Gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background generates a curl pattern in the observed polarization. This “$B$-mode” signal provides a measure of the projected mass distribution over the entire observable Universe and also acts as a contaminant for the measurement of primordial gravity-wave signals. In this Letter we present the first detection of gravitational lensing $B$ modes, using first-season data from the polarization-sensitive receiver on the South Pole Telescope (SPTpol). We construct a template for the lensing $B$-mode signal by combining $E$-mode polarization measured by SPTpol with estimates of the lensing potential from a Herschel-SPIRE map of the cosmic infrared background. We compare this template to the $B$ modes measured directly by SPTpol, finding a nonzero correlation at $7.7\sigma$ significance. The correlation has an amplitude and scale dependence consistent with theoretical expectations, is robust with respect to analysis choices, and constitutes the first measurement of a powerful cosmological observable.

Motivated by applications in optics and acoustics we develop a dynamical-system approach to describe absorption in chaotic systems. We introduce an operator formalism from which we obtain (i) a general formula for the escape rate $\kappa$ in terms of the natural conditionally invariant measure of the system, (ii) an increased multifractality when compared to the spectrum of dimensions $D_q$ obtained without taking absorption and return times into account, and (iii) a generalization of the Kantz-Grassberger formula that expresses $D_1$ in terms of $\kappa$, the positive Lyapunov exponent, the average return time, and a new quantity, the reflection rate. Simulations in the cardioid billiard confirm these results.

A proof-of-principle experiment demonstrating dielectric laser acceleration of nonrelativistic electrons in the vicinity of a fused-silica grating is reported. The grating structure is utilized to generate an electromagnetic surface wave that travels synchronously with and efficiently imparts momentum on 28 keV electrons. We observe a maximum acceleration gradient of $25\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{m}$. We investigate in detail the parameter dependencies and find excellent agreement with numerical simulations. With the availability of compact and efficient fiber laser technology, these findings may pave the way towards an all-optical compact particle accelerator. This work also represents the demonstration of the inverse Smith-Purcell effect in the optical regime.

We present a source of entangled photons that violates a Bell inequality free of the “fair-sampling” assumption, by over 7 standard deviations. This violation is the first reported experiment with photons to close the detection loophole, and we demonstrate enough “efficiency” overhead to eventually perform a fully loophole-free test of local realism. The entanglement quality is verified by maximally violating additional Bell tests, testing the upper limit of quantum correlations. Finally, we use the source to generate “device-independent” private quantum random numbers at rates over 4 orders of magnitude beyond previous experiments.

The deformation of metallic glasses involves two competing processes: a disordering process involving dilatation, free volume accumulation, and softening, and a relaxation process involving diffusional ordering and densification. For metallic glasses at room temperature and under uniaxial loading, disordering usually dominates, and the glass can fail catastrophically as the softening process runs away in a localized mode. Here we demonstrate conditions where the opposite, unexpected, situation occurs: the densifying process dominates, resulting in stable plastic deformation and work hardening at room temperature. We report densification and hardening during deformation in a Zr-based glass under multiaxial loading, in a notched tensile geometry. The effect is driven by stress-enhanced diffusional relaxation, and is attended by a reduction in exothermic heat and hardening signatures similar to those observed in the classical thermal relaxation of glasses. The result is significant, stable, plastic, extensional flow in metallic glasses, which suggest a possibility of designing tough glasses based on their flow properties.

Ramsey theory is a highly active research area in mathematics that studies the emergence of order in large disordered structures. Ramsey numbers mark the threshold at which order first appears and are extremely difficult to calculate due to their explosive rate of growth. Recently, an algorithm that can be implemented using adiabatic quantum evolution has been proposed that calculates the two-color Ramsey numbers $R(m,n)$. Here we present results of an experimental implementation of this algorithm and show that it correctly determines the Ramsey numbers $R(3,3)$ and $R(m,2)$ for $4\le m\le 8$. The $R(8,2)$ computation used 84 qubits of which 28 were computational qubits. This computation is the largest experimental implementation of a scientifically meaningful adiabatic evolution algorithm that has been done to date.

A strong energy modulation in an electron bunch passing through a dielectric-lined waveguide was recently demonstrated in Antipov et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 144801 (2012). In this Letter, we demonstrate a successful conversion of this energy modulation into a beam density modulation, and the formation of a series of microbunches with a subpicosecond periodicity by means of magnetic optics (chicane). A strong coherent transition radiation signal produced by the microbunches is obtained and the tunability of its carrier frequency in the 0.68–0.9 THz range by regulating the energy chirp in the incoming electron bunch is demonstrated using infrared interferometry. A tabletop, compact, tunable, and narrowband source of intense THz radiation based on this technology is proposed.

We report the measurement of the fluctuations of the two quadratures of the electromagnetic field generated by a quantum conductor, a dc- and ac-biased tunnel junction placed at very low temperature. We observe that the variance of the fluctuations on one quadrature can go below that of vacuum, i.e., that the radiated field is squeezed. This demonstrates the quantum nature of the radiated electromagnetic field.

Given a specific interacting quantum Hamiltonian in a general spatial dimension, can one access its entanglement properties, such as the entanglement entropy corresponding to the ground state wave function? Even though progress has been made in addressing this question for interacting bosons and quantum spins, as yet there exist no corresponding methods for interacting fermions. Here we show that the entanglement structure of interacting fermionic Hamiltonians has a particularly simple form—the interacting reduced density matrix can be written as a sum of operators that describe free fermions. This decomposition allows one to calculate the Renyi entropies for Hamiltonians which can be simulated via determinantal quantum Monte Carlo calculations, while employing the efficient techniques hitherto available only for free fermions. The method presented works for the ground state, as well as for the thermally averaged reduced density matrix.

The momentum spectrum of a periodic network (quantum graph) has a band-gap structure. We investigate the relative density of the bands or, equivalently, the probability that a randomly chosen momentum belongs to the spectrum of the periodic network. We show that this probability exhibits universal properties. More precisely, the probability to be in the spectrum does not depend on the edge lengths (as long as they are generic) and is also invariant within some classes of graph topologies.

The connectivity pattern of networks based on ground level temperature records shows a dense stripe of links in the extra tropics of the southern hemisphere. We show that statistical categorization of these links yields a clear association with the pattern of an atmospheric Rossby wave, one of the major mechanisms associated with the weather system and with planetary scale energy transport. It is shown that alternating densities of negative and positive links are arranged in half Rossby wave distances around 3500, 7000, and 10 000 km and are aligned with the expected direction of energy flow, distribution of time delays, and the seasonality of these waves. In addition, long distance links that are associated with Rossby waves are the most dominant in the climate network.

Several vulnerabilities of single-photon detectors have recently been exploited to compromise the security of quantum-key-distribution (QKD) systems. In this Letter, we report the first proof-of-principle implementation of a new quantum-key-distribution protocol that is immune to any such attack. More precisely, we demonstrated this new approach to QKD in the laboratory over more than 80 km of spooled fiber, as well as across different locations within the city of Calgary. The robustness of our fiber-based implementation, together with the enhanced level of security offered by the protocol, confirms QKD as a realistic technology for safeguarding secrets in transmission. Furthermore, our demonstration establishes the feasibility of controlled two-photon interference in a real-world environment and thereby removes a remaining obstacle to realizing future applications of quantum communication, such as quantum repeaters and, more generally, quantum networks.

Quantum key distribution is proven to offer unconditional security in communication between two remote users with ideal source and detection. Unfortunately, ideal devices never exist in practice and device imperfections have become the targets of various attacks. By developing up-conversion single-photon detectors with high efficiency and low noise, we faithfully demonstrate the measurement-device-independent quantum-key-distribution protocol, which is immune to all hacking strategies on detection. Meanwhile, we employ the decoy-state method to defend attacks on a nonideal source. By assuming a trusted source scenario, our practical system, which generates more than a 25 kbit secure key over a 50 km fiber link, serves as a stepping stone in the quest for unconditionally secure communications with realistic devices.

We show how high-order harmonic generation spectroscopy can be used to follow correlation-driven electron hole dynamics with attosecond time resolution. The technique is applicable both to normal Auger transitions and to electron hole migration processes that do not lead to secondary electron emission. We theoretically simulate the proposed spectroscopy for $M_{4,5}NN$ Auger decay in Kr and for correlation-driven inner-valence hole dynamics in trans-butadiene and propanal.

We have performed numerical magnetohydrodynamic dynamo simulations in a spherical shell with rotational speed or length-of-day (LOD) variation, which is motivated by correlations between geomagnetic field and climatic variations with ice and non-ice ages. The results show that LOD variation leads to magnetic field variation whose amplitude is considerably larger than that of LOD variation. The heat flux at the outer sphere and the zonal flow also change. The mechanism of the magnetic field variation due to LOD variation is also found. The keys are changes of dynamo activity and Joule heating.

${}^3\mathrm{He}$ films adsorbed on the atomically flat surface of graphite provide a model system for the study of two-dimensional magnetism on a triangular lattice. We have made a study of the regime in which the $T=0$ ground state of the second ${}^3\mathrm{He}$ layer is a fully polarized ferromagnet. NMR, using broadband SQUID detection, at a range of low fields above the spin-flop transition, and over a wide temperature range 0.3–200 mK, has enabled us to disentangle the influence of sample finite size effects and magnetic field on the spin-wave spectrum. We demonstrate that the spin-wave spectrum is governed by a different effective exchange constant than that determining the high temperature magnetism. This is understood in terms of frustrated atomic ring exchange.

Neutrinoless double beta decay is a process that violates lepton number conservation. It is predicted to occur in extensions of the standard model of particle physics. This Letter reports the results from phase I of the Germanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment at the Gran Sasso Laboratory (Italy) searching for neutrinoless double beta decay of the isotope ${}^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$. Data considered in the present analysis have been collected between November 2011 and May 2013 with a total exposure of 21.6 kg yr. A blind analysis is performed. The background index is about $1\times {10}^{-2}\mathrm{counts}/(\mathrm{keV}\mathrm{kg}\mathrm{yr})$ after pulse shape discrimination. No signal is observed and a lower limit is derived for the half-life of neutrinoless double beta decay of ${}^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$, $T_{1/2}^{0\nu }>2.1\times {10}^{25}\mathrm{yr}$ (90% C.L.). The combination with the results from the previous experiments with ${}^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$ yields $T_{1/2}^{0\nu }>3.0\times {10}^{25}\mathrm{yr}$ (90% C.L.).

Friction between two objects can be understood by the making, stretching, and breaking of thousands of atomic-scale asperities. We have probed single atoms in a nonisotropic surface [the H-terminated Si(100) surface] with a lateral force microscope operating in noncontact mode. We show that these forces are measurably different, depending upon the direction. Experimentally, these differences are observable in both the line profiles and the maximum stiffnesses. Density functional theory calculations show a concerted motion of the whole Si dimer during the tip-sample interaction. These results demonstrate that on an asperity-by-asperity basis, the surface atomic structure plays a strong role in the directional dependence of friction.

We report the momentum-resolved measurement of a two-dimensional electron gas at the ${\mathrm{LaTiO}}_3/{\mathrm{SrTiO}}_3$ interface by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Thanks to an advanced sample preparation technique, the orbital character of the conduction electrons and the electronic correlations can be accessed quantitatively as each unit cell layer is added. We find that all of these quantities change dramatically with distance from the interface. These findings open the way to analogous studies on other heterostructures, which are traditionally a forbidden field for ARPES.

We present a novel numerical approach to track the response of a quantum system to an external perturbation that is progressively switched on. The method is applied, within the framework of the density matrix renormalization group technique, to track current-carrying states of interacting fermions in one dimension and in the presence of an Aharonov-Bohm magnetic flux. This protocol allows us to access highly excited states. We also discuss the connection with the entanglement entropy of these excited states.