Search for Bs0 --> micro+ micro- and B0 --> micro+ micro- decays with 2 fb-1 of pp collisions

We have performed a search for B(s)(0) --> micro(+) micro(-) and B(0) --> micro(+) micro(-) decays in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV using 2 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The observed number of B(s)(0) and B0 candidates is consistent with background expectations. The resulting upper limits on the branching fractions are B(B(s)0) --> micro(+) micro(-)) <5.8 x 10(-8) and B(B(0) --> micro(+) micro(-))<1.8 x 10(-8) at 95% C.L.     

Trapping an intensely bright, stable sonoluminescing bubble

Previous works on single bubble sonoluminescence in sulfuric acid solutions have stressed the fact that the sonoluminescence (SL) emissions are the highest ever found, but at the same time the bubble moves in orbits. We have fixed the SL bubble spatially and at the same time we have reached higher SL emissions using another harmonic acoustic signal to produce the acoustic excitation. Multiple harmonic excitation produces up to a fourfold increase in SL emissions, reaching the peak value of about 40 microW for a moving bubble and 15 microW for a nonmoving bubble. The ability to have a bright stationary bubble also opens new research opportunities. In particular, we develop a new method to measure the absolute radius evolution of the bubble that exploits this stability.     

Smart panel with active damping units. Implementation of decentralized control

This paper contains the second part of a study on a smart panel with five decentralized velocity feedback control units using proof mass electrodynamic actuators [Gonzalez Diaz et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 124, 886 (2008)]. The implementation of five decentralized control loops is analyzed, both theoretically and experimentally. The stability properties of the five decentralized control units have been assessed with the generalized Nyquist criterion by plotting the loci of the eigenvalues of the fully populated matrix of frequency response functions between the five error signals and five input signals to the amplifiers driving the actuators. The control performance properties have been assessed in terms of the spatially averaged response of the panel measured with a scanning laser vibrometer and the total sound power radiated measured in an anechoic room. The two analyses have shown that reductions of up to 10 dB in both vibration response and sound radiation are measured at low audio frequencies, below about 250 Hz.     

Topological invariants in the study of a chaotic food chain system

The study of ecological systems has generated deep interest in exploring the complexity of chaotic food chains. The role of chaos in ecosystems is not entirely understood. One approach to have a better comprehension of ecological chaos is by analyzing it in mathematical models of basic food chains. In this article it is considered a classical chaotic food chain model from the literature. We use the theory of symbolic dynamics to study the topological entropy and the parameter space ordering of kneading sequences associated with one-dimensional maps that reproduce significant aspects of the model dynamics. The topological entropy allows us to distinguish different chaotic states in some realistic system parameter region. Another numerical invariant is introduced in order to characterize isentropic dynamics. Studying a set of maps with the same topological entropy, we exhibit numerical results about the relation between the second topological invariant and each of the control parameters in consideration. This work provides an illustration of how our understanding of ecological models can be enhanced by the theory of symbolic dynamics.     

Experimental realization of linear-optical partial swap gates

We present a linear-optical implementation of a class of two-qubit partial SWAP gates for polarization states of photons. Different gate operations, including the SWAP and entangling sqrt[SWAP], can be obtained by changing a classical control parameter, namely, the path difference in the interferometer. Reconstruction of output states, full quantum process tomography, and an evaluation of entanglement of formation prove very good performance of the gates.     

Local crystallization in an oxyfluoride glass doped with Er3+ ions using a continuous argon laser

Local crystalline formation in erbium doped oxyfluoride glass has been obtained under a cw Argon laser irradiation up to 1.8 W pumping power. By exciting at 514 nm, the emission from 800 nm and 850 nm corresponding to the ⁴S_3/2(²H_11/2)→⁴I_13/2 electronic transitions have been analyzed both inside and outside the irradiated area. The changes in the emission spectra indicate that the high power Ar laser irradiation has resulted in a localized desvitrification process. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence intensity ratio of the 800 nm and 850 nm emission bands has been used to determine the temperature of the irradiated zone. Moreover, the average lifetime of the ⁴S_3/2(²H_11/2) thermalized levels have been measured as a function of the excitation spot position. An important decrease is observed at the irradiated area. These results confirm that a localized cristalline phase has been created by the laser action.     

Derivation of the Keldysh Path Integral from the Master Equation of a Harmonic Oscillator in a Thermal Bath Via Supercoherent States

We consider a harmonic oscillator coupled to a Markovian environment, i.e. a thermal reservoir. We derive the Keldysh path integral and the corresponding lesser, greater, time-ordered, antitime-ordered, retarded, advanced, and Keldysh Green’s functions for this system. In order to give a conceptually clear derivation, we use the superoperator formalism and also define supercoherent states. The supercoherent states and the creation and annihilation superoperators provide a natural way to rewrite the master equation into a path integral.