Deterministic Loading of Microwaves onto an Artificial Atom Using a Time-Reversed Waveform.

Loading quantum information deterministically onto a quantum node is an important step toward a quantum network. Here, we demonstrate that coherent-state microwave photons with an optimal temporal waveform can be efficiently loaded onto a single superconducting artificial atom in a semi-infinite one-dimensional (1D) transmission-line waveguide. Using a weak coherent state (the number of photons (N) contained in the pulse ≪1) with an exponentially rising waveform, whose time constant matches the decoherence time of the artificial atom, we demonstrate a loading efficiency of 94.2% ± 0.7% from 1D semifree space to the artificial atom. The high loading efficiency is due to time-reversal symmetry: the overlap between the incoming wave and the time-reversed emitted wave is up to 97.1% ± 0.4%. Our results open up promising applications in realizing quantum networks based on waveguide quantum electrodynamics.

Employing graphene acoustoelectric switch by dual surface acoustic wave transducers.

We implement a logic switch by using a graphene acoustoelectric transducer at room temperature. We operate two pairs of inter-digital transducers (IDTs) to launch surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on a LiNbO3 substrate and utilize graphene as a channel material to sustain acoustoelectric current Iae induced by SAWs. By cooperatively tuning the input power on the IDTs, we can manipulate the propagation direction of Iae such that the measured Iae can be deliberately controlled to be positive, negative, or even zero. We define the zero-crossing Iae as [Formula: see text], and then demonstrate that Iae can be switched with a ratio [Formula: see text] at a rate up to few tens kHz. Our device with an accessible operation scheme provides a means to convert incoming acoustic waves modulated by digitized data sequence onto electric signals with frequency band suitable for digital audio modulation. Consequently, it could potentially open a route for developing graphene-based logic devices in large-scale integration electronics.

Mode Dependency of Quantum Decoherence Studied via an Aharonov-Bohm Interferometer.

We investigate the dependence of decoherence on the mode number M in a multiple-mode Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometer. The design of the AB interferometer allows us to precisely determine M by the additivity rule of ballistic conductors; meanwhile, the decoherence rate is simultaneously deduced by the variance of the AB oscillation amplitude. The AB amplitude decreases and fluctuates with depopulating M. Moreover, the normalized amplitude exhibits a maximum at a specific M (∼9). Data analysis reveals that the charge-fluctuation-induced dephasing, which depends on the geometry and the charge relaxation resistance of the system, could play an essential role in the decoherence process. Our results suggest that the phase coherence, in principle, can be optimized using a deliberated design and pave one of the ways toward the engineering of quantum coherence.

An interchangeable scanning Hall probe/scanning SQUID microscope.

We have constructed a scanning probe microscope for magnetic imaging, which can function as a scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM) and as a scanning SQUID microscope (SSM). The scanning scheme, applicable to SHPM and SSM, consists of a mechanical positioning (sub) micron-XY stage and a flexible direct contact to the sample without a feedback control system for the Z-axis. With the interchangeable capability of operating two distinct scanning modes, our microscope can incorporate the advantageous functionalities of the SHPM and SSM with large scan range up to millimeter, high spatial resolution (⩽4 µm), and high field sensitivity in a wide range of temperature (4.2 K-300 K) and magnetic field (10(-7) T-1 T). To demonstrate the capabilities of the system, we present magnetic images scanned with SHPM and SSM, including a RbFeB magnet and a nickel grid pattern at room temperature, surface magnetic domain structures of a La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3 thin film at 77 K, and superconducting vortices in a striped niobium film at 4.2 K.

On the direct insulator-quantum Hall transition in two-dimensional electron systems in the vicinity of nanoscaled scatterers.

A direct insulator-quantum Hall (I-QH) transition corresponds to a crossover/transition from the insulating regime to a high Landau level filling factor ν > 2 QH state. Such a transition has been attracting a great deal of both experimental and theoretical interests. In this study, we present three different two-dimensional electron systems (2DESs) which are in the vicinity of nanoscaled scatterers. All these three devices exhibit a direct I-QH transition, and the transport properties under different nanaoscaled scatterers are discussed.

A delta-doped quantum well system with additional modulation doping.

A delta-doped quantum well with additional modulation doping may have potential applications. Utilizing such a hybrid system, it is possible to experimentally realize an extremely high two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density without suffering inter-electronic-subband scattering. In this article, the authors report on transport measurements on a delta-doped quantum well system with extra modulation doping. We have observed a 0-10 direct insulator-quantum Hall (I-QH) transition where the numbers 0 and 10 correspond to the insulator and Landau level filling factor ν = 10 QH state, respectively. In situ titled-magnetic field measurements reveal that the observed direct I-QH transition depends on the magnetic component perpendicular to the quantum well, and the electron system within this structure is 2D in nature. Furthermore, transport measurements on the 2DEG of this study show that carrier density, resistance and mobility are approximately temperature (T)-independent over a wide range of T. Such results could be an advantage for applications in T-insensitive devices.

Environmental performance evaluation of large-scale municipal solid waste incinerators using data envelopment analysis.

Limited to insufficient land resources, incinerators are considered in many countries such as Japan and Germany as the major technology for a waste management scheme capable of dealing with the increasing demand for municipal and industrial solid waste treatment in urban regions. The evaluation of these municipal incinerators in terms of secondary pollution potential, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency has become a new focus in the highly interdisciplinary area of production economics, systems analysis, and waste management. This paper aims to demonstrate the application of data envelopment analysis (DEA)--a production economics tool--to evaluate performance-based efficiencies of 19 large-scale municipal incinerators in Taiwan with different operational conditions. A 4-year operational data set from 2002 to 2005 was collected in support of DEA modeling using Monte Carlo simulation to outline the possibility distributions of operational efficiency of these incinerators. Uncertainty analysis using the Monte Carlo simulation provides a balance between simplifications of our analysis and the soundness of capturing the essential random features that complicate solid waste management systems. To cope with future challenges, efforts in the DEA modeling, systems analysis, and prediction of the performance of large-scale municipal solid waste incinerators under normal operation and special conditions were directed toward generating a compromised assessment procedure. Our research findings will eventually lead to the identification of the optimal management strategies for promoting the quality of solid waste incineration, not only in Taiwan, but also elsewhere in the world.

Interactive analysis of waste recycling and energy recovery program in a small-scale incinerator.

Conflicting goals affecting solid waste management are explored in this paper to find the best implementation of resource recovery with a small-scale waste-to-energy process. Recycling paper and plastic material often leaves a shortage of thermal energy to support incineration that forces operators to supplement the process with auxiliary fuels. Although there are considerable profits to be made from material recovery, the increase of fuel usage causes conflict given that it is cost prohibitive. A series of trials performed on a small-scale 1.5-t/day incineration plant with a cyclone heat recovery system found that material recycling can impede performance. Experimental results are expressed as empirical regression formulas with regard to combustion temperature, energy transfer, and heat recovery. Process optimization is possible if the waste moisture content remains <30%. To test the robustness of the optimization analysis, a series of sensitivity analyses clarify the extent of material recycling needed with regard to plastic, paper, and metal. The experiments also test whether the moisture in the waste would decrease when recycling paper because of its exceptional capacity to absorb moisture. Results show that recycling paper is strongly recommended when the moisture content is >20%, whereas plastic recycling is not necessary at that moisture condition. Notably, plastic recovery reduces the heat needed to vaporize the water content of the solid waste, thus it is recommended only when the moisture content is <10%. For above-normal incineration temperatures, plastic recycling is encouraged, because it removes excess energy. Metal is confirmed as an overall priority in material recycling regardless of the moisture content of the incoming waste.

Deodorization of dimethyl sulfide using a discharge approach at room temperature.

The traditional technologies for odor removal of thiol usually create either secondary pollution for scrubbing, adsorption, and absorption processes, or sulfur (S) poisoning for catalytic incineration. This study applied a laboratory-scale radio-frequency plasma reactor to destructive percentage-grade concentrations of odorous dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3, or DMS). Odor was diminished effectively via reforming DMS into mainly carbon disulfide (CS2) or sulfur dioxide (SO2). The removal efficiencies of DMS elevated significantly with a lower feeding concentration of DMS or a higher applied rf power. A greater inlet oxygen (O2)/DMS molar ratio slightly improved the removal efficiency. In an O2-free environment, DMS was converted primarily to CS2, methane (CH4), acetylene (C2H2), ethylene (C2H4), and hydrogen (H2), with traces of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), and dimethyl disulfide. In an O2-containing environment, the species detected were SO2, CS2, carbonyl sulfide, carbon dioxide (CO2), CH4, C2H4, C2H2, H2, formaldehyde, and methanol. Differences in yield of products were functions of the amounts of added O2 and the applied power. This study provided useful information for gaining insight into the reaction pathways for the DMS dissociation and the formation of products in the plasmolysis and conversion processes.

Rough set-based hybrid fuzzy-neural controller design for industrial wastewater treatment.

Recent advances in control engineering suggest that hybrid control strategies, integrating some ideas and paradigms existing in different soft computing techniques, such as fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms, rough set theory, and neural networks, may provide improved control performance in wastewater treatment processes. This paper presents an innovative hybrid control algorithm leading to integrate the distinct aspects of indiscernibility capability of rough set theory and search capability of genetic algorithms with conventional neural-fuzzy controller design. The methodology proposed in this study employs a three-stage analysis that is designed in series for generating a representative state function, searching for a set of multi-objective control strategies, and performing a rough set-based autotuning for the neural-fuzzy logic controller to make it applicable for controlling an industrial wastewater treatment process. Research findings in the case study clearly indicate that the use of rough set theory to aid in the neural-fuzzy logic controller design can produce relatively better plant performance in terms of operating cost, control stability, and response time simultaneously, which is effective at least in the selected industrial wastewater treatment plant. Such a methodology is anticipated to be capable of dealing with many other types of process control problems in waste treatment processes by making only minor modifications.