Search

This Resource Letter surveys the history and modern developments in the field of quantum information. It is written to guide advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate students, and other new researchers to the theoretical and experimental aspects of this field. The topics covered include quantum states and processes, quantum coding and cryptography, quantum computation, the experimental implementation of quantum information processing, and the role of quantum information in the fundamental properties and foundations of physical theories.

Anomalous changes in the diffuse emission of carbon dioxide within the Masaya caldera have been observed before two seismic events that occurred at 10 and 30 km from the observation site. Their epicenters are located, respectively, south of Managua in Las Colinas (4.3 magnitude) and the Xiloa caldera (3.6 magnitude), in 2002 and 2003, recorded by the geochemical station located at El Comalito, Masaya volcano (Nicaragua). Anomalous increases were observed, which occurred around 50 and 8 days before the main seismic event that took place in Las Colinas, and 4 days before the seismic swarm at the Xiloa caldera, with a maximum CO2 efflux of 9.3 and 10.7 kg m−2 day−1, respectively. The anomalous CO2 efflux increases remained after filtering with multiple regression analysis was applied to the CO2 efflux time series, which indicated that atmospheric variables, during the first 4 months, explained 23 % CO2 variability, whereas, during the rest of the time series, CO2 efflux values are poorly controlled with only 6 %. The observed anomalies of the diffuse CO2 emission rate might be related to pressure changes within the volcanic–hydrothermal system and/or to geostructural changes in the crust due to stress/strain changes caused before and during the earthquakes’ formation, and seem not to be related to the activity of the main crater of Masaya volcano.

Generalizations of the classic Bell inequality to higher dimensional quantum systems known as qudits are reputed to exhibit a higher degree of robustness to noise, but such claims are based on one particular noise model. We analyze the violation of the Collins-Gisin-Linden-Massar-Popescu inequality subject to more realistic noise sources and their scaling with dimension. This analysis is inspired by potential Bell inequality experiments with superconducting resonator-based qudits. We find that the robustness of the inequality to noise generally decreases with increasing qudit dimension.

In this work, we have studied the optimal cooling limit when cooling a quantum mechanical oscillator by coupling it to an auxiliary. Since this limit is necessarily confined by the energy transfer rate of the control, i.e., the magnitude of the spectrum of the control Hamiltonian, we search for the optimal control Hamiltonian that can achieve the maximal cooling fidelity, given a bounded energy transfer rate. First we analyze and present a class of Hamiltonian which generates the perfect cooling result in the absence of decoherence. Then with perturbation analysis, we further show that such Hamiltonian is also optimal at least to the first order of the dynamical dissipative terms. With the help of numerical optimization, we have studied cases with different damping rates of the system and the auxiliary, and derived the plot of the optimal cooling fidelity curve versus time as well as the optimal time point to achieve the maximal fidelity.

The Tiscapa maar in the center of Managua city formed by a phreatomagmatic eruption 60 ka old basaltic–andesitic formation F1 comprises mafic ignimbrites and phreatomagmatic tephras derived from the Las Sierras volcanic complex south of Managua. Formation F2 contains the ~60 ka basaltic–andesitic Fontana tephra erupted from the Las Nubes Caldera of the Las Sierras complex 15 km to the S, the 25 ka Upper Apoyo tephra from the Apoyo Caldera 35 km to the SE, and the Lower (~17 ka) and Upper (12.4 ka) Apoyeque tephras from the Chiltepe volcanic complex 15 km to the NW. These tephras are separated by weathering horizons and paleosols indicating dry climatic conditions. Fluvial deposits of a SSW-NNE running paleo-river system build formation F3. The fluvial sediments contain, from bottom to top, scoriae from the ~6 ka basaltic San Antonio tephra, pumice lapilli from the Apoyo and Apoyeque tephras and the 6.1 ka Xiloa tephra, and scoriae derived from the Fontana tephra. The fluvial sediment succession thus reflects progressively deeper carving erosion in the southern highlands (where a large-amplitude regional erosional unconformity exists at the appropriate stratigraphic level) that began after ~6 ka. This suggests that the mid-Holocene tropical high-precipitation climatic phase affected western Nicaragua about a thousand years later than other circum-Caribbean regions. The end of the wet climate phase ~3 ka ago is recorded by a deep weathering zone and paleosol atop formation F3 prior to the Tiscapa eruption. Formation F4 is the Tiscapa tuffring composed of pyroclastic surge and fallout deposits that cover a minimum area of 1.2 km2. The 4 × 109 kg of erupted basaltic magma is compositionally and genetically related to the low-Ti basalts of the N–S striking Nejapa-Miraflores volcanic–tectonic alignment 5 km to the West of Tiscapa. Ascent and eruption mode of the Tiscapa magma were controlled by the Tiscapa fault that has a very active seismic history as it achieved 12 m displacement in about 3000 years. Managua city is thus exposed to continued seismic and volcanic risks.

Over the past decade, remote sensing has been used increasingly in the study of active volcanoes and their associated hazards. Ground-based remote sensing techniques, such as those aimed at the analysis of volcanic gases or fumarole temperatures, are now part of routine monitoring operations with additional satellite-based remote sensing methods. It is likely that the use of satellite-based systems will be most beneficial for volcano monitoring in developing country regions and remote areas. In such situations, an operational real-time satellite remote sensing system could provide rapid assessment of volcanic activity levels and potentially be used to derive crucial information for disaster prevention. This would allow key at-risk areas to be rapidly and appropriately targeted. An operational test of such a system has been carried out in the past 3 years in Central America, based on local reception and analysis of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery. Here we analyse the performance and data quality for recent activity of Fuego volcano (Guatemala). We assess the ability of the system to detect, quantify and monitor periods of heightened activity and consider the benefits of such information being available in near-real time to local geoscientists and for hazard mitigation. We show that the system is able to detect significant changes in volcanic activity (November and December 2004, February and December 2005). There are good comparisons for these events with large-scale monitoring systems using additional remote sensing data. This paper provides one of the few evaluations of the direct application of operational AVHRR data to volcanic hazard monitoring and disaster management in developing countries.

We present the stratigraphy, lithology, volcanology, and age of the Acahualinca section in Managua, including a famous footprint layer exposed in two museum pits. The ca. 4-m-high walls of the main northern pit (Pit I) expose excellent cross sections of Late Holocene volcaniclastic deposits in northern Managua. We have subdivided the section into six lithostratigraphic units, some of which we correlate to Late Holocene eruptions. Unit I (1.2 m thick), chiefly of hydroclastic origin, begins with the footprint layer. The bulk is dominated by mostly massive basaltic-andesitic tephra layers, interpreted to represent separate pulses of a basically phreatomagmatic eruptive episode. We correlate these deposits based on compositional and stratigraphic evidence to the Masaya Triple Layer erupted at Masaya volcano ca. 2,120 ± 120 a B.P.. The eruption occurred during the dry season. A major erosional channel unconformity up to 1 m deep in the western half of Pit I separates Units II and I. Unit II begins with basal dacitic pumice lapilli up to 10 cm thick overlain by a massive to bedded fine-grained dacitic tuff including a layer of accretionary lapilli and pockets of well-rounded pumice lapilli. Angular nonvesicular glass shards are interpreted to represent hydroclastic fragmentation. The dacitic tephra is correlated unequivocally with the ca. 1.9-ka-Plinian dacitic Chiltepe eruption. Unit III, a lithified basaltic-andesitic deposit up to 50 cm thick and extremely rich in branch molds and excellent leaf impressions, is correlated with the Masaya Tuff erupted ca. 1.8 ka ago. Unit IV, a reworked massive basaltic-andesitic deposit, rich in brown tuff clasts and well bedded and cross bedded in the northwestern corner of Pit I, cuts erosionally down as far as Unit I. A poorly defined, pale brown mass flow deposit up to 1 m thick (Unit V) is overlain by 1–1.5 m of dominantly reworked, chiefly basaltic tephra topped by soil (Unit VI). A major erosional channel carved chiefly between deposition of Units II and I may have existed as a shallow drainage channel even prior to deposition of the footprint layer. The swath of the footprints is oriented NNW, roughly parallel to, and just east of, the axis of the channel. The interpretation of the footprint layer as the initial product of a powerful eruption at Masaya volcano followed without erosional breaks by additional layers of the same eruptive phase is strong evidence that the group of 15 or 16 people tried to escape from an eruption.

This paper emphasizes the fact that tsunamis can occur in continental lakes and focuses on tsunami triggering by processes related to volcanic eruptions and instability of volcanic edifices. The two large lakes of Nicaragua, Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua, host a section of the Central American Volcanic Arc including several active volcanoes. One case of a tsunami in Lake Managua triggered by an explosive volcanic eruption is documented in the geologic record. However, a number of events occurred in the past at both lakes which were probably tsunamigenic. These include massive intrusion of pyroclastic flows from Apoyo volcano as well as of flank-collapse avalanches from Mombacho volcano into Lake Nicaragua. Maar-forming phreatomagmatic eruptions, which repeatedly occurred in Lake Managua, are highly explosive phenomena able to create hugh water waves as was observed elsewhere. The shallow water depth of the Nicaraguan lakes is discussed as the major limiting factor of tsunami amplitude and propagation speed. The very low-profile shores facilitate substantial in-land flooding even of relatively small waves. Implications for conceiving a possible warning system are also discussed.

We present a theoretical analysis of different methods to synthesize entangled states of two superconducting resonators. These methods use experimentally demonstrated interactions of resonators with artificial atoms, and offer efficient routes to generate nonclassical states. We analyze the theoretical structure of these algorithms and their average performance for arbitrary states and for deterministically preparing NOON states. Using a new state synthesis algorithm, we show that NOON states can be prepared in a time linear in the desired photon number and without any state-selective interactions.

A statistical model for the fragmentation of a conserved quantity is analyzed, using the principle of maximum entropy and the theory of partitions. Upper and lower bounds for the restricted partitioning problem are derived and applied to the distribution of fragments. The resulting power law directly leads to Benford's law for the first digits of the parts.

The dacite to andesite zoned Mateare Tephra is the fallout of a predominantly plinian eruption from Chiltepe peninsula at the western shore of Lake Managua that occurred 3000–6000 years ago. It comprises four units: Unit A of high-silica dacite is stratified, ash-rich lapilli fallout generated by unsteady subplinian eruption pulses affected by minor water access to the conduit and conduit blocking by degassed magma. Unit B of less silicic dacite is well sorted, massive pumice lapilli fallout from the main, steady plinian phase of the eruption. Unit C is andesitic fallout that is continuous from unit B except for the rapid change in chemical composition, which had little influence on the ongoing eruption except for a minor transient reduction of the discharge rate and access of water to the conduit. After this, discharge rate re-established to a strong plinian eruption that emplaced the main part of unit C. This was again followed by water access to the conduit which increased through upper unit C. The lithic-rich lapilli to wet ash fallout of unit D is the product of the fully phreatomagmatic terminal phase of the eruption. A massive well-sorted sand layer, the Mateare Sand, replaces laterally variable parts of unit A and lowermost part of unit B in outcrops up to 32 m above present lake level. The corresponding interval missing in the primary fallout can be identified by comparing the composition of pumice entrained in the sand, and pumice from the local base of unit B on top of the sand, with the compositional gradient in undisturbed fallout. The amount of fallout entrained in the sand decreases with distance to the lake. The Mateare Sand occurs at elevations well above beach levels and its widespread continuous distribution defies a fluviatile origin. Instead, it was produced by lake tsunamis triggered by eruption pulses during the initial unsteady phase of activity. Such tsunamis could threaten areas not affected by fallout, and represent a hazard of particular importance in Nicaragua where two large lakes host several explosive volcanoes.

We calculate the effective capacitance of a Cooper-pair box and demonstrate that the Cooper-pair box can be used as a variable capacitor. The gate voltage modulates the charge transfer through the small junction in the Cooper-pair box, leading to a gate-dependent capacitance. We describe ongoing experiments to use an Al/AlO/sub x//Al Cooper-pair box as a tunable circuit element at milli-Kelvin temperatures and discuss possible applications to quantum computing as a variable coupling element between two Josephson junction qubits.

A low-energy (Volcanic Explosivity Index [VEI] 1), small-volume (0.001 km3 Dense Rock Equivalent [DRE]) eruption of highly crystalline basalt occurred at Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua, August 5–7, 1999. This eruption followed three earthquakes (each ∼Mw 5.2) with strike-slip and oblique-slip focal mechanisms, the first of which occurred approximately 11 h before eruptive activity and within 1 km of Cerro Negro. Surface ruptures formed during these events extend up to 4 km from Cerro Negro, but concentrate ∼1 km south of Cerro Negro. Surface ruptures did not occur within 300 m of the cone, however, three new vents formed on the south flank and base of Cerro Negro and on trend with the Cerro La Mula–Cerro Negro volcanic alignment. Earthquake swarms were located northwest and southeast of Cerro Negro and seismicity was elevated for up to 11 days after the initial event. The temporal and spatial patterns of earthquake swarms, surface ruptures, and the eruption location can be explained using the Hill [J. Geophys. Res. 82 (1977) 1347] model for earthquake swarms in volcanic regions, where an eruption is triggered by tectonically induced changes in the regional stress field. In this model, tectonic strain, rather than magmatic overpressure causes dilation of the conduit for magma ascent. Numerical simulations for the 1999 eruption illustrate that the observed velocities (up to 75 m s−1) and fountain heights (50–300 m) can be achieved by eruption of magma with little excess magmatic pressure, in response to changes in Coulomb stress along the Cerro La Mula–Cerro Negro alignment. These observations and models show that 1999 Cerro Negro activity was a tectonically induced small-volume eruption in an arc setting, with the accommodation of extensional strain by dike injection.

The chelate 1,2-bis(imine)nickel(butadiene) complex 4a (chelate ligand derived from condensation of biacetyl with 2,6-diisopropylaniline) adds the strong Lewis acid B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 at the terminal carbon atom of the butadiene ligand to yield the dipolar substituted π-allyl-type betaine complex (lig)Ni[η 3 -C 3 H 4 -CH 2 B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ] ( Z - 6a ). At 90 °C the kinetically formed product equilibrated with its E - 6a isomer. Similarly, 4a adds the boron Lewis acid (pyrrolyl)B(C 6 F 5 ) 2 to yield the corresponding neutral dipolar π-allyl betaine complex Z - 7a , that slowly equilibrated with E - 7a over several hours at ambient temperature. Protonation of the butadiene ligand of complex 4a was achieved by treatment with the neutral Bronsted acid (2H-pyrrol)B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 to yield the [(lig)Ni(η 3 -crotyl) + ][(pyrrolyl)B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 − ] salt 9a ( Z -/ E - 9a ratio=90:10 upon preparation). At 298 K this salt rearranged to a 5:95 mixture of Z - 9a / E - 9a with a Gibbs activation energy of Δ G ‡ (298 K)=22.3±0.2 kcal mol −1 . Complex 4a added [Ph 3 C + ] to the butadiene ligand to yield the salt [(lig)Ni(η 3 -C 3 H 4 -CH 2 CPh 3 ) + ][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 − ] ( Z - 12a ), that proved isomerically stable under the applied reaction conditions. Similar reactions were carried out starting from the acenaphthylene 1,2-dione derived chelate bis(imine)Ni(butadiene) complex 4b . The systems 6 , 7 , 9 and 12 were found to be active ethene polymerization catalysts in the presence of Al( i -Bu) 3 .

We describe how single Josephson junctions can be connected together capacitively to form a two-qubit system. We discuss the general behavior of this system show the energy level dependence on various junction parameters and choice of coupling strengths. We also discuss measurement techniques for reading out both qubits which are relevant to our ongoing experiments.

We review briefly the problems that are driving the search for a quantum computer. These include, primarily, methods for encryption and decryption based on Shor’s algorithm for factoring large integers and the use of Pell’s equation for encryption. We also outline some of the approaches that have been suggested for implementing a quantum computer and then focus on Josephson-junction systems as qubits. We have been investigating the current-biased Josephson junction for this application, a suggestion we made about 2 years ago. We have studied macroscopic quantum tunneling and energy level spectroscopy, using microwaves, in single junctions and recently we have begun measurements of the two-quantum bit (qubit) system, i.e. two capacitively coupled junctions. Theoretical studies of energy levels and their dynamic evolution are also in progress. In the present report we discuss the basics of single Josephson junctions and compare their potential as qubits with the potentials of other systems. We also discuss our future plans to obtain greater isolation of the junctions from sources of decoherence and to develop realistic qubits. An important first step must be to exhibit quantum entanglement and measure coherence times. Then it must be shown that the states of the qubits can be initialized, that gate operations can be performed, and that the results can be read out.

We show that in the regime of ground-state cooling, simple expressions can be derived for the performance of resolved-sideband cooling --- an example of coherent feedback control --- and optimal linear measurement-based feedback cooling for a harmonic oscillator. These results are valid to leading order in the small parameters that define this regime. They provide insight into the origins of the limitations of coherent and measurement-based feedback for linear systems, and the relationship between them. These limitations are not fundamental bounds imposed by quantum mechanics, but are due to the fact that both cooling methods are restricted to use only a linear interaction with the resonator. We compare the performance of the two methods on an equal footing --- that is, for the same interaction strength --- and confirm that coherent feedback is able to make much better use of the linear interaction than measurement-based feedback. We find that this performance gap is caused not by the back-action noise of the measurement but by the projection noise. We also obtain simple expressions for the maximal cooling that can be obtained by both methods in this regime, optimized over the interaction strength., 14 pages, 2 png figures; v2: revised for publication

The metathetical reactions of [(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]MCl2, M = Ti, Zr, with [Mg(C4H6)(THF)2]n afford the respective group 4 metal butadiene complexes, [(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]M(C4H6). The solution NMR and X-ray crystallographic data for [(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]Ti(C4H6) indicate that the butadiene moiety adopts a symmetrical prone structure consistent with a Ti(II) π-diene bonding representation. Alternatively, the solution and solid-state structures for its Zr analogue are markedly different. Whereas the observed chemical shift dispersion for the anti and meso butadiene protons of [(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]Zr(C4H6) supports a zirconacyclopentene structure in solution, the solid-state structure of this compound is actually tetranuclear. The four [(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]Zr units of {[(C5H4)SiMe2(N-t-Bu)]Zr(C4H6)}4 are related by a crystallographically imposed S4 rotation axis and are linked by four unsymmetrically bridging butadiene groups via an unusual ((1,2,3-η3)-Zr−(4-μ2)-Zr) bonding interaction. The five-coordinate tr...

The metallocene cation [Cp2ZrCH3(THF)+] (2, with BPh4 − anion) reacts with N-isopropylsalicylaldimine (1a) by liberation of methane and formation of the pseudotetrahedral [(κO,κN-salicylaldiminato)ZrCp2 +] complex 3 that was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Deprotonation of 1a by treatment with n-butyllithium yields the corresponding lithiated reagent 4a, that exhibits a tetrameric structure in the crystal, featuring a cubic Li4O4 core structure. Treatment of 4a with Zr(NMe2)2Cl2(dme) (5) yields the octahedral bis(N-isopropylsalicylaldiminato)Zr(NMe2)2 complex 7a. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of 7a has revealed that the aldiminato oxygen atoms of the κO,κN-chelate ligand are oriented trans to each other at the central metal atom. Treatment of the N-isopropyl, the N-cyclohexyl- and the N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)salicylimines (1a,b,d) with the reagent Zr(NMe2)4 (6) directly results in the formation of the respective octahedral (lig)2Zr(NMe2)2 complexes 7a, 7b (also characterized by X-ray diffraction), and 7d in good yields. Treatment of 7b and 7d with Me3Si-Cl replaced the NMe2 substituents by chloride to yield the corresponding lig2ZrCl2 complexes 8b and 8d, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of 8d showed an octahedral coordination with the aldiminato nitrogen atoms of the κO,κN-chelate ligands now being trans-oriented at zirconium. Complex 8b undergoes an enantiomerization process that is followed by dynamic NMR spectroscopy (ΔG≠enant. (268 K)≈12 kcal mol−1). Titanium tetrachloride forms a neutral 1:2 adduct with 1d. The NMR analysis and X-ray crystal structure analysis of the resulting bisbetaine-type adduct 9d reveals the formation of an octahedral titanium complex that contains two trans-TiO(aryl) bonds. The phenolic hydrogen atoms were transferred to the aldimine nitrogens to form an intramolecular iminium salt. Two equivalents of HCl are removed from 9d by treatment with NEt3 to yield the bis[N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)salicylaldiminato]TiCl2 complex 10d (characterized by X-ray diffraction). In a one-pot procedure TiCl4 reacts with N-phenylsalicylaldimine (1c) and triethylamine in a 1:2:2 ratio to directly yield the corresponding (κO,κN-lig)2TiCl2 complex 10c. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of 10c reveals a trans-orientation of ligand oxygen atoms, just like in the adduct intermediate 9. Upon activation with methylalumoxane the complexes 8d, 10c, and 10d form catalysts for the polymerization of ethene.

Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua, continued a 147-yr-long duration of cinder-cone activity with a major eruption in 1995. Small, phreatically driven eruptions began in May 1995 and continued for 79 days. Following a 95 day repose, the main eruption produced 8 × 106 m3 of basalt from Cerro Negro over 13 days of activity and deposited 5 mm of ash in the city of Leon. Although the damage from the 1995 eruptions was fortunately minor, previous tephra falls from Cerro Negro have produced significant crop damage and multiple deaths through building collapse. In spite of its apparent longevity for a historically active cinder cone, Cerro Negro has mass-flow rates typical of arc-related basaltic cinder cone volcanoes. Volcanic hazards beyond 3 km from Cerro Negro consist of tephra falls. Few models are available to calculate tephra-fall risks from basaltic volcanoes such as Cerro Negro, and none have been applied to dispersive cinder cone eruptions. A convective-dispersive model of Suzuki is modified and evaluated using detailed data from the 1995 Cerro Negro eruption and is found to reasonably calculate tephra-fall thickness between 8 and 30 km from the vent. This model is used with detailed data from previous Cerro Negro eruptions in a tephra-fall hazard assessment. Cerro Negro also appears to have had a steady-state eruption rate since about A.D. 1900, which is used to estimate the timing of the next eruption as before A.D. 2006. The potential tephra fall from Cerro Negro in Leon, Nicaragua, is calculated as 2.2 mm/yr until 2006, with 95% confidence that deposits will be

Solar UV radiation is a dynamic driving force of organic chemical evolution. However, it may have severe constraints in biological evolution, for instance in the early history of life on Earth, before atmospheric evolution of a protective ozone layer. Today, the full spectrum of solar UV radiation is experienced only in space. In the experiment RD-UVRAD on D-2 the biological response to solar UV as a function of ozone concentrations down to very low values was investigated. Biofilms, biological UV dosimeters, were exposed to the extraterrestrial solar radiation on one of the two exposure trays mounted on the User Support Structure (USS) with free access to space. Different cut-off filters, which exclude UV of short wavelengths, and neutral density filters were used. After the flight the biofilms were developed and analyzed on ground. As a result a strong correlation between the increase in biologically effective UV radiation with decreasing (simulated) ozone concentrations was observed. Without any ozone the solar UV radiation is about three orders of magnitude more effective than today on Earth. This space experiment resulted in new insights in the environmental conditions of life on the early Earth and in the deleterious biological consequences of future stratospheric ozone depletion.

During the Spacelab mission D-2, in the experiment RD-UVRAD, precalibrated biofilms consisting of dry monolayers; of immobilised spores of Bacillus subtilis (strain Marburg) were exposed, for defined intervals, to extraterrestrial solar radiation filtered through an optical filtering system, to simulate different ozone column thicknesses. After the mission, the biofilms were processed and optical densities indicative of any biological activity were determined for each exposure condition by image analysis. For the different simulated ozone column thicknesses, biologically effective irradiances were experimentally determined from the biofilm data and compared with calculated data using a radiative transfer model and the known biofilm action spectrum. The data show a strong increase in biologically effective solar UV irradiance with decreasing (simulated) ozone concentrations. The full spectrum of extraterrestrial solar radiation leads to an increment of the biologically effective irradia nce by nearly three orders of magnitude compared with the solar spectrum at the surface of the Earth for average total ozone columns.

Quantum walks have been shown to have impressive transport properties compared to classical random walks. However, imperfections in the quantum walk algorithm can destroy any quantum mechanical speed-up due to Anderson localization. We numerically study the effect of static disorder on a quantum walk on the glued trees graph. For small disorder, we find that the dominant effect is a type of quantum decay, and not quantum localization. For intermediate disorder, there is a crossover to diffusive transport, while a localization transition is observed at large disorder, in agreement with Anderson localization on the Cayley tree., Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures

Cooling of a quantum system is limited by the size of the control forces that are available (the "speed" of control). We consider the most general cooling process, albeit restricted to the regime in which the thermodynamics of the system is preserved (weak coupling). Within this regime, we further focus on the most useful control regime, in which a large cooling factor, and good ground-state cooling can be achieved. We present a control protocol for cooling, and give clear structural arguments, as well as strong numerical evidence, that this protocol is globally optimal. From this we obtain simple expressions for the limit to cooling that is imposed by the speed of control., 4 pages, Revetex4-1, 2 png figures

An all-resonant method is proposed to control the quantum state of superconducting resonators. This approach uses a tunable artificial atom linearly coupled to resonators, and allows for efficient routes to Fock state synthesis, qudit logic operations, and synthesis of NOON states. This resonant approach is theoretically analyzed, and found to perform signficantly better than existing proposals using the same technology., 4 + epsilon pages, plus supplemental material

We study quantum information processing using superpositions of Fock states in superconducting resonators, as quantum $d$-level systems (qudits). A universal set of single and coupled logic gates is theoretically proposed for resonators coupled by superconducting circuits of Josephson juctions. These gates use experimentally demonstrated interactions, and provide an attractive route to quantum information processing using harmonic oscillator modes., 10 pages, 14 figures, decoherence calculations added

We present a theoretical analysis of methods to synthesize entangled states of two superconducting resonators. These methods use experimentally demonstrated interactions of resonators with artificial atoms, and offer efficient routes to generate nonclassical states. We analyze physical implementations, energy level structure, and the effects of decoherence through detailed dynamical simulations., 14 pages, 10 figures

The present state-of-the-art in cooling mechanical resonators is a version of "sideband" cooling. Here we present a method that uses the same configuration as sideband cooling --- coupling the resonator to be cooled to a second microwave (or optical) auxiliary resonator --- but will cool significantly colder. This is achieved by varying the strength of the coupling between the two resonators over a time on the order of the period of the mechanical resonator. As part of our analysis, we also obtain a method for fast, high-fidelity quantum information-transfer between resonators., Comment: 4 pages, revtex4-1, 2 png figures

We study the routing of quantum information in parallel on multi-dimensional networks of tunable qubits and oscillators. These theoretical models are inspired by recent experiments in superconducting circuits using Josephson junctions and resonators. We show that perfect parallel state transfer is possible for certain networks of harmonic oscillator modes. We further extend this to the distribution of entanglement between every pair of nodes in the network, finding that the routing efficiency of hypercube networks is both optimal and robust in the presence of dissipation and finite bandwidth., 5 pages, 3 figures

We present a method to synthesize an arbitrary quantum state of two superconducting resonators. This state-synthesis algorithm utilizes a coherent interaction of each resonator with a tunable artificial atom to create entangled quantum superpositions of photon number (Fock) states in the resonators. We theoretically analyze this approach, showing that it can efficiently synthesize NOON states, with large photon numbers, using existing technology., 4 + epsilon pages, 3 figures, 1 table, fixed several factors of two, results unchanged

The Potsdam network comprises nine (or, including its local sub-net around the station Moxa, 12) seismological stations. It covers an area of some 250 km × 450 km with various subsurface and signal-to-noise conditions. Its centre which is connected to the stations by dedicated and/or dialled telephone lines for data transmission, has recently been equipped with 16-bit PCs and peripheral units for digital data acquisition, processing, storage and communication. Selected examples of data processing are given. This large-aperture network provides good conditions for signal detection, phase correlation and identification, as well as event localization and magnitude classification. The detection thresholds of both single stations and the network as a whole without and with noise filtering for improved signal detection have been determined and are compared with data for global seismological networks and some array stations. Up to about 9000 km distance the detectability threshold of the Potsdam network is only about 0.1–0.5 magnitude units higher than that of the NORSAR array or of the global network of data exchange as proposed by the Geneva group of scientific experts (GSE), respectively, when all possibilities for signal processing are exploited. Within central Europe, the network detects and locates events with magnitudes between 1 and 3. Because of the large aperture of the station network, its localization accuracy is better than that of the NORSAR or the Grafenberg array. It can be further improved by taking systematic mislocation errors into account. Then, for a global sample of 164 events, the mislocation by the Potsdam network was less than 3.8° in 90% of cases (less than 2° for 68.3% of events).

Superconducting quantum circuits, such as the superconducting phase qubit, have multiple quantum states that can interfere with ideal qubit operation. The use of multiple frequency control pulses, resonant with the energy differences of the multi-state system, is theoretically explored. An analytical method to design such control pulses is developed, using a generalization of the Floquet method to multiple frequency controls. This method is applicable to optimizing the control of both superconducting qubits and qudits, and is found to be in excellent agreement with time-dependent numerical simulations., 11 pages, 6 figures

The effect of decoherence on the continuous-time quantum walk on the hypercube is revisited. Previously, an exact solution was found for a decoherence model that preserved the effective tensor-product form of the dynamics. Here a new model is presented, inspired by perfect quantum state transfer in qubit networks. A perturbative solution is found for the dynamics of this model which is not of a tensor-product form. In contrast to previous results, the hitting probability has a lower bound that is independent of the hypercube dimension., 8 pages, 4 figures, revised title and text for PRA

We analyze the behavior of a dc Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) phase qubit in which one junction acts as a phase qubit and the rest of the device provides isolation from dissipation and noise in the bias leads. Ignoring dissipation, we find the two-dimensional Hamiltonian of the system and use numerical methods and a cubic approximation to solve Schrodinger's equation for the eigenstates, energy levels, tunneling rates, and expectation value of the currents in the junctions. Using these results, we investigate how well this design provides isolation while preserving the characteristics of a phase qubit. In addition, we show that the expectation value of current flowing through the isolation junction depends on the state of the qubit and can be used for non-destructive read out of the qubit state., 38 pages, 7 figures

We propose a new two--qubit phase gate for ultra--cold atoms confined in an experimentally realized tilted double--well optical lattice [Sebby--Strabley et al., Phys. Rev. A {\bf 73} 033605 (2006)]. Such a lattice is capable of confining pairs of atoms in a two--dimensional array of double--well potentials where control can be exercised over the barrier height and the energy difference of the minima of the two wells (known as the ``tilt''). The four lowest single--particle motional states consist of two pairs of motional states in which each pair is localized on one side of the central barrier, allowing for two atoms confined in such a lattice to be spatially separated qubits. We present a time--dependent scheme to manipulate the tilt to induce tunneling oscillations which produce a collisional phase gate. Numerical simulations demonstrate that this gate can be performed with high fidelity., 5 pages, 4 figures

We present Rabi oscillation measurements of a Nb/AlOx/Nb dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) phase qubit with a 100 um^2 area junction acquired over a range of microwave drive power and frequency detuning. Given the slightly anharmonic level structure of the device, several excited states play an important role in the qubit dynamics, particularly at high power. To investigate the effects of these levels, multiphoton Rabi oscillations were monitored by measuring the tunneling escape rate of the device to the voltage state, which is particularly sensitive to excited state population. We compare the observed oscillation frequencies with a simplified model constructed from the full phase qubit Hamiltonian and also compare time-dependent escape rate measurements with a more complete density-matrix simulation. Good quantitative agreement is found between the data and simulations, allowing us to identify a shift in resonance (analogous to the ac Stark effect), a suppression of the Rabi frequency, and leakage to the higher excited states., Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures; minor corrections, updated references

Superconducting quantum circuits, fabricated with multiple layers, are proposed to implement perfect quantum state transfer between nodes of a hypercube network. For tunable devices such as the phase qubit, each node can transmit quantum information to any other node at a constant rate independent of the distance between qubits. The physical limits of quantum state transfer in this network are theoretically analyzed, including the effects of disorder, decoherence, and higher-order couplings., 7 pages, 4 figures; title changed, minor errors corrected, published version

We derive an exact propagation scheme for nonlinear Schroedinger equations. This scheme is entirely analogous to the propagation of linear Schroedinger equations. We accomplish this by defining a special operator whose algebraic properties ensure the correct propagation. As applications, we provide a simple proof of a recent conjecture regarding higher-order integrators for the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, extend it to multi-component equations, and to a new class of integrators., 10 pages, no figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. E

Rabi oscillations have been observed in many superconducting devices, and represent prototypical logic operations for quantum bits (qubits) in a quantum computer. We use a three-level multiphoton analysis to understand the behavior of the superconducting phase qubit (current-biased Josephson junction) at high microwave drive power. Analytical and numerical results for the ac Stark shift, single-photon Rabi frequency, and two-photon Rabi frequency are compared to measurements made on a dc SQUID phase qubit with Nb/AlOx/Nb tunnel junctions. Good agreement is found between theory and experiment., 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond

By pursuing the deep relation between the one-dimensional Dirac equation and quantum walks, the physical role of quantum interference in the latter is explained. It is shown that the time evolution of the probability density of a quantum walker, initially localized on a lattice, is directly analogous to relativistic wave-packet spreading. Analytic wave-packet solutions reveal a striking connection between the discrete and continuous time quantum walks., 4 pages, 4 figures, published and corrected version

We describe a technique for initializing the flux state of an inductively isolated Josephson junction, fulfilling an essential requirement for using the device as a qubit. By oscillating the applied magnetic flux with a specified amplitude and offset, we can select any of the allowed long-lived metastable flux states. We applied this technique to $\mathrm{Nb}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Nb}$ and $\mathrm{Al}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Al}$ devices with from 10 to over 100 distinct flux states at temperatures as low as $25\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mK}$. In a ten-state system with an initial probability $p=0.13$ to be in the desired flux state, we achieved $p=0.999\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}96$ after 50 oscillations at $22.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kHz}$. The technique is generally applicable to other systems with multiple metastable wells (including rf SQUIDs), requires no additional readout or bias lines, involves minimal energy dissipation, and appears to scale favorably with the number of qubits.

[i] Remarkable evidence of coupling between tectonic and magmatic events emerges from investigation of three tectonic earthquakes, aftershock sequences and eruption of Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua in 1999. Here, we explain this coupling through static stress changes following three Mw 5.2 earthquakes. We use focal mechanism solutions to estimate fault system geometry and magnitude of slip from these events, which are then used to calculate the change in minimum horizontal principal stress (σ 3 ) for the region and the change in Coulomb failure stress on optimally oriented fault planes. Results of these simulations indicate that σ 3 was reduced by ∼0.08 MPa and that Coulomb failure stress was raised by 0.001 to 0.2 MPa in the region. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov test demonstrates spatial correlation of Coulomb failure stress changes and triggered seismicity and volcanism, and suggests that these small changes in static stress can trigger subsequent geophysical events under appropriate circumstances. Citation: Dfez, M., P. C. La Femina, C. B. Connor, W. Strauch, and V. Tenorio (2005), Evidence for static stress changes triggering the 1999 eruption of Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua and regional aftershock sequences.