Self-Similar Random Processes and Infinite-Dimensional Configuration Spaces

We discuss various infinite-dimensional configuration spaces that carry measures quasiinvariant under compactly-supported diffeomorphisms of a manifold M corresponding to a physical space. Such measures allow the construction of unitary representations of the diffeomorphism group, which are important to nonrelativistic quantum statistical physics and to the quantum theory of extended objects in d-dimensional Euclidean space. Special attention is given to measurable structure and topology underlying measures on generalized configuration spaces obtained from self-similar random processes (both for d = 1 and d > 1), which describe infinite point configurations having accumulation points

Some Variations on Maxwell's Equations

In the first sections of this article, we discuss two variations on Maxwell's equations that have been introduced in earlier work--a class of nonlinear Maxwell theories with well-defined Galilean limits (and correspondingly generalized Yang-Mills equations), and a linear modification motivated by the coupling of the electromagnetic potential with a certain nonlinear Schroedinger equation. In the final section, revisiting an old idea of Lorentz, we write Maxwell's equations for a theory in which the electrostatic force of repulsion between like charges differs fundamentally in magnitude from the electrostatic force of attraction between unlike charges. We elaborate on Lorentz' description by means of electric and magnetic field strengths, whose governing equations separate into two fully relativistic Maxwell systems--one describing ordinary electromagnetism, and the other describing a universally attractive or repulsive long-range force. If such a force cannot be ruled out {\it a priori} by known physical principles, its magnitude should be determined or bounded experimentally. Were it to exist, interesting possibilities go beyond Lorentz' early conjecture of a relation to (Newtonian) gravity.Comment: 26 pages, submitted to a volume in preparation to honor Gerard Emch v. 2: discussion revised, factors of 4\pi corrected in some equation

Gesture analysis for physics education researchers

Systematic observations of student gestures can not only fill in gaps in students' verbal expressions, but can also offer valuable information about student ideas, including their source, their novelty to the speaker, and their construction in real time. This paper provides a review of the research in gesture analysis that is most relevant to physics education researchers and illustrates gesture analysis for the purpose of better understanding student thinking about physics.Comment: 14 page

On the virial coefficients of nonabelian anyons

We study a system of nonabelian anyons in the lowest Landau level of a strong magnetic field. Using diagrammatic techniques, we prove that the virial coefficients do not depend on the statistics parameter. This is true for all representations of all nonabelian groups for the statistics of the particles and relies solely on the fact that the effective statistical interaction is a traceless operator.Comment: 9 pages, 3 eps figure

Quantum chaos, random matrix theory, and statistical mechanics in two dimensions - a unified approach

We present a theory where the statistical mechanics for dilute ideal gases can be derived from random matrix approach. We show the connection of this approach with Srednicki approach which connects Berry conjecture with statistical mechanics. We further establish a link between Berry conjecture and random matrix theory, thus providing a unified edifice for quantum chaos, random matrix theory, and statistical mechanics. In the course of arguing for these connections, we observe sum rules associated with the outstanding counting problem in the theory of braid groups. We are able to show that the presented approach leads to the second law of thermodynamics.Comment: 23 pages, TeX typ

A Topological String: The Rasetti-Regge Lagrangian, Topological Quantum Field Theory, and Vortices in Quantum Fluids

The kinetic part of the Rasetti-Regge action I_{RR} for vortex lines is studied and links to string theory are made. It is shown that both I_{RR} and the Polyakov string action I_{Pol} can be constructed with the same field X^mu. Unlike I_{NG}, however, I_{RR} describes a Schwarz-type topological quantum field theory. Using generators of classical Lie algebras, I_{RR} is generalized to higher dimensions. In all dimensions, the momentum 1-form P constructed from the canonical momentum for the vortex belongs to the first cohomology class H^1(M,R^m) of the worldsheet M swept-out by the vortex line. The dynamics of the vortex line thus depend directly on the topology of M. For a vortex ring, the equations of motion reduce to the Serret-Frenet equations in R^3, and in higher dimensions they reduce to the Maurer-Cartan equations for so(m).Comment: To appear in Journal of Physics

Cognitive demands of face monitoring: Evidence for visuospatial overload

Young children perform difficult communication tasks better face to face than when they cannot see one another (e.g., Doherty-Sneddon & Kent, 1996). However, in recent studies, it was found that children aged 6 and 10 years, describing abstract shapes, showed evidence of face-to-face interference rather than facilitation. For some communication tasks, access to visual signals (such as facial expression and eye gaze) may hinder rather than help children’s communication. In new research we have pursued this interference effect. Five studies are described with adults and 10- and 6-year-old participants. It was found that looking at a face interfered with children’s abilities to listen to descriptions of abstract shapes. Children also performed visuospatial memory tasks worse when they looked at someone’s face prior to responding than when they looked at a visuospatial pattern or at the floor. It was concluded that performance on certain tasks was hindered by monitoring another person’s face. It is suggested that processing of visual communication signals shares certain processing resources with the processing of other visuospatial information

Vector coherent state representations, induced representations, and geometric quantization: I. Scalar coherent state representations

Coherent state theory is shown to reproduce three categories of representations of the spectrum generating algebra for an algebraic model: (i) classical realizations which are the starting point for geometric quantization; (ii) induced unitary representations corresponding to prequantization; and (iii) irreducible unitary representations obtained in geometric quantization by choice of a polarization. These representations establish an intimate relation between coherent state theory and geometric quantization in the context of induced representations.Comment: 29 pages, part 1 of two papers, published versio

Nonlocal looking equations can make nonlinear quantum dynamics local

A general method for extending a non-dissipative nonlinear Schr\"odinger and Liouville-von Neumann 1-particle dynamics to an arbitrary number of particles is described. It is shown at a general level that the dynamics so obtained is completely separable, which is the strongest condition one can impose on dynamics of composite systems. It requires that for all initial states (entangled or not) a subsystem not only cannot be influenced by any action undertaken by an observer in a separated system (strong separability), but additionally that the self-consistency condition $Tr_2\circ \phi^t_{1+2}=\phi^t_{1}\circ Tr_2$ is fulfilled. It is shown that a correct extension to $N$ particles involves integro-differential equations which, in spite of their nonlocal appearance, make the theory fully local. As a consequence a much larger class of nonlinearities satisfying the complete separability condition is allowed than has been assumed so far. In particular all nonlinearities of the form $F(|\psi(x)|)$ are acceptable. This shows that the locality condition does not single out logarithmic or 1-homeogeneous nonlinearities.Comment: revtex, final version, accepted in Phys.Rev.A (June 1998

New CMB Power Spectrum Constraints from MSAMI

We present new cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy results from the combined analysis of the three flights of the first Medium Scale Anisotropy Measurement (MSAM1). This balloon-borne bolometric instrument measured about 10 square degrees of sky at half-degree resolution in 4 frequency bands from 5.2 icm to 20 icm with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Here we present an overview of our analysis methods, compare the results from the three flights, derive new constraints on the CMB power spectrum from the combined data and reduce the data to total-power Wiener-filtered maps of the CMB. A key feature of this new analysis is a determination of the amplitude of CMB fluctuations at $\ell \sim 400$. The analysis technique is described in a companion paper by Knox.Comment: 9 pages, 6 included figure