38,384 research outputs found
Power of unentangled measurements on two antiparallel spins
We consider a pair of antiparallel spins polarized in a random direction to
encode quantum information. We wish to extract as much information as possible
on the polarization direction attainable by an unentangled measurement, i.e.,
by a measurement, whose outcomes are associated with product states. We develop
analytically the upper bound 0.7935 bits to the Shannon mutual information
obtainable by an unentangled measurement, which is definitely less than the
value 0.8664 bits attained by an entangled measurement. This proves our main
result, that not every ensemble of product states can be optimally
distinguished by an unentangled measurement, if the measure of
distinguishability is defined in the sense of Shannon. We also present results
from numerical calculations and discuss briefly the case of parallel spins.Comment: Latex file, 18 pages, 1 figure; published versio
The Fulling-Davies-Unruh Effect is Mandatory: The Proton's Testimony
We discuss the decay of accelerated protons and illustrate how the
Fulling-Davies-Unruh effect is indeed mandatory to maintain the consistency of
standard Quantum Field Theory. The confidence level of the Fulling-Davies-Unruh
effect must be the same as that of Quantum Field Theory itself.Comment: Awarded "honorable mention" by Gravity Research Foundation in the
2002 Essay competitio
Gravitational Entropy and Quantum Cosmology
We investigate the evolution of different measures of ``Gravitational
Entropy'' in Bianchi type I and Lema\^itre-Tolman universe models.
A new quantity behaving in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics
is introduced. We then go on and investigate whether a quantum calculation of
initial conditions for the universe based upon the Wheeler-DeWitt equation
supports Penrose's Weyl Curvature Conjecture, according to which the Ricci part
of the curvature dominates over the Weyl part at the initial singularity of the
universe. The theory is applied to the Bianchi type I universe models with dust
and a cosmological constant and to the Lema\^itre-Tolman universe models. We
investigate two different versions of the conjecture. First we investigate a
local version which fails to support the conjecture. Thereafter we construct a
non-local entity which shows more promising behaviour concerning the
conjecture.Comment: 20 pages, 7 ps figure
A review of recent determinations of the composition and surface pressure of the atmos- phere of mars
Recent determinations of composition and surface pressure of Mars atmospher
New Cosmological Structures on Medium Angular Scales Detected with the Tenerife Experiments
We present observations at 10 and 15 GHz taken with the Tenerife experiments
in a band of the sky at Dec.=+35 degrees. These experiments are sensitive to
multipoles in the range l=10-30. The sensitivity per beam is 56 and 20 microK
for the 10 and the 15 GHz data, respectively. After subtraction of the
prediction of known radio-sources, the analysis of the data at 15 GHz at high
Galactic latitude shows the presence of a signal with amplitude Delta Trms ~ 32
microK. In the case of a Harrison-Zeldovich spectrum for the primordial
fluctuations, a likelihood analysis shows that this signal corresponds to a
quadrupole amplitude Q_rms-ps=20.1+7.1-5.4 microK, in agreement with our
previous results at Dec.+=40 degrees and with the results of the COBE DMR.
There is clear evidence for the presence of individual features in the RA range
190 degrees to 250 degrees with a peak to peak amplitude of ~110 microK. A
preliminary comparison between our results and COBE DMR predictions for the
Tenerife experiments clearly indicates the presence of individual features
common to both. The constancy in amplitude over such a large range in frequency
(10-90 GHz) is strongly indicative of an intrinsic cosmological origin for
these structures.Comment: ApJ Letters accepted, 13 pages Latex (uses AASTEX) and 4 encapsulated
postscript figures
Optimal distinction between non-orthogonal quantum states
Given a finite set of linearly independent quantum states, an observer who
examines a single quantum system may sometimes identify its state with
certainty. However, unless these quantum states are orthogonal, there is a
finite probability of failure. A complete solution is given to the problem of
optimal distinction of three states, having arbitrary prior probabilities and
arbitrary detection values. A generalization to more than three states is
outlined.Comment: 9 pages LaTeX, one PostScript figure on separate pag
The Tenerife Cosmic Microwave Background Maps: Observations and First Analysis
The results of the Tenerife Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments are
presented. These observations cover 5000 and 6500 square degrees on the sky at
10 and 15 GHz respectively centred around Dec.~ +35 degrees. The experiments
are sensitive to multipoles l=10-30 which corresponds to the Sachs-Wolfe
plateau of the CMB power spectra. The sensitivity of the results are ~31 and
\~12 microK at 10 and 15 GHz respectively in a beam-size region (5 degrees
FWHM). The data at 15 GHz show clear detection of structure at high Galactic
latitude; the results at 10 GHz are compatible with these, but at lower
significance. A likelihood analysis of the 10 and 15 GHz data at high Galactic
latitude, assuming a flat CMB band power spectra gives a signal Delta
T_l=30+10-8 microK (68 % C.L.). Including the possible contaminating effect due
to the diffuse Galactic component, the CMB signal is Delta T_l=30+15-11 microK.
These values are highly stable against the Galactic cut chosen. Assuming a
Harrison-Zeldovich spectrum for the primordial fluctuations, the above values
imply an expected quadrupole Q_RMS-PS=20+10-7 microK which confirms previous
results from these experiments, and which are compatible with the COBE DMR.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to Ap
HST-NICMOS Observations of M31's Metal Rich Globular Clusters and Their Surrounding Fields: I. Techniques
We have obtained HST-NICMOS observations of five of M31's most metal rich
globular clusters. These data allow photometry of individual stars in the
clusters and their surrounding fields. However, to achieve our goals -- obtain
accurate luminosity functions to compare with their Galactic counterparts,
determine metallicities from the slope of the giant branch, identify long
period variables, and estimate ages from the AGB tip luminosity, we must be
able to disentangle the true properties of the population from the
observational effects associated with measurements made in very crowded fields.
In this paper we present a careful analysis of photometry in crowded regions,
and show how image blending affects the results and interpretation of such
data. Although this analysis is specifically for our NICMOS observations in
M31, the techniques we develop can be applied to any imaging data taken in
crowded fields; we show how the effects of image blending will even limit NGST.
We use three different techniques to analyze the effects of crowding on our
data, including the insertion of artificial stars (traditional completeness
tests) and the creation of completely artificial clusters. They are used to
derive threshold- and critical-blending radii for each cluster, which determine
how close to the cluster center reliable photometry can be achieved. The
simulations also allow us to quantify and correct for the effects of blending
on the slope and width of the RGB at different surface brightness levels.Comment: AAS LaTeX v5.0, 18 pages. Submitted to the A
Public Involvement in research within care homes: Benefits and challenges in the APPROACH Study
Public involvement in research (PIR) can improve research design and recruitment. Less is known about how PIR enhances the experience of participation and enriches the data collection process. In a study to evaluate how UK care homes and primary health care services achieve integrated working to promote older people’s health, PIR was integrated throughout the research processes. Objectives This paper aims to present one way in which PIR has been integrated into the design and delivery of a multi-site research study based in care homes. Design A prospective case study design, with an embedded qualitative evaluation of PIR activity. Setting and Participants Data collection was undertaken in six care homes in three sites in England. Six PIR members participated: all had prior personal or work experience in care homes. Data Collection Qualitative data collection involved discussion groups, and site-specific meetings to review experiences of participation, benefits and challenges, and completion of structured fieldwork notes after each care home visit. Results PIR members supported: recruitment, resident and staff interviews and participated in data interpretation. Benefits of PIR work were resident engagement that minimised distress and made best use of limited research resources. Challenges concerned communication and scheduling. Researcher support for PIR involvement was resource intensive. Discussion and Conclusions Clearly defined roles with identified training and support facilitated involvement in different aspectsPublic Involvement in Research members of the research team: Gail Capstick, Marion Cowie, Derek Hope, Rita Hewitt, Alex Mendoza, John Willmott. Also the involvement of Steven Iliffe and Heather Gag
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