3,194 research outputs found
Local effective dynamics of quantum systems: A generalized approach to work and heat
By computing the local energy expectation values with respect to some local
measurement basis we show that for any quantum system there are two
fundamentally different contributions: changes in energy that do not alter the
local von Neumann entropy and changes that do. We identify the former as work
and the latter as heat. Since our derivation makes no assumptions on the system
Hamiltonian or its state, the result is valid even for states arbitrarily far
from equilibrium. Examples are discussed ranging from the classical limit to
purely quantum mechanical scenarios, i.e. where the Hamiltonian and the density
operator do not commute.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, published versio
On conjectures and problems of Ruzsa concerning difference graphs of S-units
Given a finite nonempty set of primes S, we build a graph with
vertex set by connecting x and y if the prime divisors of both the
numerator and denominator of x-y are from S. In this paper we resolve two
conjectures posed by Ruzsa concerning the possible sizes of induced
nondegenerate cycles of , and also a problem of Ruzsa concerning
the existence of subgraphs of which are not induced subgraphs.Comment: 15 page
Complex joint probabilities as expressions of determinism in quantum mechanics
The density operator of a quantum state can be represented as a complex joint
probability of any two observables whose eigenstates have non-zero mutual
overlap. Transformations to a new basis set are then expressed in terms of
complex conditional probabilities that describe the fundamental relation
between precise statements about the three different observables. Since such
transformations merely change the representation of the quantum state, these
conditional probabilities provide a state-independent definition of the
deterministic relation between the outcomes of different quantum measurements.
In this paper, it is shown how classical reality emerges as an approximation to
the fundamental laws of quantum determinism expressed by complex conditional
probabilities. The quantum mechanical origin of phase spaces and trajectories
is identified and implications for the interpretation of quantum measurements
are considered. It is argued that the transformation laws of quantum
determinism provide a fundamental description of the measurement dependence of
empirical reality.Comment: 12 pages, including 1 figure, updated introduction includes
references to the historical background of complex joint probabilities and to
related work by Lars M. Johanse
Driven Spin Systems as Quantum Thermodynamic Machines: Fundamental Limits
We show that coupled two level systems like qubits studied in quantum
information can be used as a thermodynamic machine. At least three qubits or
spins are necessary and arranged in a chain. The system is interfaced between
two split baths and the working spin in the middle is externally driven. The
machine performs Carnot-type cycles and is able to work as heat pump or engine
depending on the temperature difference of the baths and the energy
differences in the spin system . It can be shown that the efficiency
is a function of and .Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Violation of Heisenberg's Measurement-Disturbance Relationship by Weak Measurements
While there is a rigorously proven relationship about uncertainties intrinsic
to any quantum system, often referred to as "Heisenberg's Uncertainty
Principle," Heisenberg originally formulated his ideas in terms of a
relationship between the precision of a measurement and the disturbance it must
create. Although this latter relationship is not rigorously proven, it is
commonly believed (and taught) as an aspect of the broader uncertainty
principle. Here, we experimentally observe a violation of Heisenberg's
"measurement-disturbance relationship", using weak measurements to characterize
a quantum system before and after it interacts with a measurement apparatus.
Our experiment implements a 2010 proposal of Lund and Wiseman to confirm a
revised measurement-disturbance relationship derived by Ozawa in 2003. Its
results have broad implications for the foundations of quantum mechanics and
for practical issues in quantum mechanics.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
The Magellan Evolution of Galaxies Spectroscopic and Ultraviolet Reference Atlas (MEGaSaURA) I: The Sample and the Spectra
We introduce Project MEGaSaURA: The Magellan Evolution of Galaxies
Spectroscopic and Ultraviolet Reference Atlas. MEGaSaURA comprises
medium-resolution, rest-frame ultraviolet spectroscopy of N=15 bright
gravitationally lensed galaxies at redshifts of 1.68z3.6, obtained with
the MagE spectrograph on the Magellan telescopes. The spectra cover the
observed-frame wavelength range \AA ; the average
spectral resolving power is R=3300. The median spectrum has a signal-to-noise
ratio of per resolution element at 5000 \AA . As such, the MEGaSaURA
spectra have superior signal-to-noise-ratio and wavelength coverage compared to
what COS/HST provides for starburst galaxies in the local universe. This paper
describes the sample, the observations, and the data reduction. We compare the
measured redshifts for the stars, the ionized gas as traced by nebular lines,
and the neutral gas as traced by absorption lines; we find the expected bulk
outflow of the neutral gas, and no systemic offset between the redshifts
measured from nebular lines and the redshifts measured from the stellar
continuum. We provide the MEGaSaURA spectra to the astronomical community
through a data release.Comment: Resubmitted to AAS Journals. Data release will accompany journal
publication. v2 addresses minor comments from refere
State Measurements with Short Laser Pulses and Lower-Efficiency Photon Detectors
It has been proposed by Cook (Phys. Scr. T 21, 49 (1988)) to use a short
probe laser pulse for state measurements of two-level systems. In previous work
we have investigated to what extent this proposal fulfills the projection
postulate if ideal photon detectors are considered. For detectors with overall
efficiency less than 1 complications arise for single systems, and for this
case we present a simple criterion for a laser pulse to act as a state
measurement and to cause an almost complete state reduction.Comment: 13 pages, LaTeX; submitted to J. mod. Op
Small quantum networks operating as quantum thermodynamic machines
We show that a 3-qubit system as studied for quantum information purposes can
alternatively be used as a thermodynamic machine when driven in finite time and
interfaced between two split baths. The spins are arranged in a chain where the
working spin in the middle exercises Carnot cycles the area of which defines
the exchanged work. The cycle orientation (sign of the exchanged work) flips as
the difference of bath temperatures goes through a critical value.Comment: RevTeX, 4 pages, 7 figures. Replaced by version accepted for
publication in EP
Ignorance based inference of optimality in thermodynamic processes
We derive ignorance based prior distribution to quantify incomplete
information and show its use to estimate the optimal work characteristics of a
heat engine.Comment: Latex, 10 pages, 3 figure
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