************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL X, NO 5 * * * CONTENTS: * May 2002 * * * 0. EDITORIAL NOTE * ISSN 1325-6467 * Edited by: 1. ABSTRACTS * * Alexei Gilchrist 2. VACANCIES * \ | / * Physics, University of Queensland, 3. BUY/SELL * \__|__/ * QLD 4072, Australia. 4. MISC NEWS * | * email: alexei@physics.uq.edu.au 5. CONFERENCES * | * phone: +61 7 3365 2422 * | * fax: +61 7 3365 1242 Available on WWW at: * * http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/qonews =============================================================================== 1. ABSTRACTS =============================================================================== Efficient Classical Simulation of Optical Quantum Circuits Stephen D. Bartlett and Barry C. Sanders quant-ph/0204065 We identify a broad class of physical processes in an optical quantum circuit that can be efficiently simulated on a classical computer: this class includes unitary transformations, amplification, noise, and measurements. This simulatability result places powerful constraints on the capability to realize exponential quantum speedups as well as on inducing an optical nonlinear transformation via linear optics, photodetection-based measurement and classical feedforward of measurement results, optimal cloning, and a wide range of other processes. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Photon counting schemes and performance of non-deterministic nonlinear gates in linear optics Stephen D. Bartlett, Eleni Diamanti, Barry C. Sanders, and Yoshihisa Yamamoto quant-ph/0204073 The performance of nondeterministic nonlinear gates in linear optics relies on the photon counting scheme being employed and the efficiencies of the detectors in such schemes. We assess the performance of the nonlinear sign gate, which is a critical component of linear optical quantum computing, for two standard photon counting methods: the double detector array and the visible light photon counter. Our analysis shows that the double detector array is insufficient to provide the photon counting capability for effective nondeterministic nonlinear transformations, and we determine the gate fidelity for both photon counting methods as a function of detector efficiencies. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate Master Equations for Atom Optics D. J. Atkins, H. M. Wiseman and P. Warszawski quant-ph/020404 In the field of atom optics, the basis of many experiments is a two level atom coupled to a light field. The evolution of this system is governed by a master equation. The irreversible components of this master equation describe the spontaneous emission of photons from the atom. For many applications, it is necessary to minimize the effect of this irreversible evolution. This can be achieved by having a far detuned light field. The drawback of this regime is that making the detuning very large makes the timestep required to solve the master equation very small, much smaller than the timescale of any significant evolution. This makes the problem very numerically intensive. For this reason, approximations are used to simulate the master equation which are more numerically tractable to solve. This paper analyses four approximations: The standard adiabatic approximation; a more sophisticated adiabatic approximation (not used before); a secular approximation; and a fully quantum dressed-state approximation. The advantages and disadvantages of each are investigated with respect to accuracy, complexity and the resources required to simulate. In a parameter regime of particular experimental interest, only the sophisticated adiabatic and dressed-state approximations agree well with the exact evolution. =============================================================================== 2. VACANCIES =============================================================================== Scientific Sales Professional - Lasers and Optics Coherent Scientific is a leading supplier of lasers and electro-optical components, with divisions dedicated to servicing the physical sciences, life sciences, fibre communications and industrial markets across Australia and New Zealand. The physical sciences division is looking for a self-motivated and enthusiastic person keen to contribute to the success and growth of the company as well as being an integral part of a team environment. The chosen applicant will pursue and establish new scientific business opportunities as well as maintain evolving relationships with existing clients and suppliers. An honours degree in either physical sciences or engineering is essential and applicants with masters or doctorate qualifications are encouraged to apply. Experience in the field of optics and laser technology, particularly pulsed laser technologies and flow visualisation systems, will be highly regarded. Willingness to travel both interstate and overseas is required. Further information including selection criteria and job description can be obtained by calling Michelle Warwick on (+61) 8 8150 5200. Applications addressing the selection criteria and including two referees should be addressed to Coherent Scientific Pty. Ltd, GPO Box 849, Marleston BC 5033. Closing date is Friday 17th May 2002. =============================================================================== 5. CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS =============================================================================== NATO Advanced Study Institute on Quantum Information and Communication Technologies 3 - 14 June, 2002 Deadline for registration and payment: February 15, 2002 Ankara, Turkey http://www.fen.bilkent.edu.tr/~quantum The main objective of the meeting is to provide training and offer orientation to young scientists in the field of: * Quantum information technologies * Quantum communication systems, entanglement, encoding, cryptography * Generation and detection of non-classical light * Quantum measurements * Matter wave optics, Bose-Einstein condensation * Propagation of photons in fibers, heterostructures, photonic crystals, and mesoscopic systems ------------------------------------------------------------------- IQEC/LAT 2002: International Quantum Electronics Conference and International Conference on Lasers, Applications and Technologies 22-28 June 2002 Abstract and summary deadline 15 January 2002 Moscow, Russia http://www.ilc.msu.su/iqec2002/ The International Quantum Electronics Conference (IQEC) is the largest international conference featuring the fundamentals of quantum electronics, basic research in lasers, nonlinear and quantum optics, quantum information, and fundamental laser spectroscopy of atoms and condensed matter. IQEC 2002 is organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences and M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University under the aegis of the International Council on Quantum Electronics (ICQE). The Conference on Lasers, Applications, and Technologies (LAT) provides a forum for an update and review of a wide range of laser technologies and applications including laser device development, processing of advanced materials, optical information technologies, biomedicine and ecology applications. The meeting serves to stimulate the use of more mature optical technologies in different fields. LAT 2002 is organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation, and SPIE/Russia. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 Australian Institute Of Physics Congress 8 - 11 July, 2002 Sydney, Australia http://www.aip.org.au/Congress2002/ ------------------------------------------------------------------- International Conference on Quantum Information 13th-18th July 2002 Deadline for abstract of contributed papers: March 15, 2002 Registration: May 31, 2002 Oviedo, Spain http://www.uniovi.es/Congresos/2001/QI/Welcome.html The main topics of the Conference will include * Quantum Information * Recent Theoretical and Experimental Progress in Quantum Information Processing * Quantum Computation * Conceptual Issues on the Foundations of Quantum Theory ------------------------------------------------------------------- QCM&C'02: Sixth International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement and Computing July 22-26, 2002 Deadline for papers: March 15, 2002 Pre-conference registration deadline is 5 July 2002 Massachusetts Institute of Technology http://rleweb.mit.edu/QCMC/ The previous meetings in this series, drew together researchers from many countries and covered topics in quantum information theory, theoretical and experimental aspects of quantum computing, quantum communication systems, cryptography, new quantum effects and their experimental realizations, generation detection and applications of nonclassical light, quantum noise, stochastic processes and filtering, and quantum measurement theory. These same topics will be covered at QCM&C'02. ------------------------------------------------------------------- AMO SUMMER SCHOOL 21 - 26 July, 2002 April 1: early registration deadline (save $ 70) May 19: deadline for submission of abstracts for poster sessions July 1: pre-conference registration deadline Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA A summer school will be held at MIT the week preceding the ICAP 2002 conference, July 21 to July 26, 2002. Its director is Dan Kleppner. It will be sponsored by the Center for Ultracold Atoms at MIT and Harvard. Lectures at the summer school will be at the level of the MIT graduate course in Atomic and Optical Physics. They will cover foundational topics such as atoms in electromagnetic fields, forces on atoms, resonance, spectroscopy, coherence, and collisions. The target audience is graduate students or postdocs starting research in atomic physics. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ICAP 2002: Eighteenth International Conference on Atomic Physics July 28 to August 2, 2002 Early Registration: April 1 Abstracts for posters: May 19 Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA http://cua.mit.edu/icap2002/ The meeting will feature invited talks and posters on the latest developments in Atomic Physics. Topics include atomic tests of fundamental theories, laser spectroscopy, laser cooling and trapping, Bose-Einstein condensation, quantum optics and coherence, atom optics, precision measurements, atomic clocks, atoms in intense laser fields, quantum control, quantum information, atomic structure and atomic collisions. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISQCI 2002: International School on Quantum Computation and Information 2 - 7 September 2002 The application deadline is the 26th of April 2002 The number of participants to the School is limited to about 60. Lisbon, Portugal http://www.qubit.org/school2002/index.htm The objective of this school is to offer a pedagogic and fairly comprehensive introduction to the emerging field of Quantum Computation and Information, covering both the theoretical and the experimental sides. The school is aimed at those who are considering to start working in this field or at least would like to learn more about it. We therefore welcome applications not only from students, but also from researchers in other areas of physics, as well as mathematicians, computer scientists and engineering scientists. ------------------------------------------------------------------- DICE2002 Decoherence, Information, Complexity and Entropy 2 - 6 September, 2002 Piombino (Tuscany) To stimulate interdisciplinary discussion on fundamental interactions, cosmology, quantum theory, quantum information processing, nonlinear dynamics, and complex systems: http://omnis.if.ufrj.br/~thomas/DICEhp.html ------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd European QIPC Workshop 15 - 18 September, 2002 Registration Deadline: Monday 5th August 2002 Dublin, Ireland http://www.quiprocone.org/Dublin/dublinworkshop.htm Limited spaces available, no registration fee. The purpose of the workshop is to promote interaction across the broad subject area of QIPC. Session chairs will begin with a short introductory review of their session's area to put in context the session contributions within the wider arena of QIPC. Talks from invited speakers will be accessible to a wide multi-disciplinary QIPC audience, which will include both theorists and experimentalists. ------------------------------------------------------------------- EuroConference on Quantum Atom Optics: From Quantum Science to Technology 21 - 26 September 2002 Applications by 15 May 2002 San Feliu de Guixols, Spain http://www.esf.org/esf_euresco_list.php?language=0&year=2002 Quantum Optics has proven to be a uniquely dynamic field in physics capable of taking up new ideas and developments. At the centre of Quantum Optics is the study of quantum phenomena and quantum processes, which are now becoming increasingly relevant for emerging technologies. The 2002 Quantum Optics conference will have its emphasis on the coherent manipulation of quantum systems and on the quantum physics of coherent matter, with high level contributions from leading research groups. Sessions will be devoted to topical subjects such as quantum atom optics, atom lasers, molecules and interactions, and quantum information processing. A key session will be on technologies emerging from Quantum Optics. ------------------------------------------------------------------- International Symposium "Quantum informatics-2002" - QI-2002 1-4 October , 2002 Near Zvenigorod (Moscow region), Russia First announcement and call for papers http://qc.ipt.ac.ru/English/QI-2002-eng.html QI -2002 - is the first in Russia symposium on new scientific area - quantum informatics. It is planned to talk about the theory of quantum computations and communications, the recent situation with its experimental realization and perspectives of this area.