113,945 research outputs found
Quantum Cosmological Relational Model of Shape and Scale in 1-d
Relational particle models are useful toy models for quantum cosmology and
the problem of time in quantum general relativity. This paper shows how to
extend existing work on concrete examples of relational particle models in 1-d
to include a notion of scale. This is useful as regards forming a tight analogy
with quantum cosmology and the emergent semiclassical time and hidden time
approaches to the problem of time. This paper shows furthermore that the
correspondence between relational particle models and classical and quantum
cosmology can be strengthened using judicious choices of the mechanical
potential. This gives relational particle mechanics models with analogues of
spatial curvature, cosmological constant, dust and radiation terms. A number of
these models are then tractable at the quantum level. These models can be used
to study important issues 1) in canonical quantum gravity: the problem of time,
the semiclassical approach to it and timeless approaches to it (such as the
naive Schrodinger interpretation and records theory). 2) In quantum cosmology,
such as in the investigation of uniform states, robustness, and the qualitative
understanding of the origin of structure formation.Comment: References and some more motivation adde
Approaching the Problem of Time with a Combined Semiclassical-Records-Histories Scheme
I approach the Problem of Time and other foundations of Quantum Cosmology
using a combined histories, timeless and semiclassical approach. This approach
is along the lines pursued by Halliwell. It involves the timeless probabilities
for dynamical trajectories entering regions of configuration space, which are
computed within the semiclassical regime. Moreover, the objects that Halliwell
uses in this approach commute with the Hamiltonian constraint, H. This approach
has not hitherto been considered for models that also possess nontrivial linear
constraints, Lin. This paper carries this out for some concrete relational
particle models (RPM's). If there is also commutation with Lin - the Kuchar
observables condition - the constructed objects are Dirac observables.
Moreover, this paper shows that the problem of Kuchar observables is explicitly
resolved for 1- and 2-d RPM's. Then as a first route to Halliwell's approach
for nontrivial linear constraints that is also a construction of Dirac
observables, I consider theories for which Kuchar observables are formally
known, giving the relational triangle as an example. As a second route, I apply
an indirect method that generalizes both group-averaging and Barbour's best
matching. For conceptual clarity, my study involves the simpler case of
Halliwell 2003 sharp-edged window function. I leave the elsewise-improved
softened case of Halliwell 2009 for a subsequent Paper II. Finally, I provide
comments on Halliwell's approach and how well it fares as regards the various
facets of the Problem of Time and as an implementation of QM propositions.Comment: An improved version of the text, and with various further references.
25 pages, 4 figure
Triangleland. I. Classical dynamics with exchange of relative angular momentum
In Euclidean relational particle mechanics, only relative times, relative
angles and relative separations are meaningful. Barbour--Bertotti (1982) theory
is of this form and can be viewed as a recovery of (a portion of) Newtonian
mechanics from relational premises. This is of interest in the absolute versus
relative motion debate and also shares a number of features with the
geometrodynamical formulation of general relativity, making it suitable for
some modelling of the problem of time in quantum gravity. I also study
similarity relational particle mechanics (`dynamics of pure shape'), in which
only relative times, relative angles and {\sl ratios of} relative separations
are meaningful. This I consider firstly as it is simpler, particularly in 1 and
2 d, for which the configuration space geometry turns out to be well-known,
e.g. S^2 for the `triangleland' (3-particle) case that I consider in detail.
Secondly, the similarity model occurs as a sub-model within the Euclidean
model: that admits a shape--scale split. For harmonic oscillator like
potentials, similarity triangleland model turns out to have the same
mathematics as a family of rigid rotor problems, while the Euclidean case turns
out to have parallels with the Kepler--Coulomb problem in spherical and
parabolic coordinates. Previous work on relational mechanics covered cases
where the constituent subsystems do not exchange relative angular momentum,
which is a simplifying (but in some ways undesirable) feature paralleling
centrality in ordinary mechanics. In this paper I lift this restriction. In
each case I reduce the relational problem to a standard one, thus obtain
various exact, asymptotic and numerical solutions, and then recast these into
the original mechanical variables for physical interpretation.Comment: Journal Reference added, minor updates to References and Figure
The use of LANDSAT digital data and computer implemented techniques for an erosion hazard-reforestation needs assessment
There are no author-identified significant results in this report
New interpretation of variational principles for gauge theories. I. Cyclic coordinate alternative to ADM split
I show how there is an ambiguity in how one treats auxiliary variables in
gauge theories including general relativity cast as 3 + 1 geometrodynamics.
Auxiliary variables may be treated pre-variationally as multiplier coordinates
or as the velocities corresponding to cyclic coordinates. The latter treatment
works through the physical meaninglessness of auxiliary variables' values
applying also to the end points (or end spatial hypersurfaces) of the
variation, so that these are free rather than fixed. [This is also known as
variation with natural boundary conditions.] Further principles of dynamics
workings such as Routhian reduction and the Dirac procedure are shown to have
parallel counterparts for this new formalism. One advantage of the new scheme
is that the corresponding actions are more manifestly relational. While the
electric potential is usually regarded as a multiplier coordinate and Arnowitt,
Deser and Misner have regarded the lapse and shift likewise, this paper's
scheme considers new {\it flux}, {\it instant} and {\it grid} variables whose
corresponding velocities are, respectively, the abovementioned previously used
variables. This paper's way of thinking about gauge theory furthermore admits
interesting generalizations, which shall be provided in a second paper.Comment: 11 page
Foundations of Relational Particle Dynamics
Relational particle dynamics include the dynamics of pure shape and cases in
which absolute scale or absolute rotation are additionally meaningful. These
are interesting as regards the absolute versus relative motion debate as well
as discussion of conceptual issues connected with the problem of time in
quantum gravity. In spatial dimension 1 and 2 the relative configuration spaces
of shapes are n-spheres and complex projective spaces, from which knowledge I
construct natural mechanics on these spaces. I also show that these coincide
with Barbour's indirectly-constructed relational dynamics by performing a full
reduction on the latter. Then the identification of the configuration spaces as
n-spheres and complex projective spaces, for which spaces much mathematics is
available, significantly advances the understanding of Barbour's relational
theory in spatial dimensions 1 and 2. I also provide the parallel study of a
new theory for which positon and scale are purely relative but orientation is
absolute. The configuration space for this is an n-sphere regardless of the
spatial dimension, which renders this theory a more tractable arena for
investigation of implications of scale invariance than Barbour's theory itself.Comment: Minor typos corrected; references update
Automatic transponder
A method and apparatus for the automatic, remote measurement of the internal delay time of a transponder at the time of operation is provided. A small portion of the transmitted signal of the transponder is converted to the receive signal frequency of the transponder and supplied to the input of the transponder. The elapsed time between the receive signal locally generated and the receive signal causing the transmission of the transmitted signal is measured, said time being representative of or equal to the internal delay time of the transponder at the time of operation
Inclusive Masculinity and Facebook Photographs Among Early Emerging Adults at a British University
Central to debates about the construction of masculinity in sociology is the influence of culture and what constitutes acceptable displays of masculinity. This article adopts a novel approach in examining this question. It adopts a summative content analysis, combined with a semiotic analysis, of 1,100 Facebook photographs, in order to explore the underlying meanings within the photos and the performances of masculinity. Facebook photographs from 44, straight, White, male, early emerging adults attending the same university are used as a representation of an individual’s ideal self. These are then analyzed in order to determine the behaviors endorsed by peer culture. It was found that the sample overwhelmingly adopted inclusive behaviors (including homosocial tactility, dancing, and kissing each other), and inclusive masculinity theory was utilized to contextualize participants’ constructions of masculinity. Thus, this research shows that emerging adult males at this university construct their masculine identities away from previous orthodox archetypes. It is argued that the reducing importance of gendered behavior patterns may represent an adoption of what are perceived as wider cultural norms and act as a symbol of adulthood to these early emerging adults
The Definition of Mach's Principle
Two definitions of Mach's principle are proposed. Both are related to gauge
theory, are universal in scope and amount to formulations of causality that
take into account the relational nature of position, time, and size. One of
them leads directly to general relativity and may have relevance to the problem
of creating a quantum theory of gravity.Comment: To be published in Foundations of Physics as invited contribution to
Peter Mittelstaedt's 80th Birthday Festschrift. 30 page
Static inverters which sum a plurality of waves Patent
Describing static inverter with single or multiple phase outpu
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