Advance online publication


The latest research papers, published online ahead of print. These online versions are definitive and may be cited using the digital object identifier (DOI).

About advance online publication
Top

Letters

Engineering the quantum transport of atomic wavefunctions over macroscopic distances

A. Alberti, V. V. Ivanov, G. M. Tino & G. Ferrari

Published online: 28 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1310

How far can you stretch an atomic wavefunction? An experiment demonstrates that the wavefunction of an ensemble of ultracold atoms trapped in an optical lattice can be reversibly expanded and shrunk over a distance of 1.5 mm.


Quantum error correction beyond qubits

Takao Aoki, Go Takahashi, Tadashi Kajiya, Jun-ichi Yoshikawa, Samuel L. Braunstein, Peter van Loock & Akira Furusawa

Published online: 28 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1309

As with any viable technology, quantum-information processors have to deal with imperfections. The experimental implementation of a quantum-error correction code indicates how imperfections can be handled in a system where quantum information is encoded in continuous variables.


Stylus ion trap for enhanced access and sensing

Robert Maiwald, Dietrich Leibfried, Joe Britton, James C. Bergquist, Gerd Leuchs & David J. Wineland

Published online: 28 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1311

An ion trap has been built and characterized in which the atom sits on the top of a stylus-like electrode. The design should find application in the construction of efficient light–matter interfaces and field sensors, where good access to the ion is crucial.


Self-organized helical equilibria as a new paradigm for ohmically heated fusion plasmas

R. Lorenzini, E. Martines, P. Piovesan, D. Terranova, P. Zanca, M. Zuin, A. Alfier, D. Bonfiglio, F. Bonomo, A. Canton, S. Cappello, L. Carraro, R. Cavazzana, D. F. Escande, A. Fassina, P. Franz, M. Gobbin, P. Innocente, L. Marrelli, R. Pasqualotto, M. E. Puiatti, M. Spolaore, M. Valisa, N. Vianello, P. Martin & RFX-mod team and collaborators

Published online: 14 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1308

A reversed-field pinch is a toroidal device for magnetically confining plasmas, and a potential alternative to the tokamak for a future fusion reactor. Observations of the evolution of a reversed-field-pinch plasma towards a self-organized single-helicity state suggest that instability problems, which have previously hindered the development of these devices, could now be overcome.


Top

Articles

Directing cell motions on micropatterned ratchets

Goher Mahmud, Christopher J. Campbell, Kyle J. M. Bishop, Yulia A. Komarova, Oleg Chaga, Siowling Soh, Sabil Huda, Kristiana Kandere-Grzybowska & Bartosz A. Grzybowski

Published online: 14 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1306

It is not surprising that a microfluidic channel whose walls have a ratchet-like structure can preferentially direct the flow of large particles in one direction. But a study of the movement of living cells through such channels provides the remarkable observation that the direction of preferred motion can be different for different species of cell.


Observation of electric-field-induced Cs Rydberg atom macrodimers

K. R. Overstreet, A. Schwettmann, J. Tallant, D. Booth & J. P. Shaffer

Published online: 14 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1307

Bound macrodimers have now been directly observed for the first time. Macrodimers comprise two Rydberg atoms with a separation as large as 9 mum. The unique properties of macrodimers mean that they enable new experiments for investigating ultracold gases.


Lévy flights of photons in hot atomic vapours

N. Mercadier, W. Guerin, M. Chevrollier & R. Kaiser

Published online: 31 May 2009 | doi:10.1038/nphys1286

Lévy flights, a form of random walk, are quite common in nature. However only macroscopic signatures, obtained by averaging over many steps, have been measured so far. Now, the individual steps are observed directly as light scatters in a hot atomic vapour.


Until print versions of AOP papers are published, they should be cited in the style "Author(s) Nature Physics advance online publication, day month year (doi:10.1038/nphysXXXXX)". Once the print version (identical to the AOP) is published, it should be cited as follows: "Author(s) Nature Physics volume, page (year); advance online publication, (doi:10.1038/nphysXXXXX)".

Top

Extra navigation

Subscribe to Nature Physics

Subscribe

Open Innovation Challenges

  • Corrosion Inhibitor

    • Deadline: Aug 19 2009
    • Reward: $10,000 USD

    The Seeker is looking for inhibitors of corrosion. This Challenge requires only a written descripti...

  • Mitigating Zinc Corrosion

    • Deadline: Aug 23 2009
    • Reward: $20,000 USD

    The Seeker is looking for novel methods to mitigate zinc corrosion/gassing in alkaline media. This ...

naturejobs

natureproducts


ADVERTISEMENT