3,299 research outputs found
Angular momentum transport and large eddy simulations in magnetorotational turbulence: the small Pm limit
Angular momentum transport in accretion discs is often believed to be due to
magnetohydrodynamic turbulence mediated by the magnetorotational instability.
Despite an abundant literature on the MRI, the parameters governing the
saturation amplitude of the turbulence are poorly understood and the existence
of an asymptotic behavior in the Ohmic diffusion regime is not clearly
established. We investigate the properties of the turbulent state in the small
magnetic Prandtl number limit. Since this is extremely computationally
expensive, we also study the relevance and range of applicability of the most
common subgrid scale models for this problem. Unstratified shearing boxes
simulations are performed both in the compressible and incompressible limits,
with a resolution up to 800 cells per disc scale height. The latter constitutes
the largest resolution ever attained for a simulation of MRI turbulence. In the
presence of a mean magnetic field threading the domain, angular momentum
transport converges to a finite value in the small Pm limit. When the mean
vertical field amplitude is such that {\beta}, the ratio between the thermal
and magnetic pressure, equals 1000, we find {\alpha}~0.032 when Pm approaches
zero. In the case of a mean toroidal field for which {\beta}=100, we find
{\alpha}~0.018 in the same limit. Both implicit LES and Chollet-Lesieur closure
model reproduces these results for the {\alpha} parameter and the power
spectra. A reduction in computational cost of a factor at least 16 (and up to
256) is achieved when using such methods. MRI turbulence operates efficiently
in the small Pm limit provided there is a mean magnetic field. Implicit LES
offers a practical and efficient mean of investigation of this regime but
should be used with care, particularly in the case of a vertical field.
Chollet-Lesieur closure model is perfectly suited for simulations done with a
spectral code.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
Dynamics of Global Entanglement under Decoherence
We investigate the dynamics of global entanglement, the Meyer-Wallach
measure, under decoherence, analytically. We study two important class of
multi-partite entangled states, the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger and the W
state. We obtain exact results for various models of system-environment
interactions (decoherence). Our results shows distinctly different scaling
behavior for these initially entangled states indicating a relative robustness
of the W state, consistent with previous studies.Comment: 5 pages and 5 figure
Decoherence and entropy of primordial fluctuations II. The entropy budget
We calculate the entropy of adiabatic perturbations associated with a
truncation of the hierarchy of Green functions at the first non trivial level,
i.e. in a self-consistent Gaussian approximation. We give the equation
governing the entropy growth and discuss its phenomenology. It is parameterized
by two model-dependent kernels. We then examine two particular inflationary
models, one with isocurvature perturbations, the other with corrections due to
loops of matter fields. In the first model the entropy grows rapidely, while in
the second the state remains pure (at one loop).Comment: 28 page
Change of decoherence scenario and appearance of localization due to reservoir anharmonicity
Although coupling to a super-Ohmic bosonic reservoir leads only to partial
dephasing on short time scales, exponential decay of coherence appears in the
Markovian limit (for long times) if anharmonicity of the reservoir is taken
into account. This effect not only qualitatively changes the decoherence
scenario but also leads to localization processes in which superpositions of
spatially separated states dephase with a rate that depends on the distance
between the localized states. As an example of the latter process, we study the
decay of coherence of an electron state delocalized over two semiconductor
quantum dots due to anharmonicity of phonon modes.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure; moderate changes; auxiliary material added; to
appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agents in anuric patients during continuous venovenous haemofiltration
Background. The optimal drug dosing in anuric patients undergoing continuous haemofiltration is a difficult task. More pharmacokinetic data is needed to derive practical guidelines for dosage adjustments. Methods. Drug elimination of various antimicrobial agents (amikacin, amoxycillin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin flucloxacillin, imipenem, netilmicin, penicillin G, piperacillin, sulphamethoxazole, tobramycin, vancomycin) was studied in 24 patients with acute renal failure treated by pump-assisted continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH). Concentrations of serial blood and ultrafiltrate samples were determined by HPLC or by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Total body clearance (CL) and haemofilter clearance (CLf) rates were determined by standard model-independent equations. Data from published literature on fractions not bound to proteins (fu), non-renal drug clearance fractions (Qo) and normal clearance values (CLn) were used to derive a pharmacokinetic model, taking into account drug removal by ultrafiltration and by non-renal clearance. Results. A total of 37 treatment periods was studied. Blood flow through the haemofilters was 100 ml/min resulting in an average ultrafiltrate flow rate (UFR) of 13.2±4.6 (range 3.2-22.1) ml/min. Acceptable correlations of calculated and measured haemofilter clearances and total body clearances were obtained. Conclusions. Total body clearance in anuric patients during CVVH is predictable from drug properties, which are generally known. The individual dosage requirements may be calculated by multiplying Qo+fu UFR/CLn with the dose considered appropriate in the absence of renal impairmen
Decoherence: Concepts and Examples
We give a pedagogical introduction to the process of decoherence - the
irreversible emergence of classical properties through interaction with the
environment. After discussing the general concepts, we present the following
examples: Localisation of objects, quantum Zeno effect, classicality of fields
and charges in QED, and decoherence in gravity theory. We finally emphasise the
important interpretational features of decoherence.Comment: 24 pages, LATEX, 9 figures, needs macro lamuphys.sty, to appear in
the Proceedings of the 10th Born Symposiu
CO2 and non-CO2 radiative forcings in climate projections for twenty-first century mitigation scenarios
Climate is simulated for reference and mitigation emissions scenarios from Integrated Assessment Models using the Bern2.5CC carbon cycle-climate model. Mitigation options encompass all major radiative forcing agents. Temperature change is attributed to forcings using an impulse-response substitute of Bern2.5CC. The contribution of CO2 to global warming increases over the century in all scenarios. Non-CO2 mitigation measures add to the abatement of global warming. The share of mitigation carried by CO2, however, increases when radiative forcing targets are lowered, and increases after 2000 in all mitigation scenarios. Thus, non-CO2 mitigation is limited and net CO2 emissions must eventually subside. Mitigation rapidly reduces the sulfate aerosol loading and associated cooling, partly masking Greenhouse Gas mitigation over the coming decades. A profound effect of mitigation on CO2 concentration, radiative forcing, temperatures and the rate of climate change emerges in the second half of the centur
Quantum decoherence in the theory of open systems
In the framework of the Lindblad theory for open quantum systems, we
determine the degree of quantum decoherence of a harmonic oscillator
interacting with a thermal bath. It is found that the system manifests a
quantum decoherence which is more and more significant in time. We calculate
also the decoherence time scale and analyze the transition from quantum to
classical behaviour of the considered system.Comment: 6 pages; talk at the 3rd International Workshop "Quantum Physics and
Communication" (QPC 2005), Dubna, Russia, 200
On the precise connection between the GRW master-equation and master-equations for the description of decoherence
We point out that the celebrated GRW master-equation is invariant under
translations, reflecting the homogeneity of space, thus providing a particular
realization of a general class of translation-covariant Markovian
master-equations. Such master-equations are typically used for the description
of decoherence due to momentum transfers between system and environment.
Building on this analogy we show the exact relationship between the GRW
master-equation and decoherence master-equations, further providing a
collisional decoherence model formally equivalent to the GRW master-equation.
This allows for a direct comparison of order of magnitudes of relevant
parameters. This formal analogy should not lead to confusion on the utterly
different spirit of the two research fields, in particular it has to be
stressed that the decoherence approach does not lead to a solution of the
measurement problem. Building on this analogy however the feasibility of the
extension of spontaneous localization models in order to avoid the infinite
energy growth is discussed. Apart from a particular case considered in the
paper, it appears that the amplification mechanism is generally spoiled by such
modifications.Comment: 9 pages, latex, no figures, to appear on J. Phys.
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