1,193 research outputs found
Dvoretzky type theorems for multivariate polynomials and sections of convex bodies
In this paper we prove the Gromov--Milman conjecture (the Dvoretzky type
theorem) for homogeneous polynomials on , and improve bounds on
the number in the analogous conjecture for odd degrees (this case
is known as the Birch theorem) and complex polynomials. We also consider a
stronger conjecture on the homogeneous polynomial fields in the canonical
bundle over real and complex Grassmannians. This conjecture is much stronger
and false in general, but it is proved in the cases of (for 's of
certain type), odd , and the complex Grassmannian (for odd and even and
any ). Corollaries for the John ellipsoid of projections or sections of a
convex body are deduced from the case of the polynomial field conjecture
Fluctuations as probe of the QCD phase transition and freeze-out in heavy ion collisions at LHC and RHIC
We discuss the relevance of higher order moments of net baryon number
fluctuations for the analysis of freeze-out and critical conditions in heavy
ion collisions at LHC and RHIC. Using properties of O(4) scaling functions, we
discuss the generic structure of these higher moments at vanishing baryon
chemical potential and apply chiral model calculations to explore their
properties at non-zero baryon chemical potential. We show that the ratios of
the sixth to second and eighth to second order moments of the net baryon number
fluctuations change rapidly in the transition region of the QCD phase diagram.
Already at vanishing baryon chemical potential they deviate considerably from
the predictions of the hadron resonance gas model which reproduce the second to
fourth order moments of the net proton number fluctuations at RHIC. We point
out that the sixth order moments of baryon number and electric charge
fluctuations remain negative at the chiral transition temperature. Thus, they
offer the possibility to probe the proximity of the thermal freeze-out to the
crossover line.Comment: 24 pages, 12 EPS files, revised version, to appear in EPJ
The response function of a sphere in a viscoelastic two-fluid medium
In order to address basic questions of importance to microrheology, we study
the dynamics of a rigid sphere embedded in a model viscoelastic medium
consisting of an elastic network permeated by a viscous fluid. We calculate the
complete response of a single bead in this medium to an external force and
compare the result to the commonly-accepted, generalized Stokes-Einstein
relation (GSER). We find that our response function is well approximated by the
GSER only within a particular frequency range determined by the material
parameters of both the bead and the network. We then discuss the relevance of
this result to recent experiments. Finally we discuss the approximations made
in our solution of the response function by comparing our results to the exact
solution for the response function of a bead in a viscous (Newtonian) fluid.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure
Cosmic distance-duality as probe of exotic physics and acceleration
In cosmology, distances based on standard candles (e.g. supernovae) and
standard rulers (e.g. baryon oscillations) agree as long as three conditions
are met: (1) photon number is conserved, (2) gravity is described by a metric
theory with (3) photons travelling on unique null geodesics. This is the
content of distance-duality (the reciprocity relation) which can be violated by
exotic physics. Here we analyse the implications of the latest cosmological
data sets for distance-duality. While broadly in agreement and confirming
acceleration we find a 2-sigma violation caused by excess brightening of SN-Ia
at z > 0.5, perhaps due to lensing magnification bias. This brightening has
been interpreted as evidence for a late-time transition in the dark energy but
because it is not seen in the d_A data we argue against such an interpretation.
Our results do, however, rule out significant SN-Ia evolution and extinction:
the "replenishing" grey-dust model with no cosmic acceleration is excluded at
more than 4-sigma despite this being the best-fit to SN-Ia data alone, thereby
illustrating the power of distance-duality even with current data sets.Comment: 6 pages, 4 colour figures. Version accepted as a Rapid Communication
in PR
Task-Oriented Conversational Behavior of Agents for Collaboration in Human-Agent Teamwork
International audienceCoordination is an essential ingredient for human-agent teamwork. It requires team members to share knowledge to establish common grounding and mutual awareness among them. This paper proposes a be-havioral architecture C 2 BDI that enhances the knowledge sharing using natural language communication between team members. Collaborative conversation protocols and resource allocation mechanism have been defined that provide proactive behavior to agents for coordination. This architecture has been applied to a real scenario in a collaborative virtual environment for learning. The solution enables users to coordinate with other team members
A Current Induced Transition in atomic-sized contacts of metallic Alloys
We have measured conductance histograms of atomic point contacts made from
the noble-transition metal alloys CuNi, AgPd, and AuPt for a concentration
ratio of 1:1. For all alloys these histograms at low bias voltage (below 300
mV) resemble those of the noble metals whereas at high bias (above 300 mV) they
resemble those of the transition metals. We interpret this effect as a change
in the composition of the point contact with bias voltage. We discuss possible
explanations in terms of electromigration and differential diffusion induced by
current heating.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure
Inherent thermometry in a hybrid superconducting tunnel junction
We discuss inherent thermometry in a Superconductor - Normal metal -
Superconductor tunnel junction. In this configuration, the energy selectivity
of single-particle tunneling can provide a significant electron cooling,
depending on the bias voltage. The usual approach for measuring the electron
temperature consists in using an additional pair of superconducting tunnel
junctions as probes. In this paper, we discuss our experiment performed on a
different design with no such thermometer. The quasi-equilibrium in the central
metallic island is discussed in terms of a kinetic equation including injection
and relaxation terms. We determine the electron temperature by comparing the
micro-cooler experimental current-voltage characteristic with isothermal
theoretical predictions. The limits of validity of this approach, due to the
junctions asymmetry, the Andreev reflection or the presence of sub-gap states
are discussed
Dynamics and Scaling of 2D Polymers in a Dilute Solution
The breakdown of dynamical scaling for a dilute polymer solution in 2D has
been suggested by Shannon and Choy [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 79}, 1455 (1997)].
However, we show here both numerically and analytically that dynamical scaling
holds when the finite-size dependence of the relevant dynamical quantities is
properly taken into account. We carry out large-scale simulations in 2D for a
polymer chain in a good solvent with full hydrodynamic interactions to verify
dynamical scaling. This is achieved by novel mesoscopic simulation techniques
Mesoscopic Stern-Gerlach device to polarize spin currents
Spin preparation and spin detection are fundamental problems in spintronics
and in several solid state proposals for quantum information processing. Here
we propose the mesoscopic equivalent of an optical polarizing beam splitter
(PBS). This interferometric device uses non-dispersive phases (Aharonov-Bohm
and Rashba) in order to separate spin up and spin down carriers into distinct
outputs and thus it is analogous to a Stern-Gerlach apparatus. It can be used
both as a spin preparation device and as a spin measuring device by converting
spin into charge (orbital) degrees of freedom. An important feature of the
proposed spin polarizer is that no ferromagnetic contacts are used.Comment: Updated to the published versio
Black holes, gravitational waves and fundamental physics: a roadmap
The grand challenges of contemporary fundamental physics—dark matter, dark energy, vacuum energy, inflation and early universe cosmology, singularities and the hierarchy problem—all involve gravity as a key component. And of all gravitational phenomena, black holes stand out in their elegant simplicity, while harbouring some of the most remarkable predictions of General Relativity: event horizons, singularities and ergoregions. The hitherto invisible landscape of the gravitational Universe is being unveiled before our eyes: the historical direct detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration marks the dawn of a new era of scientific exploration. Gravitational-wave astronomy will allow us to test models of black hole formation, growth and evolution, as well as models of gravitational-wave generation and propagation. It will provide evidence for event horizons and ergoregions, test the theory of General Relativity itself, and may reveal the existence of new fundamental fields. The synthesis of these results has the potential to radically reshape our understanding of the cosmos and of the laws of Nature. The purpose of this work is to present a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the relevant fields of research, summarize important open problems, and lay out a roadmap for future progress. This write-up is an initiative taken within the framework of the European Action on 'Black holes, Gravitational waves and Fundamental Physics'
- …