************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL V, NO 3 * * * * March 1997 * * * * ISSN 1325-6467 * * * Edited by: Murray Hamilton * \ | / * Physics, University of Adelaide, * \__|__/ * SA 5005, Australia. * | * email: mwh@physics.adelaide.edu.au Available on WWW at: * | * phone: +61 8 8303 5322 http://www.anu.edu.au * | * fax: +61 8 8232 6541 /Physics/newsletter * * ___________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS 0. DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS 1. ABSTRACTS 2. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. WANTED TO BUY/SELL 4. SITUATIONS VACANT 5. MISC NEWS (real news if you like!) ______________________________________________________________________________ 0. DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS This newsletter is not getting to the following people/email addresses. If anyone knows the correct (and presumably new) addresses of the following people could they please let me know. (ed.) wielinga@zeus.mpce.mq.edu.au... User unknown miran@phys.amu.edu.pl... Host unknown lars.johansen@kih.no... Host unknown johni@macadam.mpce.mq.edu.au... User unknown jean-philippe.poizat@iota.u-psud.fr... Remote protocol error J.A.Vaccaro@open.ac.uk... Remote protocol error ___________________ 1. ABSTRACTS Title: Quantum distribution functions for radial observables Author: J. Twamley Address: Laser Optics and Theory Groups, Blackett Lab, Imperial College, London, UK Abstract: For quantum systems with two dimensional configuration space we construct a physical radial momentum observable. Rescaling the radius we find the dilatonic degrees of freedom form a Weyl algebra. With this we construct the radial Wigner quasi-probability distribution function. Location: quant-ph/9701026 submitted to PRL _____________________________________________________________________________ Title: Quantised motion of an atom in a Gaussian-Laguerre beam Author: J. Twamley Address: Laser Optics and Theory Groups, Blackett Lab, Imperial College, London, UK Abstract: We quantise the centre of mass motion of a neutral Cs atom in the presence of a classical Gaussian-Laguerre$_{10}$ light field in the large detuning limit. This light field possesses orbital angular momentum which is transferred to the atom via spontaneous emissions. We use quantum trajectory and analytic methods to solve the master equation for the 2d centre of mass motion with recoil near the centre of the beam. For appropriate parameters, we observe heating in both the cartesian and polar observables within a few orbits of the atom in the beam. The angular momentum, $\hat{L}$, shows a rapid diffusion which results in <$\hat{L}$> reaching a maximum and then decreasing to zero. We compare this with analytic results obtained for an atom illuminated by a superposition of Gaussian-Laguerre modes which possess no angular momentum, in the limit of no recoil. Location: quant-ph/9702008 submitted to PRA _______________________________________________________________________________ TITLE: Classical and quantum signatures of competing $\chi^{(2)}$nonlinearities AUTHORS: A.G. White, P. K. Lam, M. S. Taubman, M. A. M. Marte, S. Schiller, D. E. McClelland & H.-A. Bachor JOURNAL: Physical Review A STATUS: Accepted February 28 1997 ABSTRACT: We report the first observation of the quantum effects of competing $\chi^{(2)}$ nonlinearities. We also report new classical signatures of competition, namely clamping of the second harmonic power and production of nondegenerate frequencies in the visible. Theory is presented that describes the observations as resulting from competition between various $\chi^{(2)}$ upconversion and downconversion processes. We show that competition imposes hitherto unsuspected limits to both power generation and squeezing. The observed signatures are expected to be significant effects in practical systems. _____________________________________________________________________________ TITLE: Heterodyne detection using photon number-squeezed local oscillators AUTHORS: Yong-qing Li, Min Xiao and Paul J Edwards ADDRESS:Department of Physics, University of Arkansas; School of Electronic Engineering and Applied Physics, University of Canberra. EMAIL: paule@ise.canberra.edu.au JOURNAL: Optics Letters STATUS: Submitted ABSTRACT:We propose a new heterodyne detection scheme for measuring a weak signal field by employing a photon number-squeezed local oscillator. Unlike the conventional balanced heterodyne detection scheme where a beamsplitter is used as a combiner, the signal to noise ratio of this new detection technique with a cavity combiner is enhanced beyond the shoit noise limit. Applications in remote coherent laser radar and optical communications are discussed. ******************************************************************************* 2. CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS --------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________________ THE 11th CONFERENCE OF AUSTRALIAN OPTICAL SOCIETY THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE, 10 - 12 DEC. 1997 This now has a web page. - go to http://bragg.physics.adelaide.edu.au/~mwh/aosmeet.html _______________________________________________________________________________ Official(!) first announcement Workshop on QUANTUM COHERENCE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE 8,9 DECEMBER 1997 SCOPE The workshop will be organised loosely around the following topics: Theoretical Ideas: Quantum Computation Quantum Communication Quantum Measurement and Control Practical Ideas FORMAT There will be three invited speakers plus contributed papers, a small number of which will be oral and the remainder poster presentations. Invited speakers Prof. Richard Jozsa, University of Plymouth, UK Dr. David Wineland, National Inst. of Standards and Technology, USA Prof. H S Green, University of Adelaide, Australia VENUE The workshop is to be held in the Charles Hawker Conference Centre at the University of Adelaide's Waite campus which is located in the inner southeastern suburbs of Adelaide, approximately 5km from the city centre. The campus houses the Agricultural Science faculty and features a large arboretum. A bus will be chartered each day to take participants from the accommodation to the workshop venue. Alternatively, there are convenient public transport connections and taxis. ACCOMMODATION Accommodation has been reserved at the residential wing of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, next to the University of Adelaide campus on North Tce. The entrance is off Frome Rd.. The cost (room only with shared bathroom facs.) is $10 for a student and $15 for a non-student. Breakfast is available at $7, which buys a coupon to eat in the hospital cafeteria. Participants will be asked on registration whether they wish to avail themselves of this. The accommodation is close to Rundle St. where a large variety of cafes and restaurants can be found, some of which serve breakfast, and all of which are open into the evening for dinners. Lunch (sandwiches etc.) will be available in the cafeteria at the Waite campus. A wide variety of hotels is also available close to the University of Adelaide for those who wish to have less basic accommodation. Participants who opt for this should make their own arrangements. TIMETABLE May 1 1997 first call for papers July 31 second call for papers October 3 deadline for submission of papers November 10 deadline for registration (no money though) REGISTRATION FEE The registration fee is $20 for students and $35 for nonstudents. The fee is not to be paid when registering, which will be done electronically via the worldwide web, but rather will be collected at the workshop (cash or cheque, Australian dollars only). AUSTRALIAN OPTICAL SOCIETY MEETING The workshop is being organised in conjunction with the AOS meeting (10,11,12 December) which will be held on the North Tce. campus of the University of Adelaide. ORGANISING COMMITTEE Murray Hamilton (U of Adelaide, email: mwh@physics.adelaide.edu.au) Gerard Milburn (U of Queensland) Ian Fuss (Defence Science and Technology Org.) Webpage: http://bragg.physics.adelaide.edu.au/~mwh/qiproc.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE QUANTUM OPTICS IV JASZOWIEC, POLAND JUNE 17-24, 1997 SITE AND DATE The International Conference Quantum Optics IV will be held in Jaszowiec, Poland from Tuesday, June 17 to Tuesday, June 24, 1997. ORGANIZATION The International Conference Quantum Optics IV is organized by the Institute of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Center for Theoretical Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences under the guidance of the International Program Committee. PROGRAM COMMITTEE I. Bialynicki-Birula (Poland) J. Mostowski (Poland) N. Bigelow (USA) K. Rzazewski (Poland) J. H. Eberly (USA) L. Sirko (Poland) M. Fedorov (Russia) H. Walther (Germany) PROGRAM AND CONTRIBUTIONS The major topics of the Conference are the following: cold atoms, interaction of atoms with strong fields, and quantum chaos. The Conference will include invited lectures and poster sessions. Titles of posters should be submitted to the organizers not later than March 31, 1997. Posters should not be bigger than 1m by 1m. Conference proceedings will be published as a special issue of Acta Physica Polonica A. PRELIMINARY LIST OF INVITED SPEAKERS N. Bigelow (USA) P. M. Koch (USA) R. Blumel (Germany) K. Kulander (USA) C. Bowden (USA) M. Lewenstein (France) C. Clark (USA) F. de Martini (Italy) J. Dalibard (France) H. Metcalf (USA) J. H. Eberly (USA) W. Schleich (Germany) A. Ekert (UK) G. Shlyapnikov (Russia) M. Fedorov (Russia) I. A. Walmsley (USA) R. Glauber (USA) H. Walther (Germany) R. Grobe (USA) M. Wilkens (Germany) F. Haake (Germany) L. You (USA) ACCOMODATION The participants will be accommodated in two neighboring holiday hotels "Kolejarz" and "Gwarek" in Ustron-Jaszowiec. All the rooms have individual bathrooms. The rooms are moderatelly well equipped (approximatelly, the standard of a two-star hotel). All meals will be served in the dinning room of "Gwarek" hotel. PAYMENT The conference fee is $395 or equivalent. This covers registration, accomodation in single rooms, all meals, conference dinner, and conference proceedings. Accompanying persons will be charged about $40 per day (including meals). We expect to have limited number of grants for partial support. Payment should be sent to the organizers before March 31, 1997. Form of payment: By bank draft to: Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Bank PBK, XIII Oddzial Warszawa, account No. 370044-3593-2700-1-64, with note "Quantum Optics IV". By check, cashier check or international money order, payable to Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa. JASZOWIEC AND ENVIRONS Jaszowiec, a tourist village in Beskidy Mountains, is located between Wisla, Ustron, and Cieszyn in Southern Poland. We hope that this location will create a nice workshop atmosphere. It will also offer an opportunity for relaxing mountain hikes. SOCIAL PROGRAM AND TOURS A variety of social events and tours will be organized for the Conference participants and accompanying persons. CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence concerning the Conference should be addressed to: International Conference Quantum Optics IV Leszek Sirko Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Sciences Al. Lotnikow 32/46 02-668 Warszawa, Poland tel. +48-22-437001 ext. 3385 fax: +48-22-430926 e-mail: qo4@ifpan.edu.pl This circular and registration form are also available on the WWW pages at http://info.ifpan.edu.pl/conferences/qo4.html For other interesting conferences, send an e-mail to with CONFMENU on your Subject line, or web . _________________________________________________________________________ =========================================== IV Workshop Optics and Interferometry with Atoms 21st - 23rd July 1997 St. John's College, Oxford, England. Chairman: Prof. K. Burnett =============================================== Confirmed invited speakers include D. Pritchard (MIT), P.Hannaford (CSIRO), M.Kasevich (Stanford), J. Helmcke (PTB), J. Dalibard (ENS). The workshop will cover all topics relating to optics and interferometry with atoms including atom optics, Bose-Einstein condensation, lithography and optical lattices Presentations in oral and poster format are invited from the participants. The deadline for registration is 1st May 1997 and abstracts (which should be no longer than two sides of A4) should also be submitted by 1st May 1997. ======================================================================= If you require further information, including an application form then you may reply to this email address (atopt@mildred.physics.ox.ac.uk) with an email entitled "application form". ======================================================================= The application form and further details can also be found at our www site: http://eve.physics.ox.ac.uk/Confer/atopt/home.html ****************************************************************************** 3. Nothing for sale this month! ______________________________________________________________________________ ****************************************************************************** 4. SITUATIONS VACANT POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN THEORETICAL SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICS (updated version) Location: Department of Physics Washington State University Pullman, Washington 99164-2814 USA Duration: One year with possible extensions to a second and third year Starting date: Summer or Fall 1997 Research Topics: (i) Fundamental physics of semiconductor microcavities and other structures in cw and time resolved linear and nonlinear spectroscopies (ii) Nonlinear time-domain optical response of low-dimensional semiconductor systems to shaped sub-picosecond optical pulses Relevant Experience: Includes nonlinear optics theory, semiconductor Bloch equations, the coupled Maxwell-semiconductor Bloch equations, polaritons, microcavities, linear or nonlinear optical properties of quantum wells, wires, dots, or molecular systems, wavepacket dynamics in matter, quantum kinetics, electronic structure in low- dimensional systems, and THz generation This position will also include a teaching component. The candidate should have displayed excellence in his/her field. Interested parties should send a curriculum vitae and arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to Professor David S. Citrin Semiconductor Optics Theory Group Washington State University Pullman, Washington 99164-2814 USA Tel: +1 509 335-3698, Fax: +1 509 335-7816 Email: citrin@wsu.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------- You may retrieve this file or its updated version by sending an e-mail to with USA.JOB on your Subject line. For WWW service, web . ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________________________________ ****************************************************************************** 5. MISC NEWS Madame C. S. Wu, a world class scientist, a profound humanist, and an alumni of Nanjing University, pass away a week ago. Her departure was not just a loss for our University, nor China or the United States, but for humanity. To honor this great person and scientist, her alma mater, Nanjing University, in collaboration with South-East University in Nanjing City, intends to jointly host a world class scientific conference in her memory. We would like to hold this conference as soon as possible and would like to propose two possible dates. We would appreciate very much if you could fill in the form and email it us, stating your preference. In life, Madame Wu's vast and deep understanding of physics was legendary. She was also unceasing in promoting scientific and cultural exchanges between her beloved countries: her native land China and her adopted land the United States. Thus, we would hope that in memory of her, we could bring together as many scientists, especially from these two countries together, as possible. Knowing Madame Wu, we are confident that she would not want this to be merely a gathering to mourn her loss, but a gathering, inspired by her glorious life as a person and a scientist, to celebrate a new era of science. Therefore, your participation will be a significant enhancement to the quality of this conference. We are confident that Madame Wu, whose life was devoted to the advancement of knowledge of science, would be happy to see such an exciting scientific gathering at her alma mater. We welcome you. Sincerely Fan Wang,