5,172 research outputs found

    Representation of Quantum Mechanical Resonances in the Lax-Phillips Hilbert Space

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    We discuss the quantum Lax-Phillips theory of scattering and unstable systems. In this framework, the decay of an unstable system is described by a semigroup. The spectrum of the generator of the semigroup corresponds to the singularities of the Lax-Phillips SS-matrix. In the case of discrete (complex) spectrum of the generator of the semigroup, associated with resonances, the decay law is exactly exponential. The states corresponding to these resonances (eigenfunctions of the generator of the semigroup) lie in the Lax-Phillips Hilbert space, and therefore all physical properties of the resonant states can be computed. We show that the Lax-Phillips SS-matrix is unitarily related to the SS-matrix of standard scattering theory by a unitary transformation parametrized by the spectral variable σ\sigma of the Lax-Phillips theory. Analytic continuation in σ\sigma has some of the properties of a method developed some time ago for application to dilation analytic potentials. We work out an illustrative example using a Lee-Friedrichs model for the underlying dynamical system.Comment: Plain TeX, 26 pages. Minor revision

    Generalized Boltzmann Equation in a Manifestly Covariant Relativistic Statistical Mechanics

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    We consider the relativistic statistical mechanics of an ensemble of NN events with motion in space-time parametrized by an invariant ``historical time'' τ.\tau . We generalize the approach of Yang and Yao, based on the Wigner distribution functions and the Bogoliubov hypotheses, to find the approximate dynamical equation for the kinetic state of any nonequilibrium system to the relativistic case, and obtain a manifestly covariant Boltzmann-type equation which is a relativistic generalization of the Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (BUU) equation for indistinguishable particles. This equation is then used to prove the HH-theorem for evolution in τ.\tau . In the equilibrium limit, the covariant forms of the standard statistical mechanical distributions are obtained. We introduce two-body interactions by means of the direct action potential V(q),V(q), where qq is an invariant distance in the Minkowski space-time. The two-body correlations are taken to have the support in a relative O(2,1)O( 2,1)-invariant subregion of the full spacelike region. The expressions for the energy density and pressure are obtained and shown to have the same forms (in terms of an invariant distance parameter) as those of the nonrelativistic theory and to provide the correct nonrelativistic limit

    Structure and Properties of Hughston's Stochastic Extension of the Schr\"odinger Equation

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    Hughston has recently proposed a stochastic extension of the Schr\"odinger equation, expressed as a stochastic differential equation on projective Hilbert space. We derive new projective Hilbert space identities, which we use to give a general proof that Hughston's equation leads to state vector collapse to energy eigenstates, with collapse probabilities given by the quantum mechanical probabilities computed from the initial state. We discuss the relation of Hughston's equation to earlier work on norm-preserving stochastic equations, and show that Hughston's equation can be written as a manifestly unitary stochastic evolution equation for the pure state density matrix. We discuss the behavior of systems constructed as direct products of independent subsystems, and briefly address the question of whether an energy-based approach, such as Hughston's, suffices to give an objective interpretation of the measurement process in quantum mechanics.Comment: Plain Tex, no figure

    Gravitational Repulsion within a Black-Hole using the Stueckelberg Quantum Formalism

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    We wish to study an application of Stueckelberg's relativistic quantum theory in the framework of general relativity. We study the form of the wave equation of a massive body in the presence of a Schwarzschild gravitational field. We treat the mathematical behavior of the wavefunction also around and beyond the horizon (r=2M). Classically, within the horizon, the time component of the metric becomes spacelike and distance from the origin singularity becomes timelike, suggesting an inevitable propagation of all matter within the horizon to a total collapse at r=0. However, the quantum description of the wave function provides a different understanding of the behavior of matter within the horizon. We find that a test particle can almost never be found at the origin and is more probable to be found at the horizon. Matter outside the horizon has a very small wave length and therefore interference effects can be found only on a very small atomic scale. However, within the horizon, matter becomes totally "tachionic" and is potentially "spread" over all space. Small location uncertainties on the atomic scale become large around the horizon, and different mass components of the wave function can therefore interfere on a stellar scale. This interference phenomenon, where the probability of finding matter decreases as a function of the distance from the horizon, appears as an effective gravitational repulsion.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure

    A RIAM/lamellipodin-talin-integrin complex forms the tip of sticky fingers that guide cell migration.

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    The leading edge of migrating cells contains rapidly translocating activated integrins associated with growing actin filaments that form 'sticky fingers' to sense extracellular matrix and guide cell migration. Here we utilized indirect bimolecular fluorescence complementation to visualize a molecular complex containing a Mig-10/RIAM/lamellipodin (MRL) protein (Rap1-GTP-interacting adaptor molecule (RIAM) or lamellipodin), talin and activated integrins in living cells. This complex localizes at the tips of growing actin filaments in lamellipodial and filopodial protrusions, thus corresponding to the tips of the 'sticky fingers.' Formation of the complex requires talin to form a bridge between the MRL protein and the integrins. Moreover, disruption of the MRL protein-integrin-talin (MIT) complex markedly impairs cell protrusion. These data reveal the molecular basis of the formation of 'sticky fingers' at the leading edge of migrating cells and show that an MIT complex drives these protrusions

    Quantum Time and Spatial Localization: An Analysis of the Hegerfeldt Paradox

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    Two related problems in relativistic quantum mechanics, the apparent superluminal propagation of initially localized particles and dependence of spatial localization on the motion of the observer, are analyzed in the context of Dirac's theory of constraints. A parametrization invariant formulation is obtained by introducing time and energy operators for the relativistic particle and then treating the Klein-Gordon equation as a constraint. The standard, physical Hilbert space is recovered, via integration over proper time, from an augmented Hilbert space wherein time and energy are dynamical variables. It is shown that the Newton-Wigner position operator, being in this description a constant of motion, acts on states in the augmented space. States with strictly positive energy are non-local in time; consequently, position measurements receive contributions from states representing the particle's position at many times. Apparent superluminal propagation is explained by noting that, as the particle is potentially in the past (or future) of the assumed initial place and time of localization, it has time to propagate to distant regions without exceeding the speed of light. An inequality is proven showing the Hegerfeldt paradox to be completely accounted for by the hypotheses of subluminal propagation from a set of initial space-time points determined by the quantum time distribution arising from the positivity of the system's energy. Spatial localization can nevertheless occur through quantum interference between states representing the particle at different times. The non-locality of the same system to a moving observer is due to Lorentz rotation of spatial axes out of the interference minimum.Comment: This paper is identical to the version appearing in J. Math. Phys. 41; 6093 (Sept. 2000). The published version will be found at http://ojps.aip.org/jmp/. The paper (40 page PDF file) has been completely revised since the last posting to this archiv

    Semigroup evolution in Wigner Weisskopf pole approximation with Markovian spectral coupling

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    We establish the relation between the Wigner-Weisskopf theory for the description of an unstable system and the theory of coupling to an environment. According to the Wigner-Weisskopf general approach, even within the pole approximation (neglecting the background contribution) the evolution of a total system subspace is not an exact semigroup for the multi-channel decay, unless the projectors into eigesntates of the reduced evolution generator W(z)W(z) are orthogonal. In this case these projectors must be evaluated at different pole locations zαzβz_\alpha\neq z_\beta. Since the orthogonality relation does not generally hold at different values of zz, for example, when there is symmetry breaking, the semigroup evolution is a poor approximation for the multi-channel decay, even for a very weak coupling. Nevertheless, there exists a possibility not only to ensure the orthogonality of the W(z)W(z) projectors regardless the number of the poles, but also to simultaneously suppress the effect of the background contribution. This possibility arises when the theory is generalized to take into account interactions with an environment. In this case W(z)W(z), and hence its eigenvectors as well, are {\it independent} of zz, which corresponds to a structure of the coupling to the continuum spectrum associated with the Markovian limit.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

    The EPR experiment in the energy-based stochastic reduction framework

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    We consider the EPR experiment in the energy-based stochastic reduction framework. A gedanken set up is constructed to model the interaction of the particles with the measurement devices. The evolution of particles' density matrix is analytically derived. We compute the dependence of the disentanglement rate on the parameters of the model, and study the dependence of the outcome probabilities on the noise trajectories. Finally, we argue that these trajectories can be regarded as non-local hidden variables.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

    Scaling Bounded Model Checking By Transforming Programs With Arrays

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    Bounded Model Checking is one the most successful techniques for finding bugs in program. However, model checkers are resource hungry and are often unable to verify programs with loops iterating over large arrays.We present a transformation that enables bounded model checkers to verify a certain class of array properties. Our technique transforms an array-manipulating (ANSI-C) program to an array-free and loop-free (ANSI-C) program thereby reducing the resource requirements of a model checker significantly. Model checking of the transformed program using an off-the-shelf bounded model checker simulates the loop iterations efficiently. Thus, our transformed program is a sound abstraction of the original program and is also precise in a large number of cases - we formally characterize the class of programs for which it is guaranteed to be precise. We demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of our technique on both industry code as well as academic benchmarks
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