Decoherence induced continuous pointer states

We investigate the reduced dynamics in the Markovian approximation of an infinite quantum spin system linearly coupled to a phonon field at positive temperature. The achieved diagonalization leads to a selection of the continuous family of pointer states corresponding to a configuration space of the one-dimensional Ising model. Such a family provides a mathematical description of an apparatus with continuous readings.Comment: 8 page

Nonnegative Feynman-Kac Kernels in Schr\"{o}dinger's Interpolation Problem

The existing formulations of the Schr\"{o}dinger interpolating dynamics, which is constrained by the prescribed input-output statistics data, utilize strictly positive Feynman-Kac kernels. This implies that the related Markov diffusion processes admit vanishing probability densities only at the boundaries of the spatial volume confining the process. We extend the framework to encompass singular potentials and associated nonnegative Feynman-Kac-type kernels. It allows to deal with general nonnegative solutions of the Schr\"{o}dinger boundary data problem. The resulting stochastic processes are capable of both developing and destroying nodes (zeros) of probability densities in the course of their evolution.Comment: Latex file, 25 p

Constraining Ω0{\Omega_{0}} from X-ray properties of Clusters of Galaxies at high redshift

Properties of high redshift clusters are a fundamental source of information for cosmology. It has been shown by Oukbir and Blanchard (1997) that the combined knowledge of the redshift distribution of X-ray clusters of galaxies and the luminosity-temperature correlation, $L_X-T_X$, provides a powerful test of the mean density of the Universe. In this paper, we address the question of the possible evolution of this relation from an observational point of view and its cosmological significance. We introduce a new indicator in order to measure the evolution of the X-ray luminosity-temperature relation with redshift and take advantage of the recent availability of temperature information for a significant number of high and intermediate redshift X-ray clusters of galaxies. From our analysis, we find a slightly positive evolution in the $L_X-T_X$ relation. This implies a high value of the density parameter of $0.85\pm0.2$. However, because the selection of clusters included inour sample is unknown, this can be considered only as a tentative result. A well-controlled X-ray selected survey would provide a more robust answer. XMM will be ideal for such a program.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 4 figures,5 tables, accepted by A&

A Way Out of the Quantum Trap

We review Event Enhanced Quantum Theory (EEQT). In Section 1 we address the question "Is Quantum Theory the Last Word". In particular we respond to some of recent challenging staments of H.P. Stapp. We also discuss a possible future of the quantum paradigm - see also Section 5. In Section 2 we give a short sketch of EEQT. Examples are given in Section 3. Section 3.3 discusses a completely new phenomenon - chaos and fractal-like phenomena caused by a simultaneous "measurement" of several non-commuting observables (we include picture of Barnsley's IFS on unit sphere of a Hilbert space). In Section 4 we answer "Frequently Asked Questions" concerning EEQT.Comment: Replacement. Corrected affiliation. Latex, one .jpg figure. To appear in Proc. Conf. Relativistic Quantum Measurements, Napoli 1998, Ed. F. Petruccion

Determination of the hypersonic-continuum/rarefied-flow drag coefficient of the Viking lander capsule 1 aeroshell from flight data

Results of an investigation to determine the full scale drag coefficient in the high speed, low density regime of the Viking lander capsule 1 entry vehicle are presented. The principal flight data used in the study were from onboard pressure, mass spectrometer, and accelerometer instrumentation. The hypersonic continuum flow drag coefficient was unambiguously obtained from pressure and accelerometer data; the free molecule flow drag coefficient was indirectly estimated from accelerometer and mass spectrometer data; the slip flow drag coefficient variation was obtained from an appropriate scaling of existing experimental sphere data. Comparison of the flight derived drag hypersonic continuum flow regime except for Reynolds numbers from 1000 to 100,000, for which an unaccountable difference between flight and ground test data of about 8% existed. The flight derived drag coefficients in the free molecule flow regime were considerably larger than those previously calculated with classical theory. The general character of the previously determined temperature profile was not changed appreciably by the results of this investigation; however, a slightly more symmetrical temperature variation at the highest altitudes was obtained

Completely Mixing Quantum Open Systems and Quantum Fractals

Departing from classical concepts of ergodic theory, formulated in terms of probability densities, measures describing the chaotic behavior and the loss of information in quantum open systems are proposed. As application we discuss the chaotic outcomes of continuous measurement processes in the EEQT framework. Simultaneous measurement of four noncommuting spin components is shown to lead to a chaotic jump on quantum spin sphere and to generate specific fractal images - nonlinear ifs (iterated function system). The model is purely theoretical at this stage, and experimental confirmation of the chaotic behavior of measuring instruments during simultaneous continuous measurement of several noncommuting quantum observables would constitute a quantitative verification of Event Enhanced Quantum Theory.Comment: Latex format, 20 pages, 6 figures in jpg format. New replacement has two more references (including one to a paper by G. Casati et al on quantum fractal eigenstates), adds example and comments concerning mixing properties of of a two-level atom driven by a laser field, and also adds a number of other remarks which should make it easier to follow mathematical argument