Programmable Photonic Quantum Circuits with Ultrafast Time-Bin Encoding.

We propose a quantum information processing platform that utilizes the ultrafast time-bin encoding of photons. This approach offers a pathway to scalability by leveraging the inherent phase stability of collinear temporal interferometric networks at the femtosecond-to-picosecond timescale. The proposed architecture encodes information in ultrafast temporal bins processed using optically induced nonlinearities and birefringent materials while keeping photons in a single spatial mode. We demonstrate the potential for scalable photonic quantum information processing through two independent experiments that showcase the platform's programmability and scalability, respectively. The scheme's programmability is demonstrated in the first experiment, where we successfully program 362 different unitary transformations in up to eight dimensions in a temporal circuit. In the second experiment, we show the scalability of ultrafast time-bin encoding by building a passive optical network, with increasing circuit depth, of up to 36 optical modes. In each experiment, fidelities exceed 97%, while the interferometric phase remains passively stable for several days.

Two-photon interference: the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect.

Nearly 30 years ago, two-photon interference was observed, marking the beginning of a new quantum era. Indeed, two-photon interference has no classical analogue, giving it a distinct advantage for a range of applications. The peculiarities of quantum physics may now be used to our advantage to outperform classical computations, securely communicate information, simulate highly complex physical systems and increase the sensitivity of precise measurements. This separation from classical to quantum physics has motivated physicists to study two-particle interference for both fermionic and bosonic quantum objects. So far, two-particle interference has been observed with massive particles, among others, such as electrons and atoms, in addition to plasmons, demonstrating the extent of this effect to larger and more complex quantum systems. A wide array of novel applications to this quantum effect is to be expected in the future. This review will thus cover the progress and applications of two-photon (two-particle) interference over the last three decades.

Photonic Angular Superresolution Using Twisted N00N States.

The increased phase sensitivity of N00N states has been used in many experiments, often involving photon paths or polarization. Here we experimentally combine the phase sensitivity of N00N states with the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of photons up to 100 ℏ, to resolve rotations of a light field around its optical axis. The results show that both a higher photon number and larger OAM increase the resolution and achievable sensitivity. The presented method opens a viable path to unconditional angular supersensitivity and accessible generation of N00N states between any transverse light fields.

Compressed sensing of twisted photons.

The ability to completely characterize the state of a system is an essential element for the emerging quantum technologies. Here, we present a compressed-sensing-inspired method to ascertain any rank-deficient qudit state, which we experimentally encode in photonic orbital angular momentum. We efficiently reconstruct these qudit states from a few scans with an intensified CCD camera. Since it only requires a small number of intensity measurements, our technique provides an easy and accurate way to identify quantum sources, channels, and systems.

Characterization of an underwater channel for quantum communications in the Ottawa River.

We examine the propagation of optical beams possessing different polarization states and spatial modes through the Ottawa River in Canada. A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is used to record the distorted beam's wavefront. The turbulence in the underwater channel is analysed, and associated Zernike coefficients are obtained in real-time. Finally, we explore the feasibility of transmitting polarization states as well as spatial modes through the underwater channel for applications in quantum cryptography.

Interaction-free ghost-imaging of structured objects.

Quantum - or classically correlated - light can be employed in various ways to improve resolution and measurement sensitivity. In an "interaction-free" measurement, a single photon can be used to reveal the presence of an object placed within one arm of an interferometer without being absorbed by it. With a technique known as "ghost-imaging", entangled photon pairs are used for detecting an opaque object with significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio while preventing over-illumination. Here, we integrate these two methods to obtain a new imaging technique which we term "interaction-free ghost-imaging" (IFGI). With this new technique, we reduce photon illumination on the object by up to 26.5% while still maintaining at least the same image quality of conventional ghost-imaging. Alternatively, IFGI can improve image signal-to-noise ratio by 18% when given the same number of interacting photons as in standard ghost-imaging. IFGI is also sensitive to phase and polarisation changes of the photons introduced by a structured object. These advantages make IFGI superior for probing light-sensitive materials and biological tissues.

Measuring azimuthal and radial modes of photons.

With the emergence of the field of quantum communications, the appropriate choice of photonic degrees of freedom used for encoding information is of paramount importance. Highly precise techniques for measuring the polarisation, frequency, and arrival time of a photon have been developed. However, the transverse spatial degree of freedom still lacks a measurement scheme that allows the reconstruction of its full transverse structure with a simple implementation and a high level of accuracy. Here we show a method to measure the azimuthal and radial modes of Laguerre-Gaussian beams with a greater than 99 % accuracy, using a single phase screen. We compare our technique with previous commonly used methods and demonstrate the significant improvements it presents for quantum key distribution and state tomography of high-dimensional quantum states of light. Moreover, our technique can be readily extended to any arbitrary family of spatial modes, such as mutually unbiased bases, Hermite-Gauss, and Ince-Gauss. Our scheme will significantly enhance existing quantum and classical communication protocols that use the spatial structure of light, as well as enable fundamental experiments on spatial-mode entanglement to reach their full potential.

Quantum cryptography with twisted photons through an outdoor underwater channel.

Quantum communication has been successfully implemented in optical fibres and through free-space. Fibre systems, though capable of fast key and low error rates, are impractical in communicating with destinations without an established fibre link. Free-space quantum channels can overcome such limitations and reach long distances with the advent of satellite-to-ground links. However, turbulence, resulting from local fluctuations in refractive index, becomes a major challenge by adding errors and losses. Recently, an interest in investigating the possibility of underwater quantum channels has arisen. Here, we investigate the effect of turbulence on an underwater quantum channel using twisted photons in outdoor conditions. We study the effect of turbulence on transmitted error rates, and compare different quantum cryptographic protocols in an underwater quantum channel, showing the feasibility of high-dimensional encoding schemes. Our work may open the way for secure high-dimensional quantum communication between submersibles, and provides important input for potential submersibles-to-satellite quantum communication.

Quantum cryptography with structured photons through a vortex fiber.

Optical fiber links and networks are integral components within and between cities' communication infrastructures. Implementing quantum cryptographic protocols on either existing or new fiber links will provide information-theoretical security to fiber data transmissions. However, there is a need for ways to increase the channel bandwidth. Using the transverse spatial degree of freedom is one way to transmit more information and increase tolerable error thresholds by extending the common qubit protocols to high-dimensional quantum key distribution (QKD) schemes. Here we use one type of vortex fiber where the transverse spatial modes serves as an additional channel to encode quantum information by structuring the spin and orbital angular momentum of light. In this proof-of-principle experiment, we show that two-dimensional structured photons can be used in such vortex fibers in addition to the common two-dimensional polarization encryption, thereby paving the path to QKD multiplexing schemes.

Generalized optical angular momentum sorter and its application to high-dimensional quantum cryptography.

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) carried by optical beams is a useful quantity for encoding information. This form of encoding has been incorporated into various works ranging from telecommunications to quantum cryptography, most of which require methods that can rapidly process the OAM content of a beam. Among current state-of-the-art schemes that can readily acquire this information are so-called OAM sorters, which consist of devices that spatially separate the OAM components of a beam. Such devices have found numerous applications in optical communications, a field that is in constant demand for additional degrees of freedom, such as polarization and wavelength, into which information can also be encoded. Here, we report the implementation of a device capable of sorting a beam based on its OAM and polarization content, which could be of use in works employing both of these degrees of freedom as information channels. After characterizing our fabricated device, we demonstrate how it can be used for quantum communications via a quantum key distribution protocol.

Nondestructive Measurement of Orbital Angular Momentum for an Electron Beam.

Free electrons with a helical phase front, referred to as "twisted" electrons, possess an orbital angular momentum (OAM) and, hence, a quantized magnetic dipole moment along their propagation direction. This intrinsic magnetic moment can be used to probe material properties. Twisted electrons thus have numerous potential applications in materials science. Measuring this quantity often relies on a series of projective measurements that subsequently change the OAM carried by the electrons. In this Letter, we propose a nondestructive way of measuring an electron beam's OAM through the interaction of this associated magnetic dipole with a conductive loop. Such an interaction results in the generation of induced currents within the loop, which are found to be directly proportional to the electron's OAM value. Moreover, the electron experiences no OAM variations and only minimal energy losses upon the measurement, and, hence, the nondestructive nature of the proposed technique.

Polarization Shaping for Control of Nonlinear Propagation.

We study the nonlinear optical propagation of two different classes of light beams with space-varying polarization-radially symmetric vector beams and Poincaré beams with lemon and star topologies-in a rubidium vapor cell. Unlike Laguerre-Gauss and other types of beams that quickly experience instabilities, we observe that their propagation is not marked by beam breakup while still exhibiting traits such as nonlinear confinement and self-focusing. Our results suggest that, by tailoring the spatial structure of the polarization, the effects of nonlinear propagation can be effectively controlled. These findings provide a novel approach to transport high-power light beams in nonlinear media with controllable distortions to their spatial structure and polarization properties.

Dynamics of laser-induced radial birefringence in silver-doped glasses.

Silver ion-exchanged glass exhibits nonlinear optical properties upon interacting with intense light beams. The thermal effect due to the nanoparticles' light-absorption induces radial stress, and consequently, a radial birefringence on the glass surface. The induced birefringence possesses a topological charge of 1 in the transverse plane of the glass, i.e., cylindrical symmetry. Therefore, when the glass is illuminated with a circularly polarized light beam, a portion of the incoming beam flips its polarization handedness, since the plate is birefringent, and gains an orbital angular momentum of ±2 in units of the Planck constant. This is referred to as optical spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion, and can be understood by means of the Pancharatnam-Berry phase. Here, we design a pump-probe setup to study and observe the dynamics of optical angular momentum coupling in real time. We show that this effect can be permanent or reversible, depending on the power and interaction time of the pump beam. In particular, an intrinsic power-dependent birefringence hysteresis is observed on the sample after interaction with and the relaxation of the irradiated point.

Evolutionary analyses of non-genealogical bonds produced by introgressive descent.

All evolutionary biologists are familiar with evolutionary units that evolve by vertical descent in a tree-like fashion in single lineages. However, many other kinds of processes contribute to evolutionary diversity. In vertical descent, the genetic material of a particular evolutionary unit is propagated by replication inside its own lineage. In what we call introgressive descent, the genetic material of a particular evolutionary unit propagates into different host structures and is replicated within these host structures. Thus, introgressive descent generates a variety of evolutionary units and leaves recognizable patterns in resemblance networks. We characterize six kinds of evolutionary units, of which five involve mosaic lineages generated by introgressive descent. To facilitate detection of these units in resemblance networks, we introduce terminology based on two notions, P3s (subgraphs of three nodes: A, B, and C) and mosaic P3s, and suggest an apparatus for systematic detection of introgressive descent. Mosaic P3s correspond to a distinct type of evolutionary bond that is orthogonal to the bonds of kinship and genealogy usually examined by evolutionary biologists. We argue that recognition of these evolutionary bonds stimulates radical rethinking of key questions in evolutionary biology (e.g., the relations among evolutionary players in very early phases of evolutionary history, the origin and emergence of novelties, and the production of new lineages). This line of research will expand the study of biological complexity beyond the usual genealogical bonds, revealing additional sources of biodiversity. It provides an important step to a more realistic pluralist treatment of evolutionary complexity.

Intensity interferometry for holography with quantum and classical light.

As first demonstrated by Hanbury Brown and Twiss, it is possible to observe interference between independent light sources by measuring correlations in their intensities rather than their amplitudes. In this work, we apply this concept of intensity interferometry to holography. We combine a signal beam with a reference and measure their intensity cross-correlations using a time-tagging single-photon camera. These correlations reveal an interference pattern from which we reconstruct the signal wavefront in both intensity and phase. We demonstrate the principle with classical and quantum light, including a single photon. Since the signal and reference do not need to be phase-stable nor from the same light source, this technique can be used to generate holograms of self-luminous or remote objects using a local reference, thus opening the door to new holography applications.

EGR-1 activation by EGF inhibits MMP-9 expression and lymphoma growth.

Progression of hematologic malignancies is strongly dependent on bidirectional interactions between tumor cells and stromal cells. Expression of members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family by stromal cells is a central event during these interactions. However, although several studies have focused on the mechanisms responsible for induction of MMP in stromal cells, the signals that negatively regulate their secretion of in these cells remain largely unknown. Here, we provide evidence that MMP-9 production by stromal cells is suppressed through activation of early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1), thereby inhibiting the growth of thymic lymphoma. We found that EGR-1 expression is induced in stromal cells after contact with lymphoma cells via epidermal growth factor (EGF). Moreover, development of thymic lymphoma was inhibited when induced by lymphoma cells overexpressing EGF compared with control lymphoma cells. Using transgenic mice containing MMP-9 promoter-driven luciferase transgene in its genome, we further demonstrated that EGF/EGR-1 repressed transcriptional activation of the MMP-9 gene by stromal cells. De novo expression of EGR-1 alone by gene transfer or exposure to recombinant human EGF also inhibited MMP-9 expression. Taken together, these results indicate that EGR-1 could be a source of novel targets for therapeutic intervention in lymphoid tumors in which MMP-9 plays a critical role.

The NCI-N87 cell line as a gastric epithelial barrier model for drug permeability assay.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the human NCI-N87 cell line as a model for gastric permeability drug studies under pH conditions of the stomach. The optimal conditions that led NCI-N87 cells to form a typical differentiated gastric epithelial barrier were a seeding density of 2.5 × 105 cells/cm² on porous inserts and growth in serum-complemented RPMI-1640 medium until 18-27 days post-confluency. The resulting cell monolayers showed moderately high transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values of about 500 Ω cm², cells of polygonal morphology expressing E-cadherin and ZO-1 proteins at their contact surfaces, and production of mucus clusters. The monolayers withstood apical pH of 7.4 down to 3.0 with the basal pH fixed at 7.4. The apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) of model compounds were evaluated in the apical-to-basolateral and basolateral-to-apical directions under different pH gradients. The monolayers were impermeable to the integrity marker Lucifer Yellow (low P(app) of 0.3-1.1 × 10⁻6 cm/s). The furosemide P(app) (0.4-1.5 × 10⁻5 cm/s) were slightly dependent on pH but remained moderate. The caffeine P(app) (4.2-5.0 × 10⁻5 cm/s) were higher and insensitive to pH changes. The NCI-N87 cell line provides a useful in vitro tool to assess gastric drug permeability and absorption under physiologic conditions prevailing in the human stomach.

The PRONTO study: Clinical performance of ID NOW in individuals with compatible SARS-CoV-2 symptoms in walk-in centres-accelerated turnaround time for contact tracing.

Background: This PRONTO study investigated the clinical performance of the Abbott ID NOWTM (IDN) COVID-19 diagnostic assay used at point of care and its impact on turnaround time for divulgation of test results. Methods: Prospective study conducted from December 2020 to February 2021 in acute symptomatic participants presenting in three walk-in centres in the province of Québec. Results: Valid paired samples were obtained from 2,372 participants. A positive result on either the IDN or the standard-of-care nucleic acid amplification test (SOC-NAAT) was obtained in 423 participants (prevalence of 17.8%). Overall sensitivity of IDN and SOC-NAAT were 96.4% (95% CI: 94.2-98.0%) and 99.1% (95% CI: 97.6-99.8), respectively; negative predictive values were 99.2% (95% CI: 98.7-99.6%) and 99.8% (95% CI: 99.5-100%), respectively. Turnaround time for positive results was significantly faster on IDN. Conclusion: In our experience, IDN use in symptomatic individuals in walk-in centres is a reliable sensitive alternative to SOC-NAAT without the need for subsequent confirmation of negative results. Such deployment can accelerate contact tracing, reduce the burden on laboratories and increase access to testing.

The Epistemic Revolution Induced by Microbiome Studies: An Interdisciplinary View.

Many separate fields and practices nowadays consider microbes as part of their legitimate focus. Therefore, microbiome studies may act as unexpected unifying forces across very different disciplines. Here, we summarize how microbiomes appear as novel major biological players, offer new artistic frontiers, new uses from medicine to laws, and inspire novel ontologies. We identify several convergent emerging themes across ecosystem studies, microbial and evolutionary ecology, arts, medicine, forensic analyses, law and philosophy of science, as well as some outstanding issues raised by microbiome studies across these disciplines and practices. An 'epistemic revolution induced by microbiome studies' seems to be ongoing, characterized by four features: (i) an ecologization of pre-existing concepts within disciplines, (ii) a growing interest in systemic analyses of the investigated or represented phenomena and a greater focus on interactions as their root causes, (iii) the intent to use openly multi-scalar interaction networks as an explanatory framework to investigate phenomena to acknowledge the causal effects of microbiomes, (iv) a reconceptualization of the usual definitions of which individuals are worth considering as an explanans or as an explanandum by a given field, which result in a fifth strong trend, namely (v) a de-anthropocentrification of our perception of the world.

Introducing Trait Networks to Elucidate the Fluidity of Organismal Evolution Using Palaeontological Data.

Explaining the evolution of animals requires ecological, developmental, paleontological, and phylogenetic considerations because organismal traits are affected by complex evolutionary processes. Modeling a plurality of processes, operating at distinct time-scales on potentially interdependent traits, can benefit from approaches that are complementary treatments to phylogenetics. Here, we developed an inclusive network approach, implemented in the command line software ComponentGrapher, and analyzed trait co-occurrence of rhinocerotoid mammals. We identified stable, unstable, and pivotal traits, as well as traits contributing to complexes, that may follow to a common developmental regulation, that point to an early implementation of the postcranial Bauplan among rhinocerotoids. Strikingly, most identified traits are highly dissociable, used repeatedly in distinct combinations and in different taxa, which usually do not form clades. Therefore, the genes encoding these traits are likely recruited into novel gene regulation networks during the course of evolution. Our evo-systemic framework, generalizable to other evolved organizations, supports a pluralistic modeling of organismal evolution, including trees and networks.