18,330 research outputs found
A semiclassical theory of quantum noise in open chaotic systems
We consider the quantum evolution of classically chaotic systems in contact
with surroundings. Based on -scaling of an equation for time evolution
of the Wigner's quasi-probability distribution function in presence of
dissipation and thermal diffusion we derive a semiclassical equation for
quantum fluctuations. This identifies an early regime of evolution dominated by
fluctuations in the curvature of the potential due to classical chaos and
dissipation. A stochastic treatment of this classical fluctuations leads us to
a Fokker-Planck equation which is reminiscent of Kramers' equation for
thermally activated processes. This reveals an interplay of three aspects of
evolution of quantum noise in weakly dissipative open systems; the reversible
Liouville flow, the irreversible chaotic diffusion which is characteristic of
the system itself, and irreversible dissipation induced by the external
reservoir. It has been demonstrated that in the dissipation-free case a
competition between Liouville flow in the contracting direction of phase space
and chaotic diffusion sets a critical width in the Wigner function for quantum
fluctuations. We also show how the initial quantum noise gets amplified by
classical chaos and ultimately equilibrated under the influence of dissipation.
We establish that there exists a critical limit to the expansion of phase
space. The limit is determined by chaotic diffusion and dissipation. Making use
of appropriate quantum-classical correspondence we verify the semiclassical
analysis by the fully quantum simulation in a chaotic quartic oscillator.Comment: Plain Latex, 27 pages, 6 ps figure, To appear in Physica
Spacelab baseline ECS trace contaminant removal test program
An estimate of the Spacelab Baseline Environmental Control System's contaminated removal capability was required to allow determination of the need for a supplemental trace contaminant removal system. Results from a test program to determine this removal capability are presented
High Reynolds number tests of the CAST-10-2/DOA 2 transonic airfoil at ambient and cryogenic temper ature conditions
The transonic airfoil CAST 10-2/DOA 2 was investigated in several major transonic wind tunnels at Reynolds numbers ranging from Re=1.3 x 10(exp 6) to 45 x 10(exp 6) at ambient and cryogenic temperature conditions. The main objective was to study the degree and extent of the effects of Reynolds number on both the airfoil aerodynamic characteristics and the interference effects of various model-wind-tunnel systems. The initial analysis of the CAST 10-2 airfoil results revealed appreciable real Reynolds number effects on this airfoil and showed that wall interference can be significantly affected by changes in Reynolds number thus appearing as true Reynolds number effects
Spectroscopic study of unique line broadening and inversion in low-pressure microwave generated water plasmas
It was demonstrated that low pressure (~0.2 Torr) water vapor plasmas
generated in a 10 mm inner diameter quartz tube with an Evenson microwave
cavity show at least two features which are not explained by conventional
plasma models. First, significant (> 0.25 nm) hydrogen Balmer_ line broadening,
of constant width, up to 5 cm from the microwave coupler was recorded. Only
hydrogen, and not oxygen, showed significant line broadening. This feature,
observed previously in hydrogen-containing mixed gas plasmas generated with
high voltage dc and rf discharges was explained by some researchers to result
from acceleration of hydrogen ions near the cathode. This explanation cannot
apply to the line broadening observed in the (electrodeless) microwave plasmas
generated in this work, particularly at distances as great as 5 cm from the
microwave coupler. Second, inversion of the line intensities of both the Lyman
and Balmer series, again, at distances up to 5 cm from the coupler, were
observed. The line inversion suggests the existence of a hitherto unknown
source of pumping of the optical power in plasmas. Finally, it is notable that
other aspects of the plasma including the OH* rotational temperature and low
electron concentrations are quite typical of plasmas of this type.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figure
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