Flight of a heavy particle nonlinearly coupled to a quantum bath

Fluctuation and dissipation are by-products of coupling to the `environment.' The Caldeira-Leggett model, a successful paradigm of quantum Brownian motion, views the environment as a collection of harmonic oscillators linearly coupled to the system. However, symmetry considerations may forbid a linear coupling, e.g. for a neutral particle in quantum electrodynamics. We argue that nonlinear couplings can lead to a fundamentally different behavior. Specifically, we consider a heavy particle quadratically coupled to quantum fluctuations of the bath. In one dimension the particle undergoes anomalous diffusion, unfolding as a power-law distribution in space, reminiscent of L\'evy flights. We suggest condensed matter analogs where similar effects may arise.Comment: Introduction expanded. Appendices adde

Nonequilibrium quantum fluctuations of a dispersive medium: Spontaneous emission, photon statistics, entropy generation, and stochastic motion

We study the implications of quantum fluctuations of a dispersive medium, under steady rotation, either in or out of thermal equilibrium with its environment. A rotating object exhibits a quantum instability by dissipating its mechanical motion via spontaneous emission of photons, as well as internal heat generation. Universal relations are derived for the radiated energy and angular momentum as trace formulas involving the object's scattering matrix. We also compute the quantum noise by deriving the full statistics of the radiated photons out of thermal and/or dynamic equilibrium. The (entanglement) entropy generation is quantified, and the total entropy is shown to be always increasing. Furthermore, we derive a Fokker-Planck equation governing the stochastic angular motion resulting from the fluctuating back-reaction frictional torque. As a result, we find a quantum limit on the uncertainty of the object's angular velocity in steady rotation. Finally, we show in some detail that a rotating object drags nearby objects, making them spin parallel to its axis of rotation. A scalar toy model is introduced in the first part to simplify the technicalities and ease the conceptual complexities; a detailed discussion of quantum electrodynamics is presented in the second part

Non-equilibrium electromagnetic fluctuations: Heat transfer and interactions

The Casimir force between arbitrary objects in equilibrium is related to scattering from individual bodies. We extend this approach to heat transfer and Casimir forces in non-equilibrium cases where each body, and the environment, is at a different temperature. The formalism tracks the radiation from each body and its scatterings by the other objects. We discuss the radiation from a cylinder, emphasizing its polarized nature, and obtain the heat transfer between a sphere and a plate, demonstrating the validity of proximity transfer approximation at close separations and arbitrary temperatures.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, published version, minor changes (e.g. typos

Apex Exponents for Polymer--Probe Interactions

We consider self-avoiding polymers attached to the tip of an impenetrable probe. The scaling exponents $\gamma_1$ and $\gamma_2$, characterizing the number of configurations for the attachment of the polymer by one end, or at its midpoint, vary continuously with the tip's angle. These apex exponents are calculated analytically by $\epsilon$-expansion, and numerically by simulations in three dimensions. We find that when the polymer can move through the attachment point, it typically slides to one end; the apex exponents quantify the entropic barrier to threading the eye of the probe

Spontaneous emission by rotating objects: A scattering approach

We study the quantum electrodynamics (QED) vacuum in the presence of a body rotating along its axis of symmetry and show that the object spontaneously emits energy if it is lossy. The radiated power is expressed as a general trace formula solely in terms of the scattering matrix, making an explicit connection to the conjecture of Zel'dovich [JETP Lett. 14, 180 (1971)] on rotating objects. We further show that a rotating body drags along nearby objects while making them spin parallel to its own rotation axis

Phase ordering and roughening on growing films

We study the interplay between surface roughening and phase separation during the growth of binary films. Already in 1+1 dimension, we find a variety of different scaling behaviors depending on how the two phenomena are coupled. In the most interesting case, related to the advection of a passive scalar in a velocity field, nontrivial scaling exponents are obtained in simulations.Comment: 4 pages latex, 6 figure

Symmetry-Breaking Motility

Locomotion of bacteria by actin polymerization, and in vitro motion of spherical beads coated with a protein catalyzing polymerization, are examples of active motility. Starting from a simple model of forces locally normal to the surface of a bead, we construct a phenomenological equation for its motion. The singularities at a continuous transition between moving and stationary beads are shown to be related to the symmetries of its shape. Universal features of the phase behavior are calculated analytically and confirmed by simulations. Fluctuations in velocity are shown to be generically non-Maxwellian and correlated to the shape of the bead.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, REVTeX; formatting of references correcte

Passive Sliders on Growing Surfaces and (anti-)Advection in Burger's Flows

We study the fluctuations of particles sliding on a stochastically growing surface. This problem can be mapped to motion of passive scalars in a randomly stirred Burger's flow. Renormalization group studies, simulations, and scaling arguments in one dimension, suggest a rich set of phenomena: If particles slide with the avalanche of growth sites (advection with the fluid), they tend to cluster and follow the surface dynamics. However, for particles sliding against the avalanche (anti-advection), we find slower diffusion dynamics, and density fluctuations with no simple relation to the underlying fluid, possibly with continuously varying exponents.Comment: 4 pages revtex

Effect of continuous care model on emotional health and social connection aspects of quality of life of infertile women

Background and aim: Infertility and its treatment affect as a crisis on various aspect of quality of life in women that is the most important aspects of quality of life of emotional issues and social connection. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of continuous care model on emotional health and social connection in infertile women. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 80 infertile women referred to infertility centers affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2015 were entered into study by simple (convenient) sampling method. The data were collected by demographic characteristics questionnaire and fertility quality of life questionnaire (FertiQol). 2-3 training session was held for implementation of continuous care model. Quality of life in infertile women was evaluated during two stages: before intervention and 2 months after intervention in evaluation stage. Data were analyzed using SPSS by the Independent t-test, Paired t-test, Chi-square and Exact fisher test and p< 0.05 was considered significant. Results: in the case and control groups, mean of quality of life in emotional health after the intervention was 16.75±3.572 and 8.85±3.971 and in social connection was 17.98±2.922 and 11.45±3.672, respectively. A significant difference between intervention and control group was observed (P=0.002). In the control group, a significant decrease in scores on emotional and social areas after the end of the intervention was observed (P<0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of continuous care model improves emotional health and social connection in infertile women. It is recommended that continuous care model to be used as a easy, affordable and available care model