Approximation for a Toy Defective Ising Model

It has been previously shown that one can use the ME methodology (Caticha Giffin 2006) to reproduce a mean field solution for a simple fluid (Tseng 2004). One could easily use the case of a simple ferromagnetic material as well. The drawback to the mean field approach is that one must assume that all atoms must all act the same. The problem becomes more tractable when the agents are only allowed to interact with their nearest neighbors and can be in only two possible states. The easiest case being an Ising model. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the use of the ME method as an approximation tool. The paper show a simple case to compare with the traditional mean field approach. Then we show two examples that lie outside of traditional methodologies. These cases explore a ferromagnetic material with defects. The main result is that regardless of the case, the ME method provides good approximations for each case which would not otherwise be possible or at least well justified.Comment: Presented at the 29th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, Oxford, MS, July 5-10, 2009. 10 pages, 0 figure

Mass spectrometry technology at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Recent developments in the field of mass spectrometry taking place at the Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory are highlighted. The pertinent research and development is aimed at producing an ultrahigh sensitivity mass spectrograph for both spaceflight and terrestrial applications. The unique aspect of the JPL developed technology is an integrating focal plane ion detector that obviates the need for spectral scanning since all ions over a wide mass range are monitored simultaneously. The ion detector utilizes electro-optical technology and is therefore referred to as an Electro-Optical Ion Detector (EOID). A technical description of the JPL MS/EOID, some of the current applications, and its potential benefits for internal contamination analysis are discussed

From Physics to Economics: An Econometric Example Using Maximum Relative Entropy

Econophysics, is based on the premise that some ideas and methods from physics can be applied to economic situations. We intend to show in this paper how a physics concept such as entropy can be applied to an economic problem. In so doing, we demonstrate how information in the form of observable data and moment constraints are introduced into the method of Maximum relative Entropy (MrE). A general example of updating with data and moments is shown. Two specific econometric examples are solved in detail which can then be used as templates for real world problems. A numerical example is compared to a large deviation solution which illustrates some of the advantages of the MrE method.Comment: This paper has been accepted in Physica A. 19 Pages, 3 Figure

Updating Probabilities

We show that Skilling's method of induction leads to a unique general theory of inductive inference, the method of Maximum relative Entropy (ME). The main tool for updating probabilities is the logarithmic relative entropy; other entropies such as those of Renyi or Tsallis are ruled out. We also show that Bayes updating is a special case of ME updating and thus, that the two are completely compatible.Comment: Presented at MaxEnt 2006, the 26th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods (July 8-13, 2006, Paris, France

Updating Probabilities with Data and Moments

We use the method of Maximum (relative) Entropy to process information in the form of observed data and moment constraints. The generic "canonical" form of the posterior distribution for the problem of simultaneous updating with data and moments is obtained. We discuss the general problem of non-commuting constraints, when they should be processed sequentially and when simultaneously. As an illustration, the multinomial example of die tosses is solved in detail for two superficially similar but actually very different problems.Comment: Presented at the 27th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, Saratoga Springs, NY, July 8-13, 2007. 10 pages, 1 figure V2 has a small typo in the end of the appendix that was fixed. aj=mj+1 is now aj=m(k-j)+

An Application of Reversible Entropic Dynamics on Curved Statistical Manifolds

Entropic Dynamics (ED) is a theoretical framework developed to investigate the possibility that laws of physics reflect laws of inference rather than laws of nature. In this work, a RED (Reversible Entropic Dynamics) model is considered. The geometric structure underlying the curved statistical manifold, M is studied. The trajectories of this particular model are hyperbolic curves (geodesics) on M. Finally, some analysis concerning the stability of these geodesics on M is carried out.Comment: Presented at MaxEnt 2006, the 26th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods (July 8-13, 2006, Paris, France). This paper is slightly updated from the published version. This paper consists of 9 pages with 1 figure. Keywords: Inductive inference, information geometry, statistical manifolds, relative entrop