Residue currents associated with weakly holomorphic functions

We construct Coleff-Herrera products and Bochner-Martinelli type residue currents associated with a tuple $f$ of weakly holomorphic functions, and show that these currents satisfy basic properties from the (strongly) holomorphic case, as the transformation law, the Poincar\'e-Lelong formula and the equivalence of the Coleff-Herrera product and the Bochner-Martinelli type residue current associated with $f$ when $f$ defines a complete intersection.Comment: 28 pages. Updated with some corrections from the revision process. In particular, corrected and clarified some things in Section 5 and 6 regarding products of weakly holomorphic functions and currents, and the definition of the Bochner-Martinelli type current

Optimal minimum-cost quantum measurements for imperfect detection

Knowledge of optimal quantum measurements is important for a wide range of situations, including quantum communication and quantum metrology. Quantum measurements are usually optimised with an ideal experimental realisation in mind. Real devices and detectors are, however, imperfect. This has to be taken into account when optimising quantum measurements. In this paper, we derive the optimal minimum-cost and minimum-error measurements for a general model of imperfect detection.Comment: 5 page

Gravitational-wave astronomy: the high-frequency window

This contribution is divided in two parts. The first part provides a text-book level introduction to gravitational radiation. The key concepts required for a discussion of gravitational-wave physics are introduced. In particular, the quadrupole formula is applied to the anticipated ``bread-and-butter'' source for detectors like LIGO, GEO600, EGO and TAMA300: inspiralling compact binaries. The second part provides a brief review of high frequency gravitational waves. In the frequency range above (say) 100Hz, gravitational collapse, rotational instabilities and oscillations of the remnant compact objects are potentially important sources of gravitational waves. Significant and unique information concerning the various stages of collapse, the evolution of protoneutron stars and the details of the supranuclear equation of state of such objects can be drawn from careful study of the gravitational-wave signal. As the amount of exciting physics one may be able to study via the detections of gravitational waves from these sources is truly inspiring, there is strong motivation for the development of future generations of ground based detectors sensitive in the range from hundreds of Hz to several kHz.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, Lectures presented at the 2nd Aegean Summer School on the Early Universe, Syros, Greece, September 200

Nonexistence of Generalized Apparent Horizons in Minkowski Space

We establish a Positive Mass Theorem for initial data sets of the Einstein equations having generalized trapped surface boundary. In particular we answer a question posed by R. Wald concerning the existence of generalized apparent horizons in Minkowski space

Gas identification based on bias induced hysteresis of a gas-sensitive SiC field effect transistor

In this work dynamic variation of gate bias is used on a gas-sensitive SiC field effect transistor ("GasFET") to optimize its sensitivity and increase its selectivity. Gate bias ramps introduce strong hysteresis in the sensor signal. The shape of this hysteresis is shown to be an appropriate feature both for the discrimination of various gases (ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide and methane) as well as for different gas concentrations (250 and 500 ppm). The shape is very sensitive to ambient conditions as well as to the bias sweep rate. Thus, the influences of oxygen concentration, relative humidity, sensor temperature and cycle duration, i.e., sweep rate, are investigated and reasons for the observed signal changes, most importantly the existence of at least two different and competing processes taking place simultaneously, are discussed. Furthermore, it is shown that even for very fast cycles, in the range of seconds, the gas-induced shape change in the signal is strong enough to achieve a reliable separation of gases using gate bias cycled operation and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) making this approach suitable for practical application

Asymptotically Hyperbolic Non Constant Mean Curvature Solutions of the Einstein Constraint Equations

We describe how the iterative technique used by Isenberg and Moncrief to verify the existence of large sets of non constant mean curvature solutions of the Einstein constraints on closed manifolds can be adapted to verify the existence of large sets of asymptotically hyperbolic non constant mean curvature solutions of the Einstein constraints.Comment: 19 pages, TeX, no figure

Maximum Confidence Quantum Measurements

We consider the problem of discriminating between states of a specified set with maximum confidence. For a set of linearly independent states unambiguous discrimination is possible if we allow for the possibility of an inconclusive result. For linearly dependent sets an analogous measurement is one which allows us to be as confident as possible that when a given state is identified on the basis of the measurement result, it is indeed the correct state.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

The Tolman VII solution, trapped null orbits and w - modes

The Tolman VII solution is an exact static spherically symmetric perfect fluid solution of Einstein's equations that exhibits a surprisingly good approximation to a neutron star. We show that this solution exhibits trapped null orbits in a causal region even for a tenuity (total radius to mass ratio) $> 3$. In this region the dynamical part of the potential for axial w - modes dominates over the centrifugal part.Comment: 5 pages revtex. 10 figures png. Further information at http://grtensor.phy.queensu.ca/tolmanvii

Entanglement of distant optomechanical systems

We theoretically investigate the possibility to generate non-classical states of optical and mechanical modes of optical cavities, distant from each other. A setup comprised of two identical cavities, each with one fixed and one movable mirror and coupled by an optical fiber, is studied in detail. We show that with such a setup there is potential to generate entanglement between the distant cavities, involving both optical and mechanical modes. The scheme is robust with respect to dissipation, and nonlocal correlations are found to exist in the steady state at finite temperatures.Comment: 12 pages (published with minor modifications

Where are the trapped surfaces?

We discuss the boundary of the spacetime region through each point of which a trapped surface passes, first in some simple soluble examples, and then in the self-similar Vaidya solution. For the latter the boundary must lie strictly inside the event horizon. We present a class of closed trapped surfaces extending strictly outside the apparent horizon.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure; talk at the Spanish Relativity Meeting ERE09 in Bilba