725 research outputs found
Recurrence for discrete time unitary evolutions
We consider quantum dynamical systems specified by a unitary operator U and
an initial state vector \phi. In each step the unitary is followed by a
projective measurement checking whether the system has returned to the initial
state. We call the system recurrent if this eventually happens with probability
one. We show that recurrence is equivalent to the absence of an absolutely
continuous part from the spectral measure of U with respect to \phi. We also
show that in the recurrent case the expected first return time is an integer or
infinite, for which we give a topological interpretation. A key role in our
theory is played by the first arrival amplitudes, which turn out to be the
(complex conjugated) Taylor coefficients of the Schur function of the spectral
measure. On the one hand, this provides a direct dynamical interpretation of
these coefficients; on the other hand it links our definition of first return
times to a large body of mathematical literature.Comment: 27 pages, 5 figures, typos correcte
On the multiplicativity of quantum cat maps
The quantum mechanical propagators of the linear automorphisms of the
two-torus (cat maps) determine a projective unitary representation of the theta
group, known as Weil's representation. We prove that there exists an
appropriate choice of phases in the propagators that defines a proper
representation of the theta group. We also give explicit formulae for the
propagators in this representation.Comment: Revised version: proof of the main theorem simplified. 21 page
Natural preconditioning and iterative methods for saddle point systems
The solution of quadratic or locally quadratic extremum problems subject to linear(ized) constraints gives rise to linear systems in saddle point form. This is true whether in the continuous or the discrete setting, so saddle point systems arising from the discretization of partial differential equation problems, such as those describing electromagnetic problems or incompressible flow, lead to equations with this structure, as do, for example, interior point methods and the sequential quadratic programming approach to nonlinear optimization. This survey concerns iterative solution methods for these problems and, in particular, shows how the problem formulation leads to natural preconditioners which guarantee a fast rate of convergence of the relevant iterative methods. These preconditioners are related to the original extremum problem and their effectiveness---in terms of rapidity of convergence---is established here via a proof of general bounds on the eigenvalues of the preconditioned saddle point matrix on which iteration convergence depends
Polynomial super-gl(n) algebras
We introduce a class of finite dimensional nonlinear superalgebras providing gradings of . Odd generators close by anticommutation on polynomials (of
degree ) in the generators. Specifically, we investigate `type I'
super- algebras, having odd generators transforming in a single
irreducible representation of together with its contragredient.
Admissible structure constants are discussed in terms of available
couplings, and various special cases and candidate superalgebras are identified
and exemplified via concrete oscillator constructions. For the case of the
-dimensional defining representation, with odd generators , and even generators , , a three
parameter family of quadratic super- algebras (deformations of
) is defined. In general, additional covariant Serre-type conditions
are imposed, in order that the Jacobi identities be fulfilled. For these
quadratic super- algebras, the construction of Kac modules, and
conditions for atypicality, are briefly considered. Applications in quantum
field theory, including Hamiltonian lattice QCD and space-time supersymmetry,
are discussed.Comment: 31 pages, LaTeX, including minor corrections to equation (3) and
reference [60
Factors Affecting European FarmersâParticipation in Biodiversity Policies
This article reports the major findings from an interdisciplinary research project that synthesises key insights into farmersâ willingness and ability to co-operate with biodiversity policies. The results of the study are based on an assessment of about 160
publications and research reports from six EU member states and from international comparative research.We developed a conceptual framework to systematically review the
existent literature relevant for our purposes. This framework provides a common structure for analysing farmersâ perspectives regarding the introduction into farming practices of measures relevant to biodiversity. The analysis is coupled and contrasted with a survey of experts. The results presented above suggest that it is important to view support for practices oriented towards biodiversity protection not in a static sense â as a situation determined by one or several influencing factors â but rather as a process marked by interaction. Financial compensation and incentives function as a necessary, though
clearly not sufficient condition in this process
Multipoint Schur algorithm and orthogonal rational functions: convergence properties, I
Classical Schur analysis is intimately connected to the theory of orthogonal
polynomials on the circle [Simon, 2005]. We investigate here the connection
between multipoint Schur analysis and orthogonal rational functions.
Specifically, we study the convergence of the Wall rational functions via the
development of a rational analogue to the Szeg\H o theory, in the case where
the interpolation points may accumulate on the unit circle. This leads us to
generalize results from [Khrushchev,2001], [Bultheel et al., 1999], and yields
asymptotics of a novel type.Comment: a preliminary version, 39 pages; some changes in the Introduction,
Section 5 (Szeg\H o type asymptotics) is extende
Relativistic cosmological perturbation scheme on a general background: scalar perturbations for irrotational dust
In standard perturbation approaches and N-body simulations, inhomogeneities
are described to evolve on a predefined background cosmology, commonly taken as
the homogeneous-isotropic solutions of Einstein's field equations
(Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmologies). In order to make
physical sense, this background cosmology must provide a reasonable description
of the effective, i.e. spatially averaged, evolution of structure
inhomogeneities also in the nonlinear regime. Guided by the insights that (i)
the average over an inhomogeneous distribution of matter and geometry is in
general not given by a homogeneous solution of general relativity, and that
(ii) the class of FLRW cosmologies is not only locally but also globally
gravitationally unstable in relevant cases, we here develop a perturbation
approach that describes the evolution of inhomogeneities on a general
background being defined by the spatially averaged evolution equations. This
physical background interacts with the formation of structures. We derive and
discuss the resulting perturbation scheme for the matter model `irrotational
dust' in the Lagrangian picture, restricting our attention to scalar
perturbations.Comment: 18 pages. Matches published version in CQ
Toward an Open-Access Global Database for Mapping, Control, and Surveillance of Neglected Tropical Diseases
There is growing interest in the scientific community, health ministries, and other organizations to control and eventually eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Control efforts require reliable maps of NTD distribution estimated from appropriate models and survey data on the number of infected people among those examined at a given location. This kind of data is often available in the literature as part of epidemiological studies. However, an open-access database compiling location-specific survey data does not yet exist. We address this problem through a systematic literature review, along with contacting ministries of health, and research institutions to obtain disease data, including details on diagnostic techniques, demographic characteristics of the surveyed individuals, and geographical coordinates. All data were entered into a database which is freely accessible via the Internet (http://www.gntd.org). In contrast to similar efforts of the Global Atlas of Helminth Infections (GAHI) project, the survey data are not only displayed in form of maps but all information can be browsed, based on different search criteria, and downloaded as Excel files for further analyses. At the beginning of 2011, the database included over 12,000 survey locations for schistosomiasis across Africa, and it is continuously updated to cover other NTDs globally
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