35,089 research outputs found
From computation to black holes and space-time foam
We show that quantum mechanics and general relativity limit the speed
of a simple computer (such as a black hole) and its memory space
to \tilde{\nu}^2 I^{-1} \lsim t_P^{-2}, where is the Planck time.
We also show that the life-time of a simple clock and its precision are
similarly limited. These bounds and the holographic bound originate from the
same physics that governs the quantum fluctuations of space-time. We further
show that these physical bounds are realized for black holes, yielding the
correct Hawking black hole lifetime, and that space-time undergoes much larger
quantum fluctuations than conventional wisdom claims -- almost within range of
detection with modern gravitational-wave interferometers.Comment: A misidentification of computer speeds is corrected. Our results for
black hole computation now agree with those given by S. Lloyd. All other
conclusions remain unchange
Effect of dead space on avalanche speed
The effects of dead space (the minimum distance travelled by a carrier before acquiring enough energy to impact ionize) on the current impulse response and bandwidth of an avalanche multiplication process are obtained from a numerical model that maintains a constant carrier velocity but allows for a random distribution of impact ionization path lengths. The results show that the main mechanism responsible for the increase in response time with dead space is the increase in the number of carrier groups, which qualitatively describes the length of multiplication chains. When the dead space is negligible, the bandwidth follows the behavior predicted by Emmons but decreases as dead space increase
Validation of the English and Chinese versions of the Quick-FLIC quality of life questionnaire.
A useful measure of quality of life should be easy and quick to complete. Recently, we reported the development and validation of a shortened Chinese version of the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), which we called the Quick-FLIC. In the present study of 327 English-speaking and 221 Chinese-speaking cancer patients, we validated the English version of the Quick-FLIC and further assessed the Chinese version. The 11 Quick-FLIC items were administered alongside the 11 remaining items of the full FLIC, but there appeared to be little context effect. Validity of the English version of the Quick-FLIC was attested by its strong correlation with two other measures of quality of life, and its ability to detect differences between patients with different performance status and treatment status (each P<0.001). Its internal consistency (alpha=0.86) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation=0.76) were also satisfactory. The measure was responsive to changes in performance status (P<0.001). The Chinese version showed similar characteristics. The Quick-FLIC behaved in ways that are highly comparable with the FLIC, even though the Quick-FLIC comprised only 11 items whereas the FLIC comprised 22. Further research is required to see whether the use of shorter instruments can improve data quality and response rates, but the fact that shorter instruments place less burden on the patients is itself inherently important
Edge states in Open Antiferromagnetic Heisenberg Chains
In this letter we report our results in investigating edge effects of open
antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin chains with spin magnitudes
using the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method initiated by
White. For integer spin chains, we find that edge states with spin magnitude
exist, in agreement with Valence-Bond-Solid model picture. For
half-integer spin chains, we find that no edge states exist for spin
chain, but edge state exists in spin chain with , in
agreement with previous conjecture by Ng. Strong finite size effects associated
with spin dimmerization in half-integer spin chains will also be discussed.Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX 3.0, 5 figures in a separate uuencoded postscript
file. Replaced once to enlarge the acknowlegement
Neutrix Calculus and Finite Quantum Field Theory
In general, quantum field theories (QFT) require regularizations and infinite
renormalizations due to ultraviolet divergences in their loop calculations.
Furthermore, perturbation series in theories like QED are not convergent
series, but are asymptotic series. We apply neutrix calculus, developed in
connection with asymptotic series and divergent integrals, to QFT,obtaining
finite renormalizations. While none of the physically measurable results in
renormalizable QFT is changed, quantum gravity is rendered more manageable in
the neutrix framework.Comment: 10 pages; LaTeX; version to appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. as a
Letter to the Edito
Waves on Noncommutative Spacetime and Gamma-Ray Bursts
Quantum group Fourier transform methods are applied to the study of processes
on noncommutative Minkowski spacetime . A natural
wave equation is derived and the associated phenomena of {\it in vacuo}
dispersion are discussed. Assuming the deformation scale is of the
order of the Planck length one finds that the dispersion effects are large
enough to be tested in experimental investigations of astrophysical phenomena
such as gamma-ray bursts. We also outline a new approach to the construction of
field theories on the noncommutative spacetime, with the noncommutativity
equivalent under Fourier transform to non-Abelianness of the `addition law' for
momentum in Feynman diagrams. We argue that CPT violation effects of the type
testable using the sensitive neutral-kaon system are to be expected in such a
theory.Comment: 25 page
Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis Version 2.1: construction, observational verification and new results
The Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis (BPASS) suite of binary stellar
evolution models and synthetic stellar populations provides a framework for the
physically motivated analysis of both the integrated light from distant stellar
populations and the detailed properties of those nearby. We present a new
version 2.1 data release of these models, detailing the methodology by which
BPASS incorporates binary mass transfer and its effect on stellar evolution
pathways, as well as the construction of simple stellar populations. We
demonstrate key tests of the latest BPASS model suite demonstrating its ability
to reproduce the colours and derived properties of resolved stellar
populations, including well- constrained eclipsing binaries. We consider
observational constraints on the ratio of massive star types and the
distribution of stellar remnant masses. We describe the identification of
supernova progenitors in our models, and demonstrate a good agreement to the
properties of observed progenitors. We also test our models against photometric
and spectroscopic observations of unresolved stellar populations, both in the
local and distant Universe, finding that binary models provide a
self-consistent explanation for observed galaxy properties across a broad
redshift range. Finally, we carefully describe the limitations of our models,
and areas where we expect to see significant improvement in future versions.Comment: 69 pages, 45 figures. Accepted for publication in PASA. Accompanied
by a full, documented data release at http://bpass.auckland.ac.nz and
http://warwick.ac.uk/bpas
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