1,684 research outputs found
A proof of the Kramers degeneracy of transmission eigenvalues from antisymmetry of the scattering matrix
In time reversal symmetric systems with half integral spins (or more
concretely, systems with an antiunitary symmetry that squares to -1 and
commutes with the Hamiltonian) the transmission eigenvalues of the scattering
matrix come in pairs. We present a proof of this fact that is valid both for
even and odd number of modes and relies solely on the antisymmetry of the
scattering matrix imposed by time reversal symmetry.Comment: 2 page
Insight into Resonant Activation in Discrete Systems
The resonant activation phenomenon (RAP) in a discrete system is studied
using the master equation formalism. We show that the RAP corresponds to a
non-monotonic behavior of the frequency dependent first passage time
probability density function (pdf). An analytical expression for the resonant
frequency is introduced, which, together with numerical results, helps
understand the RAP behavior in the space spanned by the transition rates for
the case of reflecting and absorbing boundary conditions. The limited range of
system parameters for which the RAP occurs is discussed. We show that a minimum
and a maximum in the mean first passage time (MFPT) can be obtained when both
boundaries are absorbing. Relationships to some biological systems are
suggested.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, Phys. Rev. E., in pres
Storage of classical information in quantum spins
Digital magnetic recording is based on the storage of a bit of information in
the orientation of a magnetic system with two stable ground states. Here we
address two fundamental problems that arise when this is done on a quantized
spin: quantum spin tunneling and back-action of the readout process. We show
that fundamental differences exist between integer and semi-integer spins when
it comes to both, read and record classical information in a quantized spin.
Our findings imply fundamental limits to the miniaturization of magnetic bits
and are relevant to recent experiments where spin polarized scanning tunneling
microscope reads and records a classical bit in the spin orientation of a
single magnetic atom
Time Reversal and n-qubit Canonical Decompositions
For n an even number of qubits and v a unitary evolution, a matrix
decomposition v=k1 a k2 of the unitary group is explicitly computable and
allows for study of the dynamics of the concurrence entanglement monotone. The
side factors k1 and k2 of this Concurrence Canonical Decomposition (CCD) are
concurrence symmetries, so the dynamics reduce to consideration of the a
factor. In this work, we provide an explicit numerical algorithm computing v=k1
a k2 for n odd. Further, in the odd case we lift the monotone to a two-argument
function, allowing for a theory of concurrence dynamics in odd qubits. The
generalization may also be studied using the CCD, leading again to maximal
concurrence capacity for most unitaries. The key technique is to consider the
spin-flip as a time reversal symmetry operator in Wigner's axiomatization; the
original CCD derivation may be restated entirely in terms of this time
reversal. En route, we observe a Kramers' nondegeneracy: the existence of a
nondegenerate eigenstate of any time reversal symmetric n-qubit Hamiltonian
demands (i) n even and (ii) maximal concurrence of said eigenstate. We provide
examples of how to apply this work to study the kinematics and dynamics of
entanglement in spin chain Hamiltonians.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures; v2 (17pp.): major revision, new abstract,
introduction, expanded bibliograph
Activated escape of periodically modulated systems
The rate of noise-induced escape from a metastable state of a periodically
modulated overdamped system is found for an arbitrary modulation amplitude .
The instantaneous escape rate displays peaks that vary with the modulation from
Gaussian to strongly asymmetric. The prefactor in the period-averaged
escape rate depends on nonmonotonically. Near the bifurcation amplitude
it scales as . We identify three scaling
regimes, with , and 1/2
Semiclassical limit of the entanglement in closed pure systems
We discuss the semiclassical limit of the entanglement for the class of
closed pure systems. By means of analytical and numerical calculations we
obtain two main results: (i) the short-time entanglement does not depend on
Planck's constant and (ii) the long-time entanglement increases as more
semiclassical regimes are attained. On one hand, this result is in contrast
with the idea that the entanglement should be destroyed when the macroscopic
limit is reached. On the other hand, it emphasizes the role played by
decoherence in the process of emergence of the classical world. We also found
that, for Gaussian initial states, the entanglement dynamics may be described
by an entirely classical entropy in the semiclassical limit.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures (accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. A
Strong Orientation Effects in Ionization of H by Short, Intense, High-Frequency Light Sources
We present three dimensional time-dependent calculations of ionization of
arbitrarily spatially oriented H by attosecond, intense, high-frequency
laser fields. The ionization probability shows a strong dependence on both the
internuclear distance and the relative orientation between the laser field and
the internuclear axis.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Recurrent difficulties: solving quantitative problems
Investigating the process students use to solve quantitative problems using a think aloud strategy
Kramers-Kronig, Bode, and the meaning of zero
The implications of causality, as captured by the Kramers-Kronig relations
between the real and imaginary parts of a linear response function, are
familiar parts of the physics curriculum. In 1937, Bode derived a similar
relation between the magnitude (response gain) and phase. Although the
Kramers-Kronig relations are an equality, Bode's relation is effectively an
inequality. This perhaps-surprising difference is explained using elementary
examples and ultimately traces back to delays in the flow of information within
the system formed by the physical object and measurement apparatus.Comment: 8 pages; American Journal of Physics, to appea
National Soils Database
End of project reportThe objectives of the National Soils Database project were fourfold. The first was to generate a national database of soil geochemistry to complete the work that commenced with a survey of the South East of Ireland carried out in 1995 and 1996 by Teagasc (McGrath and McCormack, 1999). Secondly, to produce point and interpolated spatial distribution maps of major, minor and trace elements and to interpret these with respect to underlying parent material, glacial geology, land use and possible anthropogenic effects. A third objective was to investigate the microbial community structure in a range of soil types to determine the relationship between soil microbiology and chemistry. The final objective was to establish a National Soils Archive
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