10,299 research outputs found
Characterization of qubit chains by Feynman probes
We address the characterization of qubit chains and assess the performances
of local measurements compared to those provided by Feynman probes, i.e.
nonlocal measurements realized by coupling a single qubit regis- ter to the
chain. We show that local measurements are suitable to estimate small values of
the coupling and that a Bayesian strategy may be successfully exploited to
achieve optimal precision. For larger values of the coupling Bayesian local
strategies do not lead to a consistent estimate. In this regime, Feynman probes
may be exploited to build a consistent Bayesian estimator that saturates the
Cram\'er-Rao bound, thus providing an effective characterization of the chain.
Finally, we show that ultimate bounds to precision, i.e. saturation of the
quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound, may be achieved by a two-step scheme employing
Feynman probes followed by local measurements.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Dynamics of quantum correlations in colored environments
We address the dynamics of entanglement and quantum discord for two non
interacting qubits initially prepared in a maximally entangled state and then
subjected to a classical colored noise, i.e. coupled with an external
environment characterized by a noise spectrum of the form . More
specifically, we address systems where the Gaussian approximation fails, i.e.
the sole knowledge of the spectrum is not enough to determine the dynamics of
quantum correlations. We thus investigate the dynamics for two different
configurations of the environment: in the first case the noise spectrum is due
to the interaction of each qubit with a single bistable fluctuator with an
undetermined switching rate, whereas in the second case we consider a
collection of classical fluctuators with fixed switching rates. In both cases
we found analytical expressions for the time dependence of entanglement and
quantum discord, which may be also extended to a collection of flcutuators with
random switching rates. The environmental noise is introduced by means of
stochastic time-dependent terms in the Hamiltonian and this allows us to
describe the effects of both separate and common environments. We show that the
non-Gaussian character of the noise may lead to significant effects, e.g.
environments with the same power spectrum, but different configurations, give
raise to opposite behavior for the quantum correlations. In particular,
depending on the characteristics of the environmental noise considered, both
entanglement and discord display either a monotonic decay or the phenomena of
sudden death and revivals. Our results show that the microscopic structure of
environment, besides its noise spectrum, is relevant for the dynamics of
quantum correlations, and may be a valid starting point for the engineering of
non-Gaussian colored environments.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure
Compressive strength of heterogeneous masonry walls containing blends of brick types
The study presents a systematic approach for the evaluation of the compression strength of masonry walls composed of heterogeneous mixes of different types of blocks. First of all, the mechanics of a compressed heterogeneous masonry stack is investigated through a series of experimental tests and Finite Element models, then it is reviewed and discussed. Then, the problem of deriving the necessary material parameters entering the Hilsdorf formula is addressed. Solutions for the correct evaluation of the lacking data are presented based on the existing literature data. Finally, the well-known Hilsdorf formula is extended to the field of block blends with different mechanical properties. A deep experimental investigation on stacks and wallets made with fired clay, limestone and sandstone blocks is introduced for the first time. The comparison of the experimental data with the proposed theory points out the very good predictive capability of the extended Hilsdorf formula derived herein
Photoacoustic detection of circular dichroism in a square array of nano-helices
A novel nano-structured material has been assembled by means of a focused ion beam technique. This artificial material is composed of a square array of nano-helices built upon a multilayered substrate. Optical measurements of circular dichroism of a sample are confirmed by photo-acoustic investigations, which allow to directly study the helix-field interaction apart from the dielectric substrate. The study is consistent with 3D numerical simulations, and demonstrates to be an efficient tool of investigation for the entire class of these novel structured materials
On QBF Proofs and Preprocessing
QBFs (quantified boolean formulas), which are a superset of propositional
formulas, provide a canonical representation for PSPACE problems. To overcome
the inherent complexity of QBF, significant effort has been invested in
developing QBF solvers as well as the underlying proof systems. At the same
time, formula preprocessing is crucial for the application of QBF solvers. This
paper focuses on a missing link in currently-available technology: How to
obtain a certificate (e.g. proof) for a formula that had been preprocessed
before it was given to a solver? The paper targets a suite of commonly-used
preprocessing techniques and shows how to reconstruct certificates for them. On
the negative side, the paper discusses certain limitations of the
currently-used proof systems in the light of preprocessing. The presented
techniques were implemented and evaluated in the state-of-the-art QBF
preprocessor bloqqer.Comment: LPAR 201
Evaluation of the residual carrying capacity of a large-scale model bridge through frequency shifts
Structural systems are often subjected to degradation processes due to different kinds of phenomena like unexpected loadings, ageing of the materials, and fatigue cycles. This is true, especially for bridges, in which their safety evaluation is crucial for planning maintenance activities. This paper discusses the experimental evaluation of the residual carrying capacity from frequency changes due to distributed damage scenarios. For this purpose, in the laboratory of the University of Bologna, an experimental reinforced concrete model bridge was built and loaded. The applied forces produced bending moments causing up to three increasing levels of damage severity, namely early and diffused concrete cracking, and finally rebar yielding. By processing the acceleration signals recorded during the dynamic tests on the model bridge, the main natural frequencies of the bridge were obtained and the remaining bearing capacity was estimated based on the damage state. The opening and closure of cracks during a dynamic excitation produced a biased estimation of natural frequencies related to each damaged condition. The frequency decay predicted by the theory of breathing cracks applied to the performed experiments properly estimated the losses in the carrying capacity
Fractal space-times under the microscope: A Renormalization Group view on Monte Carlo data
The emergence of fractal features in the microscopic structure of space-time
is a common theme in many approaches to quantum gravity. In this work we carry
out a detailed renormalization group study of the spectral dimension and
walk dimension associated with the effective space-times of
asymptotically safe Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG). We discover three scaling
regimes where these generalized dimensions are approximately constant for an
extended range of length scales: a classical regime where , a
semi-classical regime where , and the UV-fixed point
regime where . On the length scales covered by
three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulations, the resulting spectral dimension is
shown to be in very good agreement with the data. This comparison also provides
a natural explanation for the apparent puzzle between the short distance
behavior of the spectral dimension reported from Causal Dynamical
Triangulations (CDT), Euclidean Dynamical Triangulations (EDT), and Asymptotic
Safety.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figure
Slave-boson approach to the infinite-U Anderson-Holstein impurity model
The infinite- Anderson-Holstein impurity model is studied with a focus on
the interplay between the strong electron correlation and the weak
electron-phonon interaction. The slave boson method has been employed in
combination with the large degeneracy expansion (1/N) technique. The charge and
spin susceptibilities and the phonon propagator are obtained in the
approximation scheme where the saddle point configuration and the Gaussian 1/N
fluctuations are taken into account. The spin susceptibility is found not to be
renormalized by electron-phonon interaction, while the charge susceptibility is
renormalized.
From the renormalized charge susceptibility the Kondo temperature is found to
increase by the electron-phonon interaction. It turns out that the bosonic 1/N
Gaussian fluctuations play a very crucial role, in particular, for the phonon
propagator.Comment: 12pages, 3 figures. Published in Physical Review
Spatial structures and dynamics of kinetically constrained models for glasses
Kob and Andersen's simple lattice models for the dynamics of structural
glasses are analyzed. Although the particles have only hard core interactions,
the imposed constraint that they cannot move if surrounded by too many others
causes slow dynamics. On Bethe lattices a dynamical transition to a partially
frozen phase occurs. In finite dimensions there exist rare mobile elements that
destroy the transition. At low vacancy density, , the spacing, ,
between mobile elements diverges exponentially or faster in . Within the
mobile elements, the dynamics is intrinsically cooperative and the
characteristic time scale diverges faster than any power of (although
slower than ). The tagged-particle diffusion coefficient vanishes roughly
as .Comment: 4 pages. Accepted for pub. in Phys. Rev. Let
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