335 research outputs found
Influence of typical environments on quantum processes
We present the results of studying the influence of different environmental
states on the coherence of quantum processes. We choose to discuss a simple
model which describe two electronic reservoirs connected through tunneling via
a resonant state. The model could, e.g., serve as an idealization of inelastic
resonant tunneling through a double barrier structure. We develop Schwinger's
closed time path formulation of non-equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics,
and show that the influence of the environment on a coherent quantum process
can be described by the value of a generating functional at a specific force
value, thereby allowing for a unified discussion of destruction of phase
coherence by various environmental states: thermal state, classical noise, time
dependent classical field, and a coherent state. The model allows an extensive
discussion of the influence of dissipation on the coherent quantum process, and
expressions for the transmission coefficient are obtained in the possible
limits.Comment: 46 pages, 11 post script figures. Accepted for publication in
Physical Review
Hilbert--Schmidt volume of the set of mixed quantum states
We compute the volume of the convex N^2-1 dimensional set M_N of density
matrices of size N with respect to the Hilbert-Schmidt measure. The hyper--area
of the boundary of this set is also found and its ratio to the volume provides
an information about the complex structure of M_N. Similar investigations are
also performed for the smaller set of all real density matrices. As an
intermediate step we analyze volumes of the unitary and orthogonal groups and
of the flag manifolds.Comment: 13 revtex pages, ver 3: minor improvement
Bures volume of the set of mixed quantum states
We compute the volume of the N^2-1 dimensional set M_N of density matrices of
size N with respect to the Bures measure and show that it is equal to that of a
N^2-1 dimensional hyper-halfsphere of radius 1/2. For N=2 we obtain the volume
of the Uhlmann 3-D hemisphere, embedded in R^4. We find also the area of the
boundary of the set M_N and obtain analogous results for the smaller set of all
real density matrices. An explicit formula for the Bures-Hall normalization
constants is derived for an arbitrary N.Comment: 15 revtex pages, 2 figures in .eps; ver. 3, Eq. (4.19) correcte
The Role of Strangeness in Astrophysics - an Odyssey through Strange Phases
The equation of state for compact stars is reviewed with special emphasis on
the role of strange hadrons, strange dibaryons and strange quark matter.
Implications for the properties of compact stars are presented. The importance
of neutron star data to constrain the properties of hypothetic particles and
the possible existence of exotic phases in dense matter is outlined. We also
discuss the growing interplay between astrophysics and heavy-ion physics.Comment: invited talk given at Strange Quark Matter 2001, Frankfurt, Germany,
8 pages, uses iopart.cls, minor modifications, version to appear in J. Phys.
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