653 research outputs found
Dynamical Reduction Models with General Gaussian Noises
We consider the effect of replacing in stochastic differential equations
leading to the dynamical collapse of the statevector, white noise stochastic
processes with non white ones. We prove that such a modification can be
consistently performed without altering the most interesting features of the
previous models. One of the reasons to discuss this matter derives from the
desire of being allowed to deal with physical stochastic fields, such as the
gravitational one, which cannot give rise to white noises. From our point of
view the most relevant motivation for the approach we propose here derives from
the fact that in relativistic models the occurrence of white noises is the main
responsible for the appearance of untractable divergences. Therefore, one can
hope that resorting to non white noises one can overcome such a difficulty. We
investigate stochastic equations with non white noises, we discuss their
reduction properties and their physical implications. Our analysis has a
precise interest not only for the above mentioned subject but also for the
general study of dissipative systems and decoherence.Comment: 22 pages, Late
Does quantum nonlocality irremediably conflict with Special Relativity?
We reconsider the problem of the compatibility of quantum nonlocality and the
requests for a relativistically invariant theoretical scheme. We begin by
discussing a recent important paper by T. Norsen [arXiv:0808.2178] on this
problem and we enlarge our considerations to give a general picture of the
conceptually relevant issue to which this paper is devoted.Comment: 18 pages, 1 figur
Quantum and Superquantum Nonlocal Correlations
We present a simple hidden variable model for the singlet state of a pair of
qubits, characterized by two kinds, hierarchically ordered, of hidden
variables. We prove that, averaging over both types of variables, one
reproduces all the quantum mechanical correlations of the singlet state. On the
other hand, averaging only over the hidden variables of the lower level, one
obtains a general formal theoretical scheme exhibiting correlations stronger
than the quantum ones, but with faster-than-light communication forbidden. This
result is interesting by itself since it shows that a violation of the quantum
bound for nonlocal correlations can be implemented in a precise physical manner
and not only mathematically, and it suggests that resorting to two levels of
nonlocal hidden variables might led to a deeper understanding of the physical
principles at the basis of quantum nonlocality.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Submitted for publicatio
Selective cloning of Gaussian states by linear optics
We investigate the performances of a selective cloning machine based on
linear optical elements and Gaussian measurements, which allows to clone at
will one of the two incoming input states. This machine is a complete
generalization of a 1 to 2 cloning scheme demonstrated by U. L. Andersen et al.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. vol. 94, 240503 (2005)]. The input-output fidelity is studied
for generic Gaussian input state and the effect of non-unit quantum efficiency
is also taken into account. We show that if the states to be cloned are
squeezed states with known squeezing parameter, then the fidelity can be
enhanced using a third suitable squeezed state during the final stage of the
cloning process. A binary communication protocol based on the selective cloning
machne is also discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure
The Conway-Kochen argument and relativistic GRW models
In a recent paper, Conway and Kochen proposed what is now known as the "Free
Will theorem" which, among other things, should prove the impossibility of
combining GRW models with special relativity, i.e., of formulating
relativistically invariant models of spontaneous wavefunction collapse. Since
their argument basically amounts to a non-locality proof for any theory aiming
at reproducing quantum correlations, and since it was clear since very a long
time that any relativistic collapse model must be non-local in some way, we
discuss why the theorem of Conway and Kochen does not affect the program of
formulating relativistic GRW models.Comment: 16 pages, RevTe
A general hidden variable model for the two-qubits system
We generalize Bell's hidden variable model describing the singlet state of a
two-qubits system by extending it to arbitrary states and observables. As in
the original work, we assume a uniform, state-independent probability
distribution for the hidden variables which are identified with the unit
vectors of a 3-dimensional real space. By slightly modifying our model, we
provide also a minimal hidden variable description of the two-qubits system,
relying on a single hidden variable. We discuss the main features and the
implications of the model.Comment: 4 pages, submitted for publicatio
Hardy's proof of nonlocality in the presence of noise
We extend the validity of Hardy's nonlocality without inequalities proof to
cover the case of special one-parameter classes of non-pure statistical
operators. These mixed states are obtained by mixing the Hardy states with a
completely chaotic noise or with a colored noise and they represent a realistic
description of imperfect preparation processes of (pure) Hardy states in
nonlocality experiments. Within such a framework we are able to exhibit a
precise range of values of the parameter measuring the noise affecting the
non-optimal preparation of an arbitrary Hardy state, for which it is still
possible to put into evidence genuine nonlocal effects. Equivalently, our work
exhibits particular classes of bipartite mixed states whose constituents do not
admit any local and deterministic hidden variable model reproducing the quantum
mechanical predictions.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, RevTex, revised versio
Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger argument of nonlocality without inequalities for mixed states
We generalize the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger nonlocality without
inequalities argument to cover the case of arbitrary mixed statistical
operators associated to three-qubits quantum systems. More precisely, we
determine the radius of a ball (in the trace distance topology) surrounding the
pure GHZ state and containing arbitrary mixed statistical operators which
cannot be described by any local and realistic hidden variable model and which
are, as a consequence, noncompletely separable. As a practical application, we
focus on certain one-parameter classes of mixed states which are commonly
considered in the experimental realization of the original GHZ argument and
which result from imperfect preparations of the pure GHZ state. In these cases
we determine for which values of the parameter controlling the noise a
nonlocality argument can still be exhibited, despite the mixedness of the
considered states. Moreover, the effect of the imperfect nature of measurement
processes is discussed.Comment: 8 pages, RevTex; added references, corrected typo
The Hilbert space operator formalism within dynamical reduction models
Unlike standard quantum mechanics, dynamical reduction models assign no
particular a priori status to `measurement processes', `apparata', and
`observables', nor self-adjoint operators and positive operator valued measures
enter the postulates defining these models. In this paper, we show why and how
the Hilbert-space operator formalism, which standard quantum mechanics
postulates, can be derived from the fundamental evolution equation of dynamical
reduction models. Far from having any special ontological meaning, we show that
within the dynamical reduction context the operator formalism is just a compact
and convenient way to express the statistical properties of the outcomes of
experiments.Comment: 25 pages, RevTeX. Changes made and two figures adde
Selective modulation of chemical and electrical synapses of Helix neuronal networks during in vitro development
BACKGROUND: A large number of invertebrate models, including the snail Helix, emerged as particularly suitable tools for investigating the formation of synapses and the specificity of neuronal connectivity. Helix neurons can be individually identified and isolated in cell culture, showing well-conserved size, position, biophysical properties, synaptic connections, and physiological functions. Although we previously showed the potential usefulness of Helix polysynaptic circuits, a full characterization of synaptic connectivity and its dynamics during network development has not been performed. RESULTS: In this paper, we systematically investigated the in vitro formation of polysynaptic circuits, among Helix B2 and the serotonergic C1 neurons, from a morphological and functional point of view. Since these cells are generally silent in culture, networks were chemically stimulated with either high extracellular potassium concentrations or, alternatively, serotonin. Potassium induced a transient depolarization of all neurons. On the other hand, we found prolonged firing activity, selectively maintained following the first serotonin application. Statistical analysis revealed no significant changes in neuronal dynamics during network development. Moreover, we demonstrated that the cell-selective effect of serotonin was also responsible for short-lasting alterations in C1 excitability, without long-term rebounds. Estimation of the functional connections by means of cross-correlation analysis revealed that networks under elevated KCl concentrations exhibited strongly correlated signals with short latencies (about 5 ms), typical of electrically coupled cells. Conversely, neurons treated with serotonin were weakly connected with longer latencies (exceeding 20 ms) between the interacting neurons. Finally, we clearly demonstrated that these two types of correlations (in terms of strength/latency) were effectively related to the presence of electrical or chemical connections, by comparing Micro-Electrode Array (MEA) signal traces with intracellularly recorded cell pairs. CONCLUSIONS: Networks treated with either potassium or serotonin were predominantly interconnected through electrical or chemical connections, respectively. Furthermore, B2 response and short-term increase in C1 excitability induced by serotonin is sufficient to trigger spontaneous activity with chemical connections, an important requisite for long-term maintenance of firing activity
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