C. Saavedra

Generation of entangled states of qudits using twin photons

We report an experiment to generate entangled states of D-dimensional quantum systems, qudits, by using transverse spatial correlations of two parametric down-converted photons. Apertures with D slits in the arms of the twin photons define the qudit space. By manipulating the pump beam correctly, the twin photons will pass only by symmetrically opposite slits, generating entangled states between these different paths. Experimental results for qudits with D = 4 and 8 are shown. We demonstrate that the generated states are entangled states.

Experimental quantum tomography of photonic qudits via mutually unbiased basis.

We present the experimental quantum tomography of 7- and 8-dimensional quantum systems based on projective measurements in the mutually unbiased basis (MUB-QT). One of the advantages of MUB-QT is that it requires projections from a minimal number of bases to be performed. In our scheme, the higher dimensional quantum systems are encoded using the propagation modes of single photons, and we take advantage of the capabilities of amplitude- and phase-modulation of programmable spatial light modulators to implement the MUB-QT.

Quantum key distribution session with 16-dimensional photonic states

The secure transfer of information is an important problem in modern telecommunications. Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides a solution to this problem by using individual quantum systems to generate correlated bits between remote parties, that can be used to extract a secret key. QKD with D-dimensional quantum channels provides security advantages that grow with increasing D. However, the vast majority of QKD implementations has been restricted to two dimensions. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using higher dimensions for real-world quantum cryptography by performing, for the first time, a fully automated QKD session based on the BB84 protocol with 16-dimensional quantum states. Information is encoded in the single-photon transverse momentum and the required states are dynamically generated with programmable spatial light modulators. Our setup paves the way for future developments in the field of experimental high-dimensional QKD.

Entanglement engineering of one-photon wave packets using a single-atom source

We propose a cavity-QED scheme for the controlled generation of sequences of entangled single-photon wavepackets. A photon is created inside a cavity via an active medium, such as an atom, and decays into the continuum of radiation modes outside the cavity(coupled, for example to an optical fiber). Subsequent wavepackets generated in this way behave as independent logical qubits. This and the possibility of producing maximally entangled multi-qubit states suggest many applications in quantum communication.

Manipulating spatial qudit states with programmable optical devices

The study of how to generate high-dimensional quantum states (qudits) is justified by the advantages that they can bring for the field of quantum information. However, to have some real practical potential for quantum communication, these states must be also of simple manipulation. Spatial qudits states, which are generated by engineering the transverse momentum of the parametric down-converted photons, have been until now considered of hard manipulation. Nevertheless, we show in this work a simple technique for modifying these states. This technique is based on the use of programmable diffractive optical devices, that can act as spatial light modulators, to define the Hilbert space of these photons instead of pre-fabricated multi-slits.

Hybrid photonic entanglement: Realization, characterization and applications

We show that the quantum disentanglement eraser implemented on a two-photon system from parametric downconversion is a general method to create hybrid photonic entanglement, namely the entanglement between different degrees of freedom of the photon pair. To demonstrate this, we generate and characterize a source with tunable degree of hybrid entanglement between two qubits, one encoded in the transverse momentum and position of a photon, and the other in the polarization of its partner. In addition, we show that a simple extension of our setup enables the generation of two-photon qubit-qudit hybrid entangled states. Finally, we discuss the advantages that this type of entanglement can bring for an optical quantum network.

Population genetics of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) introduced in North America and Europe

Globally, the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) stands as the second most important bivalve species in fisheries and aquaculture. Native to the Pacific coast of Asia, it is now well-established in North America and Europe, where its on-going management reflects local economic interests. The historic record of transfers spans the 20th century and suggests sequential movement from Japan to North America, as a hitch-hiker on oysters, and then intentional introduction in Europe, but global genetic data are missing. We have studied mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers in nine populations from Asia, North America and Europe. The results from the two types of markers indicated a good concordance of present-day genetic structure with the reported history of clam transfers across continents, and no evidence of relevant concealed introductions from continental Asia in Europe and North America. However, European populations showed a loss of genetic variability and significant genetic differentiation as compared to their American counterparts. Our study shows that in spite of the increasing ease for species to spread out of their native range, in the case of the Manila clam this has not resulted in new invasion waves in the two studied continents.

Unbroken supersymmetry in the Aharonov-Casher effect

S. Bruce(1)∗ , L. Roa and C. Saavedra, A.B. Klimov (1) Departamento de Física, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 4009, Concepcion, Chile (2) Departamento de Física, Universidad de Guadalajara, Corregidora 500, 44420, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México (April, 1999) We consider the problem of the bound states of a spin 1/2 chargless particle in a given Aharonov-Casher configuration. To this end we recast the description of the system in a supersymmetric form. Then the basic physical requirements for unbroken supersymmetry are established. We comment on the possibility of neutron confinement in this system. PACS number(s): 03.65Ge, 03.65.Bz, 12.60.J, 11.30.P. Aharonov and Casher [1] introduced a ‘dual’ to the well established Aharonov-Bohm effect [2]. The essence of the Aharonov-Bohm effect is the presence of the vector potential in the Lagrangian formulation used in quantum mechanics. A charged particle moving through a region close to a magnetic field experiences no Lorentz force but is modified by a non-zero vector potential in the equation of motion [2–5]. Based on the ‘symmetry’ of Maxwell’s equations Aharonov and Casher considered the interaction between a particle’s magnetic dipole moment and an electric field. A fully relativistic theory of the Aharonov-Casher effect has been given by Hagen [4] and He and McKellar [5] for spin 1/2 particles . The AC phase shift was observed using neutron interferometry [6–8]. In the same year that the Aharonov-Casher effect was announced, M. V. Berry introduced the concept of the geometric or topological phase in quantum mechanics [9]. In cases where the adiabatic theorem can be invoked, a non-integrable (i.e. non-dynamic) phase is accumulated in the cyclic evolution of a Hamiltonian which is not simply connected. An important example of this geometric phase was the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Although classical examples have been found the topological nature of the AB and AC phase is an important argument for their

Simultaneous rotation, orientation and displacement control of birefringent microparticles in holographic optical tweezers

We report the experimental implementation of a new method for generating multiple dynamical optical tweezers, where each one of them is generated with an independent linear polarization state with arbitrary orientation. This also allows an independent simultaneous polarization-rotation control. The laser beam, both for generating multiple traps and polarization control, has been modulated using a single reflective nematic liquid crystal with parallel alignment. We present experimental results of controlled displacement, orientation and rotation of birefringent particles. In addition, a simple method for estimating and canceling out the primary astigmatism present in the system is presented.

Real-time study of shape and thermal fluctuations in the echinocyte transformation of human erythrocytes using defocusing microscopy.

Abstract. We present a real-time method to measure the amplitude of thermal fluctuations in biological membranes by means of a new treatment of the defocusing microscopy (DM) optical technique. This approach was also applied to study the deformation of human erythrocytes to its echinocyte structure. This was carried out by making three-dimensional shape reconstructions of the cell and measuring the thermal fluctuations of its membrane, as the cell is exposed to the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen and as it recovers its original shape, when it is subsequently cleansed of the drug. The results showed biomechanical changes in the membrane even at low naproxen concentration (0.2 mM). Also, we found that when the cell recovered its original shape, the membrane properties were different compared to the nondrugged initial erythrocyte, indicating that the drug administration-recovery process is not completely reversible.