1,064 research outputs found
Quantum Mechanical Interaction-Free Measurements
A novel manifestation of nonlocality of quantum mechanics is presented. It is
shown that it is possible to ascertain the existence of an object in a given
region of space without interacting with it. The method might have practical
applications for delicate quantum experiments.Comment: (revised file with no need for macro), 12, TAUP 1865-91
Generation of scalar-tensor gravity effects in equilibrium state boson stars
Boson stars in zero-, one-, and two-node equilibrium states are modeled
numerically within the framework of Scalar-Tensor Gravity. The complex scalar
field is taken to be both massive and self-interacting. Configurations are
formed in the case of a linear gravitational scalar coupling (the Brans-Dicke
case) and a quadratic coupling which has been used previously in a cosmological
context. The coupling parameters and asymptotic value for the gravitational
scalar field are chosen so that the known observational constraints on
Scalar-Tensor Gravity are satisfied. It is found that the constraints are so
restrictive that the field equations of General Relativity and Scalar-Tensor
gravity yield virtually identical solutions. We then use catastrophe theory to
determine the dynamically stable configurations. It is found that the maximum
mass allowed for a stable state in Scalar-Tensor gravity in the present
cosmological era is essentially unchanged from that of General Relativity. We
also construct boson star configurations appropriate to earlier cosmological
eras and find that the maximum mass for stable states is smaller than that
predicted by General Relativity, and the more so for earlier eras. However, our
results also show that if the cosmological era is early enough then only states
with positive binding energy can be constructed.Comment: 20 pages, RevTeX, 11 figures, to appear in Class. Quantum Grav.,
comments added, refs update
Weighing the Milky Way
We describe an experiment to measure the mass of the Milky Way galaxy. The
experiment is based on calculated light travel times along orthogonal
directions in the Schwarzschild metric of the Galactic center. We show that the
difference is proportional to the Galactic mass. We apply the result to light
travel times in a 10cm Michelson type interferometer located on Earth. The mass
of the Galactic center is shown to contribute 10^-6 to the flat space component
of the metric. An experiment is proposed to measure the effect.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figur
The Phantom Bounce: A New Oscillating Cosmology
An oscillating universe cycles through a series of expansions and
contractions. We propose a model in which ``phantom'' energy with
grows rapidly and dominates the late-time expanding phase. The universe's
energy density is so large that the effects of quantum gravity are important at
both the beginning and the end of each expansion (or contraction). The bounce
can be caused by high energy modifications to the Friedmann equation, which
make the cosmology nonsingular. The classic black hole overproduction of
oscillating universes is resolved due to their destruction by the phantom
energy.Comment: Four pages, one figure. V3: version to appear in JCA
Prey and Non-prey Arthropods Sharing a Host Plant: Effects on Induced Volatile Emission and Predator Attraction
It is well established that plants infested with a single herbivore species can attract specific natural enemies through the emission of herbivore-induced volatiles. However, it is less clear what happens when plants are simultaneously attacked by more than one species. We analyzed volatile emissions of lima bean and cucumber plants upon multi-species herbivory by spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) and caterpillars (Spodoptera exigua) in comparison to single-species herbivory. Upon herbivory by single or multiple species, lima bean and cucumber plants emitted volatile blends that comprised mostly the same compounds. To detect additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects, we compared the multi-species herbivory volatile blend with the sum of the volatile blends induced by each of the herbivore species feeding alone. In lima bean, the majority of compounds were more strongly induced by multi-species herbivory than expected based on the sum of volatile emissions by each of the herbivores separately, potentially caused by synergistic effects. In contrast, in cucumber, two compounds were suppressed by multi-species herbivory, suggesting the potential for antagonistic effects. We also studied the behavioral responses of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis, a specialized natural enemy of spider mites. Olfactometer experiments showed that P. persimilis preferred volatiles induced by multi-species herbivory to volatiles induced by S. exigua alone or by prey mites alone. We conclude that both lima bean and cucumber plants effectively attract predatory mites upon multi-species herbivory, but the underlying mechanisms appear different between these species
The Origin of Structures in Generalized Gravity
In a class of generalized gravity theories with general couplings between the
scalar field and the scalar curvature in the Lagrangian, we can describe the
quantum generation and the classical evolution of both the scalar and tensor
structures in a simple and unified manner. An accelerated expansion phase based
on the generalized gravity in the early universe drives microscopic quantum
fluctuations inside a causal domain to expand into macroscopic ripples in the
spacetime metric on scales larger than the local horizon. Following their
generation from quantum fluctuations, the ripples in the metric spend a long
period outside the causal domain. During this phase their evolution is
characterized by their conserved amplitudes. The evolution of these
fluctuations may lead to the observed large scale structures of the universe
and anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background radiation.Comment: 5 pages, latex, no figur
The Beginning of the End of the Anthropic Principle
We argue that if string theory as an approach to the fundamental laws of
physics is correct, then there is almost no room for anthropic arguments in
cosmology. The quark and lepton masses and interaction strengths are
determined.Comment: 12 page
Bounds on the Magnetic Fields in the Radiative Zone of the Sun
We discuss bounds on the strength of the magnetic fields that could be buried
in the radiative zone of the Sun. The field profiles and decay times are
computed for all axisymmetric toroidal Ohmic decay eigenmodes with lifetimes
exceeding the age of the Sun. The measurements of the solar oblateness yield a
bound <~ 7 MG on the strength of the field. A comparable bound is expected to
come from the analysis of the splitting of the solar oscillation frequencies.
The theoretical analysis of the double diffusive instability also yields a
similar bound. The oblateness measurements at their present level of
sensitivity are therefore not expected to measure a toroidal field
contribution.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure
Does matter wave amplification work for fermions?
We discuss the relationship between bosonic stimulation, density
fluctuations, and matter wave gratings. It is shown that enhanced stimulated
scattering, matter wave amplification and atomic four-wave mixing are in
principle possible for fermionic or non-degenerate samples if they are prepared
in a cooperative state. In practice, there are limitations by short coherence
times.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure
An efficient scheme for the deterministic maximal entanglement of N trapped ions
We propose a method for generating maximally entangled states of N two-level
trapped ions. The method is deterministic and independent of the number of ions
in the trap. It involves a controlled-NOT acting simultaneously on all the ions
through a dispersive interaction. We explore the potential application of our
scheme for high precision frequency standards.Comment: 4 pages, no figures, submitted to PRL, under review, Revised Version:
Incorporated referee comment
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