************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL VI, NO 6 * * * * JUNE 1998 * * * * ISSN 1325-6467 * * * Edited by: Bill Munro * \ | / * Physics, University of Queensland, * \__|__/ * QLD 4072, Australia. * | * email: munro@physics.uq.edu.au Available on WWW at: * | * phone: +61 7 3365 2422 http://www.anu.edu.au * | * fax: +61 7 3365 1242 /Physics/newsletter * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS 0. PROBLEMS 1. ABSTRACTS 2. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. WANTED TO BUY/SELL 4. SITUATIONS VACANT 5. MISC NEWS ______________________________________________________________________________ ******************************************************************************* 0. EDITORIAL NOTE Welcome to the sixth newsletter of the year. ******************************************************************************* 1. ABSTRACTS Title: Scheme for direct observation of the Wigner characteristic function in cavity QED Author: M.S. Kim*, G. Antesberger,C.T. Bodendorf and H. Walther Address:Max-Planck-Institut fuer Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, Garching, D-85748, Germany (*on leave from Department of Physics, Sogang University, CPO Box 1142, Seoul, Korea) Status: Phys.Rev.A (Rapid Communication) in press Abstract: We suggest a novel quantum state reconstruction scheme. Our proposal is applicable to the field inside a microwave cavity as well as to the harmonic motion of a trapped atom. It will be shown that the inversion of two-level atoms after a resonant interaction with a coherently displaced quantum state is directly related to the Wigner characteristic function of the initial state. This method neither requires the preparation of atoms in a quantum superposition of the upper and lower energy levels nor heavy numerical processing on the measured data. We demonstrate the reconstruction scheme for the example of a Schroedinger cat superposition state. ******************************************************************************* 2. CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS _______________________________________________________________________________ A C O L S 98 Australasian Conference on Optics, Lasers and Spectroscopy 14th - 17th December, 1998 University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand Web: http://www.physics.otago.ac.nz/~acols98/ Email: acols98@physics.otago.ac.nz The ACOLS conference series resumes this year after the suspension for IQEC in Sydney in 1996. It will be held for the first time in New Zealand, in the modern facilities of the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. Please visit the web site for up-to-date information about the conference. The First Announcement, which includes dates and programme information, will be mailed in the next few days. The same information is available at the web site, along with a form to add your address and other details to our mailing list. We look forward to welcoming scientists from new Zealand, Australia and further afield to Christchurch in December. ______________________________________________________________ Workshop on Quantum Information, Decoherence and Chaos Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef 21st - 25 th September 1998 Recent technological advances in a number of fields including laser physics and mesoscopic electronics now enable quantum states of single systems to be engineered and controlled with almost perfect precision. This has promoted a new interest in quantum information and entanglement with possible applications to quantum computing, communication and new high precision measurement schemes. The purpose of the workshop is to bring together leading researchers from different fields to explore the theoretical and technological implications of quantum information. Workshop Topics Quantum Information Quantum Cryptography Quantum Error Correction Quantum and Atom Optics Mesoscopic Electronics Quantum Measurement Quantum Computation Quantum Chaos Entanglement Decoherence For further information, see http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/heron/heron.html Please note that numbers of participants are limited to 35 people only. ****************************************************************************** 4. SITUATIONS VACANT RESEARCH STUDENTSHIPS: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland (Academic) Postgraduate studentships are available, including several Optics related EPSRC Project Studentships. Full list of research areas appeared in Physics World, Feb 1998 (p 71) and further details are available on the Internet http://phys.strath.ac.uk Further details Ann Hamilton a.hamilton@strath.ac.uk Physics & Applied Physics, University of strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG ___________________________________________________________________________ EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP IN PHOTONICS: Aston University - Electronic Engineering & Computer Science (Academic) Commencing salary will be in the range #15,159 to #18,494 per annum, To work within the Photonics Research Group on an EPSRC- funded project on ultrafast soliton processing using nonlinear interferometers. The goal of the work is to build on the Group's current position in demonstrating high speed all-optical functionality using both fibre and semiconductor-based nonlinear loop mirrors. The work is supported by EPSRC and British Telecom and is part of a larger project to demonstrate ultrafast optical networks. Interested applicants should hold a PhD degree in electronic engineering or physics; relevant research experience is advantageous. The appointment will be for a period of two years and the commencing salary will be within the range #15,159 to #18,494 per annum, depending upon age, qualifications and experience. Interested applicants should submit a full CV, together with the names and addresses of three referees to the Personnel Officer quoting Reference Number. Reference Number: Ref: 9822/32 Informal enquiries Professor N J Doran n.j.doran@aston.ac.uk Professor I Bennion i.bennion@aston.ac.uk Applications: Personnel Officer s.r.rowe@aston.ac.uk Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET. ****************************************************************************** 5. MISC NEWS ****************************************************************************** ************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL VI, NO 6a * * * * July 1998 * * * * ISSN 1325-6467 * * * Edited by: Bill Munro * \ | / * Physics, University of Queensland, * \__|__/ * QLD 4072, Australia. * | * email: munro@physics.uq.edu.au Available on WWW at: * | * phone: +61 7 3365 2422 http://www.anu.edu.au * | * fax: +61 7 3365 1242 /Physics/newsletter * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS 0. PROBLEMS 1. ABSTRACTS 2. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. WANTED TO BUY/SELL 4. SITUATIONS VACANT 5. MISC NEWS ______________________________________________________________________________ ******************************************************************************* 0. EDITORIAL NOTE Due to a couple of jobs closing before the next newsletter this special issue has been put out ****************************************************************************** 4. SITUATIONS VACANT FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES Head of Department of Physical Sciences Following the appointment of Professor James Hough to Dean of the Faculty, we are seeking an outstanding individual with a background in physics or astronomy to lead the further development of the Department of Physical Sciences. The initial salary will be between £36,918 pounds and £43,33 pounds. The Department offers a wide range of courses in astronomy, chemistry and physics, and it has a high research profile with physics obtaining a grade 4 in the 1996RAE. Details can be found on http://www.herts.ac.uk/natsci/Physics/PhysicsHome.html Applications are sought from candidates able to demonstrate academic leadership and management qualities. You should have excellent communication and team working skills and be able to lead the Department through continued development of its teaching and research programmes. Applications from those with a proven record of research would be particularly welcome. The title of Professor may be awarded to a suitably qualified individual. For an informal discussion please contact Professor James Hough, Dean of Faculty, on +44 1707 284500, email jhh@star.herts.ac.uk. Further details of the above post and application forms can be obtained from the Personnel Department at the University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Herts AL10 9AB or telephone +44 1707 284802 (24 hour voicemail), quoting reference: T1634N/T. Closing date: 24 July 1998 The University is committed to Promoting Equal Opportunities ---------------------------------------------------------------- PHYSICS POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH AND PhD STUDENTSHIP A post-doctoral research position and a studentship are available with the laser-cooling group at the Open University to work on experimental studies of light-induced phase shifts and cavity quantum optics in laser-cooled rubidium vapour. This EPSRC-supported project is to be carried out at the Open University in collaboration with Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, and the University of Hertfordshire. Both positions are available for three years. For further particulars please contact: Dr A.V. Durrant Dept. of Physics The Open University Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Tel. 01908 653348 email: a.v.durrant@open.ac.uk ****************************************************************************** That all folks!! The end!