Methods and devices are disclosed for implementing quantum information processing based on electron spins in semiconductor and transition metal compositions. The transition metal electron orbitals split under semiconductor crystal field. The electron ground states are used as qubits. The transitions between the ground states involve electron spin flip. The semiconductor and transition metal compositions may be further included in optical cavities to facilitate quantum information processing. Quantum logic operations may be performed using single color or two color coherent resonant optical excitations via an excited electron state.

The invention provides a class of block copolymers having a plurality of chemically different blocks, at least a portion of which incorporating polymer side chain groups having a helical secondary structure. The invention also provides structures generated by self-assembly of polymer blends including at least one block copolymer component, such as a brush block polymer or wedge-type block polymer. The invention provides, for example, periodic nanostructures and microstructures generated by self-assembly of block copolymers and polymer blends comprising a mixture of at least one block copolymer component, such as a brush block copolymer, and at least a second component.

A reconfigurable polar molecule includes a symmetric nonpolar molecule portion having an elongated shape defined by a longitudinal axis and lateral axis, the longitudinal axis being longer than the lateral axis; a positive ionically charged group at a first end and a negative ionically charged group at a second end of the longitudinal axis, the positive and negative ionically charged groups forming a permanent dipole; a first bridging group and a second bridging group on opposing ends of the lateral axis, the first and second bridging groups being linear nonpolar groups; and a first support portion bonded to the first bridging group, and a second support portion bonded to the second bridging group, the first bridging group and the second bridging group being nonpolar and having structures that enable free rotation of the symmetric nonpolar molecule portion through the first bridging group and the second bridging group.

Switches for electromagnetic radiation, including radiofrequency switches and optical switches, are provided. Also provided are methods of using the switches. The switches incorporate layers of high quality VO.sub.2 that are composed of a plurality of connected crystalline VO.sub.2 domains having the same crystal structure and orientation.

Metamaterial optical modulators can include one or more optical inputs, one or more optical outputs, one or more control inputs and an arrangement of a plurality of elements. The plurality of elements can include one or more variable state elements. The plurality of elements as arranged can be configured to modulate one or more properties of light passing through the metamaterial optical modulator via a change in a state of the one or more variable state elements based on one or more control signals received at the one or more control inputs.

An optical communication switch, an optical controlling method, an array substrate and a display device are provided, the optical communication switch including: a first substrate and a second substrate opposite thereto; a first optical medium layer formed therebetween by a phase-change material, which has a first refractive index in a first state in which light rays implement one of an optical path state and an optical drop state, and a second refractive index in a second state in which light rays implement the other one of the optical path state and the optical drop state; a second optical medium layer also formed therebetween and in contact with the first optical medium layer by abutting against it closely, the second optical medium layer having a refractive index matching the first or second refractive index; and a heating device enabling the phase-change material to switch between the first and second states.

An object is to provide a phase difference compensation element capable of improving the contrast of a liquid crystal display device while solving the problems of a high cost, an increase in the lead time, an increase in the mounting space, and the durability. A phase difference compensation element includes: a phase difference imparting and reflection preventing layer; a first birefringence layer and a second birefringence layer in which an angle of a corner formed by a main axis of refractive index anisotropy and a surface of a transparent substrate is not 90 degrees; a third birefringence layer in which an angle of a corner formed by a main axis of refractive index anisotropy and the surface of the transparent substrate is 0 degrees, wherein, when segments acquired when the main axes of the first, second, and third birefringence layers are projected onto the transparent substrate are respectively denoted by a segment A, a segment B, and a segment C, relations of the following (1) and (2) are satisfied. (1) The angle of the corner formed by the segment A and the segment B is 45 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less. (2) The segment A and the segment C are approximately parallel with each other, or the segment B and the segment C are approximately parallel with each other.

Gravitational Janus microparticle having, a center-of-mass, a center-of-volume, and a nonuniform density, wherein: the center-of-mass and the center-of-volume are distinct. When suspended in a fluid, the microparticle substantially aligns with either: i) the gravitational field; or ii) the direction of an acceleration, such that the Janus microparticle is in substantial rotation equilibrium. After perturbation from substantial rotational equilibrium, the Janus microparticle reversibly rotates to return to substantial rotational equilibrium. The gravitational Janus microparticle may comprise at least two portions, each having distinct physical and/or chemical characteristics, wherein at least one portion provides a detectable effect following rotation and alignment of the microparticle.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a programmable metamaterial which comprises an array of phase-change material elements. A domain inducing component may be coupled to at least one phase-change material element of the array of phase-change material elements. The domain inducing component may be configured to program the refractive index of the at least one phase-change material element and reprogram the refractive index of the at least one phase-change material element by inducing a phase transition in a domain of the at least one phase-change material element. A method for programming the metamaterial may include selecting the phase-change material element for programming and programming the refractive index of the selected phase-change material element by inducing a phase transition in a domain of the selected phase-change material element.

Methods and devices are disclosed for implementing quantum information processing based on electron spins in semiconductor and transition metal compositions. The transition metal electron orbitals split under semiconductor crystal field. The electron ground states are used as qubits. The transitions between the ground states involve electron spin flip. The semiconductor and transition metal compositions may be further included in optical cavities to facilitate quantum information processing. Quantum logic operations may be performed using single color or two color coherent resonant optical excitations via an excited electron state.