Entanglement dynamics via coherent-state propagators

The dynamical generation of entanglement in closed bipartite systems is investigated in the semiclassical regime. We consider a model of two particles, initially prepared in a product of coherent states, evolving in time according to a generic Hamiltonian, and derive a formula for the linear entropy of the reduced density matrix using the semiclassical propagator in the coherent-state representation. The formula is explicitly written in terms of quantities that define the stability of classical trajectories of the underlying classical system. The formalism is then applied to the problem of two nonlinearly coupled harmonic oscillators and the result is shown to be in remarkable agreement with the exact quantum measure of entanglement in the short-time regime. An important byproduct of our approach is a unified semiclassical formula which contemplates both the coherent-state propagator and its complex conjugate.Comment: 10 page

Towards Quantum Superpositions of a Mirror: an Exact Open Systems Analysis

We analyze the recently proposed mirror superposition experiment of Marshall, Simon, Penrose, and Bouwmeester, assuming that the mirror's dynamics contains a non-unitary term of the Lindblad type proportional to -[q,[q,\rho]], with q the position operator for the center of mass of the mirror, and \rho the statistical operator. We derive an exact formula for the fringe visibility for this system. We discuss the consequences of our result for tests of environmental decoherence and of collapse models. In particular, we find that with the conventional parameters for the CSL model of state vector collapse, maintenance of coherence is expected to within an accuracy of at least 1 part in 10^{8}. Increasing the apparatus coupling to environmental decoherence may lead to observable modifications of the fringe visibility, with time dependence given by our exact result.Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX. Substantial changes mad

BeppoSAX Observations of the Maser Sy2 Galaxy: ESO103-G35

We have made BeppoSAX observations of the Seyfert 2/1.9 galaxy ESO103-G35, which contains a nuclear maser source and is known to be heavily absorbed in the X-rays. Analysis of the X-ray spectra observed by SAX in October 1996 and 1997 yields a spectral index 0.74+/-0.07, typical of Seyfert galaxies and consistent with earlier observations of this source. The strong, soft X-ray absorption has column density 1.79E(23)/cm^2, again consistent with earlier results. The best fitting spectrum is that of a power law with a high energy cutoff at 29+/-10 keV, a cold, marginally resolved Fe Kalpha line with EW 290 eV (1996) and a mildly ionized Fe K-edge at 7.37 keV. The Kalpha line and cold absorption are consistent with origin in a accretion disk/torus through which our line-of-sight passes at a radial distance of $\sim 50$ pc. The Fe K-edge is mildly ionized suggesting the presence of ionized gas probably in the inner accretion disk, close to the central source or in a separate warm absorber. The data quality is too low to distinguish between these possibilities but the edge-on geometry implied by the water maser emission favors the former. Comparison with earlier observations of ESO103-G35 shows little/no change in spectral parameters while the flux changes by factors of a few on timescales of a few months. The 2--10 keV flux decreased by a factor of 2.7 between Oct 1996 and Oct 1997 with no detectable change in the count rate >20 keV suggesting a constant or delayed response reflection component. The high energy cutoff is lower than the typical 300keV values seen in Seyfert galaxies. A significant subset of similar sources would affect current models of the AGN contribution to the cosmic X-ray background which generally assume a high energy cutoff of 300 keV.Comment: 22 pages, postscript file, accepted for publication in Ap

Feasibility Analysis of the Solar Energy System in Civil Construction

The use of clean energy from renewable natural resources, replacing what is commonly used is seen as a solution to environment preservation and cost savings with energy generation and distribution. Therefore, the use of solar irradiation for the generation of electric energy is a viable option for regions that present climatic conditions favorable to this technology, as the state of Tocantins does. It is analyzed the feasibility of the energy generation system capable of supplying a building of up to 50m² with monthly consumption of 800kWh using the solar potential of the region. Following the norm that regulates the micro generation of energy in the country, according to the regulatory agency (ANEEL), presenting the components of the system and punctuating the advantages of its implementation. With a survey of energy costs based on the value determined by the concessionaire and the feasibility of deploying solar energy according to the monthly solar irradiation in conjunction with the equipment costs of the system. According to the results obtained from the method of implantation of the system, which is compact and flexible and capable of suiting any existing building structure, which allows a lifespan of close to 25 years, presenting a return on investment in 60 months of operation and providing a 75% reduction in the monthly energy bill, disregarding that this percentage may increase according to possible tariff readjustments. Being a clean energy that causes very low environmental impact in relation to the other methods commonly