Quantum Fluctuations of Black Hole Geometry

By using the minisuperspace model for the interior metric ofstatic black holes, we solve the Wheeler-DeWitt equation to study quantum mechanics of the horizon geometry. Our basic idea is to introduce the gravitational mass and the expansions of null rays as quantum operators. Then, the exact wave function is found as a mass eigenstate, and the radius of the apparent horizon is quantum-mechanically defined. In the evolution of the metric variables, the wave function changes from a WKB solution giving the classical trajectories to a tunneling solution. By virtue of the quantum fluctuations of the metric evolution beyond the WKB approximation, we can observe a static black hole state with the apparent horizon separating from the event horizon.Comment: 18 pages, DPNU-93-3

The compression of deaths above the mode

Kannisto (2001) has shown that as the frequency distribution of ages at death has shifted to the right, the age distribution of deaths above the modal age has become more compressed. In order to further investigate this old-age mortality compression, we adopt the simple logistic model with two parameters, which is known to fit data on old-age mortality well (Thatcher 1999). Based on the model, we show that three key measures of old-age mortality (the modal age of adult deaths, the life expectancy at the modal age, and the standard deviation of ages at death above the mode) can be estimated fairly accurately from death rates at only two suitably chosen high ages (70 and 90 in this study). The distribution of deaths above the modal age becomes compressed when the logits of death rates fall more at the lower age than at the higher age. Our analysis of mortality time series in six countries, using the logistic model, endorsed Kannisto’s conclusion. Some possible reasons for the compression are discussed.compression of mortality, lexis model, logistic model, modal age of death, oldest old mortality decline, standard deviation

Coherent control of a flux qubit by phase-shifted resonant microwave pulses

The quantum state of a flux qubit was successfully pulse-controlled by using a resonant microwave. We observed Ramsey fringes by applying a pair of phase-shifted pi/2 microwave pulses without introducing detuning. With this method, the qubit state can be rotated on an arbitrary axis in the x-y plane of the Bloch sphere in a rotating frame. We obtained a qubit signal from a coherent oscillation with an angular velocity of up to 2pi*11.4 Grad/s. In combination with Rabi pulses, this method enables us to achieve full control of single qubit operation. It also offers the possibility of orders of magnitude increases in the speed of the arbitrary unitary gate operation.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure

Josephson pi-state in a ferromagnetic insulator

We predict anomalous atomic-scale 0-pi transitions in a Josephson junction with a ferromagnetic-insulator (FI) barrier. The ground state of such junction alternates between 0- and pi-states when thickness of FI is increasing by a single atomic layer. We find that the mechanism of the 0-pi transition can be attributed to thickness-dependent phase-shifts between the wave numbers of electrons and holes in FI. Based on these results, we show that stable pi-state can be realized in junctions based on high-Tc superconductors with La$_2$BaCuO$_5$ barrier.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Phys. Rev. Lett. (2010) in pres

Numerical study of pi-junction using spin filtering barriers

We numerically investigate the Josephson transport through ferromagnetic insulators (FIs) by taking into account its band structure. By use of the recursive Green's function method, we found the formation of the pi junction in the case of the fully spin-polarized FI (FPFI), e.g., La$_2$BaCuO$_5$. Moreover, the 0-pi transition is induced by increasing the thickness of FPFI. On the other hand, Josephson current through the Eu chalcogenides shows the pi junction behavior in the case of the strong d-f hybridization between the conduction d and the localized f electrons of Eu. Such FI-based Josephson junctions may become a element in the architecture of future quantum information devices.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Effect of zero energy bound states on macroscopic quantum tunneling in high-Tc superconductor junctions

The macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in the current biased high-Tc superconductor Josephson junctions and the effect of the zero energy bound states (ZES) on the MQT are theoretically investigated. We obtained the analytical formula of the MQT rate and showed that the presence of the ZES at the normal/superconductor interface leads to a strong Ohmic quasiparticle dissipation. Therefore, the MQT rate is noticeably inhibited in compared with the c-axis junctions in which the ZES are completely absent.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, comment and reference about recent experiment adde

Diffraction Plane Dependence of Micro Residual Stresses in Uniaxially Extended Carbon Steels

In the stress measurement using X-ray or neutron diffraction, an elastic anisotropy as well as a plastic anisotropy of crystal must be carefully considered. In the X-ray and neutron diffraction stress measurement for polycrystalline materials, a particular {hkl} plane is used in measuring lattice strains. The dependence of an X-ray elastic constant on a diffraction plane is a typical example caused by an elastic anisotropy of the crystal. The yield strength and the work hardening rate of a single crystal depend on a crystallographic direction of the crystal. The difference in the yield strength and the work hardening rate relating to the crystallographic direction develops different residual stresses measured on each {hkl} diffraction after plastic deformation of a polycrystalline material. The present paper describes the result of the neutron stress measurement on uniaxially extended low and middle carbon steels. A tri-axial residual stress state developed in the extended specimens was measured on different kind of {hkl} diffraction plane. The measurement on the {110}, {200} and {211} diffraction showed that residual stresses increased with increasing the plastic elongation and the residual stresses on {110} were compressive, {200} were tensile and those on {211} were the middle of the former two planes. Received: 30 September 2010; Revised: 28 October 2010; Accepted: 1 November 201

Two-dimensional macroscopic quantum dynamics in YBCO Josephson junctions

We theoretically study classical thermal activation (TA) and macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) for a YBCO Josephson junction coupled with an LC circuit. The TA and MQT escape rate are calculated by taking into account the two-dimensional nature of the classical and quantum phase dynamics. We find that the MQT escape rate is largely suppressed by the coupling to the LC circuit. On the other hand, this coupling leads to the slight reduction of the TA escape rate. These results are relevant for the interpretation of a recent experiment on the MQT and TA phenomena in YBCO bi-epitaxial Josephson junctions.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure

Diffraction Plane Dependence of Micro Residual Stresses in Uniaxially Extended Carbon Steels

In the stress measurement using X-ray or neutron diffraction, an elastic anisotropy as well as a plastic anisotropy of crystal must be carefully considered. In the X-ray and neutron diffraction stress measurement for polycrystalline materials, a particular {hkl} plane is used in measuring lattice strains. The dependence of an X-ray elastic constant on a diffraction plane is a typical example caused by an elastic anisotropy of the crystal. The yield strength and the work hardening rate of a single crystal depend on a crystallographic direction of the crystal. The difference in the yield strength and the work hardening rate relating to the crystallographic direction develops different residual stresses measured on each {hkl} diffraction after plastic deformation of a polycrystalline material. The present paper describes the result of the neutron stress measurement on uniaxially extended low and middle carbon steels. A tri-axial residual stress state developed in the extended specimens was measured on different kind of {hkl} diffraction plane. The measurement on the {110}, {200} and {211} diffraction showed that residual stresses increased with increasing the plastic elongation and the residual stresses on {110} were compressive, {200} were tensile and those on {211} were the middle of the former two planes. Received: 30 September 2010; Revised: 28 October 2010; Accepted: 1 November 201