************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL VI, NO 4 * * * * April 1998 * * * * ISSN 1325-6467 * * * Edited by: Bill Munro * \ | / * Physics, University of Queensland, * \__|__/ * QLD 4072, Australia. * | * email: munro@physics.uq.edu.au Available on WWW at: * | * phone: +61 7 3365 2422 http://www.anu.edu.au * | * fax: +61 7 3365 1242 /Physics/newsletter * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS 0. PROBLEMS 1. ABSTRACTS 2. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. WANTED TO BUY/SELL 4. SITUATIONS VACANT 5. MISC NEWS ______________________________________________________________________________ ******************************************************************************* 0. EDITORIAL NOTE Welcome to the fourth newsletter of the year. ******************************************************************************* 1. ABSTRACTS Title: ``Interaction-Free'' Imaging Author: Andrew G. White, Jay R. Mitchell, Olaf Nairz (*), and Paul G. Kwiat Address: Los Alamos National Laboratory, P-23, MS-H803, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA e-mail: andrew.white@lanl.gov (*) Institut fuer Experimentalphysik, Universitaet Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Status: Accepted for publication (Phys. Rev. A) Abstract: Using the complementary wave- and particle-like natures of photons, it is possible to make ``interaction-free'' measurements where the presence of an object can be determined with no photons being absorbed. We investigated several ``interaction-free'' {\it imaging\/} systems, i.e. systems that allow optical imaging of photosensitive objects with less than the classically expected amount of light being absorbed or scattered by the object. With the most promising system, we obtained high-resolution (10~$\mu$m), one-dimensional profiles of a variety of objects (human hair, glass and metal wires, cloth fibers), by raster scanning each object through the system. We discuss possible applications and the present and future limits for interaction-free imaging. _______________________________________________________________________________ Interference in hyperbolic space S. Chaturvedi, G. J. Milburn, and Zhongxi Zhang Department of Physics, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia The interference in a phase space algorithm of Schleich and Wheeler [Nature [bold 326], 574 (1987)] is extended to the hyperbolic space underlying the group SU(1,1). The extension involves introducing the notion of weighted areas. Analytic expressions for the asymptotic forms for overlaps between the eigenstates of the generators of su(1,1) thus obtained are found to be in excellent agreement with the numerical results. ******************************************************************************* 2. CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS Workshop Announcement Workshop on Quantum Information, Decoherence and Chaos Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef 21st - 25 th September 1998 Recent technological advances in a number of fields including laser physics and mesoscopic electronics now enable quantum states of single systems to be engineered and controlled with almost perfect precision. This has promoted a new interest in quantum information and entanglement with possible applications to quantum computing, communication and new high precision measurement schemes. The purpose of the workshop is to bring together leading researchers from different fields to explore the theoretical and technological implications of quantum information. Workshop Topics Quantum Information Quantum Cryptography Quantum Error Correction Quantum and Atom Optics Mesoscopic Electronics Quantum Measurement Quantum Computation Quantum Chaos Entanglement Decoherence For further information, see http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/heron/heron.html Please note that numbers of participants are limited to 35 people only. _______________________________________________________________________________ =================================================== % % % A C O L S 98 % % % % Australasian Conference on Optics, % % Lasers and Spectroscopy % % % % 14th - 17th December, 1998 % % % % University of Canterbury, % % Christchurch, New Zealand % % % % Web: http://www.physics.otago.ac.nz/~acols98/ % % Email: acols98@physics.otago.ac.nz % % % =================================================== The ACOLS conference series resumes this year after the suspension for IQEC in Sydney in 1996. It will be held for the first time in New Zealand, in the modern facilities of the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. Please visit the web site for up-to-date information about the conference. The First Announcement, which includes dates and programme information, will be mailed in the next few days. The same information is available at the web site, along with a form to add your address and other details to our mailing list. We look forward to welcoming scientists from new Zealand, Australia and further afield to Christchurch in December. ****************************************************************************** 4. SITUATIONS VACANT Department of Physics/Centre for Laser Science. Lecturer level B( 5 year fixed term) Experimental Laser Physics The Department of Physics offers a three year undergraduate course for the B.Sc degree, and a four year B.Sc. Honours Degree. It also undertakes service teaching to other Departments including Engineering and Biological Science Departments. Postgraduate degrees that may be undertaken in the Department are P.G.Dip. , MSc. and PhD. Applications are sought for the position of Lecturer (fixed term), level B in The Department of Physics. The successful applicant will also hold a position in the Centre for Laser Science. The Centre for Laser Science is a category one centre in the Department of Physics, with both theoretical and experimental research programs. The experimental programs include: optical tweezers, laser cooling and trapping and atom optics, nonlinear spectroscopy of high velocity flows and laser dynamics . The Centre currently has 5 academic staff, 10 postdoctoral research students and more than 20 postgraduate students. Further details on the Centre and the Department may be found at the Web site http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/HomePage.html All applicants must posses graduate and postgraduate qualifications (PhD or equivalent) and have an established international research reputation, in any area of experimental laser physics, including atom optics, laser micromanipulation, laser diagnostics and biophysical/ biomedical applications of lasers. All applicants must also have demonstrated excellence in University teaching. The position is fixed term for a period of 5 years. Salary will be in the range $43,601-$ 51,776 per annum. Further details, including a statement of duties and selection criteria, may be obtained from Professor G.J. Milburn, Head, Department of Physics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072. Telephone (07) 33653405, Fax: (07) 33651242, email: milburn@physics.uq.edu.au, (International: telephone +617-33653405, Fax, +617-33651242). Written applications quoting Reference No. 11598 and including the names and contact details of three referees (telephone and facsimile numbers and email addresses where available) must be submitted no later than 1 May 1998 to The Personnel Officer, Faculty of Engineering Physical Sciences and Architecture, The University of Queensland, 4072, Australia. _______________________________________________________________________________ Postdoctoral position Quantum gases and BEC FOM-Institute for atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF) Amsterdam J.T.M. Walraven We have an opening for a postdoctoral position (2 years) for our experiment on collective phenomena in Bose-condensed Rubidium. The experimental team at AMOLF consists currently of two PhD students (Kai Dieckmann and Igor Shvarchuck) and one undergraduate student (Pieter Valkering) with assistance from the AMOLF technical staff. The experimental research is done in collaboration with dr. R. Spreeuw from the Atomic and Laser Physics Group at the University of Amsterdam. Theoretical research on the quantum gases is done at AMOLF by prof. G.V. Shlyapnikov and one PhD student (Peter Fedichev). We are currently developing the experimental apparatus and are looking for a post-doc who is interested in both, the aspects of experimental development and the theoretical aspects of experiments with quantum gases. We expect the experiment to be operational within a year and plan to investigate damping of collective excitations and selective excitation of the condensate in the presence of a thermal cloud. For further information please refer or send your application with c.v. and references to: Prof.dr. J.T.M. Walraven, director FOM-Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics, AMOLF Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands walraven@amolf.nl Tel.: +31 (20) 608 1234 Fax: +31 (20) 608 1288 _______________________________________________________________________________ RESEARCH SCIENTIST TIME AND FREQUENCY 48K to 54K + Superannuation National Measurement Laboratory CSIRO Division of Telecommunications and Industrial Physics The National Measurement Laboratory is looking for a Research Scientist to join its Time and Frequency Section. The Time and Frequency Section is responsible for maintaining, disseminating and developing Australia's legal references for time of day, time interval and frequency. The Section also conducts research in several areas, including the development of an atomic clock based on trapped ions, application of the Global Positioning System to domestic and international time transfer, and international Two-Way Satellite Time Transfer. A substantial amount of the successful applicant's time will be spent developing and maintaining infrastructure (software, protocols and hardware) associated with maintaining Australia's reference for time of day. In addition, the appointee will be expected to make substantial scientific and technical contributions to the research activities of the Section. The successful applicant will have a PhD degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering, and several years experience in more than one of the following areas: electronics, stable frequency sources, computerised data acquisition and control (preferably in a networked UNIX environment), numerical modelling of physical phenomena, atomic physics, laser spectroscopy, microwave or radio frequency spectroscopy, ion or atom trapping, laser-diode application and development, radio-communications or telemetry. A demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team and contribute to team goals is essential. Leadership potential and effective communication at all levels, both oral and written, is also important to the position. The position is available after 1 July 1998. Further information can be obtained from Dr Peter Fisk, email Peter.Fisk@tip.csiro.au or ph. (612) 9413 7221. If you would like a copy of the selection criteria and duty statement, please contact Mr Geoff Hall ph. (02) 9413 7450, fax (02) 9413 7631 or email Geoff.Hall@tip.csiro.au. Applicants should quote reference number AS98/3 and include relevant particulars and experience. Please address your applications to; The Human ResourcesDept. CSIRO Telecommunications and Industrial Physics PO Box 218 Lindfield NSW 2070 Closing date for applications: 17 April 1998 CSIRO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ****************************************************************************** 5. MISC NEWS ****************************************************************************** That all folks!! The end! _______________________________________________________ Bill Munro | Centre for Laser Science, | ,,, Department of Physics | (o o) University of Queensland, | -oOO-(_)-OOo- QLD 4072, Brisbane, Australia | I am Pentium of Borg Phone: +(61 7) 3365 2422 | Divison is Futile Fax: +(61 7) 3365 1242 | You will be approximated Email: billm@physics.uq.edu.au | WWW: http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/people/billm | _______________________________________________________