Quantum harmonic oscillator with superoscillating initial datum

In this paper we study the evolution of superoscillating initial data for the quantum driven harmonic oscillator. Our main result shows that superoscillations are amplified by the harmonic potential and that the analytic solution develops a singularity in finite time. We also show that for a large class of solutions of the Schr\"odinger equation, superoscillating behavior at any given time implies superoscillating behavior at any other time.Comment: 12 page

Analysis of a three-component model phase diagram by Catastrophe Theory

We analyze the thermodynamical potential of a lattice gas model with three components and five parameters using the methods of Catastrophe Theory. We find the highest singularity, which has codimension five, and establish its transversality. Hence the corresponding seven-degree Landau potential, the canonical form Wigwam or $A_6$, constitutes the adequate starting point to study the overall phase diagram of this model.Comment: 16 pages, Latex file, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Fleming's bound for the decay of mixed states

Fleming's inequality is generalized to the decay function of mixed states. We show that for any symmetric hamiltonian $h$ and for any density operator $\rho$ on a finite dimensional Hilbert space with the orthogonal projection $\Pi$ onto the range of $\rho$ there holds the estimate \Tr(\Pi \rme^{-\rmi ht}\rho \rme^{\rmi ht}) \geq\cos^{2}((\Delta h)_{\rho}t) for all real $t$ with $(\Delta h)_{\rho}| t| \leq\pi/2.$ We show that equality either holds for all $t\in\mathbb{R}$ or it does not hold for a single $t$ with $0<(\Delta h)_{\rho}| t| \leq\pi/2.$ All the density operators saturating the bound for all $t\in\mathbb{R},$ i.e. the mixed intelligent states, are determined.Comment: 12 page

Path Integral Approach for Spaces of Non-constant Curvature in Three Dimensions

In this contribution I show that it is possible to construct three-dimensional spaces of non-constant curvature, i.e. three-dimensional Darboux-spaces. Two-dimensional Darboux spaces have been introduced by Kalnins et al., with a path integral approach by the present author. In comparison to two dimensions, in three dimensions it is necessary to add a curvature term in the Lagrangian in order that the quantum motion can be properly defined. Once this is done, it turns out that in the two three-dimensional Darboux spaces, which are discussed in this paper, the quantum motion is similar to the two-dimensional case. In \threedDI we find seven coordinate systems which separate the Schr\"odinger equation. For the second space, \threedDII, all coordinate systems of flat three-dimensional Euclidean space which separate the Schr\"odinger equation also separate the Schr\"odinger equation in \threedDII. I solve the path integral on \threedDI in the $(u,v,w)$-system, and on \threedDII in the $(u,v,w)$-system and in spherical coordinates

Spin relaxation dynamics of quasiclassical electrons in ballistic quantum dots with strong spin-orbit coupling

We performed path integral simulations of spin evolution controlled by the Rashba spin-orbit interaction in the semiclassical regime for chaotic and regular quantum dots. The spin polarization dynamics have been found to be strikingly different from the D'yakonov-Perel' (DP) spin relaxation in bulk systems. Also an important distinction have been found between long time spin evolutions in classically chaotic and regular systems. In the former case the spin polarization relaxes to zero within relaxation time much larger than the DP relaxation, while in the latter case it evolves to a time independent residual value. The quantum mechanical analysis of the spin evolution based on the exact solution of the Schroedinger equation with Rashba SOI has confirmed the results of the classical simulations for the circular dot, which is expected to be valid in general regular systems. In contrast, the spin relaxation down to zero in chaotic dots contradicts to what have to be expected from quantum mechanics. This signals on importance at long time of the mesoscopic echo effect missed in the semiclassical simulations.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Impact of the introduction of a specialist critical care pharmacist on the level of pharmaceutical care provided to the critical care unit

Objectives To evaluate the impact of a dedicated specialist critical care pharmacist service on patient care at a UK critical care unit (CCU). Methods Pharmacist intervention data was collected in two phases. Phase 1 was with the provision of a non-specialist pharmacist chart review service and Phase 2 was after the introduction of a specialist dedicated pharmacy service. Two CCUs with established critical care pharmacist services were used as controls. The impact of pharmacist interventions on optimising drug therapy or preventing harm from medication errors was rated on a 4-point scale. Key findings There was an increase in the mean daily rate of pharmacist interventions after the introduction of the specialist critical care pharmacist (5.45 versus 2.69 per day, P < 0.0005). The critical care pharmacist intervened on more medication errors preventing potential harm and optimised more medications. There was no significant change to intervention rates at the control sites. Across all study sites the majority of pharmacist interventions were graded to have at least moderate impact on patient care. Conclusion The introduction of a specialist critical care pharmacist resulted in an increased rate of pharmacist interventions compared to a non-specialist pharmacist service thus improving the quality of patient care

Three manifestations of the pulsed harmonic potential

We consider, in turn, three systems being acted upon by a regularly pulsed harmonic potential (PHP). These are i) a classical particle, ii) a quantum particle, and iii) a directed line. We contrast the mechanics of the first two systems by parameterizing their bands of stability and periodicity. Interesting differences due to quantum fluctuations are examined in detail. The fluctuations of the directed line are calculated in the two cases of a binding PHP, and an unbinding PHP. In the latter case there is a finite maximum line length for a given potential strength.Comment: 34 Revtex pages, with 5 attached figure

Exact propagators on the lattice with applications to diffractive effects

The propagator of the discrete Schr\"odinger equation is computed and its properties are revealed through a Feynman path summation in discrete space. Initial data problems such as diffraction in discrete space and continuous time are studied analytically by the application of the new propagator. In the second part of this paper, the analogy between time propagation and 2D scattering by 1D obstacles is explored. New results are given in the context of diffraction by edges within a periodic medium. A connection with tight-binding arrays and photonic crystals is indicated.Comment: Final version with two appendices. Published in J. Phys. A: Math. Theo

Sum-over-histories origin of the composition laws of relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum cosmology

The scope of the paper has been broadened to include a more complete discussion of the following topics: The derivation of composition laws in quantum cosmology. The connection between the existence of a composition law in the sum over histories approach to relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum cosmology, and the existence of a canonical formulation.Comment: 36 page

Quantum mechanical path integrals and thermal radiation in static curved spacetimes

The propagator of a spinless particle is calculated from the quantum mechanical path integral formalism in static curved spacetimes endowed with event-horizons. A toy model, the Gui spacetime, and the 2D and 4D Schwarzschild black holes are considered. The role of the topology of the coordinates configuration space is emphasised in this framework. To cover entirely the above spacetimes with a single set of coordinates, tortoise coordinates are extended to complex values. It is shown that the homotopic properties of the complex tortoise configuration space imply the thermal behaviour of the propagator in these spacetimes. The propagator is calculated when end points are located in identical or distinct spacetime regions separated by one or several event-horizons. Quantum evolution through the event-horizons is shown to be unitary in the fifth variable.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figure