************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL VII, NO 9 * * * * September 1999 * * * * ISSN 1325-6467 * * * Edited by: Bill Munro * \ | / * Physics, University of Queensland, * \__|__/ * QLD 4072, Australia. * | * email: billm@physics.uq.edu.au * | * phone: +61 7 3365 2422 * | * fax: +61 7 3365 1242 Available on WWW at: http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/people/billm/qo.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS 0. PROBLEMS 1. ABSTRACTS 2. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. WANTED TO BUY/SELL 4. SITUATIONS VACANT 5. MISC NEWS ******************************************************************************* 0. EDITORIAL NOTE On behalf of John Harvey, I would like to draw your attention to the following important announcement To members of the QO community in Australasia: We are organising a memorial one day meeting to recall Dan's life and achievements and simultaneously to talk about recent developments to which his work contributed. Naturally we would be delighted for any of his former friends and colleagues to attend and/or contribute should they be in this part of the world at that time. The meeting is planned for Monday 13th September 1999 which would have been Dan's 57th birthday. The meeting will start at 1030am, and we plan to unveil a plaque in the foyer of the Physics/Maths building in the afternoon. For more information please contact John Harvey Physics Dept., University of Auckland Ph +64-9-3737599 X8831 Private Bag 92019, Auckland, NZ FAX +64-9-3737445 ******************************************************************************* 1. ABSTRACTS "Non-maximally entangled states: production, characterization and utilization" Andrew G. White, Paul G. Kwiat, Daniel F. V. James, and Philippe H. Eberhard Physics Division, P-23; Theoretical Division, T-4; Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 Physical Review Letters, to appear (1999) Abstract Using a spontaneous-downconversion photon source, we produce true non-maximally entangled states, i.e., without the need for post-selection. The degree and phase of entanglement are readily tunable, and are characterized both by a standard analysis using coincidence minima, and by quantum state tomography of the two-photon state. Using the latter, we experimentally reconstruct the reduced density matrix for the polarization. Finally, we use these states to measure the Hardy fraction, obtaining a result that is $122 \sigma$ from any local-realistic result. ____________________________________________________________________ "Grover's search algorithm: An optical approach" P. G. Kwiat, J. R. Mitchell, P. D. D. Schwindt, and A. G. White Physics Division, P-23, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 To appear in a special issue of the Journal of Modern Optics--"The Physics of Quantum Information" Abstract The essential operations of a quantum computer can be accomplished using solely optical elements, with different polarization or spatial modes representing the individual qubits. We present a simple all-optical implementation of Grover's algorithm for efficient searching, in which a database of four elements is searched with a single query. By `compiling' the actual setup, we have reduced the required number of optical elements from 24 to only 12. We discuss the extension to larger databases, and the limitations of these techniques. ******************************************************************************* 2. CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS Bose-Einstein Condensation: atomic physics to quantum liquids. The ANU 13th Physics Summer School. January 17-28, 2000 A two week school aimed at PhD students. Contact: Craig Savage, Physics, Faculties, ANU, ACT 0200 http://rsphysse.anu.edu.au/~ss0105/ss2000.html ***************************************************************************** 4. SITUATIONS VACANT POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN QUANTUM OPTICS IN SEMICONDUCTORS DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS UNIVERSITY OF OREGON A postdoctoral position is available to work on experimental quantum optics and quantum information in microcavity semiconductor systems. The goals of the project are to reach for the first time the Quantum-electrodynamics strong-coupling regime for a semiconductor quantum dot in an optical microcavity, and to use such a system to implement a quantum logic gate. Candidates should have background in experimental quantum optics, semiconductor optical physics, and/or laser physics. For full consideration the application should be received by November 15, 1999. The starting date may be as early as December 1, 1999. Candidates should send a current curriculum vita and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to: Michael G. Raymer Oregon Center for Optics Physics Dept. University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1274 Letters may be sent by e-mail to: raymer@oregon.uoregon.edu The University of Oregon is an EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity. ______________________________________________________________________ FACULTY POSITION IN EXPERIMENTAL ATOMIC/OPTICAL PHYSICS University of Oregon The Physics Department at the University of Oregon invites applications for at least two faculty positions in experimental physics to start in the 2000-2001 academic year. We expect to fill these positions at the rank of tenure-track assistant or associate professor, but in exceptional cases will consider tenured appointments at any rank. The search is targeted towards, but is not limited to, the following research areas: Atomic and/or Optical Physics, Biophysics, High Energy Physics, Soft Condensed Matter Physics. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and start-up funds will be available. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics or a related discipline and an outstanding record of research accomplishments. Some prior teaching experience is also desirable. Successful candidates will be expected to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels and conduct vigorous research programs. Collaborations with, and membership in, various research institutes will be possible. More information about the department and related units can be found at http://zebu.uoregon.edu/physics.html Candidates should send a current curriculum vita, a list of publications, and a statement of current research interests and future research plans, and should arrange to have three letters of recommendation submitted to: Chair, Search Committee, Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1274. Recommendation letters may be sent by email to search@physics.uoregon.edu. To guarantee full consideration, applications should be received by November 1, 1999, but applications will continue to be reviewed until the positions are filled. The University of Oregon is an EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity. ______________________________________________________ Anglo-Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships The "Anglo-Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships" run by the Royal Academy of Engineering (Tony Eaves, Manager, 20 Great Peter St, London SW1P 3LW, UK), e-mail eadesa@raeng.co.uk . for visits of 4-12 months. Candidates are nominated by UK Institutions, for most branches of engineering and Natural Sciences except medicine. Purpose is to develop careers of young people and promote collaboration. There are up to 5 awards, maximum value 20,000 pounds. Closing Date is late November 1999. Scheme will run for 3 years. ______________________________________________________ The Applied Optics Centre, Physics Dept, University of Auckland, New Zealand The Applied Optics Centre has an experimental research programme focussed on nonlinear optics and its applications. Current interests include TPA in semiconductors for optical signal processing and demultiplexing, novel pulse diagnostic schemes (eg FROG and related techniques), the design of optical amplifiers, optical communications systems, THz amplitude modulation of light, and THz electromagnetic wave generation and its applications. Our Laboratrory is currently involved in collaborative research programmes with the Optoelectronics Research Centre at Southampton, the Optical Fibre Research Centre at Sydney and with industrial laboratories in the USA. The Centre has currently has vacancies for two post doctoral research fellows with experience in these or in related areas. Research Fellows are paid at the rate of lecturers (from $48k p.a.) and PhD scholars receive up to $16.5k p.a. The research fellows will have the opportunity to contribute to the teaching programme within the Department as well as the research projects. For further details on these positions please contact the director of the AOC by e-mail or FAX. Professor J.D.Harvey Director (AOC) e-mail aoc@auckland.ac.nz FAX +64-9-3737445 Closing date September 15th 1999 ________________________________________________________________________ RESEARCH ASSISTANT in PHOTONICS The Optical Fibre Technology Centre - University of Sydney seeks a Research Assistant reporting to an ARC Fellow to work on an ARC funded project a the Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh. There are opportunities to learn new skills and there could also be opportunities to undertake a PhD. Applicants will undertake research on laser processing of glasses, sensitisation, pre-processing techniques, fabrication and characterisation, including novel photonic bandgap filters and lasers. This could also include investigation of Poled Fibre Devices, and /or fibre Bragg gratings, and/or planar waveguides, and/or lasers, and/or related devices. Essential requirements are: Knowledge of and laboratory skills in general optics. Knowledge of lasers and glass. Fibre handling, optical experimental techniques, and computer controlled experiment techniques. Excellent interpersonal communications. Demonstrated capability to meet deadlines. Experience of silica optical fibre, and lasers. Computing experience in a networked Windows environment. Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to write clearly and concisely reports, articles and other relevant documents. Ability to undertake research, to use a variety of computer programs and undertake some programming tasks as directed. Awareness and familiarity to comply with non-discriminatory work practices, EEO, FOI, IP issues, customer confidentiality agreements and OH & S, and Privacy. Qualifications: An honours degree in chemistry or physics The position is available for 1 year in the first instance. There is the possibility of further offers of employment, subject to funding and need. Membership of a University approved superannuation scheme is a condition of employment. For further information and a copy of the duty statement contact: Linda Shboul on 9351 1931 or fax 9351 1910 or email info@oftc.usyd.edu.au Salary: HEO Level 5 $33,878 - $37,963 HEO Level 6 $38,985 - $42,047 _________________________________________________________________________ Experimental Post-Doctoral Position for Quantum-Coherent Terahertz Dynamics in Semiconductors University of California, Santa Barbara Physics Department and Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation Professor Mark Sherwin at UCSB's Physics Department and Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation seeks a post-doctoral researcher to perform experiments on quantum-coherent terahertz dynamics in semiconductors. The post-doctoral position is a part of a multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary effort whose goal is to assess the potential of semiconductor nanostructures for quantum computation. The post-doctoral researcher will use a unique source of intense Terahertz pulses with ps to ns durations to coherently control the quantum states of carriers in semiconductors and their nanostructures. The researcher will split his time between making improvements to the Terahertz source and performing experiments with it. The researcher will also assist in the supervision of graduate students and undergraduates. UCSB has unique human and physical resources to enable this ambitious research program. The Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation (http://www.qi.ucsb.edu/qcc/index.htm) of the Quantum Institute (http://www.qi.ucsb.edu) is the institutional home of this interdisciplinary effort. World-class molecular beam epitaxy and clean room facilities (http://www.nanotech.ucsb.edu/cleanroom/facility.html) enable the fabrication of the materials and device structures required for this work. UCSB's Free-Electron Lasers (http://sbfel3.ucsb.edu/) provide tunable, intense THz pulses and ancillary equipment. An outstanding machine shop fabricates custom apparatus. Deep theoretical support is available at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (http://www.itp.ucsb.edu/), as well as in the Physics (http://www.physics.ucsb.edu/) and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments (http://www.ece.ucsb.edu/Faculty/Imamoglu/default.html). The position is available immediately, and will be filled as soon as an outstanding candidate is found. We will wait until up to January, 2000 for the right candidate. Some background in the physics of semiconductors, spectroscopy, or optics will be useful but is not required. The post-doctoral researcher will be directly supervised by Prof. Mark Sherwin, but work in close collaboration with other members of the Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation. As soon as possible, please send a CV and three letters of recommendation, by conventional or electronic mail, to Ms. Barbara Merlo Physics Department University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 93106 Email: bam@qi.ucsb.edu FAX: (805)893-4170 ****************************************************************************** 5. MISC NEWS