Experimental quantum cloning with prior partial information

When prior partial information about a state to be cloned is available, it can be cloned with a fidelity higher than that of universal quantum cloning. We experimentally verify this intriguing relationship between the cloning fidelity and the prior information by reporting the first experimental optimal quantum state-dependent cloner, using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. Our experiments may further cast important implications into many quantum information processing protocols.     

Entanglement interferometry for precision measurement of atomic scattering properties

We report on a matter wave interferometer realized with entangled pairs of trapped 87Rb atoms. Each pair of atoms is confined at a single site of an optical lattice potential. The interferometer is realized by first creating a coherent spin superposition of the two atoms and then tuning the interstate scattering length via a Feshbach resonance. The selective change of the interstate scattering length leads to an entanglement dynamics of the two-particle state that can be detected in a Ramsey interference experiment. This entanglement dynamics is employed for a precision measurement of atomic interaction parameters. Furthermore, the interferometer allows us to separate lattice sites with one or two atoms in a nondestructive way.     

Indeterministic Objects in the Category of Effect Algebras and the Passage to the Semiclassical Limit

We consider a category of effect algebras and formulate an abstract-hidden variables problem for an object of this category. A notion of indeterministic object is introduced as of an object which induces a Kochen–Specker-type contradiction. A sufficient condition for an object to be indeterministic is derived. An abstract algebraic point of view on a no-hidden variables example constructed by Mermin is given. The notion of a passage to the semiclassical limit is analyzed and refined.     

Mirror inversion of quantum states in linear registers

Transfer of data in linear quantum registers can be significantly simplified with preengineered but not dynamically controlled interqubit couplings. We show how to implement a mirror inversion of the state of the register in each excitation subspace with respect to the center of the register. Our construction is especially appealing as it requires no dynamical control over individual interqubit interactions. If, however, individual control of the interactions is available then the mirror inversion operation can be performed on any substring of qubits in the register. In this case, a sequence of mirror inversions can generate any permutation of a quantum state of the involved qubits.     

Coherent transport of neutral atoms in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials

We demonstrate the controlled coherent transport and splitting of atomic wave packets in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials. Such experiments open intriguing possibilities for quantum state engineering of many body states. After first preparing localized atomic wave functions in an optical lattice through a Mott insulating phase, we place each atom in a superposition of two internal spin states. Then state selective optical potentials are used to split the wave function of a single atom and transport the corresponding wave packets in two opposite directions. Coherence between the wave packets of an atom delocalized over up to seven lattice sites is demonstrated.     

Observation of geometric phases for mixed states using NMR interferometry

Examples of geometric phases abound in many areas of physics. They offer both fundamental insights into many physical phenomena and lead to interesting practical implementations. One of them, as indicated recently, might be an inherently fault-tolerant quantum computation. This, however, requires one to deal with geometric phases in the presence of noise and interactions between different physical subsystems. Despite the wealth of literature on the subject of geometric phases very little is known about this very important case. Here we report the first experimental study of geometric phases for mixed quantum states. We show how different they are from the well-understood, noiseless, pure-state case.     

Lower Rim Substituted p-tert-Butyl Calix[4]arenes (V). Synthesis of New 5,11,17,22-tetrakis-p-tert-Butyl-25,27-bis(methoxy)- 26,28-bis(dialkoxyphosphorylmethoxy)calix[4]arenes and Cation Complexation Studies in Ion-Selective Membrane Electrodes

The synthesis and characterization of the lower rim bis-phosphorylatedtetrakis-p-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(methoxy)calix[4]arenas(compounds 2–4) is presented. The studied compounds were examined as ionophores in ion-selective membrane electrodes, showing selectivity for rubidium, potassium, and for the large and flat guanidinium cations (G⁺). The correlation wasstudied between the stereochemical structure of the ligands andpotentiometrically determined ion-selectivity. Complex formationconstants in the PVC/BEHS (bis(ethyl)hexyl sebacate) membranes weredetermined. The crystal and molecular structures of compound 4 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

May GSH and L-His contribute to intracellular binding of zinc? Thermodynamic and solution structural study of a ternary complex

GSH and L-His are abundant biomolecules and likely biological ligands for Zn(II) under certain conditions. Potentiometric titrations provide evidence of formation of ternary Zn(II) complexes with GSH and L-His or D-His with slight stereoselectivity in favour of L-His (ca. 1 log unit of stability constant). The solution structure of the ZnH(GSH)(L-His)(H2O) complex at pH 6.8, determined by NMR, includes tridentate L-His, monodentate (sulfur) GSH, and weak interligand interactions. Calculations of competitivity of this complex for Zn(II) binding at pH 7.4 indicate that it is likely to be formed in vivo under conditions of GSH depletion. Otherwise, GSH alone emerges as a likely Zn(II) carrier.     

Polymersome‐forming amphiphilic glycosylated polymers: Synthesis and characterization

Copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) was used to prepare glycosylated polyethylene (PE)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) amphiphilic block copolymers. The synthetic approach involves preparation of alkyne‐terminated PE‐b‐PEG followed by CuAAC reaction with different azide functionalized sugars. The alkyne‐terminated PE‐b‐PEG was prepared by etherification reaction between hydroxyl‐terminated PE‐b‐PEG (M_n ～ 875 g mol^?1) and propargyl bromide and azidoethyl glycosides were prepared by glycosylation of 2‐azidoethanol. Atmospheric pressure solids analysis probe‐mass spectrometry was used as a novel solid state characterization tool to determine the outcome of the CuAAC click reaction and end‐capping of PE‐b‐PEG by the azidoethyl glycoside group. The aqueous solution self‐assembly behavior of these amphiphilic glycosylated polymers was explored by TEM and dye solubilization studies. Carbohydrate‐bearing spherical aggregates with the ability to solubilize a hydrophobic dye were observed. The potential of these amphiphilic glycosylated polymers to self‐assemble via electro‐formation into giant carbohydrate‐bearing polymersomes was also investigated using confocal fluorescence microscopy. An initial bioactivity study of the carbohydrate‐bearing aggregates is furthermore presented. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 5184–5193