Discrete-time Quantum Walks in random artificial Gauge Fields

Discrete-time quantum walks (DTQWs) in random artificial electric and gravitational fields are studied analytically and numerically. The analytical computations are carried by a new method which allows a direct exact analytical determination of the equations of motion obeyed by the average density operator. It is proven that randomness induces decoherence and that the quantum walks behave asymptotically like classical random walks. Asymptotic diffusion coefficients are computed exactly. The continuous limit is also obtained and discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures. Submitted to Physica

Effective Dissipation and Turbulence in Spectrally Truncated Euler Flows

A new transient regime in the relaxation towards absolute equilibrium of the conservative and time-reversible 3-D Euler equation with high-wavenumber spectral truncation is characterized. Large-scale dissipative effects, caused by the thermalized modes that spontaneously appear between a transition wavenumber and the maximum wavenumber, are calculated using fluctuation dissipation relations. The large-scale dynamics is found to be similar to that of high-Reynolds number Navier-Stokes equations and thus to obey (at least approximately) Kolmogorov scaling.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures new version with only 4 figures; title changed; manuscript changed; accepted by PR

Central Limit Theorem for a Class of Relativistic Diffusions

Two similar Minkowskian diffusions have been considered, on one hand by Barbachoux, Debbasch, Malik and Rivet ([BDR1], [BDR2], [BDR3], [DMR], [DR]), and on the other hand by Dunkel and H\"anggi ([DH1], [DH2]). We address here two questions, asked in [DR] and in ([DH1], [DH2]) respectively, about the asymptotic behaviour of such diffusions. More generally, we establish a central limit theorem for a class of Minkowskian diffusions, to which the two above ones belong. As a consequence, we correct a partially wrong guess in [DH1].Comment: 20 page

Discrete-time quantum walks: continuous limit and symmetries

The continuous limit of one dimensional discrete-time quantum walks with time- and space-dependent coefficients is investigated. A given quantum walk does not generally admit a continuous limit but some families (1-jets) of quantum walks do. All families (1-jets) admitting a continuous limit are identified. The continuous limit is described by a Dirac-like equation or, alternately, a couple of Klein-Gordon equations. Variational principles leading to these equations are also discussed, together with local invariance properties

Invariance of the relativistic one-particle distribution function

The one-particle distribution function is of importance both in non-relativistic and relativistic statistical physics. In the relativistic framework, Lorentz invariance is possibly its most fundamental property. The present article on the subject is a contrastive one: we review, discuss critically, and, when necessary, complete, the treatments found in the standard literature

Curvature Diffusions in General Relativity

We define and study on Lorentz manifolds a family of covariant diffusions in which the quadratic variation is locally determined by the curvature. This allows the interpretation of the diffusion effect on a particle by its interaction with the ambient space-time. We will focus on the case of warped products, especially Robertson-Walker manifolds, and analyse their asymptotic behaviour in the case of Einstein-de Sitter-like manifolds.Comment: 34 page

Fokker-Planck type equations for a simple gas and for a semi-relativistic Brownian motion from a relativistic kinetic theory

A covariant Fokker-Planck type equation for a simple gas and an equation for the Brownian motion are derived from a relativistic kinetic theory based on the Boltzmann equation. For the simple gas the dynamic friction four-vector and the diffusion tensor are identified and written in terms of integrals which take into account the collision processes. In the case of Brownian motion, the Brownian particles are considered as non-relativistic whereas the background gas behaves as a relativistic gas. A general expression for the semi-relativistic viscous friction coefficient is obtained and the particular case of constant differential cross-section is analyzed for which the non-relativistic and ultra relativistic limiting cases are calculated.Comment: To appear in PR

Nonlocal observables and lightcone-averaging in relativistic thermodynamics

The unification of relativity and thermodynamics has been a subject of considerable debate over the last 100 years. The reasons for this are twofold: (i) Thermodynamic variables are nonlocal quantities and, thus, single out a preferred class of hyperplanes in spacetime. (ii) There exist different, seemingly equally plausible ways of defining heat and work in relativistic systems. These ambiguities led, for example, to various proposals for the Lorentz transformation law of temperature. Traditional 'isochronous' formulations of relativistic thermodynamics are neither theoretically satisfactory nor experimentally feasible. Here, we demonstrate how these deficiencies can be resolved by defining thermodynamic quantities with respect to the backward-lightcone of an observation event. This approach yields novel, testable predictions and allows for a straightforward-extension of thermodynamics to General Relativity. Our theoretical considerations are illustrated through three-dimensional relativistic many-body simulations.Comment: typos in Eqs. (12) and (14) corrected, minor additions in the tex

Stationary Cylindrical Anisotropic Fluid

We present the whole set of equations with regularity and matching conditions required for the description of physically meaningful stationary cylindrically symmmetric distributions of matter, smoothly matched to Lewis vacuum spacetime. A specific example is given. The electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl tensor are calculated, and it is shown that purely electric solutions are necessarily static. Then, it is shown that no conformally flat stationary cylindrical fluid exits, satisfying regularity and matching conditions.Comment: 17 pages Latex. To appear in Gen.Rel.Gra

Improved Holographic QCD

We provide a review to holographic models based on Einstein-dilaton gravity with a potential in 5 dimensions. Such theories, for a judicious choice of potential are very close to the physics of large-N YM theory both at zero and finite temperature. The zero temperature glueball spectra as well as their finite temperature thermodynamic functions compare well with lattice data. The model can be used to calculate transport coefficients, like bulk viscosity, the drag force and jet quenching parameters, relevant for the physics of the Quark-Gluon Plasma.Comment: LatEX, 65 pages, 28 figures, 9 Tables. Based on lectures given at several Schools. To appear in the proceedinds of the 5th Aegean School (Milos, Greece