Canonical circuit quantization with linear nonreciprocal devices

Nonreciprocal devices effectively mimic the breaking of time-reversal symmetry for the subspace of dynamical variables that they couple, and can be used to create chiral information processing networks. We study the systematic inclusion of ideal gyrators and circulators into Lagrangian and Hamiltonian descriptions of lumped-element electrical networks. The proposed theory is of wide applicability in general nonreciprocal networks on the quantum regime. We apply it to pedagogical and pathological examples of circuits containing Josephson junctions and ideal nonreciprocal elements described by admittance matrices, and compare it with the more involved treatment of circuits based on nonreciprocal devices characterized by impedance or scattering matrices. Finally, we discuss the dual quantization of circuits containing phase-slip junctions and nonreciprocal devices.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures; changes made to match the accepted version in PR

Faddeev-Jackiw quantisation of nonreciprocal quasi-lumped electrical networks

Following a consistent geometrical description previously introduced in Parra-Rodriguez et al. (2023), we present an exact method for obtaining canonically quantisable Hamiltonian descriptions of nonlinear, nonreciprocal quasi-lumped electrical networks. Utilising the Faddeev-Jackiw method once more, we identify and classify all possible singularities arising in the quest for Hamiltonian descriptions of general quasi-lumped element networks, and we offer systematic solutions to them--a major challenge in the context of canonical circuit quantisation. Accordingly, the solution relies on the correct identification of the reduced classical circuit-state manifold, i.e., a mix of flux and charge fields and functions. Starting from the geometrical description of the transmission line, we provide a complete program including lines coupled to one-port lumped-element networks, as well as multiple lines connected to nonlinear lumped-element networks. On the way, we naturally extend the canonical quantisation of transmission lines coupled through frequency-dependent, nonreciprocal linear systems, such as practical circulators. Additionally, we demonstrate how our method seamlessly facilitates the characterisation of general nonreciprocal, dissipative linear environments. This is achieved by extending the Caldeira-Leggett formalism, utilising continuous limits of series of immittance matrices. We expect this work to become a useful tool in the analysis and design of electrical circuits and of special interest in the context of canonical quantisation of superconducting networks. For instance, this work will provide a solid ground for a precise input-output theory in the presence of nonreciprocal devices, e.g., within waveguide QED platforms.Comment: 27 pages. 11 figures. Comments are welcom

Geometrical description and Faddeev-Jackiw quantization of electrical networks

In lumped-element electrical circuit theory, the problem of solving Maxwell's equations in the presence of media is reduced to two sets of equations. Those addressing the local dynamics of a confined energy density, the constitutive equations, encapsulating local geometry and dynamics, and those that enforce the conservation of charge and energy in a larger scale that we express topologically, the Kirchhoff equations. Following a consistent geometrical description, we develop a new and systematic way to write the dynamics of general lumped-element electrical circuits as first order differential equations derivable from a Lagrangian and a Rayleigh dissipation function. Leveraging the Faddeev-Jackiw method, we identify and classify all singularities that arise in the search for Hamiltonian descriptions of general networks. Furthermore we provide systematics to solve those singularities, which is a key problem in the context of canonical quantization of superconducting circuits. The core of our solution relies on the correct identification of the reduced manifold in which the circuit state is expressible, e.g., a mix of flux and charge degrees of freedom, including the presence of compact ones. We apply the fully programmable method to obtain (canonically quantizable) Hamiltonian descriptions of nonlinear and nonreciprocal circuits which would be cumbersome/singular if pure node-flux or loop-charge variables are used as a starting configuration space. This work unifies diverse existent geometrical pictures of electrical network theory, and will prove useful, for instance, to automatize the computation of exact Hamiltonian descriptions of superconducting quantum chips.Comment: 19 pages and 10 figures. Comments are welcom

Clinical Case of Huge Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium Labeled as Choroidal Melanoma

A case of a 48-year-old woman who was referred to an Ocular Oncology Unit with a suspected choroidal melanoma diagnosis in her left eye, which final diagnosis was a congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). No evidence of other ocular or general condition findings has been reported. Diagnostic, as well as the risks of malignancy, are discussed. We highlight the importance of performing an appropriate differential diagnosis of a large pigmented lesion detected on routine ocular examination due to the implications for the patient

Response to comment on 'Amphibian fungal panzootic causes catastrophic and ongoing loss of biodiversity'

Lambert et al. question our retrospective and holistic epidemiological assessment of the role of chytridiomycosis in amphibian declines. Their alternative assessment is narrow and provides an incomplete evaluation of evidence. Adopting this approach limits understanding of infectious disease impacts and hampers conservation efforts. We reaffirm that our study provides unambiguous evidence that chytridiomycosis has affected at least 501 amphibian species

Methods employed in optical emission spectroscopy analysis: a review

In this work, different methods employed for the analysis of emission spectra are presented -- The proposal is to calculate the excitation temperature (Texc), electronic temperature (Te) and electron density (ne) for several plasma techniques used in the growth of thin films -- Some of these techniques include magnetron sputtering and arc discharges -- Initially, some fundamental physical principles that support the Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) technique are described; then, some rules to consider during the spectral analysis to avoid ambiguities are listed -- Finally, some of the more frequently used spectroscopic methods for determining the physical properties of plasma are describe

Propiedades morfológicas y estructurales de recubrimientos nitruro de titanio aluminio producidos por magnetron sputtering tríodo

TixAl1-xN coatings were grown using the triode magnetron sputtering technique varying the bias voltage between -40 V and -150V. The influence of bias voltage on structural and morphological properties was analyzed by means of energy dispersive spectroscopLos recubrimientos TixAl1-xN se cultivaron usando la técnica de pulverización catódica con magnetrón triodo, variando el voltaje de polarización entre -40 V y -150V. La influencia del voltaje de polarización en las propiedades estructurales y morfológica

HDAC7 Is a Repressor of Myeloid Genes Whose Downregulation Is Required for Transdifferentiation of Pre-B Cells into Macrophages

B lymphopoiesis is the result of several cell-commitment, lineage-choice, and differentiation processes. Every differentiation step is characterized by the activation of a new, lineage-specific, genetic program and the extinction of the previous one. To date, the central role of specific transcription factors in positively regulating these distinct differentiation processes to acquire a B cell-specific genetic program is well established. However, the existence of specific transcriptional repressors responsible for the silencing of lineage inappropriate genes remains elusive. Here we addressed the molecular mechanism behind repression of non-lymphoid genes in B cells. We report that the histone deacetylase HDAC7 was highly expressed in pre-B cells but dramatically down-regulated during cellular lineage conversion to macrophages. Microarray analysis demonstrated that HDAC7 re-expression interfered with the acquisition of the gene transcriptional program characteristic of macrophages during cell transdifferentiation; the presence of HDAC7 blocked the induction of key genes for macrophage function, such as immune, inflammatory, and defense response, cellular response to infections, positive regulation of cytokines production, and phagocytosis. Moreover, re-introduction of HDAC7 suppressed crucial functions of macrophages, such as the ability to phagocytose bacteria and to respond to endotoxin by expressing major pro-inflammatory cytokines. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms mediating HDAC7 repression in pre-B cells, we undertook co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation experimental approaches. We found that HDAC7 specifically interacted with the transcription factor MEF2C in pre-B cells and was recruited to MEF2 binding sites located at the promoters of genes critical for macrophage function. Thus, in B cells HDAC7 is a transcriptional repressor of undesirable genes. Our findings uncover a novel role for HDAC7 in maintaining the identity of a particular cell type by silencing lineage-inappropriate genes

Ultrahigh-energy neutrino follow-up of Gravitational Wave events GW150914 and GW151226 with the Pierre Auger Observatory

On September 14, 2015 the Advanced LIGO detectors observed their first gravitational-wave (GW) transient GW150914. This was followed by a second GW event observed on December 26, 2015. Both events were inferred to have arisen from the merger of black holes in binary systems. Such a system may emit neutrinos if there are magnetic fields and disk debris remaining from the formation of the two black holes. With the surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory we can search for neutrinos with energy above 100 PeV from point-like sources across the sky with equatorial declination from about -65 deg. to +60 deg., and in particular from a fraction of the 90% confidence-level (CL) inferred positions in the sky of GW150914 and GW151226. A targeted search for highly-inclined extensive air showers, produced either by interactions of downward-going neutrinos of all flavors in the atmosphere or by the decays of tau leptons originating from tau-neutrino interactions in the Earth's crust (Earth-skimming neutrinos), yielded no candidates in the Auger data collected within $\pm 500$ s around or 1 day after the coordinated universal time (UTC) of GW150914 and GW151226, as well as in the same search periods relative to the UTC time of the GW candidate event LVT151012. From the non-observation we constrain the amount of energy radiated in ultrahigh-energy neutrinos from such remarkable events.Comment: Published version. Added journal reference and DOI. Added Report Numbe