not necessarily lead to a poor gain medium. The low ASE thresholds originate from negligible dispersionmore » in thickness, large absorption cross sections of 2.8 × 10–14 cm–2, and rather slow (150 to 300 ps) biexciton recombination. We show that under higher-fluence excitation, ASE can kinetically outcompete hole trapping. Using nanoplatelets as the gain medium, lasing is observed in a linear optical cavity. This work confirms the fundamental advantages of colloidal quantum well structures as gain media, even in the absence of high photoluminescence efficiency.« less

Gravitational decoherence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bassi, Angelo; Großardt, André; Ulbricht, Hendrik

2017-10-01

We discuss effects of loss of coherence in low energy quantum systems caused by or related to gravitation, referred to as gravitational decoherence. These effects, resulting from random metric fluctuations, for instance, promise to be accessible by relatively inexpensive table-top experiments, way before the scales where true quantum gravity effects become important. Therefore, they can provide a first experimental view on gravity in the quantum regime. We will survey models of decoherence induced both by classical and quantum gravitational fluctuations; it will be manifest that a clear understanding of gravitational decoherence is still lacking. Next we will review models where quantum theory is modified, under the assumption that gravity causes the collapse of the wave functions, when systems are large enough. These models challenge the quantum-gravity interplay, and can be tested experimentally. In the last part we have a look at the state of the art of experimental research. We will review efforts aiming at more and more accurate measurements of gravity (G and g) and ideas for measuring conventional and unconventional gravity effects on nonrelativistic quantum systems.

No-cloning of quantum steering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiu, Ching-Yi; Lambert, Neill; Liao, Teh-Lu; Nori, Franco; Li, Che-Ming

2016-06-01

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering allows two parties to verify their entanglement, even if one party’s measurements are untrusted. This concept has not only provided new insights into the nature of non-local spatial correlations in quantum mechanics, but also serves as a resource for one-sided device-independent quantum information tasks. Here, we investigate how EPR steering behaves when one-half of a maximally entangled pair of qudits (multidimensional quantum systems) is cloned by a universal cloning machine. We find that EPR steering, as verified by a criterion based on the mutual information between qudits, can only be found in one of the copy subsystems but not both. We prove that this is also true for the single-system analogue of EPR steering. We find that this restriction, which we term ‘no-cloning of quantum steering’, elucidates the physical reason why steering can be used to secure sources and channels against cloning-based attacks when implementing quantum communication and quantum computation protocols.

Non-hermitian quantum thermodynamics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gardas, Bartłomiej; Deffner, Sebastian; Saxena, Avadh

Thermodynamics is the phenomenological theory of heat and work. Here we analyze to what extent quantum thermodynamic relations are immune to the underlying mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. As a main result, we show that the Jarzynski equality holds true for all non-hermitian quantum systems with real spectrum. This equality expresses the second law of thermodynamics for isothermal processes arbitrarily far from equilibrium. In the quasistatic limit however, the second law leads to the Carnot bound which is fulfilled even if some eigenenergies are complex provided they appear in conjugate pairs. Lastly, we propose two setups to test our predictions,more » namely with strongly interacting excitons and photons in a semiconductor microcavity and in the non-hermitian tight-binding model.« less

Non-hermitian quantum thermodynamics

DOE PAGES

Gardas, Bartłomiej; Deffner, Sebastian; Saxena, Avadh

2016-03-22

Thermodynamics is the phenomenological theory of heat and work. Here we analyze to what extent quantum thermodynamic relations are immune to the underlying mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. As a main result, we show that the Jarzynski equality holds true for all non-hermitian quantum systems with real spectrum. This equality expresses the second law of thermodynamics for isothermal processes arbitrarily far from equilibrium. In the quasistatic limit however, the second law leads to the Carnot bound which is fulfilled even if some eigenenergies are complex provided they appear in conjugate pairs. Lastly, we propose two setups to test our predictions,more » namely with strongly interacting excitons and photons in a semiconductor microcavity and in the non-hermitian tight-binding model.« less

Inkjet printed fluorescent nanorod layers exhibit superior optical performance over quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halivni, Shira; Shemesh, Shay; Waiskopf, Nir; Vinetsky, Yelena; Magdassi, Shlomo; Banin, Uri

2015-11-01

Semiconductor nanocrystals exhibit unique fluorescence properties which are tunable in size, shape and composition. The high quantum yield and enhanced stability have led to their use in biomedical imaging and flat panel displays. Here, semiconductor nanorod based inkjet inks are presented, overcoming limitations of the commonly reported quantum dots in printing applications. Fluorescent seeded nanorods were found to be outstanding candidates for fluorescent inks, due to their low particle-particle interactions and negligible self-absorption. This is manifested by insignificant emission shifts upon printing, even in highly concentrated printed layers and by maintenance of a high fluorescence quantum yield, unlike quantum dots which exhibit fluorescence wavelength shifts and quenching effects. This behavior results from the reduced absorption/emission overlap, accompanied by low energy transfer efficiencies between the nanorods as supported by steady state and time resolved fluorescence measurements. The new seeded nanorod inks enable patterning of thin fluorescent layers, for demanding light emission applications such as signage and displays.Semiconductor nanocrystals exhibit unique fluorescence properties which are tunable in size, shape and composition. The high quantum yield and enhanced stability have led to their use in biomedical imaging and flat panel displays. Here, semiconductor nanorod based inkjet inks are presented, overcoming limitations of the commonly reported quantum dots in printing applications. Fluorescent seeded nanorods were found to be outstanding candidates for fluorescent inks, due to their low particle-particle interactions and negligible self-absorption. This is manifested by insignificant emission shifts upon printing, even in highly concentrated printed layers and by maintenance of a high fluorescence quantum yield, unlike quantum dots which exhibit fluorescence wavelength shifts and quenching effects. This behavior results from the reduced absorption/emission overlap, accompanied by low energy transfer efficiencies between the nanorods as supported by steady state and time resolved fluorescence measurements. The new seeded nanorod inks enable patterning of thin fluorescent layers, for demanding light emission applications such as signage and displays. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06248a

LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Kinetics and quantum yield of photoluminescence of EuFOD3 doped into a nanoporous glass with the help of supercritical CO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagratashvili, V. N.; Gerasimova, V. I.; Gordienko, V. M.; Tsypina, S. I.; Chutko, E. A.

2008-08-01

The kinetics of photoluminescence of a EuFOD3 metalloorganic compound doped into a nanoporous Vycor glass by the method of supercritical fluid impregnation is studied. The lifetime of luminescence of EuFOD3 molecules in pores excited by an excimer XeCl laser was 40 μs, which is considerably smaller than this lifetime (150—890 μs) in solutions. The quantum yield of luminescence of EuFOD3 was estimate as ≈4×10-4.

Separation of photoactive conformers based on hindered diarylethenes: efficient modulation in photocyclization quantum yields.

PubMed

Li, Wenlong; Jiao, Changhong; Li, Xin; Xie, Yongshu; Nakatani, Keitaro; Tian, He; Zhu, Weihong

2014-04-25

Endowing both solvent independency and excellent thermal bistability, the benzobis(thiadiazole)-bridged diarylethene system provides an efficient approach to realize extremely high photocyclization quantum yields (Φo-c , up to 90.6 %) by both separating completely pure anti-parallel conformer and suppressing intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Photodissociation of quantum state-selected diatomic molecules yields new insight into ultracold chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, Mickey; McGuyer, Bart H.; Lee, Chih-Hsi; Apfelbeck, Florian; Zelevinsky, Tanya

2016-05-01

When a molecule is subjected to a sufficiently energetic photon it can break apart into fragments through a process called ``photodissociation''. For over 70 years this simple chemical reaction has served as a vital experimental tool for acquiring information about molecular structure, since the character of the photodissociative transition can be inferred by measuring the 3D photofragment angular distribution (PAD). While theoretical understanding of this process has gradually evolved from classical considerations to a fully quantum approach, experiments to date have not yet revealed the full quantum nature of this process. In my talk I will describe recent experiments involving the photodissociation of ultracold, optical lattice-trapped, and fully quantum state-resolved 88Sr2 molecules. Optical absorption images of the PADs produced in these experiments reveal features which are inherently quantum mechanical in nature, such as matter-wave interference between output channels, and are sensitive to the quantum statistics of the molecular wavefunctions. The results of these experiments cannot be predicted using quasiclassical methods. Instead, we describe our results with a fully quantum mechanical model yielding new intuition about ultracold chemistry.

Aqueous synthesis of high bright and tunable near-infrared AgInSe2-ZnSe quantum dots for bioimaging.

PubMed

Che, Dongchen; Zhu, Xiaoxu; Wang, Hongzhi; Duan, Yourong; Zhang, Qinghong; Li, Yaogang

2016-02-01

Efficient synthetic methods for near-infrared quantum dots with good biophysical properties as bioimaging agents are urgently required. In this work, a simple and fast synthesis of highly luminescent, near-infrared AgInSe2-ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) with tunable emissions in aqueous media is reported. This method avoids high temperature and pressure and organic solvents to directly generate water-dispersible AgInSe2-ZnSe QDs. The photoluminescence emission peak of the AgInSe2-ZnSe QDs ranged from 625 to 940nm, with quantum yields up to 31%. The AgInSe2-ZnSe QDs with high quantum yield, near-infrared and low cytotoxic could be used as good cell labels, showing great potential applications in bio-imaging. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantum yield for carbon monoxide production in the 248 nm photodissociation of carbonyl sulfide (OCS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhao, Z.; Stickel, R. E.; Wine, P. H.

1995-01-01

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy has been coupled with excimer laser flash photolysis to measure the quantum yield for CO production from 248 nm photodissociation of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) relative to the well-known quantum yield for CO production from 248 nm photolysis of phosgene (Cl2CO2). The temporal resolution of the experiments was sufficient to distinguish CO formed directly by photodissociation from that formed by subsequent S((sup 3)P(sub J)) reaction with OCS. Under the experimental conditions employed, CO formation via the fast S((sup 1)D(sub 2)) + OCS reaction was minimal. Measurements at 297K and total pressures from 4 to 100 Torr N2 + N2O show the CO yield to be greater than 0.95 and most likely unity. This result suggests that the contribution of OCS as a precursor to the lower stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer is somewhat larger than previously thought.

Beyond Moore's law: towards competitive quantum devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troyer, Matthias

2015-05-01

A century after the invention of quantum theory and fifty years after Bell's inequality we see the first quantum devices emerge as products that aim to be competitive with the best classical computing devices. While a universal quantum computer of non-trivial size is still out of reach there exist a number commercial and experimental devices: quantum random number generators, quantum simulators and quantum annealers. In this colloquium I will present some of these devices and validation tests we performed on them. Quantum random number generators use the inherent randomness in quantum measurements to produce true random numbers, unlike classical pseudorandom number generators which are inherently deterministic. Optical lattice emulators use ultracold atomic gases in optical lattices to mimic typical models of condensed matter physics. In my talk I will focus especially on the devices built by Canadian company D-Wave systems, which are special purpose quantum simulators for solving hard classical optimization problems. I will review the controversy around the quantum nature of these devices and will compare them to state of the art classical algorithms. I will end with an outlook towards universal quantum computing and end with the question: which important problems that are intractable even for post-exa-scale classical computers could we expect to solve once we have a universal quantum computer?

A qubit coupled with confined phonons: The interplay between true and fake decoherence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pouthier, Vincent

2013-08-07

The decoherence of a qubit coupled with the phonons of a finite-size lattice is investigated. The confined phonons no longer behave as a reservoir. They remain sensitive to the qubit so that the origin of the decoherence is twofold. First, a qubit-phonon entanglement yields an incomplete true decoherence. Second, the qubit renormalizes the phonon frequency resulting in fake decoherence when a thermal average is performed. To account for the initial thermalization of the lattice, the qua- ntum Langevin theory is applied so that the phonons are viewed as an open system coupled with a thermal bath of harmonic oscillators. Consequently,more » it is shown that the finite lifetime of the phonons does not modify fake decoherence but strongly affects true decoherence. Depending on the values of the model parameters, the interplay between fake and true decoherence yields a very rich dynamics with various regimes.« less

Properties of true quaternary fission of nuclei with allowance for its multistep and sequential character

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kadmensky, S. G., E-mail: kadmensky@phys.vsu.ru; Titova, L. V.; Bulychev, A. O.

An analysis of basicmechanisms of binary and ternary fission of nuclei led to the conclusion that true ternary and quaternary fission of nuclei has a sequential two-step (three-step) character, where, at the first step, a fissile nucleus emits a third light particle (third and fourth light particles) under shakeup effects associated with a nonadiabatic character of its collective deformation motion, whereupon the residual nucleus undergoes fission to two fission fragments. Owing to this, the formulas derived earlier for the widths with respect to sequential two- and three-step decays of nuclei in constructing the theory of two-step twoproton decays and multistepmore » decays in chains of genetically related nuclei could be used to describe the relative yields and angular and energy distributions of third and fourth light particles emitted in (α, α), (t, t), and (α, t) pairs upon the true quaternary spontaneous fission of {sup 252}Cf and thermal-neutron-induced fission of {sup 235}U and {sup 233}U target nuclei. Mechanisms that explain a sharp decrease in the yield of particles appearing second in time and entering into the composition of light-particle pairs that originate from true quaternary fission of nuclei in relation to the yields of analogous particles in true ternary fission of nuclei are proposed.« less

Culture expansion of adipose derived stromal cells. A closed automated Quantum Cell Expansion System compared with manual flask-based culture.

PubMed

Haack-Sørensen, Mandana; Follin, Bjarke; Juhl, Morten; Brorsen, Sonja K; Søndergaard, Rebekka H; Kastrup, Jens; Ekblond, Annette

2016-11-16

Adipose derived stromal cells (ASCs) are a rich and convenient source of cells for clinical regenerative therapeutic approaches. However, applications of ASCs often require cell expansion to reach the needed dose. In this study, cultivation of ASCs from stromal vascular fraction (SVF) over two passages in the automated and functionally closed Quantum Cell Expansion System (Quantum system) is compared with traditional manual cultivation. Stromal vascular fraction was isolated from abdominal fat, suspended in α-MEM supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum and seeded into either T75 flasks or a Quantum system that had been coated with cryoprecipitate. The cultivation of ASCs from SVF was performed in 3 ways: flask to flask; flask to Quantum system; and Quantum system to Quantum system. In all cases, quality controls were conducted for sterility, mycoplasmas, and endotoxins, in addition to the assessment of cell counts, viability, immunophenotype, and differentiation potential. The viability of ASCs passage 0 (P0) and P1 was above 96%, regardless of cultivation in flasks or Quantum system. Expression of surface markers and differentiation potential was consistent with ISCT/IFATS standards for the ASC phenotype. Sterility, mycoplasma, and endotoxin tests were consistently negative. An average of 8.0 × 10 7 SVF cells loaded into a Quantum system yielded 8.96 × 10 7 ASCs P0, while 4.5 × 10 6 SVF cells seeded per T75 flask yielded an average of 2.37 × 10 6 ASCs-less than the number of SVF cells seeded. ASCs P1 expanded in the Quantum system demonstrated a population doubling (PD) around 2.2 regardless of whether P0 was previously cultured in flasks or Quantum, while ASCs P1 in flasks only reached a PD of 1.0. Manufacturing of ASCs in a Quantum system enhances ASC expansion rate and yield significantly relative to manual processing in T-flasks, while maintaining the purity and quality essential to safe and robust cell production. Notably, the use of the Quantum system entails significantly reduced working hours and thereby costs.

Analysis of wavelength-dependent photoisomerization quantum yields in bilirubins by fitting two exciton absorption bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzoni, M.; Agati, G.; Troup, G. J.; Pratesi, R.

2003-09-01

The absorption spectra of bilirubins were deconvoluted by two Gaussian curves of equal width representing the exciton bands of the non-degenerate molecular system. The two bands were used to study the wavelength dependence of the (4Z, 15Z) rightarrow (4Z, 15E) configurational photoisomerization quantum yield of the bichromophoric bilirubin-IXalpha (BR-IX), the intrinsically asymmetric bile pigment associated with jaundice and the symmetrically substituted bilirubins (bilirubin-IIIalpha and mesobilirubin-XIIIalpha), when they are irradiated in aqueous solution bound to human serum albumin (HSA). The same study was performed for BR-IX in ammoniacal methanol solution (NH4OH/MeOH). The quantum yields of the configurational photoprocesses were fitted with a combination function of the two Gaussian bands normalized to the total absorption, using the proportionality coefficients and a scaling factor as parameters. The decrease of the (4Z, 15Z) rightarrow (4Z, 15E) quantum yield with increasing wavelength, which occurs for wavelengths longer than the most probable Franck-Condon transition of the molecule, did not result in a unique function of the exciton absorptions. In particular we found two ranges corresponding to different exciton interactions with different proportionality coefficients and scaling factors. The wavelength-dependent photoisomerization of bilirubins was described as an abrupt change in quantum yield as soon as the resulting excitation was strongly localized in each chromophore. The change was correlated to a variation of the interaction between the two chromophores when the short-wavelength exciton absorption became vanishingly small. With the help of the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of BR-IX in HSA, a small band was resolved in the bilirubin absorption spectrum, delivering part of the energy required for the (4Z, 15Z) rightarrow (4Z, 15E) photoisomerization of the molecule.

Comparisons of Photosynthetic Responses of Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus annuus to Chronic and Acute Water Stress in Sun and Shade 1

PubMed Central

Ben, Gui-Ying; Osmond, C. Barry; Sharkey, Thomas D.

1987-01-01

We have examined the effects of mild, chronic water stress and acute water stress on two water stress sensitive plants, Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus annuus. Using a combination of the leaf disc O2 electrode to measure the light responses of photosynthesis and 77 K fluorescence to monitor damage to the primary photochemistry, we have found the following: (a) The CO2 saturated rate of photosynthesis at high light is the most water stress sensitive parameter measured. (b) The apparent quantum yield (moles O2 per mole photons) was slightly, if at all, affected by mild water stress (>−1.5 megapascals). (c) Severe water stress (<−1.5 megapascals) reduced the quantum yield of photosynthesis regardless of whether the stress was applied in sun or shade. The light independent reduction of quantum yield was not associated with a reduction in 77 K fluorescence (Fv/Fm) indicating that the quantum yield reduction was not the result of damage to primary photochemistry. (d) The diel fluctuation in 77 K fluorescence seen in sun-exposed control leaves was greatly exaggerated in water stressed leaves because of enhanced decline in 77 K fluorescence in the morning. The rate of recovery was similar in both control and water stressed leaves. Shaded leaves showed no change in 77 K fluorescence regardless of whether water stress was imposed or not. (e) The water stress sensitive plants used in these experiments did not recover from acute water stress severe enough to reduce the quantum yield or chronic water stress which lasted long enough that light dependent damage to primary photochemistry occurred. PMID:16665465

Comparisons of Photosynthetic Responses of Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus annuus to Chronic and Acute Water Stress in Sun and Shade.

PubMed

Ben, G Y; Osmond, C B; Sharkey, T D

1987-06-01

We have examined the effects of mild, chronic water stress and acute water stress on two water stress sensitive plants, Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus annuus. Using a combination of the leaf disc O(2) electrode to measure the light responses of photosynthesis and 77 K fluorescence to monitor damage to the primary photochemistry, we have found the following: (a) The CO(2) saturated rate of photosynthesis at high light is the most water stress sensitive parameter measured. (b) The apparent quantum yield (moles O(2) per mole photons) was slightly, if at all, affected by mild water stress (>-1.5 megapascals). (c) Severe water stress (<-1.5 megapascals) reduced the quantum yield of photosynthesis regardless of whether the stress was applied in sun or shade. The light independent reduction of quantum yield was not associated with a reduction in 77 K fluorescence (F(v)/F(m)) indicating that the quantum yield reduction was not the result of damage to primary photochemistry. (d) The diel fluctuation in 77 K fluorescence seen in sun-exposed control leaves was greatly exaggerated in water stressed leaves because of enhanced decline in 77 K fluorescence in the morning. The rate of recovery was similar in both control and water stressed leaves. Shaded leaves showed no change in 77 K fluorescence regardless of whether water stress was imposed or not. (e) The water stress sensitive plants used in these experiments did not recover from acute water stress severe enough to reduce the quantum yield or chronic water stress which lasted long enough that light dependent damage to primary photochemistry occurred.

One-pot fabrication of high-quality InP/ZnS (core/shell) quantum dots and their application to cellular imaging.

PubMed

Hussain, Sahid; Won, Nayoun; Nam, Jutaek; Bang, Jiwon; Chung, Hyokyun; Kim, Sungjee

2009-07-13

True colors: High-quality InP and InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) are obtained by means of a simple one-pot method in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Rapid and size-controlled reactions lead to highly crystalline and nearly monodisperse QDs at relatively low temperatures. The particles emit from cyan blue to far-red, and are successfully used in cellular imaging (see figure).

Experimental optimal maximum-confidence discrimination and optimal unambiguous discrimination of two mixed single-photon states

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Steudle, Gesine A.; Knauer, Sebastian; Herzog, Ulrike

2011-05-15

We present an experimental implementation of optimum measurements for quantum state discrimination. Optimum maximum-confidence discrimination and optimum unambiguous discrimination of two mixed single-photon polarization states were performed. For the latter the states of rank 2 in a four-dimensional Hilbert space are prepared using both path and polarization encoding. Linear optics and single photons from a true single-photon source based on a semiconductor quantum dot are utilized.

Quantum Max-flow/Min-cut

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Shawn X.; Freedman, Michael H.; Sattath, Or; Stong, Richard; Minton, Greg

2016-06-01

The classical max-flow min-cut theorem describes transport through certain idealized classical networks. We consider the quantum analog for tensor networks. By associating an integral capacity to each edge and a tensor to each vertex in a flow network, we can also interpret it as a tensor network and, more specifically, as a linear map from the input space to the output space. The quantum max-flow is defined to be the maximal rank of this linear map over all choices of tensors. The quantum min-cut is defined to be the minimum product of the capacities of edges over all cuts of the tensor network. We show that unlike the classical case, the quantum max-flow=min-cut conjecture is not true in general. Under certain conditions, e.g., when the capacity on each edge is some power of a fixed integer, the quantum max-flow is proved to equal the quantum min-cut. However, concrete examples are also provided where the equality does not hold. We also found connections of quantum max-flow/min-cut with entropy of entanglement and the quantum satisfiability problem. We speculate that the phenomena revealed may be of interest both in spin systems in condensed matter and in quantum gravity.

Laser flash photolysis of ozone - O/1D/ quantum yields in the fall-off region 297-325 nm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brock, J. C.; Watson, R. T.

1980-01-01

The wavelength dependence of the quantum yield for O(1D) production from ozone photolysis has been determined between 297.5 nm and 325 nm in order to resolve serious discrepancies among previous studies. The results of this investigation are compared to earlier work by calculating atmospheric production rate constants for O(1D). It is found that for the purpose of calculating this rate constant, there is now good agreement among three studies at 298 K. Furthermore, it appears that previous data on the temperature dependence of the O(1D) quantum yield fall-off is adequate for determining the vertical profile of the O(1D) production rate constant. Several experimental difficulties associated with using NO2(asterisk) chemiluminescence to monitor O(1D) have been identified.

Sample-Averaged Biexciton Quantum Yield Measured by Solution-Phase Photon Correlation

DOE PAGES

Beyler, Andrew P.; Bischof, Thomas S.; Cui, Jian; ...

2014-11-19

The brightness of nanoscale optical materials such as semiconductor nanocrystals is currently limited in high excitation flux applications by inefficient multiexciton fluorescence. We have devised a solution-phase photon correlation measurement that can conveniently and reliably measure the average biexciton-to-exciton quantum yield ratio of an entire sample without user selection bias. This technique can be used to investigate the multiexciton recombination dynamics of a broad scope of synthetically underdeveloped materials, including those with low exciton quantum yields and poor fluorescence stability. Here in this study, we have applied this method to measure weak biexciton fluorescence in samples of visible-emitting InP/ZnS andmore » InAs/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals, and to demonstrate that a rapid CdS shell growth procedure can markedly increase the biexciton fluorescence of CdSe nanocrystals.« less

Quantitative photoabsorption and fluorescence spectroscopy of benzene, naphthalene, and some derivatives at 106-295 nm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suto, Masako; Wang, Xiuyan; Shan, Jun; Lee, L. C.

1992-01-01

Photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections of benzene, (o-, m-, p-) xylenes, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 2-ethylnaphthalene in the gas phase are measured at 106-295 nm using synchrotron radiation as a light source. Fluorescences are observed from the photoexcitation of benzene and xylenes at 230-280 nm and from naphthalene and its derivatives at 190-295 nm. The absolute fluorescence cross section is determined by calibration with respect to the emission intensity of the NO(A-X) system, for which the fluorescence quantum yield is equal to 1. To cross-check the current calibration method, the quantum yield of the SO2(C-X) system at 220-230 nm was measured since it is about equal to 1. The current quantum-yield data are compared with previously published values measured by different methods.

Sample-Averaged Biexciton Quantum Yield Measured by Solution-Phase Photon Correlation

PubMed Central

Beyler, Andrew P.; Bischof, Thomas S.; Cui, Jian; Coropceanu, Igor; Harris, Daniel K.; Bawendi, Moungi G.

2015-01-01

The brightness of nanoscale optical materials such as semiconductor nanocrystals is currently limited in high excitation flux applications by inefficient multiexciton fluorescence. We have devised a solution-phase photon correlation measurement that can conveniently and reliably measure the average biexciton-to-exciton quantum yield ratio of an entire sample without user selection bias. This technique can be used to investigate the multiexciton recombination dynamics of a broad scope of synthetically underdeveloped materials, including those with low exciton quantum yields and poor fluorescence stability. Here, we have applied this method to measure weak biexciton fluorescence in samples of visible-emitting InP/ZnS and InAs/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals, and to demonstrate that a rapid CdS shell growth procedure can markedly increase the biexciton fluorescence of CdSe nanocrystals. PMID:25409496

High-Efficiency All-Solution-Processed Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Anisotropic Colloidal Heterostructures with Polar Polymer Injecting Layers.

PubMed

Castelli, Andrea; Meinardi, Francesco; Pasini, Mariacecilia; Galeotti, Francesco; Pinchetti, Valerio; Lorenzon, Monica; Manna, Liberato; Moreels, Iwan; Giovanella, Umberto; Brovelli, Sergio

2015-08-12

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are emerging as true candidates for light-emitting diodes with ultrasaturated colors. Here, we combine CdSe/CdS dot-in-rod heterostructures and polar/polyelectrolytic conjugated polymers to demonstrate the first example of fully solution-based quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) incorporating all-organic injection/transport layers with high brightness, very limited roll-off and external quantum efficiency as high as 6.1%, which is 20 times higher than the record QD-LEDs with all-solution-processed organic interlayers and exceeds by over 200% QD-LEDs embedding vacuum-deposited organic molecules.

A quantum Rosetta Stone for the information paradox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pando Zayas, Leopoldo A.

2014-11-01

The black hole information loss paradox epitomizes the contradictions between general relativity and quantum field theory. The AdS/conformal field theory (CFT) correspondence provides an implicit answer for the information loss paradox in black hole physics by equating a gravity theory with an explicitly unitary field theory. Gravitational collapse in asymptotically AdS spacetimes is generically turbulent. Given that the mechanism to read out the information about correlations functions in the field theory side is plagued by deterministic classical chaos, we argue that quantum chaos might provide the true Rosetta Stone for answering the information paradox in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence.

Quantum Foam

ScienceCinema

Lincoln, Don

2018-01-16

The laws of quantum mechanics and relativity are quite perplexing however it is when the two theories are merged that things get really confusing. This combined theory predicts that empty space isn’t empty at all – it’s a seething and bubbling cauldron of matter and antimatter particles springing into existence before disappearing back into nothingness. Scientists call this complicated state of affairs “quantum foam.” In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln discusses this mind-bending idea and sketches some of the experiments that have convinced scientists that this crazy prediction is actually true.

Effects of true density, compacted mass, compression speed, and punch deformation on the mean yield pressure.

PubMed

Gabaude, C M; Guillot, M; Gautier, J C; Saudemon, P; Chulia, D

1999-07-01

Compressibility properties of pharmaceutical materials are widely characterized by measuring the volume reduction of a powder column under pressure. Experimental data are commonly analyzed using the Heckel model from which powder deformation mechanisms are determined using mean yield pressure (Py). Several studies from the literature have shown the effects of operating conditions on the determination of Py and have pointed out the limitations of this model. The Heckel model requires true density and compacted mass values to determine Py from force-displacement data. It is likely that experimental errors will be introduced when measuring the true density and compacted mass. This study investigates the effects of true density and compacted mass on Py. Materials having different particle deformation mechanisms are studied. Punch displacement and applied pressure are measured for each material at two compression speeds. For each material, three different true density and compacted mass values are utilized to evaluate their effect on Py. The calculated variation of Py reaches 20%. This study demonstrates that the errors in measuring true density and compacted mass have a greater effect on Py than the errors incurred from not correcting the displacement measurements due to punch elasticity.

A Phosphine-Free Route to Size-Adjustable CdSe and CdSe/CdS Core-Shell Quantum Dots for White-Light-Emitting Diodes.

PubMed

Zhang, Yugang; Li, Guopeng; Zhang, Ting; Song, Zihang; Wang, Hui; Zhang, Zhongping; Jiang, Yang

2018-03-01

The selenium dioxide was used as the precursor to synthesize wide-size-ranged CdSe quantum dots (2.4-5.7 nm) via hot-injection route. The CdSe quantum dots are featured with high crystalline, monodisperse, zinc blende structure and wide emission region (530-635 nm). In order to improve the stability and quantum yield, a phosphine-free single-molecular precursor approach is used to obtain CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots. The CdSe/CdS quantum dots are highly fluorescent with quantum yield up to 65%, and persist the good monodispersity and high crystallinity. Moreover, the quantum dots white light-emitting-diodes are fabricated by using the resultant red emission core/shell quantum dots and Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ yellow phosphors as color-conversion layers on a blue InGaN chip. The prepared light-emitting-diodes show good performance with CIE-1931 coordinated of (0.3583, 0.3349), an Ra of 92.9, and a Tc of 4410 K at 20 mA, which indicate that the combination of red-emission QDs and yellow phophors as a promising approach to obtain warm WLEDs with good color rendering.

Is Current CMBR Temperature: The Scale Independent Quantum Gravitational Result of Black Hole Cosmology?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seshavatharam, U. V. S.; Lakshminarayana, S.

If one is willing to consider the current cosmic microwave back ground temperature as a quantum gravitational effect of the evolving primordial cosmic black hole (universe that constitutes dynamic space-time and exhibits quantum behavior) automatically general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics can be combined into a `scale independent' true unified model of quantum gravity. By considering the `Planck mass' as the initial mass of the baby Hubble volume, past and current physical and thermal parameters of the cosmic black hole can be understood. Current rate of cosmic black hole expansion is being stopped by the microscopic quantum mechanical lengths. In this new direction authors observed 5 important quantum mechanical methods for understanding the current cosmic deceleration. To understand the ground reality of current cosmic rate of expansion, sensitivity and accuracy of current methods of estimating the magnitudes of current CMBR temperature and current Hubble constant must be improved and alternative methods must be developed. If it is true that galaxy constitutes so many stars, each star constitutes so many hydrogen atoms and light is coming from the excited electron of galactic hydrogen atom, then considering redshift as an index of `whole galaxy' receding may not be reasonable. During cosmic evolution, at any time in the past, in hydrogen atom emitted photon energy was always inversely proportional to the CMBR temperature. Thus past light emitted from older galaxy's excited hydrogen atom will show redshift with reference to the current laboratory data. As cosmic time passes, in future, the absolute rate of cosmic expansion can be understood by observing the rate of increase in the magnitude of photon energy emitted from laboratory hydrogen atom. Aged super novae dimming may be due to the effect of high cosmic back ground temperature. Need of new mathematical methods & techniques, computer simulations, advanced engineering skills seem to be essential in this direction.

Excited-state properties of nucleic acid components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salet, C.; Bensasson, R. V.; Becker, R. S.

1981-12-01

Measurements were made of the fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes, and also of the absorption spectra, lifetimes, extinction coefficients, and quantum yields of the T1 lower triplet states of thymine, uracil, their N, N'-dimethyl derivatives, thymidine, thymidine monophosphate, uridine, and uridine monophosphate in various solvents at 300 °K. The influence of the solvent on the quantum yield of the T1 state of nucleic acid components is discussed.

Laboratory Measurements of Photolytic Parameters for Formaldehyde.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-01

dynamic dilution methods. Compressed air stored in steel cylinders, carefully selected to contain carbon monoxide and hydrogen at mixing ratios of...in air has been investi- gated in the laboratory at two temperatures: 300 and 220 K. Quantum yields for the formation of CO and H2 were determined at...procedures in the case of pure formaldehyde gave consistent results. (b) Quantum Yields Mixtures of formaldehyde in air were photolyzed in a

Synthesis and characterization of near-infrared absorbing water soluble squaraines and study of their photodynamic effects in DLA live cells.

PubMed

Shafeekh, Kulathinte M; Soumya, Mohanannair S; Rahim, Moochikkadavath A; Abraham, Annie; Das, Suresh

2014-01-01

Here, we report the synthesis, photophysical properties and photodynamic effects in DLA live cells of three water soluble squaraine dyes, viz. bisbenzothiazolium squaraine dyes SQMI and SQDI with iodine in one and both benzothiazolium units, respectively, and an unsymmetrical squaraine dye ASQI containing iodinated benzothiazolium and aniline substituents. The diiodinated SQDI showed an anomalous trend in both fluorescence and triplet quantum yields over the monoiodinated SQMI, with SQDI showing higher fluorescence and lower triplet quantum yields compared to SQMI. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis of SQDI and SQMI indicated the formation of triplet excited states with quantum yield of 0.19 and 0.26, respectively. On photoirradiation, both the SQDI and SQMI generate singlet oxygen and it was observed that both dyes undergoing oxidation reactions with the singlet oxygen generated. ASQI which exhibited a lower triplet quantum yield of 0.06 was, however, stable and did not react with the singlet oxygen generated. In vitro cytotoxicity studies of these dyes in DLA live cells were performed using Trypan blue dye exclusion method and it reflect an order of cytotoxicity of SQDI>SQMI>ASQI. Intracellular generation of the ROS was confirmed by dichlorofluorescein assay after the in vitro PDT. © 2014 The American Society of Photobiology.

Efficiencies of induction of DNA double strand breaks in solution by photoabsorption at phosphorus and platinum.

PubMed

Maeda, Munetoshi; Kobayashi, Katsumi; Hieda, Kotaro

2004-01-01

This paper aims at determining and comparing the cross sections and quantum yields for DNA strand break induction by the Auger effect at the K-shell of phosphorus and at the LIII-shell of platinum. Using synchrotron radiation, free and Pt-bound pBR322 plasmid DNA were irradiated in solution with monochromatic X-rays, the energies of which were 2.153 and 2.147 keV, corresponding to "on" and "below" the phosphorus K-shell photoabsorption, and 11.566 and 11.542 keV for "above" and "below" the L(III)-shell photoabsorption of platinum, respectively. To suppress indirect effects by hydroxyl radicals, DMSO (1M) was used as a scavenger. The inner-shell photoabsorption of phosphorus and of platinum significantly increased the induction of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), whereas it had little effect on single strand break (SSB) induction. The quantum yields for the induction of DSB were calculated to be 0.017 and 1.13, in the case of phosphorus and platinum, respectively. CONCLSIONS: The value of the quantum yield for the DSB induction of platinum was about 66-fold larger than that for the phosphorus. These results clearly demonstrate that the quantum yield of DSB depends upon the magnitude of the Auger cascade.

Towards efficient solar hydrogen production by intercalated carbon nitride photocatalyst.

PubMed

Gao, Honglin; Yan, Shicheng; Wang, Jiajia; Huang, Yu An; Wang, Peng; Li, Zhaosheng; Zou, Zhigang

2013-11-07

The development of efficient photocatalytic material for converting solar energy to hydrogen energy as viable alternatives to fossil-fuel technologies is expected to revolutionize energy shortage and environment issues. However, to date, the low quantum yield for solar hydrogen production over photocatalysts has hindered advances in the practical applications of photocatalysis. Here, we show that a carbon nitride intercalation compound (CNIC) synthesized by a simple molten salt route is an efficient polymer photocatalyst with a high quantum yield. We found that coordinating the alkali metals into the C-N plane of carbon nitride will induce the un-uniform spatial charge distribution. The electrons are confined in the intercalated region while the holes are in the far intercalated region, which promoted efficient separation of photogenerated carriers. The donor-type alkali metal ions coordinating into the nitrogen pots of carbon nitrides increase the free carrier concentration and lead to the formation of novel nonradiative paths. This should favor improved transport of the photogenerated electron and hole and decrease the electron-hole recombination rate. As a result, the CNIC exhibits a quantum yield as high as 21.2% under 420 nm light irradiation for solar hydrogen production. Such high quantum yield opens up new opportunities for using cheap semiconducting polymers as energy transducers.

Intense visible emission from ZnO/PAAX (X = H or Na) nanocomposite synthesized via a simple and scalable sol-gel method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Y.; Apostoluk, A.; Gautier, P.; Valette, A.; Omar, L.; Cornier, T.; Bluet, J. M.; Masenelli-Varlot, K.; Daniele, S.; Masenelli, B.

2016-03-01

Intense visible nano-emitters are key objects for many technologies such as single photon source, bio-labels or energy convertors. Chalcogenide nanocrystals have ruled this domain for several decades. However, there is a demand for cheaper and less toxic materials. In this scheme, ZnO nanoparticles have appeared as potential candidates. At the nanoscale, they exhibit crystalline defects which can generate intense visible emission. However, even though photoluminescence quantum yields as high as 60% have been reported, it still remains to get quantum yield of that order of magnitude which remains stable over a long period. In this purpose, we present hybrid ZnO/polyacrylic acid (PAAH) nanocomposites, obtained from the hydrolysis of diethylzinc in presence of PAAH, exhibiting quantum yield systematically larger than 20%. By optimizing the nature and properties of the polymeric acid, the quantum yield is increased up to 70% and remains stable over months. This enhancement is explained by a model based on the hybrid type II heterostructure formed by ZnO/PAAH. The addition of PAAX (X = H or Na) during the hydrolysis of ZnEt2 represents a cost effective method to synthesize scalable amounts of highly luminescent ZnO/PAAX nanocomposites.

Faster search by lackadaisical quantum walk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Thomas G.

2018-03-01

In the typical model, a discrete-time coined quantum walk searching the 2D grid for a marked vertex achieves a success probability of O(1/log N) in O(√{N log N}) steps, which with amplitude amplification yields an overall runtime of O(√{N} log N). We show that making the quantum walk lackadaisical or lazy by adding a self-loop of weight 4 / N to each vertex speeds up the search, causing the success probability to reach a constant near 1 in O(√{N log N}) steps, thus yielding an O(√{log N}) improvement over the typical, loopless algorithm. This improved runtime matches the best known quantum algorithms for this search problem. Our results are based on numerical simulations since the algorithm is not an instance of the abstract search algorithm.

More on Weinberg's no-go theorem in quantum gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagahama, Munehiro; Oda, Ichiro

2018-05-01

We complement Weinberg's no-go theorem on the cosmological constant problem in quantum gravity by generalizing it to the case of a scale-invariant theory. Our analysis makes use of the effective action and the BRST symmetry in a manifestly covariant quantum gravity instead of the classical Lagrangian density and the G L (4 ) symmetry in classical gravity. In this sense, our proof is very general since it does not depend on details of quantum gravity and holds true for general gravitational theories which are invariant under diffeomorphisms. As an application of our theorem, we comment on an idea that in the asymptotic safety scenario the functional renormalization flow drives a cosmological constant to zero, solving the cosmological constant problem without reference to fine tuning of parameters. Finally, we also comment on the possibility of extending the Weinberg theorem in quantum gravity to the case where the translational invariance is spontaneously broken.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ma, Xiongfeng; Yuan, Xiao; Cao, Zhu

Quantum physics can be exploited to generate true random numbers, which play important roles in many applications, especially in cryptography. Genuine randomness from the measurement of a quantum system reveals the inherent nature of quantumness -- coherence, an important feature that differentiates quantum mechanics from classical physics. The generation of genuine randomness is generally considered impossible with only classical means. Based on the degree of trustworthiness on devices, quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can be grouped into three categories. The first category, practical QRNG, is built on fully trusted and calibrated devices and typically can generate randomness at a highmore » speed by properly modeling the devices. The second category is self-testing QRNG, where verifiable randomness can be generated without trusting the actual implementation. The third category, semi-self-testing QRNG, is an intermediate category which provides a tradeoff between the trustworthiness on the device and the random number generation speed.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Orfield, Noah J.; McBride, James R.; Wang, Feng

Physical variations in colloidal nanostructures give rise to heterogeneity in expressed optical behavior. This correlation between nanoscale structure and function demands interrogation of both atomic structure and photophysics at the level of single nanostructures to be fully understood. In this paper, by conducting detailed analyses of fine atomic structure, chemical composition, and time-resolved single-photon photoluminescence data for the same individual nanocrystals, we reveal inhomogeneity in the quantum yields of single nonblinking “giant” CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots (g-QDs). We find that each g-QD possesses distinctive single exciton and biexciton quantum yields that result mainly from variations in the degree of charging,more » rather than from volume or structure inhomogeneity. We further establish that there is a very limited nonemissive “dark” fraction (<2%) among the studied g-QDs and present direct evidence that the g-QD core must lack inorganic passivation for the g-QD to be “dark”. Finally and therefore, in contrast to conventional QDs, ensemble photoluminescence quantum yield is principally defined by charging processes rather than the existence of dark g-QDs.« less

Strongly Coupled Tin-Halide Perovskites to Modulate Light Emission: Tunable 550-640 nm Light Emission (FWHM 36-80 nm) with a Quantum Yield of up to 6.4.

PubMed

Chen, Min-Yi; Lin, Jin-Tai; Hsu, Chia-Shuo; Chang, Chung-Kai; Chiu, Ching-Wen; Chen, Hao Ming; Chou, Pi-Tai

2018-05-01

Colloidal perovskite quantum dots represent one of the most promising materials for applications in solar cells and photoluminescences. These devices require a low density of crystal defects and a high yield of photogenerated carriers, which are difficult to realize in tin-halide perovskite because of the intrinsic instability of tin during nucleation. Here, an enhancement in the luminescent property of tin-halide perovskite nanoplates (TPNPs) that are composed of strongly coupled layered structures with the chemical formula of PEA 2 SnX 4 (PEA = C 6 H 5 (CH 2 ) 2 NH 3 , X = Br, I) is reported. TPNPs (X = I) show an emission at a wavelength of 640 nm, with high quantum yield of 6.40 ± 0.14% and full width at half maximum (FWHM) as small as 36 nm. The presence of aliphatic carboxylic acid is found to play a key role in reducing the tin perovskite defect density, which significantly improves the emission intensity and stability of TPNPs. Upon mixing iodo- and bromo- precursors, the emission wavelength is successfully tuned from 640 nm (PEA 2 SnI 4 ) to 550 nm (PEA 2 SnBr 4 ), with a corresponding emission quantum yield and FWHM of 0.16-6.40% and 36-80 nm, respectively. The results demonstrate a major advance for the emission yield and tunability of tin-halide perovskites. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Photoswitchable Fluorescent Diarylethene Derivatives with Thiophene 1,1-Dioxide Groups: Effect of Alkyl Substituents at the Reactive Carbons

PubMed Central

Sumi, Takaki; Irie, Masahiro

2017-01-01

Photoswitching and fluorescent properties of sulfone derivatives of 1,2-bis(2-alkyl-4-methyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene, 1–5, having methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, and i-butyl substituents at the reactive carbons (2- and 2′-positions) of the thiophene 1,1-dioxide rings were studied. Diarylethenes 1–5 underwent isomerization reactions between open-ring and closed-ring forms upon alternate irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) and visible light and showed fluorescence in the closed-ring forms. The alkyl substitution at the reactive carbons affects the fluorescent property of the closed-ring isomers. The closed-ring isomers 2b–5b with ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, and i-butyl substituents show higher fluorescence quantum yields than 1b with methyl substituents. In polar solvents, the fluorescence quantum yield of 1b markedly decreases, while 2b–5b maintain the relatively high fluorescence quantum yields. Although the cycloreversion quantum yields of the derivatives with methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and i-propyl substituents are quite low and in the order of 10−5, introduction of i-butyl substituents was found to increase the yield up to the order of 10−3. These results indicate that appropriate alkyl substitution at the reactive carbons is indispensable for properly controlling the photoswitching and fluorescent properties of the photoswitchable fluorescent diarylethenes, which are potentially applicable to super-resolution fluorescence microscopies. PMID:28869489

Experimental Observation of Dynamical Localization in Laser-Kicked Molecular Rotors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bitter, M.; Milner, V.

2016-09-01

The periodically kicked rotor is a paradigm system for studying quantum effects on classically chaotic dynamics. The wave function of the quantum rotor localizes in angular momentum space, similarly to Anderson localization of the electronic wave function in disordered solids. Here, we observe dynamical localization in a system of true quantum rotors by subjecting nitrogen molecules to periodic sequences of femtosecond pulses. Exponential distribution of the molecular angular momentum—the hallmark of dynamical localization—is measured directly by means of coherent Raman scattering. We demonstrate the suppressed rotational energy growth with the number of laser kicks and study the dependence of the localization length on the kick strength. Because of its quantum coherent nature, both timing and amplitude noise are shown to destroy the localization and revive the diffusive growth of energy.

Experimental Observation of Dynamical Localization in Laser-Kicked Molecular Rotors.

PubMed

Bitter, M; Milner, V

2016-09-30

The periodically kicked rotor is a paradigm system for studying quantum effects on classically chaotic dynamics. The wave function of the quantum rotor localizes in angular momentum space, similarly to Anderson localization of the electronic wave function in disordered solids. Here, we observe dynamical localization in a system of true quantum rotors by subjecting nitrogen molecules to periodic sequences of femtosecond pulses. Exponential distribution of the molecular angular momentum-the hallmark of dynamical localization-is measured directly by means of coherent Raman scattering. We demonstrate the suppressed rotational energy growth with the number of laser kicks and study the dependence of the localization length on the kick strength. Because of its quantum coherent nature, both timing and amplitude noise are shown to destroy the localization and revive the diffusive growth of energy.

Generalized description of few-electron quantum dots at zero and nonzero magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciftja, Orion

2007-01-01

We introduce a generalized ground state variational wavefunction for parabolically confined two-dimensional quantum dots that equally applies to both cases of weak (or zero) and strong magnetic field. The wavefunction has a Laughlin-like form in the limit of infinite magnetic field, but transforms into a Jastrow-Slater wavefunction at zero magnetic field. At intermediate magnetic fields (where a fraction of electrons is spin-reversed) it resembles Halperin's spin-reversed wavefunction for the fractional quantum Hall effect. The properties of this variational wavefunction are illustrated for the case of two-dimensional quantum dot helium (a system of two interacting electrons in a parabolic confinement potential) where we find the description to be an excellent representation of the true ground state for the whole range of magnetic fields.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mthethwa, T.P.; Moloto, M.J., E-mail: mmoloto@uj.ac.za; De Vries, A.

Graphical abstract: SEM images of CdS/PMMA showing coiling as loading of CdS nanoparticles is increased. Thermal stability is increased with increase in %loading of both CdS and CdSe nanoparticles. Research highlights: {yields} TOPO-capped CdS and HDA-capped CdSe nanoparticles were synthesized and fully characterized. {yields} The nanoparticles were mixed with the polymer, PMMA using electrospinning technique using 2, 5 and 10% weight loadings. {yields} The mixture was spun to produce fibres with optical and thermal properties showing significant change and also the increase in loading causing bending or spiraling. {yields} Both TEM images for nanoparticles and SEM for fibres shows themore » morphology and sizes of the particles. -- Abstract: Electrospinning technique was used to fabricate poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibres incorporating CdS and CdSe quantum dots (nanoparticles). Different nanoparticle loadings (2, 5 and 10 wt% with respect to PMMA) were used and the effect of the quantum dots on the properties of the fibres was studied. The optical properties of the hybrid composite fibres were investigated by photoluminescence and UV-vis spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectrophotometry were also used to investigate the morphology and structure of the fibres. The optical studies showed that the size-tunable optical properties can be achieved in the polymer fibres by addition of quantum dots. SEM images showed that the morphologies of the fibres were dependent on the added amounts of quantum dots. A spiral type of morphology was observed with an increase in the concentration of CdS and CdSe nanoparticles. Less beaded structures and bigger diameter fibres were obtained at higher quantum dot concentrations. X-ray diffractometry detected the amorphous peaks of the polymer and even after the quantum dots were added and the FTIR analysis shows that there was no considerable interaction between the quantum dots and the polymer fibres at low concentration of quantum dots however at higher concentrations some interactions were observed which shows that QDs were present on the surfaces of the fibres.« less

A stable wavelength-tunable triggered source of single photons and cascaded photon pairs at the telecom C-band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeuner, Katharina D.; Paul, Matthias; Lettner, Thomas; Reuterskiöld Hedlund, Carl; Schweickert, Lucas; Steinhauer, Stephan; Yang, Lily; Zichi, Julien; Hammar, Mattias; Jöns, Klaus D.; Zwiller, Val

2018-04-01

The implementation of fiber-based long-range quantum communication requires tunable sources of single photons at the telecom C-band. Stable and easy-to-implement wavelength-tunability of individual sources is crucial to (i) bring remote sources into resonance, (ii) define a wavelength standard, and (iii) ensure scalability to operate a quantum repeater. So far, the most promising sources for true, telecom single photons are semiconductor quantum dots, due to their ability to deterministically and reliably emit single and entangled photons. However, the required wavelength-tunability is hard to attain. Here, we show a stable wavelength-tunable quantum light source by integrating strain-released InAs quantum dots on piezoelectric substrates. We present triggered single-photon emission at 1.55 μm with a multi-photon emission probability as low as 0.097, as well as photon pair emission from the radiative biexciton-exciton cascade. We achieve a tuning range of 0.25 nm which will allow us to spectrally overlap remote quantum dots or tuning distant quantum dots into resonance with quantum memories. This opens up realistic avenues for the implementation of photonic quantum information processing applications at telecom wavelengths.

Hybrid annealing: Coupling a quantum simulator to a classical computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graß, Tobias; Lewenstein, Maciej

2017-05-01

Finding the global minimum in a rugged potential landscape is a computationally hard task, often equivalent to relevant optimization problems. Annealing strategies, either classical or quantum, explore the configuration space by evolving the system under the influence of thermal or quantum fluctuations. The thermal annealing dynamics can rapidly freeze the system into a low-energy configuration, and it can be simulated well on a classical computer, but it easily gets stuck in local minima. Quantum annealing, on the other hand, can be guaranteed to find the true ground state and can be implemented in modern quantum simulators; however, quantum adiabatic schemes become prohibitively slow in the presence of quasidegeneracies. Here, we propose a strategy which combines ideas from simulated annealing and quantum annealing. In such a hybrid algorithm, the outcome of a quantum simulator is processed on a classical device. While the quantum simulator explores the configuration space by repeatedly applying quantum fluctuations and performing projective measurements, the classical computer evaluates each configuration and enforces a lowering of the energy. We have simulated this algorithm for small instances of the random energy model, showing that it potentially outperforms both simulated thermal annealing and adiabatic quantum annealing. It becomes most efficient for problems involving many quasidegenerate ground states.

A synchronous game for binary constraint systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Se-Jin; Paulsen, Vern; Schafhauser, Christopher

2018-03-01

Recently, Slofstra proved that the set of quantum correlations is not closed. We prove that the set of synchronous quantum correlations is not closed, which implies his result, by giving an example of a synchronous game that has a perfect quantum approximate strategy but no perfect quantum strategy. We also exhibit a graph for which the quantum independence number and the quantum approximate independence number are different. We prove new characterisations of synchronous quantum approximate correlations and synchronous quantum spatial correlations. We solve the synchronous approximation problem of Dykema and the second author, which yields a new equivalence of Connes' embedding problem in terms of synchronous correlations.

Raising yield potential in wheat: increasing photosynthesis capacity and efficiency

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Increasing wheat yields to help to ensure food security is a major challenge. Meeting this challenge requires a quantum improvement in the yield potential of wheat. Past increases in yield potential have largely resulted from improvements in harvest index not through increased biomass. Further large...

Correlation complementarity yields bell monogamy relations.

PubMed

Kurzyński, P; Paterek, T; Ramanathan, R; Laskowski, W; Kaszlikowski, D

2011-05-06

We present a method to derive Bell monogamy relations by connecting the complementarity principle with quantum nonlocality. The resulting monogamy relations are stronger than those obtained from the no-signaling principle alone. In many cases, they yield tight quantum bounds on the amount of violation of single and multiple qubit correlation Bell inequalities. In contrast with the two-qubit case, a rich structure of possible violation patterns is shown to exist in the multipartite scenario.

The effect of axial ligands on the quantum yield of singlet oxygen of new silicon phthalocyanine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Huafei; Zhang, Xuemei; Yu, Xinxin; Pan, Sujuan; Xie, Shusen; Yang, Hongqin; Peng, Yiru

2016-10-01

The singlet oxygen (1O2) production abilitity is an important factor to assess their potential as effective of photosensitizers. In this paper, the 1O2 production rate, production rate constant and quantum yield of silicon(IV) phthalocyanine axially bearing 1-3 generation dendritic substituents were evaluated by a high performance liquid chromatographic method. The results show that the 1O2 production rate and production rate constant of these compounds increase gradually with dendritic generations increase. And the 1O2 quantum yield of silicon(IV) phthalocyanine with first generation dendritic ligand was the highest. This may be due to the isolation effect of the dendritic ligands on the phthalocyanine core. The parameters of the observed 1O2 production properties will provide valuable data for these dendrimer phthalocyanines as promising photosensitizer in PDT application.

Photochemical studies of a fluorescent chlorophyll catabolite--source of bright blue fluorescence in plant tissue and efficient sensitizer of singlet oxygen.

PubMed

Jockusch, Steffen; Turro, Nicholas J; Banala, Srinivas; Kräutler, Bernhard

2014-02-01

Fluorescent chlorophyll catabolites (FCCs) are fleeting intermediates of chlorophyll breakdown, which is seen as an enzyme controlled detoxification process of the chlorophylls in plants. However, some plants accumulate large amounts of persistent FCCs, such as in senescent leaves and in peels of yellow bananas. The photophysical properties of such a persistent FCC (Me-sFCC) were investigated in detail. FCCs absorb in the near UV spectral region and show blue fluorescence (max at 437 nm). The Me-sFCC fluorescence had a quantum yield of 0.21 (lifetime 1.6 ns). Photoexcited Me-sFCC intersystem crosses into the triplet state (quantum yield 0.6) and generates efficiently singlet oxygen (quantum yield 0.59). The efficient generation of singlet oxygen makes fluorescent chlorophyll catabolites phototoxic, but might also be useful as a (stress) signal and for defense of the plant tissue against infection by pathogens.

Short-Term Flooding Effects on Gas Exchange and Quantum Yield of Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) 1

PubMed Central

Davies, Frederick S.; Flore, James A.

1986-01-01

Roots of 1.5-year-old `Woodard' rabbiteye blueberry plants (Vaccinium ashei Reade) were flooded in containers or maintained at container capacity over a 5-day period. Carbon assimilation, and stomatal and residual conductances were monitored on one fully expanded shoot/plant using an open flow gas analysis system. Quantum yield was calculated from light response curves. Carbon assimilation and quantum yield of flooded plants decreased to 64 and 41% of control values, respectively, after 1 day of flooding and continued decreasing to 38 and 27% after 4 days. Stomatal and residual conductances to CO2 also decreased after 1 day of flooding compared with those of unflooded plants with residual conductance severely limiting carbon assimilation after 4 days of flooding. Stomatal opening occurred in 75 to 90 minutes and rate of opening was unaffected by flooding. PMID:16664791

Fundamental Quantum 1/F Noise in Ultrasmall Semiconductor Devices and Their Optimal Design Principles

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-05-31

Hooge parameter. 2. 1 / f Noise of the Recombination Current Generated in the Depletion Region The quantum i/ f ...theory. There are two forms of quantum 11f noise . In the first place C~ and Cn4 p n to quantum 1 / f noise theory. This would yield Hooge parameters S...Fundamental Quantum 1 / f Noise in Ultrasmall S~ iodcrD’vesadOtm.Dsgn P in. 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) Handel, Peter H. (Princioal investiaat r) 13a. TYPE

Proceedings of the Quantum Computation for Physical Modeling Workshop 2004. Held in North Falmouth, MA on 12-15 September 2004

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-10-01

late the difficulty of some basic 1-bit and n-bit quantum and classical operations in an simple unconstrained scenario. KEY WORDS: Time evolution... quantum circuit and design are presented for an optimized entangling probe attacking the BB84 Protocol of quantum key distribution (QKD) and yielding...unambiguous, at least some of the time. It follows that the BB84 (Bennett-Brassard 1984) proto- col of quantum key distribution has a vulnerability similar to

Interaction of Water-Soluble CdTe Quantum Dots with Bovine Serum Albumin

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots) are promising fluorescent markers, but it is very little known about interaction of quantum dots with biological molecules. In this study, interaction of CdTe quantum dots coated with thioglycolic acid (TGA) with bovine serum albumin was investigated. Steady state spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods were used. It was explored how bovine serum albumin affects stability and spectral properties of quantum dots in aqueous media. CdTe–TGA quantum dots in aqueous solution appeared to be not stable and precipitated. Interaction with bovine serum albumin significantly enhanced stability and photoluminescence quantum yield of quantum dots and prevented quantum dots from aggregating. PMID:27502633

New evidence for primordial action site of Fluazifop-P-butyl on Acanthospermum hispidum seedlings: From the effects on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and histological observation.

PubMed

Shang, Yuhong; Yang, Congjun; Liu, Zhihang; Song, Jiqing; Li, Pingliang; Li, Lingxu; Zhou, Fei; Xin, Hua; Wan, Fanghao; Matsumoto, Hiroshi; Luo, Xiaoyong

2017-10-01

Acanthospermum hispidum DC, an Asteraceae weed species, was very susceptible to fluazifop-P-butyl, but tolerant to other aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides, such as haloxyfop-P-methyl. However, other Asteraceae weeds including Bidens pilosa were all tolerant to fluazifop-P-butyl. Membrane lipid peroxidation by increasing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was proposed as an action mechanism of fluazifop-P-butyl in A. hispidum. To further clarify the primordial action site of fluazifop-P-butyl in this species, the effects on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and cytohistology of apical meristems were studied. Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics (CFC) in sensitive A. hispidum seedlings were markedly affected by 10μM fluazifop-P-butyl, with the dark fluorescence yield (Fo), maximal fluorescence yield (Fm), maximal PS II quantum yield (Fv/Fm), effective photosystem II (PS II) quantum yield [Y(II)], and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation [Y(NPQ)] declining, quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation [Y(NO)] rising, but these measures were not affected in Bidens pilosa. The effects of fluazifop-P-butyl on chlorophyll fluorescence properties were observed on the growing point before the mature leaves by about 4-6h. Haloxyfop-P-methyl, a control herbicide, had no effects on CFC of either A. hispidum or B. pilosa. In addition, damage to apical meristem cells of A. hispidum was observed at 6 HAT prior to changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters suggesting that the primary action site of fluazifop-P-butyl in this species is in the apical meristem and the effects on CFC may be the results of secondary action. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Implementation and characterization of active feed-forward for deterministic linear optics quantum computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böhi, P.; Prevedel, R.; Jennewein, T.; Stefanov, A.; Tiefenbacher, F.; Zeilinger, A.

2007-12-01

In general, quantum computer architectures which are based on the dynamical evolution of quantum states, also require the processing of classical information, obtained by measurements of the actual qubits that make up the computer. This classical processing involves fast, active adaptation of subsequent measurements and real-time error correction (feed-forward), so that quantum gates and algorithms can be executed in a deterministic and hence error-free fashion. This is also true in the linear optical regime, where the quantum information is stored in the polarization state of photons. The adaptation of the photon’s polarization can be achieved in a very fast manner by employing electro-optical modulators, which change the polarization of a trespassing photon upon appliance of a high voltage. In this paper we discuss techniques for implementing fast, active feed-forward at the single photon level and we present their application in the context of photonic quantum computing. This includes the working principles and the characterization of the EOMs as well as a description of the switching logics, both of which allow quantum computation at an unprecedented speed.

ψ-Epistemic Models are Exponentially Bad at Explaining the Distinguishability of Quantum States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leifer, M. S.

2014-04-01

The status of the quantum state is perhaps the most controversial issue in the foundations of quantum theory. Is it an epistemic state (state of knowledge) or an ontic state (state of reality)? In realist models of quantum theory, the epistemic view asserts that nonorthogonal quantum states correspond to overlapping probability measures over the true ontic states. This naturally accounts for a large number of otherwise puzzling quantum phenomena. For example, the indistinguishability of nonorthogonal states is explained by the fact that the ontic state sometimes lies in the overlap region, in which case there is nothing in reality that could distinguish the two states. For this to work, the amount of overlap of the probability measures should be comparable to the indistinguishability of the quantum states. In this Letter, I exhibit a family of states for which the ratio of these two quantities must be ≤2de-cd in Hilbert spaces of dimension d that are divisible by 4. This implies that, for large Hilbert space dimension, the epistemic explanation of indistinguishability becomes implausible at an exponential rate as the Hilbert space dimension increases.

Quantum storage of orbital angular momentum entanglement in cold atomic ensembles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Bao-Sen; Ding, Dong-Sheng; Zhang, Wei

2018-02-01

Electromagnetic waves have both spin momentum and orbital angular momentum (OAM). Light carrying OAM has broad applications in micro-particle manipulation, high-precision optical metrology, and potential high-capacity optical communications. In the concept of quantum information, a photon encoded with information in its OAM degree of freedom enables quantum networks to carry much more information and increase their channel capacity greatly compared with those of current technology because of the inherent infinite dimensions for OAM. Quantum memories are indispensable to construct quantum networks. Storing OAM states has attracted considerable attention recently, and many important advances in this direction have been achieved during the past few years. Here we review recent experimental realizations of quantum memories using OAM states, including OAM qubits and qutrits at true single photon level, OAM states entangled in a two-dimensional or a high-dimensional space, hyperentanglement and hybrid entanglement consisting of OAM and other degree of freedom in a physical system. We believe that all achievements described here are very helpful to study quantum information encoded in a high-dimensional space.

Can time-dependent density functional theory predict intersystem crossing in organic chromophores? A case study on benzo(bis)-X-diazole based donor-acceptor-donor type molecules.

PubMed

Tam, Teck Lip Dexter; Lin, Ting Ting; Chua, Ming Hui

2017-06-21

Here we utilized new diagnostic tools in time-dependent density functional theory to explain the trend of intersystem crossing in benzo(bis)-X-diazole based donor-acceptor-donor type molecules. These molecules display a wide range of fluorescence quantum yields and triplet yields, making them excellent candidates for testing the validity of these diagnostic tools. We believe that these tools are cost-effective and can be applied to structurally similar organic chromophores to predict/explain the trends of intersystem crossing, and thus fluorescence quantum yields and triplet yields without the use of complex and expensive multireference configuration interaction or multireference pertubation theory methods.

Quantum coherence effects in natural light-induced processes: cis-trans photoisomerization of model retinal under incoherent excitation.

PubMed

Tscherbul, Timur V; Brumer, Paul

2015-12-14

We present a theoretical study of quantum coherence effects in the primary cis-trans photoisomerization of retinal in rhodopsin induced by incoherent solar light. Using the partial secular Bloch-Redfield quantum master equation approach based on a two-state two-mode linear vibronic coupling model of the retinal chromophore [S. Hahn and G. Stock, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2000, 104, 1146-1149], we show that a sudden turn-on of incoherent pumping can generate substantial Fano coherences among the excited states of retinal. These coherences are the most pronounced in the regime where the matrix elements of the transition dipole moment between the ground and excited eigenstates are parallel to one another. We show that even when the transition dipole moments are perpendicular (implying the absence of light-induced Fano coherence) a small amount of excited-state coherence is still generated due to the coupling to intramolecular vibrational modes and the protein environment, causing depopulation of the excited eigenstates. The overall effect of the coherences on the steady-state population and on the photoproduct quantum yield is shown to be small; however we observe a significant transient effect on the formation of the trans photoproduct, enhancing the photoreaction quantum yield by ∼11% at 200 fs. These calculations suggest that coupling to intramolecular vibrational modes and the protein environment play an important role in photoreaction dynamics, suppressing oscillations in the quantum yield associated with Fano interference.

Lunisolar tidal force and its relationship to chlorophyll fluorescence in Arabidopsis thaliana.

PubMed

Fisahn, Joachim; Klingelé, Emile; Barlow, Peter

2015-01-01

The yield of chlorophyll fluorescence Ft was measured in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana over periods of several days under conditions of continuous illumination (LL) without the application of saturating light pulses. After linearization of the time series of the chlorophyll fluorescence yield (ΔFt), oscillations became apparent with periodicities in the circatidal range. Alignments of these linearized time series ΔFt with the lunisolar tidal acceleration revealed high degrees of synchrony and phase congruence. Similar congruence with the lunisolar tide was obtained with the linearized quantum yield of PSII (ΔФII), recorded after application of saturating light pulses. These findings strongly suggest that there is an exogenous timekeeper which is a stimulus for the oscillations detected in both the linearized yield of chlorophyll fluorescence (ΔFt) and the linearized quantum yield of PSII (ΔФII).

Lunisolar tidal force and its relationship to chlorophyll fluorescence in Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Fisahn, Joachim; Klingelé, Emile; Barlow, Peter

2015-01-01

The yield of chlorophyll fluorescence Ft was measured in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana over periods of several days under conditions of continuous illumination (LL) without the application of saturating light pulses. After linearization of the time series of the chlorophyll fluorescence yield (ΔFt), oscillations became apparent with periodicities in the circatidal range. Alignments of these linearized time series ΔFt with the lunisolar tidal acceleration revealed high degrees of synchrony and phase congruence. Similar congruence with the lunisolar tide was obtained with the linearized quantum yield of PSII (ΔФII), recorded after application of saturating light pulses. These findings strongly suggest that there is an exogenous timekeeper which is a stimulus for the oscillations detected in both the linearized yield of chlorophyll fluorescence (ΔFt) and the linearized quantum yield of PSII (ΔФII). PMID:26376108

High quantum yield of the Egyptian blue family of infrared phosphors (MCuSi4O10, M = Ca, Sr, Ba)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berdahl, Paul; Boocock, Simon K.; Chan, George C.-Y.; Chen, Sharon S.; Levinson, Ronnen M.; Zalich, Michael A.

2018-05-01

The alkaline earth copper tetra-silicates, blue pigments, are interesting infrared phosphors. The Ca, Sr, and Ba variants fluoresce in the near-infrared (NIR) at 909, 914, and 948 nm, respectively, with spectral widths on the order of 120 nm. The highest quantum yield ϕ reported thus far is ca. 10%. We use temperature measurements in sunlight to determine this parameter. The yield depends on the pigment loading (mass per unit area) ω with values approaching 100% as ω → 0 for the Ca and Sr variants. Although maximum quantum yield occurs near ω = 0, maximum fluorescence occurs near ω = 70 g m-2, at which ϕ = 0.7. The better samples show fluorescence decay times in the range of 130 to 160 μs. The absorbing impurity CuO is often present. Good phosphor performance requires long fluorescence decay times and very low levels of parasitic absorption. The strong fluorescence enhances prospects for energy applications such as cooling of sunlit surfaces (to reduce air conditioning requirements) and luminescent solar concentrators.

Temporal variability in chlorophyll fluorescence of back-reef corals in Ofu, American Samoa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Piniak, G.A.; Brown, E.K.

2009-01-01

Change in the yield of chlorophyll a fluorescence is a common indicator of thermal stress in corals. The present study reports temporal variability in quantum yield measurements for 10 coral species in Ofu, American Samoa - a place known to experience elevated and variable seawater temperatures. In winter, the zooxanthellae generally had higher dark-adapted maximum quantum yield (F v/Fm), higher light- adapted effective quantum yield (??F/F'm), and lower relative electron transport rates (rETR) than in the summer. Temporal changes appeared unrelated to the expected bleaching sensitivity of corals. All species surveyed, with the exception of Montipora grisea, demonstrated significant temporal changes in the three fluorescence parameters. Fluorescence responses were influenced by the microhabitat - temporal differences in fluorescence parameters were usually observed in the habitat with a more variable temperature regime (pool 300), while differences in Fv/Fm between species were observed only in the more environmentally stable habitat (pool 400). Such species-specific responses and microhabitat variability should be considered when attempting to determine whether observed in situ changes are normal seasonal changes or early signs of bleaching. ?? 2009 Marine Biological Laboratory.

Photodynamic therapy potential of thiol-stabilized CdTe quantum dot-group 3A phthalocyanine conjugates (QD-Pc).

PubMed

Tekdaş, Duygu Aydın; Durmuş, Mahmut; Yanık, Hülya; Ahsen, Vefa

2012-07-01

Thiol stabilized CdTe quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous phase and were used as energy donors to tetra-triethyleneoxythia substituted aluminum, gallium and indium phthalocyanines through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Energy transfer occurred from the QDs to phthalocyanines upon photoexcitation of the QDs. An enhancement in efficiency of energy transfer with the nature of the carboxylic thiol stabilizer on the QDs was observed. As a result of the nanoparticle and the phthalocyanine mixing, the photoluminescence efficiency of the phthalocyanine moieties in the mixtures does not strictly follow the quantum yields of the bare phthalocyanines. The photochemistry study of phthalocyanines in the presence of the QDs revealed high singlet oxygen quantum yield, hence the possibility of using QDs in combination with phthalocyanines as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy of cancer. The fluorescence of the CdTe quantum dots-phthalocyanine conjugates (QDs-Pc) were effectively quenched by addition of 1,4-benzoquinone. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Scalable focused ion beam creation of nearly lifetime-limited single quantum emitters in diamond nanostructures

PubMed Central

Schröder, Tim; Trusheim, Matthew E.; Walsh, Michael; Li, Luozhou; Zheng, Jiabao; Schukraft, Marco; Sipahigil, Alp; Evans, Ruffin E.; Sukachev, Denis D.; Nguyen, Christian T.; Pacheco, Jose L.; Camacho, Ryan M.; Bielejec, Edward S.; Lukin, Mikhail D.; Englund, Dirk

2017-01-01

The controlled creation of defect centre—nanocavity systems is one of the outstanding challenges for efficiently interfacing spin quantum memories with photons for photon-based entanglement operations in a quantum network. Here we demonstrate direct, maskless creation of atom-like single silicon vacancy (SiV) centres in diamond nanostructures via focused ion beam implantation with ∼32 nm lateral precision and <50 nm positioning accuracy relative to a nanocavity. We determine the Si+ ion to SiV centre conversion yield to be ∼2.5% and observe a 10-fold conversion yield increase by additional electron irradiation. Low-temperature spectroscopy reveals inhomogeneously broadened ensemble emission linewidths of ∼51 GHz and close to lifetime-limited single-emitter transition linewidths down to 126±13 MHz corresponding to ∼1.4 times the natural linewidth. This method for the targeted generation of nearly transform-limited quantum emitters should facilitate the development of scalable solid-state quantum information processors. PMID:28548097

Scalable focused ion beam creation of nearly lifetime-limited single quantum emitters in diamond nanostructures

DOE PAGES

Schroder, Tim; Trusheim, Matthew E.; Walsh, Michael; ...

2017-05-26

The controlled creation of defect centre—nanocavity systems is one of the outstanding challenges for efficiently interfacing spin quantum memories with photons for photon-based entanglement operations in a quantum network. Here we demonstrate direct, maskless creation of atom-like single silicon vacancy (SiV) centres in diamond nanostructures via focused ion beam implantation with ~32 nm lateral precision and <50 nm positioning accuracy relative to a nanocavity. We determine the Si+ ion to SiV centre conversion yield to be ~2.5% and observe a 10-fold conversion yield increase by additional electron irradiation. Low-temperature spectroscopy reveals inhomogeneously broadened ensemble emission linewidths of ~51 GHz andmore » close to lifetime-limited single-emitter transition linewidths down to 126±13 MHz corresponding to ~1.4 times the natural linewidth. Furthermore, this method for the targeted generation of nearly transform-limited quantum emitters should facilitate the development of scalable solid-state quantum information processors.« less

Scalable focused ion beam creation of nearly lifetime-limited single quantum emitters in diamond nanostructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schroder, Tim; Trusheim, Matthew E.; Walsh, Michael

The controlled creation of defect centre—nanocavity systems is one of the outstanding challenges for efficiently interfacing spin quantum memories with photons for photon-based entanglement operations in a quantum network. Here we demonstrate direct, maskless creation of atom-like single silicon vacancy (SiV) centres in diamond nanostructures via focused ion beam implantation with ~32 nm lateral precision and <50 nm positioning accuracy relative to a nanocavity. We determine the Si+ ion to SiV centre conversion yield to be ~2.5% and observe a 10-fold conversion yield increase by additional electron irradiation. Low-temperature spectroscopy reveals inhomogeneously broadened ensemble emission linewidths of ~51 GHz andmore » close to lifetime-limited single-emitter transition linewidths down to 126±13 MHz corresponding to ~1.4 times the natural linewidth. Furthermore, this method for the targeted generation of nearly transform-limited quantum emitters should facilitate the development of scalable solid-state quantum information processors.« less

Improved Charge-Transfer Fluorescent Dyes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meador, Michael

2005-01-01

Improved charge-transfer fluorescent dyes have been developed for use as molecular probes. These dyes are based on benzofuran nuclei with attached phenyl groups substituted with, variously, electron donors, electron acceptors, or combinations of donors and acceptors. Optionally, these dyes could be incorporated as parts of polymer backbones or as pendant groups or attached to certain surfaces via self-assembly-based methods. These dyes exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields -- ranging from 0.2 to 0.98, depending upon solvents and chemical structures. The wavelengths, quantum yields, intensities, and lifetimes of the fluorescence emitted by these dyes vary with (and, hence, can be used as indicators of) the polarities of solvents in which they are dissolved: In solvents of increasing polarity, fluorescence spectra shift to longer wavelengths, fluorescence quantum yields decrease, and fluorescence lifetimes increase. The wavelengths, quantum yields, intensities, and lifetimes are also expected to be sensitive to viscosities and/or glass-transition temperatures. Some chemical species -- especially amines, amino acids, and metal ions -- quench the fluorescence of these dyes, with consequent reductions in intensities, quantum yields, and lifetimes. As a result, the dyes can be used to detect these species. Another useful characteristic of these dyes is a capability for both two-photon and one-photon absorption. Typically, these dyes absorb single photons in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum (wavelengths < 400 nm) and emit photons in the long-wavelength ultraviolet, visible, and, when dissolved in some solvents, near-infrared regions. In addition, these dyes can be excited by two-photon absorption at near-infrared wavelengths (600 to 800 nm) to produce fluorescence spectra identical to those obtained in response to excitation by single photons at half the corresponding wavelengths (300 to 400 nm). While many prior fluorescent dyes exhibit high quantum yields, solvent-polarity- dependent fluorescence behavior, susceptibility to quenching by certain chemical species, and/or two-photon fluorescence, none of them has the combination of all of these attributes. Because the present dyes do have all of these attributes, they have potential utility as molecular probes in a variety of applications. Examples include (1) monitoring curing and deterioration of polymers; (2) monitoring protein expression; (3) high-throughput screening of drugs; (4) monitoring such chemical species as glucose, amines, amino acids, and metal ions; and (5) photodynamic therapy of cancers and other diseases.

Quantum Max-flow/Min-cut

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cui, Shawn X., E-mail: xingshan@math.ucsb.edu; Quantum Architectures and Computation Group, Microsoft Research, Redmond, Washington 98052; Freedman, Michael H., E-mail: michaelf@microsoft.com

2016-06-15

The classical max-flow min-cut theorem describes transport through certain idealized classical networks. We consider the quantum analog for tensor networks. By associating an integral capacity to each edge and a tensor to each vertex in a flow network, we can also interpret it as a tensor network and, more specifically, as a linear map from the input space to the output space. The quantum max-flow is defined to be the maximal rank of this linear map over all choices of tensors. The quantum min-cut is defined to be the minimum product of the capacities of edges over all cuts ofmore » the tensor network. We show that unlike the classical case, the quantum max-flow=min-cut conjecture is not true in general. Under certain conditions, e.g., when the capacity on each edge is some power of a fixed integer, the quantum max-flow is proved to equal the quantum min-cut. However, concrete examples are also provided where the equality does not hold. We also found connections of quantum max-flow/min-cut with entropy of entanglement and the quantum satisfiability problem. We speculate that the phenomena revealed may be of interest both in spin systems in condensed matter and in quantum gravity.« less

Relation between quantum fluctuations and the performance enhancement of quantum annealing in a nonstoquastic Hamiltonian

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susa, Yuki; Jadebeck, Johann F.; Nishimori, Hidetoshi

2017-04-01

We study the relation between quantum fluctuations and the significant enhancement of the performance of quantum annealing in a mean-field Hamiltonian. First-order quantum phase transitions were shown to be reduced to second order by antiferromagnetic transverse interactions in a mean-field-type many-body-interacting Ising spin system in a transverse field, which means an exponential speedup of quantum annealing by adiabatic quantum computation. We investigate if and how quantum effects manifest themselves around these first- and second-order phase transitions to understand if the antiferromagnetic transverse interactions appended to the conventional transverse-field Ising model induce notable quantum effects. By measuring the proximity of the semiclassical spin-coherent state to the true ground state as well as the magnitude of the concurrence representing entanglement, we conclude that significant quantum fluctuations exist around second-order transitions, whereas quantum effects are much less prominent at first-order transitions. Although the location of the transition point can be predicted by the classical picture, system properties near the transition need quantum-mechanical descriptions for a second-order transition but not necessarily for first order. It is also found that quantum fluctuations are large within the ferromagnetic phase after a second-order transition from the paramagnetic phase. These results suggest that the antiferromagnetic transverse interactions induce marked quantum effects, and this fact would be related to closely to the significant enhancement of the performance of quantum annealing.

Photolysis of CH{sub 3}CHO at 248 nm: Evidence of triple fragmentation from primary quantum yield of CH{sub 3} and HCO radicals and H atoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morajkar, Pranay; Schoemaecker, Coralie; Fittschen, Christa, E-mail: christa.fittschen@univ-lille1.fr

2014-06-07

Radical quantum yields have been measured following the 248 nm photolysis of acetaldehyde, CH{sub 3}CHO. HCO radical and H atom yields have been quantified by time resolved continuous wave Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy in the near infrared following their conversion to HO{sub 2} radicals by reaction with O{sub 2}. The CH{sub 3} radical yield has been determined using the same technique following their conversion into CH{sub 3}O{sub 2}. Absolute yields have been deduced for HCO radicals and H atoms through fitting of time resolved HO{sub 2} profiles, obtained under various O{sub 2} concentrations, to a complex model, while the CH{submore » 3} yield has been determined relative to the CH{sub 3} yield from 248 nm photolysis of CH{sub 3}I. Time resolved HO{sub 2} profiles under very low O{sub 2} concentrations suggest that another unknown HO{sub 2} forming reaction path exists in this reaction system besides the conversion of HCO radicals and H atoms by reaction with O{sub 2}. HO{sub 2} profiles can be well reproduced under a large range of experimental conditions with the following quantum yields: CH{sub 3}CHO + hν{sub 248nm} → CH{sub 3}CHO{sup *}, CH{sub 3}CHO{sup *} → CH{sub 3} + HCO ϕ{sub 1a} = 0.125 ± 0.03, CH{sub 3}CHO{sup *} → CH{sub 3} + H + CO ϕ{sub 1e} = 0.205 ± 0.04, CH{sub 3}CHO{sup *}→{sup o{sub 2}}CH{sub 3}CO + HO{sub 2} ϕ{sub 1f} = 0.07 ± 0.01. The CH{sub 3}O{sub 2} quantum yield has been determined in separate experiments as ϕ{sub CH{sub 3}} = 0.33 ± 0.03 and is in excellent agreement with the CH{sub 3} yields derived from the HO{sub 2} measurements considering that the triple fragmentation (R1e) is an important reaction path in the 248 nm photolysis of CH{sub 3}CHO. From arithmetic considerations taking into account the HO{sub 2} and CH{sub 3} measurements we deduce a remaining quantum yield for the molecular pathway: CH{sub 3}CHO{sup *} → CH{sub 4} + CO ϕ{sub 1b} = 0.6. All experiments can be consistently explained with absence of the formerly considered pathway: CH{sub 3}CHO{sup *} → CH{sub 3}CO + H ϕ{sub 1c} = 0.« less

Use of the fluorescence quantum yield for the determination of the number-average molecular weight of polymers of epicatechin with 4β→8 interflavin bonds

Treesearch

D. Cho; W.L. Mattice; L.J. Porter; Richard W. Hemingway

1989-01-01

Excitation at 280 nm produces a structureless emission band with a maximum at 321-324 nm for dilute solutions of catechin, epicatechin, and their oligomers in l,4-dioxane or water. The fluorescence quantum yield, Q, has been measured in these two solvents for five dimers, a trimer, a tetramer, a pentamer, a hexamer, and a polymer in which the monomer...

Photoisomerization of alfa calcidol by a sensitized quantum chain reaction.

PubMed

Estruch, Gastón A; Aramendía, Pedro F

2012-01-01

The production of vitamin D3 is a pharmaceutically relevant process, producing high added-value products. Precursors are extracts from vegetal origin but bearing mainly an E geometry in the 5,6 double bond. The synthesis of vitamin D3 (5-E-α-calcidol) with the correct Z stereochemistry in the 5,6 double bond from the E isomer using anthracene and triethylamine (TEA) as the sensitizer system was studied from the kinetic and mechanistic point of view. The sensitized isomerization of E-calcidol by irradiation of anthracene takes place only in deoxygenated solution and yields the Z isomer in ca 5% yield in the photostationary state. When TEA is added to the system, the E-Z reaction is not inhibited by oxygen any more, the quantum yield of photoisomerization to the Z isomer grows linearly with the concentration of E-calcidol, while conversions higher than 95% to the Z isomer are reached in the photostationary state and E-Z quantum yields as high as 45 at [E-calcidol] = 25 mM are reached. If TEA is replaced by 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, the reaction rate drops to one-third at the same amine concentration. The observations can be explained by a quantum chain reaction mechanism. The high conversion achieved eliminates the need of isomer separation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Photochemistry and Photobiology © 2011 The American Society of Photobiology.

Excitation-emission spectra and fluorescence quantum yields for fresh and aged biogenic secondary organic aerosols

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Hyun Ji; Laskin, Alexander; Laskin, Julia

2013-05-10

Certain biogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOA) become absorbent and fluorescent when exposed to reduced nitrogen compounds such as ammonia, amines and their salts. Fluorescent SOA may potentially be mistaken for biological particles by detection methods relying on fluorescence. This work quantifies the spectral distribution and effective quantum yields of fluorescence of SOA generated from two monoterpenes, limonene and a-pinene, and two different oxidants, ozone (O3) and hydroxyl radical (OH). The SOA was generated in a smog chamber, collected on substrates, and aged by exposure to ~100 ppb ammonia vapor in air saturated with water vapor. Absorption and excitation-emission matrix (EEM)more » spectra of aqueous extracts of aged and control SOA samples were measured, and the effective absorption coefficients and fluorescence quantum yields (~0.005 for 349 nm excitation) were determined from the data. The strongest fluorescence for the limonene-derived SOA was observed for excitation = 420+- 50 nm and emission = 475 +- 38 nm. The window of the strongest fluorescence shifted to excitation = 320 +- 25 nm and emission = 425 +- 38 nm for the a-pinene-derived SOA. Both regions overlap with the excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectra of some of the fluorophores found in primary biological aerosols. Our study suggests that, despite the low quantum yield, the aged SOA particles should have sufficient fluorescence intensities to interfere with the fluorescence detection of common bioaerosols.« less

High Photoluminescence Quantum Yield in Band Gap Tunable Bromide Containing Mixed Halide Perovskites.

PubMed

Sutter-Fella, Carolin M; Li, Yanbo; Amani, Matin; Ager, Joel W; Toma, Francesca M; Yablonovitch, Eli; Sharp, Ian D; Javey, Ali

2016-01-13

Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite based semiconductor materials are attractive for use in a wide range of optoelectronic devices because they combine the advantages of suitable optoelectronic attributes and simultaneously low-cost solution processability. Here, we present a two-step low-pressure vapor-assisted solution process to grow high quality homogeneous CH3NH3PbI3-xBrx perovskite films over the full band gap range of 1.6-2.3 eV. Photoluminescence light-in versus light-out characterization techniques are used to provide new insights into the optoelectronic properties of Br-containing hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites as a function of optical carrier injection by employing pump-powers over a 6 orders of magnitude dynamic range. The internal luminescence quantum yield of wide band gap perovskites reaches impressive values up to 30%. This high quantum yield translates into substantial quasi-Fermi level splitting and high "luminescence or optically implied" open-circuit voltage. Most importantly, both attributes, high internal quantum yield and high optically implied open-circuit voltage, are demonstrated over the entire band gap range (1.6 eV ≤ Eg ≤ 2.3 eV). These results establish the versatility of Br-containing perovskite semiconductors for a variety of applications and especially for the use as high-quality top cell in tandem photovoltaic devices in combination with industry dominant Si bottom cells.

Excitation-emission spectra and fluorescence quantum yields for fresh and aged biogenic secondary organic aerosols.

PubMed

Lee, Hyun Ji Julie; Laskin, Alexander; Laskin, Julia; Nizkorodov, Sergey A

2013-06-04

Certain biogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOA) become absorbent and fluorescent when exposed to reduced nitrogen compounds such as ammonia, amines, and their salts. Fluorescent SOA may potentially be mistaken for biological particles by detection methods relying on fluorescence. This work quantifies the spectral distribution and effective quantum yields of fluorescence of water-soluble SOA generated from two monoterpenes, limonene and α-pinene, and two different oxidants, ozone (O3) and hydroxyl radical (OH). The SOA was generated in a smog chamber, collected on substrates, and aged by exposure to ∼100 ppb ammonia in air saturated with water vapor. Absorption and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectra of aqueous extracts of aged and control SOA samples were measured, and the effective absorption coefficients and fluorescence quantum yields (∼0.005 for 349 nm excitation) were determined from the data. The strongest fluorescence for the limonene-derived SOA was observed for λexcitation = 420 ± 50 nm and λemission = 475 ± 38 nm. The window of the strongest fluorescence shifted to λexcitation = 320 ± 25 nm and λemission = 425 ± 38 nm for the α-pinene-derived SOA. Both regions overlap with the EEM spectra of some of the fluorophores found in primary biological aerosols. Despite the low quantum yield, the aged SOA particles may have sufficient fluorescence intensities to interfere with the fluorescence detection of common bioaerosols.

Synthesis of Nitrogen- and Chlorine-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Cancer Cell Imaging.

PubMed

Nafiujjaman, Md; Joon, Hwang; Kwak, Kwang Soo; Lee, Yong-Kyu

2018-06-01

In this study, we synthesized high quantum yield nitrogen and chlorine-doped graphene quantum dots (Cl-GQDs-N) for cancer cell imaging using simple and high production yield hydrothermal method from low-cost fructose. Prepared Cl-GQDs-N are about 30 nm in diameter and these Cl-GQDs-N display powerful blue color photoluminescence under the 365 nm UV lamp. We have further investigated their optical performances under various conditions. In vitro study shows no toxicity effect in normal and cancer cells treated with Cl-GQDs-N. Finally, we believe that our synthesized Cl-GQDs-N will bring more application opportunities in the field of bioimaging, optoelectronics and beyond.

State-selected chemical reaction dynamics at the S matrix level - Final-state specificities of near-threshold processes at low and high energies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chatfield, David C.; Truhlar, Donald G.; Schwenke, David W.

1992-01-01

State-to-state reaction probabilities are found to be highly final-state specific at state-selected threshold energies for the reactions O + H2 yield OH + H and H + H2 yield H2 + H. The study includes initial rotational states with quantum numbers 0-15, and the specificity is especially dramatic for the more highly rotationally excited reactants. The analysis is based on accurate quantum mechanical reactive scattering calculations. Final-state specificity is shown in general to increase with the rotational quantum number of the reactant diatom, and the trends are confirmed for both zero and nonzero values of the total angular momentum.

Near-Unity Quantum Yields of Biexciton Emission from CdSe=CdS Nanocrystals Measured Using Single-Particle Spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, Young-Shin; Malko, Anton V.; Vela, Javier

2011-05-03

Biexciton photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields (Q 2X) of individual CdSe/CdS core-shell nanocrystal quantum dots with various shell thicknesses are derived from independent PL saturation and two-photon correlation measurements. We observe a near-unity Q{sub 2X} for some nanocrystals with an ultrathick 19-monolayer shell. High Q 2X’s are, however, not universal and vary widely among nominally identical nanocrystals indicating a significant dependence of Q 2X upon subtle structural differences. Interestingly, our measurements indicate that high Q 2X’s are not required to achieve complete suppression of PL intensity fluctuations in individual nanocrystals.

Stable CdS QDs with intense broadband photoluminescence and high quantum yields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandal, Abhijit; Saha, Jony; De, Goutam

2011-11-01

Aqueous synthesis of CdS quantum dots (QDs) using thiolactic acid (TLA) as a capping agent was reported. These QDs exhibited excellent colloidal and photostability over a span of 2 years and showed intense broadband and almost white photoluminescence suitable for solid state lighting devices. The photoluminescence (PL) property of the aqueous CdS QDs is optimized by adjusting various processing parameters. The highest quantum yield (QY) achieved for TLA capped CdS QDs of average size 3.5 nm was ˜50%. Luminescence lifetime measurements of CdS-TLA QDs indicated longer lifetimes and a larger contribution of the surface-related emission, indicating removal of quenching defects.

Objects of consciousness

PubMed Central

Hoffman, Donald D.; Prakash, Chetan

2014-01-01

Current models of visual perception typically assume that human vision estimates true properties of physical objects, properties that exist even if unperceived. However, recent studies of perceptual evolution, using evolutionary games and genetic algorithms, reveal that natural selection often drives true perceptions to extinction when they compete with perceptions tuned to fitness rather than truth: Perception guides adaptive behavior; it does not estimate a preexisting physical truth. Moreover, shifting from evolutionary biology to quantum physics, there is reason to disbelieve in preexisting physical truths: Certain interpretations of quantum theory deny that dynamical properties of physical objects have definite values when unobserved. In some of these interpretations the observer is fundamental, and wave functions are compendia of subjective probabilities, not preexisting elements of physical reality. These two considerations, from evolutionary biology and quantum physics, suggest that current models of object perception require fundamental reformulation. Here we begin such a reformulation, starting with a formal model of consciousness that we call a “conscious agent.” We develop the dynamics of interacting conscious agents, and study how the perception of objects and space-time can emerge from such dynamics. We show that one particular object, the quantum free particle, has a wave function that is identical in form to the harmonic functions that characterize the asymptotic dynamics of conscious agents; particles are vibrations not of strings but of interacting conscious agents. This allows us to reinterpret physical properties such as position, momentum, and energy as properties of interacting conscious agents, rather than as preexisting physical truths. We sketch how this approach might extend to the perception of relativistic quantum objects, and to classical objects of macroscopic scale. PMID:24987382

Maximal violation of a bipartite three-setting, two-outcome Bell inequality using infinite-dimensional quantum systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pal, Karoly F.; Vertesi, Tamas

2010-08-15

The I{sub 3322} inequality is the simplest bipartite two-outcome Bell inequality beyond the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality, consisting of three two-outcome measurements per party. In the case of the CHSH inequality the maximal quantum violation can already be attained with local two-dimensional quantum systems; however, there is no such evidence for the I{sub 3322} inequality. In this paper a family of measurement operators and states is given which enables us to attain the maximum quantum value in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space. Further, it is conjectured that our construction is optimal in the sense that measuring finite-dimensional quantum systems is not enoughmore » to achieve the true quantum maximum. We also describe an efficient iterative algorithm for computing quantum maximum of an arbitrary two-outcome Bell inequality in any given Hilbert space dimension. This algorithm played a key role in obtaining our results for the I{sub 3322} inequality, and we also applied it to improve on our previous results concerning the maximum quantum violation of several bipartite two-outcome Bell inequalities with up to five settings per party.« less

Introducing the Qplex: a novel arena for quantum theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Appleby, Marcus; Fuchs, Christopher A.; Stacey, Blake C.; Zhu, Huangjun

2017-07-01

We reconstruct quantum theory starting from the premise that, as Asher Peres remarked, "Unperformed experiments have no results." The tools of quantum information theory, and in particular the symmetric informationally complete (SIC) measurements, provide a concise expression of how exactly Peres's dictum holds true. That expression is a constraint on how the probability distributions for outcomes of different, hypothetical and mutually exclusive experiments ought to mesh together, a type of constraint not foreseen in classical thinking. Taking this as our foundational principle, we show how to reconstruct the formalism of quantum theory in finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces. The central variety of mathematical entity in our reconstruction is the qplex, a very particular type of subset of a probability simplex. Along the way, by closely studying the symmetry properties of qplexes, we derive a condition for the existence of a d-dimensional SIC.

The initiating radical yields and the efficiency of polymerization for various dental photoinitiators excited by different light curing units.

PubMed

Neumann, Miguel G; Schmitt, Carla C; Ferreira, Giovana C; Corrêa, Ivo C

2006-06-01

To evaluate the efficiency of the photopolymerization of dental resins it is necessary to know to what extent the light emitted by the light curing units is absorbed by the photoinitiators. On the other hand, the efficiency of the absorbed photons to produce species that launch the polymerization process is also of paramount importance. Therefore, the previously determined PAE (photon absorption efficiency) is used in conjunction with the polymerization quantum yields for the photoinitiators, in order to be able to compare the total process on an equivalent basis. This parameter can be used to identify the best performance for the photochemical process with specific photoinitiators. The efficiency of LED (Ultrablue IS) and QTH (Optilux 401) lamps were tested comparing their performances with the photoinitiators camphorquinone (CQ); phenylpropanedione (PPD); monoacylphosphine oxide (Lucirin TPO); and bisacylphosphine oxide (Irgacure 819). The extent of photopolymerization per absorbed photon was determined from the polymerization quantum yields obtained by using the photoinitiators to polymerize methyl methacrylate, and afterwards combined with the previously determined PAEs. Although CQ presents a rather low polymerization quantum yield, its photopolymerization efficiency is practically the highest when irradiated with the Ultrablue LED. On the other hand, Lucirin is much more efficient than the other photoinitiators when irradiated with a QTH lamp, due to its high quantum yield and the overlap between its absorption spectrum and the output of the visible lamp light. Difference in photopolymerization efficiencies arise when combinations of photoinitiators are used, and when LED sources are used in preference to QTH. Mechanistic understanding is essential to optimal initiator formulation.

Peptide-Decorated Tunable-Fluorescence Graphene Quantum Dots.

PubMed

Sapkota, Bedanga; Benabbas, Abdelkrim; Lin, Hao-Yu Greg; Liang, Wentao; Champion, Paul; Wanunu, Meni

2017-03-22

We report here the synthesis of graphene quantum dots with tunable size, surface chemistry, and fluorescence properties. In the size regime 15-35 nm, these quantum dots maintain strong visible light fluorescence (mean quantum yield of 0.64) and a high two-photon absorption (TPA) cross section (6500 Göppert-Mayer units). Furthermore, through noncovalent tailoring of the chemistry of these quantum dots, we obtain water-stable quantum dots. For example, quantum dots with lysine groups bind strongly to DNA in solution and inhibit polymerase-based DNA strand synthesis. Finally, by virtue of their mesoscopic size, the quantum dots exhibit good cell permeability into living epithelial cells, but they do not enter the cell nucleus.

Photochemical processes on Titan: Irradiation of mixtures of gases that simulate Titan's atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, Buu N.; Joseph, Jeffrey C.; Force, Michael; Briggs, Robert G.; Vuitton, Veronique; Ferris, James P.

2005-09-01

Photochemical reaction pathways in Titan's atmosphere were investigated by irradiation of the individual components and the mixture containing nitrogen, methane, hydrogen, acetylene, ethylene, and cyanoacetylene. The quantum yields for the loss of the reactants and the formation of products were determined. Photolysis of ethylene yields mainly saturated compounds (ethane, propane, and butane) while photolysis of acetylene yields the same saturated compounds as well as ethylene and diacetylene. Irradiation of cyanoacetylene yields mainly hydrogen cyanide and small amounts of acetonitrile. When an amount of methane corresponding to its mixing ratio on Titan was added to these mixtures the quantum yields for the loss of reactants decreased and the quantum yields for hydrocarbon formation increased indicative of a hydrogen atom abstraction from methane by the photochemically generated radicals. GC/MS analysis of the products formed by irradiation of mixtures of all these gases generated over 120 compounds which were mainly aliphatic hydrocarbons containing double and triple bonds along with much smaller amounts of aromatic compounds like benzene, toluene and phenylacetylene. The reaction pathways were investigated by the use of 13C acetylene in these gas mixtures. No polycyclic aromatic compounds were detected. Vapor pressures of these compounds under conditions present in Titan's atmosphere were calculated. The low molecular weight compounds likely to be present in the atmosphere and aerosols of Titan as a result of photochemical processes are proposed.

Bifurcation-based adiabatic quantum computation with a nonlinear oscillator network.

PubMed

Goto, Hayato

2016-02-22

The dynamics of nonlinear systems qualitatively change depending on their parameters, which is called bifurcation. A quantum-mechanical nonlinear oscillator can yield a quantum superposition of two oscillation states, known as a Schrödinger cat state, via quantum adiabatic evolution through its bifurcation point. Here we propose a quantum computer comprising such quantum nonlinear oscillators, instead of quantum bits, to solve hard combinatorial optimization problems. The nonlinear oscillator network finds optimal solutions via quantum adiabatic evolution, where nonlinear terms are increased slowly, in contrast to conventional adiabatic quantum computation or quantum annealing, where quantum fluctuation terms are decreased slowly. As a result of numerical simulations, it is concluded that quantum superposition and quantum fluctuation work effectively to find optimal solutions. It is also notable that the present computer is analogous to neural computers, which are also networks of nonlinear components. Thus, the present scheme will open new possibilities for quantum computation, nonlinear science, and artificial intelligence.

Bifurcation-based adiabatic quantum computation with a nonlinear oscillator network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goto, Hayato

2016-02-01

The dynamics of nonlinear systems qualitatively change depending on their parameters, which is called bifurcation. A quantum-mechanical nonlinear oscillator can yield a quantum superposition of two oscillation states, known as a Schrödinger cat state, via quantum adiabatic evolution through its bifurcation point. Here we propose a quantum computer comprising such quantum nonlinear oscillators, instead of quantum bits, to solve hard combinatorial optimization problems. The nonlinear oscillator network finds optimal solutions via quantum adiabatic evolution, where nonlinear terms are increased slowly, in contrast to conventional adiabatic quantum computation or quantum annealing, where quantum fluctuation terms are decreased slowly. As a result of numerical simulations, it is concluded that quantum superposition and quantum fluctuation work effectively to find optimal solutions. It is also notable that the present computer is analogous to neural computers, which are also networks of nonlinear components. Thus, the present scheme will open new possibilities for quantum computation, nonlinear science, and artificial intelligence.

Dietary protein quality and quantity affect lactational responses to corn distillers grains: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Hollmann, M; Allen, M S; Beede, D K

2011-04-01

Diet fermentability influences lactational responses to feeding corn distillers grains (CDG) to dairy cows. However, some measures of diet fermentability are inherently related to the concentration and characteristics of corn-based ingredients in the ration. Corn-based feeds have poor protein quality, unable to meet the essential AA requirements of lactating cows. We conducted a meta-analysis of treatment means (n=44) from the scientific literature to evaluate responses in milk yield (MY) and milk true protein concentration and yield to dietary CDG. The test variable was the difference in response between the CDG diet mean and the control diet mean (0% CDG) within experiment. Fixed variables were CDG concentration of the diet [% of dietary dry matter (DM)] and crude protein (CP) concentration and fractions of CP based on origin (corn-based versus non-corn-based feeds) of control and CDG diets. Diets with CDG ranged from 4 to 42% CDG, DM basis. Non-corn-based dietary CP averaged 6.3±3.32% of total DM. Milk yield and milk true protein yield responses to added CDG were maximized when approximately 8.5% of the total dietary DM was non-corn-based CP. Milk yield response peaked for higher-producing cows (>30.0 kg MY/cow per day) at 4.3% dietary corn-based CP, but decreased linearly for lower-producing cows (<30.0 kg MY/cow per day) as corn-based dietary CP increased. Milk true protein yield response decreased as corn-based dietary CP concentration increased but milk true protein concentration response was not decreased when CDG diets had more than 6.5% dietary non-corn-based CP. Overall, 8.5% dietary non-corn-based CP was necessary in lactation diets to maximize lactational responses to dietary CDG. The necessity of dietary non-corn-based CP to maximize milk and milk protein yields limits the amount of dietary corn-based CP, including that from CDG, which can be included in rations without overfeeding N. Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

On the break down of reality at superluminal velocities, Quantum entanglement and Singularities (Complex Universe)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Estakhr, Ahmad Reza

2017-09-01

In the real world nothing can move faster than the speed of light. But what convinces you that our world is all real? I realized that reality break down at superluminal velocities (By studying the physics of tachyonic neutrinos), Quantum entanglement and Singularities of Black Holes, I realized that infact our world is complex and has two parts, one part of the world is real (the part that nothing can move faster than the speed of light) but the other part of the world is imaginary. z = a + ib Einstein was wrong because he thought our world is completely real (Of course he was not alone in this belief almost all physicists believe that our world is completely real) Eventually his false interpretation of reality censored imaginary part of the universe. Einstein's Second Postulate of special theory of relativity was a misleading guide to the true nature of reality. He `expected' the true nature of reality will follow to his (false) postulate, But the true nature of reality is unlike what anyone ever `expected'!. Einstein twist facts to suit his theory of relativity instead of theories to suit facts!. This is a dramatic revisions to our conception of the theory of relativity, Reality is complex but We always perceive its real part.

Can we Predict Quantum Yields Using Excited State Density Functional Theory for New Families of Fluorescent Dyes?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohn, Alexander W.; Lin, Zhou; Shepherd, James J.; Van Voorhis, Troy

2016-06-01

For a fluorescent dye, the quantum yield characterizes the efficiency of energy transfer from the absorbed light to the emitted fluorescence. In the screening among potential families of dyes, those with higher quantum yields are expected to have more advantages. From the perspective of theoreticians, an efficient prediction of the quantum yield using a universal excited state electronic structure theory is in demand but still challenging. The most representative examples for such excited state theory include time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and restricted open-shell Kohn-Sham (ROKS). In the present study, we explore the possibility of predicting the quantum yields for conventional and new families of organic dyes using a combination of TDDFT and ROKS. We focus on radiative (kr) and nonradiative (knr) rates for the decay of the first singlet excited state (S_1) into the ground state (S_0) in accordance with Kasha's rule. M. Kasha, Discuss. Faraday Soc., 9, 14 (1950). For each dye compound, kr is calculated with the S_1-S_0 energy gap and transition dipole moment obtained using ROKS and TDDFT respectively at the relaxed S_1 geometry. Our predicted kr agrees well with the experimental value, so long as the order of energy levels is correctly predicted. Evaluation of knr is less straightforward as multiple processes are involved. Our study focuses on the S_1-T_1 intersystem crossing (ISC) and the S_1-S_0 internal conversion (IC): we investigate the properties that allow us to model the knr value using a Marcus-like expression, such as the Stokes shift, the reorganization energy, and the S_1-T_1 and S_1-S_0 energy gaps. Taking these factors into consideration, we compare our results with those obtained using the actual Marcus theory and provide explanation for discrepancy. T. Kowalczyk, T. Tsuchimochi, L. Top, P.-T. Chen, and T. Van Voorhis, J. Chem. Phys., 138, 164101 (2013). M. Kasha, Discuss. Faraday Soc., 9, 14 (1950).

Effects of surface and interface traps on exciton and multi-exciton dynamics in core/shell quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bozio, Renato; Righetto, Marcello; Minotto, Alessandro

2017-08-01

Exciton interactions and dynamics are the most important factors determining the exceptional photophysical properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). In particular, best performances have been obtained for ingeniously engineered core/shell QDs. We have studied two factors entering in the exciton decay dynamics with adverse effects for the luminescence efficiency: exciton trapping at surface and interface traps, and non-radiative Auger recombination in QDs carrying either net charges or multiple excitons. In this work, we present a detailed study into the optical absorption, fluorescence dynamics and quantum yield, as well as ultrafast transient absorption properties of CdSe/CdS, CdSe/Cd0.5Zn0.5S, and CdSe/ZnS QDs as a function of shell thickness. It turns out that de-trapping processes play a pivotal role in determining steady state emission properties. By studying the excitation dependent photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) in different CdSe/CdxZn1-xS (x = 0, 0.5, 1) QDs, we demonstrate the different role played by hot and cold carrier trapping rates in determining fluorescence quantum yields. Finally, the use of global analysis allows us untangling the complex ultrafast transient absorption signals. Smoothing of interface potential, together with effective surface passivation, appear to be crucial factors in slowing down both Auger-based and exciton trapping recombination processes.

Photophysical properties gallium octacarboxy phthalocyanines conjugated to CdSe@ZnS quantum dots.

PubMed

Tshangana, Charmaine; Nyokong, Tebello

2015-01-01

L-Glutathione (GSH) capped core CdSe (2.3 nm) and core shell CdSe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) (3.0 nm and 3.5 nm) were coordinated to gallium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ClGaPc(COOH)8) to form ClGaPc(COOH)8-QDs conjugates. An efficient transfer of energy from the QDs to the Pcs was demonstrated through Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), the FRET efficiencies in all cases was above 50%. The photophysical parameters (triplet state and fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes) were also determined for the conjugates. There was a decrease in the fluorescence lifetimes of ClGaPc(COOH)8 in the presence of all the QDs, due to the heavy atom effect. The triplet quantum yields increased in the conjugates. The lifetimes also became longer for the conjugates compared to Pc alone. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescent carbon quantum dots with high quantum yield as a single white converter for white light emitting diodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, X. T.; Zhang, Y.; Liu, X. G., E-mail: liuxuguang@tyut.edu.cn

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with high quantum yield (51.4%) were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method using thiosalicylic acid and ethylenediamine as precursor. The CQDs have the average diameter of 2.3 nm and possess excitation-independent emission wavelength in the range from 320 to 440 nm excitation. Under an ultraviolet (UV) excitation, the CQDs aqueous solutions emit bright blue fluorescence directly and exhibit broad emission with a high spectral component ratio of 67.4% (blue to red intensity to total intensity). We applied the CQDs as a single white-light converter for white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) using a UV-LED chip as the excitation lightmore » source. The resulted WLED shows superior performance with corresponding color temperature of 5227 K and the color coordinates of (0.34, 0.38) belonging to the white gamut.« less

Near-unity quantum yields from chloride treated CdTe colloidal quantum dots

DOE PAGES

Page, Robert C.; Espinobarro-Velazquez, Daniel; Leontiadou, Marina A.; ...

2014-10-27

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising materials for novel light sources and solar energy conversion. However, trap states associated with the CQD surface can produce non-radiative charge recombination that significantly reduces device performance. Here a facile post-synthetic treatment of CdTe CQDs is demonstrated that uses chloride ions to achieve near-complete suppression of surface trapping, resulting in an increase of photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) from ca. 5% to up to 97.2 ± 2.5%. The effect of the treatment is characterised by absorption and PL spectroscopy, PL decay, scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We find thismore » process also dramatically improves the air-stability of the CQDs: before treatment the PL is largely quenched after 1 hour of air-exposure, whilst the treated samples showed a PL QY of nearly 50% after more than 12 hours.« less

Method for resurrecting negative electron affinity photocathodes after exposure to an oxidizing gas

DOEpatents

Mulhollan, Gregory A; Bierman, John C

2012-10-30

A method by which negative electron affinity photocathodes (201), single crystal, amorphous, or otherwise ordered, can be made to recover their quantum yield following exposure to an oxidizing gas has been discovered. Conventional recovery methods employ the use of cesium as a positive acting agent (104). In the improved recovery method, an electron beam (205), sufficiently energetic to generate a secondary electron cloud (207), is applied to the photocathode in need of recovery. The energetic beam, through the high secondary electron yield of the negative electron affinity surface (203), creates sufficient numbers of low energy electrons which act on the reduced-yield surface so as to negate the effects of absorbed oxidizing atoms thereby recovering the quantum yield to a pre-decay value.

Quantum walk on a chimera graph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Shu; Sun, Xiangxiang; Wu, Jizhou; Zhang, Wei-Wei; Arshed, Nigum; Sanders, Barry C.

2018-05-01

We analyse a continuous-time quantum walk on a chimera graph, which is a graph of choice for designing quantum annealers, and we discover beautiful quantum walk features such as localization that starkly distinguishes classical from quantum behaviour. Motivated by technological thrusts, we study continuous-time quantum walk on enhanced variants of the chimera graph and on diminished chimera graph with a random removal of vertices. We explain the quantum walk by constructing a generating set for a suitable subgroup of graph isomorphisms and corresponding symmetry operators that commute with the quantum walk Hamiltonian; the Hamiltonian and these symmetry operators provide a complete set of labels for the spectrum and the stationary states. Our quantum walk characterization of the chimera graph and its variants yields valuable insights into graphs used for designing quantum-annealers.

Convenient determination of luminescence quantum yield using a combined electronic absorption and emission spectrometer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prakash, John; Mishra, Ashok Kumar

2016-01-15

It is possible to measure luminescence quantum yield in a facile way, by designing an optical spectrometer capable of obtaining electronic absorption as well as luminescence spectra, with a setup that uses the same light source and detector for both the spectral measurements. Employment of a single light source and single detector enables use of the same correction factor profile for spectral corrections. A suitable instrumental scaling factor is used for adjusting spectral losses.

Production of NO2 from Photolysis of Peroxyacetyl Nitrate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mazely, Troy L.; Friedl, Randall R.; Sander, Stanley P.

1965-01-01

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) vapor was photolyzed at 248 nm, and the NO2 photoproduct was detected by laser-induced fluorescence. The quantum yield for the production of NO2 from PAN photolysis was determined by comparison to HNO3 photolysis data taken under identical experimental conditions. The average of data collected over a range of total pressures, precursor concentrations, and buffer gases was 0.83 +/- 0.09 for the NO2 quantum yield, where the statistical uncertainty is 2 standard deviations.

Wakimoto realization of drinfeld current for the elliptic quantum algebra U{sub q,p}( widehat(sl{sub 3}) )

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kojima, T., E-mail: kojima@math.cst.nihon-u.ac.j

2010-02-15

We study a free field realization of the elliptic quantum algebra U{sub q,p}( widehat(sl{sub 3}) ) for arbitrary level k. We give the free field realization of elliptic analog of Drinfeld current associated with U{sub q,p}( widehat(sl{sub 3}) ) for arbitrary level k. In the limit p {yields} 0, q {yields} 1 our realization reproduces Wakimoto realization for the affine Lie algebra ( widehat(sl{sub 3}) ) .

Protein-induced Photophysical Changes to the Amyloid Indicator Dye Thioflavin T

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

L Wolfe; M Calabrese; A Nath

2011-12-31

The small molecule thioflavin T (ThT) is a defining probe for the identification and mechanistic study of amyloid fiber formation. As such, ThT is fundamental to investigations of serious diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, and type II diabetes. For each disease, a different protein undergoes conformational conversion to a {beta}-sheet rich fiber. The fluorescence of ThT exhibits an increase in quantum yield upon binding these fibers. Despite its widespread use, the structural basis for binding specificity and for the changes to the photophysical properties of ThT remain poorly understood. Here, we report the co-crystal structures of ThT withmore » two alternative states of {beta}-2 microglobulin ({beta}2m); one monomeric, the other an amyloid-like oligomer. In the latter, the dye intercalates between {beta}-sheets orthogonal to the {beta}-strands. Importantly, the fluorophore is bound in such a manner that a photophysically relevant torsion is limited to a range of angles generally associated with low, not high, quantum yield. Quantum mechanical assessment of the fluorophore shows the electronic distribution to be strongly stabilized by aromatic interactions with the protein. Monomeric {beta}2m gives little increase in ThT fluorescence despite showing three fluorophores, at two binding sites, in configurations generally associated with high quantum yield. Our efforts fundamentally extend existing understanding about the origins of amyloid-induced photophysical changes. Specifically, the {beta}-sheet interface that characterizes amyloid acts both sterically and electronically to stabilize the fluorophore's ground state electronic distribution. By preventing the fluorophore from adopting its preferred excited state configuration, nonradiative relaxation pathways are minimized and quantum yield is increased.« less

Protein-induced photophysical changes to the amyloid indicator dye thioflavin T

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wolfe, Leslie S.; Calabrese, Matthew F.; Nath, Abhinav

2010-10-04

The small molecule thioflavin T (ThT) is a defining probe for the identification and mechanistic study of amyloid fiber formation. As such, ThT is fundamental to investigations of serious diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, and type II diabetes. For each disease, a different protein undergoes conformational conversion to a {beta}-sheet rich fiber. The fluorescence of ThT exhibits an increase in quantum yield upon binding these fibers. Despite its widespread use, the structural basis for binding specificity and for the changes to the photophysical properties of ThT remain poorly understood. Here, we report the co-crystal structures of ThT withmore » two alternative states of {beta}-2 microglobulin ({beta}2m); one monomeric, the other an amyloid-like oligomer. In the latter, the dye intercalates between {beta}-sheets orthogonal to the {beta}-strands. Importantly, the fluorophore is bound in such a manner that a photophysically relevant torsion is limited to a range of angles generally associated with low, not high, quantum yield. Quantum mechanical assessment of the fluorophore shows the electronic distribution to be strongly stabilized by aromatic interactions with the protein. Monomeric {beta}2m gives little increase in ThT fluorescence despite showing three fluorophores, at two binding sites, in configurations generally associated with high quantum yield. Our efforts fundamentally extend existing understanding about the origins of amyloid-induced photophysical changes. Specifically, the {beta}-sheet interface that characterizes amyloid acts both sterically and electronically to stabilize the fluorophore's ground state electronic distribution. By preventing the fluorophore from adopting its preferred excited state configuration, nonradiative relaxation pathways are minimized and quantum yield is increased.« less

Getting to Zero Yield: The Evolution of the U.S. Position on the CTBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmerman, Peter D.

1998-03-01

In 1994 the United States favored a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which permitted tiny "hydronuclear" experiments with a nuclear energy release of four pounds or less. Other nuclear powers supported yield limits as high as large fractions of a kiloton, while most non-nuclear nations participating in the discussions at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament wanted to prohibit all nuclear explosions -- some even favoring an end to computer simulations. On the other hand, China wished an exception to permit high yield "peaceful" nuclear explosions. For the United States to adopt a new position favoring a "true zero" several pieces had to fall into place: 1) The President had to be assured that the U.S. could preserve the safety and reliability of the enduring stockpile without yield testing; 2) the U.S. needed to be sure that the marginal utility of zero-yield experiments was at least as great for this country as for any other; 3) that tests with any nuclear yield might have more marginal utility for nuclear proliferators than for the United States, thus marginally eroding this country's position; 4) the United States required a treaty which would permit maintenance of the capacity to return to testing should a national emergency requiring a nuclear test arise; and 5) all of the five nuclear weapons states had to realize that only a true-zero CTBT would have the desired political effects. This paper will outline the physics near zero yield and show why President Clinton was persuaded by arguments from many viewpoints to endorse a true test ban in August, 1996 and to sign the CTBT in September, 1997.

Controlling chaos-assisted directed transport via quantum resonance.

PubMed

Tan, Jintao; Zou, Mingliang; Luo, Yunrong; Hai, Wenhua

2016-06-01

We report on the first demonstration of chaos-assisted directed transport of a quantum particle held in an amplitude-modulated and tilted optical lattice, through a resonance-induced double-mean displacement relating to the true classically chaotic orbits. The transport velocity is controlled by the driving amplitude and the sign of tilt, and also depends on the phase of the initial state. The chaos-assisted transport feature can be verified experimentally by using a source of single atoms to detect the double-mean displacement one by one, and can be extended to different scientific fields.

Controlling chaos-assisted directed transport via quantum resonance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tan, Jintao; Zou, Mingliang; Luo, Yunrong

2016-06-15

We report on the first demonstration of chaos-assisted directed transport of a quantum particle held in an amplitude-modulated and tilted optical lattice, through a resonance-induced double-mean displacement relating to the true classically chaotic orbits. The transport velocity is controlled by the driving amplitude and the sign of tilt, and also depends on the phase of the initial state. The chaos-assisted transport feature can be verified experimentally by using a source of single atoms to detect the double-mean displacement one by one, and can be extended to different scientific fields.

Tunneling decay of false domain walls: The silence of the lambs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Haberichter, Mareike, E-mail: M.Haberichter@kent.ac.uk; School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NF; MacKenzie, Richard, E-mail: richard.mackenzie@umontreal.ca

We study the decay of “false” domain walls, that is, metastable states of the quantum theory where the true vacuum is trapped inside the wall with the false vacuum outside. We consider a theory with two scalar fields, a shepherd field and a field of sheep. The shepherd field serves to herd the solitons of the sheep field so that they are nicely bunched together. However, quantum tunnelling of the shepherd field releases the sheep to spread out uncontrollably. We show how to calculate the tunnelling amplitude for such a disintegration.

Creation of backdoors in quantum communications via laser damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarov, Vadim; Bourgoin, Jean-Philippe; Chaiwongkhot, Poompong; Gagné, Mathieu; Jennewein, Thomas; Kaiser, Sarah; Kashyap, Raman; Legré, Matthieu; Minshull, Carter; Sajeed, Shihan

2016-09-01

Practical quantum communication (QC) protocols are assumed to be secure provided implemented devices are properly characterized and all known side channels are closed. We show that this is not always true. We demonstrate a laser-damage attack capable of modifying device behavior on demand. We test it on two practical QC systems for key distribution and coin tossing, and show that newly created deviations lead to side channels. This reveals that laser damage is a potential security risk to existing QC systems, and necessitates their testing to guarantee security.

Hybrid Molecule-Nanocrystal Photon Upconversion Across the Visible and Near-Infrared

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-10

applications in solar energy, biological imaging , and data storage. In this Letter, CdSe and PbSe semiconductor nanocrystals are combined with molecular...Goldschmidt, J. C. Absolute Upconversion Quantum Yield of β-NaYF4 Doped with Er3+ and External Quantum Efficiency of Upconverter Solar Cell Devices...C. Peak External Photocurrent Quantum Efficiency Exceeding 100% via MEG in a Quantum Dot Solar Cell . Science 2011, 334, 1530−1533. (37) Choi, J.-H

Aqueous synthesis of highly luminescent AgInS2-ZnS quantum dots and their biological applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Regulacio, Michelle D.; Win, Khin Yin; Lo, Seong Loong; Zhang, Shuang-Yuan; Zhang, Xinhai; Wang, Shu; Han, Ming-Yong; Zheng, Yuangang

2013-02-01

Highly emissive and air-stable AgInS2-ZnS quantum dots (ZAIS QDs) with quantum yields of up to 20% have been successfully synthesized directly in aqueous media in the presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) as stabilizing and reactivity-controlling agents. The as-prepared water-dispersible ZAIS QDs are around 3 nm in size, possess the tetragonal chalcopyrite crystal structure, and exhibit long fluorescence lifetimes (>100 ns). In addition, these ZAIS QDs are found to exhibit excellent optical and colloidal stability in physiologically relevant pH values as well as very low cytotoxicity, which render them particularly suitable for biological applications. Their potential use in biological labelling of baculoviral vectors is demonstrated.Highly emissive and air-stable AgInS2-ZnS quantum dots (ZAIS QDs) with quantum yields of up to 20% have been successfully synthesized directly in aqueous media in the presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) as stabilizing and reactivity-controlling agents. The as-prepared water-dispersible ZAIS QDs are around 3 nm in size, possess the tetragonal chalcopyrite crystal structure, and exhibit long fluorescence lifetimes (>100 ns). In addition, these ZAIS QDs are found to exhibit excellent optical and colloidal stability in physiologically relevant pH values as well as very low cytotoxicity, which render them particularly suitable for biological applications. Their potential use in biological labelling of baculoviral vectors is demonstrated. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Quantum yields, EDX spectrum and photoluminescence decay curves. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr34159c

Transparent Ultra-High-Loading Quantum Dot/Polymer Nanocomposite Monolith for Gamma Scintillation.

PubMed

Liu, Chao; Li, Zhou; Hajagos, Tibor Jacob; Kishpaugh, David; Chen, Dustin Yuan; Pei, Qibing

2017-06-27

Spectroscopic gamma-photon detection has widespread applications for research, defense, and medical purposes. However, current commercial detectors are either prohibitively expensive for wide deployment or incapable of producing the characteristic gamma photopeak. Here we report the synthesis of transparent, ultra-high-loading (up to 60 wt %) Cd x Zn 1-x S/ZnS core/shell quantum dot/polymer nanocomposite monoliths for gamma scintillation by in situ copolymerization of the partially methacrylate-functionalized quantum dots in a monomer solution. The efficient Förster resonance energy transfer of the high-atomic-number quantum dots to lower-band-gap organic dyes enables the extraction of quantum-dot-borne excitons for photon production, resolving the problem of severe light yield deterioration found in previous nanoparticle-loaded scintillators. As a result, the nanocomposite scintillator exhibited simultaneous improvements in both light yield (visible photons produced per MeV of gamma-photon energy) and gamma attenuation. With these enhancements, a 662 keV Cs-137 gamma photopeak with 9.8% resolution has been detected using a 60 wt % quantum-dot nanocomposite scintillator, demonstrating the potential of such a nanocomposite system in the development of high-performance low-cost spectroscopic gamma detectors.

Study designs for determining and comparing sensitivities of disease screening tests.

PubMed

Prorok, Philip C; Kramer, Barnett S; Miller, Anthony B

2015-12-01

To investigate the capability of various study designs to determine the sensitivity of a disease screening test. Quantities that can be calculated from these designs were derived and examined for their relationship to true sensitivity (the ability to detect unrecognized disease that would surface clinically in the absence of screening) and overdiagnosis. To examine the sensitivity of one test, the single cohort design, in which all participants receive the test, is particularly weak, providing only an upper bound on the true sensitivity, and yields no information about overdiagnosis. A randomized design, with one control arm and participants tested in the other, that includes sufficient post-screening follow-up, allows calculation of bounds on, and an approximation to, true sensitivity and also determination of overdiagnosis. Without follow-up, bounds on the true sensitivity can be calculated. To compare two tests, the single cohort paired design in which all participants receive both tests is precarious. The three arm randomized design with post screening follow-up is preferred, yielding an approximation to the true sensitivity, bounds on the true sensitivity, and the extent of overdiagnosis of each test. Without post screening follow-up, bounds on the true sensitivities can be calculated. When an unscreened control arm is not possible, the two-arm randomized design is recommended. Individual test sensitivities cannot be determined, but with sufficient post-screening follow-up, an order relationship can be established, as can the difference in overdiagnosis between the two tests. © The Author(s) 2015.

Homeotropic alignment and Förster resonance energy transfer: The way to a brighter luminescent solar concentrator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tummeltshammer, Clemens; Taylor, Alaric; Kenyon, Anthony J.

2014-11-07

We investigate homeotropically aligned fluorophores and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) for luminescent solar concentrators using Monte-Carlo ray tracing. The homeotropic alignment strongly improves the trapping efficiency, while FRET circumvents the low absorption at homeotropic alignment by separating the absorption and emission processes. We predict that this design doped with two organic dye molecules can yield a 82.9% optical efficiency improvement compared to a single, arbitrarily oriented dye molecule. We also show that quantum dots are prime candidates for absorption/donor fluorophores due to their wide absorption band. The potentially strong re-absorption and low quantum yield of quantum dots is notmore » a hindrance for this design.« less

Water catalysis and anticatalysis in photochemical reactions: observation of a delayed threshold effect in the reaction quantum yield.

PubMed

Kramer, Zeb C; Takahashi, Kaito; Skodje, Rex T

2010-11-03

The possible catalysis of photochemical reactions by water molecules is considered. Using theoretical simulations, we investigate the HF-elimination reaction of fluoromethanol in small water clusters initiated by the overtone excitation of the hydroxyl group. The reaction occurs in competition with the process of water evaporation that dissipates the excitation and quenches the reaction. Although the transition state barrier is stabilized by over 20 kcal/mol through hydrogen bonding with water, the quantum yield versus energy shows a pronounced delayed threshold that effectively eliminates the catalytic effect. It is concluded that the quantum chemistry calculations of barrier lowering are not sufficient to infer water catalysis in some photochemical reactions, which instead require dynamical modeling.

Templated self-assembly of quantum dots from aqueous solution using protein scaffolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szuchmacher Blum, Amy; Soto, Carissa M.; Wilson, Charmaine D.; Whitley, Jessica L.; Moore, Martin H.; Sapsford, Kim E.; Lin, Tianwei; Chatterji, Anju; Johnson, John E.; Ratna, Banahalli R.

2006-10-01

Short, histidine-containing peptides can be conjugated to lysine-containing protein scaffolds to controllably attach quantum dots (QDs) to the scaffold, allowing for generic attachment of quantum dots to any protein without the use of specially engineered domains. This technique was used to bind quantum dots from aqueous solution to both chicken IgG and cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), a 30 nm viral particle. These quantum dot protein assemblies were studied in detail. The IgG QD complexes were shown to retain binding specificity to their antigen after modification. The CPMV QD complexes have a local concentration of quantum dots greater than 3000 nmol ml-1, and show a 15% increase in fluorescence quantum yield over free quantum dots in solution.

Bifunctional Diaminoterephthalate Fluorescent Dye as Probe for Cross-Linking Proteins.

PubMed

Wallisch, Melanie; Sulmann, Stefan; Koch, Karl-Wilhelm; Christoffers, Jens

2017-05-11

Diaminoterephthalates are fluorescent dyes and define scaffolds, which can be orthogonally functionalized at their two carboxylate residues with functional residues bearing task specific reactive groups. The synthesis of monofunctionalized dyes with thiol groups for surface binding, an azide for click chemistry, and a biotinoylated congener for streptavidin binding is reported. Two bifunctionalized dyes were prepared: One with an azide for click chemistry and a biotin for streptavidin binding, the other with a maleimide for reaction with thiol and a cyclooctyne moiety for ligation with copper-free click chemistry. In general, the compounds are red to orange, fluorescent materials with an absorption at about 450 nm and an emission at 560 nm with quantum yields between 2-41 %. Of particular interest is the maleimide-functionalized compound, which shows low fluorescence quantum yield (2 %) by itself. After addition of a thiol, the fluorescence is "turned on"; quantum yield 41 %. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A high quantum yield molecule-protein complex fluorophore for near-infrared II imaging

PubMed Central

Antaris, Alexander L.; Chen, Hao; Diao, Shuo; Ma, Zhuoran; Zhang, Zhe; Zhu, Shoujun; Wang, Joy; Lozano, Alexander X.; Fan, Quli; Chew, Leila; Zhu, Mark; Cheng, Kai; Hong, Xuechuan; Dai, Hongjie; Cheng, Zhen

2017-01-01

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) allows visualization of deep anatomical features with an unprecedented degree of clarity. NIR-II fluorophores draw from a broad spectrum of materials spanning semiconducting nanomaterials to organic molecular dyes, yet unfortunately all water-soluble organic molecules with >1,000 nm emission suffer from low quantum yields that have limited temporal resolution and penetration depth. Here, we report tailoring the supramolecular assemblies of protein complexes with a sulfonated NIR-II organic dye (CH-4T) to produce a brilliant 110-fold increase in fluorescence, resulting in the highest quantum yield molecular fluorophore thus far. The bright molecular complex allowed for the fastest video-rate imaging in the second NIR window with ∼50-fold reduced exposure times at a fast 50 frames-per-second (FPS) capable of resolving mouse cardiac cycles. In addition, we demonstrate that the NIR-II molecular complexes are superior to clinically approved ICG for lymph node imaging deep within the mouse body. PMID:28524850

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Filip, Radim; Marek, Petr; Fiurasek, Jaromir

We analyze a reversibility of optimal Gaussian 1{yields}2 quantum cloning of a coherent state using only local operations on the clones and classical communication between them and propose a feasible experimental test of this feature. Performing Bell-type homodyne measurement on one clone and anticlone, an arbitrary unknown input state (not only a coherent state) can be restored in the other clone by applying appropriate local unitary displacement operation. We generalize this concept to a partial reversal of the cloning using only local operations and classical communication (LOCC) and we show that this procedure converts the symmetric cloner to an asymmetricmore » cloner. Further, we discuss a distributed LOCC reversal in optimal 1{yields}M Gaussian cloning of coherent states which transforms it to optimal 1{yields}M{sup '} cloning for M{sup '}

Calculated quantum yield of photosynthesis of phytoplankton in the Marine Light-Mixed Layers (59 deg N, 21 deg W)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carder, K. L.; Lee, Z. P.; Marra, John; Steward, R. G.; Perry, M. J.

1995-01-01

The quantum yield of photosynthesis (mol C/mol photons) was calculated at six depths for the waters of the Marine Light-Mixed Layer (MLML) cruise of May 1991. As there were photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) but no spectral irradiance measurements for the primary production incubations, three ways are presented here for the calculation of the absorbed photons (AP) by phytoplankton for the purpose of calculating phi. The first is based on a simple, nonspectral model; the second is based on a nonlinear regression using measured PAR values with depth; and the third is derived through remote sensing measurements. We show that the results of phi calculated using the nonlinear regreesion method and those using remote sensing are in good agreement with each other, and are consistent with the reported values of other studies. In deep waters, however, the simple nonspectral model may cause quantum yield values much higher than theoretically possible.

Photosensitized electron transport across lipid vesicle walls: Enhancement of quantum yield by ionophores and transmembrane potentials

PubMed Central

Laane, Colja; Ford, William E.; Otvos, John W.; Calvin, Melvin

1981-01-01

The photosensitized reduction of heptylviologen in the bulk aqueous phase of phosphatidylcholine vesicles containing EDTA inside and a membrane-bound tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(2+) derivative is enhanced by a factor of 6.5 by the addition of valinomycin in the presence of K+. A 3-fold stimulation by gramicidin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone is observed. The results suggest that, under these conditions, the rate of photoinduced electron transfer across vesicle walls in the absence of ion carriers is limited by cotransport of cations. The rate of electron transfer across vesicle walls could be influenced further by generating transmembrane potentials with K+ gradients in the presence of valinomycin. When vesicles are made with transmembrane potentials, interior more negative, the quantum yield of heptylviologen reduction is doubled, and, conversely, when vesicles are made with transmembrane potentials, interior more positive, the quantum yield is decreased and approaches the value found in the absence of valinomycin. PMID:16593002

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of some new difluoroboron bis-β-diketonate derivatives.

PubMed

Pi, Yan; Wang, Dun-Jia; Liu, Hua; Hu, Yan-Jun; Wei, Xian-Hong; Zheng, Jing

2014-10-15

Six new bis-β-diketones (RCOCH2CO-C7H7N-COCH2COR) were synthesized from 3,5-diacetyl-2,6-dimethylpyridine via Claisen condensation with the corresponding esters, and then reacted with boron trifluoride etherate to afford difluoroboron bis-β-diketonate derivatives. Their spectroscopic properties were investigated by UV-vis, FTIR, (1)H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. It was found that these boron complexes exhibited violet or blue fluorescence emission at 422-445nm and possessed high extinction coefficients. The results indicate that the extending π-conjugation can increase the fluorescence intensity and quantum yield for these boron complexes. Especially, the compound 2b displayed the stronger fluorescence intensity and the highest fluorescence quantum yield (Φu=0.94) in these boron compounds. However, compounds 2c and 2d had the lower fluorescence intensity and quantum yield as a result of the heavy atom effect of the chlorine atom in the molecules. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of some new difluoroboron bis-β-diketonate derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pi, Yan; Wang, Dun-Jia; Liu, Hua; Hu, Yan-Jun; Wei, Xian-Hong; Zheng, Jing

2014-10-01

Six new bis-β-diketones (RCOCH2CO-C7H7N-COCH2COR) were synthesized from 3,5-diacetyl-2,6-dimethylpyridine via Claisen condensation with the corresponding esters, and then reacted with boron trifluoride etherate to afford difluoroboron bis-β-diketonate derivatives. Their spectroscopic properties were investigated by UV-vis, FTIR, 1H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. It was found that these boron complexes exhibited violet or blue fluorescence emission at 422-445 nm and possessed high extinction coefficients. The results indicate that the extending π-conjugation can increase the fluorescence intensity and quantum yield for these boron complexes. Especially, the compound 2b displayed the stronger fluorescence intensity and the highest fluorescence quantum yield (Φu = 0.94) in these boron compounds. However, compounds 2c and 2d had the lower fluorescence intensity and quantum yield as a result of the heavy atom effect of the chlorine atom in the molecules.

Determination of apparent quantum yield spectra of DMS photo-degradation in an in situ iron-induced Northeast Pacific Ocean bloom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouillon, René-Christian; Miller, William L.

2004-03-01

The wavelength dependence of the photochemical removal efficiency for DMS was studied for samples from an iron-induced bloom in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. In July 2002, a 64 km2 patch of ocean was iron-fertilized near Ocean Station Papa (50°12'N 144°45'W). Only small changes in pseudo-first-order apparent quantum yield (AQY*DMS(λ)) were observed outside the iron-patch. However, inside the patch, AQY*DMS(λ) decreased considerably over the two weeks following the initial iron injection. A positive strong correlation was found between pseudo-first-order apparent quantum yield determined at 330 nm (AQY*DMS(330 nm)) and NO3- concentrations. We propose that NO3--photolysis has a substantial influence on DMS photo-degradation rates in oceanic waters. This finding demonstrates that in addition to control DMS production, marine phytoplankton could indirectly influence the DMS photochemical loss rate via its control on NO3- distribution.

A high quantum yield molecule-protein complex fluorophore for near-infrared II imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Antaris, Alexander L.; Chen, Hao; Diao, Shuo

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) allows visualization of deep anatomical features with an unprecedented degree of clarity. NIR-II fluorophores draw from a broad spectrum of materials spanning semiconducting nanomaterials to organic molecular dyes, yet unfortunately all water-soluble organic molecules with 41,000 nm emission suffer from low quantum yields that have limited temporal resolution and penetration depth. We report tailoring the supramolecular assemblies of protein complexes with a sulfonated NIR-II organic dye (CH-4T) to produce a brilliant 110-fold increase in fluorescence, resulting in the highest quantum yield molecular fluorophore thus far. The bright molecular complex allowed for themore » fastest video-rate imaging in the second NIR window with B50-fold reduced exposure times at a fast 50 frames-per-second (FPS) capable of resolving mouse cardiac cycles. Additionally, we demonstrate that the NIR-II molecular complexes are superior to clinically approved ICG for lymph node imaging deep within the mouse body.« less

A high quantum yield molecule-protein complex fluorophore for near-infrared II imaging

DOE PAGES

Antaris, Alexander L.; Chen, Hao; Diao, Shuo; ...

2017-05-19

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) allows visualization of deep anatomical features with an unprecedented degree of clarity. NIR-II fluorophores draw from a broad spectrum of materials spanning semiconducting nanomaterials to organic molecular dyes, yet unfortunately all water-soluble organic molecules with 41,000 nm emission suffer from low quantum yields that have limited temporal resolution and penetration depth. We report tailoring the supramolecular assemblies of protein complexes with a sulfonated NIR-II organic dye (CH-4T) to produce a brilliant 110-fold increase in fluorescence, resulting in the highest quantum yield molecular fluorophore thus far. The bright molecular complex allowed for themore » fastest video-rate imaging in the second NIR window with B50-fold reduced exposure times at a fast 50 frames-per-second (FPS) capable of resolving mouse cardiac cycles. Additionally, we demonstrate that the NIR-II molecular complexes are superior to clinically approved ICG for lymph node imaging deep within the mouse body.« less

[Optical and spectral parameters in Ce3+ -doped gadolinium gallium aluminum garnet glass-ceramics].

PubMed

Gong, Hua; Zhao, Xin; Yu, Xiao-bo; Setsuhisa, Tanabe; Lin, Hai

2010-01-01

The crystalline phases of Ce3+ -doped gadolinium gallium aluminum garnet (GGAG) glass-ceramics were investigated by X-ray diffraction, and the fluorescence spectra were recorded under the pumping of blue light-emitting diode (LED) using an integrating sphere of 10-inch in diameter, which connected to a CCD detector. The spectral power distribution of the glass-ceramics was obtained from the measured spectra first, and then the quantum yield was derived based on the photon distribution. The quantum yield of Ce3+ emission in GGAG glass-ceramics is 29.2%, meanwhile, the color coordinates and the correlated color temperature (CCT) of combined white light were proved to be x = 0.319, y = 0.349 and 6086 K, respectively. Although the quantum yield is a little smaller than the value in Ce3+ -doped YAG glass-ceramics, the CCT of the combined white light is much smaller than that in the latter. The optical behavior of GGAG glass-ceramics provides new vision for developing comfortable LED lighting devices.

Excitonic Emission of Monolayer Semiconductors Near-Field Coupled to High-Q Microresonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Javerzac-Galy, Clément; Kumar, Anshuman; Schilling, Ryan D.; Piro, Nicolas; Khorasani, Sina; Barbone, Matteo; Goykhman, Ilya; Khurgin, Jacob B.; Ferrari, Andrea C.; Kippenberg, Tobias J.

2018-05-01

We present quantum yield measurements of single layer $\\textrm{WSe}_2$ (1L-$\\textrm{WSe}_2$) integrated with high-Q ($Q>10^6$) optical microdisk cavities, using an efficient ($\\eta>$90%) near-field coupling scheme based on a tapered optical fiber. Coupling of the excitonic emission is achieved by placing 1L-WSe$_2$ to the evanescent cavity field. This preserves the microresonator high intrinsic quality factor ($Q>10^6$) below the bandgap of 1L-WSe$_2$. The nonlinear excitation power dependence of the cavity quantum yield is in agreement with an exciton-exciton annihilation model. The cavity quantum yield is $\\textrm{QY}_\\textrm{c}\\sim10^{-3}$, consistent with operation in the \\textit{broad emitter} regime (i.e. the emission lifetime of 1L-WSe$_2$ is significantly shorter than the bare cavity decay time). This scheme can serve as a precise measurement tool for the excitonic emission of layered materials into cavity modes, for both in plane and out of plane excitation.

Solid-state single-photon emitters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aharonovich, Igor; Englund, Dirk; Toth, Milos

2016-10-01

Single-photon emitters play an important role in many leading quantum technologies. There is still no 'ideal' on-demand single-photon emitter, but a plethora of promising material systems have been developed, and several have transitioned from proof-of-concept to engineering efforts with steadily improving performance. Here, we review recent progress in the race towards true single-photon emitters required for a range of quantum information processing applications. We focus on solid-state systems including quantum dots, defects in solids, two-dimensional hosts and carbon nanotubes, as these are well positioned to benefit from recent breakthroughs in nanofabrication and materials growth techniques. We consider the main challenges and key advantages of each platform, with a focus on scalable on-chip integration and fabrication of identical sources on photonic circuits.

Source-Device-Independent Ultrafast Quantum Random Number Generation.

PubMed

Marangon, Davide G; Vallone, Giuseppe; Villoresi, Paolo

2017-02-10

Secure random numbers are a fundamental element of many applications in science, statistics, cryptography and more in general in security protocols. We present a method that enables the generation of high-speed unpredictable random numbers from the quadratures of an electromagnetic field without any assumption on the input state. The method allows us to eliminate the numbers that can be predicted due to the presence of classical and quantum side information. In particular, we introduce a procedure to estimate a bound on the conditional min-entropy based on the entropic uncertainty principle for position and momentum observables of infinite dimensional quantum systems. By the above method, we experimentally demonstrated the generation of secure true random bits at a rate greater than 1.7 Gbit/s.

Quantum change and psychotherapy.

PubMed

Bien, Thomas H

2004-05-01

Deep change in psychotherapy more typically comes slowly rather than suddenly, but this difference between therapeutic change and quantum change may be one of perspective rather than substance. Psychotherapy may be understood as a kind of mindfulness practice similar to working with koans in that the client presents a life dilemma incapable of rational solution. While quantum change cannot be engineered, the psychotherapist can create an environment conducive to such transformation by producing true presence and modeling calm, concerned, sustained attention to the dilemma that precipitated treatment. Psychotherapists who also maintain a sense of their work as a high art and a way of being, and who in consequence cultivate their own emotional and spiritual development, may be more likely to create such an environment. Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A generator for unique quantum random numbers based on vacuum states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabriel, Christian; Wittmann, Christoffer; Sych, Denis; Dong, Ruifang; Mauerer, Wolfgang; Andersen, Ulrik L.; Marquardt, Christoph; Leuchs, Gerd

2010-10-01

Random numbers are a valuable component in diverse applications that range from simulations over gambling to cryptography. The quest for true randomness in these applications has engendered a large variety of different proposals for producing random numbers based on the foundational unpredictability of quantum mechanics. However, most approaches do not consider that a potential adversary could have knowledge about the generated numbers, so the numbers are not verifiably random and unique. Here we present a simple experimental setup based on homodyne measurements that uses the purity of a continuous-variable quantum vacuum state to generate unique random numbers. We use the intrinsic randomness in measuring the quadratures of a mode in the lowest energy vacuum state, which cannot be correlated to any other state. The simplicity of our source, combined with its verifiably unique randomness, are important attributes for achieving high-reliability, high-speed and low-cost quantum random number generators.

Quantum Stirling heat engine and refrigerator with single and coupled spin systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xiao-Li; Niu, Xin-Ya; Xiu, Xiao-Ming; Yi, Xue-Xi

2014-02-01

We study the reversible quantum Stirling cycle with a single spin or two coupled spins as the working substance. With the single spin as the working substance, we find that under certain conditions the reversed cycle of a heat engine is NOT a refrigerator, this feature holds true for a Stirling heat engine with an ion trapped in a shallow potential as its working substance. The efficiency of quantum Stirling heat engine can be higher than the efficiency of the Carnot engine, but the performance coefficient of the quantum Stirling refrigerator is always lower than its classical counterpart. With two coupled spins as the working substance, we find that a heat engine can turn to a refrigerator due to the increasing of the coupling constant, this can be explained by the properties of the isothermal line in the magnetic field-entropy plane.

A Simple Encryption Algorithm for Quantum Color Image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Panchi; Zhao, Ya

2017-06-01

In this paper, a simple encryption scheme for quantum color image is proposed. Firstly, a color image is transformed into a quantum superposition state by employing NEQR (novel enhanced quantum representation), where the R,G,B values of every pixel in a 24-bit RGB true color image are represented by 24 single-qubit basic states, and each value has 8 qubits. Then, these 24 qubits are respectively transformed from a basic state into a balanced superposition state by employed the controlled rotation gates. At this time, the gray-scale values of R, G, B of every pixel are in a balanced superposition of 224 multi-qubits basic states. After measuring, the whole image is an uniform white noise, which does not provide any information. Decryption is the reverse process of encryption. The experimental results on the classical computer show that the proposed encryption scheme has better security.

Hydroxyl Radical Fluorescence and Quantum Yield Following Lyman-α Photoexcitation of Water Vapor in a Room Temperature Cell and Cooled in a Supersonic Expansion.

PubMed

Young, Justin W; Booth, Ryan S; Vogelhuber, Kristen M; Stearns, Jaime A; Annesley, Christopher J

2018-06-28

Photoexcitation of water by Lyman-α (121.6 nm) induces a dissociation reaction that produces OH(A 2 Σ + ) + H. Despite this reaction being part of numerous studies, a combined understanding of the product and fluorescence yields is still lacking. Here, the rotational and vibrational distributions of OH(A) are determined from dispersed fluorescence following photoexcitation of both room-temperature and jet-cooled water vapor, for the first time in the same experiment. This work compares new data of state-resolved fluorescence with literature molecular branching ratios and brings previous studies into agreement through careful consideration of OH(A) fluorescent and predissociation lifetimes and confirms a fluorescent quantum yield of 8%. Comparison of the room-temperature and jet-cooled OH(A) populations indicate the temperature of H 2 O prior to excitation has subtle effects on the OH(A) population distribution, such as altering the rotational distribution in the ν' = 0 population and affecting the population in the ν' = 1 state. These results indicate jet-cooled water vapor may have a 1% higher fluorescence quantum yield compared to room-temperature water vapor.

Relative quantum yield of I-asterisk(2P1/2) in the tunable laser UV photodissociation of i-C3F7I and n-C3F7I - Effect of temperature and exciplex emission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smedley, J. E.; Leone, S. R.

1983-01-01

Wavelength-specific relative quantum yields of metastable I from pulsed laser photodissociation of i-C3F7I and n-C3F7I in the range 265-336 nm are determined by measuring the time-resolved infrared emission from the atomic I(P-2(1/2) P-2(3/2) transition. It is shown that although this yield appears to be unity from 265 to 298 nm, it decreases dramatically at longer wavelengths. Values are also reported for the enhancement of emission from metastable I due to exciplex formation at several temperatures. The exciplex formation emission increases linearly with parent gas pressure, but decreases with increasing temperature. Absorption spectra of i- and n-C3F7I between 303 and 497 K are presented, and the effect of temperature on the quantum yields at selected wavelengths greater than 300 nm, where increasing the temperature enhances the absorption considerably, are given. The results are discussed in regard to the development of solar-pumped iodine lasers.

Increasing selectivity for TNT-based explosive detection by synchronous luminescence and derivative spectroscopy with quantum yields of selected aromatic amines.

PubMed

Sheaff, Chrystal N; Eastwood, Delyle; Wai, Chien M

2007-01-01

The detection of explosive material is at the forefront of current analytical problems. A detection method is desired that is not restricted to detecting only explosive materials, but is also capable of identifying the origin and type of explosive. It is essential that a detection method have the selectivity to distinguish among compounds in a mixture of explosives. The nitro compounds found in explosives have low fluorescent yields or are considered to be non-fluorescent; however, after reduction, the amino compounds exhibit relatively high fluorescence. We discuss how to increase selectivity of explosive detection using fluorescence; this includes synchronous luminescence and derivative spectroscopy with appropriate smoothing. By implementing synchronous luminescence and derivative spectroscopy, we were able to resolve the reduction products of one major TNT-based explosive compound, 2,4-diaminotoluene, and the reduction products of other minor TNT-based explosives in a mixture. We also report for the first time the quantum yields of these important compounds. Relative quantum yields are useful in establishing relative fluorescence intensities and are an important spectroscopic measurement of molecules. Our approach allows for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection with the discrimination necessary to distinguish among various explosives.

Open quantum maps from complex scaling of kicked scattering systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mertig, Normann; Shudo, Akira

2018-04-01

We derive open quantum maps from periodically kicked scattering systems and discuss the computation of their resonance spectra in terms of theoretically grounded methods, such as complex scaling and sufficiently weak absorbing potentials. In contrast, we also show that current implementations of open quantum maps, based on strong absorptive or even projective openings, fail to produce the resonance spectra of kicked scattering systems. This comparison pinpoints flaws in current implementations of open quantum maps, namely, the inability to separate resonance eigenvalues from the continuum as well as the presence of diffraction effects due to strong absorption. The reported deviations from the true resonance spectra appear, even if the openings do not affect the classical trapped set, and become appreciable for shorter-lived resonances, e.g., those associated with chaotic orbits. This makes the open quantum maps, which we derive in this paper, a valuable alternative for future explorations of quantum-chaotic scattering systems, for example, in the context of the fractal Weyl law. The results are illustrated for a quantum map model whose classical dynamics exhibits key features of ionization and a trapped set which is organized by a topological horseshoe.

Enhancing the brightness of electrically driven single-photon sources using color centers in silicon carbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khramtsov, Igor A.; Vyshnevyy, Andrey A.; Fedyanin, Dmitry Yu.

2018-03-01

Practical applications of quantum information technologies exploiting the quantum nature of light require efficient and bright true single-photon sources which operate under ambient conditions. Currently, point defects in the crystal lattice of diamond known as color centers have taken the lead in the race for the most promising quantum system for practical non-classical light sources. This work is focused on a different quantum optoelectronic material, namely a color center in silicon carbide, and reveals the physics behind the process of single-photon emission from color centers in SiC under electrical pumping. We show that color centers in silicon carbide can be far superior to any other quantum light emitter under electrical control at room temperature. Using a comprehensive theoretical approach and rigorous numerical simulations, we demonstrate that at room temperature, the photon emission rate from a p-i-n silicon carbide single-photon emitting diode can exceed 5 Gcounts/s, which is higher than what can be achieved with electrically driven color centers in diamond or epitaxial quantum dots. These findings lay the foundation for the development of practical photonic quantum devices which can be produced in a well-developed CMOS compatible process flow.

High Photoluminescence Quantum Yield in Band Gap Tunable Bromide Containing Mixed Halide Perovskites

DOE PAGES

Sutter-Fella, Carolin M.; Li, Yanbo; Amani, Matin; ...

2015-12-21

Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite based semiconductor materials are attractive for use in a wide range of optoelectronic devices because they combine the advantages of suitable optoelectronic attributes and simultaneously low-cost solution processability. Here, we present a two-step low-pressure vapor-assisted solution process to grow high quality homogeneous CH 3NH 3PbI 3-xBr x perovskite films over the full band gap range of 1.6-2.3 eV. Photoluminescence light-in versus light-out characterization techniques are used to provide new insights into the optoelectronic properties of Br-containing hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites as a function of optical carrier injection by employing pump-powers over a 6 orders of magnitude dynamicmore » range. The internal luminescence quantum yield of wide band gap perovskites reaches impressive values up to 30%. This high quantum yield translates into substantial quasi-Fermi level splitting and high "luminescence or optically implied" open-circuit voltage. Most importantly, both attributes, high internal quantum yield and high optically implied open-circuit voltage, are demonstrated over the entire band gap range (1.6 eV ≤ E g ≤ 2.3 eV). These results establish the versatility of Br-containing perovskite semiconductors for a variety of applications and especially for the use as high-quality top cell in tandem photovoltaic devices in combination with industry dominant Si bottom cells. (Figure Presented).« less

Experimental implementation of local adiabatic evolution algorithms by an NMR quantum information processor.

PubMed

Mitra, Avik; Ghosh, Arindam; Das, Ranabir; Patel, Apoorva; Kumar, Anil

2005-12-01

Quantum adiabatic algorithm is a method of solving computational problems by evolving the ground state of a slowly varying Hamiltonian. The technique uses evolution of the ground state of a slowly varying Hamiltonian to reach the required output state. In some cases, such as the adiabatic versions of Grover's search algorithm and Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, applying the global adiabatic evolution yields a complexity similar to their classical algorithms. However, using the local adiabatic evolution, the algorithms given by J. Roland and N.J. Cerf for Grover's search [J. Roland, N.J. Cerf, Quantum search by local adiabatic evolution, Phys. Rev. A 65 (2002) 042308] and by Saurya Das, Randy Kobes, and Gabor Kunstatter for the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm [S. Das, R. Kobes, G. Kunstatter, Adiabatic quantum computation and Deutsh's algorithm, Phys. Rev. A 65 (2002) 062301], yield a complexity of order N (where N=2(n) and n is the number of qubits). In this paper, we report the experimental implementation of these local adiabatic evolution algorithms on a 2-qubit quantum information processor, by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

Observable measure of quantum coherence in finite dimensional systems.

PubMed

Girolami, Davide

2014-10-24

Quantum coherence is the key resource for quantum technology, with applications in quantum optics, information processing, metrology, and cryptography. Yet, there is no universally efficient method for quantifying coherence either in theoretical or in experimental practice. I introduce a framework for measuring quantum coherence in finite dimensional systems. I define a theoretical measure which satisfies the reliability criteria established in the context of quantum resource theories. Then, I present an experimental scheme implementable with current technology which evaluates the quantum coherence of an unknown state of a d-dimensional system by performing two programmable measurements on an ancillary qubit, in place of the O(d2) direct measurements required by full state reconstruction. The result yields a benchmark for monitoring quantum effects in complex systems, e.g., certifying nonclassicality in quantum protocols and probing the quantum behavior of biological complexes.

Primary photophysical properties of moxifloxacin--a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

PubMed

Lorenzo, Fernando; Navaratnam, Suppiah; Edge, Ruth; Allen, Norman S

2008-01-01

The photophysical properties of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin (MOX) were investigated in aqueous media. MOX in water, at pH 7.4, shows two intense absorption bands at 287 and 338 nm (epsilon = 44,000 and 17,000 dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1), respectively). The absorption and emission properties of MOX are pH-dependent, pK(a) values for the protonation equilibria of both the ground (6.1 and 9.6) and excited singlet states (6.8 and 9.1) of MOX were determined spectroscopically. MOX fluoresces weakly, the quantum yield for fluorescence emission being maximum (0.07) at pH 8. Phosphorescence from the excited triplet state in frozen ethanol solution has a quantum yield of 0.046. Laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis studies have been carried out to characterize the transient species of MOX in aqueous solution. On laser excitation, MOX undergoes monophotonic photoionization with a quantum yield of 0.14. This leads to the formation of a long-lived cation radical whose absorption is maximum at 470 nm (epsilon(470) = 3400 dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1)). The photoionization process releases hydrated electron which rapidly reacts (k = 2.8 x 10(10) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)) with ground state MOX, yielding a long-lived anion radical with maximum absorption at 390 nm (epsilon(390) = 2400 dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1)). The cation radical of MOX is able to oxidize protein components tryptophan and tyrosine. The bimolecular rate constants for these reactions are 2.3 x 10(8) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) and 1.3 x 10(8) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), respectively. Singlet oxygen sensitized by the MOX triplet state was also detected only in oxygen-saturated D(2)O solutions, with a quantum yield of 0.075.

Rose bengal in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) thin films: self-quenching by photoactive energy traps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ezquerra Riega, Sergio D.; Rodríguez, Hernán B.; San Román, Enrique

2017-03-01

The effect of dye concentration on the fluorescence,ΦF, and singlet molecular oxygen,ΦΔ, quantum yields of rose bengal loaded poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) thin films (∼200 nm thick) was investigated, with the aim of understanding the effect of molecular interactions on the photophysical properties of dyes in crowded constrained environments. Films were characterized by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) production was quantified using a chemical monitor, and the triplet decay was determined by laser flash-photolysis. For the monomeric dilute dye, ΦF = 0.05 ± 0.01 and ΦΔ = 0.76 ± 0.14. The effect of humidity and the photostability of the dye were also investigated. Spectral changes in absorption and fluorescence in excess of 0.05 M and concentration self-quenching after 0.01 M are interpreted in the context of a quenching radius model. Calculations of energy migration and trapping rates were performed assuming random distribution of the dye. Best fits of fluorescence quantum yields with concentration are obtained in the whole concentration range with a quenching radius r Q = 1.5 nm, in the order of molecular dimensions. Agreement is obtained only if dimeric traps are considered photoactive, with an observed fluorescence quantum yield ratio ΦF,trap/ΦF,monomer ≈ 0.35. Fluorescent traps are capable of yielding triplet states and 1O2. Results show that the excited state generation efficiency, calculated as the product between the absorption factor and the fluorescence quantum yield, is maximized at around 0.15 M, a very high concentration for random dye distributions. Relevant information for the design of photoactive dyed coatings is provided.

Photodynamic treatment (PDT) of endometrium primary cultures serving as an in-vitro-model for endometriosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Werter, Wiebke; Viereck, Volker; Keckstein, J.; Steiner, Rudolf W.; Rueck, Angelika C.

1994-05-01

As a new treatment model for endometriosis, photodynamic therapy (PDT) was applied to endometrium cultures. Endometriosis is a benign disease. Therefore primary cultures were used instead of cell lines. Endometrium is composed of epithelial and stromal cells which can also be found in primary culture. While stromal cells take a polygonal shape in culture, epithelial cells form cell colonies. PSIII (Photasan III), which is similar to hematorporphyrin derivate (HpD), meso-tetra (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS4), which posses a high fluorescence quantum yield and may be useful in fluorescence diagnosis of subtle endometriotic spots, and methylene blue (MB), a vital dye with phototoxic properties, were used as photosensitizers. Different sensitizer concentrations and incubation times were applied. The highest phototoxicity was observed for PSIII; TPPS4 and MB were less phototoxic. We compared our results with the sensitivity of cell lines described in the literature. The necessary irradiation to destroy stromal cells was relatively high but still in the same dimension as for cell lines. However they were even more sensitive than epithelial cells. This was true for all sensitizers used.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of endometrium primary cultures serving as an in-vitro model for endometriosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herter, Wiebke; Viereck, Volker; Keckstein, J.; Steiner, Rudolf W.; Rueck, Angelika C.

1994-05-01

As a new treatment model for endometriosis, photodynamic therapy (PDT) was applied to endometrium cultures. Endometriosis is a benign disease. Therefore primary cultures were used instead of cell lines. Endometrium is composed of epithelial and stromal cells which can also be found in primary culture. While stromal cells take a polygonal shape in culture, epithelial cells form cell colonies. PSIII (Photasan III), which is similar to hematorporphyrin derivate (HpD), meso-tetra (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS4), which posses a high fluorescence quantum yield and may be useful in fluorescence diagnosis of subtle endometriotic spots, and methylene blue (MB), a vital dye with phototoxic properties, were used as photosensitizers. Different sensitizer concentrations and incubation times were applied. The highest phototoxicity was observed for PSIII; TPPS4 and MB were less phototoxic. We compared our results with the sensitivity of cell lines described in the literature. The necessary irradiation to destroy stromal cells was relatively high but still in the same dimension as for cell lines. However they were even more sensitive than epithelial cells. This was true for all sensitizers used.

Quantum simulation from the bottom up: the case of rebits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enshan Koh, Dax; Yuezhen Niu, Murphy; Yoder, Theodore J.

2018-05-01

Typically, quantum mechanics is thought of as a linear theory with unitary evolution governed by the Schrödinger equation. While this is technically true and useful for a physicist, with regards to computation it is an unfortunately narrow point of view. Just as a classical computer can simulate highly nonlinear functions of classical states, so too can the more general quantum computer simulate nonlinear evolutions of quantum states. We detail one particular simulation of nonlinearity on a quantum computer, showing how the entire class of -unitary evolutions (on n qubits) can be simulated using a unitary, real-amplitude quantum computer (consisting of n  +  1 qubits in total). These operators can be represented as the sum of a linear and antilinear operator, and add an intriguing new set of nonlinear quantum gates to the toolbox of the quantum algorithm designer. Furthermore, a subgroup of these nonlinear evolutions, called the -Cliffords, can be efficiently classically simulated, by making use of the fact that Clifford operators can simulate non-Clifford (in fact, non-linear) operators. This perspective of using the physical operators that we have to simulate non-physical ones that we do not is what we call bottom-up simulation, and we give some examples of its broader implications.

Bifurcation-based adiabatic quantum computation with a nonlinear oscillator network

PubMed Central

Goto, Hayato

2016-01-01

The dynamics of nonlinear systems qualitatively change depending on their parameters, which is called bifurcation. A quantum-mechanical nonlinear oscillator can yield a quantum superposition of two oscillation states, known as a Schrödinger cat state, via quantum adiabatic evolution through its bifurcation point. Here we propose a quantum computer comprising such quantum nonlinear oscillators, instead of quantum bits, to solve hard combinatorial optimization problems. The nonlinear oscillator network finds optimal solutions via quantum adiabatic evolution, where nonlinear terms are increased slowly, in contrast to conventional adiabatic quantum computation or quantum annealing, where quantum fluctuation terms are decreased slowly. As a result of numerical simulations, it is concluded that quantum superposition and quantum fluctuation work effectively to find optimal solutions. It is also notable that the present computer is analogous to neural computers, which are also networks of nonlinear components. Thus, the present scheme will open new possibilities for quantum computation, nonlinear science, and artificial intelligence. PMID:26899997

Quantum random access memory.

PubMed

Giovannetti, Vittorio; Lloyd, Seth; Maccone, Lorenzo

2008-04-25

A random access memory (RAM) uses n bits to randomly address N=2(n) distinct memory cells. A quantum random access memory (QRAM) uses n qubits to address any quantum superposition of N memory cells. We present an architecture that exponentially reduces the requirements for a memory call: O(logN) switches need be thrown instead of the N used in conventional (classical or quantum) RAM designs. This yields a more robust QRAM algorithm, as it in general requires entanglement among exponentially less gates, and leads to an exponential decrease in the power needed for addressing. A quantum optical implementation is presented.

Graph C ∗-algebras and Z2-quotients of quantum spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hajac, Piotr M.; Matthes, Rainer; Szymański, Wojciech

2003-06-01

We consider two Z2-actions on the Podleś generic quantum spheres. They yield, as noncommutative quotient spaces, the Klimek-Lesmewski q-disc and the quantum real projective space, respectively. The C ∗-algebas of all these quantum spaces are described as graph C ∗-algebras. The K-groups of the thus presented C ∗-algebras are then easily determined from the general theory of graph C ∗-algebas. For the quantum real projective space, we also recall the classification of the classes of irreducible ∗-representations of its algebra and give a linear basis for this algebra.

Plasmonic enhancement of electroluminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guzatov, D. V.; Gaponenko, S. V.; Demir, H. V.

2018-01-01

Here plasmonic effect specifically on electroluminescence (EL) is studied in terms of radiative and nonradiative decay rates for a dipole near a metal spherical nanoparticle (NP). Contribution from scattering is taken into account and is shown to play a decisive role in EL enhancement owing to pronounced size-dependent radiative decay enhancement and weak size effect on non-radiative counterpart. Unlike photoluminescence where local incident field factor mainly determines the enhancement possibility and level, EL enhancement is only possible by means of quantum yield rise, EL enhancement being feasible only for an intrinsic quantum yield Q0 < 1. The resulting plasmonic effect is independent of intrinsic emitter lifetime but is exclusively defined by the value of Q0, emission spectrum, NP diameter and emitter-metal spacing. For 0.1< Q0 < 0.25, Ag nanoparticles are shown to enhance LED/OLED intensity by several times over the whole visible whereas Au particles feature lower effect within the red-orange range only. Independently of positive effect on quantum yield, metal nanoparticles embedded in an electroluminescent device will improve its efficiency at high currents owing to enhanced overall recombination rate which will diminish manifestation of Auger processes. The latter are believed to be responsible for the known undesirable efficiency droop in semiconductor commercial quantum well based LEDs at higher current. For the same reason plasmonics can diminish quantum dot photodegradation from Auger process induced non-radiative recombination and photoionization thus opening a way to avoid negative Auger effects in emerging colloidal semiconductor LEDs.

A Mind/Brain/Matter Model Consistent with Quantum Physics and UFO phenomena

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-01-01

precognitive nightmares indicating the horror of the Armageddon to come, and these nightmarish paranormal mutilations reveal the true nature of our times...strange, precognitive dreams that were foisted upon a king, nor was it foolish to interpret strange aerial phenomena in terms oi serious threats looming

What limits photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency in nature? Lessons from the oceans.

PubMed

Falkowski, Paul G; Lin, Hanzhi; Gorbunov, Maxim Y

2017-09-26

Constraining photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency in nature is challenging. In principle, two yield measurements must be made simultaneously: photochemistry, fluorescence and/or thermal dissipation. We constructed two different, extremely sensitive and precise active fluorometers: one measures the quantum yield of photochemistry from changes in variable fluorescence, the other measures fluorescence lifetimes in the picosecond time domain. By deploying the pair of instruments on eight transoceanic cruises over six years, we obtained over 200 000 measurements of fluorescence yields and lifetimes from surface waters in five ocean basins. Our results revealed that the average quantum yield of photochemistry was approximately 0.35 while the average quantum yield of fluorescence was approximately 0.07. Thus, closure on the energy budget suggests that, on average, approximately 58% of the photons absorbed by phytoplankton in the world oceans are dissipated as heat. This extraordinary inefficiency is associated with the paucity of nutrients in the upper ocean, especially dissolved inorganic nitrogen and iron. Our results strongly suggest that, in nature, most of the time, most of the phytoplankton community operates at approximately half of its maximal photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency because nutrients limit the synthesis or function of essential components in the photosynthetic apparatus.This article is part of the themed issue 'Enhancing photosynthesis in crop plants: targets for improvement'. © 2017 The Author(s).

Core/Shell NaGdF4:Nd3+/NaGdF4 Nanocrystals with Efficient Near-Infrared to Near-Infrared Downconversion Photoluminescence for Bioimaging Applications

PubMed Central

Chen, Guanying; Ohulchanskyy, Tymish Y.; Liu, Sha; Law, Wing-Cheung; Wu, Fang; Swihart, Mark T.; Ågren, Hans; Prasad, Paras N.

2012-01-01

We have synthesized core/shell NaGdF4:Nd3+/NaGdF4 nanocrystals with an average size of 15 nm and exceptionally high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield. When excited at 740 nm, the nanocrystals manifest spectrally distinguished, near infrared to near infrared (NIR-to-NIR) downconversion PL peaked at ~900, ~1050, and ~1300 nm. The absolute quantum yield of NIR-to-NIR PL reached 40% for core-shell nanoparticles dispersed in hexane. Time-resolved PL measurements revealed that this high quantum yield was achieved through suppression of nonradiative recombination originating from surface states and cross relaxations between dopants. NaGdF4:Nd3+/NaGdF4 nanocrystals, synthesized in organic media, were further converted to be water-dispersible by eliminating the capping ligand of oleic acid. NIR-to-NIR PL bioimaging was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo through visualization of the NIR-to-NIR PL at ~900 nm under incoherent lamp light excitation. The fact that both excitation and the PL of these nanocrystals are in the biological window of optical transparency, combined with their high quantum efficiency, spectral sharpness and photostability, makes these nanocrystals extremely promising as optical biomaging probes. PMID:22401578

Dynamical basis sets for algebraic variational calculations in quantum-mechanical scattering theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, Yan; Kouri, Donald J.; Truhlar, Donald G.; Schwenke, David W.

1990-01-01

New basis sets are proposed for linear algebraic variational calculations of transition amplitudes in quantum-mechanical scattering problems. These basis sets are hybrids of those that yield the Kohn variational principle (KVP) and those that yield the generalized Newton variational principle (GNVP) when substituted in Schlessinger's stationary expression for the T operator. Trial calculations show that efficiencies almost as great as that of the GNVP and much greater than the KVP can be obtained, even for basis sets with the majority of the members independent of energy.

Photodynamic activity of pyropheophorbide methyl ester and pyropheophorbide a in dimethylformamide solution.

PubMed

Al-Omari, Saleh; Ali, Ahmad

2009-03-01

Comparative spectroscopic study including the photosensitizers of pyropheophorbide methyl ester (PPME) and pyropheophorbide a (PPa) was performed to study their photodynamic activity. The investigated photosensitizers in a homogeneous system of dimethylformamide (DMF) are not photostable upon irradiation. The photobleaching efficiency of PPa is higher than that of PPME. Combining these results with the data obtained by measuring the singlet oxygen quantum yield and the hydroxyl group generation, it was revealed that the photobleaching efficiency could be correlated with the singlet oxygen quantum yield and the hydroxyl group production of the photosensitizer.

Lanthanide complexes with 2-(tosylamino)benzylidene-N-benzoylhydrazone, which exhibit high NIR emission.

PubMed

Utochnikova, V V; Kovalenko, A D; Burlov, A S; Marciniak, L; Ananyev, I V; Kalyakina, A S; Kurchavov, N A; Kuzmina, N P

2015-07-28

New NIR emitting materials were found among the lanthanide complexes with 2-(tosylamino)benzylidene-N-benzoylhydrazone. Complexes of Nd(3+), Er(3+) and Yb(3+), as well as Eu(3+), Gd(3+) and Lu(3+), were synthesized for the first time. Owing to the absence of vibration quenching the ytterbium complex was found to exhibit a photoluminescence quantum yield of 1.4%. Since the sensitization efficiency was calculated to be 55%, the losses in the quantum yield are probably due to Yb-Yb resonant energy transfer.

Tunable UV Laser Photolysis of NF2: Quantum Yield for NF(a1 delta) Production.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-05-25

UV Laser Photolysis of NF2: Quantum Yield for NF(a A) Production ’v0 LR. F. HEIDNER, H . HELVAJIAN , 4and J. B. KOFFEND Aerophysics Laboratory...experiments, the chemistry of NF2 with various hydrocarbons has been studied. It has also been shown that the addition-elimination reaction between H and NF2...COMPLI R LEN SP, 3 ,HAND L BE AM~ H O [ I , , i 1 CAIHOC IAM COOLED GaAs CAPACITANCE PHOTOTUIBE MANOMETER _ LENS /’~ ~L + . ANMEE _.... BANDPASS FILTER

Loop-quantum-gravity vertex amplitude.

PubMed

Engle, Jonathan; Pereira, Roberto; Rovelli, Carlo

2007-10-19

Spin foam models are hoped to provide the dynamics of loop-quantum gravity. However, the most popular of these, the Barrett-Crane model, does not have the good boundary state space and there are indications that it fails to yield good low-energy n-point functions. We present an alternative dynamics that can be derived as a quantization of a Regge discretization of Euclidean general relativity, where second class constraints are imposed weakly. Its state space matches the SO(3) loop gravity one and it yields an SO(4)-covariant vertex amplitude for Euclidean loop gravity.

Interpretation of quantum yields exceeding unity in photoelectrochemical systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Szklarczyk, M.; Allen, R.E.

1986-10-20

In photoelectrochemical systems involving light shining on a semiconductor interfaced with an electrolyte, the quantum yield as a function of photon frequency ..nu.. is observed to exhibit a peak at h..nu..roughly-equal2E/sub g/, where E/sub g/ is the band gap of the semiconductor. The maximum in this peak is sometimes found to exceed unity. We provide an interpretation involving surface states and inelastic electron-electron scattering. The theory indicates that the effect should be observable for p-type semiconductors, but not n-type.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Damtie, Fikeraddis A., E-mail: Fikeraddis.Damtie@teorfys.lu.se; Wacker, Andreas, E-mail: Andreas.Wacker@fysik.lu.se; Karki, Khadga J., E-mail: Khadga.Karki@chemphys.lu.se

Multiple exciton generation (MEG) is a process in which more than one electron hole pair is generated per absorbed photon. It allows us to increase the efficiency of solar energy harvesting. Experimental studies have shown the multiple exciton generation yield of 1.2 in isolated colloidal quantum dots. However real photoelectric devices require the extraction of electron hole pairs to electric contacts. We provide a systematic study of the corresponding quantum coherent processes including extraction and injection and show that a proper design of extraction and injection rates enhances the yield significantly up to values around 1.6.

Loop Quantum Gravity.

PubMed

Rovelli, Carlo

2008-01-01

The problem of describing the quantum behavior of gravity, and thus understanding quantum spacetime , is still open. Loop quantum gravity is a well-developed approach to this problem. It is a mathematically well-defined background-independent quantization of general relativity, with its conventional matter couplings. Today research in loop quantum gravity forms a vast area, ranging from mathematical foundations to physical applications. Among the most significant results obtained so far are: (i) The computation of the spectra of geometrical quantities such as area and volume, which yield tentative quantitative predictions for Planck-scale physics. (ii) A physical picture of the microstructure of quantum spacetime, characterized by Planck-scale discreteness. Discreteness emerges as a standard quantum effect from the discrete spectra, and provides a mathematical realization of Wheeler's "spacetime foam" intuition. (iii) Control of spacetime singularities, such as those in the interior of black holes and the cosmological one. This, in particular, has opened up the possibility of a theoretical investigation into the very early universe and the spacetime regions beyond the Big Bang. (iv) A derivation of the Bekenstein-Hawking black-hole entropy. (v) Low-energy calculations, yielding n -point functions well defined in a background-independent context. The theory is at the roots of, or strictly related to, a number of formalisms that have been developed for describing background-independent quantum field theory, such as spin foams, group field theory, causal spin networks, and others. I give here a general overview of ideas, techniques, results and open problems of this candidate theory of quantum gravity, and a guide to the relevant literature.

Extending Bell's beables to encompass dissipation, decoherence, and the quantum-to-classical transition through quantum trajectories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenzen, F.; de Ponte, M. A.; Moussa, M. H. Y.

2009-09-01

In this paper, employing the Itô stochastic Schrödinger equation, we extend Bell’s beable interpretation of quantum mechanics to encompass dissipation, decoherence, and the quantum-to-classical transition through quantum trajectories. For a particular choice of the source of stochasticity, the one leading to a dissipative Lindblad-type correction to the Hamiltonian dynamics, we find that the diffusive terms in Nelsons stochastic trajectories are naturally incorporated into Bohm’s causal dynamics, yielding a unified Bohm-Nelson theory. In particular, by analyzing the interference between quantum trajectories, we clearly identify the decoherence time, as estimated from the quantum formalism. We also observe the quantum-to-classical transition in the convergence of the infinite ensemble of quantum trajectories to their classical counterparts. Finally, we show that our extended beables circumvent the problems in Bohm’s causal dynamics regarding stationary states in quantum mechanics.

Bidentate Ligand-Passivated CsPbI3 Perovskite Nanocrystals for Stable Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yield and Efficient Red Light-Emitting Diodes.

PubMed

Pan, Jun; Shang, Yuequn; Yin, Jun; De Bastiani, Michele; Peng, Wei; Dursun, Ibrahim; Sinatra, Lutfan; El-Zohry, Ahmed M; Hedhili, Mohamed N; Emwas, Abdul-Hamid; Mohammed, Omar F; Ning, Zhijun; Bakr, Osman M

2018-01-17

Although halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are promising materials for optoelectronic devices, they suffer severely from chemical and phase instabilities. Moreover, the common capping ligands like oleic acid and oleylamine that encapsulate the NCs will form an insulating layer, precluding their utility in optoelectronic devices. To overcome these limitations, we develop a postsynthesis passivation process for CsPbI 3 NCs by using a bidentate ligand, namely 2,2'-iminodibenzoic acid. Our passivated NCs exhibit narrow red photoluminescence with exceptional quantum yield (close to unity) and substantially improved stability. The passivated NCs enabled us to realize red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with 5.02% external quantum efficiency and 748 cd/m 2 luminance, surpassing by far LEDs made from the nonpassivated NCs.

Development of a Photoemission Surface for 1.06 Micron Wavelength

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1973-02-01

Development of a negative affirmity photoemitter with 10% quantum effieciency at the Nd3+ laser wavelengths near 1.06 microns. : Observed quantum yield of 7.55% (electrons per incident photon - 11% per absorbed photon) at 1.06 microns, from an InGaAs...

Faithful nonclassicality indicators and extremal quantum correlations in two-qubit states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girolami, Davide; Paternostro, Mauro; Adesso, Gerardo

2011-09-01

The state disturbance induced by locally measuring a quantum system yields a signature of nonclassical correlations beyond entanglement. Here, we present a detailed study of such correlations for two-qubit mixed states. To overcome the asymmetry of quantum discord and the unfaithfulness of measurement-induced disturbance (severely overestimating quantum correlations), we propose an ameliorated measurement-induced disturbance as nonclassicality indicator, optimized over joint local measurements, and we derive its closed expression for relevant two-qubit states. We study its analytical relation with discord, and characterize the maximally quantum-correlated mixed states, that simultaneously extremize both quantifiers at given von Neumann entropy: among all two-qubit states, these states possess the most robust quantum correlations against noise.

Graphene quantum dots as enhanced plant growth regulators: effects on coriander and garlic plants.

PubMed

Chakravarty, Disha; Erande, Manisha B; Late, Dattatray J

2015-10-01

We report investigations on the use of graphene quantum dots for growth enhancement in coriander (Coriandrum sativam L.) and garlic (Allium sativum) plants. The as-received seeds of coriander and garlic were treated with 0.2 mg mL(-1) of graphene quantum dots for 3 h before planting. Graphene quantum dots enhanced the growth rate in coriander and garlic plants, including leaves, roots, shoots, flowers and fruits, when the seeds were treated with graphene quantum dots. Our investigations open up the opportunity to use graphene quantum dots as plant growth regulators that can be used in a variety of other food plants for high yield. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nonlinear quantum Rabi model in trapped ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Xiao-Hang; Arrazola, Iñigo; Pedernales, Julen S.; Lamata, Lucas; Chen, Xi; Solano, Enrique

2018-02-01

We study the nonlinear dynamics of trapped-ion models far away from the Lamb-Dicke regime. This nonlinearity induces a blockade on the propagation of quantum information along the Hilbert space of the Jaynes-Cummings and quantum Rabi models. We propose to use this blockade as a resource for the dissipative generation of high-number Fock states. Also, we compare the linear and nonlinear cases of the quantum Rabi model in the ultrastrong and deep strong-coupling regimes. Moreover, we propose a scheme to simulate the nonlinear quantum Rabi model in all coupling regimes. This can be done via off-resonant nonlinear red- and blue-sideband interactions in a single trapped ion, yielding applications as a dynamical quantum filter.

A general quantitative pH sensor developed with dicyandiamide N-doped high quantum yield graphene quantum dots.

PubMed

Wu, Zhu Lian; Gao, Ming Xuan; Wang, Ting Ting; Wan, Xiao Yan; Zheng, Lin Ling; Huang, Cheng Zhi

2014-04-07

A general quantitative pH sensor for environmental and intracellular applications was developed by the facile hydrothermal preparation of dicyandiamide (DCD) N-doped high quantum yield (QY) graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using citric acid (CA) as the carbon source. The obtained N-doped GQDs have excellent photoluminesence (PL) properties with a relatively high QY of 36.5%, suggesting that N-doped chemistry could promote the QY of carbon nanomaterials. The possible mechanism for the formation of the GQDs involves the CA self-assembling into a nanosheet structure through intermolecular H-bonding at the initial stage of the reaction, and then the pure graphene core with many function groups formed through the dehydration between the carboxyl and hydroxyl of the intermolecules under hydrothermal conditions. These N-doped GQDs have low toxicity, and are photostable and pH-sensitive between 1.81 to 8.96, giving a general pH sensor with a wide range of applications from real water to intracellular contents.

The effect of annulation of benzene rings on the photophysics and electronic structure of tetraazachlorin molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pershukevich, P. P.; Volkovich, D. I.; Gladkov, L. L.; Dudkin, S. V.; Kuzmitsky, V. A.; Makarova, E. A.; Solovyev, K. N.

2017-10-01

The photophysics and electronic structure of tribenzotetraazachlorins (H2, Zn, and Mg), which are novel analogues of phtalocyanines, have been studied experimentally and theoretically. At 293 K, the electronic absorption, fluorescence, and fluorescence excitation spectra are recorded and the fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime, as well as the quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation, are measured; at 77 K, the fluorescence, fluorescence excitation, and fluorescence polarization spectra are recorded and the fluorescence lifetime values are measured. The dependences of the absorption spectra and photophysical parameters on the structure variation are analyzed in detail. Quantum-chemical calculations of the electronic structure and absorption spectra of tribenzotetraazachlorins (H2, Mg) are performed using the INDO/Sm method (modified INDO/S method) based on molecular-geometry optimization by the DFT PBE/TZVP method. The results of quantum-chemical calculations of the electronic absorption spectra are in very good agreement with the experimental data for the transitions to two lower electronic states.

Colloidal Spherical Quantum Wells with Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yield and Suppressed Blinking.

PubMed

Jeong, Byeong Guk; Park, Young-Shin; Chang, Jun Hyuk; Cho, Ikjun; Kim, Jai Kyeong; Kim, Heesuk; Char, Kookheon; Cho, Jinhan; Klimov, Victor I; Park, Philip; Lee, Doh C; Bae, Wan Ki

2016-10-02

Thick inorganic shell endows colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with enhanced photochemical stability and suppression of photoluminescence intermittency (also known as blinking). However, the progress of using thick-shell heterostructure NCs in applications has been limited, due to low photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY  60%) at room temperature. Here, we demonstrate thick-shell NCs with CdS/CdSe/CdS seed/spherical quantum well/shell (SQW) geometry that exhibit near-unity PL QY at room temperature and suppression of blinking. In SQW NCs, the lattice mismatch is diminished between the emissive CdSe layer and the surrounding CdS layers as a result of coherent strain, which suppresses the formation of misfit defects and consequently permits ~ 100% PL QY for SQW NCs with thick CdS shell (≥ 5 nm). High PL QY of thick-shell SQW NCs are preserved even in concentrated dispersion and in film under thermal stress, which makes them promising candidates for applications in solid-state lightings and luminescent solar concentrators.

A study of Kapton degradation under simulated shuttle environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eck, T. G.; Hoffman, R. W.

1986-01-01

A system was developed which employs a source of low energy oxygen ion to simulate the shuttle low Earth orbit environment. This source, together with diagnostic tools including surface analysis ans mass spectroscopic capability, was used to measure the dependence of ion energy of the oxygen induced CO signals from pyrolytic graphite and Kapton. For graphite the CO signal was examined at energies ranging form 4.5 to 465 eV and for Kapton from 4.5 to 188 eV. While the relative quantum yields inferred from the data are reasonably precise, there are large uncertainties in the absolute yields because of the assumptions necessary to covert the measured signal strengths to quantum yields. These assumptions are discussed in detail.

Phase transfer of 1- and 2-dimensional Cd-based nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodanek, Torben; Banbela, Hadeel M.; Naskar, Suraj; Adel, Patrick; Bigall, Nadja C.; Dorfs, Dirk

2015-11-01

In this work, luminescent CdSe@CdS dot-in-rod nanocrystals, CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods as well as CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets were transferred into aqueous phase via ligand exchange reactions. For this purpose, bifunctional thiol-based ligands were employed, namely mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) as well as 2-(dimethylamino)ethanthiol (DMAET). Systematic investigations by means of photoluminescence quantum yield measurements as well as photoluminescence decay measurements have shown that the luminescence properties of the transferred nanostructures are affected by hole traps (induced by the thiol ligands themselves) as well as by spatial insulation and passivation against the environment. The influence of the tips of the nanorods on the luminescence is, however, insignificant. Accordingly, different ligands yield optimum results for different nanoparticle samples, mainly depending on the inorganic passivation of the respective samples. In case of CdSe@CdS nanorods, the highest emission intensities have been obtained by using short-chain ligands for the transfer preserving more than 50% of the pristine quantum yield of the hydrophobic nanorods. As opposed to this, the best possible quantum efficiency for the CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods has been achieved via MUA. The gained knowledge could be applied to transfer for the first time 2-dimensional CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets into water while preserving significant photoluminescence (up to 12% quantum efficiency).In this work, luminescent CdSe@CdS dot-in-rod nanocrystals, CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods as well as CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets were transferred into aqueous phase via ligand exchange reactions. For this purpose, bifunctional thiol-based ligands were employed, namely mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) as well as 2-(dimethylamino)ethanthiol (DMAET). Systematic investigations by means of photoluminescence quantum yield measurements as well as photoluminescence decay measurements have shown that the luminescence properties of the transferred nanostructures are affected by hole traps (induced by the thiol ligands themselves) as well as by spatial insulation and passivation against the environment. The influence of the tips of the nanorods on the luminescence is, however, insignificant. Accordingly, different ligands yield optimum results for different nanoparticle samples, mainly depending on the inorganic passivation of the respective samples. In case of CdSe@CdS nanorods, the highest emission intensities have been obtained by using short-chain ligands for the transfer preserving more than 50% of the pristine quantum yield of the hydrophobic nanorods. As opposed to this, the best possible quantum efficiency for the CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods has been achieved via MUA. The gained knowledge could be applied to transfer for the first time 2-dimensional CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets into water while preserving significant photoluminescence (up to 12% quantum efficiency). Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Further TEM images, further extinction spectra, particle size distribution and discussion about optical properties of the hydrophobic nanostructures. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06221g

Observables, measurements and phase operators from a Bohmian perspective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daumer, Martin; Goldstein, Sheldon

1993-01-01

Bohmian mechanics is a deterministic theory of point particles in motion. While avoiding all the paradoxes of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, it yields the quantum formalism itself--especially the role of self-adjoint operators--as a macroscopic measurement formalism. As an 'application' it is shown that much of the confusion connected with the phase operator for the electromagnetic field arises from a misunderstanding of the role of operators in quantum theory.

General Relativity without paradigm of space-time covariance, and resolution of the problem of time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soo, Chopin; Yu, Hoi-Lai

2014-01-01

The framework of a theory of gravity from the quantum to the classical regime is presented. The paradigm shift from full space-time covariance to spatial diffeomorphism invariance, together with clean decomposition of the canonical structure, yield transparent physical dynamics and a resolution of the problem of time. The deep divide between quantum mechanics and conventional canonical formulations of quantum gravity is overcome with a Schrödinger equation for quantum geometrodynamics that describes evolution in intrinsic time. Unitary time development with gauge-invariant temporal ordering is also viable. All Kuchar observables become physical; and classical space-time, with direct correlation between its proper times and intrinsic time intervals, emerges from constructive interference. The framework not only yields a physical Hamiltonian for Einstein's theory, but also prompts natural extensions and improvements towards a well behaved quantum theory of gravity. It is a consistent canonical scheme to discuss Horava-Lifshitz theories with intrinsic time evolution, and of the many possible alternatives that respect 3-covariance (rather than the more restrictive 4-covariance of Einstein's theory), Horava's "detailed balance" form of the Hamiltonian constraint is essentially pinned down by this framework. Issues in quantum gravity that depend on radiative corrections and the rigorous definition and regularization of the Hamiltonian operator are not addressed in this work.

Tuning Optoelectronic Properties of the Graphene-Based Quantum Dots C16- xSi xH10 Family.

PubMed

Ramadan, F-Z; Ouarrad, H; Drissi, L B

2018-06-07

The electronic and optical properties of graphene-based quantum dots (QDs) are investigated using DFT and many-body perturbation theory. Formation energy, hardeness and electrophilicity show that all structures, from pyrene to silicene QD passing through 15 CSi QD configurations, are energetically and chemically stable. It is also found that they are reactive which implies their favorable character for the possible electronic transport and conductivity. The electronic and optical properties are very sensitive to the number and position of the substituted silicon atoms as well as the directions of the light polarization. Moreover, quantum confinement effects make the exciton binding energy of CSi quantum dots larger than those of their higher dimensional allotropes such as silicene, graphene, and SiC sheet and nanotube. It is also higher those of other shapes of quantum dots like hexagonal graphene QDs and can be tailored from the ultraviolet region to the visible one. The values of the singlet-triplet splitting determined for the X- and Y-light polarized indicate that all configurations have a high fluorescence quantum yield compared to the yield of typical semiconductors, which makes them very promising for various applications such as the light-emitting diode material and nanomedicine.

Quantum power functional theory for many-body dynamics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmidt, Matthias, E-mail: Matthias.Schmidt@uni-bayreuth.de

2015-11-07

We construct a one-body variational theory for the time evolution of nonrelativistic quantum many-body systems. The position- and time-dependent one-body density, particle current, and time derivative of the current act as three variational fields. The generating (power rate) functional is minimized by the true current time derivative. The corresponding Euler-Lagrange equation, together with the continuity equation for the density, forms a closed set of one-body equations of motion. Space- and time-nonlocal one-body forces are generated by the superadiabatic contribution to the functional. The theory applies to many-electron systems.

Heisenberg-Limited Qubit Read-Out with Two-Mode Squeezed Light.

PubMed

Didier, Nicolas; Kamal, Archana; Oliver, William D; Blais, Alexandre; Clerk, Aashish A

2015-08-28

We show how to use two-mode squeezed light to exponentially enhance cavity-based dispersive qubit measurement. Our scheme enables true Heisenberg-limited scaling of the measurement, and crucially, it is not restricted to small dispersive couplings or unrealistically long measurement times. It involves coupling a qubit dispersively to two cavities and making use of a symmetry in the dynamics of joint cavity quadratures (a so-called quantum-mechanics-free subsystem). We discuss the basic scaling of the scheme and its robustness against imperfections, as well as a realistic implementation in circuit quantum electrodynamics.

Selective correlations in finite quantum systems and the Desargues property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, C.; Vourdas, A.

2018-06-01

The Desargues property is well known in the context of projective geometry. An analogous property is presented in the context of both classical and Quantum Physics. In a classical context, the Desargues property implies that two logical circuits with the same input show in their outputs selective correlations. In general their outputs are uncorrelated, but if the output of one has a particular value, then the output of the other has another particular value. In a quantum context, the Desargues property implies that two experiments each of which involves two successive projective measurements have selective correlations. For a particular set of projectors, if in one experiment the second measurement does not change the output of the first measurement, then the same is true in the other experiment.

Cl2O photochemistry: ultraviolet/vis absorption spectrum temperature dependence and O(3P) quantum yield at 193 and 248 nm.

PubMed

Papanastasiou, Dimitrios K; Feierabend, Karl J; Burkholder, James B

2011-05-28

The photochemistry of Cl(2)O (dichlorine monoxide) was studied using measurements of its UV/vis absorption spectrum temperature dependence and the O((3)P) atom quantum yield, Φ(Cl(2)O)(O)(λ), in its photolysis at 193 and 248 nm. The Cl(2)O UV/vis absorption spectrum was measured over the temperature range 201-296 K between 200 and 500 nm using diode array spectroscopy. Cl(2)O absorption cross sections, σ(Cl(2)O)(λ,T), at temperatures <296 K were determined relative to its well established room temperature values. A wavelength and temperature dependent parameterization of the Cl(2)O spectrum using the sum of six Gaussian functions, which empirically represent transitions from the ground (1)A(1) electronic state to excited states, is presented. The Gaussian functions are found to correlate well with published theoretically calculated vertical excitation energies. O((3)P) quantum yields in the photolysis of Cl(2)O at 193 and 248 nm were measured using pulsed laser photolysis combined with atomic resonance fluorescence detection of O((3)P) atoms. O((3)P) quantum yields were measured to be 0.85 ± 0.15 for 193 nm photolysis at 296 K and 0.20 ± 0.03 at 248 nm, which was also found to be independent of temperature (220-352 K) and pressure (17 and 28 Torr, N(2)). The quoted uncertainties are at the 2σ (95% confidence) level and include estimated systematic errors. ClO radical temporal profiles obtained following the photolysis of Cl(2)O at 248 nm, as reported previously in Feierabend et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 114, 12052, (2010)], were interpreted to establish a <5% upper-limit for the O + Cl(2) photodissociation channel, which indicates that O((3)P) is primarily formed in the three-body, O + 2Cl, photodissociation channel at 248 nm. The analysis also indirectly provided a Cl atom quantum yield of 1.2 ± 0.1 at 248 nm. The results from this work are compared with previous studies where possible. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Laboratory study of nitrate photolysis in Antarctic snow. I. Observed quantum yield, domain of photolysis, and secondary chemistry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meusinger, Carl; Johnson, Matthew S.; Berhanu, Tesfaye A.

2014-06-28

Post-depositional processes alter nitrate concentration and nitrate isotopic composition in the top layers of snow at sites with low snow accumulation rates, such as Dome C, Antarctica. Available nitrate ice core records can provide input for studying past atmospheres and climate if such processes are understood. It has been shown that photolysis of nitrate in the snowpack plays a major role in nitrate loss and that the photolysis products have a significant influence on the local troposphere as well as on other species in the snow. Reported quantum yields for the main reaction spans orders of magnitude – apparently amore » result of whether nitrate is located at the air-ice interface or in the ice matrix – constituting the largest uncertainty in models of snowpack NO{sub x} emissions. Here, a laboratory study is presented that uses snow from Dome C and minimizes effects of desorption and recombination by flushing the snow during irradiation with UV light. A selection of UV filters allowed examination of the effects of the 200 and 305 nm absorption bands of nitrate. Nitrate concentration and photon flux were measured in the snow. The quantum yield for loss of nitrate was observed to decrease from 0.44 to 0.003 within what corresponds to days of UV exposure in Antarctica. The superposition of photolysis in two photochemical domains of nitrate in snow is proposed: one of photolabile nitrate, and one of buried nitrate. The difference lies in the ability of reaction products to escape the snow crystal, versus undergoing secondary (recombination) chemistry. Modeled NO{sub x} emissions may increase significantly above measured values due to the observed quantum yield in this study. The apparent quantum yield in the 200 nm band was found to be ∼1%, much lower than reported for aqueous chemistry. A companion paper presents an analysis of the change in isotopic composition of snowpack nitrate based on the same samples as in this study.« less

Terahertz quantum cascade laser as local oscillator in a heterodyne receiver.

PubMed

Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm; Pavlov, S; Semenov, A; Köhler, R; Mahler, L; Tredicucci, A; Beere, H; Ritchie, D; Linfield, E

2005-07-25

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers have been investigated with respect to their performance as a local oscillator in a heterodyne receiver. The beam profile has been measured and transformed in to a close to Gaussian profile resulting in a good matching between the field patterns of the quantum cascade laser and the antenna of a superconducting hot electron bolometric mixer. Noise temperature measurements with the hot electron bolometer and a 2.5 THz quantum cascade laser yielded the same result as with a gas laser as local oscillator.

"Evaluations" of Observables Versus Measurements in Quantum Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisticò, Giuseppe; Sestito, Angela

2016-03-01

In Quantum Physics there are circumstances where the direct measurement of a given observable encounters difficulties; in some of these cases, however, its value can be "evaluated", i.e. it can be inferred by measuring another observable characterized by perfect correlation with the observable of interest. Though an evaluation is often interpreted as a measurement of the evaluated observable, we prove that the two concepts cannot be identified in Quantum Physics, because the identification yields contradictions. Then, we establish the conceptual status of evaluations in Quantum Theory and how they are related to measurements.

Divide and conquer approach to quantum Hamiltonian simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadfield, Stuart; Papageorgiou, Anargyros

2018-04-01

We show a divide and conquer approach for simulating quantum mechanical systems on quantum computers. We can obtain fast simulation algorithms using Hamiltonian structure. Considering a sum of Hamiltonians we split them into groups, simulate each group separately, and combine the partial results. Simulation is customized to take advantage of the properties of each group, and hence yield refined bounds to the overall simulation cost. We illustrate our results using the electronic structure problem of quantum chemistry, where we obtain significantly improved cost estimates under very mild assumptions.

Quantum confinement effects across two-dimensional planes in MoS{sub 2} quantum dots

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gan, Z. X.; Liu, L. Z.; Wu, H. Y.

2015-06-08

The low quantum yield (∼10{sup −5}) has restricted practical use of photoluminescence (PL) from MoS{sub 2} composed of a few layers, but the quantum confinement effects across two-dimensional planes are believed to be able to boost the PL intensity. In this work, PL from 2 to 9 nm MoS{sub 2} quantum dots (QDs) is excluded from the solvent and the absorption and PL spectra are shown to be consistent with the size distribution. PL from MoS{sub 2} QDs is also found to be sensitive to aggregation due to the size effect.

Coherent quantum dynamics of a superconducting flux qubit.

PubMed

Chiorescu, I; Nakamura, Y; Harmans, C J P M; Mooij, J E

2003-03-21

We have observed coherent time evolution between two quantum states of a superconducting flux qubit comprising three Josephson junctions in a loop. The superposition of the two states carrying opposite macroscopic persistent currents is manipulated by resonant microwave pulses. Readout by means of switching-event measurement with an attached superconducting quantum interference device revealed quantum-state oscillations with high fidelity. Under strong microwave driving, it was possible to induce hundreds of coherent oscillations. Pulsed operations on this first sample yielded a relaxation time of 900 nanoseconds and a free-induction dephasing time of 20 nanoseconds. These results are promising for future solid-state quantum computing.

Investigations of quantum pendulum dynamics in a spin-1 BEC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoang, Thai; Gerving, Corey; Land, Ben; Anquez, Martin; Hamley, Chris; Chapman, Michael

2013-05-01

We investigate the quantum spin dynamics of a spin-1 BEC initialized to an unstable critical point of the dynamical phase space. The subsequent evolution of the collective states of the system is analogous to an inverted simple pendulum in the quantum limit and yields non-classical states with quantum correlations. For short evolution times in the low depletion limit, we observe squeezed states and for longer times beyond the low depletion limit we observe highly non-Gaussian distributions. C.D. Hamley, C.S. Gerving, T.M. Hoang, E.M. Bookjans, and M.S. Chapman, ``Spin-Nematic Squeezed Vacuum in a Quantum Gas,'' Nature Physics 8, 305-308 (2012).

Quantum non-Gaussianity and quantification of nonclassicality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kühn, B.; Vogel, W.

2018-05-01

The algebraic quantification of nonclassicality, which naturally arises from the quantum superposition principle, is related to properties of regular nonclassicality quasiprobabilities. The latter are obtained by non-Gaussian filtering of the Glauber-Sudarshan P function. They yield lower bounds for the degree of nonclassicality. We also derive bounds for convex combinations of Gaussian states for certifying quantum non-Gaussianity directly from the experimentally accessible nonclassicality quasiprobabilities. Other quantum-state representations, such as s -parametrized quasiprobabilities, insufficiently indicate or even fail to directly uncover detailed information on the properties of quantum states. As an example, our approach is applied to multi-photon-added squeezed vacuum states.

Experimental demonstration of a quantum annealing algorithm for the traveling salesman problem in a nuclear-magnetic-resonance quantum simulator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen Hongwei; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031; Kong Xi

The method of quantum annealing (QA) is a promising way for solving many optimization problems in both classical and quantum information theory. The main advantage of this approach, compared with the gate model, is the robustness of the operations against errors originated from both external controls and the environment. In this work, we succeed in demonstrating experimentally an application of the method of QA to a simplified version of the traveling salesman problem by simulating the corresponding Schroedinger evolution with a NMR quantum simulator. The experimental results unambiguously yielded the optimal traveling route, in good agreement with the theoretical prediction.

Complementarity of quantum discord and classically accessible information

DOE PAGES

Zwolak, Michael P.; Zurek, Wojciech H.

2013-05-20

The sum of the Holevo quantity (that bounds the capacity of quantum channels to transmit classical information about an observable) and the quantum discord (a measure of the quantumness of correlations of that observable) yields an observable-independent total given by the quantum mutual information. This split naturally delineates information about quantum systems accessible to observers – information that is redundantly transmitted by the environment – while showing that it is maximized for the quasi-classical pointer observable. Other observables are accessible only via correlations with the pointer observable. In addition, we prove an anti-symmetry property relating accessible information and discord. Itmore » shows that information becomes objective – accessible to many observers – only as quantum information is relegated to correlations with the global environment, and, therefore, locally inaccessible. Lastly, the resulting complementarity explains why, in a quantum Universe, we perceive objective classical reality while flagrantly quantum superpositions are out of reach.« less

Black hole evaporation, quantum hair and supertranslations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gómez, César; Zell, Sebastian

2018-04-01

In a black hole, hair and quantum information retrieval are interrelated phenomena. The existence of any new form of hair necessarily implies the existence of features in the quantum-mechanically evaporated radiation. Therefore, classical supertranslation hair can be only distinguished from global diffeomorphisms if we have access to the interior of the black hole. Indirect information on the interior can only be obtained from the features of the quantum evaporation. We demonstrate that supertranslations (T^-,T^+) \\in BMS-⊗ BMS+ can be used as bookkeepers of the probability distributions of the emitted quanta where the first element describes the classical injection of energy and the second one is associated to quantum-mechanical emission. However, the connection between T^- and T^+ is determined by the interior quantum dynamics of the black hole. We argue that restricting to the diagonal subgroup is only possible for decoupled modes, which do not bring any non-trivial information about the black hole interior and therefore do not constitute physical hair. It is shown that this is also true for gravitational systems without horizon, for which both injection and emission can be described classically. Moreover, we discuss and clarify the role of infrared physics in purification.

Enhanced quantum spin fluctuations in a binary Bose-Einstein condensate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisset, R. N.; Kevrekidis, P. G.; Ticknor, C.

2018-02-01

For quantum fluids, the role of quantum fluctuations may be significant in several regimes such as when the dimensionality is low, the density is high, the interactions are strong, or for low particle numbers. In this paper, we propose a fundamentally different regime for enhanced quantum fluctuations without being restricted by any of the above conditions. Instead, our scheme relies on the engineering of an effective attractive interaction in a dilute, two-component Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) consisting of thousands of atoms. In such a regime, the quantum spin fluctuations are significantly enhanced (atom bunching with respect to the noninteracting limit) since they act to reduce the interaction energy, a remarkable property given that spin fluctuations are normally suppressed (antibunching) at zero temperature. In contrast to the case of true attractive interactions, our approach is not vulnerable to BEC collapse. We numerically demonstrate that these quantum fluctuations are experimentally accessible by either spin or single-component Bragg spectroscopy, offering a useful platform on which to test beyond-mean-field theories. We also develop a variational model and use it to analytically predict the shift of the immiscibility critical point, finding good agreement with our numerics.

Decoherence and dissipation for a quantum system coupled to a local environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gallis, Michael R.

1994-01-01

Decoherence and dissipation in quantum systems has been studied extensively in the context of Quantum Brownian Motion. Effective decoherence in coarse grained quantum systems has been a central issue in recent efforts by Zurek and by Hartle and Gell-Mann to address the Quantum Measurement Problem. Although these models can yield very general classical phenomenology, they are incapable of reproducing relevant characteristics expected of a local environment on a quantum system, such as the characteristic dependence of decoherence on environment spatial correlations. I discuss the characteristics of Quantum Brownian Motion in a local environment by examining aspects of first principle calculations and by the construction of phenomenological models. Effective quantum Langevin equations and master equations are presented in a variety of representations. Comparisons are made with standard results such as the Caldeira-Leggett master equation.

Deterministic generation of multiparticle entanglement by quantum Zeno dynamics.

PubMed

Barontini, Giovanni; Hohmann, Leander; Haas, Florian; Estève, Jérôme; Reichel, Jakob

2015-09-18

Multiparticle entangled quantum states, a key resource in quantum-enhanced metrology and computing, are usually generated by coherent operations exclusively. However, unusual forms of quantum dynamics can be obtained when environment coupling is used as part of the state generation. In this work, we used quantum Zeno dynamics (QZD), based on nondestructive measurement with an optical microcavity, to deterministically generate different multiparticle entangled states in an ensemble of 36 qubit atoms in less than 5 microseconds. We characterized the resulting states by performing quantum tomography, yielding a time-resolved account of the entanglement generation. In addition, we studied the dependence of quantum states on measurement strength and quantified the depth of entanglement. Our results show that QZD is a versatile tool for fast and deterministic entanglement generation in quantum engineering applications. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Quantum information processing in the radical-pair mechanism: Haberkorn's theory violates the Ozawa entropy bound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mouloudakis, K.; Kominis, I. K.

2017-02-01

Radical-ion-pair reactions, central for understanding the avian magnetic compass and spin transport in photosynthetic reaction centers, were recently shown to be a fruitful paradigm of the new synthesis of quantum information science with biological processes. We show here that the master equation so far constituting the theoretical foundation of spin chemistry violates fundamental bounds for the entropy of quantum systems, in particular the Ozawa bound. In contrast, a recently developed theory based on quantum measurements, quantum coherence measures, and quantum retrodiction, thus exemplifying the paradigm of quantum biology, satisfies the Ozawa bound as well as the Lanford-Robinson bound on information extraction. By considering Groenewold's information, the quantum information extracted during the reaction, we reproduce the known and unravel other magnetic-field effects not conveyed by reaction yields.

Optical and Photophysical Investigation of (2E)-1-(2,5-Dimethylfuran-3-Yl)-3-(9-Ethyl-9H-Carbazol-3-Yl)Prop-2-en-1-One (DEPO) by Spectrofluorometer in Organized Medium.

PubMed

Asiri, Abdullah M; Al-Dies, Al-Anood M; Khan, Salman A

2017-07-01

(2E)-1-(2,5-dimethylfuran-3-yl)-3-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (DEPO) was prepared by the reaction of 9-ethyl-9H-carbazole-3-carbaldehyde with 1-(2,5-dimethylfuran-3-yl)ethanone under microwave irradiation. The structure of DEPO was established experimentally by EI-MS, FT-IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectral studies. Electronic absorption and emission spectra of DEPO were studied in different solvents on the basis of polarities, and the obtain data were used to determine the solvatochromic properties such as extinction coefficient, oscillator strength, transition dipole moment, stokes shift, fluorescence quantum yield and photochemical quantum yield. Photochemical quantum yield (Φ c ) of DEPO dye was determined in different solvent. The dye comparatively photostable in DMSO but undergoes photodecomposition in chloro methane solvents. The DEPO dye may be use as probe or quencher to determine critical micelle concentration (CMC) of cetyltri methyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).

Characterization of cap-shaped silver particles for surface-enhanced fluorescence effects.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Tetsuji; Kaya, Takatoshi; Takei, Hiroyuki

2007-05-15

Surface-enhanced fluorescence has potentially many desirable properties as an analytical method for medical diagnostics, but the effect observed so far is rather modest and only in conjunction with fluorophores with low quantum yields. Coupled with the fact that preparation of suitable surfaces at low costs has been difficult, this has limited its utilities. Here we report a novel method for forming uniform and reproducible surfaces with respectable enhancement ratios even for high-quantum-yield fluorophores. Formation of dense surface-adsorbed latex spheres on a flat surface via partial aggregation, followed by evaporation of silver, results in a film consisting of cap-shaped silver particles at high densities. Binding of fluorescence biomolecules, either through physisorption or antigen-antibody reaction, was performed, and enhancements close to 50 have been observed with fluorophores such as R-phycoerythrin and Alexa 546-labeled, bovine serum albumin, both of which have quantum yields around 0.8. We attribute this to the unique shape of the silver particle and the presence of abundant gaps among adjacent particles at high densities. The effectiveness of the new surface is also demonstrated with IL-6 sandwich assays.

Spectroscopic investigation of alloyed quantum dot-based FRET to cresyl violet dye.

PubMed

Kotresh, M G; Adarsh, K S; Shivkumar, M A; Mulimani, B G; Savadatti, M I; Inamdar, S R

2016-05-01

Quantum dots (QDs), bright luminescent semiconductor nanoparticles, have found numerous applications ranging from optoelectronics to bioimaging. Here, we present a systematic investigation of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from hydrophilic ternary alloyed quantum dots (CdSeS/ZnS) to cresyl violet dye with a view to explore the effect of composition of QD donors on FRET efficiency. Fluorescence emission of QD is controlled by varying the composition of QD without altering the particle size. The results show that quantum yield of the QDs increases with increase in the emission wavelength. The FRET parameters such as spectral overlap J(λ), Förster distance R0, intermolecular distance (r), rate of energy transfer k(T)(r), and transfer efficiency (E) are determined by employing both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Additionally, dynamic quenching is noticed to occur in the present FRET system. Stern-Volmer (K(D)) and bimolecular quenching constants (k(q)) are determined from the Stern-Volmer plot. It is observed that the transfer efficiency follows a linear dependence on the spectral overlap and the quantum yield of the donor as predicted by the Förster theory upon changing the composition of the QD. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

High Quantum Yield Blue Emission from Lead-Free Inorganic Antimony Halide Perovskite Colloidal Quantum Dots.

PubMed

Zhang, Jian; Yang, Ying; Deng, Hui; Farooq, Umar; Yang, Xiaokun; Khan, Jahangeer; Tang, Jiang; Song, Haisheng

2017-09-26

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) of lead halide perovskite have recently received great attention owing to their remarkable performances in optoelectronic applications. However, their wide applications are hindered from toxic lead element, which is not environment- and consumer-friendly. Herein, we utilized heterovalent substitution of divalent lead (Pb 2+ ) with trivalent antimony (Sb 3+ ) to synthesize stable and brightly luminescent Cs 3 Sb 2 Br 9 QDs. The lead-free, full-inorganic QDs were fabricated by a modified ligand-assisted reprecipitation strategy. A photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) was determined to be 46% at 410 nm, which was superior to that of other reported halide perovskite QDs. The PL enhancement mechanism was unraveled by surface composition derived quantum-well band structure and their large exciton binding energy. The Br-rich surface and the observed 530 meV exciton binding energy were proposed to guarantee the efficient radiative recombination. In addition, we can also tune the inorganic perovskite QD (Cs 3 Sb 2 X 9 ) emission wavelength from 370 to 560 nm via anion exchange reactions. The developed full-inorganic lead-free Sb-perovskite QDs with high PLQY and stable emission promise great potential for efficient emission candidates.

Perovskite Quantum Dots with Near Unity Solution and Neat-Film Photoluminescent Quantum Yield by Novel Spray Synthesis.

PubMed

Dai, Shu-Wen; Hsu, Bo-Wei; Chen, Chien-Yu; Lee, Chia-An; Liu, Hsiao-Yun; Wang, Hsiao-Fang; Huang, Yu-Ching; Wu, Tien-Lin; Manikandan, Arumugam; Ho, Rong-Ming; Tsao, Cheng-Si; Cheng, Chien-Hong; Chueh, Yu-Lun; Lin, Hao-Wu

2018-02-01

In this study, a novel perovskite quantum dot (QD) spray-synthesis method is developed by combining traditional perovskite QD synthesis with the technique of spray pyrolysis. By utilizing this new technique, the synthesis of cubic-shaped perovskite QDs with a homogeneous size of 14 nm is demonstrated, which shows an unprecedented stable absolute photoluminescence quantum yield ≈100% in the solution and even in the solid-state neat film. The highly emissive thin films are integrated with light emission devices (LEDs) and organic light emission displays (OLEDs). The color conversion type QD-LED (ccQD-LED) hybrid devices exhibit an extremely saturated green emission, excellent external quantum efficiency of 28.1%, power efficiency of 121 lm W -1 , and extraordinary forward-direction luminescence of 8 500 000 cd m -2 . The conceptual ccQD-OLED hybrid display also successfully demonstrates high-definition still images and moving pictures with a 119% National Television System Committee 1931 color gamut and 123% Digital Cinema Initiatives-P3 color gamut. These very-stable, ultra-bright perovskite QDs have the properties necessary for a variety of useful applications in optoelectronics. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Creating Very True Quantum Algorithms for Quantum Energy Based Computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagata, Koji; Nakamura, Tadao; Geurdes, Han; Batle, Josep; Abdalla, Soliman; Farouk, Ahmed; Diep, Do Ngoc

2018-04-01

An interpretation of quantum mechanics is discussed. It is assumed that quantum is energy. An algorithm by means of the energy interpretation is discussed. An algorithm, based on the energy interpretation, for fast determining a homogeneous linear function f( x) := s. x = s 1 x 1 + s 2 x 2 + ⋯ + s N x N is proposed. Here x = ( x 1, … , x N ), x j ∈ R and the coefficients s = ( s 1, … , s N ), s j ∈ N. Given the interpolation values (f(1), f(2),...,f(N))=ěc {y}, the unknown coefficients s = (s1(ěc {y}),\\dots , sN(ěc {y})) of the linear function shall be determined, simultaneously. The speed of determining the values is shown to outperform the classical case by a factor of N. Our method is based on the generalized Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm to qudit systems. Next, by using M parallel quantum systems, M homogeneous linear functions are determined, simultaneously. The speed of obtaining the set of M homogeneous linear functions is shown to outperform the classical case by a factor of N × M.

Creating Very True Quantum Algorithms for Quantum Energy Based Computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagata, Koji; Nakamura, Tadao; Geurdes, Han; Batle, Josep; Abdalla, Soliman; Farouk, Ahmed; Diep, Do Ngoc

2017-12-01

An interpretation of quantum mechanics is discussed. It is assumed that quantum is energy. An algorithm by means of the energy interpretation is discussed. An algorithm, based on the energy interpretation, for fast determining a homogeneous linear function f(x) := s.x = s 1 x 1 + s 2 x 2 + ⋯ + s N x N is proposed. Here x = (x 1, … , x N ), x j ∈ R and the coefficients s = (s 1, … , s N ), s j ∈ N. Given the interpolation values (f(1), f(2),...,f(N))=ěc {y}, the unknown coefficients s = (s1(ěc {y}),\\dots , sN(ěc {y})) of the linear function shall be determined, simultaneously. The speed of determining the values is shown to outperform the classical case by a factor of N. Our method is based on the generalized Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm to qudit systems. Next, by using M parallel quantum systems, M homogeneous linear functions are determined, simultaneously. The speed of obtaining the set of M homogeneous linear functions is shown to outperform the classical case by a factor of N × M.

Non-Markovian stochastic Schrödinger equations: Generalization to real-valued noise using quantum-measurement theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gambetta, Jay; Wiseman, H. M.

2002-07-01

Do stochastic Schrödinger equations, also known as unravelings, have a physical interpretation? In the Markovian limit, where the system on average obeys a master equation, the answer is yes. Markovian stochastic Schrödinger equations generate quantum trajectories for the system state conditioned on continuously monitoring the bath. For a given master equation, there are many different unravelings, corresponding to different sorts of measurement on the bath. In this paper we address the non-Markovian case, and in particular the sort of stochastic Schrödinger equation introduced by Strunz, Diósi, and Gisin [Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 1801 (1999)]. Using a quantum-measurement theory approach, we rederive their unraveling that involves complex-valued Gaussian noise. We also derive an unraveling involving real-valued Gaussian noise. We show that in the Markovian limit, these two unravelings correspond to heterodyne and homodyne detection, respectively. Although we use quantum-measurement theory to define these unravelings, we conclude that the stochastic evolution of the system state is not a true quantum trajectory, as the identity of the state through time is a fiction.

Quantum Locality, Rings a Bell?: Bell's Inequality Meets Local Reality and True Determinism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Kuntz, Natalia; Nahmad-Achar, Eduardo

2018-01-01

By assuming a deterministic evolution of quantum systems and taking realism into account, we carefully build a hidden variable theory for Quantum Mechanics (QM) based on the notion of ontological states proposed by 't Hooft (The cellular automaton interpretation of quantum mechanics, arXiv:1405.1548v3, 2015; Springer Open 185, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41285-6, 2016). We view these ontological states as the ones embedded with realism and compare them to the (usual) quantum states that represent superpositions, viewing the latter as mere information of the system they describe. Such a deterministic model puts forward conditions for the applicability of Bell's inequality: the usual inequality cannot be applied to the usual experiments. We build a Bell-like inequality that can be applied to the EPR scenario and show that this inequality is always satisfied by QM. In this way we show that QM can indeed have a local interpretation, and thus meet with the causal structure imposed by the Theory of Special Relativity in a satisfying way.

Green, Rapid, and Universal Preparation Approach of Graphene Quantum Dots under Ultraviolet Irradiation.

PubMed

Zhu, Jinli; Tang, Yanfeng; Wang, Gang; Mao, Jiarong; Liu, Zhiduo; Sun, Tongming; Wang, Miao; Chen, Da; Yang, Yucheng; Li, Jipeng; Deng, Yuan; Yang, Siwei

2017-04-26

It is of great significance and importance to explore a mild, clean, and highly efficient universal approach for the synthesis of graphene quantum dots. Herein, we introduced a new green, rapid, and universal preparation approach for graphene quantum dots via the free-radical polymerization of oxygen-containing aromatic compounds under ultraviolet irradiation. This approach had a high yield (86%), and the byproducts are only H 2 O and CO 2 . The obtained graphene quantum dots were well-crystallized and showed remarkable optical and biological properties. The colorful, different-sized graphene quantum dots can be used in fluorescent bioimaging in vitro and in vivo. This approach is suitable not only for the preparation of graphene quantum dots but also for heteroatom-doped graphene quantum dots.

Photophysics and catalysis of porphyrinoids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, Amit

Organic nanoparticles (ONP) of metalloporphyrins can be versatile catalysts for the selective oxidation of alkenes and other hydrocarbons. Herein, we report the catalytic activity of ONP of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-[4-(1'H,1'H,2'H,2'H-heptadecafluorodecane-1-thiol)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl] porphyrinato iron(III), Fe(III)TPPF84, and 5,10,15,20-tetakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl) porphyrinato manganese(III), Mn(III)TPPF20, for cyclohexene oxidation using molecular oxygen as an oxidant in water under ambient conditions. Sequential dipping of indium-tin-oxide electrodes into solutions of tetra cationic porphyrins and tetra anionic polyoxometalates results in the controlled formation of nm thick films. The potential applications of these robust films on electrodes range from catalysts to sensors. This chapter focuses on the electrochemistry of the multilayered films where it is found that the oxidation and reduction potentials of each species remain largely the same as found in solution. Photophysical properties of Porphyrinoids bearing four rigid hydrogen bonding motifs on the meso positions, self-assembled into a cofacial cage with four complementary bis(decyl)melamine units in dry solvents are presented here. Self-assembly was investigated by NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and atomic force microscopy. The phototphysical properties of the cage formation involve the measurement of their absorption and emission spectra and the fluorescence life time in dry THF. The hydrocarbon chains on the bis(decyl)melamine mediate the formation of nanofilms on surfaces as the solvent slowly evaporates. A systematic study of the photophysical properties of a series of porphyrinoids is presented. The role of the location of a heavy atom in shunting the excited state from the singlet to the triplet manifolds is compared for three cases. It is well known that Pt(II) metalloporphyrins do not fluoresce. For meso pyridyl porphyrins, the fluorescence quantum yield decreases as the number of coordinatively attached Pt(II) complexes increase from 0-4, but the tetracoordinated species retains about 30% of the fluorescence. Covalently attaching a heavy metal complex e.g. Pt(II) complex to the macrocycle by an organometalic bond at the peripheral meso position causes greater than a 20-fold decrease in fluorescence quantum yield and may enhance some internal conversion to the ground state. For comparison, the fluorescence quantum yield decreases somewhat as the number of pyridyl groups on the meso positions increase 0-4. We also evaluate the photophysical properties of a series of porphyrins with nitro groups on the beta pyrrole position and on the meso phenyl group, which also quenches the fluorescence. These studies bear on the use of metal ions to enhance the photophysical properties of these dyes as photodynamic therapeutics and for supramolecular systems, while the nitrated macrocycles have potential application in non linear optics. The photophysical properties of non-hydrolysable tetra- thioglycosylated conjugates of chlorin (CGlc4), isobacteriochlorin (IGlc4) and bacteriochlorin (BGlc4) and core F20 platforms are reported here. These studies involve the measurement of absorption and emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yield, singlet oxygen quantum yield, and singlet state life time in three different solvents: phosphate buffer saline (PBS), ethanol, and ethylacetate. Compared to the porphyrin in PBS, CGlc4 has a markedly greater absorbance of red light near 650 nm and a 6-fold increase in fluorescence quantum yield; whereas IGlc4 has broad Q bands and a 12-fold increase in fluorescence quantum yield. Since IGlc4 CGlc4 very slowly bleach, these properties may enable their use as fluorescent tags to track biological processes. BGlc4 has a similar fluorescence quantum yield to PGlc4, (<10%), but the lowest energy absorption/emission peaks of BGlc4 are considerably red shifted to near 730 nm with a nearly 50-fold greater absorbance, which may allow this conjugate to be an effective PDT agent. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Quantum-capacity-approaching codes for the detected-jump channel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grassl, Markus; Wei Zhaohui; Ji Zhengfeng

2010-12-15

The quantum-channel capacity gives the ultimate limit for the rate at which quantum data can be reliably transmitted through a noisy quantum channel. Degradable quantum channels are among the few channels whose quantum capacities are known. Given the quantum capacity of a degradable channel, it remains challenging to find a practical coding scheme which approaches capacity. Here we discuss code designs for the detected-jump channel, a degradable channel with practical relevance describing the physics of spontaneous decay of atoms with detected photon emission. We show that this channel can be used to simulate a binary classical channel with both erasuresmore » and bit flips. The capacity of the simulated classical channel gives a lower bound on the quantum capacity of the detected-jump channel. When the jump probability is small, it almost equals the quantum capacity. Hence using a classical capacity-approaching code for the simulated classical channel yields a quantum code which approaches the quantum capacity of the detected-jump channel.« less

Design and Synthesis of Antiblinking and Antibleaching Quantum Dots in Multiple Colors via Wave Function Confinement.

PubMed

Cao, Hujia; Ma, Junliang; Huang, Lin; Qin, Haiyan; Meng, Renyang; Li, Yang; Peng, Xiaogang

2016-12-07

Single-molecular spectroscopy reveals that photoluminescence (PL) of a single quantum dot blinks, randomly switching between bright and dim/dark states under constant photoexcitation, and quantum dots photobleach readily. These facts cast great doubts on potential applications of these promising emitters. After ∼20 years of efforts, synthesis of nonblinking quantum dots is still challenging, with nonblinking quantum dots only available in red-emitting window. Here we report synthesis of nonblinking quantum dots covering most part of the visible window using a new synthetic strategy, i.e., confining the excited-state wave functions of the core/shell quantum dots within the core quantum dot and its inner shells (≤ ∼5 monolayers). For the red-emitting ones, the new synthetic strategy yields nonblinking quantum dots with small sizes (∼8 nm in diameter) and improved nonblinking properties. These new nonblinking quantum dots are found to be antibleaching. Results further imply that the PL blinking and photobleaching of quantum dots are likely related to each other.

Hawking radiation inside a Schwarzschild black hole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamilton, Andrew J. S.

2018-05-01

The boundary of any observer's spacetime is the boundary that divides what the observer can see from what they cannot see. The boundary of an observer's spacetime in the presence of a black hole is not the true (future event) horizon of the black hole, but rather the illusory horizon, the dimming, redshifting surface of the star that collapsed to the black hole long ago. The illusory horizon is the source of Hawking radiation seen by observers both outside and inside the true horizon. The perceived acceleration (gravity) on the illusory horizon sets the characteristic frequency scale of Hawking radiation, even if that acceleration varies dynamically, as it must do from the perspective of an infalling observer. The acceleration seen by a non-rotating free-faller both on the illusory horizon below and in the sky above is calculated for a Schwarzschild black hole. Remarkably, as an infaller approaches the singularity, the acceleration becomes isotropic, and diverging as a power law. The isotropic, power-law character of the Hawking radiation, coupled with conservation of energy-momentum, the trace anomaly, and the familiar behavior of Hawking radiation far from the black hole, leads to a complete description of the quantum energy-momentum inside a Schwarzschild black hole. The quantum energy-momentum near the singularity diverges as r^{-6}, and consists of relativistic Hawking radiation and negative energy vacuum in the ratio 3 : - 2. The classical back reaction of the quantum energy-momentum on the geometry, calculated using the Einstein equations, serves merely to exacerbate the singularity. All the results are consistent with traditional calculations of the quantum energy-momentum in 1 + 1 spacetime dimensions.

Efficient quantum computing using coherent photon conversion.

PubMed

Langford, N K; Ramelow, S; Prevedel, R; Munro, W J; Milburn, G J; Zeilinger, A

2011-10-12

Single photons are excellent quantum information carriers: they were used in the earliest demonstrations of entanglement and in the production of the highest-quality entanglement reported so far. However, current schemes for preparing, processing and measuring them are inefficient. For example, down-conversion provides heralded, but randomly timed, single photons, and linear optics gates are inherently probabilistic. Here we introduce a deterministic process--coherent photon conversion (CPC)--that provides a new way to generate and process complex, multiquanta states for photonic quantum information applications. The technique uses classically pumped nonlinearities to induce coherent oscillations between orthogonal states of multiple quantum excitations. One example of CPC, based on a pumped four-wave-mixing interaction, is shown to yield a single, versatile process that provides a full set of photonic quantum processing tools. This set satisfies the DiVincenzo criteria for a scalable quantum computing architecture, including deterministic multiqubit entanglement gates (based on a novel form of photon-photon interaction), high-quality heralded single- and multiphoton states free from higher-order imperfections, and robust, high-efficiency detection. It can also be used to produce heralded multiphoton entanglement, create optically switchable quantum circuits and implement an improved form of down-conversion with reduced higher-order effects. Such tools are valuable building blocks for many quantum-enabled technologies. Finally, using photonic crystal fibres we experimentally demonstrate quantum correlations arising from a four-colour nonlinear process suitable for CPC and use these measurements to study the feasibility of reaching the deterministic regime with current technology. Our scheme, which is based on interacting bosonic fields, is not restricted to optical systems but could also be implemented in optomechanical, electromechanical and superconducting systems with extremely strong intrinsic nonlinearities. Furthermore, exploiting higher-order nonlinearities with multiple pump fields yields a mechanism for multiparty mediation of the complex, coherent dynamics.

Asymptotics of quantum weighted Hurwitz numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harnad, J.; Ortmann, Janosch

2018-06-01

This work concerns both the semiclassical and zero temperature asymptotics of quantum weighted double Hurwitz numbers. The partition function for quantum weighted double Hurwitz numbers can be interpreted in terms of the energy distribution of a quantum Bose gas with vanishing fugacity. We compute the leading semiclassical term of the partition function for three versions of the quantum weighted Hurwitz numbers, as well as lower order semiclassical corrections. The classical limit is shown to reproduce the simple single and double Hurwitz numbers studied by Okounkov and Pandharipande (2000 Math. Res. Lett. 7 447–53, 2000 Lett. Math. Phys. 53 59–74). The KP-Toda τ-function that serves as generating function for the quantum Hurwitz numbers is shown to have the τ-function of Okounkov and Pandharipande (2000 Math. Res. Lett. 7 447–53, 2000 Lett. Math. Phys. 53 59–74) as its leading term in the classical limit, and, with suitable scaling, the same holds for the partition function, the weights and expectations of Hurwitz numbers. We also compute the zero temperature limit of the partition function and quantum weighted Hurwitz numbers. The KP or Toda τ-function serving as generating function for the quantum Hurwitz numbers are shown to give the one for Belyi curves in the zero temperature limit and, with suitable scaling, the same holds true for the partition function, the weights and the expectations of Hurwitz numbers.

A molecular-field approximation for quantum crystals. Ph.D. Thesis; [considering ground state properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danilowicz, R.

1973-01-01

Ground-state properties of quantum crystals have received considerable attention from both theorists and experimentalists. The theoretical results have varied widely with the Monte Carlo calculations being the most successful. The molecular field approximation yields ground-state properties which agree closely with the Monte Carlo results. This approach evaluates the dynamical behavior of each pair of molecules in the molecular field of the other N-2 molecules. In addition to predicting ground-state properties that agree well with experiment, this approach yields data on the relative importance of interactions of different nearest neighbor pairs.

Optical study of HgCdTe infrared photodetectors using internal photoemission spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lao, Yan-Feng; Unil Perera, A. G., E-mail: uperera@gsu.edu; Wijewarnasuriya, Priyalal S.

2014-03-31

We report a study of internal photoemission spectroscopy (IPE) applied to a n-type Hg{sub 1−x}Cd{sub x}Te/Hg{sub 1−y}Cd{sub y}Te heterojunction. An exponential line-shape of the absorption tail in HgCdTe is identified by IPE fittings of the near-threshold quantum yield spectra. The reduction of quantum yield (at higher photon energy) below the fitting value is explained as a result of carrier-phonon scatterings. In addition, the obtained bias independence of the IPE threshold indicates a negligible electron barrier at the heterojunction interface.

pHP-Tethered N-Acyl Carbamate: A Photocage for Nicotinamide.

PubMed

Salahi, Farbod; Purohit, Vatsal; Ferraudi, Guillermo; Stauffacher, Cynthia; Wiest, Olaf; Helquist, Paul

2018-05-04

The synthesis of a new photocaged nicotinamide having an N-acyl carbamate linker and a p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) chromophore is described. The photophysical and photochemical studies showed an absorption maximum at λ = 330 nm and a quantum yield for release of 11% that are dependent upon both pH and solvent. While the acyl carbamate releases nicotinamide efficiently, a simpler amide linker was inert to photocleavage. This photocaged nicotinamide has significant advantages with respect to quantum yield, absorbance wavelength, rate of release, and solubility that make it the first practical example of a photocaged amide.

Determination of absolute chemiluminescence quantum yields for reactions of bis-(pentachlorophenyl) oxalate, hydrogen peroxide and fluorescent compounds.

PubMed

Catherall, C L; Palmer, T F; Cundall, R B

1989-01-01

Absolute chemiluminescence quantum yields (phi CL) for reactions of bis-(pentachlorophenyl) oxalate (PCPO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 9:10 diphenyl anthracene (DPA) have been determined. A fully corrected chemiluminescence monitoring spectrometer was calibrated for spectral sensitivity using the chemiluminescence of the bis-(pentachlorophenyl) oxalate system as a liquid light source, the total photon output of which had previously been determined by chemical actinometry. At high (PCPO)/(H2O2) ratios phi CL was found to be independent of PCPO and H2O2 concentrations.

Dilepton production from hot hadronic matter in nonequilibrium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schenke, B.; Greiner, C.

2006-03-15

The influence of time-dependent medium modifications of low-mass vector mesons on dilepton production is investigated within a nonequilibrium quantum field-theoretical description on the basis of the Kadanoff-Baym equations. Time scales for the adaption of the spectral properties to changing self-energies are given, and, under use of a model for the fireball evolution, nonequilibrium dilepton yields from the decay of {rho} and {omega} mesons are calculated. In a comparison of these yields, those from calculations that assume instantaneous (Markovian) adaption to the changing-medium quantum-mechanical memory effects turn out to be important.

Three-Dimensional Wiring for Extensible Quantum Computing: The Quantum Socket

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Béjanin, J. H.; McConkey, T. G.; Rinehart, J. R.; Earnest, C. T.; McRae, C. R. H.; Shiri, D.; Bateman, J. D.; Rohanizadegan, Y.; Penava, B.; Breul, P.; Royak, S.; Zapatka, M.; Fowler, A. G.; Mariantoni, M.

2016-10-01

Quantum computing architectures are on the verge of scalability, a key requirement for the implementation of a universal quantum computer. The next stage in this quest is the realization of quantum error-correction codes, which will mitigate the impact of faulty quantum information on a quantum computer. Architectures with ten or more quantum bits (qubits) have been realized using trapped ions and superconducting circuits. While these implementations are potentially scalable, true scalability will require systems engineering to combine quantum and classical hardware. One technology demanding imminent efforts is the realization of a suitable wiring method for the control and the measurement of a large number of qubits. In this work, we introduce an interconnect solution for solid-state qubits: the quantum socket. The quantum socket fully exploits the third dimension to connect classical electronics to qubits with higher density and better performance than two-dimensional methods based on wire bonding. The quantum socket is based on spring-mounted microwires—the three-dimensional wires—that push directly on a microfabricated chip, making electrical contact. A small wire cross section (approximately 1 mm), nearly nonmagnetic components, and functionality at low temperatures make the quantum socket ideal for operating solid-state qubits. The wires have a coaxial geometry and operate over a frequency range from dc to 8 GHz, with a contact resistance of approximately 150 m Ω , an impedance mismatch of approximately 10 Ω , and minimal cross talk. As a proof of principle, we fabricate and use a quantum socket to measure high-quality superconducting resonators at a temperature of approximately 10 mK. Quantum error-correction codes such as the surface code will largely benefit from the quantum socket, which will make it possible to address qubits located on a two-dimensional lattice. The present implementation of the socket could be readily extended to accommodate a quantum processor with a (10 ×10 )-qubit lattice, which would allow for the realization of a simple quantum memory.

Do genotypic differences in thermotolerance plasticity correspond with water-induced differences in yield and photosynthetic stability for field-grown upland cotton?

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To determine if cultivar differences in thermotolerance plasticity of photosystem II promote yield or photosynthetic stability when variability in both parameters is water-induced, the temperature response of maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was evaluated for two cotton cultivars (FM ...

Revisiting the quantum Szilard engine with fully quantum considerations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Hai; School of Information and Electronics Engineering, Shandong Institute of Business and Technology, Yantai 264000; Zou, Jian, E-mail: zoujian@bit.edu.cn

2012-12-15

By considering level shifting during the insertion process we revisit the quantum Szilard engine (QSZE) with fully quantum consideration. We derive the general expressions of the heat absorbed from thermal bath and the total work done to the environment by the system in a cycle with two different cyclic strategies. We find that only the quantum information contributes to the absorbed heat, and the classical information acts like a feedback controller and has no direct effect on the absorbed heat. This is the first demonstration of the different effects of quantum information and classical information for extracting heat from themore » bath in the QSZE. Moreover, when the well width L{yields}{infinity} or the temperature of the bath T{yields}{infinity} the QSZE reduces to the classical Szilard engine (CSZE), and the total work satisfies the relation W{sub tot}=k{sub B}Tln2 as obtained by Sang Wook Kim et al. [S.W. Kim, T. Sagawa, S. De Liberato, M. Ueda, Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 (2011) 070401] for one particle case. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer For the first time analyze the QSZE by considering energy level shifts. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Find different roles played by classical and quantum information in the QSZE. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The amount of work extracted depends on the cyclic strategies of the QSZE. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Verify that the QSZE will reduce to the CSZE in the classical limits.« less

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN STRATEGY FOR THE WEIBULL DOSE RESPONSE MODEL (JOURNAL VERSION)

EPA Science Inventory

The objective of the research was to determine optimum design point allocation for estimation of relative yield losses from ozone pollution when the true and fitted yield-ozone dose response relationship follows the Weibull. The optimum design is dependent on the values of the We...

Effects of video-game play on information processing: a meta-analytic investigation.

PubMed

Powers, Kasey L; Brooks, Patricia J; Aldrich, Naomi J; Palladino, Melissa A; Alfieri, Louis

2013-12-01

Do video games enhance cognitive functioning? We conducted two meta-analyses based on different research designs to investigate how video games impact information-processing skills (auditory processing, executive functions, motor skills, spatial imagery, and visual processing). Quasi-experimental studies (72 studies, 318 comparisons) compare habitual gamers with controls; true experiments (46 studies, 251 comparisons) use commercial video games in training. Using random-effects models, video games led to improved information processing in both the quasi-experimental studies, d = 0.61, 95% CI [0.50, 0.73], and the true experiments, d = 0.48, 95% CI [0.35, 0.60]. Whereas the quasi-experimental studies yielded small to large effect sizes across domains, the true experiments yielded negligible effects for executive functions, which contrasted with the small to medium effect sizes in other domains. The quasi-experimental studies appeared more susceptible to bias than were the true experiments, with larger effects being reported in higher-tier than in lower-tier journals, and larger effects reported by the most active research groups in comparison with other labs. The results are further discussed with respect to other moderators and limitations in the extant literature.

Positive Wigner functions render classical simulation of quantum computation efficient.

PubMed

Mari, A; Eisert, J

2012-12-07

We show that quantum circuits where the initial state and all the following quantum operations can be represented by positive Wigner functions can be classically efficiently simulated. This is true both for continuous-variable as well as discrete variable systems in odd prime dimensions, two cases which will be treated on entirely the same footing. Noting the fact that Clifford and Gaussian operations preserve the positivity of the Wigner function, our result generalizes the Gottesman-Knill theorem. Our algorithm provides a way of sampling from the output distribution of a computation or a simulation, including the efficient sampling from an approximate output distribution in the case of sampling imperfections for initial states, gates, or measurements. In this sense, this work highlights the role of the positive Wigner function as separating classically efficiently simulable systems from those that are potentially universal for quantum computing and simulation, and it emphasizes the role of negativity of the Wigner function as a computational resource.

Quantum key distribution over 120 km using ultrahigh purity single-photon source and superconducting single-photon detectors.

PubMed

Takemoto, Kazuya; Nambu, Yoshihiro; Miyazawa, Toshiyuki; Sakuma, Yoshiki; Yamamoto, Tsuyoshi; Yorozu, Shinichi; Arakawa, Yasuhiko

2015-09-25

Advances in single-photon sources (SPSs) and single-photon detectors (SPDs) promise unique applications in the field of quantum information technology. In this paper, we report long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) by using state-of-the-art devices: a quantum-dot SPS (QD SPS) emitting a photon in the telecom band of 1.5 μm and a superconducting nanowire SPD (SNSPD). At the distance of 100 km, we obtained the maximal secure key rate of 27.6 bps without using decoy states, which is at least threefold larger than the rate obtained in the previously reported 50-km-long QKD experiment. We also succeeded in transmitting secure keys at the rate of 0.307 bps over 120 km. This is the longest QKD distance yet reported by using known true SPSs. The ultralow multiphoton emissions of our SPS and ultralow dark count of the SNSPD contributed to this result. The experimental results demonstrate the potential applicability of QD SPSs to practical telecom QKD networks.

Weak value amplification: a view from quantum estimation theory that highlights what it is and what isn’t

PubMed Central

Torres, Juan P.; Salazar-Serrano, Luis José

2016-01-01

Weak value amplification (WVA) is a concept that has been extensively used in a myriad of applications with the aim of rendering measurable tiny changes of a variable of interest. In spite of this, there is still an on-going debate about its true nature and whether is really needed for achieving high sensitivity. Here we aim at helping to clarify the puzzle, using a specific example and some basic concepts from quantum estimation theory, highlighting what the use of the WVA concept can offer and what it can not. While WVA cannot be used to go beyond some fundamental sensitivity limits that arise from considering the full nature of the quantum states, WVA can notwithstanding enhance the sensitivity of real and specific detection schemes that are limited by many other things apart from the quantum nature of the states involved, i.e. technical noise. Importantly, it can do that in a straightforward and easily accessible manner. PMID:26833327

On the minimum quantum requirement of photosynthesis.

PubMed

Zeinalov, Yuzeir

2009-01-01

An analysis of the shape of photosynthetic light curves is presented and the existence of the initial non-linear part is shown as a consequence of the operation of the non-cooperative (Kok's) mechanism of oxygen evolution or the effect of dark respiration. The effect of nonlinearity on the quantum efficiency (yield) and quantum requirement is reconsidered. The essential conclusions are: 1) The non-linearity of the light curves cannot be compensated using suspensions of algae or chloroplasts with high (>1.0) optical density or absorbance. 2) The values of the maxima of the quantum efficiency curves or the values of the minima of the quantum requirement curves cannot be used for estimation of the exact value of the maximum quantum efficiency and the minimum quantum requirement. The estimation of the maximum quantum efficiency or the minimum quantum requirement should be performed only after extrapolation of the linear part at higher light intensities of the quantum requirement curves to "0" light intensity.

Realization of a Cascaded Quantum System: Heralded Absorption of a Single Photon Qubit by a Single-Electron Charged Quantum Dot.

PubMed

Delteil, Aymeric; Sun, Zhe; Fält, Stefan; Imamoğlu, Atac

2017-04-28

Photonic losses pose a major limitation for the implementation of a quantum state transfer between nodes of a quantum network. A measurement that heralds a successful transfer without revealing any information about the qubit may alleviate this limitation. Here, we demonstrate the heralded absorption of a single photonic qubit, generated by a single neutral quantum dot, by a single-electron charged quantum dot that is located 5 m away. The transfer of quantum information to the spin degree of freedom takes place upon the emission of a photon; for a properly chosen or prepared quantum dot, the detection of this photon yields no information about the qubit. We show that this process can be combined with local operations optically performed on the destination node by measuring classical correlations between the absorbed photon color and the final state of the electron spin. Our work suggests alternative avenues for the realization of quantum information protocols based on cascaded quantum systems.

Quantum and classical noise in practical quantum-cryptography systems based on polarization-entangled photons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Castelletto, S.; Degiovanni, I.P.; Rastello, M.L.

2003-02-01

Quantum-cryptography key distribution (QCKD) experiments have been recently reported using polarization-entangled photons. However, in any practical realization, quantum systems suffer from either unwanted or induced interactions with the environment and the quantum measurement system, showing up as quantum and, ultimately, statistical noise. In this paper, we investigate how an ideal polarization entanglement in spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) suffers quantum noise in its practical implementation as a secure quantum system, yielding errors in the transmitted bit sequence. Since all SPDC-based QCKD schemes rely on the measurement of coincidence to assert the bit transmission between the two parties, we bundle up themore » overall quantum and statistical noise in an exhaustive model to calculate the accidental coincidences. This model predicts the quantum-bit error rate and the sifted key and allows comparisons between different security criteria of the hitherto proposed QCKD protocols, resulting in an objective assessment of performances and advantages of different systems.« less

Quantum walled Brauer algebra: commuting families, Baxterization, and representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semikhatov, A. M.; Tipunin, I. Yu

2017-02-01

For the quantum walled Brauer algebra, we construct its Specht modules and (for generic parameters of the algebra) seminormal modules. The latter construction yields the spectrum of a commuting family of Jucys-Murphy elements. We also propose a Baxterization prescription; it involves representing the quantum walled Brauer algebra in terms of morphisms in a braided monoidal category and introducing parameters into these morphisms, which allows constructing a ‘universal transfer matrix’ that generates commuting elements of the algebra.

Quantum communication complexity using the quantum Zeno effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavakoli, Armin; Anwer, Hammad; Hameedi, Alley; Bourennane, Mohamed

2015-07-01

The quantum Zeno effect (QZE) is the phenomenon in which the unitary evolution of a quantum state is suppressed, e.g., due to frequent measurements. Here, we investigate the use of the QZE in a class of communication complexity problems (CCPs). Quantum entanglement is known to solve certain CCPs beyond classical constraints. However, recent developments have yielded CCPs for which superclassical results can be obtained using only communication of a single d -level quantum state (qudit) as a resource. In the class of CCPs considered here, we show quantum reduction of complexity in three ways: using (i) entanglement and the QZE, (ii) a single qudit and the QZE, and (iii) a single qudit. We have performed a proof of concept experimental demonstrations of three party CCP protocol based on single-qubit communication with and without QZE.

Time-bin entangled photons from a quantum dot

PubMed Central

Jayakumar, Harishankar; Predojević, Ana; Kauten, Thomas; Huber, Tobias; Solomon, Glenn S.; Weihs, Gregor

2014-01-01

Long distance quantum communication is one of the prime goals in the field of quantum information science. With information encoded in the quantum state of photons, existing telecommunication fibre networks can be effectively used as a transport medium. To achieve this goal, a source of robust entangled single photon pairs is required. Here, we report the realization of a source of time-bin entangled photon pairs utilizing the biexciton-exciton cascade in a III/V self-assembled quantum dot. We analyse the generated photon pairs by an inherently phase-stable interferometry technique, facilitating uninterrupted long integration times. We confirm the entanglement by performing quantum state tomography of the emitted photons, which yields a fidelity of 0.69(3) and a concurrence of 0.41(6) for our realization of time-energy entanglement from a single quantum emitter. PMID:24968024

Time-bin entangled photons from a quantum dot.

PubMed

Jayakumar, Harishankar; Predojević, Ana; Kauten, Thomas; Huber, Tobias; Solomon, Glenn S; Weihs, Gregor

2014-06-26

Long-distance quantum communication is one of the prime goals in the field of quantum information science. With information encoded in the quantum state of photons, existing telecommunication fibre networks can be effectively used as a transport medium. To achieve this goal, a source of robust entangled single-photon pairs is required. Here we report the realization of a source of time-bin entangled photon pairs utilizing the biexciton-exciton cascade in a III/V self-assembled quantum dot. We analyse the generated photon pairs by an inherently phase-stable interferometry technique, facilitating uninterrupted long integration times. We confirm the entanglement by performing quantum state tomography of the emitted photons, which yields a fidelity of 0.69(3) and a concurrence of 0.41(6) for our realization of time-energy entanglement from a single quantum emitter.

Quantum versus classical dynamics in the optical centrifuge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armon, Tsafrir; Friedland, Lazar

2017-09-01

The interplay between classical and quantum-mechanical evolution in the optical centrifuge (OC) is discussed. The analysis is based on the quantum-mechanical formalism starting from either the ground state or a thermal ensemble. Two resonant mechanisms are identified, i.e., the classical autoresonance and the quantum-mechanical ladder climbing, yielding different dynamics and rotational excitation efficiencies. The rotating-wave approximation is used to analyze the two resonant regimes in the associated dimensionless two-parameter space and calculate the OC excitation efficiency. The results show good agreement between numerical simulations and theory and are relevant to existing experimental setups.

Measurements of observables replaced by “evaluations” in Quantum Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisticò, Giuseppe; Sestito, Angela

2015-07-01

In quantum physics there are circumstances where the direct measurement of particular observables encounters difficulties; in some of these cases, however, its value can be evaluated, i.e. it can be inferred by measuring another observable characterized by perfect correlation with the observable of interest. Though an evaluation is often interpreted as a measurement of the evaluated observable, we prove that the two concepts cannot be identified in quantum physics, because the identification yields contradictions. Then, we establish the conceptual status of evaluations in Quantum Theory and the role can be ascribed to them.

Fluorescent porous silicon biological probes with high quantum efficiency and stability.

PubMed

Tu, Chang-Ching; Chou, Ying-Nien; Hung, Hsiang-Chieh; Wu, Jingda; Jiang, Shaoyi; Lin, Lih Y

2014-12-01

We demonstrate porous silicon biological probes as a stable and non-toxic alternative to organic dyes or cadmium-containing quantum dots for imaging and sensing applications. The fluorescent silicon quantum dots which are embedded on the porous silicon surface are passivated with carboxyl-terminated ligands through stable Si-C covalent bonds. The porous silicon bio-probes have shown photoluminescence quantum yield around 50% under near-UV excitation, with high photochemical and thermal stability. The bio-probes can be efficiently conjugated with antibodies, which is confirmed by a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Multi-functional quantum router using hybrid opto-electromechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Peng-Cheng; Yan, Lei-Lei; Chen, Gui-Bin; Li, Xiao-Wei; Liu, Shu-Jing; Zhan, You-Bang

2018-03-01

Quantum routers engineered with multiple frequency bands play a key role in quantum networks. We propose an experimentally accessible scheme for a multi-functional quantum router, using photon-phonon conversion in a hybrid opto-electromechanical system. Our proposed device functions as a bidirectional, tunable multi-channel quantum router, and demonstrates the possibility to route single optical photons bidirectionally and simultaneously to three different output ports, by adjusting the microwave power. Further, the device also behaves as an interswitching unit for microwave and optical photons, yielding probabilistic routing of microwave (optical) signals to optical (microwave) outports. With respect to potential application, we verify the insignificant influence from vacuum and thermal noises in the performance of the router under cryogenic conditions.

Complex Chemical Reaction Networks from Heuristics-Aided Quantum Chemistry.

PubMed

Rappoport, Dmitrij; Galvin, Cooper J; Zubarev, Dmitry Yu; Aspuru-Guzik, Alán

2014-03-11

While structures and reactivities of many small molecules can be computed efficiently and accurately using quantum chemical methods, heuristic approaches remain essential for modeling complex structures and large-scale chemical systems. Here, we present a heuristics-aided quantum chemical methodology applicable to complex chemical reaction networks such as those arising in cell metabolism and prebiotic chemistry. Chemical heuristics offer an expedient way of traversing high-dimensional reactive potential energy surfaces and are combined here with quantum chemical structure optimizations, which yield the structures and energies of the reaction intermediates and products. Application of heuristics-aided quantum chemical methodology to the formose reaction reproduces the experimentally observed reaction products, major reaction pathways, and autocatalytic cycles.

One-pot and ultrafast synthesis of nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dots possessing bright dual wavelength fluorescence emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xiangcheng; Brückner, Christian; Lei, Yu

2015-10-01

Very brief microwave heating of aniline, ethylene diamine, and phosphoric acid in water at ambient pressure generated nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dots (N,P-CDs) that exhibit bright dual blue (centred at 450 nm; 51% quantum yield) and green (centred at 510 nm, 38% quantum yield) fluorescence emission bands. The N,P-CDs were characterized using TEM, XRD, XPS, IR, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy, demonstrating their partially crystalline carbon, partially amorphous structures, and the incorporation of O, N, and P into the carbogenic scaffold. The N,P-CDs demonstrated excitation-dependent and nearly pH-independent emission properties. The unique dual emission properties lay the foundation for the use of N,P-CDs in ratiometric sensing applications.Very brief microwave heating of aniline, ethylene diamine, and phosphoric acid in water at ambient pressure generated nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dots (N,P-CDs) that exhibit bright dual blue (centred at 450 nm; 51% quantum yield) and green (centred at 510 nm, 38% quantum yield) fluorescence emission bands. The N,P-CDs were characterized using TEM, XRD, XPS, IR, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy, demonstrating their partially crystalline carbon, partially amorphous structures, and the incorporation of O, N, and P into the carbogenic scaffold. The N,P-CDs demonstrated excitation-dependent and nearly pH-independent emission properties. The unique dual emission properties lay the foundation for the use of N,P-CDs in ratiometric sensing applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed experimental section, XRD, FTIR, explosive sensing and the applications results. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr05549k

Mapping quantum yield for (Fe-Zn-Sn-Ti)Ox photoabsorbers using a high throughput photoelectrochemical screening system.

PubMed

Xiang, Chengxiang; Haber, Joel; Marcin, Martin; Mitrovic, Slobodan; Jin, Jian; Gregoire, John M

2014-03-10

Combinatorial synthesis and screening of light absorbers are critical to material discoveries for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical applications. One of the most effective ways to evaluate the energy-conversion properties of a semiconducting light absorber is to form an asymmetric junction and investigate the photogeneration, transport and recombination processes at the semiconductor interface. This standard photoelectrochemical measurement is readily made on a semiconductor sample with a back-side metallic contact (working electrode) and front-side solution contact. In a typical combinatorial material library, each sample shares a common back contact, requiring novel instrumentation to provide spatially resolved and thus sample-resolved measurements. We developed a multiplexing counter electrode with a thin layer assembly, in which a rectifying semiconductor/liquid junction was formed and the short-circuit photocurrent was measured under chopped illumination for each sample in a material library. The multiplexing counter electrode assembly demonstrated a photocurrent sensitivity of sub-10 μA cm(-2) with an external quantum yield sensitivity of 0.5% for each semiconductor sample under a monochromatic ultraviolet illumination source. The combination of cell architecture and multiplexing allows high-throughput modes of operation, including both fast-serial and parallel measurements. To demonstrate the performance of the instrument, the external quantum yields of 1819 different compositions from a pseudoquaternary metal oxide library, (Fe-Zn-Sn-Ti)Ox, at 385 nm were collected in scanning serial mode with a throughput of as fast as 1 s per sample. Preliminary screening results identified a promising ternary composition region centered at Fe0.894Sn0.103Ti0.0034Ox, with an external quantum yield of 6.7% at 385 nm.

Photochemical properties of squarylium cyanine dyes.

PubMed

Ferreira, D P; Conceição, D S; Ferreira, V R A; Graça, V C; Santos, P F; Vieira Ferreira, L F

2013-11-01

This study presents several new squarylium dyes derived from benzothiazole and benzoselenazole with several structural variations, namely the nature of the heteroaromatic ring and the length of the N,N'-dialkyl groups. Before being investigated in connection with their effect on living cells and/or tissues, these novel compounds were characterized, namely with respect to the determination of their main photophysical parameters. Therefore, a study of the ground state absorption, fluorescence emission (quantum yields and lifetimes) and singlet oxygen generation quantum yields was performed for all the compounds synthesized in order to evaluate their efficiency as photosensitizers. An increase of the alkyl chain length from ethyl to hexyl did not produce a clear change in the fluorescence quantum yields, showing no influence on the photoisomerization process. Heavy atom inclusion (Se instead of S) enhanced the singlet oxygen generation efficiency and decreased the intensity of the fluorescence emission. The external heavy atom effect (I(-) as a counterion instead of CF3SO3(-)) produced a significant increase in the singlet oxygen formation quantum yield (about 20%). Transient absorption studies in aerated and oxygen free samples revealed that the photoisomerization process, which could compete with the triplet state formation for all dyes in solution, is a negligible pathway for the excited state deactivation, in accordance with the rigidity introduced by the squaric ring into the polymethine chain of the dye, both in chloroform and ethanol. However, in the case of the chloroform solution a new transient was detected in air equilibrated solutions, resulting from a reaction of the excited squarylium dye in the singlet state with CHCl3˙, and assigned to the radical cation (SQ(+)˙) of the dye.

Detecting photons in the dark region of Laguerre-Gauss beams.

PubMed

Klimov, Vasily; Bloch, Daniel; Ducloy, Martial; Rios Leite, Jose R

2009-06-08

We show that a photon detector, sensitive to the magnetic field or to the gradient of electric field, can help to characterize the quantum properties of spatially-dependent optical fields. We discuss the excitation of an atom through magnetic dipole or electric quadrupole transitions with the photons of a Bessel beam or a Laguerre-Gauss (LG) beams. These spiral beams are shown to be not true hollow beams, due to the presence of magnetic fields and gradients of electric fields on beam axis. This approach paves the way to an analysis at the quantum level of the propagating light beams having a complicated spatial structure.

Wigner distribution functions for complex dynamical systems: the emergence of the Wigner-Boltzmann equation.

PubMed

Sels, Dries; Brosens, Fons

2013-10-01

The equation of motion for the reduced Wigner function of a system coupled to an external quantum system is presented for the specific case when the external quantum system can be modeled as a set of harmonic oscillators. The result is derived from the Wigner function formulation of the Feynman-Vernon influence functional theory. It is shown how the true self-energy for the equation of motion is connected with the influence functional for the path integral. Explicit expressions are derived in terms of the bare Wigner propagator. Finally, we show under which approximations the resulting equation of motion reduces to the Wigner-Boltzmann equation.

Remnants of semiclassical bistability in the few-photon regime of cavity QED.

PubMed

Kerckhoff, Joseph; Armen, Michael A; Mabuchi, Hideo

2011-11-21

Broadband homodyne detection of the light transmitted by a Fabry-Perot cavity containing a strongly-coupled (133)Cs atom is used to probe the dynamic optical response in a regime where semiclassical theory predicts bistability but strong quantum corrections should apply. While quantum fluctuations destabilize true equilibrium bistability, our observations confirm the existence of metastable states with finite lifetimes and a hysteretic response is apparent when the optical drive is modulated on comparable timescales. Our experiment elucidates remnant semiclassical behavior in the attojoule (~10 photon) regime of single-atom cavity QED, of potential significance for ultra-low power photonic signal processing. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Single photon emission from plasma treated 2D hexagonal boron nitride.

PubMed

Xu, Zai-Quan; Elbadawi, Christopher; Tran, Toan Trong; Kianinia, Mehran; Li, Xiuling; Liu, Daobin; Hoffman, Timothy B; Nguyen, Minh; Kim, Sejeong; Edgar, James H; Wu, Xiaojun; Song, Li; Ali, Sajid; Ford, Mike; Toth, Milos; Aharonovich, Igor

2018-05-03

Artificial atomic systems in solids are becoming increasingly important building blocks in quantum information processing and scalable quantum nanophotonic networks. Amongst numerous candidates, 2D hexagonal boron nitride has recently emerged as a promising platform hosting single photon emitters. Here, we report a number of robust plasma and thermal annealing methods for fabrication of emitters in tape-exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) crystals. A two-step process comprising Ar plasma etching and subsequent annealing in Ar is highly robust, and yields an eight-fold increase in the concentration of emitters in hBN. The initial plasma-etching step generates emitters that suffer from blinking and bleaching, whereas the two-step process yields emitters that are photostable at room temperature with emission wavelengths greater than ∼700 nm. Density functional theory modeling suggests that the emitters might be associated with defect complexes that contain oxygen. This is further confirmed by generating the emitters via annealing hBN in air. Our findings advance the present understanding of the structure of quantum emitters in hBN and enhance the nanofabrication toolkit needed to realize integrated quantum nanophotonic circuits.

Room temperature synthesis of pH-switchable polyaniline quantum dots as a turn-on fluorescent probe for acidic biotarget labeling.

PubMed

Liu, Yanfeng; Ding, Yin; Gou, Huilin; Huang, Xin; Zhang, Guiyang; Zhang, Qi; Liu, Yunzhong; Meng, Zhen; Xi, Kai; Jia, Xudong

2018-04-05

The synthesis of well-defined light-element-derived quantum dots (LEQDs) with advanced optical properties under mild conditions is highly desirable yet challenging. Here, a polyaniline (PANI) structure is introduced into carbon-rich LEQDs to yield well-defined, fluorescent polyaniline quantum dots (PAQDs), PAQD24, through a one-pot room temperature reaction. The mild synthetic conditions effectively minimize the defects introduced during the conventional synthesis and endow PAQD24 with desirable optical properties, including a narrow emission band (full width at half maximum = 55 nm), an optimal quantum yield of 32.5% and two-photon fluorescence. Furthermore, the bandgap of PAQD24 is highly sensitive toward pH variations in the near-neutral region, due to the proton doping and dedoping of the PANI structure. Such unique properties together with its fine bio-compatibility enable the application of this material as a turn-on fluorescent probe for the labeling of acidic biotargets from sub-cellular to organ levels, providing potential applications in diagnosis and surgery guidance for certain diseases.

Estimation of the quantum efficiency of the photodissociation of HbO2 and HbCO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gisbrecht, A. I.; Mamilov, S. A.; Esman, S. S.; Asimov, M. M.

2016-01-01

The paper presents our results on the study of the efficiency of inter-fractional changes in hemoglobin molecules depending on the laser radiation parameters. The evaluation of the quantum efficiency of light interaction in vivo with oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) in the blood at wavelengths for 525 and 605 nm is presented. The photodissociation yield of 11% for HbO2 and 79% for HbCO are measured at the wavelength of 525 nm and 10 % for HbO2 and 76 % for HbCO at a wavelength of 605 nm. Thus, the quantum yield of photodissociation of the HbCO is considerably higher, which ensures high efficiency of photodecomposition of the HbCO in the blood. The obtained results can be used in the clinical phototherapy practice for effective treatment of CO poisoning.

An insight into non-emissive excited states in conjugated polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhongjian; Willard, Adam P.; Ono, Robert J.; Bielawski, Christopher W.; Rossky, Peter J.; vanden Bout, David A.

2015-09-01

Conjugated polymers in the solid state usually exhibit low fluorescence quantum yields, which limit their applications in many areas such as light-emitting diodes. Despite considerable research efforts, the underlying mechanism still remains controversial and elusive. Here, the nature and properties of excited states in the archetypal polythiophene are investigated via aggregates suspended in solvents with different dielectric constants (ε). In relatively polar solvents (ε>~ 3), the aggregates exhibit a low fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of 2-5%, similar to bulk films, however, in relatively nonpolar solvents (ε<~ 3) they demonstrate much higher fluorescence QY up to 20-30%. A series of mixed quantum-classical atomistic simulations illustrate that dielectric induced stabilization of nonradiative charge-transfer (CT) type states can lead to similar drastic reduction in fluorescence QY as seen experimentally. Fluorescence lifetime measurement reveals that the CT-type states exist as a competitive channel of the formation of emissive exciton-type states.

Near-threshold harmonics from a femtosecond enhancement cavity-based EUV source: effects of multiple quantum pathways on spatial profile and yield.

PubMed

Hammond, T J; Mills, Arthur K; Jones, David J

2011-12-05

We investigate the photon flux and far-field spatial profiles for near-threshold harmonics produced with a 66 MHz femtosecond enhancement cavity-based EUV source operating in the tight-focus regime. The effects of multiple quantum pathways in the far-field spatial profile and harmonic yield show a strong dependence on gas jet dynamics, particularly nozzle diameter and position. This simple system, consisting of only a 700 mW Ti:Sapphire oscillator and an enhancement cavity produces harmonics up to 20 eV with an estimated 30-100 μW of power (intracavity) and > 1μW (measured) of power spectrally-resolved and out-coupled from the cavity. While this power is already suitable for applications, a quantum mechanical model of the system indicates substantial improvements should be possible with technical upgrades.

Achieving Optimal Quantum Acceleration of Frequency Estimation Using Adaptive Coherent Control.

PubMed

Naghiloo, M; Jordan, A N; Murch, K W

2017-11-03

Precision measurements of frequency are critical to accurate time keeping and are fundamentally limited by quantum measurement uncertainties. While for time-independent quantum Hamiltonians the uncertainty of any parameter scales at best as 1/T, where T is the duration of the experiment, recent theoretical works have predicted that explicitly time-dependent Hamiltonians can yield a 1/T^{2} scaling of the uncertainty for an oscillation frequency. This quantum acceleration in precision requires coherent control, which is generally adaptive. We experimentally realize this quantum improvement in frequency sensitivity with superconducting circuits, using a single transmon qubit. With optimal control pulses, the theoretically ideal frequency precision scaling is reached for times shorter than the decoherence time. This result demonstrates a fundamental quantum advantage for frequency estimation.

Coined quantum walks on weighted graphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Thomas G.

2017-11-01

We define a discrete-time, coined quantum walk on weighted graphs that is inspired by Szegedy’s quantum walk. Using this, we prove that many lackadaisical quantum walks, where each vertex has l integer self-loops, can be generalized to a quantum walk where each vertex has a single self-loop of real-valued weight l. We apply this real-valued lackadaisical quantum walk to two problems. First, we analyze it on the line or one-dimensional lattice, showing that it is exactly equivalent to a continuous deformation of the three-state Grover walk with faster ballistic dispersion. Second, we generalize Grover’s algorithm, or search on the complete graph, to have a weighted self-loop at each vertex, yielding an improved success probability when l < 3 + 2\\sqrt{2} ≈ 5.828 .

Quantum plasmonic sensing

DOE PAGES

Fan, Wenjiang; Lawrie, Benjamin J.; Pooser, Raphael C.

2015-11-04

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors can reach the quantum noise limit of the optical readout field in various configurations. We demonstrate that two-mode intensity squeezed states produce a further enhancement in sensitivity compared with a classical optical readout when the quantum noise is used to transduce an SPR sensor signal in the Kretschmann configuration. The quantum noise reduction between the twin beams when incident at an angle away from the plasmonic resonance, combined with quantum noise resulting from quantum anticorrelations when on resonance, results in an effective SPR-mediated modulation that yields a measured sensitivity 5 dB better than that withmore » a classical optical readout in this configuration. Furthermore, the theoretical potential of this technique points to resolving particle concentrations with more accuracy than is possible via classical approaches to optical transduction.« less

Biosynthesis of fluorescent CdS nanocrystals with semiconductor properties: Comparison of microbial and plant production systems.

PubMed

Al-Shalabi, Zahwa; Doran, Pauline M

2016-04-10

This study investigated fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) and hairy roots of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as in vitro production vehicles for biological synthesis of CdS quantum dots. Cd added during the mid-growth phase of the cultures was detoxified within the biomass into inorganic sulphide-containing complexes with the quantum confinement properties of semiconductor nanocrystals. Significant differences were found between the two host systems in terms of nanoparticle production kinetics, yield and quality. The much slower growth rate of hairy roots compared with yeast is a disadvantage for commercial scaled-up production. Nanoparticle extraction from the biomass was less effective for the roots: 19% of the Cd present in the hairy roots was recovered after extraction compared with 34% for the yeast. The overall yield of CdS quantum dots was also lower for the roots: relative to the amount of Cd taken up into the biomass, 8.5% was recovered in yeast gel filtration fractions exhibiting quantum dot properties whereas the result for hairy roots was only 0.99%. Yeast-produced CdS crystallites were somewhat smaller with diameters of approximately 2-6 nm compared with those of 4-10nm obtained from the roots. The average ratio of inorganic sulphide to Cd for the purified and size-fractionated particles was 0.44 for the yeast and 1.6 for the hairy roots. Despite the limitations associated with hairy roots in terms of culture kinetics and product yield, this system produced CdS nanoparticles with enhanced photostability and 3.7-13-fold higher fluorescence quantum efficiency compared with those generated by yeast. This work demonstrates that the choice of cellular host can have a significant effect on nanoparticle functional properties as well as on the bioprocessing aspects of biological quantum dot synthesis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aryl-modified graphene quantum dots with enhanced photoluminescence and improved pH tolerance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Peihui; Ji, Zhe; Li, Chun; Shi, Gaoquan

2013-07-01

Chemical modification is an important technique to modulate the chemical and optical properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). In this paper, we report a versatile diazonium chemistry method to graft aryl groups including phenyl, 4-carboxyphenyl, 4-sulfophenyl and 5-sulfonaphthyl to GQDs via Gomberg-Bachmann reaction. The aryl-modified GQDs are nanocrystals with lateral dimensions in the range of 2-4 nm and an average thickness lower than 1 nm. Upon chemical modification with aryl groups, the photoluminescence (PL) bands of GQDs were tuned in the range of 418 and 447 nm, and their fluorescence quantum yields (QYs) were increased for up to about 6 times. Furthermore, the aryl-modified GQDs exhibited stable PL (both intensity and peak position) in a wide pH window of 1-11. The mechanism of improving the PL properties of GQDs by aryl-modification was also discussed.Chemical modification is an important technique to modulate the chemical and optical properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). In this paper, we report a versatile diazonium chemistry method to graft aryl groups including phenyl, 4-carboxyphenyl, 4-sulfophenyl and 5-sulfonaphthyl to GQDs via Gomberg-Bachmann reaction. The aryl-modified GQDs are nanocrystals with lateral dimensions in the range of 2-4 nm and an average thickness lower than 1 nm. Upon chemical modification with aryl groups, the photoluminescence (PL) bands of GQDs were tuned in the range of 418 and 447 nm, and their fluorescence quantum yields (QYs) were increased for up to about 6 times. Furthermore, the aryl-modified GQDs exhibited stable PL (both intensity and peak position) in a wide pH window of 1-11. The mechanism of improving the PL properties of GQDs by aryl-modification was also discussed. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Fluorescence quantum yield measurements, estimation of grafting ratio, TEM images, FTIR spectra, PL spectra and zeta potentials. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr02156d

Principle of minimal work fluctuations.

PubMed

Xiao, Gaoyang; Gong, Jiangbin

2015-08-01

Understanding and manipulating work fluctuations in microscale and nanoscale systems are of both fundamental and practical interest. For example, in considering the Jarzynski equality 〈e-βW〉=e-βΔF, a change in the fluctuations of e-βW may impact how rapidly the statistical average of e-βW converges towards the theoretical value e-βΔF, where W is the work, β is the inverse temperature, and ΔF is the free energy difference between two equilibrium states. Motivated by our previous study aiming at the suppression of work fluctuations, here we obtain a principle of minimal work fluctuations. In brief, adiabatic processes as treated in quantum and classical adiabatic theorems yield the minimal fluctuations in e-βW. In the quantum domain, if a system initially prepared at thermal equilibrium is subjected to a work protocol but isolated from a bath during the time evolution, then a quantum adiabatic process without energy level crossing (or an assisted adiabatic process reaching the same final states as in a conventional adiabatic process) yields the minimal fluctuations in e-βW, where W is the quantum work defined by two energy measurements at the beginning and at the end of the process. In the classical domain where the classical work protocol is realizable by an adiabatic process, then the classical adiabatic process also yields the minimal fluctuations in e-βW. Numerical experiments based on a Landau-Zener process confirm our theory in the quantum domain, and our theory in the classical domain explains our previous numerical findings regarding the suppression of classical work fluctuations [G. Y. Xiao and J. B. Gong, Phys. Rev. E 90, 052132 (2014)].

Comparison of femtosecond laser and continuous wave UV sources for protein-nucleic acid crosslinking.

PubMed

Fecko, Christopher J; Munson, Katherine M; Saunders, Abbie; Sun, Guangxing; Begley, Tadhg P; Lis, John T; Webb, Watt W

2007-01-01

Crosslinking proteins to the nucleic acids they bind affords stable access to otherwise transient regulatory interactions. Photochemical crosslinking provides an attractive alternative to formaldehyde-based protocols, but irradiation with conventional UV sources typically yields inadequate product amounts. Crosslinking with pulsed UV lasers has been heralded as a revolutionary technique to increase photochemical yield, but this method had only been tested on a few protein-nucleic acid complexes. To test the generality of the yield enhancement, we have investigated the benefits of using approximately 150 fs UV pulses to crosslink TATA-binding protein, glucocorticoid receptor and heat shock factor to oligonucleotides in vitro. For these proteins, we find that the quantum yields (and saturating yields) for forming crosslinks using the high-peak intensity femtosecond laser do not improve on those obtained with low-intensity continuous wave (CW) UV sources. The photodamage to the oligonucleotides and proteins also has comparable quantum yields. Measurements of the photochemical reaction yields of several small molecules selected to model the crosslinking reactions also exhibit nearly linear dependences on UV intensity instead of the previously predicted quadratic dependence. Unfortunately, these results disprove earlier assertions that femtosecond pulsed laser sources provide significant advantages over CW radiation for protein-nucleic acid crosslinking.

Impact of Mono-Fluorination on the Photophysics of the Flavin Chromophore.

PubMed

Reiffers, Anna; Torres Ziegenbein, Christian; Engelhardt, Alyn; Kühnemuth, Ralf; Gilch, Peter; Czekelius, Constantin

2018-03-31

Three mono-fluorinated derivatives of the flavin core system 10-methyl-isoalloxazine (MIA) were synthesized. Aqueous solutions of these compounds were characterized by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. The positions for the fluorination (6, 7 and 8) were motivated by the nodal structure of the frontier orbitals of MIA. In comparison with MIA, the fluorination results in bathochromic (6F- and 7F-MIA) and hypsochromic (8F-MIA) shifts of the adiabatic excitation energy of the lowest allowed transition. Shifts of up to ~500 cm -1 were observed. These spectroscopic shifts go along with changes in fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. In addition, triplet yields are affected. For 7F-MIA, a 50% increase in the fluorescence quantum yield as well as a 50% decrease in triplet yield is observed rendering the compound interesting for fluorescence applications. The measured effects are discussed in terms of qualitative perturbation theory. © 2018 The American Society of Photobiology.

Luminescence and luminescence quenching of highly efficient Y2Mo4O15:Eu3+ phosphors and ceramics

PubMed Central

Janulevicius, Matas; Marmokas, Paulius; Misevicius, Martynas; Grigorjevaite, Julija; Mikoliunaite, Lina; Sakirzanovas, Simas; Katelnikovas, Arturas

2016-01-01

A good LED phosphor must possess strong enough absorption, high quantum yields, colour purity, and quenching temperatures. Our synthesized Y2Mo4O15:Eu3+ phosphors possess all of these properties. Excitation of these materials with near-UV or blue radiation yields bright red emission and the colour coordinates are relatively stable upon temperature increase. Furthermore, samples doped with 50% Eu3+ showed quantum yields up to 85%, what is suitable for commercial application. Temperature dependent emission spectra revealed that heavily Eu3+ doped phosphors possess stable emission up to 400 K and lose half of the efficiency only at 515 K. In addition, ceramic disks of Y2Mo4O15:75%Eu3+ phosphor with thickness of 0.71 and 0.98 mm were prepared and it turned out that they efficiently convert radiation of 375 and 400 nm LEDs to the red light, whereas combination with 455 nm LED yields purple colour. PMID:27180941

Luminescence and luminescence quenching of highly efficient Y2Mo4O15:Eu(3+) phosphors and ceramics.

PubMed

Janulevicius, Matas; Marmokas, Paulius; Misevicius, Martynas; Grigorjevaite, Julija; Mikoliunaite, Lina; Sakirzanovas, Simas; Katelnikovas, Arturas

2016-05-16

A good LED phosphor must possess strong enough absorption, high quantum yields, colour purity, and quenching temperatures. Our synthesized Y2Mo4O15:Eu(3+) phosphors possess all of these properties. Excitation of these materials with near-UV or blue radiation yields bright red emission and the colour coordinates are relatively stable upon temperature increase. Furthermore, samples doped with 50% Eu(3+) showed quantum yields up to 85%, what is suitable for commercial application. Temperature dependent emission spectra revealed that heavily Eu(3+) doped phosphors possess stable emission up to 400 K and lose half of the efficiency only at 515 K. In addition, ceramic disks of Y2Mo4O15:75%Eu(3+) phosphor with thickness of 0.71 and 0.98 mm were prepared and it turned out that they efficiently convert radiation of 375 and 400 nm LEDs to the red light, whereas combination with 455 nm LED yields purple colour.

Efficient hybrid-symbolic methods for quantum mechanical calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, T. C.; Zhang, Wenxing

2015-06-01

We present hybrid symbolic-numerical tools to generate optimized numerical code for rapid prototyping and fast numerical computation starting from a computer algebra system (CAS) and tailored to any given quantum mechanical problem. Although a major focus concerns the quantum chemistry methods of H. Nakatsuji which has yielded successful and very accurate eigensolutions for small atoms and molecules, the tools are general and may be applied to any basis set calculation with a variational principle applied to its linear and non-linear parameters.

Orbital Picture of Ionization and Its Breakdown in Nanoarrays of Quantum Dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bâldea, Ioan; Cederbaum, Lorenz S.

2002-09-01

We present exact numerical results indicating that ionization could be a useful tool to study electron correlations in artificial molecules and nanoarrays of metallic quantum dots. For nanorings consisting of Ag quantum dots of the type already fabricated, we demonstrate that the molecular orbital picture breaks down even for lowest energy ionization processes, in contrast to ordinary molecules. Our ionization results yield a transition point between localization and delocalization regimes in good agreement with various experimental data.

Quantum trajectories for high-order-harmonic generation from multiple rescattering events in the long-wavelength regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Lixin; Li, Yang; Wang, Zhe; Zhang, Qingbin; Lan, Pengfei; Lu, Peixiang

2014-05-01

We have performed the quantum trajectory analysis for high-order-harmonic generation (HHG) with different driving laser wavelengths. By defining the ratio of HHG yields of the Nth and first rescattering events (YN/Y1), we quantitatively evaluate the HHG contributions from multiple rescatterings. The results show that the HHG yield ratio increases gradually with the increase of the laser wavelength, which demonstrates that high-order rescatterings provide ascendent contributions to HHG at longer wavelength. By calculating the classical electron trajectories, we find significant differences exist in the electron behaviors between the first and high-order rescatterings. Further investigations have demonstrated that the increasing HHG yield ratio is mainly attributed to the relatively smaller contributions from the short path of the first electron rescattering at longer laser wavelength.

pH-Induced transformation of ligated Au25 to brighter Au23 nanoclusters.

PubMed

Waszkielewicz, Magdalena; Olesiak-Banska, Joanna; Comby-Zerbino, Clothilde; Bertorelle, Franck; Dagany, Xavier; Bansal, Ashu K; Sajjad, Muhammad T; Samuel, Ifor D W; Sanader, Zeljka; Rozycka, Miroslawa; Wojtas, Magdalena; Matczyszyn, Katarzyna; Bonacic-Koutecky, Vlasta; Antoine, Rodolphe; Ozyhar, Andrzej; Samoc, Marek

2018-05-01

Thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters have recently attracted considerable attention due to their size-dependent luminescence characterized by a long lifetime and large Stokes shift. However, the optimization of nanocluster properties such as the luminescence quantum yield is still a challenge. We report here the transformation of Au25Capt18 (Capt labels captopril) nanoclusters occurring at low pH and yielding a product with a much increased luminescence quantum yield which we have identified as Au23Capt17. We applied a simple method of treatment with HCl to accomplish this transformation and we characterized the absorption and emission of the newly created ligated nanoclusters as well as their morphology. Based on DFT calculations we show which Au nanocluster size transformations can lead to highly luminescent species such as Au23Capt17.

Mysteries of TOPSe revealed: insights into quantum dot nucleation.

PubMed

Evans, Christopher M; Evans, Meagan E; Krauss, Todd D

2010-08-18

We have investigated the reaction mechanism responsible for QD nucleation using optical absorption and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. For typical II-VI and IV-VI quantum dot (QD) syntheses, pure tertiary phosphine selenide sources (e.g., trioctylphosphine selenide (TOPSe)) were surprisingly found to be unreactive with metal carboxylates and incapable of yielding QDs. Rather, small quantities of secondary phosphines, which are impurities in tertiary phosphines, are entirely responsible for the nucleation of QDs; their low concentrations account for poor synthetic conversion yields. QD yields increase to nearly quantitative levels when replacing TOPSe with a stoiciometric amount of a secondary phosphine chalcogenide such as diphenylphosphine selenide. Based on our observations, we have proposed potential monomer identities, reaction pathways, and transition states and believe this mechanism to be universal to all II-VI and IV-VI QDs synthesized using phosphine based methods.

Mysteries of TOPSe Revealed: Insights into Quantum Dot Nucleation

PubMed Central

Evans, Christopher M.; Evans, Meagan E.

2010-01-01

We have investigated the reaction mechanism responsible for QD nucleation using optical absorption and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. For typical II-VI and IV-VI quantum dot (QD) syntheses, pure tertiary phosphine selenide sources (e.g. trioctylphosphine selenide (TOPSe)) were surprisingly found to be unreactive with metal carboxylates and incapable of yielding QDs. Rather, small quantities of secondary phosphines, which are impurities in tertiary phosphines, are entirely responsible for the nucleation of QDs; their low concentrations account for poor synthetic conversion yields. QD yields increase to nearly quantitative levels when replacing TOPSe with a stoiciometric amount of a secondary phosphine chalcogenide such as diphenylphosphine selenide. Based on our observations, we have proposed potential monomer identities, reaction pathways and transition states, and believe this mechanism to be universal to all II-VI and IV-VI QDs synthesized using phosphine based methods. PMID:20698646

Fluorescence enhancement by Au nanostructures: nanoshells and nanorods.

PubMed

Bardhan, Rizia; Grady, Nathaniel K; Cole, Joseph R; Joshi, Amit; Halas, Naomi J

2009-03-24

Metallic nanoparticles influence the quantum yield and lifetime of adjacent fluorophores in a manner dependent on the properties of the nanostructure. Here we directly compare the fluorescence enhancement of the near-infrared fluorophore IR800 by Au nanoshells (NSs) and Au nanorods (NRs), where human serum albumin (HSA) serves as a spacer layer between the nanoparticle and the fluorophore. Our measurements reveal that the quantum yield of IR800 is enhanced from approximately 7% as an isolated fluorophore to 86% in a NSs-HSA-IR800 complex and 74% in a NRs-HSA-IR800 complex. This dramatic increase in fluorescence shows tremendous potential for contrast enhancement in fluorescence-based bioimaging.

The Chameleonic Nature of Platinum(II) Imidazopyridine Complexes.

PubMed

Pinter, Piermaria; Pittkowski, Rebecca; Soellner, Johannes; Strassner, Thomas

2017-10-12

The synthesis and characterization of cyclometalated C^C* platinum(II) complexes with unique photophysical properties, aggregation induced enhancement of the quantum yields with a simultaneous decrease of phosphorescence lifetimes, is reported. Additionally, a change of emission color is induced by variation of the excitation wavelength. The aggregation behavior of these complexes is controlled by the steric demand of the substituents. The photophysical properties of these complexes are investigated through emission-excitation matrix analysis (EEM). The monomeric complexes are excellent room temperature phosphorescent blue emitters with emission maxima below 470 nm and quantum yields of up to 93 %. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Interaction of light with dye-doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russin, Timothy John

In this work we present work on a novel amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticle system for use in bioimaging and drug delivery applications. The system, by virtue of its synthesis, can be made to encapsulate and protect any number of molecules that are not suitable for biological applications on their own; for example, medication that is poorly soluble in aqueous solution can be encapsulated for delivery, or fragile optical molecules can be encapsulated to protect them from the local environment. We have encapsulated the near-infrared dye indocyanine green, which has beneficial properties for optical imaging (low biotoxicity, absorption and emission at a minimum of tissue absorption). There are two original works presented in this thesis. The first describes the measurement of the quantum yield of the indocyanine green-doped nanoparticles, as well as the development of a theoretical method to extract the molecular quantum yield of a fluorophore encapsulated in a dielectric sphere from effective quantum yield measurements of nanoparticle dispersions in solution. The second work is an application of diffuse scattering theory to the problem of light propagation in biological tissue; specifically, the limits on penetration depth for photodynamic therapy and bioimaging.

Montelukast photodegradation: elucidation of Ф-order kinetics, determination of quantum yields and application to actinometry.

PubMed

Maafi, Mounir; Maafi, Wassila

2014-08-25

A recently developed Ф-order semi-emperical integrated rate-law for photoreversible AB(2Ф) reactions has been successfully applied to investigate Montelukast sodium (Monte) photodegradation kinetics in ethanol. The model equations also served to propose a new stepwise kinetic elucidation method valid for any AB(2Ф) system and its application to the determination of Monte's forward (Ф(λ(irr))(A-->B)) and reverse (Ф(λ(irr))(B-->A)) quantum yields at various irradiation wavelengths. It has been found that Ф(λ(irr))(A-->B) undergoes a 15-fold increase with wavelength between 220 and 360 nm, with the spectral section 250-360 nm representing Monte effective photodegradation causative range. The reverse quantum yield values were generally between 12 and 54% lower than those recorded for Ф(λ(irr))(A-->B), with the trans-isomer (Monte) converting almost completely to its cis-counterpart at high irradiation wavelengths. Furthermore, the potential use of Monte as an actinometer has been investigated, and an actinometric method was proposed. This study demonstrated the usefulness of Monte for monochromatic light actinometry for the dynamic range 258-380 nm. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The influence of the Tbeta level upon fluorescence and laser properties of aromatic compounds.

PubMed

Nijegorodov, N; Winkoun, D P; Nkoma, J S

2004-07-01

The fluorescence and laser properties of seven specially chosen aromatic compounds are studied at 293 degrees C. The quantum yield of fluorescence, gamma, decay times, tauf, of the deaerated and non-deaerated solutions are measured. The oscillator strength, fe, fluorescence rate constants, kf, natural lifetimes, tauT0, and intersystem crossing rate constants, kST, are calculated. Some laser parameters are calculated or measured experimentally. It is found that the position of the Tbeta level plays an important role in the fluorescence and laser properties of aromatic compounds. If the Tbeta level is situated below the Sp level, it decreases the quantum yield of fluorescence and the decay time and increases the threshold of laser action. If, due to some structural changes of a molecule, the Tbeta level is situated higher than the Sp level, then the quantum yield of fluorescence and the decay times are increasing and the threshold of laser action is decreasing. Such influence of the position of the Tbeta level upon fluorescence and laser properties of aromatic compound is explained by the fact that the Sp level mixes with the Tbeta level more readily than with other taupipi* levels.

Carrier Multiplication in Quantum Dots within the Framework of Two Competing Energy Relaxation Mechanisms.

PubMed

Stewart, John T; Padilha, Lazaro A; Bae, Wan Ki; Koh, Weon-Kyu; Pietryga, Jeffrey M; Klimov, Victor I

2013-06-20

The realization of high-yield, low-threshold carrier multiplication (CM) in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is a promising step toward third-generation photovoltaics (PV). Recent studies of QD solar cells have shown that CM can indeed produce greater-than-unity quantum efficiencies in photon-to-charge-carrier conversion, establishing the relevance of this process to practical PV technologies. While being appreciable, the reported CM yields are still not high enough for a significant increase in the power conversion efficiency over traditional bulk materials. At present, the design of nanomaterials with improved CM is hindered by a poor understanding of the mechanism underlying this process. Here, we present a possible solution to this problem by introducing a model that treats CM as a competition between impact-ionization-like scattering and non-CM energy losses. Importantly, it allows for evaluation of expected CM yields from fairly straightforward measurements of Auger recombination (inverse of CM) and near-band-edge carrier cooling. The validation of this model via a comparative CM study of PbTe, PbSe, and PbS QDs suggests that it indeed represents a predictive capability, which might help in the development of nanomaterials with improved CM performance.

Ultrafast and Efficient Transport of Hot Plasmonic Electrons by Graphene for Pt Free, Highly Efficient Visible-Light Responsive Photocatalyst.

PubMed

Kumar, Dinesh; Lee, Ahreum; Lee, Taegon; Lim, Manho; Lim, Dong-Kwon

2016-03-09

We report that reduced graphene-coated gold nanoparticles (r-GO-AuNPs) are excellent visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for the photoconversion of CO2 into formic acid (HCOOH). The wavelength-dependent quantum and chemical yields of HCOOH shows a significant contribution of plasmon-induced hot electrons for CO2 photoconversion. Furthermore, the presence and reduced state of the graphene layers are critical parameters for the efficient CO2 photoconversion because of the electron mobility of graphene. With an excellent selectivity toward HCOOH (>90%), the quantum yield of HCOOH using r-GO-AuNPs is 1.52%, superior to that of Pt-coated AuNPs (quantum yield: 1.14%). This indicates that r-GO is a viable alternative to platinum metal. The excellent colloidal stability and photocatalytic stability of r-GO-AuNPs enables CO2 photoconversion under more desirable reaction conditions. These results highlight the role of reduced graphene layers as highly efficient electron acceptors and transporters to facilitate the use of hot electrons for plasmonic photocatalysts. The femtosecond transient spectroscopic analysis also shows 8.7 times higher transport efficiency of hot plasmonic electrons in r-GO-AuNPs compared with AuNPs.

Nonlocal modification and quantum optical generalization of effective-medium theory for metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wubs, Martijn; Yan, Wei; Amooghorban, Ehsan; Mortensen, N. Asger

2013-09-01

A well-known challenge for fabricating metamaterials is to make unit cells significantly smaller than the operating wavelength of light, so one can be sure that effective-medium theories apply. But do they apply? Here we show that nonlocal response in the metal constituents of the metamaterial leads to modified effective parameters for strongly subwavelength unit cells. For infinite hyperbolic metamaterials, nonlocal response gives a very large finite upper bound to the optical density of states that otherwise would diverge. Moreover, for finite hyperbolic metamaterials we show that nonlocal response affects their operation as superlenses, and interestingly that sometimes nonlocal theory predicts the better imaging. Finally, we discuss how to describe metamaterials effectively in quantum optics. Media with loss or gain have associated quantum noise, and the question is whether the effective index is enough to describe this quantum noise effectively. We show that this is true for passive metamaterials, but not for metamaterials where loss is compensated by linear gain. For such loss-compensated metamaterials we present a quantum optical effective medium theory with an effective noise photon distribution as an additional parameter. Interestingly, we find that at the operating frequency, metamaterials with the same effective index but with different amounts of loss compensation can be told apart in quantum optics.

Quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno effects in open quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zixian; Lü, Zhiguo; Zheng, Hang; Goan, Hsi-Sheng

2017-09-01

The traditional approach to the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) and quantum anti-Zeno effect (QAZE) in open quantum systems (implicitly) assumes that the bath (environment) state returns to its original state after each instantaneous projective measurement on the system and thus ignores the cross-correlations of the bath operators between different Zeno intervals. However, this assumption is not generally true, especially for a bath with a considerably nonnegligible memory effect and for a system repeatedly projected into an initial general superposition state. We find that, in stark contrast to the result of a constant value found in the traditional approach, the scaled average decay rate in unit Zeno interval of the survival probability is generally time dependent or shows an oscillatory behavior. In the case of a strong bath correlation, the transition between the QZE and the QAZE depends sensitively on the number of measurements N . For a fixed N , a QZE region predicted by the traditional approach may in fact already be in the QAZE region. We illustrate our findings using an exactly solvable open qubit system model with a Lorentzian bath spectral density, which is directly related to realistic circuit cavity quantum electrodynamics systems. Thus the results and dynamics presented here can be verified with current superconducting circuit technology.

Hole Transfer from Low Band Gap Quantum Dots to Conjugated Polymers in Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Photovoltaics.

PubMed

Colbert, Adam E; Janke, Eric M; Hsieh, Stephen T; Subramaniyan, Selvam; Schlenker, Cody W; Jenekhe, Samson A; Ginger, David S

2013-01-17

We use photoinduced absorption (PIA) spectroscopy to investigate pathways for photocurrent generation in hybrid organic/inorganic quantum dot bulk heterojunction solar cells. We study blends of the conjugated polymer poly(2,3-bis(2-(hexyldecyl)quinoxaline-5,8-diyl-alt-N-(2-hexyldecyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole) (PDTPQx-HD) with PbS quantum dots and find that positively charged polarons are formed on the conjugated polymer following selective photoexcitation of the PbS quantum dots. This result provides a direct spectroscopic fingerprint demonstrating that photoinduced hole transfer occurs from the photoexcited quantum dots to the host polymer. We compute the relative yields of long-lived holes following photoexcitation of both the polymer and quantum dot phases and estimate that more long-lived polarons are produced per photon absorbed by the polymer phase than by the quantum dot phase.

Noninformative prior in the quantum statistical model of pure states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Fuyuhiko

2012-06-01

In the present paper, we consider a suitable definition of a noninformative prior on the quantum statistical model of pure states. While the full pure-states model is invariant under unitary rotation and admits the Haar measure, restricted models, which we often see in quantum channel estimation and quantum process tomography, have less symmetry and no compelling rationale for any choice. We adopt a game-theoretic approach that is applicable to classical Bayesian statistics and yields a noninformative prior for a general class of probability distributions. We define the quantum detection game and show that there exist noninformative priors for a general class of a pure-states model. Theoretically, it gives one of the ways that we represent ignorance on the given quantum system with partial information. Practically, our method proposes a default distribution on the model in order to use the Bayesian technique in the quantum-state tomography with a small sample.

Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callender, Craig; Huggett, Nick

2001-04-01

Preface; 1. Introduction Craig Callendar and Nick Huggett; Part I. Theories of Quantum Gravity and their Philosophical Dimensions: 2. Spacetime and the philosophical challenge of quantum gravity Jeremy Butterfield and Christopher Isham; 3. Naive quantum gravity Steven Weinstein; 4. Quantum spacetime: what do we know? Carlo Rovelli; Part II. Strings: 5. Reflections on the fate of spacetime Edward Witten; 6. A philosopher looks at string theory Robert Weingard; 7. Black holes, dumb holes, and entropy William G. Unruh; Part III. Topological Quantum Field Theory: 8. Higher-dimensional algebra and Planck scale physics John C. Baez; Part IV. Quantum Gravity and the Interpretation of General Relativity: 9. On general covariance and best matching Julian B. Barbour; 10. Pre-Socratic quantum gravity Gordon Belot and John Earman; 11. The origin of the spacetime metric: Bell's 'Lorentzian Pedagogy' and its significance in general relativity Harvey R. Brown and Oliver Pooley; Part IV. Quantum Gravity and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics: 12. Quantum spacetime without observers: ontological clarity and the conceptual foundations of quantum gravity Sheldon Goldstein and Stefan Teufel; 13. On gravity's role in quantum state reduction Roger Penrose; 14. Why the quantum must yield to gravity Joy Christian.

Quantum logic using correlated one-dimensional quantum walks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lahini, Yoav; Steinbrecher, Gregory R.; Bookatz, Adam D.; Englund, Dirk

2018-01-01

Quantum Walks are unitary processes describing the evolution of an initially localized wavefunction on a lattice potential. The complexity of the dynamics increases significantly when several indistinguishable quantum walkers propagate on the same lattice simultaneously, as these develop non-trivial spatial correlations that depend on the particle's quantum statistics, mutual interactions, initial positions, and the lattice potential. We show that even in the simplest case of a quantum walk on a one dimensional graph, these correlations can be shaped to yield a complete set of compact quantum logic operations. We provide detailed recipes for implementing quantum logic on one-dimensional quantum walks in two general cases. For non-interacting bosons—such as photons in waveguide lattices—we find high-fidelity probabilistic quantum gates that could be integrated into linear optics quantum computation schemes. For interacting quantum-walkers on a one-dimensional lattice—a situation that has recently been demonstrated using ultra-cold atoms—we find deterministic logic operations that are universal for quantum information processing. The suggested implementation requires minimal resources and a level of control that is within reach using recently demonstrated techniques. Further work is required to address error-correction.

Quantum-secret-sharing scheme based on local distinguishability of orthogonal multiqudit entangled states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jingtao; Li, Lixiang; Peng, Haipeng; Yang, Yixian

2017-02-01

In this study, we propose the concept of judgment space to investigate the quantum-secret-sharing scheme based on local distinguishability (called LOCC-QSS). Because of the proposing of this conception, the property of orthogonal mutiqudit entangled states under restricted local operation and classical communication (LOCC) can be described more clearly. According to these properties, we reveal that, in the previous (k ,n )-threshold LOCC-QSS scheme, there are two required conditions for the selected quantum states to resist the unambiguous attack: (i) their k -level judgment spaces are orthogonal, and (ii) their (k -1 )-level judgment spaces are equal. Practically, if k

On variational expressions for quantum relative entropies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berta, Mario; Fawzi, Omar; Tomamichel, Marco

2017-12-01

Distance measures between quantum states like the trace distance and the fidelity can naturally be defined by optimizing a classical distance measure over all measurement statistics that can be obtained from the respective quantum states. In contrast, Petz showed that the measured relative entropy, defined as a maximization of the Kullback-Leibler divergence over projective measurement statistics, is strictly smaller than Umegaki's quantum relative entropy whenever the states do not commute. We extend this result in two ways. First, we show that Petz' conclusion remains true if we allow general positive operator-valued measures. Second, we extend the result to Rényi relative entropies and show that for non-commuting states the sandwiched Rényi relative entropy is strictly larger than the measured Rényi relative entropy for α \\in (1/2, \\infty ) and strictly smaller for α \\in [0,1/2). The latter statement provides counterexamples for the data processing inequality of the sandwiched Rényi relative entropy for α < 1/2. Our main tool is a new variational expression for the measured Rényi relative entropy, which we further exploit to show that certain lower bounds on quantum conditional mutual information are superadditive.

There are no particles, there are only fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hobson, Art

2013-03-01

Quantum foundations are still unsettled, with mixed effects on science and society. By now it should be possible to obtain consensus on at least one issue: Are the fundamental constituents fields or particles? As this paper shows, experiment and theory imply that unbounded fields, not bounded particles, are fundamental. This is especially clear for relativistic systems, implying that it's also true of nonrelativistic systems. Particles are epiphenomena arising from fields. Thus, the Schrödinger field is a space-filling physical field whose value at any spatial point is the probability amplitude for an interaction to occur at that point. The field for an electron is the electron; each electron extends over both slits in the two-slit experiment and spreads over the entire pattern; and quantum physics is about interactions of microscopic systems with the macroscopic world rather than just about measurements. It's important to clarify this issue because textbooks still teach a particles- and measurement-oriented interpretation that contributes to bewilderment among students and pseudoscience among the public. This article reviews classical and quantum fields, the two-slit experiment, rigorous theorems showing particles are inconsistent with relativistic quantum theory, and several phenomena showing particles are incompatible with quantum field theories.

Mid-Infrared Photoacoustic Detection of Glucose in Human Skin: Towards Non-Invasive Diagnostics

PubMed Central

Kottmann, Jonas; Rey, Julien M.; Sigrist, Markus W.

2016-01-01

Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disease without cure. Great efforts are being made to develop a non-invasive monitoring of the blood glucose level. Various attempts have been made, including a number of non-optical approaches as well as optical techniques involving visible, near- and mid-infrared light. However, no true breakthrough has been achieved so far, i.e., there is no fully non-invasive monitoring device available. Here we present a new study based on mid-infrared spectroscopy and photoacoustic detection. We employ two setups, one with a fiber-coupled photoacoustic (PA) cell and a tunable quantum cascade laser (QCL), and a second setup with two QCLs at different wavelengths combined with PA detection. In both cases, the PA cells are in direct skin contact. The performance is tested with an oral glucose tolerance test. While the first setup often gives reasonable qualitative agreement with ordinary invasive blood glucose measurements, the dual-wavelength approach yields a considerably improved stability and an uncertainty of only ±30 mg/dL of the blood glucose concentration level at a confidence level of 90%. This result is achieved without advanced data treatment such as principal component analysis involving extended wavelength ranges. PMID:27735878

Photophysical dynamics of the efficient emission and photosensitization of [Ir(pqi)2(NN)]+ complexes.

PubMed

Zanoni, Kassio P S; Ito, Akitaka; Grüner, Malte; Murakami Iha, Neyde Y; de Camargo, Andrea S S

2018-01-23

The photophysical dynamics of three complexes in the highly-emissive [Ir(pqi) 2 (NN)] + series were investigated aiming at unique photophysical features and applications in light-emitting and singlet oxygen sensitizing research fields. Rational elucidation and Franck-Condon analyses of the observed emission spectra in nitrile solutions at 298 and 77 K reveal the true emissive nature of the lowest-lying triplet excited state (T 1 ), consisting of a hybrid 3 MLCT/LC Ir(pqi)→pqi state. Emissive deactivations from T 1 occur mainly by very intense, yellow-orange phosphorescence with high quantum yields and radiative rates. The emission nature experimentally verified is corroborated by theoretical calculations (TD-DFT), with T 1 arising from a mixing of several transitions induced by the spin-orbit coupling, majorly ascribed to 3 MLCT/LC Ir(pqi)→pqi and increasing contributions of 3 MLCT/LLCT Ir(pqi)→NN . The microsecond-lived emission of T 1 is rapidly quenched by molecular oxygen, with an efficient generation of singlet oxygen. Our findings show that the photophysics of [Ir(pqi) 2 (NN)][PF 6 ] complexes is suitable for many applications, from the active layer of electroluminescent devices to photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy and theranostics.

Introduction to dissociative recombination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guberman, Steven L.; Mitchell, J. Brian A.

1989-01-01

Dissociative recombination (DR) of molecular ions with electrons has important consequences in many areas of physical science. Ab-initio calculations coupled with resonant scattering theory and multichannel quantum defect studies have produced detailed results illuminating the role of ion vibrational excitation, the quantum yields of the DR products, and the role of Rydberg states. The theoretical and experimental results are discussed.

Quantum Mechanics in Insulators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aeppli, G.; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College of London, London

Atomic physics is undergoing a large revival because of the possibility of trapping and cooling ions and atoms both for individual quantum control as well as collective quantum states, such as Bose-Einstein condensates. The present lectures start from the 'atomic' physics of isolated atoms in semiconductors and insulators and proceed to coupling them together to yield magnets undergoing quantum phase transitions as well as displaying novel quantum states with no classical analogs. The lectures are based on: G.-Y. Xu et al., Science 317, 1049-1052 (2007); G. Aeppli, P. Warburton, C. Renner, BT Technology Journal, 24, 163-169 (2006); H. M. Ronnowmore » et al., Science 308, 392-395 (2005) and N. Q. Vinh et al., PNAS 105, 10649-10653 (2008).« less

Probing structure and dynamics of DNA with 2-aminopurine: effects of local environment on fluorescence.

PubMed

Rachofsky, E L; Osman, R; Ross, J B

2001-01-30

2-Aminopurine (2AP) is an analogue of adenine that has been utilized widely as a fluorescence probe of protein-induced local conformational changes in DNA. Within a DNA strand, this fluorophore demonstrates characteristic decreases in quantum yield and emission decay lifetime that vary sensitively with base sequence, temperature, and helix conformation but that are accompanied by only small changes in emission wavelength. However, the molecular interactions that give rise to these spectroscopic changes have not been established. To develop a molecular model for interpreting the fluorescence measurements, we have investigated the effects of environmental polarity, hydrogen bonding, and the purine and pyrimidine bases of DNA on the emission energy, quantum yield, and intensity decay kinetics of 2AP in simple model systems. The effects of environmental polarity were examined in a series of solvents of varying dielectric constant, and hydrogen bonding was investigated in binary mixtures of water with 1,4-dioxane or N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The effects of the purine and pyrimidine bases were studied by titrating 2AP deoxyriboside (d2AP) with the nucleosides adenosine (rA), cytidine (rC), guanosine (rG), and deoxythymidine (dT), and the nucleoside triphosphates ATP and GTP in neutral aqueous solution. The nucleosides and NTPs each quench the fluorescence of d2AP by a combination of static (affecting only the quantum yield) and dynamic (affecting both the quantum yield and the lifetime, proportionately) mechanisms. The peak wavelength and shape of the emission spectrum are not altered by either of these effects. The static quenching is saturable and has half-maximal effect at approximately 20 mM nucleoside or NTP, consistent with an aromatic stacking interaction. The rate constant for dynamic quenching is near the diffusion limit for collisional interaction (k(q) approximately 2 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)). Neither of these effects varies significantly between the various nucleosides and NTPs studied. In contrast, hydrogen bonding with water was observed to have a negligible effect on the emission wavelength, fluorescence quantum yield, or lifetime of 2AP in either dioxane or DMF. In nonpolar solvents, the fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield decrease dramatically, accompanied by significant shifts in the emission spectrum to shorter wavelengths. However, these effects of polarity do not coincide with the observed emission wavelength-independent quenching of 2AP fluorescence in DNA. Therefore, we conclude that the fluorescence quenching of 2AP in DNA arises from base stacking and collisions with neighboring bases only but is insensitive to base-pairing or other hydrogen bonding interactions. These results implicate both structural and dynamic properties of DNA in quenching of 2AP and constitute a simple model within which the fluorescence changes induced by protein-DNA binding or other perturbations may be interpreted.

An Analytical Quantum Model to Calculate Fluorescence Enhancement of a Molecule in Vicinity of a Sub-10 nm Metal Nanoparticle.

PubMed

Bagheri, Zahra; Massudi, Reza

2017-05-01

An analytical quantum model is used to calculate electrical permittivity of a metal nanoparticle located in an adjacent molecule. Different parameters, such as radiative and non-radiative decay rates, quantum yield, electrical field enhancement factor, and fluorescence enhancement are calculated by such a model and they are compared with those obtained by using the classical Drude model. It is observed that using an analytical quantum model presents a higher enhancement factor, up to 30%, as compared to classical model for nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm. Furthermore, the results are in better agreement with those experimentally realized.

Quantum key distribution with 1.25 Gbps clock synchronization.

PubMed

Bienfang, J; Gross, A; Mink, A; Hershman, B; Nakassis, A; Tang, X; Lu, R; Su, D; Clark, Charles; Williams, Carl; Hagley, E; Wen, Jesse

2004-05-03

We have demonstrated the exchange of sifted quantum cryptographic key over a 730 meter free-space link at rates of up to 1.0 Mbps, two orders of magnitude faster than previously reported results. A classical channel at 1550 nm operates in parallel with a quantum channel at 845 nm. Clock recovery techniques on the classical channel at 1.25 Gbps enable quantum transmission at up to the clock rate. System performance is currently limited by the timing resolution of our silicon avalanche photodiode detectors. With improved detector resolution, our technique will yield another order of magnitude increase in performance, with existing technology.

Sticky Spheres in Quantum Mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penrose, M. D.; Penrose, O.; Stell, G.

For a 3-dimensional system of hard spheres of diameter D and mass m with an added attractive square-well two-body interaction of width a and depth ɛ, let BD, a denote the quantum second virial coefficient. Let BD denote the quantum second virial coefficient for hard spheres of diameter D without the added attractive interaction. We show that in the limit a → 0 at constant α: = ℰma2/(2ħ2) with α < π2/8, \\[ B_{D, a} =B_D -a \\left(\\frac{\\tan\\surd (2\\alpha)}{\\surd (2\\alpha)} -1\\right) \\frac{d}{dD} B_D +o (a) . \\] The result is true equally for Boltzmann, Bose and Fermi statistics. The method of proof uses the mathematics of Brownian motion. For α > π2/8, we argue that the gaseous phase disappears in the limit a → 0, so that the second virial coefficient becomes irrelevant.

Classical electromagnetic fields from quantum sources in heavy-ion collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holliday, Robert; McCarty, Ryan; Peroutka, Balthazar; Tuchin, Kirill

2017-01-01

Electromagnetic fields are generated in high energy nuclear collisions by spectator valence protons. These fields are traditionally computed by integrating the Maxwell equations with point sources. One might expect that such an approach is valid at distances much larger than the proton size and thus such a classical approach should work well for almost the entire interaction region in the case of heavy nuclei. We argue that, in fact, the contrary is true: due to the quantum diffusion of the proton wave function, the classical approximation breaks down at distances of the order of the system size. We compute the electromagnetic field created by a charged particle described initially as a Gaussian wave packet of width 1 fm and evolving in vacuum according to the Klein-Gordon equation. We completely neglect the medium effects. We show that the dynamics, magnitude and even sign of the electromagnetic field created by classical and quantum sources are different.

Single-photon emission of InAs/InP quantum dashes at 1.55 μm and temperatures up to 80 K

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dusanowski, Ł., E-mail: lukasz.dusanowski@pwr.edu.pl; Syperek, M.; Misiewicz, J.

2016-04-18

We report on single photon emission from a self-assembled InAs/InGaAlAs/InP quantum dash emitting at 1.55 μm at the elevated temperatures. The photon auto-correlation histograms of the emission from a charged exciton indicate clear antibunching dips with as-measured g{sup (2)}(0) values significantly below 0.5 recorded at temperatures up to 80 K. It proves that the charged exciton complex in a single quantum dash of the mature InP-based material system can act as a true single photon source up to at least liquid nitrogen temperature. This demonstrates the huge potential of InAs on InP nanostructures as the non-classical light emitters for long-distance fiber-based securemore » communication technologies.« less

Noise induced quantum effects in photosynthetic complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorfman, Konstantin; Voronine, Dmitri; Mukamel, Shaul; Scully, Marlan

2012-02-01

Recent progress in coherent multidimensional optical spectroscopy revealed effects of quantum coherence coupled to population leading to population oscillations as evidence of quantum transport. Their description requires reevaluation of the currently used methods and approximations. We identify couplings between coherences and populations as the noise-induced cross-terms in the master equation generated via Agarwal-Fano interference that have been shown earlier to enhance the quantum yield in a photocell. We investigated a broad range of typical parameter regimes, which may be applied to a variety of photosynthetic complexes. We demonstrate that quantum coherence may be induced in photosynthetic complexes under natural conditions of incoherent light from the sun. This demonstrates that a photosynthetic reaction center may be viewed as a biological quantum heat engine that transforms high-energy thermal photon radiation into low entropy electron flux.

36 CFR § 1004.20 - Right of way.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

....20 Right of way. An operator of a motor vehicle shall yield the right of way to pedestrians, saddle and pack animals and vehicles drawn by animals. Failure to yield the right of way is prohibited. ... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 3 2013-07-01 2012-07-01 true Right of way. § 1004.20...

Quantum Entanglement and the Topological Order of Fractional Hall States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezayi, Edward

2015-03-01

Fractional quantum Hall states or, more generally, topological phases of matter defy Landau classification based on order parameter and broken symmetry. Instead they have been characterized by their topological order. Quantum information concepts, such as quantum entanglement, appear to provide the most efficient method of detecting topological order solely from the knowledge of the ground state wave function. This talk will focus on real-space bi-partitioning of quantum Hall states and will present both exact diagonalization and quantum Monte Carlo studies of topological entanglement entropy in various geometries. Results on the torus for non-contractible cuts are quite rich and, through the use of minimum entropy states, yield the modular S-matrix and hence uniquely determine the topological order, as shown in recent literature. Concrete examples of minimum entropy states from known quantum Hall wave functions and their corresponding quantum numbers, used in exact diagonalizations, will be given. In collaboration with Clare Abreu and Raul Herrera. Supported by DOE Grant DE-SC0002140.

CW-pumped telecom band polarization entangled photon pair generation in a Sagnac interferometer.

PubMed

Li, Yan; Zhou, Zhi-Yuan; Ding, Dong-Sheng; Shi, Bao-Sen

2015-11-02

Polarization entangled photon pair source is widely used in many quantum information processing applications such as teleportation, quantum communications, quantum computation and high precision quantum metrology. We report on the generation of a continuous-wave pumped 1550 nm polarization entangled photon pair source at telecom wavelength using a type-II periodically poled KTiOPO(4) (PPKTP) crystal in a Sagnac interferometer. Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference measurement yields signal and idler photon bandwidth of 2.4 nm. High quality of entanglement is verified by various kinds of measurements, for example two-photon interference fringes, Bell inequality and quantum states tomography. The source can be tuned over a broad range against temperature or pump power without loss of visibilities. This source will be used in our future experiments such as generation of orbital angular momentum entangled source at telecom wavelength for quantum frequency up-conversion, entanglement based quantum key distributions and many other quantum optics experiments at telecom wavelengths.

Absorption and emission behaviour of trans- p-coumaric acid in aqueous solutions and some organic solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Putschögl, M.; Zirak, P.; Penzkofer, A.

2008-01-01

The absorption and fluorescence behaviour of trans- p-coumaric acid ( trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) is investigated in buffered aqueous solution over a wide range from pH 1 to pH 12, in un-buffered water, and in some organic solvents. Absorption cross-section spectra, fluorescence quantum distributions, fluorescence quantum yields, and degrees of fluorescence polarisation are measured. p-Coumaric acid exists in different ionic forms in aqueous solution depending on the pH. There is an equilibrium between the neutral form ( p-CAH 2) and the single anionic form ( p-CAH -) at low pH (p Kna ≈ 4.9), and between the single anionic and the double anionic form ( p-CA 2-) at high pH (p Kaa ≈ 9.35). In the organic solvents studied trans- p-coumaric acid is dissolved in its neutral form. The fluorescence quantum yield of trans- p-coumaric acid in aqueous solution is ϕF ≈ 1.4 × 10 -4 for the neutral and the single anionic form, while it is ϕF ≈ 1.3 × 10 -3 for the double anionic form. For trans- p-coumaric acid in organic solvents fluorescence quantum yields in the range from 4.8 × 10 -5 (acetonitrile) to 1.5 × 10 -4 (glycerol) were measured. The fluorescence spectra are 7700-10,000 cm -1 Stokes shifted in aqueous solution, and 5400-8200 cm -1 Stokes shifted in the studied organic solvents. Decay paths responsible for the low fluorescence quantum yields are discussed (photo-isomerisation and internal conversion for p-CA 2-, solvent-assisted intra-molecular charge-transfer or ππ ∗ to nπ ∗ transfer and internal conversion for p-CAH 2 and p-CAH -). The solvent dependence of the first ππ ∗ electronic transition frequency and of the fluorescence Stokes shift of p-CAH 2 is discussed in terms of polar solute-solvent interaction effects. Thereby the ground-state and excite-state molecular dipole moments are extracted.

Why We Should Teach the Bohr Model and How to Teach it Effectively

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKagan, S. B.; Perkins, K. K.; Wieman, C. E.

2008-01-01

Some education researchers have claimed that we should not teach the Bohr model of the atom because it inhibits students' ability to learn the true quantum nature of electrons in atoms. Although the evidence for this claim is weak, many have accepted it. This claim has implications for how to present atoms in classes ranging from elementary school…

Too True to be Bad: When Sets of Studies With Significant and Nonsignificant Findings Are Probably True.

PubMed

Lakens, Daniël; Etz, Alexander J

2017-11-01

Psychology journals rarely publish nonsignificant results. At the same time, it is often very unlikely (or "too good to be true") that a set of studies yields exclusively significant results. Here, we use likelihood ratios to explain when sets of studies that contain a mix of significant and nonsignificant results are likely to be true or "too true to be bad." As we show, mixed results are not only likely to be observed in lines of research but also, when observed, often provide evidence for the alternative hypothesis, given reasonable levels of statistical power and an adequately controlled low Type 1 error rate. Researchers should feel comfortable submitting such lines of research with an internal meta-analysis for publication. A better understanding of probabilities, accompanied by more realistic expectations of what real sets of studies look like, might be an important step in mitigating publication bias in the scientific literature.

Quantum and classical behavior in interacting bosonic systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hertzberg, Mark P.

It is understood that in free bosonic theories, the classical field theory accurately describes the full quantum theory when the occupancy numbers of systems are very large. However, the situation is less understood in interacting theories, especially on time scales longer than the dynamical relaxation time. Recently there have been claims that the quantum theory deviates spectacularly from the classical theory on this time scale, even if the occupancy numbers are extremely large. Furthermore, it is claimed that the quantum theory quickly thermalizes while the classical theory does not. The evidence for these claims comes from noticing a spectacular differencemore » in the time evolution of expectation values of quantum operators compared to the classical micro-state evolution. If true, this would have dramatic consequences for many important phenomena, including laboratory studies of interacting BECs, dark matter axions, preheating after inflation, etc. In this work we critically examine these claims. We show that in fact the classical theory can describe the quantum behavior in the high occupancy regime, even when interactions are large. The connection is that the expectation values of quantum operators in a single quantum micro-state are approximated by a corresponding classical ensemble average over many classical micro-states. Furthermore, by the ergodic theorem, a classical ensemble average of local fields with statistical translation invariance is the spatial average of a single micro-state. So the correlation functions of the quantum and classical field theories of a single micro-state approximately agree at high occupancy, even in interacting systems. Furthermore, both quantum and classical field theories can thermalize, when appropriate coarse graining is introduced, with the classical case requiring a cutoff on low occupancy UV modes. We discuss applications of our results.« less

Quantum break-time of de Sitter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dvali, Gia; Gómez, César; Zell, Sebastian

2017-06-01

The quantum break-time of a system is the time-scale after which its true quantum evolution departs from the classical mean field evolution. For capturing it, a quantum resolution of the classical background—e.g., in terms of a coherent state—is required. In this paper, we first consider a simple scalar model with anharmonic oscillations and derive its quantum break-time. Next, following [1], we apply these ideas to de Sitter space. We formulate a simple model of a spin-2 field, which for some time reproduces the de Sitter metric and simultaneously allows for its well-defined representation as quantum coherent state of gravitons. The mean occupation number N of background gravitons turns out to be equal to the de Sitter horizon area in Planck units, while their frequency is given by the de Sitter Hubble parameter. In the semi-classical limit, we show that the model reproduces all the known properties of de Sitter, such as the redshift of probe particles and thermal Gibbons-Hawking radiation, all in the language of quantum S-matrix scatterings and decays of coherent state gravitons. Most importantly, this framework allows to capture the 1/N-effects to which the usual semi-classical treatment is blind. They violate the de Sitter symmetry and lead to a finite quantum break-time of the de Sitter state equal to the de Sitter radius times N. We also point out that the quantum-break time is inversely proportional to the number of particle species in the theory. Thus, the quantum break-time imposes the following consistency condition: older and species-richer universes must have smaller cosmological constants. For the maximal, phenomenologically acceptable number of species, the observed cosmological constant would saturate this bound if our Universe were 10100 years old in its entire classical history.

Photodissociation of CO2 and quenching of metastables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slanger, T. G.

1978-01-01

Investigations in four different areas were carried out to further our understanding of the chemistry of the atmospheres of Mars and Venus. CO2 photodissociation quantum yields were determined in the 1300-1500 A spectral region by measuring both CO and oxygen atoms. The O(1S) quantum yield was determined for CO2 photodissociation in the 1060-1175 A spectral region. The measurement resolves the differences between two earlier experiments, and demonstrates that the O(1S) yield is unity throughout most of the measured region. The pathways for the quenching of O(1S) by N2O, CO2, H2O and NO were investigated and the source of the Venus nightglow, detected by Venera 9 and 10, was investigated. What appears to be a new O2 band system, was detected although the identity of the transition is not yet evident.

Viscosity and medium effects on the fluorescence and photochemical behaviour of some aryl chalcones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebeid, El-Zeiny M.; Abdel-Kader, Mahmood H.; Issa, Raafat M.; El-Daly, Samy A.

1988-05-01

The emission, excitation and absorption spectra toghether with the fluorescence and photochemical quantum yields of some chalcone derivatives have been studied in organic solvents and micellar and microemulsion media. Both 4-[2-(2-pyridyl)ethenyl] ( I) and 4-[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl ( II) chalcones show large positive solvatochromic effects. The fluorescence quantum yields increase substantially as the medium viscosity increases with a subsequent decrease in the photochemical quatum yield. Compounds I and II undergo excited-state molecular aggregation in concentrated solutions giving excimer-like emission that coincides with emission from crystalline samples. The enthalpies of photoassociation have been estimated. The chalcone derivative I acts as an efficient quencher of the fluorescence of the laser dye 1,4-bis (β-pyridyl-2-vinyl)benzene via a long-range mechanism. The excited-state lifetimes of both I and II are short and at 20°C their τ values are less than 800 ps.

Statistics of work performed on a forced quantum oscillator.

PubMed

Talkner, Peter; Burada, P Sekhar; Hänggi, Peter

2008-07-01

Various aspects of the statistics of work performed by an external classical force on a quantum mechanical system are elucidated for a driven harmonic oscillator. In this special case two parameters are introduced that are sufficient to completely characterize the force protocol. Explicit results for the characteristic function of work and the corresponding probability distribution are provided and discussed for three different types of initial states of the oscillator: microcanonical, canonical, and coherent states. Depending on the choice of the initial state the probability distributions of the performed work may greatly differ. This result in particular also holds true for identical force protocols. General fluctuation and work theorems holding for microcanonical and canonical initial states are confirmed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alcaraz, Francisco Castilho; Ibanez Berganza, Miguel; Sierra, German

In a quantum critical chain, the scaling regime of the energy and momentum of the ground state and low-lying excitations are described by conformal field theory (CFT). The same holds true for the von Neumann and Renyi entropies of the ground state, which display a universal logarithmic behavior depending on the central charge. In this Letter we generalize this result to those excited states of the chain that correspond to primary fields in CFT. It is shown that the nth Renyi entropy is related to a 2n-point correlator of primary fields. We verify this statement for the critical XX andmore » XXZ chains. This result uncovers a new link between quantum information theory and CFT.« less

Tachyon field in loop quantum cosmology: Inflation and evolution picture

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiong Huaui; Zhu Jianyang

2007-04-15

Loop quantum cosmology (LQC) predicts a nonsingular evolution of the universne through a bounce in the high energy region. We show that this is always true in tachyon matter LQC. Differing from the classical Friedman-Robertson-Walker (FRW) cosmology, the super inflation can appear in the tachyon matter LQC; furthermore, the inflation can be extended to the region where classical inflation stops. Using the numerical method, we give an evolution picture of the tachyon field with an exponential potential in the context of LQC. It indicates that the quantum dynamical solutions have the same attractive behavior as the classical solutions do. Themore » whole evolution of the tachyon field is that in the distant past, the tachyon field--being in the contracting cosmology--accelerates to climb up the potential hill with a negative velocity; then at the boundary the tachyon field is bounced into an expanding universe with positive velocity rolling down to the bottom of the potential. In the slow roll limit, we compare the quantum inflation with the classical case in both an analytic and a numerical way.« less

Dependence of the quantum speed limit on system size and control complexity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Juneseo; Arenz, Christian; Rabitz, Herschel; Russell, Benjamin

2018-06-01

We extend the work in 2017 New J. Phys. 19 103015 by deriving a lower bound for the minimum time necessary to implement a unitary transformation on a generic, closed quantum system with an arbitrary number of classical control fields. This bound is explicitly analyzed for a specific N-level system similar to those used to represent simple models of an atom, or the first excitation sector of a Heisenberg spin chain, both of which are of interest in quantum control for quantum computation. Specifically, it is shown that the resultant bound depends on the dimension of the system, and on the number of controls used to implement a specific target unitary operation. The value of the bound determined numerically, and an estimate of the true minimum gate time are systematically compared for a range of system dimension and number of controls; special attention is drawn to the relationship between these two variables. It is seen that the bound captures the scaling of the minimum time well for the systems studied, and quantitatively is correct in the order of magnitude.

Construction of mutually unbiased bases with cyclic symmetry for qubit systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seyfarth, Ulrich; Ranade, Kedar S.

2011-10-15

For the complete estimation of arbitrary unknown quantum states by measurements, the use of mutually unbiased bases has been well established in theory and experiment for the past 20 years. However, most constructions of these bases make heavy use of abstract algebra and the mathematical theory of finite rings and fields, and no simple and generally accessible construction is available. This is particularly true in the case of a system composed of several qubits, which is arguably the most important case in quantum information science and quantum computation. In this paper, we close this gap by providing a simple andmore » straightforward method for the construction of mutually unbiased bases in the case of a qubit register. We show that our construction is also accessible to experiments, since only Hadamard and controlled-phase gates are needed, which are available in most practical realizations of a quantum computer. Moreover, our scheme possesses the optimal scaling possible, i.e., the number of gates scales only linearly in the number of qubits.« less

Quantum key distribution over 120 km using ultrahigh purity single-photon source and superconducting single-photon detectors

PubMed Central

Takemoto, Kazuya; Nambu, Yoshihiro; Miyazawa, Toshiyuki; Sakuma, Yoshiki; Yamamoto, Tsuyoshi; Yorozu, Shinichi; Arakawa, Yasuhiko

2015-01-01

Advances in single-photon sources (SPSs) and single-photon detectors (SPDs) promise unique applications in the field of quantum information technology. In this paper, we report long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) by using state-of-the-art devices: a quantum-dot SPS (QD SPS) emitting a photon in the telecom band of 1.5 μm and a superconducting nanowire SPD (SNSPD). At the distance of 100 km, we obtained the maximal secure key rate of 27.6 bps without using decoy states, which is at least threefold larger than the rate obtained in the previously reported 50-km-long QKD experiment. We also succeeded in transmitting secure keys at the rate of 0.307 bps over 120 km. This is the longest QKD distance yet reported by using known true SPSs. The ultralow multiphoton emissions of our SPS and ultralow dark count of the SNSPD contributed to this result. The experimental results demonstrate the potential applicability of QD SPSs to practical telecom QKD networks. PMID:26404010

Chemical processing of three-dimensional graphene networks on transparent conducting electrodes for depleted-heterojunction quantum dot solar cells.

PubMed

Tavakoli, Mohammad Mahdi; Simchi, Abdolreza; Fan, Zhiyong; Aashuri, Hossein

2016-01-07

We present a novel chemical procedure to prepare three-dimensional graphene networks (3DGNs) as a transparent conductive film to enhance the photovoltaic performance of PbS quantum-dot (QD) solar cells. It is shown that 3DGN electrodes enhance electron extraction, yielding a 30% improvement in performance compared with the conventional device.

The Radical Pair Mechanism and the Avian Chemical Compass: Quantum Coherence and Entanglement

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Yiteng; Kais, Sabre; Berman, Gennady Petrovich

2015-02-02

We review the spin radical pair mechanism which is a promising explanation of avian navigation. This mechanism is based on the dependence of product yields on 1) the hyperfine interaction involving electron spins and neighboring nuclear spins and 2) the intensity and orientation of the geomagnetic field. One surprising result is that even at ambient conditions quantum entanglement of electron spins can play an important role in avian magnetoreception. This review describes the general scheme of chemical reactions involving radical pairs generated from singlet and triplet precursors; the spin dynamics of the radical pairs; and the magnetic field dependence ofmore » product yields caused by the radical pair mechanism. The main part of the review includes a description of the chemical compass in birds. We review: the general properties of the avian compass; the basic scheme of the radical pair mechanism; the reaction kinetics in cryptochrome; quantum coherence and entanglement in the avian compass; and the effects of noise. We believe that the quantum avian compass can play an important role in avian navigation and can also provide the foundation for a new generation of sensitive and selective magnetic-sensing nano-devices.« less

Near-Unity Internal Quantum Efficiency of Luminescent Silicon Nanocrystals with Ligand Passivation.

PubMed

Sangghaleh, Fatemeh; Sychugov, Ilya; Yang, Zhenyu; Veinot, Jonathan G C; Linnros, Jan

2015-07-28

Spectrally resolved photoluminescence (PL) decays were measured for samples of colloidal, ligand-passivated silicon nanocrystals. These samples have PL emission energies with peak positions in the range ∼1.4-1.8 eV and quantum yields of ∼30-70%. Their ensemble PL decays are characterized by a stretched-exponential decay with a dispersion factor of ∼0.8, which changes to an almost monoexponential character at fixed detection energies. The dispersion factors and decay rates for various detection energies were extracted from spectrally resolved curves using a mathematical approach that excluded the effect of homogeneous line width broadening. Since nonradiative recombination would introduce a random lifetime variation, leading to a stretched-exponential decay for an ensemble, we conclude that the observed monoexponential decay in size-selected ensembles signifies negligible nonradiative transitions of a similar strength to the radiative one. This conjecture is further supported as extracted decay rates agree with radiative rates reported in the literature, suggesting 100% internal quantum efficiency over a broad range of emission wavelengths. The apparent differences in the quantum yields can then be explained by a varying fraction of "dark" or blinking nanocrystals.

Generic framework for the secure Yuen 2000 quantum-encryption protocol employing the wire-tap channel approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mihaljevic, Miodrag J.

2007-05-15

It is shown that the security, against known-plaintext attacks, of the Yuen 2000 (Y00) quantum-encryption protocol can be considered via the wire-tap channel model assuming that the heterodyne measurement yields the sample for security evaluation. Employing the results reported on the wire-tap channel, a generic framework is proposed for developing secure Y00 instantiations. The proposed framework employs a dedicated encoding which together with inherent quantum noise at the attacker's side provides Y00 security.

Mechanism for the Green Glow of the Upper Ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guberman, Steven L.

1997-01-01

The generation of the green line of atomic oxygen by dissociative recombination of 02 plus occurs by the capture of an electron into a repulsive state of 02 followed by dissociation along another state of a different electronic symmetry. The two states are coupled together by mixed symmetry Rydberg states. Quantum chemical calculations give a rate coefficient at room temperature of (0.39 (+ 0.31 or -0.19)) x 10 exp -8 cubic centimeters per second. The quantum yield of excited oxygen is within the range deduced from ground, rocket, and satellite observations. The rate coefficients and yields are needed in models of the optical emission, chemistry, and energy balance of planetary ionospheres.

Photosensitized electron transport across lipid vesicle walls: quantum yield dependence on sensitizer concentration.

PubMed Central

Ford, W E; Otvos, J W; Calvin, M

1979-01-01

An amphiphilic tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(2+) derivative that is incorporated into the walls of phosphatidylcholine vesicles photosensitizes the irreversible oxidation of ethylenediaminetetraacetate(3-) dissolved in the inner aqueous compartments of the vesicle suspension and the one-electron reduction of heptylviologen(2+) dissolved in the continuous aqueous phase. The quantum yield of viologen radical production depends on the phospholipid-to-ruthenium complex mole ratios. A kinetic model is used to derive an order-of-magnitude estimate for the rate constant of electron transport across the vesicle walls. The results are inconsistent with a diffusional mechanism for electron transport and are interpreted in terms of electron exchange. PMID:291027

An Environmentally Sensitive Fluorescent Dye as a Multidimensional Probe of Amyloid Formation

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

We have explored amyloid formation using poly(amino acid) model systems in which differences in peptide secondary structure and hydrophobicity can be introduced in a controlled manner. We show that an environmentally sensitive fluorescent dye, dapoxyl, is able to identify β-sheet structure and hydrophobic surfaces, structural features likely to be related to toxicity, as a result of changes in its excitation and emission profiles and its relative quantum yield. These results show that dapoxyl is a multidimensional probe of the time dependence of amyloid aggregation, which provides information about the presence and nature of metastable aggregation intermediates that is inaccessible to the conventional probes that rely on changes in quantum yield alone. PMID:26865546

Free volume dependence of an ionic molecular rotor in Fluoroalkylphosphate (FAP) based ionic liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Prabhat K.; Mora, Aruna K.; Nath, Sukhendu

2016-01-01

The emission properties of Thioflavin-T (ThT), a cationic molecular rotor, have been investigated in two fluoroalkylphosphate ([FAP]) anion based ionic liquids, namely, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate, over a wide temperature range. The micro-viscosities of ionic liquids around ThT, measured from the emission quantum yield, are found to be quite different from their bulk viscosities. The temperature dependence of the viscosity and the emission quantum yield reveals that, despite the very low shear viscosity of these ILs, the non-radiative torsional relaxation has a strong dependence on the free volume of these [FAP] anion based ILs.

Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-conjugated dendrimer-modified quantum dots for targeting and imaging melanoma.

PubMed

Li, Zhiming; Huang, Peng; Lin, Jing; He, Rong; Liu, Bing; Zhang, Xiaomin; Yang, Sen; Xi, Peng; Zhang, Xuejun; Ren, Qiushi; Cui, Daxiang

2010-08-01

Angiogenesis is essential for the development of malignant tumors and provides important targets for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Quantum dots have been broadly investigated for their potential application in cancer molecular imaging. In present work, CdSe quantum dots were synthesized, polyamidoamine dendrimers were used to modify surface of quantum dots and improve their solubility in water solution. Then, dendrimer-modified CdSe quantum dots were conjugated with arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides. These prepared nanoprobes were injected into nude mice loaded with melanoma (A375) tumor xenografts via tail vessels, IVIS imaging system was used to image the targeting and bio-distribution of as-prepared nanoprobes. The dendrimer-modified quantum dots exhibit water-soluble, high quantum yield, and good biocompatibility. RGD-conjugated quantum dots can specifically target human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and A375 melanoma cells, as well as nude mice loaded with A735 melanoma cells. High-performance RGD-conjugated dendrimers modified quantum dot-based nanoprobes have great potential in application such as tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Relativistic quantum Darwinism in Dirac fermion and graphene systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Xuan; Huang, Liang; Lai, Ying-Cheng; Pecora, Louis

2012-02-01

We solve the Dirac equation in two spatial dimensions in the setting of resonant tunneling, where the system consists of two symmetric cavities connected by a finite potential barrier. The shape of the cavities can be chosen to yield both regular and chaotic dynamics in the classical limit. We find that certain pointer states about classical periodic orbits can exist, which are signatures of relativistic quantum Darwinism (RQD). These localized states suppress quantum tunneling, and the effect becomes less severe as the underlying classical dynamics in the cavity is chaotic, leading to regularization of quantum tunneling. Qualitatively similar phenomena have been observed in graphene. A physical theory is developed to explain relativistic quantum Darwinism and its effects based on the spectrum of complex eigenenergies of the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian describing the open cavity system.

Josephson junction microwave amplifier in self-organized noise compression mode

PubMed Central

Lähteenmäki, Pasi; Vesterinen, Visa; Hassel, Juha; Seppä, Heikki; Hakonen, Pertti

2012-01-01

The fundamental noise limit of a phase-preserving amplifier at frequency is the standard quantum limit . In the microwave range, the best candidates have been amplifiers based on superconducting quantum interference devices (reaching the noise temperature at 700 MHz), and non-degenerate parametric amplifiers (reaching noise levels close to the quantum limit at 8 GHz). We introduce a new type of an amplifier based on the negative resistance of a selectively damped Josephson junction. Noise performance of our amplifier is limited by mixing of quantum noise from Josephson oscillation regime down to the signal frequency. Measurements yield nearly quantum-limited operation, at 2.8 GHz, owing to self-organization of the working point. Simulations describe the characteristics of our device well and indicate potential for wide bandwidth operation. PMID:22355788

Compact and highly stable quantum dots through optimized aqueous phase transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamang, Sudarsan; Beaune, Grégory; Poillot, Cathy; De Waard, Michel; Texier-Nogues, Isabelle; Reiss, Peter

2011-03-01

A large number of different approaches for the aqueous phase transfer of quantum dots have been proposed. Surface ligand exchange with small hydrophilic thiols, such as L-cysteine, yields the lowest particle hydrodynamic diameter. However, cysteine is prone to dimer formation, which limits colloidal stability. We demonstrate that precise pH control during aqueous phase transfer dramatically increases the colloidal stability of InP/ZnS quantum dots. Various bifunctional thiols have been applied. The formation of disulfides, strongly diminishing the fluorescence QY has been prevented through addition of appropriate reducing agents. Bright InP/ZnS quantum dots with a hydrodynamic diameter <10 nm and long-term stability have been obtained. Finally we present in vitro studies of the quantum dots functionalized with the cell-penetrating peptide maurocalcine.

Combined atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence imaging to select single InAs/GaAs quantum dots for quantum photonic devices.

PubMed

Sapienza, Luca; Liu, Jin; Song, Jin Dong; Fält, Stefan; Wegscheider, Werner; Badolato, Antonio; Srinivasan, Kartik

2017-07-24

We report on a combined photoluminescence imaging and atomic force microscopy study of single, isolated self-assembled InAs quantum dots. The motivation of this work is to determine an approach that allows to assess single quantum dots as candidates for quantum nanophotonic devices. By combining optical and scanning probe characterization techniques, we find that single quantum dots often appear in the vicinity of comparatively large topographic features. Despite this, the quantum dots generally do not exhibit significant differences in their non-resonantly pumped emission spectra in comparison to quantum dots appearing in defect-free regions, and this behavior is observed across multiple wafers produced in different growth chambers. Such large surface features are nevertheless a detriment to applications in which single quantum dots are embedded within nanofabricated photonic devices: they are likely to cause large spectral shifts in the wavelength of cavity modes designed to resonantly enhance the quantum dot emission, thereby resulting in a nominally perfectly-fabricated single quantum dot device failing to behave in accordance with design. We anticipate that the approach of screening quantum dots not only based on their optical properties, but also their surrounding surface topographies, will be necessary to improve the yield of single quantum dot nanophotonic devices.

High-fidelity gates in quantum dot spin qubits

PubMed Central

Koh, Teck Seng; Coppersmith, S. N.; Friesen, Mark

2013-01-01

Several logical qubits and quantum gates have been proposed for semiconductor quantum dots controlled by voltages applied to top gates. The different schemes can be difficult to compare meaningfully. Here we develop a theoretical framework to evaluate disparate qubit-gating schemes on an equal footing. We apply the procedure to two types of double-dot qubits: the singlet–triplet and the semiconducting quantum dot hybrid qubit. We investigate three quantum gates that flip the qubit state: a DC pulsed gate, an AC gate based on logical qubit resonance, and a gate-like process known as stimulated Raman adiabatic passage. These gates are all mediated by an exchange interaction that is controlled experimentally using the interdot tunnel coupling g and the detuning ϵ, which sets the energy difference between the dots. Our procedure has two steps. First, we optimize the gate fidelity (f) for fixed g as a function of the other control parameters; this yields an that is universal for different types of gates. Next, we identify physical constraints on the control parameters; this yields an upper bound that is specific to the qubit-gate combination. We show that similar gate fidelities should be attainable for singlet-triplet qubits in isotopically purified Si, and for hybrid qubits in natural Si. Considerably lower fidelities are obtained for GaAs devices, due to the fluctuating magnetic fields ΔB produced by nuclear spins. PMID:24255105

Highly Luminescent Phase-Stable CsPbI3 Perovskite Quantum Dots Achieving Near 100% Absolute Photoluminescence Quantum Yield.

PubMed

Liu, Feng; Zhang, Yaohong; Ding, Chao; Kobayashi, Syuusuke; Izuishi, Takuya; Nakazawa, Naoki; Toyoda, Taro; Ohta, Tsuyoshi; Hayase, Shuzi; Minemoto, Takashi; Yoshino, Kenji; Dai, Songyuan; Shen, Qing

2017-10-24

Perovskite quantum dots (QDs) as a new type of colloidal nanocrystals have gained significant attention for both fundamental research and commercial applications owing to their appealing optoelectronic properties and excellent chemical processability. For their wide range of potential applications, synthesizing colloidal QDs with high crystal quality is of crucial importance. However, like most common QD systems such as CdSe and PbS, those reported perovskite QDs still suffer from a certain density of trapping defects, giving rise to detrimental nonradiative recombination centers and thus quenching luminescence. In this paper, we show that a high room-temperature photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 100% can be obtained in CsPbI 3 perovskite QDs, signifying the achievement of almost complete elimination of the trapping defects. This is realized with our improved synthetic protocol that involves introducing organolead compound trioctylphosphine-PbI 2 (TOP-PbI 2 ) as the reactive precursor, which also leads to a significantly improved stability for the resulting CsPbI 3 QD solutions. Ultrafast kinetic analysis with time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy evidence the negligible electron or hole-trapping pathways in our QDs, which explains such a high quantum efficiency. We expect the successful synthesis of the "ideal" perovskite QDs will exert profound influence on their applications to both QD-based light-harvesting and -emitting devices.

High-Fidelity Single-Shot Toffoli Gate via Quantum Control.

PubMed

Zahedinejad, Ehsan; Ghosh, Joydip; Sanders, Barry C

2015-05-22

A single-shot Toffoli, or controlled-controlled-not, gate is desirable for classical and quantum information processing. The Toffoli gate alone is universal for reversible computing and, accompanied by the Hadamard gate, forms a universal gate set for quantum computing. The Toffoli gate is also a key ingredient for (nontopological) quantum error correction. Currently Toffoli gates are achieved by decomposing into sequentially implemented single- and two-qubit gates, which require much longer times and yields lower overall fidelities compared to a single-shot implementation. We develop a quantum-control procedure to construct a single-shot Toffoli gate for three nearest-neighbor-coupled superconducting transmon systems such that the fidelity is 99.9% and is as fast as an entangling two-qubit gate under the same realistic conditions. The gate is achieved by a nongreedy quantum control procedure using our enhanced version of the differential evolution algorithm.

Estimates on Functional Integrals of Quantum Mechanics and Non-relativistic Quantum Field Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bley, Gonzalo A.; Thomas, Lawrence E.

2017-01-01

We provide a unified method for obtaining upper bounds for certain functional integrals appearing in quantum mechanics and non-relativistic quantum field theory, functionals of the form {E[{exp}(A_T)]} , the (effective) action {A_T} being a function of particle trajectories up to time T. The estimates in turn yield rigorous lower bounds for ground state energies, via the Feynman-Kac formula. The upper bounds are obtained by writing the action for these functional integrals in terms of stochastic integrals. The method is illustrated in familiar quantum mechanical settings: for the hydrogen atom, for a Schrödinger operator with {1/|x|^2} potential with small coupling, and, with a modest adaptation of the method, for the harmonic oscillator. We then present our principal applications of the method, in the settings of non-relativistic quantum field theories for particles moving in a quantized Bose field, including the optical polaron and Nelson models.

A quantum network of clocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komar, Peter; Kessler, Eric; Bishof, Michael; Jiang, Liang; Sorensen, Anders; Ye, Jun; Lukin, Mikhail

2014-05-01

Shared timing information constitutes a key resource for positioning and navigation with a direct correspondence between timing accuracy and precision in applications such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). By combining precision metrology and quantum networks, we propose here a quantum, cooperative protocol for the operation of a network consisting of geographically remote optical atomic clocks. Using non-local entangled states, we demonstrate an optimal utilization of the global network resources, and show that such a network can be operated near the fundamental limit set by quantum theory yielding an ultra-precise clock signal. Furthermore, the internal structure of the network, combined with basic techniques from quantum communication, guarantees security both from internal and external threats. Realization of such a global quantum network of clocks may allow construction of a real-time single international time scale (world clock) with unprecedented stability and accuracy. See also: Komar et al. arXiv:1310.6045 (2013) and Kessler et al. arXiv:1310.6043 (2013).

Converting multilevel nonclassicality into genuine multipartite entanglement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Regula, Bartosz; Piani, Marco; Cianciaruso, Marco; Bromley, Thomas R.; Streltsov, Alexander; Adesso, Gerardo

2018-03-01

Characterizing genuine quantum resources and determining operational rules for their manipulation are crucial steps to appraise possibilities and limitations of quantum technologies. Two such key resources are nonclassicality, manifested as quantum superposition between reference states of a single system, and entanglement, capturing quantum correlations among two or more subsystems. Here we present a general formalism for the conversion of nonclassicality into multipartite entanglement, showing that a faithful reversible transformation between the two resources is always possible within a precise resource-theoretic framework. Specializing to quantum coherence between the levels of a quantum system as an instance of nonclassicality, we introduce explicit protocols for such a mapping. We further show that the conversion relates multilevel coherence and multipartite entanglement not only qualitatively, but also quantitatively, restricting the amount of entanglement achievable in the process and in particular yielding an equality between the two resources when quantified by fidelity-based geometric measures.

Entropy generation in Gaussian quantum transformations: applying the replica method to continuous-variable quantum information theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gagatsos, Christos N.; Karanikas, Alexandros I.; Kordas, Georgios; Cerf, Nicolas J.

2016-02-01

In spite of their simple description in terms of rotations or symplectic transformations in phase space, quadratic Hamiltonians such as those modelling the most common Gaussian operations on bosonic modes remain poorly understood in terms of entropy production. For instance, determining the quantum entropy generated by a Bogoliubov transformation is notably a hard problem, with generally no known analytical solution, while it is vital to the characterisation of quantum communication via bosonic channels. Here we overcome this difficulty by adapting the replica method, a tool borrowed from statistical physics and quantum field theory. We exhibit a first application of this method to continuous-variable quantum information theory, where it enables accessing entropies in an optical parametric amplifier. As an illustration, we determine the entropy generated by amplifying a binary superposition of the vacuum and a Fock state, which yields a surprisingly simple, yet unknown analytical expression.

Historical remarks on exponential product and quantum analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suzuki, Masuo

2015-03-10

The exponential product formula [1, 2] was substantially introduced in physics by the present author [2]. Its systematic applications to quantum Monte Carlo Methods [3] were preformed [4, 5] first in 1977. Many interesting applications [6] of the quantum-classical correspondence (namely S-T transformation) have been reported. Systematic higher-order decomposition formulae were also discovered by the present author [7-11], using the recursion scheme [7, 9]. Physically speaking, these exponential product formulae play a conceptual role of separation of procedures [3,14]. Mathematical aspects of these formulae have been integrated in quantum analysis [15], in which non-commutative differential calculus is formulated and amore » general quantum Taylor expansion formula is given. This yields many useful operator expansion formulae such as the Feynman expansion formula and the resolvent expansion. Irreversibility and entropy production are also studied using quantum analysis [15].« less

Quantum no-scale regimes in string theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coudarchet, Thibaut; Fleming, Claude; Partouche, Hervé

2018-05-01

We show that in generic no-scale models in string theory, the flat, expanding cosmological evolutions found at the quantum level can be attracted to a "quantum no-scale regime", where the no-scale structure is restored asymptotically. In this regime, the quantum effective potential is dominated by the classical kinetic energies of the no-scale modulus and dilaton. We find that this natural preservation of the classical no-scale structure at the quantum level occurs when the initial conditions of the evolutions sit in a subcritical region of their space. On the contrary, supercritical initial conditions yield solutions that have no analogue at the classical level. The associated intrinsically quantum universes are sentenced to collapse and their histories last finite cosmic times. Our analysis is done at 1-loop, in perturbative heterotic string compactified on tori, with spontaneous supersymmetry breaking implemented by a stringy version of the Scherk-Schwarz mechanism.

Nonunitary quantum computation in the ground space of local Hamiltonians

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Usher, Naïri; Hoban, Matty J.; Browne, Dan E.

2017-09-01

A central result in the study of quantum Hamiltonian complexity is that the k -local Hamiltonian problem is quantum-Merlin-Arthur-complete. In that problem, we must decide if the lowest eigenvalue of a Hamiltonian is bounded below some value, or above another, promised one of these is true. Given the ground state of the Hamiltonian, a quantum computer can determine this question, even if the ground state itself may not be efficiently quantum preparable. Kitaev's proof of QMA-completeness encodes a unitary quantum circuit in QMA into the ground space of a Hamiltonian. However, we now have quantum computing models based on measurement instead of unitary evolution; furthermore, we can use postselected measurement as an additional computational tool. In this work, we generalize Kitaev's construction to allow for nonunitary evolution including postselection. Furthermore, we consider a type of postselection under which the construction is consistent, which we call tame postselection. We consider the computational complexity consequences of this construction and then consider how the probability of an event upon which we are postselecting affects the gap between the ground-state energy and the energy of the first excited state of its corresponding Hamiltonian. We provide numerical evidence that the two are not immediately related by giving a family of circuits where the probability of an event upon which we postselect is exponentially small, but the gap in the energy levels of the Hamiltonian decreases as a polynomial.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Haixia; Zhang, Jing

We propose a scheme for continuous-variable quantum cloning of coherent states with phase-conjugate input modes using linear optics. The quantum cloning machine yields M identical optimal clones from N replicas of a coherent state and N replicas of its phase conjugate. This scheme can be straightforwardly implemented with the setups accessible at present since its optical implementation only employs simple linear optical elements and homodyne detection. Compared with the original scheme for continuous-variable quantum cloning with phase-conjugate input modes proposed by Cerf and Iblisdir [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 247903 (2001)], which utilized a nondegenerate optical parametric amplifier, our scheme losesmore » the output of phase-conjugate clones and is regarded as irreversible quantum cloning.« less

Some applications of uncertainty relations in quantum information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majumdar, A. S.; Pramanik, T.

2016-08-01

We discuss some applications of various versions of uncertainty relations for both discrete and continuous variables in the context of quantum information theory. The Heisenberg uncertainty relation enables demonstration of the Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR) paradox. Entropic uncertainty relations (EURs) are used to reveal quantum steering for non-Gaussian continuous variable states. EURs for discrete variables are studied in the context of quantum memory where fine-graining yields the optimum lower bound of uncertainty. The fine-grained uncertainty relation is used to obtain connections between uncertainty and the nonlocality of retrieval games for bipartite and tripartite systems. The Robertson-Schrödinger (RS) uncertainty relation is applied for distinguishing pure and mixed states of discrete variables.

Probability and Quantum Paradigms: the Interplay

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kracklauer, A. F.

Since the introduction of Born's interpretation of quantum wave functions as yielding the probability density of presence, Quantum Theory and Probability have lived in a troubled symbiosis. Problems arise with this interpretation because quantum probabilities exhibit features alien to usual probabilities, namely non Boolean structure and non positive-definite phase space probability densities. This has inspired research into both elaborate formulations of Probability Theory and alternate interpretations for wave functions. Herein the latter tactic is taken and a suggested variant interpretation of wave functions based on photo detection physics proposed, and some empirical consequences are considered. Although incomplete in a fewmore » details, this variant is appealing in its reliance on well tested concepts and technology.« less

Probability and Quantum Paradigms: the Interplay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kracklauer, A. F.

2007-12-01

Since the introduction of Born's interpretation of quantum wave functions as yielding the probability density of presence, Quantum Theory and Probability have lived in a troubled symbiosis. Problems arise with this interpretation because quantum probabilities exhibit features alien to usual probabilities, namely non Boolean structure and non positive-definite phase space probability densities. This has inspired research into both elaborate formulations of Probability Theory and alternate interpretations for wave functions. Herein the latter tactic is taken and a suggested variant interpretation of wave functions based on photo detection physics proposed, and some empirical consequences are considered. Although incomplete in a few details, this variant is appealing in its reliance on well tested concepts and technology.

Dynamic tensile characterization of Vascomax® maraging C250 and C300 alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Song, Bo; Wakeland, Peter Eric; Furnish, Michael D.

Vascomax® maraging C250 and C300 alloys were dynamically characterized in tension with Kolsky tension bar techniques. Compared with conventional Kolsky tension bar experiments, a pair of lock nuts was used to minimize the pseudo stress peak and a laser system was applied to directly measure the specimen displacement. Dynamic engineering stress–strain curves of the C250 and C300 alloys were obtained in tension at 1000 and 3000 s –1. The dynamic yield strengths for both alloys were similar, but significantly higher than those obtained from quasi-static indentation tests. Both alloys exhibited insignificant strain-rate effect on dynamic yield strength. The C300 alloymore » showed approximately 10 % higher in yield strength than the C250 alloy at the same strain rates. Necking was observed in both alloys right after yield. The Bridgman correction was applied to calculate the true stress and strain at failure for both alloys. The true failure stress showed a modest strain rate effect for both alloys but no significant difference between the two alloys at the same strain rate. As a result, the C250 alloy was more ductile than the C300 alloy under dynamic loading.« less

Dynamic tensile characterization of Vascomax® maraging C250 and C300 alloys

DOE PAGES

Song, Bo; Wakeland, Peter Eric; Furnish, Michael D.

2015-04-14

Vascomax® maraging C250 and C300 alloys were dynamically characterized in tension with Kolsky tension bar techniques. Compared with conventional Kolsky tension bar experiments, a pair of lock nuts was used to minimize the pseudo stress peak and a laser system was applied to directly measure the specimen displacement. Dynamic engineering stress–strain curves of the C250 and C300 alloys were obtained in tension at 1000 and 3000 s –1. The dynamic yield strengths for both alloys were similar, but significantly higher than those obtained from quasi-static indentation tests. Both alloys exhibited insignificant strain-rate effect on dynamic yield strength. The C300 alloymore » showed approximately 10 % higher in yield strength than the C250 alloy at the same strain rates. Necking was observed in both alloys right after yield. The Bridgman correction was applied to calculate the true stress and strain at failure for both alloys. The true failure stress showed a modest strain rate effect for both alloys but no significant difference between the two alloys at the same strain rate. As a result, the C250 alloy was more ductile than the C300 alloy under dynamic loading.« less

Comparing diagnostic tests on benefit-risk.

PubMed

Pennello, Gene; Pantoja-Galicia, Norberto; Evans, Scott

2016-01-01

Comparing diagnostic tests on accuracy alone can be inconclusive. For example, a test may have better sensitivity than another test yet worse specificity. Comparing tests on benefit risk may be more conclusive because clinical consequences of diagnostic error are considered. For benefit-risk evaluation, we propose diagnostic yield, the expected distribution of subjects with true positive, false positive, true negative, and false negative test results in a hypothetical population. We construct a table of diagnostic yield that includes the number of false positive subjects experiencing adverse consequences from unnecessary work-up. We then develop a decision theory for evaluating tests. The theory provides additional interpretation to quantities in the diagnostic yield table. It also indicates that the expected utility of a test relative to a perfect test is a weighted accuracy measure, the average of sensitivity and specificity weighted for prevalence and relative importance of false positive and false negative testing errors, also interpretable as the cost-benefit ratio of treating non-diseased and diseased subjects. We propose plots of diagnostic yield, weighted accuracy, and relative net benefit of tests as functions of prevalence or cost-benefit ratio. Concepts are illustrated with hypothetical screening tests for colorectal cancer with test positive subjects being referred to colonoscopy.

Generating and using truly random quantum states in Mathematica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miszczak, Jarosław Adam

2012-01-01

The problem of generating random quantum states is of a great interest from the quantum information theory point of view. In this paper we present a package for Mathematica computing system harnessing a specific piece of hardware, namely Quantis quantum random number generator (QRNG), for investigating statistical properties of quantum states. The described package implements a number of functions for generating random states, which use Quantis QRNG as a source of randomness. It also provides procedures which can be used in simulations not related directly to quantum information processing. Program summaryProgram title: TRQS Catalogue identifier: AEKA_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEKA_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 7924 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 88 651 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Mathematica, C Computer: Requires a Quantis quantum random number generator (QRNG, http://www.idquantique.com/true-random-number-generator/products-overview.html) and supporting a recent version of Mathematica Operating system: Any platform supporting Mathematica; tested with GNU/Linux (32 and 64 bit) RAM: Case dependent Classification: 4.15 Nature of problem: Generation of random density matrices. Solution method: Use of a physical quantum random number generator. Running time: Generating 100 random numbers takes about 1 second, generating 1000 random density matrices takes more than a minute.

Entanglement as a signature of quantum chaos.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaoguang; Ghose, Shohini; Sanders, Barry C; Hu, Bambi

2004-01-01

We explore the dynamics of entanglement in classically chaotic systems by considering a multiqubit system that behaves collectively as a spin system obeying the dynamics of the quantum kicked top. In the classical limit, the kicked top exhibits both regular and chaotic dynamics depending on the strength of the chaoticity parameter kappa in the Hamiltonian. We show that the entanglement of the multiqubit system, considered for both the bipartite and the pairwise entanglement, yields a signature of quantum chaos. Whereas bipartite entanglement is enhanced in the chaotic region, pairwise entanglement is suppressed. Furthermore, we define a time-averaged entangling power and show that this entangling power changes markedly as kappa moves the system from being predominantly regular to being predominantly chaotic, thus sharply identifying the edge of chaos. When this entangling power is averaged over all states, it yields a signature of global chaos. The qualitative behavior of this global entangling power is similar to that of the classical Lyapunov exponent.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Luo, Yue; Ahmadi, Ehsaneh D.; Shayan, Kamran

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are promising absorbers and emitters to enable novel photonic applications and devices but are also known to suffer from low optical quantum yields. Here we demonstrate SWCNT excitons coupled to plasmonic nanocavity arrays reaching deeply into the Purcell regime with Purcell factors (F P) up to F P = 180 (average F P = 57), Purcell-enhanced quantum yields of 62% (average 42%), and a photon emission rate of 15 MHz into the first lens. The cavity coupling is quasi-deterministic since the photophysical properties of every SWCNT are enhanced by at least one order of magnitude. Furthermore,more » the measured ultra-narrow exciton linewidth (18 ueV) reaches the radiative lifetime limit, which is promising towards generation of transform-limited single photons. Furthermore, to demonstrate utility beyond quantum light sources we show that nanocavity-coupled SWCNTs perform as single-molecule thermometers detecting plasmonically induced heat at cryogenic temperatures in a unique interplay of excitons, phonons, and plasmons at the nanoscale.« less

Fluorescent quantum dot hydrophilization with PAMAM dendrimer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potapkin, Dmitry V.; Geißler, Daniel; Resch-Genger, Ute; Goryacheva, Irina Yu.

2016-05-01

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were used to produce CdSe core/multi-shell fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) which are colloidally stable in aqueous solutions. The size, charge, and optical properties of QDs functionalized with the 4th (G4) and 5th (G5) generation of PAMAM were compared with amphiphilic polymer-covered QDs and used as criteria for the evaluation of the suitability of both water solubilization methods. As revealed by dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering (DLS and ELS), the hydrodynamic sizes of the QDs varied from 30 to 65 nm depending on QD type and dendrimer generation, with all QDs displaying highly positive surface charges, i.e., zeta potentials of around +50 mV in water. PAMAM functionalization yielded stable core/multi-shell QDs with photoluminescence quantum yields ( Φ) of up to 45 %. These dendrimer-covered QDs showed a smaller decrease in their Φ upon phase transfer compared with QDs made water soluble via encapsulation with amphiphilic brush polymer bearing polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene chains.

Measurement of the photobleaching kinetics of semiconducting polymer films by the pump - probe method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ozimova, A E; Bruevich, V V; Parashchuk, D Yu

2011-12-31

A phenomenological model of the laser photobleaching dynamics of a semiconducting polymer in a dual-beam scheme for different wavelengths of the burning and probe beams is developed. An experimental method is implemented based on this model, which allows one to investigate materials with significantly different photodegradation rates. The photodegradation quantum yield in mixtures of a semiconducting polymer belonging to polyparaphenylene vinylenes (MEH-PPV) with a low-molecular electron acceptor 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF) is measured at burning wavelengths of 488 and 514 nm for different component ratios of MEHPPV : TNF. It is found that adding the acceptor decreases the polymer photodegradation quantum yieldmore » by at least four orders of magnitude in the MEH-PPV : TNF = 1 : 0.4 mixture; the photodegradation quantum yields are the same at both wavelengths. It is shown that the photodegradation rates of the MEH-PPV : TNF films measured by laser photobleaching and IR spectroscopy are in good agreement.« less

Temperature dependence of tris(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium (II) device characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slinker, Jason D.; Malliaras, George G.; Flores-Torres, Samuel; Abruña, Héctor D.; Chunwachirasiri, Withoon; Winokur, Michael J.

2004-04-01

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the current, radiance, and efficiency from electroluminescent devices based on [Ru(bpy)3]2+(PF6-)2, where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine. We find that the current increases monotonically with temperature from 200 to 380 K, while the radiance reaches a maximum near room temperature. For temperatures greater than room temperature, an irreversible, current-induced degradation occurs with thermal cycling that diminishes both the radiance and the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, but does not affect the current. The temperature dependence of the external quantum efficiency is fully accounted for by the dependence of the PL quantum yield as measured from the emissive area of the device. This implies that the contacts remain ohmic throughout the temperature range investigated. The quenching of the PL with temperature was attributed to thermal activation to a nonradiative d-d transition. The temperature dependence of the current shows a complex behavior in which transport appears to be thermally activated, with distinct low-temperature and high-temperature regimes.

The use of dendrimers as high-performance shells for round-trip energy transfer: efficient trans-cis photoisomerization from an excited triplet state produced within a dendrimer shell.

PubMed

Miura, Yousuke; Momotake, Atsuya; Takeuchi, Keiichirou; Arai, Tatsuo

2011-01-01

A series of stilbene-cored poly(benzyl ether) dendrimers with benzophenone peripheries were synthesized and their photophysical and photochemical properties were studied. Fluorescence studies revealed that singlet-singlet energy transfer (SSET) from the stilbene core to the benzophenone units took place efficiently in dendrimers of all generations. Similarly, phosphorescence and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements indicated efficient triplet-triplet energy transfer (TTET) from the benzophenone periphery to the stilbene core. Upon excitation at 310 nm, the stilbene core isomerizes via an energy round trip within the dendrimer shell. The quantum yields for the energy round trip (Φ(ERT)), defined as the product of the quantum yields of SSET, intersystem crossing, and TTET (Φ(ERT) = Φ(SS)Φ(isc)Φ(TT)), were extremely high for all generations--99%, 95% and 94% for G1, G2, and G3, respectively--which means that the excitation energy of the dendrimer core was transferred to the dendrimer periphery and back to the core almost quantitatively. The quantum yield for photoisomerization of G1-G3 via an energy round trip was higher than for other stilbene-cored dendrimers, which mainly isomerize from the excited singlet state. Photostability in the dendrimers was also demonstrated and discussed.

Singlet Oxygen Generation by UVA Light Exposure of Endogenous Photosensitizers

PubMed Central

Baier, Jürgen; Maisch, Tim; Maier, Max; Engel, Eva; Landthaler, Michael; Bäumler, Wolfgang

2006-01-01

UVA light (320–400 nm) has been shown to produce deleterious biological effects in tissue due to the generation of singlet oxygen by substances like flavins or urocanic acid. Riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide (FMN), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), urocanic acid, or cholesterol in solution were excited at 355 nm. Singlet oxygen was directly detected by time-resolved measurement of its luminescence at 1270 nm. NAD, NADP, and cholesterol showed no luminescence signal possibly due to the very low absorption coefficient at 355 nm. Singlet oxygen luminescence of urocanic acid was clearly detected but the signal was too weak to quantify a quantum yield. The quantum yield of singlet oxygen was precisely determined for riboflavin (ΦΔ = 0.54 ± 0.07), FMN (ΦΔ = 0.51 ± 0.07), and FAD (ΦΔ = 0.07 ± 0.02). In aerated solution, riboflavin and FMN generate more singlet oxygen than exogenous photosensitizers such as Photofrin, which are applied in photodynamic therapy to kill cancer cells. With decreasing oxygen concentration, the quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation decreased, which must be considered when assessing the role of singlet oxygen at low oxygen concentrations (inside tissue). PMID:16751234

Phosphorescent binuclear iridium complexes based on terpyridine-carboxylate: an experimental and theoretical study.

PubMed

Andreiadis, Eugen S; Imbert, Daniel; Pécaut, Jacques; Calborean, Adrian; Ciofini, Ilaria; Adamo, Carlo; Demadrille, Renaud; Mazzanti, Marinella

2011-09-05

The phosphorescent binuclear iridium(III) complexes tetrakis(2-phenylpyridine)μ-(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-6,6''-dicarboxylic acid)diiridium (Ir1) and tetrakis(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl) pyridine))μ-(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-6,6''-dicarboxylic acid)diiridium (Ir2) were synthesized in a straightforward manner and characterized using X-ray diffraction, NMR, UV-vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy. The complexes have similar solution structures in which the two iridium centers are equivalent. This is further confirmed by the solid state structure of Ir2. The newly reported complexes display intense luminescence in dichloromethane solutions with maxima at 538 (Ir1) and 477 nm (Ir2) at 298 K (496 and 468 nm at 77 K, respectively) and emission quantum yields reaching ~18% for Ir1. The emission quantum yield for Ir1 is among the highest values reported for dinuclear iridium complexes. It shows only a 11% decrease with respect to the emission quantum yield reported for its mononuclear analogue, while the molar extinction coefficient is roughly doubled. This suggests that such architectures are of potential interest for the development of polymetallic assemblies showing improved optical properties. DFT and time-dependent-DFT calculations were performed on the ground and excited states of the complexes to provide insights into their structural, electronic, and photophysical properties.