Single-atom experiments and the test of fundamental quantum physics

1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert Walther
MRS Bulletin ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Davidovich

AbstractThe following article is based on the plenary address by Luiz Davidovich (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), presented on April 14, 2004, at the 2004 MRS Spring Meeting in San Francisco. The field of quantum information is a discipline that aims to investigate methods for characterizing, transmitting, storing, compressing, and computationally utilizing the information carried by quantum states. It owes its rapid development over the last few years to several factors: the ability, developed in several laboratories, to control and measure simple microscopic systems; the discovery of fast quantum algorithms; and the recognition that Moore's law will soon lead to the single-atom limit of elementary computing gates.Cryptography and quantum computing are among the main applications in the field.They rely on the subtle and fundamental properties of the quantum world: the unavoidable disturbance associated with measurement, the superposition principle, and the nonlocal properties of entangled states. Progress in this area is intimately connected to a deep understanding of quantum physics: recent achievements include the experimental demonstration of teleportation and detailed investigations of the role of the environment in the quantum–classical transition. This article reviews basic concepts and recent developments in the field of quantum information, emphasizing the close ties between fundamental research and possible applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 2150088
Author(s):  
Jie Zhou ◽  
Hui-Xian Meng ◽  
Wei-Min Shang ◽  
Jing-Ling Chen

Quantum contextuality, a more general quantum correlation, is an important resource for quantum computing and quantum information processing. Meanwhile, quantum contextuality plays an important role in fundamental quantum physics. Yu and Oh (YO) proposed a proof of the Kochen–Specker theorem for a qutrit with only 13 rays. Here, we further study quantum contextuality of YO-13 rays using the inequality approach. The maximum quantum violation value of the optimal noncontextuality inequality constructed by YO-13 rays is increased to 11.9776 in the four-dimensional system, which is larger than 11.6667 in the qutrit system. The result shows that the set of YO-13 rays has stronger quantum contextuality in the four-dimensional system. Moreover, we provide an all-versus-nothing proof (i.e. Hardy-like proof) to study YO-13 rays without using any inequality, which is easily applied to experimental tests. Our results will further deepen the understanding of YO-13 rays.


1993 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Walther

In this paper experiments performed with a one-atom maser and with a few ions stored in a Paul trap are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on experiments for the test of quantum physics.


Author(s):  
Wah Chi

Resolution and contrast are the important factors to determine the feasibility of imaging single heavy atoms on a thin substrate in an electron microscope. The present report compares the atom image characteristics in different modes of fixed beam dark field microscopy including the ideal beam stop (IBS), a wire beam stop (WBS), tilted illumination (Tl) and a displaced aperture (DA). Image contrast between one Hg and a column of linearly aligned carbon atoms (representing the substrate), are also discussed. The assumptions in the present calculations are perfectly coherent illumination, atom object is represented by spherically symmetric potential derived from Relativistic Hartree Fock Slater wave functions, phase grating approximation is used to evaluate the complex scattering amplitude, inelastic scattering is ignored, phase distortion is solely due to defocus and spherical abberation, and total elastic scattering cross section is evaluated by the Optical Theorem. The atom image intensities are presented in a Z-modulation display, and the details of calculation are described elsewhere.


Author(s):  
J. J. Hren ◽  
S. D. Walck

The field ion microscope (FIM) has had the ability to routinely image the surface atoms of metals since Mueller perfected it in 1956. Since 1967, the TOF Atom Probe has had single atom sensitivity in conjunction with the FIM. “Why then hasn't the FIM enjoyed the success of the electron microscope?” The answer is closely related to the evolution of FIM/Atom Probe techniques and the available technology. This paper will review this evolution from Mueller's early discoveries, to the development of a viable commercial instrument. It will touch upon some important contributions of individuals and groups, but will not attempt to be all inclusive. Variations in instrumentation that define the class of problems for which the FIM/AP is uniquely suited and those for which it is not will be described. The influence of high electric fields inherent to the technique on the specimens studied will also be discussed. The specimen geometry as it relates to preparation, statistical sampling and compatibility with the TEM will be examined.


Author(s):  
G. L. Kellogg ◽  
P. R. Schwoebel

Although no longer unique in its ability to resolve individual single atoms on surfaces, the field ion microscope remains a powerful tool for the quantitative characterization of atomic processes on single-crystal surfaces. Investigations of single-atom surface diffusion, adatom-adatom interactions, surface reconstructions, cluster nucleation and growth, and a variety of surface chemical reactions have provided new insights to the atomic nature of surfaces. Moreover, the ability to determine the chemical identity of selected atoms seen in the field ion microscope image by atom-probe mass spectroscopy has increased or even changed our understanding of solid-state-reaction processes such as ordering, clustering, precipitation and segregation in alloys. This presentation focuses on the operational principles of the field-ion microscope and atom-probe mass spectrometer and some very recent applications of the field ion microscope to the nucleation and growth of metal clusters on metal surfaces.The structure assumed by clusters of atoms on a single-crystal surface yields fundamental information on the adatom-adatom interactions important in crystal growth. It was discovered in previous investigations with the field ion microscope that, contrary to intuition, the initial structure of clusters of Pt, Pd, Ir and Ni atoms on W(110) is a linear chain oriented in the <111> direction of the substrate.


Nanoscale ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 8065-8094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xudong Wen ◽  
Jingqi Guan

Different kinds of electrocatalysts used in NRR electrocatalysis (including single atom catalysts, metal oxide catalysts, nanocomposite catalysts, and metal free catalysts) are introduced.


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