Generalized Chaplygin Gas Models tested with SNIa

The so called Generalized Chaplygin Gas (GCG) with the equation of state $p = - \frac{A}{{\rho}^{\alpha}}$ was recently proposed as a candidate for dark energy in the Universe. In this paper we confront the GCG with SNIa data. Specifically we have tested the GCG cosmology in three different classes of models with (1) $\Omega_m= 0.3$, $\Omega_{Ch}= 0.7$; (2) $\Omega_m= 0.05$, $\Omega_{Ch}= 0.95$ and (3) $\Omega_m = 0$, $\Omega_{Ch} = 1$, as well as the model withouth any assumption on $\Omega_m$. The best fitted models are obtained by minimalizing the $\chi^2$ function and $\chi^2$ levels in the $(A_0, \alpha)$ plane. We supplemented our analysis with confidence intervals in the $(A_0, \alpha)$ plane, as well as one-dimensional probability distribution functions for models parameter. The general conclusion is that SNIa data strongly support the Chaplygin gas (with $\alpha = 1$). Extending our analysisby relaxing the flat prior lead to the result that even though the best fitted values of $\Omega_k$ are formally non-zero, still they are close to flat case. It should be viewed as an advantage of the GCG model since in similar analysisof $\Lambda$CDM model high negative value of $\Omega_{k}$ were found to be bestfitted to the data and independent inspiration from CMBR and extragalactic astronomy has been invoked to fix the curvature problem. Our results show clearly that in Generalized Chaplygin Gas cosmology distant $z >1$ supernovae should be brighter than in $\Lambda$CDM model.This prediction seems to be confirmed with new Riess high redshift SNIa sample. Moreover, we argue that with the future SNAP data it would be possible to differentiate between models with various value of $\alpha$ parameter and/or discriminated between GCG, Cardassian and $\Lambda$CDM modelsComment: 54 pages 29 figures improved version analysis flat prior relaxed high redshift Riess SNIa sample include

Entanglement assisted random access codes

An (n,m,p) Random Access Code (RAC) allows to encode n bits in an m bit message, in such a way that a receiver of the message can guess any of the original $n$ bits with probability p, greater than 1/2. In Quantum RAC's (QRACs) one transmits n qubits. The full set of primitive Entanglement Assisted Random Access Codes (EARACs) is introduced, in which parties are allowed to share a two-qubit singlet. It is shown that via a concatenation of these, one can build for any n an (n,1,p) EARAC. QRAC's for n>3 exist only if parties additionally share classical randomness (SR). We show that EARACs outperform the best of known QRACs not only in the success probabilities but also in the amount of communication needed in the preparatory stage of the protocol. Upper bounds on the performance of EARACs are given, and shown to limit also QRACs.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, published versio

Quantum mechanics of a constrained electrically charged particle in the presence of electric currents

We discuss the dynamics of a classical spinless quantum particle carrying electric charge and constrained to move on a non singular static surface in ordinary three dimensional space in the presence of arbitrary configurations of time independent electric currents. Starting from the canonical action in the embedding space we show that a charged particle with charge $q$ couples to a term linear in $qA^3M$, where $A^3$ is the transverse component of the electromagnetic vector potential and $M$ is the mean curvature in the surface. This term cancels exactly a curvature contribution to the orbital magnetic moment of the particle. It is shown that particles, independently of the value of the charge, in addition to the known couplings to the geometry also couple to the mean curvature in the surface when a Neumann type of constraint is applied on the transverse fluctuations of the wave function. In contrast to a Dirrichlet constraint on the transverse fluctuations a Neumann type of constraint on these degrees of freedom will in general make the equations of motion non separable. The exceptions are the equations of motion for electrically neutral particles on surfaces with constant mean curvature. In the presence of electric currents the equation of motion of a charged particle is generally non separable independently of the coupling to the geometry and the boundary constraints.Comment: to appear in Phys.Rev.

Multi-scale Entanglement Renormalization Ansatz in Two Dimensions: Quantum Ising Model

We propose a symmetric version of the multi-scale entanglement renormalization Ansatz (MERA) in two spatial dimensions (2D) and use this Ansatz to find an unknown ground state of a 2D quantum system. Results in the simple 2D quantum Ising model on the $8\times8$ square lattice are found to be very accurate even with the smallest non-trivial truncation parameter.Comment: version to appear in Phys. Rev. Letter

Quss Ibn Sa’ida al-Iyadi (6th–7th cent. A.D.), Bishop of Najran: An Arabic and Islamic Cultural Hero

The article deals with the half-legendary Quss Ibn Sa’ida from an ancient North Arab tribe Iyad, who is believed to have been a bishop of the Yemeni city of Najran and a monk (anachorete). The sources from the Quranic and medieval Arab (Muslim) tradition are gathered and analysed to underline the vivid place that Quss had in later historiography and theological works, and his unique position, a Christian, in the history of the Arab-Muslim culture. The case of Quss is not without value as far as the problem of common historical memory is concerned