41 research outputs found
Quantum effects after decoherence in a quenched phase transition
We study a quantum mechanical toy model that mimics some features of a
quenched phase transition. Both by virtue of a time-dependent Hamiltonian or by
changing the temperature of the bath we are able to show that even after
classicalization has been reached, the system may display quantum behaviour
again. We explain this behaviour in terms of simple non-linear analysis and
estimate relevant time scales that match the results of numerical simulations
of the master-equation. This opens new possibilities both in the study of
quantum effects in non-equilibrium phase transitions and in general
time-dependent problems where quantum effects may be relevant even after
decoherence has been completed.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, revtex, important revisions made. To be published
in Phys. Rev.
Nonadiabatic geometric phase induced by a counterpart of the Stark shift
We analyse the geometric phase due to the Stark shift in a system composed of
a bosonic field, driven by time-dependent linear amplification, interacting
dispersively with a two-level (fermionic) system. We show that a geometric
phase factor in the joint state of the system, which depends on the fermionic
state (resulting form the Stark shift), is introduced by the amplification
process. A clear geometrical interpretation of this phenomenon is provided. We
also show how to measure this effect in an interferometric experiment and to
generate geometric "Schrodinger cat"-like states. Finally, considering the
currently available technology, we discuss a feasible scheme to control and
measure such geometric phases in the context of cavity quantum electrodynamics
The Berry phase in inflationary cosmology
We derive an analogue of the Berry phase associated with inflationary
cosmological perturbations of quantum mechanical origin by obtaining the
corresponding wavefunction. We have further shown that cosmological Berry phase
can be completely envisioned through the observable parameters, viz. spectral
indices. Finally, physical significance of this phase is discussed from the
point of view of theoretical and observational aspects with some possible
consequences of this quantity in inflationary cosmology.Comment: 9 pages, Modified version to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravity.
arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:quant-ph/0307084 by other author
Non-Abelian Geometric Phase, Floquet Theory, and Periodic Dynamical Invariants
For a periodic Hamiltonian, periodic dynamical invariants may be used to
obtain non-degenerate cyclic states. This observation is generalized to the
degenerate cyclic states, and the relation between the periodic dynamical
invariants and the Floquet decompositions of the time-evolution operator is
elucidated. In particular, a necessary condition for the occurrence of cyclic
non-adiabatic non-Abelian geometrical phase is derived. Degenerate cyclic
states are obtained for a magnetic dipole interacting with a precessing
magnetic field.Comment: Plain LaTeX, 13 pages, accepted for publication in J. Phys. A: Math.
Ge
Geometric Phases, Symmetries of Dynamical Invariants, and Exact Solution of the Schr\"odinger Equation
We introduce the notion of the geometrically equivalent quantum systems
(GEQS) as quantum systems that lead to the same geometric phases for a given
complete set of initial state vectors. We give a characterization of the GEQS.
These systems have a common dynamical invariant, and their Hamiltonians and
evolution operators are related by symmetry transformations of the invariant.
If the invariant is -periodic, the corresponding class of GEQS includes a
system with a -periodic Hamiltonian. We apply our general results to study
the classes of GEQS that include a system with a cranked Hamiltonian
. We show that the cranking operator also belongs
to this class. Hence, in spite of the fact that it is time-independent, it
leads to nontrivial cyclic evolutions and geometric phases. Our analysis allows
for an explicit construction of a complete set of nonstationary cyclic states
of any time-independent simple harmonic oscillator. The period of these cyclic
states is half the characteristic period of the oscillator.Comment: Accepted for publication in J. Phys.
Noncyclic geometric phase and its non-Abelian generalization
We use the theory of dynamical invariants to yield a simple derivation of
noncyclic analogues of the Abelian and non-Abelian geometric phases. This
derivation relies only on the principle of gauge invariance and elucidates the
existing definitions of the Abelian noncyclic geometric phase. We also discuss
the adiabatic limit of the noncyclic geometric phase and compute the adiabatic
non-Abelian noncyclic geometric phase for a spin 1 magnetic (or electric)
quadrupole interacting with a precessing magnetic (electric) field.Comment: Plain Latex, accepted for publication in J. Phys. A: Math. Ge
Decoherence, einselection, and the quantum origins of the classical
Decoherence is caused by the interaction with the environment. Environment
monitors certain observables of the system, destroying interference between the
pointer states corresponding to their eigenvalues. This leads to
environment-induced superselection or einselection, a quantum process
associated with selective loss of information. Einselected pointer states are
stable. They can retain correlations with the rest of the Universe in spite of
the environment. Einselection enforces classicality by imposing an effective
ban on the vast majority of the Hilbert space, eliminating especially the
flagrantly non-local "Schr\"odinger cat" states. Classical structure of phase
space emerges from the quantum Hilbert space in the appropriate macroscopic
limit: Combination of einselection with dynamics leads to the idealizations of
a point and of a classical trajectory. In measurements, einselection replaces
quantum entanglement between the apparatus and the measured system with the
classical correlation.Comment: Final version of the review, with brutally compressed figures. Apart
from the changes introduced in the editorial process the text is identical
with that in the Rev. Mod. Phys. July issue. Also available from
http://www.vjquantuminfo.or
Universality of the Lyapunov regime for the Loschmidt echo
The Loschmidt echo (LE) is a magnitude that measures the sensitivity of
quantum dynamics to perturbations in the Hamiltonian. For a certain regime of
the parameters, the LE decays exponentially with a rate given by the Lyapunov
exponent of the underlying classically chaotic system. We develop a
semiclassical theory, supported by numerical results in a Lorentz gas model,
which allows us to establish and characterize the universality of this Lyapunov
regime. In particular, the universality is evidenced by the semiclassical limit
of the Fermi wavelength going to zero, the behavior for times longer than
Ehrenfest time, the insensitivity with respect to the form of the perturbation
and the behavior of individual (non-averaged) initial conditions. Finally, by
elaborating a semiclassical approximation to the Wigner function, we are able
to distinguish between classical and quantum origin for the different terms of
the LE. This approach renders an understanding for the persistence of the
Lyapunov regime after the Ehrenfest time, as well as a reinterpretation of our
results in terms of the quantum--classical transition.Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, uses Revtex
Biology of moderately halophilic aerobic bacteria
The moderately halophilic heterotrophic aerobic bacteria form a diverse group of microorganisms. The property of halophilism is widespread within the bacterial domain. Bacterial halophiles are abundant in environments such as salt lakes, saline soils, and salted food products. Most species keep their intracellular ionic concentrations at low levels while synthesizing or accumulating organic solutes to provide osmotic equilibrium of the cytoplasm with the surrounding medium. Complex mechanisms of adjustment of the intracellular environments and the properties of the cytoplasmic membrane enable rapid adaptation to changes in the salt concentration of the environment. Approaches to the study of genetic processes have recently been developed for several moderate halophiles, opening the way toward an understanding of haloadaptation at the molecular level. The new information obtained is also expected to contribute to the development of novel biotechnological uses for these organisms
Serological Profiling of a Candida albicans Protein Microarray Reveals Permanent Host-Pathogen Interplay and Stage-Specific Responses during Candidemia
Candida albicans in the immunocompetent host is a benign member of the human microbiota. Though, when host physiology is disrupted, this commensal-host interaction can degenerate and lead to an opportunistic infection. Relatively little is known regarding the dynamics of C. albicans colonization and pathogenesis. We developed a C. albicans cell surface protein microarray to profile the immunoglobulin G response during commensal colonization and candidemia. The antibody response from the sera of patients with candidemia and our negative control groups indicate that the immunocompetent host exists in permanent host-pathogen interplay with commensal C. albicans. This report also identifies cell surface antigens that are specific to different phases (i.e. acute, early and mid convalescence) of candidemia. We identified a set of thirteen cell surface antigens capable of distinguishing acute candidemia from healthy individuals and uninfected hospital patients with commensal colonization. Interestingly, a large proportion of these cell surface antigens are involved in either oxidative stress or drug resistance. In addition, we identified 33 antigenic proteins that are enriched in convalescent sera of the candidemia patients. Intriguingly, we found within this subset an increase in antigens associated with heme-associated iron acquisition. These findings have important implications for the mechanisms of C. albicans colonization as well as the development of systemic infection