On reconstructing photon statistics by on/off detectors: Toward the multi-partite case

The propagation of pulses of the pump and its second harmonic in a quadratically nonlinear medium whose linear properties are characterized by a negative refractive index at the pump frequency and by a positive refractive index at the harmonic frequency is considered theoretically. In the case of a low intensity of the interacting waves, the pump and second-harmonic pulses propagate in the opposite directions, but sufficiently powerful pulses can form a simulton—a solitary two-frequency wave propagating in a certain direction as a single whole. Solutions to a set of equations are found which describe the steady-state propagation of a solitary wave and of a nonlinear periodic (cnoidal) wave.     

Quantum communication exploiting above threshold OPO intensity correlations and polarization encoding

We present a continuous variable quantum communication protocol based on bright continuous-wave twin-beams generated by a type-II OPO. Intensity correlation between the beams is used in conjunction with a binary randomization of polarization to guarantee security and reveal eavesdropping actions. The scheme presented is asymmetric. Bob (the receiver) retains one of the beams and sends the other one to Alice after a random rotation of its polarization. The cryptographic key elements are encoded through amplitude modulation by Alice, who sends back her beam to Bob after a second rotation of the polarization. Eventually, the beams are detected by Bob after a further random polarization rotation. The security of the system and the possibility of revealing the eavesdropping action in the case of an individual attack are demonstrated by evaluating the bit error rates.     

Negative coronas: Low current mode – pulse mode transition

In the paper the results of experimental study of negative corona in a point – plane gap in a dust-free air flow at atmospheric pressure are presented. Both the low current mode (LCM) of the discharge and Trichel pulses are externally triggered by UV light. Close to the inception voltage of Trichel pulses short-duration current spikes appear besides the steady component of the LCM which indicates to the switch-on of Fowler-Nordheim type emission mechanism. At the inception voltage spike – Trichel pulse transition is recorded. The influence of dielectric layers at the cathode on the discharge parameters is discussed.     

General analytical expressions for the bit error rate of atmospheric optical communication systems

General analytical expressions are derived for the average bit error rate of an intensity modulation and direct detection link using unbounded optical wavefront with on-off keying signalling technique propagating under all possible irradiance fluctuation conditions. These expressions include in a single equation the link performance of most of the proposed statistical models derived until now.     

Thermal and structural characterization of SrTi1-xNdxO3

Sr(Ti,Nd)O₃ was synthesized in order to evaluate the influence of the amount of neodymium on the thermal and structural properties of SrTiO₃. The synthesis was carried out using the polymeric precursor method. A small mass gain was observed for the SrTiO₃ and SrTi_0.98Nd_0.02O₃ samples accompanied by an exothermic peak in the DTA curves. Other steps at higher temperatures are assigned to the combustion of the organic material and carbonate. Elimination of defects by previous calcination of the precursors is responsible by the short and long range ordering of the perovskite. Cubic phase was obtained for undoped and doped SrTiO₃.     

On the use of Hadamard expansions in hyperasymptotic evaluation of Laplace-type integrals—III: Clusters of saddle points

It is shown how the recently developed Hadamard expansion procedure can be applied to the hyperasymptotic evaluation of Laplace-type integrals containing a large variable when the phase function has a cluster of close-lying saddle points. The modification to this procedure that is required when the saddles in the cluster coalesce to form a single higher-order saddle is discussed. An example is also considered in which there is both a coalescence of saddles and a Stokes phenomenon as the phase of the large variable is allowed to vary. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the accuracy that can be obtained with this new procedure.     

Hyperasymptotic evaluation of the Pearcey integral via Hadamard expansions

We describe high-precision computations of the Pearcey integral Pe(x,y) for real x and y by means of Hadamard expansions. Numerical results for (x,y) situated in different regions of the x,y-plane are given to illustrate the levels of precision that can be achieved. Particular emphasis is given to computation in the neighbourhood of the two cusped curves associated with Pe(x,y) across which there is either a coalescence of saddles or a Stokes phenomenon.     

Influence of pH on the incorporation and growth of Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>5</Subscript> crystallites in silica matrix

Pb₂CrO₅ nanoparticles were embedded in an amorphous SiO₂ matrix by the sol–gel process. The pH and heat treatment effects were evaluated in terms of structural, microstructural and optical properties from Pb₂CrO₅/SiO₂ compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and diffuse reflectance techniques were employed. Kubelka–Munk theory was used to calculate diffuse reflectance spectra that were compared to the experimental results. Finally, colorimetric coordinates of the Pb₂CrO₅/SiO₂ compounds were shown and discussed. In general, an acid pH initially dissolves Pb₂CrO₅ nanoparticles and following heat treatment at 600 °C crystallized into PbCrO₄ composition with grain size around 6 nm in SiO₂ matrix. No Pb₂CrO₅ solubilization was observed for basic pH. These nanoparticles were incorporated in silica matrix showing a variety of color ranging from yellow to orange.