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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

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Full-Text Articles in Quantum Physics

Quantum Key Distribution Simulation Using Entangled Bell States, Nayana Tiwari Jun 2022

Quantum Key Distribution Simulation Using Entangled Bell States, Nayana Tiwari

Physics

To communicate information securely, the sender and recipient of the information need to have a shared, secret key. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a proposed method for this and takes advantage of the laws of quantum mechanics. The users, Alice and Bob, exchange quantum information in the form of entangled qubits over a quantum channel as well as exchanging measurement information over a classical channel. A successful QKD algorithm will ensure that when an eavesdropper has access to both the quantum and classical information channels, they cannot deduce the key, and they will be detected by the key generators. This …


Developing A Data Acquisition System For Use In Cold Neutral Atom Traps, Jonathan E. Fuzaro Alencar Jun 2022

Developing A Data Acquisition System For Use In Cold Neutral Atom Traps, Jonathan E. Fuzaro Alencar

Physics

The rising interest in quantum computing has led to new quantum systems being developed and researched. Among these are trapped neutral atoms which have several desirable features and may be configured and operated on using lasers in an optical lattice. This work describes the development of a new data acquisition system for use in tuning lasers near the precise hyperfine transition frequencies of Rb 87 atoms, a crucial step in the functionality of a neutral atom trap. This improves on previous implementations that were deprecated and limited in laser frequency sweep range. Integration into the experiment was accomplished using an …


Solving Chromatic Number With Quantum Search And Quantum Counting, David Lutze Jun 2021

Solving Chromatic Number With Quantum Search And Quantum Counting, David Lutze

Master's Theses

This thesis presents a novel quantum algorithm that solves the Chromatic Number problem. Complexity analysis of this algorithm revealed a run time of O(2n/2n2(log2n)2). This is an improvement over the best known algorithm, with a run time of 2nnO(1) [1]. This algorithm uses the Quantum Search algorithm (often called Grover's Algorithm), and the Quantum Counting algorithm. Chromatic Number is an example of an NP-Hard problem, which suggests that other NP-Hard problems can also benefit from a speed-up provided by quantum technology. This has wide implications as many real world problems can …


Quantum Computing: Resolving Myths, From Physics To Metaphysics, Jacob R. Mandel Mar 2021

Quantum Computing: Resolving Myths, From Physics To Metaphysics, Jacob R. Mandel

Physics

As the field of quantum computing becomes popularized, myths or misconceptions will inevitably come along with it. From the sci-fi genre to the casual usage of the term quantum, idealism begins to take over our projections of the technological future. But what are quantum computers? And what does quantum mean? How are they any different than the computers we use on an everyday basis? Will there be quantum computing smartphones? Are quantum computers just a faster version of conventional computing or a wholly new way of computing altogether? The objective of this paper is to resolve common myths or misconceptions …


Lorentz Violation In Neutrino Interactions, Pranav Jayaram Seetharaman Mar 2021

Lorentz Violation In Neutrino Interactions, Pranav Jayaram Seetharaman

Physics

Both the Standard Model of particle physics and General Relativity require Lorentz symmetry as a fundamental building block. In this paper, we learn about a framework called the Standard Model Extension that allows us to determine how physical phenomenon would change if we deviated from Lorentz invariance in the Standard Model and General Relativity. We use the Standard Model Extension to analyze a specific high-energy, astrophysical neutrino interaction that is only possible if Lorentz symmetry can be broken. The interaction we look at is the decay of a neutrino into an electron-positron pair, which is not possible in conventional physics. …


Quantum Random Walk Search And Grover's Algorithm - An Introduction And Neutral-Atom Approach, Anna Maria Houk Jun 2020

Quantum Random Walk Search And Grover's Algorithm - An Introduction And Neutral-Atom Approach, Anna Maria Houk

Physics

In the sub-field of quantum algorithms, physicists and computer scientist take classical computing algorithms and principles and see if there is a more efficient or faster approach implementable on a quantum computer, i.e. a ”quantum advantage”. We take random walks, a widely applicable group of classical algorithms, and move them into the quantum computing paradigm. Additionally, an introduction to a popular quantum search algorithm called Grover’s search is included to guide the reader to the development of a quantum search algorithm using quantum random walks. To close the gap between algorithm and hardware, we will look at using neutral-atom (also …


An Overview Of Lasers And Their Applications, Luis Cristian Giovanni Guerrero May 2020

An Overview Of Lasers And Their Applications, Luis Cristian Giovanni Guerrero

Physics

This paper is an overview of lasers and their applications. The fundamentals of laser operation are covered as well as the various applications of advanced laser systems. The primary focus is to highlight some of the technological advancements made possible by lasers in the last half-century.


Investigating The Talbot Effect In Arrays Of Optical Dipole Traps For Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Sergio Aguayo Apr 2019

Investigating The Talbot Effect In Arrays Of Optical Dipole Traps For Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Sergio Aguayo

Physics

Quantum computers are devices that are able to perform calculations not achievable for classical computers. Although there are many methods for creating a quantum computer, using neutral atoms offers the advantage of being stable when compared to other methods. The purpose of this investigation is to explore possible optical dipole trap configurations that would be useful for implementing a quantum computer with neutral atoms. Specifically, we computationally investigate arrays of pinholes, the diffraction pattern generated by them, and the onset of the Talbot effect in these traps. We manipulate the radius of the pinholes, the number of pinholes in the …


Optimization Of An Injection Locked Laser System For Cold Neutral Atom Traps, Elliot M. Lehman Mar 2019

Optimization Of An Injection Locked Laser System For Cold Neutral Atom Traps, Elliot M. Lehman

Physics

Many types of quantum systems are being explored for use in quantum computers. One type of quantum system that shows promise for quantum computing is trapped neutral atoms. They have long coherence times, since they have multiple stable ground states and have minimal coupling with other atoms and their environment, and they can be trapped in arrays, making them individu- ally addressable. Once trapped, they can be initialized and operated on using laser pulses. This experiment utilizes a pinhole diffraction pattern, which can trap atoms in both bright and dark areas. To maximize trap strength, an injection-locked laser amplification system …


Simulating The Electrical Properties Of Random Carbon Nanotube Networks Using A Simple Model Based On Percolation Theory, Roberto Abril Valenzuela Jun 2018

Simulating The Electrical Properties Of Random Carbon Nanotube Networks Using A Simple Model Based On Percolation Theory, Roberto Abril Valenzuela

Physics

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been subject to extensive research towards their possible applications in the world of nanoelectronics. The interest in carbon nanotubes originates from their unique variety of properties useful in nanoelectronic devices. One key feature of carbon nanotubes is that the chiral angle at which they are rolled determines whether the tube is metallic or semiconducting. Of main interest to this project are devices containing a thin film of randomly arranged carbon nanotubes, known as carbon nanotube networks. The presence of semiconducting tubes in a CNT network can lead to a switching effect when the film is electro-statically …


On-Sight Shifting At The Cryogenic Underground Observatory For Rare Events, Aaron C. Wong Jun 2017

On-Sight Shifting At The Cryogenic Underground Observatory For Rare Events, Aaron C. Wong

Physics

During the summer of 2016, four Cal Poly students traveled to Assergi, Italy to contribute to the CUORE collaboration which is in search of a rare process called neutrinoless double beta decay. If detected, neutrinoless double beta decay will make break throughs in particle and nuclear physics, and will be the first observation of lepton number violation. The Cal Poly students provided on-sight shifting support during the installation phase of the project. This is a breakdown of the physics behind CUORE and Cal Poly's contribution.


Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion Of Photons Through Β-Barium Borate, Luke Horowitz May 2016

Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion Of Photons Through Β-Barium Borate, Luke Horowitz

Physics

An apparatus for detecting pairs of entangled 405nm photons that have undergone Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion through β-Barium Borate is described. By using avalanche photo-diodes to detect the low-intensity converted beam and a coincidence module to register coincident photons, it is possible to create an apparatus than can be used to perform quantum information experiments under a budget appropriate for an undergraduate physics lab.


Thermodynamic Effects Of A Local Bell State Projection Interaction In A One-Dimensional Dynamic Spin System, Nickolas H. Pilgram Sep 2015

Thermodynamic Effects Of A Local Bell State Projection Interaction In A One-Dimensional Dynamic Spin System, Nickolas H. Pilgram

Physics

No abstract provided.


Transition Orbits Of Walking Droplets, Joshua Parker Jun 2015

Transition Orbits Of Walking Droplets, Joshua Parker

Physics

It was recently discovered that millimeter-sized droplets bouncing on the surface of an oscillating bath of the same fluid can couple with the surface waves it produces and begin walking across the fluid bath. These walkers have been shown to behave similarly to quantum particles; a few examples include single-particle diffraction, tunneling, and quantized orbits. Such behavior occurs because the drop and surface waves depend on each other to exist, making this the first and only known macroscopic pilot-wave system. In this paper, the quantized orbits between two identical drops are explored. By sending a perturbation to a pair of …


High Speed Control Of Atom Transfer Sequence From Magneto-Optical To Dipole Trap For Quantum Computing, Jason Garvey Schray Dec 2014

High Speed Control Of Atom Transfer Sequence From Magneto-Optical To Dipole Trap For Quantum Computing, Jason Garvey Schray

Physics

Two circuits were designed, built, and tested for the purpose of aiding in the transfer of 87Rb atoms from a MOT to dipole traps and for characterizing the final dipole traps. The first circuit was a current switch designed to quickly turn the magnetic fields of the MOT off. The magnetic coil switch was able to reduce the magnetic field intensity to 5 % of its initial value after 81 μs. The second circuit was an analog signal switch designed to turn the modulation signal of an AOM off. The analog switch was able to reduce the modulation signal intensity …


Centered-Difference Applications For Schrödinger's Equation, Matthew Thomas Murachver Nov 2014

Centered-Difference Applications For Schrödinger's Equation, Matthew Thomas Murachver

Physics

This project enumerates methods utilizing discretized centered-difference approximations on the second order differential equation for quantum particles known as Schrodinger’s Equation. An eigenvalue-eigenfunction scheme is developed to sieve for valid solutions to The Time Independent Schrodinger Equation. Additionally the Crank-Nicolson method is applied to the Time Dependent Schrodinger Equation to describe wavefunction (eigenfunction) time evolution. The validity of these methods is discussed with applications to several fundamental pedagogical introductory quantum mechanic systems.


Environmental Testing Of Lasers For Jpl's Cold Atom Laboratory, Carey L. Baxter Aug 2014

Environmental Testing Of Lasers For Jpl's Cold Atom Laboratory, Carey L. Baxter

STAR Program Research Presentations

NASA’s Cold Atom Lab (CAL) is a multi-user facility designed to study ultra-cold quantum gases in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). One of the main goals of CAL is to explore the unknown territory of extremely low temperatures—possibly as low as the picokelvin range!—where new and fascinating quantum phenomena can be observed. At such temperatures matter stops behaving as particles and instead becomes macroscopic matter waves. CAL will be remotely controlled to perform a multitude of experiments and is scheduled to launch in 2016. In order to anticipate problems that might occur during and post-launch, including …


Ultrasonic Bonding For The Cuore Collaboration, John J. Sekerak Ii Jun 2014

Ultrasonic Bonding For The Cuore Collaboration, John J. Sekerak Ii

Physics

This paper will give the reader a brief introduction to the Standard Model, Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay, and the CUORE experiment under construction at Gran Sasso National Lab in Assergi, Italy. The remainder of the paper will describe the bonding process used to connect the heater pads and NTDs to the copper housings of the tower structure. Extensive details of the troubleshooting and calibration period are presented as a way for the reader to better understand the concepts involved during the bonding stage of the assembly process.


Monitoring Atom Traps For Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Taylor Shannon Mar 2014

Monitoring Atom Traps For Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Taylor Shannon

Physics

To increase computing power for numerous practical advantages, scientists are actively researching the field of quantum computing. Neutral atom quantum computing is a promising avenue towards building a quantum computer that satisfies four of the five DiVincenzo criteria. This involves a magneto-optical trap to cool the atoms and move them to a cloud in the center of a vacuum chamber. Then laser light will be shone through an array of pinholes to trap the atoms in an array of dipole traps. In order to ensure the atoms are trapped, I have set up an imaging system that consists of a …


Developing A Diffraction Pattern Projection System For Neutral Atom Quantum Computation, Sanjay Khatri Mar 2014

Developing A Diffraction Pattern Projection System For Neutral Atom Quantum Computation, Sanjay Khatri

Physics

No abstract provided.


Contributions To The Cuore Collaboration, Samuel Joseph Meijer Jul 2013

Contributions To The Cuore Collaboration, Samuel Joseph Meijer

Physics

This paper describes work done between 2010 and 2013 to contribute to the CUORE collaboration, a physics collaboration searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay in tellurium. Measurement of this decay would indicate fundamental information about the nature of the neutrino. The implementation of a parylene-coated detector frame is described. Also, a temperature stabilization system for an automated gluing system was constructed. An image recognition algorithm is described for locating spots of glue and evaluating their acceptability.


Hilbert Space Theory And Applications In Basic Quantum Mechanics, Matthew Gagne Jun 2013

Hilbert Space Theory And Applications In Basic Quantum Mechanics, Matthew Gagne

Mathematics

We explore the basic mathematical physics of quantum mechanics. Our primary focus will be on Hilbert space theory and applications as well as the theory of linear operators on Hilbert space. We show how Hermitian operators are used to represent quantum observables and investigate the spectrum of various linear operators. We discuss deviation and uncertainty and briefly suggest how symmetry and representations are involved in quantum theory.


Density Functional Theory And The Calculation Of Tcmg2O4 Spinel Lattice Parameters, Jon Karlo Macias Mar 2013

Density Functional Theory And The Calculation Of Tcmg2O4 Spinel Lattice Parameters, Jon Karlo Macias

Physics

The cohesive energy, lattice constant and bulk modulus of two simple HCP crystal structures of magnesium and technetium were calculated using the vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP) which is based on density functional theory (DFT). The same properties were determined for TcMg2O4 spinel. The theoretical results of the lattice constant of the pure crystals were compared to experimental results and found to be in excellent agreement with a difference of less than 2%. The results for the lattice constant of the TcMg2O4 spinel were found to be in excellent agreement as well with …


Quantum Programming In Python: Quantum 1d Simple Harmonic Oscillator And Quantum Mapping Gate, Matthew Hoff Mar 2013

Quantum Programming In Python: Quantum 1d Simple Harmonic Oscillator And Quantum Mapping Gate, Matthew Hoff

Physics

A common problem when learning Quantum Mechanics is the complexity in the mathematical and physical concepts, which leads to difficulty in solving and understanding problems. Using programming languages like Python have become more and more prevalent in solving challenging physical systems. An open-source computer algebra system, SymPy, has been developed using Python to help solve these difficult systems. I have added code to the SymPy library for two different systems, a One-Dimensional Quantum Harmonic Oscillator and a Quantum Mapping Gate used in Quantum Computing.


Investigation Of Optical Dipole Traps For Trapping Neutral Atoms For Quantum Computing, Danielle May Dec 2012

Investigation Of Optical Dipole Traps For Trapping Neutral Atoms For Quantum Computing, Danielle May

Physics

No abstract provided.


The Effect Of Polarization And Ingan Quantum Well Shape In Multiple Quantum Well Light Emitting Diode Heterostructures, Patrick M. Mcbride Jun 2012

The Effect Of Polarization And Ingan Quantum Well Shape In Multiple Quantum Well Light Emitting Diode Heterostructures, Patrick M. Mcbride

Master's Theses

Previous research in InGaN/GaN light emitting diodes (LEDs) employing semi-classical drift-diffusion models has used reduced polarization constants without much physical explanantion. This paper investigates possible physical explanations for this effective polarization reduction in InGaN LEDs through the use of the simulation software SiLENSe. One major problem of current LED simulations is the assumption of perfectly discrete transitions between the quantum well (QW) and blocking layers when experiments have shown this to not be the case. The In concentration profile within InGaN multiple quantum well (MQW) devices shows much smoother and delayed transitions indicative of indium diffusion and drift during …


The Quantum Mechanics Of Supersymmetry, Joshua Gearhart May 2012

The Quantum Mechanics Of Supersymmetry, Joshua Gearhart

Physics

No abstract provided.


Achieving Laser Wavelength Stability For Use In Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Jennifer H. Rushing Dec 2011

Achieving Laser Wavelength Stability For Use In Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Jennifer H. Rushing

Physics

Quantum computing may still be decades away from realization but the pieces necessary for the construction of the first quantum chip are beginning to come together. One piece still eluding researchers is the ability to address individual atoms within a scalable quantum chip structure. The resolution to this issue may be found in any one of several promising implementations, including the use of neutral atoms trapped in 2D optical lattices. One method of constructing such lattices, which has been shown to be computationally viable, employs the diffraction pattern just behind a circular aperture. Laser wavelength stability plays a crucial role …


Projection Of Diffracted Optical Atom Traps, Jeremy Kruger Sep 2011

Projection Of Diffracted Optical Atom Traps, Jeremy Kruger

Physics

Theoretical calculations were performed for the projection of a diffraction pattern created by a pinhole through a single-lens system using vector diffraction theory and a combination of programs (MathCAD, Igor, etc.). The projected diffraction patterns were then experimentally created, recorded, and analyzed. This work is part of a larger collaboration with Dr. Kat Gillen, to trap and manipulate atoms in a Magneto Optical Trap (MOT) and to make further steps in the direction of Quantum Computing using trapped neutral atoms.


Comparison Of A High Purity Germanium Gamma Ray Spectrometer And A Multidimensional Nai(T1) Scintillation Gamma Ray Spectrometer, Greg Stratton Jul 2011

Comparison Of A High Purity Germanium Gamma Ray Spectrometer And A Multidimensional Nai(T1) Scintillation Gamma Ray Spectrometer, Greg Stratton

Aerospace Engineering

This report compares two different gamma ray spectrometers in terms of performance, operation, and apparatus and also investigates the design and integration challenges of using gamma ray spectrometers in space. The first spectrometer is a one-dimensional high purity germanium (HPGe) spectrometer and the second is a multidimensional NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer (MGRS). The key results show that the HPGe exhibits 15 to 27 times better energy resolution than the MGRS, but the MGRS is 52 times more sensitive and removes 177 % more of the background radiation.