Enhancing axial localization with wavefront control.

Enhancing the ability to resolve axial details is crucial in three-dimensional optical imaging. We provide experimental evidence showcasing the ultimate precision achievable in axial localization using vortex beams. For Laguerre-Gauss (LG) beams, this remarkable limit can be attained with just a single intensity scan. This proof-of-principle demonstrates that microscopy techniques based on LG vortex beams can potentially benefit from the introduced quantum-inspired superresolution protocol.

Reading out Fisher information from the zeros of the point spread function.

We show that, for optical systems whose point spread functions exhibit isolated zeros, the information one can gain about the separation between two incoherent point light sources does not scale quadratically with the separation (which is the distinctive dependence causing Rayleigh's curse) but only linearly. Moreover, the dominant contribution to the separation information comes from regions in the vicinity of these zeros. We experimentally confirm this idea, demonstrating significant superresolution using natural or artificially created spectral doublets.

Intensity-Based Axial Localization at the Quantum Limit.

We derive fundamental precision bounds for single-point axial localization. For Gaussian beams, this ultimate limit can be achieved with a single intensity scan, provided the camera is placed at one of two optimal transverse detection planes. Hence, for axial localization there is no need of more complicated detection schemes. The theory is verified with an experimental demonstration of axial resolution 3 orders of magnitude below the classical depth of focus.

Adaptive Compressive Tomography with No a priori Information.

Quantum state tomography is both a crucial component in the field of quantum information and computation and a formidable task that requires an incogitable number of measurement configurations as the system dimension grows. We propose and experimentally carry out an intuitive adaptive compressive tomography scheme, inspired by the traditional compressed-sensing protocol in signal recovery, that tremendously reduces the number of configurations needed to uniquely reconstruct any given quantum state without any additional a priori assumption whatsoever (such as rank information, purity, etc.) about the state, apart from its dimension.

Quantum-Limited Time-Frequency Estimation through Mode-Selective Photon Measurement.

By projecting onto complex optical mode profiles, it is possible to estimate arbitrarily small separations between objects with quantum-limited precision, free of uncertainty arising from overlapping intensity profiles. Here we extend these techniques to the time-frequency domain using mode-selective sum-frequency generation with shaped ultrafast pulses. We experimentally resolve temporal and spectral separations between incoherent mixtures of single-photon level signals ten times smaller than their optical bandwidths with a tenfold improvement in precision over the intensity-only Cramér-Rao bound.

Optimal measurements for resolution beyond the Rayleigh limit.

We establish the conditions to attain the ultimate resolution predicted by quantum estimation theory for the case of two incoherent point sources using a linear imaging system. The solution is closely related to the spatial symmetries of the detection scheme. In particular, for real symmetric point spread functions, any complete set of projections with definite parity achieves the goal.

Local Sampling of the Wigner Function at Telecom Wavelength with Loss-Tolerant Detection of Photon Statistics.

We report the experimental point-by-point sampling of the Wigner function for nonclassical states created in an ultrafast pulsed type-II parametric down-conversion source. We use a loss-tolerant time-multiplexed detector based on a fiber-optical setup and a pair of photon-number-resolving avalanche photodiodes. By capitalizing on an expedient data-pattern tomography, we assess the properties of the light states with outstanding accuracy. The method allows us to reliably infer the squeezing of genuine two-mode states without any phase reference.

Evading Vacuum Noise: Wigner Projections or Husimi Samples?

The accuracy in determining the quantum state of a system depends on the type of measurement performed. Homodyne and heterodyne detection are the two main schemes in continuous-variable quantum information. The former leads to a direct reconstruction of the Wigner function of the state, whereas the latter samples its Husimi Q function. We experimentally demonstrate that heterodyne detection outperforms homodyne detection for almost all Gaussian states, the details of which depend on the squeezing strength and thermal noise.

Cross-validated tomography.

We show that the information collected in the course of a generic quantum tomography experiment can be used for verifying experimenters' assumptions about the state preparation and measurement. In particular, systematic errors, such as drifts and instabilities inherent in the tomography setup, can be identified without the need for any specific measurements designed to detect such problems. This is done by statistical analysis of available tomography data. As an example, we discuss the detection and characterization of unexpected changes in the signal state preparation during the tomography measurement and argue that minimal tomography schemes, such as symmetric informationally complete measurements, are more difficult to validate than overcomplete schemes. The method is illustrated with the analysis of experimental quantum homodyne tomography.

Quantum reconstruction of the mutual coherence function.

Light is a major carrier of information about the world around us, from the microcosmos to the macrocosmos. The present methods of detection are sensitive both to robust features, such as intensity, or polarization, and to more subtle effects, such as correlations. Here we show how wave front detection, which allows for registering the direction of the incoming wave flux at a given position, can be used to reconstruct the mutual coherence function when combined with some techniques previously developed for quantum information processing.

Operational tomography: fitting of data patterns.

We build an operational scheme for the quantum state reconstruction based on the fitting of data patterns. Each data pattern corresponds to the response of the measurement setup to a predefined reference state. The set of data patterns can be measured experimentally in the calibration stage preceding to the reconstruction. The quorum of reference states plays the role of a positive operator valued measure in terms of which the reconstruction is done. As the main advantage, the procedure is free of notorious problems with projections into non-normalizable quadrature eigenstates, infinite dimensionality, ill-posed inversion, or imperfect detection.

Full tomography from compatible measurements.

We put forward a reconstruction scheme prompted by the relation between a von Neumann measurement and the corresponding informationally complete measurement induced in a relevant reconstruction subspace. This method is especially suited for the full tomography of complex quantum systems, where the intricacies of the detection part of the experiment can be greatly reduced provided some prior information is available. In broader terms this shows the importance of prior information in quantum theory. The proposed technique is illustrated with an experimental tomography of photonic vortices of moderate dimension.

Characterization of a new spotted fever group rickettsia detected in Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) collected in Slovakia.

Two previously undescribed rickettsiae were detected in Ixodes ricinus Ricketts by polymerase chain reaction. Ixodes ricinus Slovakia (IRS) 3 and IRS4 were identified in ticks collected in northeastern and southwestern Slovakia, respectively. Sequences of the 16S rRNA citrate synthase (gltA) and outer membrane protein rOmpA (ompA) encoding genes of both strains were nearly identical but were distinct from those of all other known rickettsiae. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from the comparison of these sequences with those of other members of the genus Rickettsia indicate that IRS3 and IRS4 constitute a new rickettsial genotype and form a separate cluster among the spotted fever group rickettsiae.

Persistence of Coxiella burnetii in beetles. Dermestes maculatus (Dermestidae).

Coxiella burnetti persisted irregularly in the larvae, pupae and imagos of Dermestes maculatus till 8th week after oral infection. Coxiella was probably transmitted between individual developmental stages by passages in the digestive tract.

Natural infection of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr.) with the microsporidian Nosema slovaca Weiser et Rehácek in Slovakia.

A total of 6,199 adult ticks (Haemaphysalis intermis, Dermacentor reticulatus, D. marginatus and Ixodes ricinus) collected in three localities in Slovakia were examined for microsporidian infection. The spores of Nosema slovaca were found in six D. reticulatus (0.097%). The microsporidian experimentally inoculated into the hemocele of half-engorged females of D. reticulatus caused acute infection and death of the host. The infection can be transmitted also to other tick species from the same region. The yield of spores from one tick ranges from 3 X 10(5) to 52 X 10(7) depending on the infection dose and tick species. Peroral infection of some butterfly larvae with the microsporidian pores was unsuccessful. The importance of Nosema infection in ticks in nature is discussed.

Rickettsiae belonging to the spotted fever group from ticks in the Tribec Mountains.

Rickettsiae of the spotted (SF) group were found in a selected locality of the Tribec Mountains in southern Slovakia in 1974. The rickettsiae were found in 10.8% of females and 6.1% of males of Haemaphysalis inermis and 7.3% of females and 4.8% of males of Ixodes ricinus. No significant differences in the incidence were observed during the year. Coxiella burneti was found in 1 male and 4 females of H. inermis and 1 male of I. ricinus in ad adjacent locality. Antibodies against rickettsiae of the SF group were detected in 22.5% and against C. burneti in 1.9% of small mammals in other adjacent localities. Trypanosomes and Nosema slovaca were recovered from I. ricinus ticks; both records are the first for Europe.

First record of bacillary rickettsia-like organisms in European tick Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer).

Bacillary rickettsia-like organisms (BRLO) were found in the tick Dermacentor marginatus. They are gram-negative and differ from common bacteria and reckettsiae both in the cultivation conditions and morphology. BRLO are non-pathogenic for ticks and guinea pigs. In our studies they were isolated on half-engorged females of D. marginatus, on which they are still maintained.

Rickettsiae of the spotted fever group in Hungary.

Rickettsiae were detected by haemocyte test in 7.2% of Dermacentor marginatus and 4.7% of D. reticulatus ticks collected in Hungary. Six strains of rickettsiae were isolated from positive specimens. These rickettsiae according to CFR are closely related, probably identical with R. slovaca and they represent the first rickettsiae of the Spotted Fever group found in that country.

Rickettsiae in the Sumava region.

Antibodies were detected to C oxiella burnetii, Rickettsia slovaca and Chlamydia psittaci in the blood of small terrestrial mammals, larger wild and domestic animals and humans in the southern part of the Protected Landscape Area of the Sumava region between 1977 and 1982. The data obtained have contributed to the safe development of livestock raising in this region.

Susceptibility of some species of rodents to rickettsiae.

The present study was designed to test the susceptibility of free-living rodents, viz Apodemus flavicollis, Microtus arvalis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Mus musculus, and outbred white mice from Dobrá Voda farm, CSFR, to Coxiella burnetii, rickettsiae of the spotted fever group (Rickettsia sibirica, R. conorii, R. slovaca and R. akari) and rickettsiae of typhus group (R. typhi and R. prowazekii) by various routes of administration. The highest levels of antibodies to C. burnetii were found in A. flavicollis and M. arvalis inoculated intraperitoneally and intracerebrally. Antibodies to C. burnetii exerted peak levels between days 13 and 16 in contrast to white mice which showed maximum levels on day 28. When 10(0.5) and 10(0.05) EID50/0.25 ml of C. burnetii was administered intraperitoneally to A. flavicollis, M. arvalis and white mice, the agent was detected only in organs of wild animals. In addition to spleen, the bone marrow appeared as a predilective tissue for the detection of this agent. R. akari at a dose of 10(4.5) EID50/0.25 ml caused overt illness and death in rodents. Antibody levels to R. sibirica and R. conorii were dependent on dosage, route of inoculation and duration of infection, but were not dependent on animal species. Antibodies to R. slovaca and R. akari were dependent on dosage, infection duration and animal species but were not dependent on the route of infection. For R. conorii, R. sibirica and R. slovaca a sharp increase of antibody levels with high titres on days 4-6 and peak levels about day 11 post intraperitoneal infection was characteristic. Antibody level to R. akari increased up to day 21. Spotted fever group rickettsiae in rodents inoculated intraperitoneally were observed in various organs, particularly in tunica vaginalis and spleen at days 2-8 post infection. R. typhi at a dose of 10(4.3) EID50/0.25 ml inoculated intracerebrally or intraperitoneally killed white mice and inoculated intraperitoneally killed C. glareolus and M. musculus. The antibody response of white mice to intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or intranasal inoculation of this rickettsia was low and no antibody was detected following peroral administration. M. musculus did not develop antibodies after intracerebral, intranasal, subcutaneous or peroral inoculation of R. typhi. The target organs for this rickettsia were the spleen and tunica vaginalis. R. prowazekii inoculated intraperitoneally into white mice at a dose of 10(6.5) EID50/0.25 ml and at a dose of 10(4.5) EID50 into C. glareolus was fatal for these rodents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)