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 publicationLetters
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.
First Paragraph - Engineering the quantum transport of atomic wavefunctions over macroscopic distances | Full Text - Engineering the quantum transport of atomic wavefunctions over macroscopic distances | PDF (748 KB) - Engineering the quantum transport of atomic wavefunctions over macroscopic distances
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.
First Paragraph - Quantum error correction beyond qubits | Full Text - Quantum error correction beyond qubits | PDF (1,043 KB) - Quantum error correction beyond qubits | Supplementary information
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.
First Paragraph - Stylus ion trap for enhanced access and sensing | Full Text - Stylus ion trap for enhanced access and sensing | PDF (737 KB) - Stylus ion trap for enhanced access and sensing
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.
First Paragraph - Self-organized helical equilibria as a new paradigm for ohmically heated fusion plasmas | Full Text - Self-organized helical equilibria as a new paradigm for ohmically heated fusion plasmas | PDF (2,024 KB) - Self-organized helical equilibria as a new paradigm for ohmically heated fusion plasmas
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.
Abstract - Directing cell motions on micropatterned ratchets | Full Text - Directing cell motions on micropatterned ratchets | PDF (1,566 KB) - Directing cell motions on micropatterned ratchets | Supplementary information
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 
m. The unique properties of macrodimers mean that they enable new experiments for investigating ultracold gases.
Abstract - Observation of electric-field-induced Cs Rydberg atom macrodimers | Full Text - Observation of electric-field-induced Cs Rydberg atom macrodimers | PDF (679 KB) - Observation of electric-field-induced Cs Rydberg atom macrodimers
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.
Abstract - Levy flights of photons in hot atomic vapours | Full Text - Lévy flights of photons in hot atomic vapours | PDF (629 KB) - Lévy flights of photons in hot atomic vapours
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)".
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