Experimental determination of the scattering length for positron scattering from krypton

We report the first experimentally supported determination of the scattering length for positron scattering from krypton. Our result of  ?10.3 ± 1.5 a.u. compares favourably with that from a convergent close coupling calculation performed as a part of this investigation (?9.5 a.u.), and also with an earlier many body theory calculation of  ?10.1 a.u. from Gribakin and Ludlow [Phys. Rev. A 70, 032720 (2004)] and a polarized-orbital result of  ?10.4 a.u. from McEachran et al. [J. Phys. B 13, 1281 (1980)]. The present experimental scattering length supports the existence of a low-lying positron-krypton virtual state (Surko et al. [J. Phys. B 38, R57 (2005)]) at an energy ε = 0.13 eV.     

Vision of nuclear physics with photo-nuclear reactions by laser-driven $\sf \gamma$ beams

A laser-accelerated dense electron sheet with an energy \(E=\tilde{\gamma} mc^2\) can be used as a relativistic mirror to coherently reflect a second laser with photon energy ?ω, thus generating by the Doppler boost [A. Einstein, Annalen der Physik 17, 891 (1905); D. Habs et al., Appl. Phys. B 93, 349 (2008)] brilliant high-energy photon beams with \(\hbar\omega^{\prime}=4\tilde{\gamma}^2\hbar\omega\) and short duration for many new nuclear physics experiments.While the shortest-lived atomic levels are in the atto-second range, nuclear levels can have lifetimes down to zeptoseconds. We discuss how the modulation of electron energies in phase-locked laser fields used for as-measurements [E. Goulielmakis et al., Science 317, 769 (2007)] can be carried over to the new direct measurement of fs–zs nuclear lifetimes by modulating the energies of accompanying conversion electrons or emitted protons. In the field of nuclear spectroscopy we discuss the new perspective as a function of increasing photon energy. In nuclear systems a much higher sensitivity is predicted to the timevariation of fundamental constants compared to atomic systems [V. Flambaum, arXiv:nucl-th/0801.1994v1 (2008)]. For energies up to 50 keV Mössbauer-like recoilless absorption allows to produce nuclear bosonic ensembles with many delocalized coherent polaritons [G.V. Smirnov et al., Phys. Rev. A 71, 023804 (2005)] for the firsttime. Using the (γ,n) reaction to produce cold, polarized neutrons with a focusing ellipsoidal device [P. Böni, Nucl. Instrum. Meth. A 586, 1 (2008); Ch. Schanzer et al., Nucl. Instrum. Meth. 529, 63 (2004)], brilliant cold polarized micro-neutron beams become available. The compact and relatively cheap laser-generated γ beams may serve forextended studies at university-based facilities.     

Positions of the magnetoroton minima in the fractional quantum Hall effect

The multitude of excitations of the fractional quantum Hall state are very accurately understood, microscopically, as excitations of composite fermions across their Landau-like Λ levels. In particular, the dispersion of the composite fermion exciton, which is the lowest energy spin conserving neutral excitation, displays filling-factor-specific minima called “magnetoroton” minima. Simon and Halperin employed the Chern-Simons field theory of composite fermions [Phys. Rev. B 48, 17368 (1993)] to predict the magnetoroton minima positions. Recently, Golkar et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 216403 (2016)] have modeled the neutral excitations as deformations of the composite fermion Fermi sea, which results in a prediction for the positions of the magnetoroton minima. Using methods of the microscopic composite fermion theory we calculate the positions of the roton minima for filling factors up to 5/11 along the sequence s/ (2s + 1) and find them to be in reasonably good agreement with both the Chern-Simons field theory of composite fermions and Golkar et al.’s theory. We also find that the positions of the roton minima are insensitive to the microscopic interaction in agreement with Golkar et al.’s theory. As a byproduct of our calculations, we obtain the charge and neutral gaps for the fully spin polarized states along the sequence s/ (2s ± 1) in the lowest Landau level and the n = 1 Landau level of graphene.     

Multielectron processes in collisions of Xe23+ ions with Ar atoms

We report the measurements of relative cross sections for multielectron processes in collisions of Xe²³⁺ ions with argon atoms in the velocity range of 0.65–1.32 a.u. By means of the coincidence time-of-flight (TOF) technique, the final charge states of both the projectile and target ions for each collision event are determined. The present experimental data are compared with the scaling law by Selberg et al. [Phys. Rev. A 54, 4127 (1996)] and the extended classical over-barrier (ECB) model.     

Improved Three-Party Quantum Secret Sharing Based on Bell States

Hwang et al. (Phys. Scr. 83:045004, 2011) proposed a high efficient multiparty quantum secret sharing by using Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states. But Liu et al. (Phys. Scr. 84:045015, 2011) analyzed the security of Hwang et al.’s protocol and found that it was insecure for Charlie who might obtain half of information about the dealer’s secret directly. They put forward an improved protocol by adding operation on photons in sequence S ₃. However, we point out Liu et al.’s protocol is not secure too if a dishonest participant Charlie carries out intercept-resend attack. And a further improved quantum secret sharing protocol is proposed based on Bell states in this paper. Our newly proposed protocol can stand against participant attack, provide a higher efficiency in transmission and reduce the complexity of implementation.     

Quantum Games under Decoherence

Quantum systems are easily influenced by ambient environments. Decoherence is generated by system interaction with external environment. In this paper, we analyse the effects of decoherence on quantum games with Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein (EWL) (Eisert et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 83(15), 3077 1999) and Marinatto-Weber (MW) (Marinatto and Weber, Phys. Lett. A 272, 291 2000) schemes. Firstly, referring to the analytical approach that was introduced by Eisert et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 83(15), 3077 1999), we analyse the effects of decoherence on quantum Chicken game by considering different traditional noisy channels. We investigate the Nash equilibria and changes of payoff in specific two-parameter strategy set for maximally entangled initial states. We find that the Nash equilibria are different in different noisy channels. Since Unruh effect produces a decoherence-like effect and can be perceived as a quantum noise channel (Omkar et al., arXiv:1408.1477v1), with the same two parameter strategy set, we investigate the influences of decoherence generated by the Unruh effect on three-player quantum Prisoners’ Dilemma, the non-zero sum symmetric multiplayer quantum game both for unentangled and entangled initial states. We discuss the effect of the acceleration of noninertial frames on the the game’s properties such as payoffs, symmetry, Nash equilibrium, Pareto optimal, dominant strategy, etc. Finally, we study the decoherent influences of correlated noise and Unruh effect on quantum Stackelberg duopoly for entangled and unentangled initial states with the depolarizing channel. Our investigations show that under the influence of correlated depolarizing channel and acceleration in noninertial frame, some critical points exist for an unentangled initial state at which firms get equal payoffs and the game becomes a follower advantage game. It is shown that the game is always a leader advantage game for a maximally entangled initial state and there appear some points at which the payoffs become zero.     

Collisional-radiative model for non-Maxwellian inductively coupled argon plasmas using detailed fine-structure relativistic distorted-wave cross sections

Our recently developed collisional-radiative model which included fine-structure cross sections calculated with a fully relativistic distorted-wave method [R.K. Gangwar, L. Sharma, R. Srivastava, A.D. Stauffer, J. Appl. Phys. 111, 053307 (2012)] has been extended to study non-Maxwellian inductively coupled argon plasmas. We have added more processes to our earlier collisional-radiative model by further incorporating relativistic distorted-wave electron impact cross sections from the 3p ⁵4sJ = 0, 2 metastable states, (1s ₃, 1s ₅ in Paschen’s notation) to the 3p ⁵5p (3p _i ) excited states. The population of various excited levels at different pressures in the range of 1–25 mTorr for an inductively coupled argon plasma have been calculated and compared with the recent optical absorption spectroscopy measurements as well as emission model results of Boffard et al. [Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 19, 065001 (2010)]. We have also calculated the intensities of two emission lines, 420.1 nm (3p ₉ → 1s ₅) and 419.8 nm (3p ₅ → 1s ₄) and compared with measured intensities reported by Boffard et al. [J. Phys. D 45, 045201 (2012)]. Our results are in good agreement with the measurements.     

A Framework for Bounding Nonlocality of State Discrimination

We consider the class of protocols that can be implemented by local quantum operations and classical communication (LOCC) between two parties. In particular, we focus on the task of discriminating a known set of quantum states by LOCC. Building on the work in the paper Quantum nonlocality without entanglement (Bennett et al., Phys Rev A 59:1070–1091, 1999), we provide a framework for bounding the amount of nonlocality in a given set of bipartite quantum states in terms of a lower bound on the probability of error in any LOCC discrimination protocol. We apply our framework to an orthonormal product basis known as the domino states and obtain an alternative and simplified proof that quantifies its nonlocality. We generalize this result for similar bases in larger dimensions, as well as the “rotated” domino states, resolving a long-standing open question (Bennett et al., Phys Rev A 59:1070–1091, 1999).     

Atomic structure effects of a target on the polarization properties of high harmonics in the region of the cooper minimum

Recently, a scheme based on the method of weak measurements to register the trajectories of photons passing through a nested Mach–Zehnder interferometer was proposed [L. Vaidman, Phys. Rev. A 87, 052104 (2013)] and then realized [A. Danan, D. Farfurnik, S. Bar-Ad, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 240402 (2013)]. Interpreting the results of the experiment, the authors concluded that “the photons do not always follow continuous trajectories.” It is shown in this work that these results can be easily and clearly explained in terms of traditional classical electrodynamics or quantum mechanics implying the continuity of all possible paths of photons. Consequently, a new concept of disconnected trajectories proposed by the authors of work [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 240402 (2013)] is unnecessary.     

Comment on “Quantum discord through the generalized entropy in bipartite quantum states”

In [X.-W. Hou, Z.-P. Huang, S. Chen, Eur. Phys. J. D 68, 87 (2014)], Hou et al. present, using Tsallis’ entropy, possible generalizations of the quantum discord measure, finding original results. As for the mutual informations and discord, we show here that these two types of quantifiers can take negative values. In the two qubits instance we further determine in which regions they are non-negative. Additionally, we study alternative generalizations on the basis of Rényi entropies.     

Decoherent Histories of Spin Networks

The decoherent histories formalism, developed by Griffiths, Gell-Mann, and Hartle (in Phys. Rev. A 76:022104, 2007; arXiv:1106.0767v3 [quant-ph], 2011; Consistent Quantum Theory, Cambridge University Press, 2003; arXiv:gr-qc/9304006v2, 1992) is a general framework in which to formulate a timeless, ‘generalised’ quantum theory and extract predictions from it. Recent advances in spin foam models allow for loop gravity to be cast in this framework. In this paper, I propose a decoherence functional for loop gravity and interpret existing results (Bianchi et al. in Phys. Rev. D 83:104015, 2011; Phys. Rev. D 82:084035, 2010) as showing that coarse grained histories follow quasiclassical trajectories in the appropriate limit.     

The existence of a phase transition in classical antiferromagnetic models

For a wide class of antiferromagnetic models we prove the existence of a phase transition using an extended Peierls argument, taking into account a result of Dobrushin [R. L. Dobrushin,Funct. Anal. Appl. 2:44 (1968); in English,2:302 (1968)] for an antiferromagnetic Ising model and the results of Malyshev [V. Malyshev,Comm. Math. Phys. 40:75–82 (1975)] for ferromagnetic models (such as the anisotropic rotator). In particular we review a result of Fröhlich, Israel, Lieb, and Simon [J. Fröhlichet al., J. Stat. Phys. 22(3):297–347 (198)] obtained when reflection positivity holds.     

Estimation of the nuclear distortion in the Coulomb breakup of 6Li into α + d in the field of 208Pb ion

In this article the results of the evaluation of the contribution of nuclear disintegration, based on the basis of diffraction theory in the ²⁰⁸Pb(⁶Li, αd)²⁰⁸Pb Coulomb breakup at an energy of 156 MeV is presented. Comparison of the results of the calculation with the experimental data of Kiener et al. [Phys. Rev. C 44, 2195 (1991)] gives evidence for the dominance of the Coulomb dissociation mechanism and contribution of nuclear distortion, but essentially smaller than the value reported byHammache et al. [Phys. Rev. C 82, 065803 (2010)] and Sümmerer [Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys. 66, 298 (2011)].     

Decoherence suppression for three-qubit W-like state using weak measurement and iteration method

Multi-qubit entanglement states are the key resources for various multipartite quantum communication tasks. For a class of generalized three-qubit quantum entanglement, W-like state, we demonstrate that the weak measurement and the reversal measurement are capable of suppressing the amplitude damping decoherence by reducing the initial damping factor into a smaller equivalent damping factor. Furthermore, we propose an iteration method in the weak measurement and the reversal measurement to enhance the success probability of the total measurements. Finally, we discuss how the number of the iterations influences the overall effect of decoherence suppression, and find that the "half iteration" method is a better option that has more practical value.     

Influence of laser frequency chirp on deuteron energy from laser-driven deuterated methane cluster expansion

The simulations of three-dimensional particle dynamics are carried out to investigate the Coulomb explosion dynamics of deuterated methane clusters under the irradiation of an ultrashort intense laser pulse. The final kinetic energy of deuterons produced from the cluster explosion is calculated as a function of the pulse width, the laser intensity and the pulse chirp. It is found that the deuteron energy obtained in an intense laser pulse with negative chirp is higher than that with positive chirp, which agrees qualitatively with the experimental results reported by Fukuda et al. [Y. Fukuda et al., Phys. Rev. A 67, 061201 (2003)].     

Composite and Elementary Components in Hadron Resonances

In hadron resonances different structures of hadronic composite (molecule) and elementary (quark-intrinsic) natures may coexist. We sketch discussions based on our previous publications on the origin of hadron resonances (Hyodo et al. Phys. Rev. C 78:025203, 2008) on exotic ${\bar D (B)}$ meson–nucleons as candidates of hadronic composites (Yamaguchi et al. Phys. Rev. D 84:014032, 2011) and on a ₁ for the coexistence/mixing of the two different natures (Nagahiro et al. Phys. Rev. D 83:111504, 2011).     

Monopole, half-quantum vortex, and nexus in chiral superfluids and superconductors

Two exotic objects are still not identified experimentally in chiral superfluids and superconductors. These are the half-quantum vortex, which plays the part of the Alice string in relativistic theories [A. S. Schwarz, Nucl. Phys. B 208, 141 (1982)], and the hedgehog in the Î field, which is the counterpart of the Dirac magnetic monopole. These two objects of different dimensionality are topologically connected. They form a combined object which is called a nexus [John M. Cornwall, hep-th/9911125; Phys. Rev. D 59, 125015 (1999); Phys. Rev. D 58, 105028 (1998)] or center monopole [N. N. Chernodub, M. I. Polikarpov, A. I. Veselov and M. A. Zubkov, Nucl. Phys. Proc. Suppl. 73, 575 (1999)] in relativistic theories. Such a combination will permit the observation of half-quantum vortices and monopoles in several realistic geometries.     

Thermal tripartite quantum correlations: quantum discord and entanglement perspectives

We investigate thermal tripartite quantum correlations for a spin star network and for a new extended version of it. In a spin star network, three peripheral spins interact with the central spin identically while in extended spin star network, three peripheral spins interact with two central spatially separated spins in the same way. We exploit the method of [C.C. Rulli, M.S. Sarandy, Phys. Rev. A 84, 042109 (2011)] to evaluate the tripartite quantum discord (TQD) and the method of [M. Li, S. Fei, Z. Wang, Rep. Math. Phys 65, 289 (2010)] called as lower bound of tripartite concurrence (LBTC) to evaluate the tripartite entanglement (TE) of the the peripheral parties in both systems. It is found that thermal TQD is much more robust than thermal TE as a function of temperature T. Also, the peripheral parties of the extended spin star network, in comparison with those of the spin star one, can exhibit higher values of TQD at T > 0. This, indeed, motivates us to realise improved quantum information and quantum computation tasks at finite temperatures.