双色光量子比特

单个光子可以被置于两种不同颜色的叠加态,这种双色光子的实现将在量子信息处理中发挥重要作用。
光子是光的量子形态,它的发现是量子物理的关键一环。如今在诸如量子计算、安全通信以及精密测量等量子技术中,光子是最重要的基石之一。这些应用通常依赖对光子偏振或空间模式的量子控制。但令人诧异的是,光的颜色(频率)这一最显见的特性却很难在量子水平上加以控制。     

Efficient and accurate modeling of electron photoemission in nanostructures with TDDFT

We derive and extend the time-dependent surface-flux method introduced in [L. Tao, A. Scrinzi, New J. Phys. 14, 013021 (2012)] within a time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) formalism and use it to calculate photoelectron spectra and angular distributions of atoms and molecules when excited by laser pulses. We present other, existing computational TDDFT methods that are suitable for the calculation of electron emission in compact spatial regions, and compare their results. We illustrate the performance of the new method by simulating strong-field ionization of C₆₀ fullerene and discuss final state effects in the orbital reconstruction of planar organic molecules.     

Low-energy termination of graphene edges via the formation of narrow nanotubes

We demonstrate that free graphene sheet edges can curl back on themselves, reconstructing as nanotubes. This results in lower formation energies than any other nonfunctionalized edge structure reported to date in the literature. We determine the critical tube size and formation barrier and compare with density functional simulations of other edge terminations including a new reconstructed Klein edge. Simulated high resolution electron microscopy images show why such rolled edges may be difficult to detect. Rolled zigzag edges serve as metallic conduction channels, separated from the neighboring bulk graphene by a chain of insulating sp(3)-carbon atoms, and introduce van Hove singularities into the graphene density of states.     

Spiral growth and step edge barriers

The growth of spiral mounds containing a screw dislocation is compared to the growth of wedding cakes by two-dimensional nucleation. Using phase field simulations and homoepitaxial growth experiments on the Pt(111) surface we show that both structures attain the same large scale shape when a significant step-edge barrier suppresses interlayer transport. The higher vertical growth rate of the spiral mounds on Pt(111) reflects the different incorporation mechanisms for atoms in the top region and can be formally represented by an enhanced apparent step-edge barrier.     

NIFTy 3 – Numerical Information Field Theory: A Python Framework for Multicomponent Signal Inference on HPC Clusters

NIFTy , “Numerical Information Field Theory,” is a software framework designed to ease the development and implementation of field inference algorithms. Field equations are formulated independently of the underlying spatial geometry allowing the user to focus on the algorithmic design. Under the hood, NIFTy ensures that the discretization of the implemented equations is consistent. This enables the user to prototype an algorithm rapidly in 1D and then apply it to high‐dimensional real‐world problems. This paper introduces NIFTy  3, a major upgrade to the original NIFTy  framework. NIFTy  3 allows the user to run inference algorithms on massively parallel high performance computing clusters without changing the implementation of the field equations. It supports n‐dimensional Cartesian spaces, spherical spaces, power spaces, and product spaces as well as transforms to their harmonic counterparts. Furthermore, NIFTy  3 is able to handle non‐scalar fields, such as vector or tensor fields. The functionality and performance of the software package is demonstrated with example code, which implements a mock inference inspired by a real‐world algorithm from the realm of information field theory. NIFTy  3 is open‐source software available under the GNU General Public License v3 (GPL‐3) at https://gitlab.mpcdf.mpg.de/ift/NIFTy/tree/NIFTy_3 .     

Singlet Fission in Carbene-Derived Diradicaloids

Herein, we present a new class of singlet fission (SF) materials based on diradicaloids of carbene scaffolds, namely cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs). Our modular approach allows the tuning of two key SF criteria: the steric factor and the diradical character. In turn, we modified the energy landscapes of excited states in a systematic manner to accommodate the needs for SF. We report the first example of intermolecular SF in solution by dimer self-assembly at cryogenic temperatures.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Strontium Beryllate Sr3Be2O5

Beryllates show an interesting and diverse structural chemistry, resembling that of well-investigated silicates. The coexistence of tetrahedral and trigonal coordination of Be by O atoms in oxoberyllates allows for an even broader variety of structural motives and implies a plurality of possible atomic ratios Be:O in ternary or higher compounds. We have now synthesized the novel strontium oxoberyllate Sr₃Be₂O₅ via a high-temperature high-pressure reaction and have structurally characterized the ternary oxide by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Sr₃Be₂O₅, a low condensed oxoberyllate, contains unprecedented [Be₂O₅]^6– double triangles and Sr atoms in both double-capped trigonal-prismatic and octahedral coordination. These motifs show striking resemblance to α-SrBeO₂ and SrO, combining their structural properties. Lattice energy (MAPLE) calculations corroborate found parallels to the known phases SrO and α-SrBeO₂.