Description: This article discusses coherent control of atomic excitation using off-resonant strong few-cycle pulses. Abstract: We study the dynamics of a two-level system driven by an off-resonance few-cycle pulse which has a phase jump ø at t = t₀, in contrast to many-cycle pulses, under the nonrotating-wave approximation (NRWA). We give a closed form analytical solution for the evolution of the probability amplitude |Cₐ(t)| for the upper level. Using the appropriate pulse parameters like the phase jump ø, jump time t₀, pulse width Շ, frequency ν, and Rabi frequency Ώ₀ the population transfer after the pulse is gone can be optimized and, for the pulse considered here, an enhancement factor of 10⁶-10⁸ was obtained.

Description: This article discusses the coherent excitation of a two-level atom driven by a far-off-resonant classical field. Abstract: We present an analytical treatment of coherent excitation of a two-level atom driven by a far-off-resonant classical field. A class of pulse envelope is obtained for which this problem is exactly solvable. The solutions are given in terms of the Heun function, which is a generalization of the hypergeometric function. Degeneracy of the Heun to a hypergeometric equation can give all the exactly solvable pulse shapes of Gauss hypergeometric form from the generalized pulse shape obtained here. We discuss the application of the results obtained to the generation of soft x-ray and ultraviolet radiations.

Description: This article discusses complex materials for molecular spintronics applications. Abstract: Using first principles calculations, the authors predict a complex multifunctional behavior in cobalt bis(dioxolene) valence tautomeric compounds. Molecular spin-state switching is shown to dramatically alter electronic properties and corresponding transport properties. This spin state dependence has been demonstrated for technologically relevant coordination polymers of valence tautomers as well as for novel conjugated polymers with valence tautomeric functionalization. As a result, these materials are proposed as promising candidates for spintronic devices that can couple magnetic bistability with novel electrical and spin conduction properties. The authors' findings pave the way to the fundamental understanding and future design of active multifunctional organic materials for spintronics applications.

Description: This article discusses a joint approach to detect complexity. Abstract: The adoption of the Kolmogorov-Sinai (KS) entropy is becoming a popular research tool among physicists, especially when applied to a dynamical system fitting the conditions of validity of the Pesin theorem. The study of time series that are a manifestation of system dynamics whose rules are either unknown or too complex for a mathematical treatment, is still a challenge since the KS entropy is not computable, in general, in that case. Here the authors present a plan of action based on the joint action of two procedures, both related to the KS entropy, but compatible with computer implementation through fast and efficient programs. The former procedure, called Compression Algorithm Sensitive To Regularity (CASToRe), establishes the amount of order by the numerical evaluation of algorithmic compressibility. The latter, called Complex Analysis of Sequences via Scaling AND Randomness Assessment (CASSANDRA), establishes the complexity degree through the numerical evaluation of the strength of an anomalous effect. This is the departure, of the diffusion process generated by the observed fluctuations, from ordinary Brownian motion. The CASSANDRA algorithm shares with CASToRe a connection with the Kolmogorov complexity. This makes both algorithms especially suitable to study ...

Description: This article discusses controllable enhanced dragging of light in ultradispersive media. Abstract: We have theoretically demonstrated an enhanced Fizeau effect due to dragging the light that occurs when the group velocity of light is ultraslow. The proposed experiment can be done in a cell of atomic Rb vapor under conditions such that the group velocity of light is of the order of a few hundred meters per second. We show theoretically that higher-order dispersion can influence the Fizeau effect and can be observed experimentally. It has been shown that the change of phase is sensitive to the motion of the cell with the speed of the order of 10⁻³ cm/s and for possible displacements as small as 10 Å. The enhanced dragging effect can be applied for position control, detection of slow mechanical motion, and efficient modulators of light.