************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL X, NO 12 * * * CONTENTS: * December 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 =============================================================================== 0. EDITORIAL NOTE =============================================================================== Hi, Please note the registration deadline for the ESF Meeting is 24th Dec, and abstracts for BECQI'03 conference and the SPIE Meeting are due 6th Jan. Congratulations to the successful Center of Excellence applications for Quantum Computer Technology and Quantum-Atom Optics, see: http://www.dest.gov.au/ministers/nelson/dec02/n261_121202.htm Have a great Christmas! See you next year. Alexei =============================================================================== 1. ABSTRACTS =============================================================================== Entanglement capability of self-inverse Hamiltonian evolution Xiaoguang Wang, Barry C Sanders quant-ph/0212035 We determine the entanglement capability of self-inverse Hamiltonian evolution which reduces to the known result for Ising Hamiltonian, and identify optimal input states for yielding the maximal entanglement rate. We introduce the concept of operator entanglement rate, and find that the maximal operator entanglement rate gives a lower bound on the entanglement capability of a general Hamiltonian. Significantly, we also find that entanglement capability is an intrinsic property of these self-inverse Hamiltonians. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Multipartite entangled states in coupled quantum dots and cavity-QED Xiaoguang Wang, Mang Feng, Barry C Sanders quant-ph/0212034 We investigate the generation of multipartite entangled state in a system of N quantum dots embedded in a microcavity and examine the emergence of genuine multipartite entanglement by three different characterizations of entanglement. At certain times of dynamical evolution one can generate multipartite entangled coherent exciton states or multiqubit $W$ states by initially preparing the cavity field in a superposition of coherent states or the Fock state with one photon, respectively. Finally we study environmental effects on multipartite entanglement generation and find that the decay rate for the entanglement is proportional to the number of excitons. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Coupling of effective one-dimensional two-level atoms to squeezed light Stephen Clark, Scott Parkins quant-ph/0212022 A cavity QED system is analyzed which duplicates the dynamics of a two-level atom in free space interacting exclusively with broadband squeezed light. We consider atoms in a three or four-level Lambda-configuration coupled to a high-finesse optical cavity which is driven by a squeezed light field. Raman transitions are induced between a pair of stable atomic ground states via the squeezed cavity mode and coherent driving fields. An analysis of the reduced master equation for the atomic ground states shows that a three-level atomic system has insufficient parameter flexibility to act as an effective two-level atom interacting exclusively with a squeezed reservoir. However, the inclusion of a fourth atomic level, coupled dispersively to one of the two ground states by an auxiliary laser field, introduces an extra degree of freedom and enables the desired interaction to be realised. As a means of detecting the reduced quadrature decay rate of the effective two-level system, we examine the transmission spectrum of a weak coherent probe field incident upon the cavity. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quantum gates on hybrid qudits Jamil Daboul, Xiaoguang Wang, Barry C Sanders quant-ph/0211185 We introduce quantum hybrid gates that act on qudits of different dimensions. In particular, we develop two representative two-qudit hybrid gates (SUM and SWAP) and many-qudit hybrid Toffoli and Fredkin gates. We apply the hybrid SUM gate to generating entanglement, and find that operator entanglement of the SUM gate is equal to the entanglement generated by it for certain initial states. We also show that the hybrid SUM gate acts as an automorphism on the Pauli group for two qudits of different dimension under certain conditions. Finally, we describe a physical realization of these hybrid gates for spin systems. =============================================================================== 2. VACANCIES =============================================================================== Lectureships and Research Fellow University of St Andrews, St Andrews Fife, United Kingdom Closing date: 15 Jan 2003 o LECTURESHIP IN THEORETICAL PHYSICS ?22,191-?33,679 PA This post is to continue the development of Theoretical Physics in the areas of condensed matter physics and modern optics. We require an outstanding individual able to build an original and independent research profile in theoretical physics, but at the same time create collaborative links with our experimental research activities. An equally important aim of the post is to continue to provide an excellent education in Theoretical Physics. For informal enquiries please e-mail: ulf@st-andrews.ac.uk or for more information see our we site: www.st-and.ac.uk/academic/ hysics/ Ref: J 047/6713/02 o LECTURESHIP IN PHOTONICS ?22,191-?33,679 PA Your research interests should relate to, or complement those, of our existing research groups - which cover ultrafast lasers for science and technology, microchip lasers, optical parametric oscillators, quantum/nonlinear optics, quantum well semiconductors, polymer optoelectronics, photonic crystals, molecular photonics, optical tweezing/ micro-manipulation for cold atom optics and biology, photobiology and photomedicine. The School currently leads "The Ultrafast Photonics Colla oration", a major inter-disciplinary/ inter-institutional research collaboration. It has recently established a clean room for nanofabrication of inorganic and organic semiconductor optoelectronic devices and a multi-user, widely tunable femtosecond laser facility. A Photonics Innovation Centre acts as an incubator for the commercialisation of our research. Photonics-related teaching covers undergraduate degrees in Physics, Physics with Photonics, Microelectronics & Photonics and, at graduate level, a Masters Training Package in Photonics & Optoelectronic Devices and an Engineering Doctorate (Eng.D.) in Photonics. For informal enquiries please contact Professor Alan Miller, Head of School, tel: +44 1334 463122 or e-mail: hospanda@st-and.ac.uk or for more information see our we site: www.st-and.ac.uk/academic/physics Ref: J 049/6714/02 o RESEARCH FELLOW IN THEORETICAL PHYSICS ?18,265-?27,339 PA This is a two year post, available from 1 March 2003, for postdoctoral studies in theoretical physics. We plan to explore the fascinating quantum properties of artificial black holes, effects that bridge quantum optics, Bose-Einstein condensation and general relativity. You should be a talented theorist with an inquisitive mind and a broad and solid education. For informal enquiries please contact Professor Ulf Leonhardt, e-mail ulf@st-andrews.ac.uk or for further information see our we site: www.st-and.ac.uk/~ulf/ Ref: JB048/9410/02 Application packs for all posts are available from Human Resources, University of St Andrews, College Gate, North Street, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AJ, (tel: 01334 462571, fax: 01334 462570 or email: Jobline@st-andrews.ac.uk). We regret applications cannot be made by e-mail. Please quote the appropriate reference. Closing date: 15 January 2003. ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cambridge Centre for Quantum Computation expects to be in a position to appoint a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical quantum cryptography in the near future. The position is associated with the EU-funded project PROSECCO, which aims to develop new quantum cryptographic protocols and improved security analyses for quantum cryptography. The CCQC (website qubit.damtp.cam.ac.uk) now has in place a large quantum information theory group based in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics in Cambridge, with Artur Ekert and Adrian Kent as permanent faculty. Advancing the theory of quantum cryptography and developing new practical applications is one of our major research interests. PROSECCO is scheduled to run for three years from 1.1.03, and the starting date for the postdoctoral position would be on or after this date. Potentially interested candidates should contact Adrian Kent (a.p.a.kent@damtp.cam.ac.uk) for informal discussion. ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), recently launched in Barcelona, Spain, to conduct cutting-edge research in several areas of optical sciences, invites applications for research positions in experimental quantum optics, with the emphasis on quantum information. Positions ranking from postdoctoral fellow to tenure-track and to permanent positions, in exceptional cases, are available. We are looking for outstanding experimentalists, with an appropriate PhD in quantum optics or related area, and suitable postdoctoral experience (for faculty appointments) to be responsible for an experimental quantum optics laboratory. The successful candidates will join an initial 3-year program devoted to the development of entangled light sources and to the study of the quantum interface between light and cold atoms. Salaries will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidates. Adequate start-up funds for equipment, personnel support and supplies are available. Applicants are requested to send (PDF format preferred in e-submissions) a short letter of interests and a Curriculum Vitae, including the names and addresses of three potential referees. Applications as well as requests for further information should be sent to Profs. Eugene Polzik, Ignacio Cirac, and Lluis Torner QO Search Committee Institute of Photonic Sciences Jordi Girona 29, Nexus II 08034 Barcelona, Spain photon@tsc.upc.es Evaluations will begin Nov 1st 2002 and continue until suitable candidates are identified. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Quantum Semiconductor Devices, Fibre Optic Systems and Quantum Cryptography Protocols http://www.toshiba-europe.com/research/crl/opp_quantumnano.html Applications are invited for a number of positions in the Quantum Information Group at Toshiba Research Europe Ltd. The successful candidates will join a team working on techniques for secure communication based upon single photon quantum cryptography. Opportunities are available in several areas: (1) fibre optic systems for quantum cryptography, (2) single photon devices based on semiconductor quantum dots and (3) protocols for practical quantum cryptography. =============================================================================== 5. CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS =============================================================================== FRISNO-7: French-Israeli Symposium on Nonlinear and Quantum Optics February 16-21, 2003 deadline for submission of abstracts is November 1, 2002 Les Houches, France http://www.weizmann.ac.il/frisno/ The series of FRISNO symposia has been going on for over a decade, bringing together a scientific community dedicated to Nonlinear and Quantum Optics from Israel, France, the rest of Europe, the US, Japan, and Russia. Keeping up with the tradition, this upcoming meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to renew old connections and form new ones. We sincerely hope you will be joining us in Les Houches next February, to present your latest results, and make contact with the other participants. ------------------------------------------------------------------- BECQI'03 - Workshop on Bose-Einstein Condensation and Quantum Information 16-20 February 2003 Abstract submission: 6 January 2003 Registration: 15 January 2003 Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Australia http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/BECQI/ The workshop will cover hot topics in BEC and Quantum Information, from both theory and experiment. A particular focus will be on quantum aspects of matter waves and macroscopic quantum states, going beyond the methods and predictions of mean-field theory. This will include advances in analytical and computational methods, the latest experimental results probing the quantum nature of BECs, and applications of BEC to quantum information. NB The number of participants will be limited to 55-65. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Obergurgl Meeting: Quantum optics 23 February-1 March 2003 Deadline: 1 December, 2002 Obergurgl, Austria. http://th-physik.uibk.ac.at/qo/obergurgl/ This meeting will cover different aspects of Quantum Optics. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd ESF meeting - Quantum Information Theory and Quantum Computing 15th-22nd March 2003 registration deadline: 24th December 2002 Ettore Majorana Center in Erice, Italy. http://www.lsr.ph.ic.ac.uk/~plenio/erice2003/erice2003c.html The meeting follows earlier successful programme meetings held in Cambridge in 1999 and Gdansk in 2001 and will focus on "Advances in quantum information processing: from theory to experiments". ------------------------------------------------------------------- GRC conference on Quantum Information Science March 23-28, 2003 Ventura, California. http://www.grc.org/programs/2003/quantinf.htm Quantum Information Science will be a yearly conference focusing on the rapidly growing field of Quantum Information Processing. The primary focus of the conference will be on physical and theoretical aspects that arise in implementation of quantum information processing for computation or communication. The conference will bring together researchers from the diverse fields of physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, with the common interest of increasing our understanding of how to formulate, manipulate, and process information using physical systems that operate on quantum mechanical principles. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluctuations and Noise 2003 1-4 June 2003 Abstract Due: 25 November 2002 Santa Fe, New Mexico USA http://spie.org/Conferences/Calls/03/fn/ Containing six parallel conferences: * Fluctuations and Noise in Biological, Biophysical, and Biomedical Systems * Fluctuations and Noise in Photonics and Quantum Optics * Noise as a Tool for Studying Materials * Noise in Devices and Circuits * Noise in Complex Systems and Stochastic Dynamics * Noise and Information in Nano-electronics, Sensors, and Standards ------------------------------------------------------------------- 8th International Conference on Squeezed States and Uncertainty Relations 9-13 June, 2003 Puebla, Mexico http://www-optica.inaoep.mx/ICSSUR/8th.html The program of the Conference will reflect the continuing importance of fundamental quantum physics and the increasing importance of applications in the domain of quantum optics. Contributed experimental and theoretical papers in all of these topics are solicited: o Squeezed states and uncertainty relations o Quantum-state generation and characterization o Phase space and group representations in quantum physics o Quantum transforms in signal analysis and quantum physics o Quantum interference and entanglement o Quantum-like and mesoscopic systems o Foundations of quantum mechanics and quantum optics o Trapped atoms and degenerate gases o Quantum chaos and quantum control o Quantum information and communication o Quantum computing ------------------------------------------------------------------- Benasque Center for Science - Quantum Information 22nd June - 11th July 2003 Deadline for applications is March 15. Barcelona, Spain http://sophia.ecm.ub.es/2003qi/2003qi.htm A three-week Benassque session will be devoted to recent progress in Quantum Information and Communication. Special topics that will be covered during the meeting are: * Theory of Quantum Information,Entanglement, Quantum Algorithms,... QCD * Experiments in Quantum Information, Trapped ions, photons, NMR, Superconducting currents, quantum dots, ------------------------------------------------------------------- Les Houches Summer School on 'Quantum entanglement and information processing' 30 June - 25 July, 2003. Registration deadline: March 7, 2003 Les Houches, France. http://www-houches.ujf-grenoble.fr/index-en.html The recent discovery that the laws of quantum physics could be used for efficient information processing or transmission led to a considerable upsurge of interest in developing a deeper understanding of quantum mechanics, and in fabricating genuine quantum processors. This new field gathers around common objectives various communities, such as theoretical physics, quantum optics or solid state physics. On the theoretical side, the major advances concern quantum algorithms and quantum error correction codes. On the experimental side, significant advances have been realized in quantum optics, solid state physics and nuclear magnetic resonance. In particular, quantum logic gates have been demonstrated, and small-size quantum algorithms have been operated. This school aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the theoretical and experimental aspects of quantum entanglement and information processing. It is opened to young researchers interested in learning the essentials of this new field. Introductory lectures will provide them with a common background, while more specialized lectures and seminars will give an up to date panorama. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ICOLS 03: 16th International Conference on Laser Spectroscopy 13-18 July 2003 Preregistration: 13 December 2002 Earlybird registration and abstracts: 7 April 2003 Palm Cove, AUSTRALIA http://www.swin.edu.au/rescentres/soll/icols03/icols.html Following the tradition of ICOLS conferences, the program will consist of single sessions of invited talks and posters covering the latest developments in Laser Spectroscopy and related topics. Scheduling will allow significant time for informal discussions. The number of participants will be limited to about 250-300. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 4th European QIPC Workshop 14th - 17th July 2003 Oxford, UK ------------------------------------------------------------------- 48th SPIE Meeting: Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging (AM112) 3-8 August 2003 Abstract Due: 6 January 2003 Manuscript Due: 7 July 2003 http://spie.org/Conferences/Calls/03/am/conferences/index.cfm?fuseaction=AM112 Quantum communications and quantum imaging are emerging technologies that promise great benefits as well as great challenges. The objective of this conference is to provide a forum for researchers and system developers in both fields and encourage technology exchange between the quantum communication and quantum imaging communities. Papers are solicited on the following and related topics: Quantum Communications and Enabling Science and Technology * quantum free-space communications and cryptography * quantum communications and quantum imaging free- space and fiber optics experimental demonstrations, tests, and performance * teleportation, continuous variable teleportation * quantum key distribution (QKD), entangled QKD, stochastic QKD, heralded QKD * atmospheric quantum communication propagation theory, simulation * atmospheric quantum communication and satellite technologies * atmospheric effects on quantum systems * nonlinear crystal use in generating and engineering entanglement * single photon sources * photon sources, continuous and pulsed laser sources of entangled photons * single-photon and multi-photon detectors * multi-photon and multiple-particle entangled states Quantum Imaging and Metrology * quantum imaging and metrology through the atmosphere: technology theory, simulation * quantum imaging and quantum lithography * quantum clock synchronization * quantum holography Quantum Internet * simulation of the evolution of quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum imaging systems * optical quantum storage, gates, control * optical/photonic quantum computing * Bell state analyzer development * type-II quantum computing theory, hardware, software, and applications * fine-grained quantum computing, few-qubit computing and communication * novel quantum computing.