140 research outputs found
Spin-to-Orbital Angular Momentum Conversion and Spin-Polarization Filtering in Electron Beams
We propose the design of a space-variant Wien filter for electron beams that
induces a spin half-turn and converts the corresponding spin angular momentum
variation into orbital angular momentum of the beam itself by exploiting a
geometrical phase arising in the spin manipulation. When applied to a spatially
coherent input spin-polarized electron beam, such a device can generate an
electron vortex beam, carrying orbital angular momentum. When applied to an
unpolarized input beam, the proposed device, in combination with a suitable
diffraction element, can act as a very effective spin-polarization filter. The
same approach can also be applied to neutron or atom beams.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure
Capillary-Gravity Waves on Depth-Dependent Currents: Consequences for the Wave Resistance
We study theoretically the capillary-gravity waves created at the water-air
interface by a small two-dimensional perturbation when a depth-dependent
current is initially present in the fluid. Assuming linear wave theory, we
derive a general expression of the wave resistance experienced by the
perturbation as a function of the current profile in the case of an inviscid
fluid. We then analyze and discuss in details the behavior of the wave
resistance in the particular case of a linear current, a valid approximation
for some wind generated currents.Comment: Submitted to EP
Carnot cycle for an oscillator
Carnot established in 1824 that the efficiency of cyclic engines operating
between a hot bath at absolute temperature and a bath at a lower
temperature cannot exceed . We show that linear
oscillators alternately in contact with hot and cold baths obey this principle
in the quantum as well as in the classical regime. The expression of the work
performed is derived from a simple prescription. Reversible and non-reversible
cycles are illustrated. The paper begins with historical considerations and is
essentially self-contained.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures, sumitted to European Journal of Physics Changed
content: Fluctuations are considere
Recasting Navier–Stokes equations
Classical Navier-Stokes equations fail to describe some flows in both the
compressible and incompressible configurations. In this article, we propose a
new methodology based on transforming the fluid mass velocity vector field to
obtain a new class of continuum models. We uncover a class of continuum models
which we call the re-casted Navier-Stokes. They naturally exhibit the physics
of previously proposed models by different authors to substitute the original
Navier-Stokes equations. The new models unlike the conventional Navier-Stokes
appear as more complete forms of mass diffusion type continuum flow equations.
They also form systematically a class of thermo-mechanically consistent
hydrodynamic equations via the original equations. The plane wave analysis is
performed to check their linear stability under small perturbations, which
confirms that all re-casted models are spatially and temporally stable like
their classical counterpart. We then use the Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering
experiments to demonstrate that the re-casted equations may be better suited
for explaining some of the experimental data where original Navier-Stokes fail
Horizon effects with surface waves on moving water
Surface waves on a stationary flow of water are considered, in a linear model
that includes the surface tension of the fluid. The resulting gravity-capillary
waves experience a rich array of horizon effects when propagating against the
flow. In some cases three horizons (points where the group velocity of the wave
reverses) exist for waves with a single laboratory frequency. Some of these
effects are familiar in fluid mechanics under the name of wave blocking, but
other aspects, in particular waves with negative co-moving frequency and the
Hawking effect, were overlooked until surface waves were investigated as
examples of analogue gravity [Sch\"utzhold R and Unruh W G 2002 Phys. Rev. D 66
044019]. A comprehensive presentation of the various horizon effects for
gravity-capillary waves is given, with emphasis on the deep water/short
wavelength case kh>>1 where many analytical results can be derived. A
similarity of the state space of the waves to that of a thermodynamic system is
pointed out.Comment: 30 pages, 15 figures. Minor change
On the electrodynamics of moving bodies at low velocities
We discuss the seminal article in which Le Bellac and Levy-Leblond have
identified two Galilean limits of electromagnetism, and its modern
implications. We use their results to point out some confusion in the
literature and in the teaching of special relativity and electromagnetism. For
instance, it is not widely recognized that there exist two well defined
non-relativistic limits, so that researchers and teachers are likely to utilize
an incoherent mixture of both. Recent works have shed a new light on the choice
of gauge conditions in classical electromagnetism. We retrieve Le
Bellac-Levy-Leblond's results by examining orders of magnitudes, and then with
a Lorentz-like manifestly covariant approach to Galilean covariance based on a
5-dimensional Minkowski manifold. We emphasize the Riemann-Lorenz approach
based on the vector and scalar potentials as opposed to the Heaviside-Hertz
formulation in terms of electromagnetic fields. We discuss various applications
and experiments, such as in magnetohydrodynamics and electrohydrodynamics,
quantum mechanics, superconductivity, continuous media, etc. Much of the
current technology where waves are not taken into account, is actually based on
Galilean electromagnetism
Stochastic electromagnetic field propagation: measurement and modelling
This paper reviews recent progress in the measurement and modelling of stochastic electromagnetic fields, focusing on propagation approaches based on Wigner functions and the method of moments technique. The respective propagation methods are exemplified by application to measurements of electromagnetic emissions from a stirred, cavity-backed aperture. We discuss early elements of statistical electromagnetics in Heaviside’s papers, driven mainly by an analogy of electromagnetic wave propagation with heat transfer. These ideas include concepts of momentum and directionality in the realm of propagation through confined media with irregular boundaries. We then review and extend concepts using Wigner functions to propagate the statistical properties of electromagnetic fields. We discuss in particular how to include polarization in this formalism leading to a Wigner tensor formulation and a relation to an averaged Poynting vector
The Cerenkov effect revisited: from swimming ducks to zero modes in gravitational analogs
We present an interdisciplinary review of the generalized Cerenkov emission
of radiation from uniformly moving sources in the different contexts of
classical electromagnetism, superfluid hydrodynamics, and classical
hydrodynamics. The details of each specific physical systems enter our theory
via the dispersion law of the excitations. A geometrical recipe to obtain the
emission patterns in both real and wavevector space from the geometrical shape
of the dispersion law is discussed and applied to a number of cases of current
experimental interest. Some consequences of these emission processes onto the
stability of condensed-matter analogs of gravitational systems are finally
illustrated.Comment: Lecture Notes at the IX SIGRAV School on "Analogue Gravity" in Como,
Italy from May 16th-21th, 201
String theory and the crisis of particle physics II or the ascent of metaphoric arguments
This is a completely reformulated presentation of a previous paper with the
same title; this time with a much stronger emphasis on conceptual aspects of
string theory and a detailed review of its already more than four decades
lasting history within a broader context, including some little-known details.
Although there have been several books and essays on the sociological impact
and its philosophical implications, there is yet no serious attempt to
scrutinize its claims about particle physics using the powerful conceptual
arsenal of contemporary local quantum physics. I decided to leave the previous
first version on the arXiv because it may be interesting to the reader to
notice the change of viewpoint and the reason behind it. Other reasons for
preventing my first version to go into print and to rewrite it in such a way
that its content complies with my different actual viewpoint can be found at
the end of the article. The central message, contained in sections 5 and 6, is
that string theory is not what string theorists think and claim it is. The
widespread acceptance of a theory whose interpretation has been obtained by
metaphoric reasoning had a corroding influence on the rest of particle physics
theory as will be illustrated in several concrete cases. The work is dedicated
to the memory of Juergen Ehlers with whom I shared many critical ideas, but
their formulation in this essay is fully within my responsibility.Comment: A dedication and an epilog to the memory of Juergen Ehlers. Extension
of the the last two sections, removal of typos and changes in formulation, 68
pages late
The Basics of Water Waves Theory for Analogue Gravity
This chapter gives an introduction to the connection between the physics of
water waves and analogue gravity. Only a basic knowledge of fluid mechanics is
assumed as a prerequisite.Comment: 36 pages. Lecture Notes for the IX SIGRAV School on "Analogue
Gravity", Como (Italy), May 201
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