8,533 research outputs found
Why 3 + 1 metric rather than 4 + 0 or 2 + 2?
Why does the physical 4-dimensional space have a 3 + 1 signature rather than a 4 + 0 or a 2 + 2 for its metric? We give a simple explanation based largely on a group-theoretic argument a la Wigner. Applied to flat spaces of higher dimensions the same approach indicates that metrics with more than one time dimension are physically unacceptable because the corresponding irreducible unitary representations are infinite dimensional (besides the trivial representation)
On Wigner's clock and the detectability of spacetime foam with gravitational-wave interferometers
A recent paper (gr-qc/9909017) criticizes our work on the structure of spacetime foam. Its authors argue that the quantum uncertainty limit for the position of the quantum clock in a gedanken timing experiment, obtained by Wigner and used by us, is based on unrealistic assumptions. Here we point out some flaws in their argument. We also discuss their other comments and some other issues related to our work. We see no reason to change our cautious optimism on the detectability of spacetime foam with modern gravitational-wave interferometers like LISA
Neutrix Calculus and Finite Quantum Field Theory
In general, quantum field theories (QFT) require regularizations and infinite
renormalizations due to ultraviolet divergences in their loop calculations.
Furthermore, perturbation series in theories like QED are not convergent
series, but are asymptotic series. We apply neutrix calculus, developed in
connection with asymptotic series and divergent integrals, to QFT,obtaining
finite renormalizations. While none of the physically measurable results in
renormalizable QFT is changed, quantum gravity is rendered more manageable in
the neutrix framework.Comment: 10 pages; LaTeX; version to appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. as a
Letter to the Edito
Spacetime Foam, Holographic Principle, and Black Hole Quantum Computers
Spacetime foam, also known as quantum foam, has its origin in quantum
fluctuations of spacetime. Arguably it is the source of the holographic
principle, which severely limits how densely information can be packed in
space. Its physics is also intimately linked to that of black holes and
computation. In particular, the same underlying physics is shown to govern the
computational power of black hole quantum computers.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX; Talk given by Jack Ng, in celebration of Paul
Frampton's 60th birthday, at the Coral Gables Conference (in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida on December 17, 2003). To appear in the Proceedings of the 2003 Coral
Gables Conferenc
Mg-Ni-H films as selective coatings: tunable reflectance by layered hydrogenation
Unlike other switchable mirrors, Mg2NiHx films show large changes in
reflection that yield very low reflectance (high absorptance) at different
hydrogen contents, far before reaching the semiconducting state. The resulting
reflectance patterns are of interference origin, due to a self-organized
layered hydrogenation mechanism that starts at the substrate interface, and can
therefore be tuned by varying the film thickness. This tunability, together
with the high absorptance contrast observed between the solar and the thermal
energies, strongly suggests the use of these films in smart coatings for solar
applications.Comment: Three two-column pages with 3 figures embedded; RevTE
LED-verlichting in de tulpenbroei
Voor de broei van gewassen als tulp, hyacint en narcis is assimilatiebelichting feitelijk niet nodig (de voor groei benodigde energie zit namelijk al in de bol). Wat wel nodig is, is zgn. stuurlicht om bolbloemen van de gewenste kwaliteit (lengte, gewicht, bladkleur, bloemkleur, poot/nek verhouding etc.) te produceren. LED’s produceren alleen licht van een gewenste golflengte waarbij geen warmtestraling (infrarood) vrijkomt. Dit maakt het mogelijk LED’s dicht boven het gewas te hangen, waardoor in meerlagenteelt de lagen dicht op elkaar geplaatst kunnen worden. Dit onderzoek is opgezet om de optimale rood/blauw verhouding en de minimale (LED)lichtbehoefte te bepalen voor tulpen van goede kwaliteit. Ook is nagegaan of kwaliteitssturing effectiever kan door per groeifase de kleurverhoudingen te veranderen
Faster Base64 Encoding and Decoding Using AVX2 Instructions
Web developers use base64 formats to include images, fonts, sounds and other
resources directly inside HTML, JavaScript, JSON and XML files. We estimate
that billions of base64 messages are decoded every day. We are motivated to
improve the efficiency of base64 encoding and decoding. Compared to
state-of-the-art implementations, we multiply the speeds of both the encoding
(~10x) and the decoding (~7x). We achieve these good results by using the
single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) instructions available on recent Intel
processors (AVX2). Our accelerated software abides by the specification and
reports errors when encountering characters outside of the base64 set. It is
available online as free software under a liberal license.Comment: software at https://github.com/lemire/fastbase6
The Puzzling Mutual Orbit of the Binary Trojan Asteroid (624) Hektor
Asteroids with satellites are natural laboratories to constrain the formation
and evolution of our solar system. The binary Trojan asteroid (624) Hektor is
the only known Trojan asteroid to possess a small satellite. Based on W.M. Keck
adaptive optics observations, we found a unique and stable orbital solution,
which is uncommon in comparison to the orbits of other large multiple asteroid
systems studied so far. From lightcurve observations recorded since 1957, we
showed that because the large Req=125-km primary may be made of two joint
lobes, the moon could be ejecta of the low-velocity encounter, which formed the
system. The inferred density of Hektor's system is comparable to the L5 Trojan
doublet (617) Patroclus but due to their difference in physical properties and
in reflectance spectra, both captured Trojan asteroids could have a different
composition and origin.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, 2 table
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