Criticality-based quantum metrology in the presence of decoherence

Because quantum critical systems are very sensitive to the variation of parameters around the quantum phase transition (QPT), quantum criticality has been presented as an efficient resource for metrology. In this paper, we address the issue whether the divergent feature of the inverted variance is realizable in the presence of noise when approaching the QPT. Taking the quantum Rabi model (QRM) as an example, we obtain the analytical result for the inverted variance with single-photon relaxation. We show that the inverted variance may be convergent in time due to the noise. Since the precision of the metrology is very sensitive to the noise, as a remedy, we propose squeezing the initial state to improve the precision under decoherence. In addition, we also investigate the criticality-based metrology under the influence of the two-photon relaxation. Strikingly, although the maximum inverted variance still manifests a power-law dependence on the energy gap, the exponent is positive and depends on the dimensionless coupling strength. This observation implies that the criticality may not enhance but weaken the precision in the presence of two-photon relaxation, due to the non-linearity introduced by the two-photon relaxation.     

量子纠缠消相干对确定型远程制备的影响

研究了两种典型的量子纠缠消相干现象对确定型量子态远程制备方案的影响.首先对该确定型远程制备方案进行了分析,得到该方案确定性和比特消耗情况; 然后通过分析制备过程中纠缠消相干现象对系统的影响得出: 在极化消相干过程中,该系统保真度与目标量子比特在Bloch球上的经度选择无关,仅与目标比特的纬度和消相干的大小有关;在相位消相干中,该系统的保真度不会受到消相干的影响,仅与目标量子态的纬度相关. 关键词： 远程制备 纠缠消相干 通信消耗 保真度     

Research Progress on Typical Quaternary Ammonium Salt Polymers

Quaternary ammonium salt polymers, a kind of polyelectrolyte with a quaternary ammonium group, are widely used in traditional and emerging industries due to their good water-solubility, adjustable cationicity and molecular weight, high efficiency and nontoxicity. In this paper, firstly, the properties and several synthesis methods of typical quaternary ammonium salt monomers were introduced. Secondly, the research progress on the synthesis of polymers was summarized from the perspective of obtaining products with high molecular weight, narrow molecular weight distribution and high monomer conversion, and special functional polymers. Thirdly, the relationships between the structures and properties of the polymer were analyzed from the perspectives of molecular weight, charge density, structural stability, and microstructural regulation of the polymer chain unit. Fourthly, typical examples of quaternary ammonium salt polymers in the application fields of water treatment, daily chemicals, petroleum exploitation, papermaking, and textile printing and dyeing were listed. Finally, constructive suggestions were put forward on developing quaternary ammonium salt polymers with high molecular weights, strengthening the research on the relationships between the structures and their properties and pinpointing relevant application fields.     

Neutron scattering from PEEK

An alkali‐soluble polysaccharide, GM5‐1, from the mycelium of Ganoderma tsugae, was fractionated by the nonsolvent addition method. The weight‐average molecular mass (M _w) and intrinsic viscosity ([η]) of fractions were studied by laser light scattering and viscometry with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) containing 0.25M LiCl (0.25M LiCl/DMSO) as the solvent at 30°C. The dependences of [η] and the radius of gyration (?S ²?_z ^1/2) on M _w were found to be [η]=9.8×10^?2 M _w ^0.57 (cm³g^?1) and ?S ²?_z ^1/2=1.65×10^?2 M _w ^0.58 (nm) in the M _w range from 8.6×10⁵ to 2.6×10⁶. The analysis based on current theories for a wormlike chain showed that the chain conformational parameters of GM5‐1 were 4.2 nm for persistence length (q) and 833 nm^?1 for linear mass density (M_L) with an obvious excluded volume effect. The results suggested the alkali‐soluble polysaccharide behaves like a semiflexible chain in 0.25M LiCl/DMSO at 30°C.     

Gravitational effects in quantum mechanics

To date, both quantum theory and Einstein’s theory of general relativity have passed every experimental test in their respective regimes. Nevertheless, almost since their inception, there has been debate surrounding whether they should be unified, and by now, there exists strong theoretical arguments pointing to the necessity of quantising the gravitational field. In recent years, a number of experiments have been proposed which, if successful, should give insight into features at the Planck scale. Here, we review some of the motivations, from the perspective of semi-classical arguments, to expect new physical effects at the overlap of quantum theory and general relativity. We conclude with a short introduction to some of the proposals being made to facilitate empirical verification.     

Alginate Properties and Heavy Metal Biosorption by Marine Algae

The physical properties of the alginate component in four different brown seaweeds (Sargassumfluitans, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculo-sus, andLaminaria japonica) were characterized using potentiometric titration,¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), chemical analysis, and viscosity measurements. The heavy metal binding capacities of the corresponding seaweeds were directly proportional to their respective total carboxyl group content, and related to the electronegativity of the elements investigated (Ca, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb). The uronic acid composition or sequence of the alginate component did not affect the metal uptake properties of the biosorbents studied here. However, the alginate leaching owing to its solubilization by Na ions was observed to decrease with increasing intrinsic viscosity of the extracted alginate, related to its molecular weight, and with increasing apparent acidic dissociation constant, related to the alginate density inside the biomass.     

Post-polymerization modification of aromatic polyimides via Diels-Alder cycloaddition

We report a facile post-polymerization modification route to functionalized aromatic polyimides via Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Aromatic polyimides are important, versatile high-performance polymers; however, their structural diversity is restricted by the requirements of the step-growth polymerization. We prepared polyimides with alkynes in their main-chain as macromolecular dienophiles and quantitatively grafted tetraphenylcyclopentadienone based dienes. The resulting solution-processable, wholly aromatic polyimides show a considerable increase in surface area due to the induced conformational changes and bulky, rigid, and contorted molecular structures. The orthogonality of the reaction is exploited to insert functional groups, namely bromine and sulfonates, along the polymer backbone. In a further extension, the phenylene segments undergo cyclodehydrogenation to form nanographene segments within the polymer chains. The Diels-Alder cycloaddition onto polyimides is therefore demonstrated to be an effective, widely applicable route to tunable high-performance polymers with value-added functionality and thus considerable potential in a wide range of advanced materials.     

Comparative studies on the mechanism of uridine phosphorolysis

We have used quantum mechanical method to study the transition states(TSs) of uridine phosphorolysis reaction. Comparing the four different reaction pathways and the five transition states obtained, we conclude that enzymatic uridine phosphorolysis takes place mainly according to acid-catalyzed SN2 mechanism. The proposed reaction pathway is consistent with many experimental results.     

A process–structure–property study of anisotropic PMDA-ODA films

A practical methodology for the correlation and prediction of the process–property performance of advanced materials is developed. The model polymer studied is PMDA-ODA polyimide. The connecting link between the process and the properties is the structural state of the polymer. An essential ingredient for a quantitative characterization of the system is a knowledge of its phase state and intrinsic molecular properties. The intrinsic molecular properties define the limiting performance properties available to the polymer. Anisotropic films and sheets produced by five different fabrication processes are examined. Maps of the molecular symmetry axis, the orientation function, and the thickness distributions of two 50-in.-wide sheets fabricated differently are measured nondestructively for process comparison. Four other film fabrication processes are examined and their three-dimensional orientation states determined and correlated. A three-dimensional orientation function triangular plot permits simultaneous representation of the different fabrication processes on the same figure and allows the investigator to choose the most economic and efficient fabrication route. The structure–property study includes the structural correlation and intrinsic molecular property determination of the anisotropic coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the anisotropic mechanical moduli and compliances, and the anisotropic dielectric constants. 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 777–788, 1997