Curve crossing in linear potential grids: the quasidegeneracy approximation

The quasidegeneracy approximation [V. A. Yurovsky, A. Ben-Reuven, P. S. Julienne, and Y. B. Band, J. Phys. B {\bf 32}, 1845 (1999)] is used here to evaluate transition amplitudes for the problem of curve crossing in linear potential grids involving two sets of parallel potentials. The approximation describes phenomena, such as counterintuitive transitions and saturation (incomplete population transfer), not predictable by the assumption of independent crossings. Also, a new kind of oscillations due to quantum interference (different from the well-known St\"uckelberg oscillations) is disclosed, and its nature discussed. The approximation can find applications in many fields of physics, where multistate curve crossing problems occur.Comment: LaTeX, 8 pages, 8 PostScript figures, uses REVTeX and psfig, submitted to Physical Review

The Uncertainty Relation in "Which-Way" Experiments: How to Observe Directly the Momentum Transfer using Weak Values

A which-way measurement destroys the twin-slit interference pattern. Bohr argued that distinguishing between two slits a distance s apart gives the particle a random momentum transfer \wp of order h/s. This was accepted for more than 60 years, until Scully, Englert and Walther (SEW) proposed a which-way scheme that, they claimed, entailed no momentum transfer. Storey, Tan, Collett and Walls (STCW) in turn proved a theorem that, they claimed, showed that Bohr was right. This work reviews and extends a recent proposal [Wiseman, Phys. Lett. A 311, 285 (2003)] to resolve the issue using a weak-valued probability distribution for momentum transfer, P_wv(\wp). We show that P_wv(\wp) must be wider than h/6s. However, its moments can still be zero because P_wv(\wp) is not necessarily positive definite. Nevertheless, it is measurable in a way understandable to a classical physicist. We introduce a new measure of spread for P_wv(\wp): half of the unit-confidence interval, and conjecture that it is never less than h/4s. For an idealized example with infinitely narrow slits, the moments of P_wv(\wp) and of the momentum distributions are undefined unless a process of apodization is used. We show that by considering successively smoother initial wave functions, successively more moments of both P_wv(\wp) and the momentum distributions become defined. For this example the moments of P_wv(\wp) are zero, and these are equal to the changes in the moments of the momentum distribution. We prove that this relation holds for schemes in which the moments of P_wv(\wp) are non-zero, but only for the first two moments. We also compare these moments to those of two other momentum-transfer distributions and \hat{p}_f-\hat{p}_i. We find agreement between all of these, but again only for the first two moments.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, submitted to J. Opt.

Fast noise in the Landau-Zener theory

We study the influence of a fast noise on Landau-Zener transitions. We demonstrate that a fast colored noise much weaker than the conventional white noise can produce transitions itself or can change substantially the Landau-Zener transition probabilities. In the limit of fast colored or strong white noise we derive asymptotically exact formulae for transition probabilities and study the time evolution of a spin coupled to the noise and a sweeping magnetic field.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figure

Achieving Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Early Childhood Education Through Critical Reflection in Transformative Learning

The central role of education in creating a more sustainable future has been already recognized by educators and policy-makers alike. This chapter argues that this can only be truly achieved through the efforts of teachers in implementing an “education of a different kind,” a general educational shift that seeks to encompass a converging transformation of the priorities and mindsets of education professionals. In this regard, the professional preparation of teachers, as the leading actors in shaping children’s learning processes, and their continuous professional development are vital considerations for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to be successfully achieved. Linking transformative learning and ESD has emerged as a distinct and useful pedagogy because they both support the process of critically examining habits of mind, then revising these habits and acting upon the revised point of view. This study aims to describe and evaluate the potential of transformative learning in innovating mainstream education toward sustainability by focusing on the role of critical reflection in a capacity building research project realized in Turkey. The data was gathered from 24 early childhood educators using a mixed-method research design involving learning diaries, a learning activities survey, and follow-up interviews. This chapter identified content, context, and application method of the in-service training as factors that have contributed to the reflective practices of the participants. In addition, presenting the implications regarding the individual differences in how learners engage in critical reflection practices, this research offers a framework for a content- and process-based approach derived from Mezirow’s conception of critical reflection

Media Pembelajaran Interaktif Berbasis Articulate Storyline 3 pada Mata Kuliah Pemrograman Berorientasi Objek

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) Menghasilkan sebuah media pembelajaran interaktif mengenai pemrograman berorientasi objek yang dikembangkan berdasarkan kriteria isi materi, tampilan dan bahasa, (2) Mendeskripsikan implementasi penggunaan aplikasi yang dapat digunakan dalam menghasilkan media pembelajaran dalam bentuk presentasi yang lebih komprehensif dan kreatif. Media pembelajaran tersebut dibuat dengan menggunakan aplikasi Articulate Storyline 3. Articulate Storyline 3 merupakan aplikasi untuk membuat media pembelajaran interaktif yang dapat memproyeksikan gambar, video, suara, teks, grafik dan animasi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Research and Development (R & D) atau penelitian dan pengembangan. Model pengembangan yang digunakan adalah ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). Penelitian ini menghasilkan sebuah media pembelajaran interaktif mengenai pemrograman berorientasi objek. Media pembelajaran tersebut dapat menjadi media alternatif dalam memperoleh materi pembelajaran bagi mahasiswa. Uji validasi media yang dilakukan oleh ahli materi dan ahli media memperoleh skor rata-rata sebesar 77% dengan kriteria “sangat layak”, begitu pula dengan hasil kuesioner uji kesesuaian dan kepraktisan yang dilakukan oleh mahasiswa memperoleh skor rata-rata 74.6% menjawab sangat setuju, 20.7% menjawab setuju, 4.6% menjawab kurang setuju dan 0% menjawab tidak setuju. Dari hasil skor tersebut menunjukkan bahwa tingkat kepercayaan memberikan hasil yang baik dan media pembelajaran interaktif ini sangat layak dilanjutkan penggunaannya