Time-resolved Readout Research Articles

Non-shared coding of observed and executed actions prevails in macaque ventral premotor mirror neurons.

According to the mirror mechanism the discharge of F5 mirror neurons of a monkey observing another individual performing an action is a motor representation of the observed action that may serve to understand or learn from the action. This hypothesis, if strictly interpreted, requires mirror neurons to exhibit an action tuning that is shared between action observation and execution. Due to insufficient data it remains contentious if this requirement is met. To fill in the gaps, we conducted an experiment in which identical objects had to be manipulated in three different ways in order to serve distinct action goals. Using three methods, including cross-task classification, we found that at most time points F5 mirror neurons did not encode observed actions with the same code underlying action execution. However, in about 20% of neurons there were time periods with a shared code. These time periods formed a distinct cluster and cannot be considered a product of chance. Population classification yielded non-shared coding for observed actions in the whole population, which was at times optimal and consistently better than shared coding in differentially selected subpopulations. These results support the hypothesis of a representation of observed actions based on a strictly defined mirror mechanism only for small subsets of neurons and only under the assumption of time-resolved readout. Considering alternative concepts and recent findings, we propose that during observation mirror neurons represent the process of a goal pursuit from the observer's viewpoint. Whether the observer's goal pursuit, in which the other's action goal becomes the observer's action goal, or the other's goal pursuit is represented remains to be clarified. In any case, it may allow the observer to use expectations associated with a goal pursuit to directly intervene in or learn from another's action.

A multi-channel TDC-in-FPGA with 150 ps bins for time-resolved readout of Cherenkov photons

This work presents a multi-channel TDC designed on a KINTEX-7 FPGA and which is used during the development phase of a new RICH photodetection system in view of a future LHCb upgrade. This TDC-in-FPGA core achieves a 150 ps bin width while keeping a low resource usage. It is capable of measuring time-over-threshold (ToT) and time-of-arrival (ToA) at a rate above 50 MHz. This core was embedded in a larger readout system and it was used during beam tests and in the laboratory to demonstrate the capabilities of a time-resolved readout system for compact RICH detectors.

Conjugates of adenosine mimetics and arginine-rich peptides serve as inhibitors and fluorescent probes but not as long-lifetime photoluminescent probes for protein arginine methyltransferases.

The conjugates of an adenosine mimetic and oligo-l-arginine or oligo-d-arginine (ARCs) were initially designed in our research group as inhibitors and photoluminescent probes targeting basophilic protein kinases. Here, we explored a panel of ARCs and their fluorescent derivatives in biochemical assays with members of the protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family, focusing specifically on PRMT1. In the binding/displacement assay with detection of fluorescence anisotropy, we found that ARCs and arginine-rich peptides could serve as high-affinity ligands for PRMT1, whereas the equilibrium dissociation constant values depended dramatically on the number of arginine residues within the compounds. The fluorescently labeled probe ARC-1081 was displaced from its complex with PRMT1 by both S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) and S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH), indicating binding of the adenosine mimetic of ARCs to the SAM/SAH-binding site within PRMT1. The ARCs that had previously shown microsecond-lifetime photoluminescence in complex with protein kinases did not feature such property in complex with PRMT1, demonstrating the selectivity of the time-resolved readout format. When tested against a panel of PRMT family members in single-dose inhibition experiments, a micromolar concentration of ARC-902 was required for the inhibition of PRMT1 and PRMT7. Overall, our results suggest that the compounds containing multiple arginine residues (including the well-known cell-penetrating peptides) are likely to inhibit PRMT and thus interfere with the epigenetic modification status in complex biological systems, which should be taken into consideration during interpretation of the experimental data.

Time-encoded pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling: Increasing SNR in ASL dynamic angiography.

Dynamic angiography using arterial spin labeling (ASL) can provide detailed hemodynamic information. However, the long time-resolved readouts require small flip angles to preserve ASL signal for later timepoints, limiting SNR. By using time-encoded ASL to generate temporal information, the readout can be shortened. Here, the SNR improvements from using larger flip angles, made possible by the shorter readout, are quantitatively investigated. The SNR of a conventional protocol with nine Look-Locker readouts and a 4 3 time-encoded protocol with three Look-Locker readouts (giving nine matched timepoints) were compared using simulations and in vivo data. Both protocols were compared using readouts with constant flip angles (CFAs) and variable flip angles (VFAs), where the VFA scheme was designed to produce a consistent ASL signal across readouts. Optimization of the background suppression to minimize physiological noise across readouts was also explored. The time-encoded protocol increased in vivo SNR by 103% and 96% when using CFAs or VFAs, respectively. Use of VFAs improved SNR compared with CFAs by 25% and 21% for the conventional and time-encoded protocols, respectively. The VFA scheme also removed signal discontinuities in the time-encoded data. Preliminary data suggest that optimizing the background suppression could improve in vivo SNR by a further 16%. Time encoding can be used to generate additional temporal information in ASL angiography. This enables the use of larger flip angles, which can double the SNR compared with a non-time-encoded protocol. The shortened time-encoded readout can also lead to improved background suppression, reducing physiological noise and further improving SNR.

Quasi-1D exciton channels in strain-engineered 2D materials.

Strain engineering is a powerful tool in designing artificial platforms for high-temperature excitonic quantum devices. Combining strong light-matter interaction with robust and mobile exciton quasiparticles, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs) hold great promise in this endeavor. However, realizing complex excitonic architectures based on strain-induced electronic potentials alone has proven to be exceptionally difficult so far. Here, we demonstrate deterministic strain engineering of both single-particle electronic bandstructure and excitonic many-particle interactions. We create quasi-1D transport channels to confine excitons and simultaneously enhance their mobility through locally suppressed exciton-phonon scattering. Using ultrafast, all-optical injection and time-resolved readout, we realize highly directional exciton flow with up to 100% anisotropy both at cryogenic and room temperatures. The demonstrated fundamental modification of the exciton transport properties in a deterministically strained 2D material with effectively tunable dimensionality has broad implications for both basic solid-state science and emerging technologies.

Measuring Both pH and O2 with a Single On-Chip Sensor in Cultures of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes to Track Induced Changes in Cellular Metabolism

In vitro studies which focus on cellular metabolism can benefit from time-resolved readouts from the living cells. pH and O2 concentration are fundamental parameters upon which cellular metabolism is often inferred. This work demonstrates a novel use of a ruthenium oxide (RuOx) electrode for in vitro studies. The RuOx electrode was characterized to measure both pH and O2 using two different modes. When operated potentiometrically, continuous pH reading can be obtained, and O2 concentration can be measured chronoamperometrically. In this work, we demonstrate the use of the RuOx electrodes in inferring two different types of metabolism of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. We also show and discuss the interpretation of the measurements into meaningful extracellular acidification rates and oxygen consumption rates of the cells. Overall, we present the RuOx electrode as a versatile and powerful tool in in vitro cell metabolism studies, especially in comparative settings.

A dissipatively stabilized Mott insulator of photons.

Superconducting circuits are a competitive platform for quantum computation because they offer controllability, long coherence times and strong interactions-properties that are essential for the study of quantum materials comprising microwave photons. However, intrinsic photon losses in these circuits hinder the realization of quantum many-body phases. Here we use superconducting circuits to explore strongly correlated quantum matter by building a Bose-Hubbard lattice for photons in the strongly interacting regime. We develop a versatile method for dissipative preparation of incompressible many-body phases through reservoir engineering and apply it to our system to stabilize a Mott insulator of photons against losses. Site- and time-resolved readout of the lattice allows us to investigate the microscopic details of the thermalization process through the dynamics of defect propagation and removal in the Mott phase. Our experiments demonstrate the power of superconducting circuits for studying strongly correlated matter in both coherent and engineered dissipative settings. In conjunction with recently demonstrated superconducting microwave Chern insulators, we expect that our approach will enable the exploration of topologically ordered phases of matter.

Parallel Bias and Readout Techniques Toward Realization of Large-Scale SSPD Array With SFQ Circuit

Toward the realization of a large-scale superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SSPD) array system, we present the parallel bias operation of an SSPD array in which all elements are simultaneously biased in parallel by a single voltage source. We fabricated an SSPD array with uniform quality and implemented the device with/without single-flux-quantum (SFQ) readout circuit in a compact 0.1 W Gifford-McMahon cryocooler. By applying the time-resolved readout setup, we measured histograms of time-correlated single-photon counts to verify the parallel bias operation of the SSPD array with conventional and SFQ readout techniques. As a result, we confirmed crosstalk-free parallel bias operation of the four-element SSPD array by conventional and SFQ readouts.

A versatile approach for ratiometric time-resolved read-out of colorimetric chemosensors using broadband phosphors as secondary emitters

A new approach for referencing of colorimetric chemosensors is described. The sensing materials rely on combination of absorption-based indicators and inorganic phosphors. Chromium(III)-activated yttrium aluminum borate and gadolinium aluminum borate were chosen to illustrate the new sensing scheme due to their spectral properties and high chemical and photochemical stability. The ratiometric luminescence read-out becomes possible due to the overlap of at least one form of the indicator with broadband emission (650–900nm) or excitation (400–700nm) of the phosphor. Long luminescence decay time of the phosphors (80–150μs) allows for complete elimination of background fluorescence originating from the media, optical components or the indicator. The versatile scheme enables robust read-out of numerous colorimetric chemosensors and probes. Examples of sensing pH (using a BF2-chelated tetraarylazadipyrromethene dye as an indicator) and carbon dioxide (a triphenylmethane dye as an indicator) are provided. It is also demonstrated that temperature can be accessed via luminescence decay time of the phosphor to enable compensation of the sensors for temperature effects.

Crosstalk-free operation of multielement superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array integrated with single-flux-quantum circuit in a 01 W Gifford–McMahon cryocooler

We demonstrate the successful operation of a multielement superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SSPD) array integrated with a single-flux-quantum (SFQ) readout circuit in a compact 0.1 W Gifford-McMahon cryocooler. A time-resolved readout technique, where output signals from each element enter the SFQ readout circuit with finite time intervals, revealed crosstalk-free operation of the four-element SSPD array connected with the SFQ readout circuit. The timing jitter and the system detection efficiency were measured to be 50 ps and 11.4%, respectively, which were comparable to the performance of practical single-pixel SSPD systems.

Multi-Channel Amplifier-Discriminator for Highly Time-Resolved Detection

A low-power multi-channel amplifier-discriminator was developed for application in highly time-resolved detection systems. The proposed circuit architecture, so-called Nino, is based on a time-over-threshold approach and shows a high potential for time-resolved readout of solid-state photo-detectors and of detectors based on vacuum technologies. The Irpics circuit was designed in a 250 nm CMOS technology, implementing 32 channels of a Nino version optimized to achieve high-time resolution on the output low-voltage differential signals (LVDS) while keeping a low power consumption of 10 mW per channel. Electrical characterizations of the circuit demonstrate a very low intrinsic time jitter on the output pulse leading edge, measured below 10 ps rms for each channel for high input signal charges (>; 100 fC) and below 25 ps rms for low input signal charges (20-100 fC). The read-out architecture moreover permits to retrieve the input signal charge from the timing measurements, while a calibration procedure was developed to correct for time walk variations of the output pulses. The Irpics circuit therefore shows a high potential of application in multi-channel detection systems requiring a high time resolution, as needed for Time Of Flight systems (TOF), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or time-resolved spectroscopy.

Single-shot readout of an electron spin in silicon

The size of silicon transistors used in microelectronic devices is shrinking to the level at which quantum effects become important. Although this presents a significant challenge for the further scaling of microprocessors, it provides the potential for radical innovations in the form of spin-based quantum computers and spintronic devices. An electron spin in silicon can represent a well-isolated quantum bit with long coherence times because of the weak spin-orbit coupling and the possibility of eliminating nuclear spins from the bulk crystal. However, the control of single electrons in silicon has proved challenging, and so far the observation and manipulation of a single spin has been impossible. Here we report the demonstration of single-shot, time-resolved readout of an electron spin in silicon. This has been performed in a device consisting of implanted phosphorus donors coupled to a metal-oxide-semiconductor single-electron transistor-compatible with current microelectronic technology. We observed a spin lifetime of ∼6 seconds at a magnetic field of 1.5 tesla, and achieved a spin readout fidelity better than 90 per cent. High-fidelity single-shot spin readout in silicon opens the way to the development of a new generation of quantum computing and spintronic devices, built using the most important material in the semiconductor industry.

Automatic identification and clustering of chromosome phenotypes in a genome wide RNAi screen by time-lapse imaging

High-throughput time-lapse microscopy is an excellent way of studying gene function by collecting time-resolved image data of the cellular responses to gene perturbations. With the increase in both data amount and complexity, computational methods capable of dealing with large image data sets are required. While image processing methods have been successfully applied to endpoint assays in the past, the analysis of complex time-resolved read-outs was so far still too immature to be applied on a large-scale. Here, we present a complete computational processing pipeline for such screens. By automatic image processing and machine learning, a quantitative description of phenotypic dynamics is obtained from the raw bitmaps. In order to visualize the resulting phenotypes in their temporal context, we introduce Event Order Maps allowing a concise representation of the major tendencies of causes and consequences of phenotypic classes. In order to cluster the phenotypic kinetics, we propose a novel technique based on trajectory representation of multidimensional time series. We demonstrate the use of these methods applying them on a genome wide RNAi screen by time-lapse microscopy.

Femtosecond recording and time-resolved readout of spatial gratings in lithium niobate crystals

Experimental and theoretical results on recording of spatial gratings with interfering femtosecond pulses at 388 nm and time-resolved Bragg-matched readout at 776 nm are presented for LiNbO3 crystals. These include dependences of the diffraction intensity on the time delay between probe and pump pulses, on the pump intensity and angle, and on the crystal composition. The grating buildup involves instantaneous and quasi-permanent changes of the refractive index and the absorption coefficient. These changes are due to Kerr and two-photon absorption effects and the modulation of photoexcited carriers, respectively. A good agreement between theory and experiment is achieved. Our analysis provides an understanding of nonlinear optical phenomena in LiNbO3 crystals on the femtosecond time scale. The theory is applicable to a large range of optical materials with modestly wide, ≈3to5 eV, bandgap.

Detection probabilities for photon-counting avalanche photodiodes applied to a laser radar system

Arrays of photon-counting avalanche photodiodes with time-resolved readout can improve the performance of three-dimensional laser radars. A comparison of the detection and false-alarm probabilities for detectors in linear mode and in Geiger mode is shown. With low background radiation their performance is comparable. It is shown that in both cases it will be necessary to process several laser shots of the same scene to improve detection and reduce the false-alarm rate. Additional calculations show that the linear mode detector is much better at detecting targets behind semitransparent obscurations such as vegetation and camouflage nets.