Quantum Probes for the Characterization of Nonlinear Media

Active optical media leading to interaction Hamiltonians of the form H=λ˜(a+a†)ζ represent a crucial resource for quantum optical technology. In this paper, we address the characterization of those nonlinear media using quantum probes, as opposed to semiclassical ones. In particular, we investigate how squeezed probes may improve individual and joint estimation of the nonlinear coupling λ˜ and of the nonlinearity order ζ. Upon using tools from quantum estimation, we show that: (i) the two parameters are compatible, i.e., the may be jointly estimated without additional quantum noise; (ii) the use of squeezed probes improves precision at fixed overall energy of the probe; (iii) for low energy probes, squeezed vacuum represent the most convenient choice, whereas for increasing energy an optimal squeezing fraction may be determined; (iv) using optimized quantum probes, the scaling of the corresponding precision with energy improves, both for individual and joint estimation of the two parameters, compared to semiclassical coherent probes. We conclude that quantum probes represent a resource to enhance precision in the characterization of nonlinear media, and foresee potential applications with current technology.     

Parametric oscillation with the cavity mode driven by coherent light and coupled to a squeezed vacuum reservoir

We seek to investigate, employing stochastic differential equations, the squeezing and statistical properties of the cavity mode of a degenerate parametric oscillator driven by coherent light and coupled to a squeezed vacuum reservoir. Contrary to the case of the squeezed vacuum reservoir, it is found that the driving coherent light has no effect on the squeezing properties of the cavity mode. However, both the squeezed vacuum reservoir and the driving coherent light increase the mean photon number of the cavity mode.     

Sisal fibers coated with conducting polyaniline: Property and structural studies

Sisal (Agave sisalana) fiber was extracted by manual process. These fibers were subjected to surface coating with conducting polyaniline, through in situ oxidative polymerization. The polyaniline modified sisal fibers were characterized by thermal, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. It was shown that the fiber was coated with polyaniline through in situ oxidative polymerization and the latter had a smoothing effect on the surface as compared to uncoated sisal fiber. Besides, it was confirmed that polyaniline was deposited in conductive form of emeraldine salt. This in turn verified the introduction of active functionalities to the system, which is helpful to tune up surface chemistry of polyaniline for water treatment applications.     

Electrochemical studies of biologically active indolizines

The electrochemical behavior of indolizine ethers, esters, tosylates, sulfonates and other indolizine and azaindolizine derivatives has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and preparative electrolysis. The cyclic voltammetric data show that the E° values, taken as the midpoints between the anodic and cathodic peak potentials, are sensitive to the identities of the substituents at C-1, C-2 and C-7 positions. The E° values have been correlated with the Hammett substituent parameters. As expected, low E° values are seen for electron donating substituents and higher E° values are seen for electron withdrawing substituents. The cyclic voltammograms of indolizine derivatives with an oxygen atom connected to the C-1 position exhibit a one-electron reversible oxidation and a further, less well-defined, one-electron irreversible oxidation at higher E° values. The cyclic voltammograms of indolizines with hydrogen atom or thienyl substituents connected to the C-1 position exhibit only a one-electron irreversible oxidation. Electrochemical bulk oxidations of indolizines with an oxygen atom at the C-1 position afforded oxoindolizinium salts in decent yields, whereas indolizines with a hydrogen atom at C-1 afforded 1,1′ dimers of indolizines as products in good yields. Bulk oxidation of 1-(α-hydroxybenzyl)-2,3-diphenylindolizine-7-carbonitrile afforded an unexpected ketone product in which the carbonyl group of the indolizine is connected at C-8 instead of at the C-1 position of the starting material. The findings described herein support our hypothesis that certain indolizine derivatives may inhibit lipid peroxidation by an electron transfer mechanism.     

Achieving Strong Magnon Blockade through Magnon Squeezing in a Cavity Magnetomechanical System

A scheme that harnesses magnon squeezing under weak pump driving within a cavity magnomechanical system to achieve a robust magnon (photon) blockade is proposed. Through meticulous analytical calculations of optimal parametric gain and detuning values, the objective is to enhance the second-order correlation function. The findings demonstrate a substantial magnon blockade effect under ideal conditions, accompanied by a simultaneous photon blockade effect. Impressively, both numerical and analytical results are found to be in complete accord, providing robust validation for the consistency of the findings. It is anticipated that the proposed scheme will serve as a pioneering approach toward the practical realization of magnon (photon) blockade in experimental cavity magnomechanical systems.     

Irreversibility in an Optical Parametric Driven Optomechanical System

This study investigates the role of nonlinearity via optical parametric oscillator on the entropy production rate and quantum correlations in a hybrid optomechanical system. Specifically, the modified entropy production rate of an optical parametric oscillator placed in the optomechanical cavity is derived, which is well described by the two-mode Gaussian state. The irreversibility and quantum mutual information associated with the driving the system far from equilibrium are found to be controlled by the phase and strength of nonlinearity. This analysis shows that the system entropy flow, heating, or cooling, are determined by choosing the appropriate phase of the self-induced nonlinearity. It is further demonstrated that this effect persists for a reasonable range of cavity decay rate.