1,641 research outputs found
SSN: The Queen of the Seas
The United States\u27 need for maritime superiority stands as the fundamental goal of this country\u27s naval forces
The Surface Brightness Fluctuations and Globular Cluster Populations of M87 and its Companions
Using the surface brightness fluctuations in HST WFPC-2 images, we determine
that M87, NGC 4486B, and NGC 4478 are all at a distance of ~16 Mpc, while NGC
4476 lies in the background at ~21 Mpc. We also examine the globular clusters
of M87 using archived HST fields. We detect the bimodal color distribution, and
find that the amplitude of the red peak relative to the blue peak is greatest
near the center. This feature is in good agreement with the merger model of
elliptical galaxy formation, where some of the clusters originated in
progenitor galaxies while other formed during mergers.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
de Broglie-Bohm Interpretation for the Wave Function of Quantum Black Holes
We study the quantum theory of the spherically symmetric black holes. The
theory yields the wave function inside the apparent horizon, where the role of
time and space coordinates is interchanged. The de Broglie-Bohm interpretation
is applied to the wave function and then the trajectory picture on the
minisuperspace is introduced in the quantum as well as the semi-classical
region. Around the horizon large quantum fluctuations on the trajectories of
metrics and appear in our model, where the metrics are functions of
time variable and are expressed as . On the trajectories, the classical relation holds,
and the event horizon U=0 corresponds to the classical apparent horizon on
. In order to investigate the quantum fluctuation near the horizon, we
study a null ray on the dBB trajectory and compare it with the one in the
classical black hole geometry.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, 7 Postscript figure
Quantum Superposition States of Bose-Einstein Condensates
We propose a scheme to create a macroscopic ``Sch\"odinger cat'' state formed
by two interacting Bose condensates. In analogy with quantum optics, where the
control and engineering of quantum states can be maintained to a large extend,
we consider the present scheme to be an example of quantum atom optics at work.Comment: 24 pages, 6 figure
The Bohm Interpretation of Quantum Cosmology
I make a review on the aplications of the Bohm-De Broglie interpretation of
quantum mechanics to quantum cosmology. In the framework of minisuperspaces
models, I show how quantum cosmological effects in Bohm's view can avoid the
initial singularity, isotropize the Universe, and even be a cause for the
present observed acceleration of the Universe. In the general case, we
enumerate the possible structures of quantum space and time.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figure, contribution to the James Cushing festschrift to
appear in Foundations of Physic
Calculations of collisions between cold alkaline earth atoms in a weak laser field
We calculate the light-induced collisional loss of laser-cooled and trapped
magnesium atoms for detunings up to 50 atomic linewidths to the red of the
^1S_0-^1P_1 cooling transition. We evaluate loss rate coefficients due to both
radiative and nonradiative state-changing mechanisms for temperatures at and
below the Doppler cooling temperature. We solve the Schrodinger equation with a
complex potential to represent spontaneous decay, but also give analytic models
for various limits. Vibrational structure due to molecular photoassociation is
present in the trap loss spectrum. Relatively broad structure due to absorption
to the Mg_2 ^1Sigma_u state occurs for detunings larger than about 10 atomic
linewidths. Much sharper structure, especially evident at low temperature,
occurs even at smaller detunings due to of Mg_2 ^1Pi_g absorption, which is
weakly allowed due to relativistic retardation corrections to the forbidden
dipole transition strength. We also perform model studies for the other
alkaline earth species Ca, Sr, and Ba and for Yb, and find similar qualitative
behavior as for Mg.Comment: 20 pages, RevTex, 13 eps figures embedde
Hands-On Parameter Search for Neural Simulations by a MIDI-Controller
Computational neuroscientists frequently encounter the challenge of parameter fitting – exploring a usually high dimensional variable space to find a parameter set that reproduces an experimental data set. One common approach is using automated search algorithms such as gradient descent or genetic algorithms. However, these approaches suffer several shortcomings related to their lack of understanding the underlying question, such as defining a suitable error function or getting stuck in local minima. Another widespread approach is manual parameter fitting using a keyboard or a mouse, evaluating different parameter sets following the users intuition. However, this process is often cumbersome and time-intensive. Here, we present a new method for manual parameter fitting. A MIDI controller provides input to the simulation software, where model parameters are then tuned according to the knob and slider positions on the device. The model is immediately updated on every parameter change, continuously plotting the latest results. Given reasonably short simulation times of less than one second, we find this method to be highly efficient in quickly determining good parameter sets. Our approach bears a close resemblance to tuning the sound of an analog synthesizer, giving the user a very good intuition of the problem at hand, such as immediate feedback if and how results are affected by specific parameter changes. In addition to be used in research, our approach should be an ideal teaching tool, allowing students to interactively explore complex models such as Hodgkin-Huxley or dynamical systems
- …