Showing papers by "University of Stuttgart published in 2010"

The Fano resonance in plasmonic nanostructures and metamaterials

Abstract: Since its discovery, the asymmetric Fano resonance has been a characteristic feature of interacting quantum systems. The shape of this resonance is distinctively different from that of conventional symmetric resonance curves. Recently, the Fano resonance has been found in plasmonic nanoparticles, photonic crystals, and electromagnetic metamaterials. The steep dispersion of the Fano resonance profile promises applications in sensors, lasing, switching, and nonlinear and slow-light devices.

Infrared Perfect Absorber and Its Application As Plasmonic Sensor

Abstract: We experimentally demonstrate a perfect plasmonic absorber at λ = 1.6 μm. Its polarization-independent absorbance is 99% at normal incidence and remains very high over a wide angular range of incidence around ±80°. We introduce a novel concept to utilize this perfect absorber as plasmonic sensor for refractive index sensing. This sensing strategy offers great potential to maintain the performance of localized surface plasmon sensors even in nonlaboratory environments due to its simple and robust measurement scheme.

Thermodynamically consistent phase‐field models of fracture: Variational principles and multi‐field FE implementations

Abstract: The computational modeling of failure mechanisms in solids due to fracture based on sharp crack discontinuities suffers in situations with complex crack topologies. This can be overcome by a diffusive crack modeling based on the introduction of a crack phase-field. In this paper, we outline a thermodynamically consistent framework for phase-field models of crack propagation in elastic solids, develop incremental variational principles and consider their numerical implementations by multi-field finite element methods. We start our investigation with an intuitive and descriptive derivation of a regularized crack surface functional that Γ-converges for vanishing length-scale parameter to a sharp crack topology functional. This functional provides the basis for the definition of suitable convex dissipation functions that govern the evolution of the crack phase-field. Here, we propose alternative rate-independent and viscous over-force models that ensure the local growth of the phase-field. Next, we define an energy storage function whose positive tensile part degrades with increasing phase-field. With these constitutive functionals at hand, we derive the coupled balances of quasi-static stress equilibrium and gradient-type phase-field evolution in the solid from the argument of virtual power. Here, we consider a canonical two-field setting for rate-independent response and a time-regularized three-field formulation with viscous over-force response. It is then shown that these balances follow as the Euler equations of incremental variational principles that govern the multi-field problems. These principles make the proposed formulation extremely compact and provide a perfect base for the finite element implementation, including features such as the symmetry of the monolithic tangent matrices. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed phase-field formulations of fracture by means of representative numerical examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Steven Bird, Ewan Klein and Edward Loper: Natural Language Processing with Python, Analyzing Text with the Natural Language Toolkit

Abstract: Natural Language Processing (NLP) is experiencing rapid growth as its theories and methods are more and more deployed in a wide range of different fields. In the humanities, the work on corpora is gaining increasing prominence. Within industry, people need NLP for market analysis, web software development to name a few examples. For this reason it is important for many people to have some working knowledge of NLP. The book ‘‘Natural Language Processing with Python’’ by Steven Bird, Ewan Klein and Edward Loper is a recent contribution to cover this demand. It introduces the freely available Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK)—a project by the same authors—that was designed with the following goals: simplicity, consistency, extensibility and modularity. The book pursues pedagogical aims and is intended for students or others who want to learn to write programs that analyze natural language. Programming knowledge is not necessarily expected since the book is written for people ‘‘new to programming’’, ‘‘new to Python’’ and ‘‘already dreaming in Python’’ (p. x). Furthermore it targets lecturers who can use it in their courses. The book is a practical guide to NLP, achieving a balance between NLP theory and practical programming skills. It alternates between focusing on natural language, supported by pertinent programming examples, or focusing on the Python programming language while linguistic examples play a supporting role. The reader gets to know many real-world NLP applications and learns by example. The book is well structured. Each chapter starts with some key questions that give a rough idea what information will be provided in the chapter. The chapters finish with a summary, exercises of levels ‘‘easy’’, ‘‘intermediate’’ and ‘‘difficult’’

The size of the proton

Abstract: Considering that the proton is a basic subatomic component of all ordinary matter — as well as being ubiquitous in its solo role as the hydrogen ion H+ — there are some surprising gaps in our knowledge of its structure and behaviour. A collaborative project to determine the root-mean-square charge radius of the proton to better than the 1% accuracy of the current 'best' value suggests that those knowledge gaps may be greater than was thought. The new determination comes from a technically challenging spectroscopic experiment — the measurement of the Lamb shift (the energy difference between a specific pair of energy states) in 'muonic hydrogen', an exotic atom in which the electron is replaced by its heavier twin, the muon. The result is unexpected: a charge radius about 4% smaller than the previous value. The discrepancy remains unexplained. Possible implications are that the value of the most accurately determined fundamental constant, the Rydberg constant, will need to be revised — or that the validity of quantum electrodynamics theory is called into question. Here, a technically challenging spectroscopic experiment is described: the measurement of the muonic Lamb shift. The results lead to a new determination of the charge radius of the proton. The new value is 5.0 standard deviations smaller than the previous world average, a large discrepancy that remains unexplained. Possible implications of the new finding are that the value of the Rydberg constant will need to be revised, or that the validity of quantum electrodynamics theory is called into question. The proton is the primary building block of the visible Universe, but many of its properties—such as its charge radius and its anomalous magnetic moment—are not well understood. The root-mean-square charge radius, rp, has been determined with an accuracy of 2 per cent (at best) by electron–proton scattering experiments1,2. The present most accurate value of rp (with an uncertainty of 1 per cent) is given by the CODATA compilation of physical constants3. This value is based mainly on precision spectroscopy of atomic hydrogen4,5,6,7 and calculations of bound-state quantum electrodynamics (QED; refs 8, 9). The accuracy of rp as deduced from electron–proton scattering limits the testing of bound-state QED in atomic hydrogen as well as the determination of the Rydberg constant (currently the most accurately measured fundamental physical constant3). An attractive means to improve the accuracy in the measurement of rp is provided by muonic hydrogen (a proton orbited by a negative muon); its much smaller Bohr radius compared to ordinary atomic hydrogen causes enhancement of effects related to the finite size of the proton. In particular, the Lamb shift10 (the energy difference between the 2S1/2 and 2P1/2 states) is affected by as much as 2 per cent. Here we use pulsed laser spectroscopy to measure a muonic Lamb shift of 49,881.88(76) GHz. On the basis of present calculations11,12,13,14,15 of fine and hyperfine splittings and QED terms, we find rp = 0.84184(67) fm, which differs by 5.0 standard deviations from the CODATA value3 of 0.8768(69) fm. Our result implies that either the Rydberg constant has to be shifted by −110 kHz/c (4.9 standard deviations), or the calculations of the QED effects in atomic hydrogen or muonic hydrogen atoms are insufficient.

A Rydberg quantum simulator

Abstract: A universal quantum simulator is a controlled quantum device that reproduces the dynamics of any other many-particle quantum system with short-range interactions. This dynamics can refer to both coherent Hamiltonian and dissipative open-system evolution. Here we propose that laser-excited Rydberg atoms in large-spacing optical or magnetic lattices provide an efficient implementation of a universal quantum simulator for spin models involving n-body interactions, including such of higher order. This would allow the simulation of Hamiltonians of exotic spin models involving n-particle constraints, such as the Kitaev toric code, colour code and lattice gauge theories with spin-liquid phases. In addition, our approach provides the ingredients for dissipative preparation of entangled states based on engineering n-particle reservoir couplings. The basic building blocks of our architecture are efficient and high-fidelity n-qubit entangling gates using auxiliary Rydberg atoms, including a possible dissipative time step through optical pumping. This enables mimicking the time evolution of the system by a sequence of fast, parallel and high-fidelity n-particle coherent and dissipative Rydberg gates. Building on recent experimental advances in controlling individual Rydberg atoms, theoretical work proposes a ‘Rydberg quantum simulator’. Such a system would be suitable for efficiently simulating other quantum systems with many-body interactions and strongly correlated ground states.

Strong coupling of a spin ensemble to a superconducting resonator.

Abstract: We report the realization of a quantum circuit in which an ensemble of electronic spins is coupled to a frequency tunable superconducting resonator. The spins are nitrogen-vacancy centers in a diamond crystal. The achievement of strong coupling is manifested by the appearance of a vacuum Rabi splitting in the transmission spectrum of the resonator when its frequency is tuned through the nitrogen-vacancy center electron spin resonance.

Beyond Traditional Cross Couplings: The Scope of the Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction

Abstract: The development of new and environmentally compatible methods for the synthesis of CC and Cheteroatom bonds is of great significance to researchers. The cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) is emerging as an important tool for chemists with a variety of, often inexpensive, metal catalysts able to perform these reactions both regio- and enantioselectively. Perhaps more importantly CDC methodology has been shown to be extremely environmentally friendly and facile being able to be carried out in aqueous environments under an atmosphere of air. This Focus Review intends to give an overview of the most contemporary developments in this exciting and emerging area of cross-coupling chemistry.

Single-Shot Readout of a Single Nuclear Spin

Abstract: Projective measurement of single electron and nuclear spins has evolved from a gedanken experiment to a problem relevant for applications in atomic-scale technologies like quantum computing Although several approaches allow for detection of a spin of single atoms and molecules, multiple repetitions of the experiment that are usually required for achieving a detectable signal obscure the intrinsic quantum nature of the spin's behavior We demonstrated single-shot, projective measurement of a single nuclear spin in diamond using a quantum nondemolition measurement scheme, which allows real-time observation of an individual nuclear spin's state in a room-temperature solid Such an ideal measurement is crucial for realization of, for example, quantum error correction protocols in a quantum register

Transition from Isolated to Collective Modes in Plasmonic Oligomers

Abstract: We demonstrate the transition from isolated to collective optical modes in plasmonic oligomers. Specifically, we investigate the resonant behavior of planar plasmonic hexamers and heptamers with gradually decreasing the interparticle gap separation. A pronounced Fano resonance is observed in the plasmonic heptamer for separations smaller than 60 nm. The spectral characteristics change drastically upon removal of the central nanoparticle. Our work paves the road toward complex hierarchical plasmonic oligmers with tailored optical properties.

SemEval-2010 Task 8: Multi-Way Classification of Semantic Relations between Pairs of Nominals

Abstract: SemEval-2 Task 8 focuses on Multi-way classification of semantic relations between pairs of nominals. The task was designed to compare different approaches to semantic relation classification and to provide a standard testbed for future research. This paper defines the task, describes the training and test data and the process of their creation, lists the participating systems (10 teams, 28 runs), and discusses their results.

Quantum register based on coupled electron spins in a room-temperature solid.

Abstract: Nitrogen–vacancy centres in diamond have emerged as a promising platform for quantum information processing at room temperature. Now, coherent coupling between two electron spins separated by almost 10 nm has been demonstrated. At this distance, the spins can be addressed individually, which might enable the construction of a network of connected quantum registers.

Soil type and land use intensity determine the composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities

Abstract: The objective of this study was to test whether soil types can be characterized by their arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities. To answer this question, a well-defined study area in the temperate climatic zone of Central Europe was chosen with a large spectrum of soils and parent materials. Representative soil samples were taken from three soil types (Cambisol, Fluvisol and Leptosol) at in total 16 sites differing in agricultural land use intensity (9 grasslands and 7 arable lands). AMF spores were isolated and morphologically identified directly from field soils and after reproduction in trap cultures. AMF diversity and community composition strongly depended on soil type and land use intensity, and several AMF species were characteristic for a specific soil type or a specific land use type and hence had a specific niche. In contrast, other AM fungi could be considered as ‘generalists’ as they were present in each soil type investigated, irrespective of land use intensity. An estimated 53% of the 61 observed AMF species could be classified as ‘specialists’ as (almost) exclusively found in specific soil types and/or under specific land use intensities; 28% appeared to be ‘generalists’ and 19% could not be classified. Plant species compositions (either natural or planted) had only a subordinate influence on the AMF communities. In conclusion, land use intensity and soil type strongly affected AMF community composition as well as the presence and prevalence of many AM fungi. Future work should examine how the differences in AMF species compositions affect important ecosystem processes in different soils and to which extent the loss of specific groups of AM fungi affect soil quality.

Quantum spin-liquid emerging in two-dimensional correlated Dirac fermions

Abstract: At sufficiently low temperatures, condensed-matter systems tend to develop order. A notable exception to this behaviour is the case of quantum spin liquids, in which quantum fluctuations prevent a transition to an ordered state down to the lowest temperatures. There have now been tentative observations of such states in some two-dimensional organic compounds, yet quantum spin liquids remain elusive in microscopic two-dimensional models that are relevant to experiments. Here we show, by means of large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations of correlated fermions on a honeycomb lattice (a structure realized in, for example, graphene), that a quantum spin liquid emerges between the state described by massless Dirac fermions and an antiferromagnetically ordered Mott insulator. This unexpected quantum-disordered state is found to be a short-range resonating valence-bond liquid, akin to the one proposed for high-temperature superconductors: the possibility of unconventional superconductivity through doping therefore arises in our system. We foresee the experimental realization of this model system using ultra-cold atoms, or group IV elements arranged in honeycomb lattices.

The guidelines for social life cycle assessment of products: just in time!

Abstract: Purpose Authors of different sustainability journals, including authors of articles in past issues of the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment have acknowledged the rising interest and th ...

An update on automatic 3D building reconstruction

Abstract: The development of tools for the generation of 3D city models started almost two decades ago. From the beginning, fully automatic reconstruction systems were envisioned to fulfil the need for efficient data collection. However, research on automatic city modelling is still a very active area. The paper will review a number of current approaches in order to comprehensively elaborate the state of the art of reconstruction methods and their respective principles. Originally, automatic city modelling only aimed at polyhedral building objects, which mainly reflects the respective roof shapes and building footprints. For this purpose, airborne images or laser scans are used. In addition to these developments, the paper will also review current approaches for the generation of more detailed facade geometries from terrestrial data collection.

Quantum memories - A review based on the European integrated project “Qubit Applications (QAP)”

Abstract: We perform a review of various approaches to the implementation of quantum memories, with an emphasis on activities within the quantum memory sub-project of the EU integrated project “Qubit Applications”. We begin with a brief overview over different applications for quantum memories and different types of quantum memories. We discuss the most important criteria for assessing quantum memory performance and the most important physical requirements. Then we review the different approaches represented in “Qubit Applications” in some detail. They include solid-state atomic ensembles, NV centers, quantum dots, single atoms, atomic gases and optical phonons in diamond. We compare the different approaches using the discussed criteria.

High sensitivity magnetic imaging using an array of spins in diamond.

Abstract: We present a solid state magnetic field imaging technique using a two-dimensional array of spins in diamond. The magnetic sensing spin array is made of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers created at shallow depths. Their optical response is used for measuring external magnetic fields in close proximity. Optically detected magnetic resonance is read out from a 60 x 60 microm(2) field of view in a multiplexed manner using a charge coupled device camera. We experimentally demonstrate full two-dimensional vector imaging of the magnetic field produced by a pair of current carrying microwires. The presented wide-field NV magnetometer offers, in addition to its high magnetic sensitivity and vector reconstruction, an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution and functionality at room temperature.

Top Accuracy and Fast Dependency Parsing is not a Contradiction

Abstract: In addition to a high accuracy, short parsing and training times are the most important properties of a parser. However, parsing and training times are still relatively long. To determine why, we analyzed the time usage of a dependency parser. We illustrate that the mapping of the features onto their weights in the support vector machine is the major factor in time complexity. To resolve this problem, we implemented the passive-aggressive perceptron algorithm as a Hash Kernel. The Hash Kernel substantially improves the parsing times and takes into account the features of negative examples built during the training. This has lead to a higher accuracy. We could further increase the parsing and training speed with a parallel feature extraction and a parallel parsing algorithm. We are convinced that the Hash Kernel and the parallelization can be applied successful to other NLP applications as well such as transition based dependency parsers, phrase structrue parsers, and machine translation.

Creation efficiency of nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond

Abstract: Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres in diamond are attracting growing attention due to potential applications in solid-state quantum information processing and magnetometry. Although proof-of-principle experiments have been demonstrated, further development requires the controllable production of defects with a high yield. In this paper, we experimentally show that the production efficiency of NV defects strongly depends on the ion implantation energy. This can be explained in terms of the number of vacancies produced per implanted ion and surface proximity. The dependence on ion fluence is also underlined, revealing a nonlinear regime and showing how the diamond lattice is damaged at higher fluences.

Very high accuracy and fast dependency parsing is not a contradiction

Abstract: In addition to a high accuracy, short parsing and training times are the most important properties of a parser. However, parsing and training times are still relatively long. To determine why, we analyzed the time usage of a dependency parser. We illustrate that the mapping of the features onto their weights in the support vector machine is the major factor in time complexity. To resolve this problem, we implemented the passive-aggressive perceptron algorithm as a Hash Kernel. The Hash Kernel substantially improves the parsing times and takes into account the features of negative examples built during the training. This has lead to a higher accuracy. We could further increase the parsing and training speed with a parallel feature extraction and a parallel parsing algorithm. We are convinced that the Hash Kernel and the parallelization can be applied successful to other NLP applications as well such as transition based dependency parsers, phrase structrue parsers, and machine translation.

A COLD NEPTUNE-MASS PLANET OGLE-2007-BLG-368Lb: COLD NEPTUNES ARE COMMON

Abstract: We present the discovery of a Neptune-mass planet OGLE-2007-BLG-368Lb with a planet-star mass ratio of q = [9.5 ± 2.1] × 10^(-5) via gravitational microlensing. The planetary deviation was detected in real-time thanks to the high cadence of the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics survey, real-time light-curve monitoring and intensive follow-up observations. A Bayesian analysis returns the stellar mass and distance at M_l = 0.64^(+0.21)_(–0.26) M_☉ and D_l = 5.9^(+0.9)_(–1.4) kpc, respectively, so the mass and separation of the planet are M_p = 20^(+7)_(–8) M_⊕ and a = 3.3^(+1.4)_(–0.8) AU, respectively. This discovery adds another cold Neptune-mass planet to the planetary sample discovered by microlensing, which now comprises four cold Neptune/super-Earths, five gas giant planets, and another sub-Saturn mass planet whose nature is unclear. The discovery of these 10 cold exoplanets by the microlensing method implies that the mass ratio function of cold exoplanets scales as dN_(pl)/d log q ∝ q^(–0.7±0.2) with a 95% confidence level upper limit of n < –0.35 (where dN_(pl)/d log q ∝ q^n). As microlensing is most sensitive to planets beyond the snow-line, this implies that Neptune-mass planets are at least three times more common than Jupiters in this region at the 95% confidence level.

Cavity-enhanced localized plasmon resonance sensing

Abstract: We present a method to enhance the sensing properties of a localized plasmon sensor. The concept is based on the combination of localized plasmons in nanostructures and a photonic microcavity. Metal nanorods that are placed at Bragg distance above a metal mirror form a Fabry–Perot microcavity and constitute a coupled photonic-plasmonic system. The localized plasmon resonances of the nanorods and the phase shifts upon plasmon excitation are extremely sensitive to changes in the refractive index of the material surrounding the nanorods. Compared to the plasmonic nanorods alone, the coupled photonic-plasmonic system allows for a much more sensitive detection of small refractive index changes.

Fluctuation-dissipation theorem in nonequilibrium steady states

Abstract: In equilibrium, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) expresses the response of an observable to a small perturbation by a correlation function of this variable with another one that is conjugate to the perturbation with respect to energy. For a nonequilibrium steady state (NESS), the corresponding FDT is shown to involve in the correlation function a variable that is conjugate with respect to entropy. By splitting up entropy production into one of the system and one of the medium, it is shown that for systems with a genuine equilibrium state the FDT of the NESS differs from its equilibrium form by an additive term involving total entropy production. A related variant of the FDT not requiring explicit knowledge of the stationary state is particularly useful for coupled Langevin systems. The a priori surprising freedom apparently involved in different forms of the FDT in a NESS is clarified.

Fractional and operational calculus with generalized fractional derivative operators and Mittag–Leffler type functions

Abstract: In this paper, we study a certain family of generalized Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative operators of order α and type β, which were introduced and investigated in several earlier works [R. Hilfer (ed.), Applications of Fractional Calculus in Physics, World Scientific Publishing Company, Singapore, New Jersey, London and Hong Kong, 2000; R. Hilfer, Fractional time evolution, in Applications of Fractional Calculus in Physics, R. Hilfer, ed., World Scientific Publishing Company, Singapore, New Jersey, London and Hong Kong, 2000, pp. 87–130; R. Hilfer, Experimental evidence for fractional time evolution in glass forming materials, J. Chem. Phys. 284 (2002), pp. 399–408; R. Hilfer, Threefold introduction to fractional derivatives, in Anomalous Transport: Foundations and Applications, R. Klages, G. Radons, and I.M. Sokolov, eds., Wiley-VCH Verlag, Weinheim, 2008, pp. 17–73; R. Hilfer and L. Anton, Fractional master equations and fractal time random walks, Phys. Rev. E 51 (1995), pp. R848–R851; R. Hilfer...