Computing the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Distribution when the Underlying cdf is Purely Discrete, Mixed or Continuous

The distribution of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test statistic has been widely studied under the assumption that the underlying theoretical cdf, F(x), is continuous. However, there are many real-life applications in which fitting discrete or mixed distributions is required. Nevertheless, due to inherent difficulties, the distribution of the K-S statistic when F(x) has jump discontinuities has been studied to a much lesser extent and no exact and efficient computational methods have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we provide a fast and accurate method to compute the (complementary) cdf of the K-S statistic when F(x) is discontinuous, and thus obtain exact p values of the K-S test. Our approach is to express the complementary cdf through the rectangle probability for uniform order statistics, and to compute it using Fast Fourier Transform(FFT). Secondly, we provide a C++ and an R implementation of the proposed method, which fills in the existing gap in statistical software. We give also a useful extension of the Schmid’s asymptotic formula for the distribution of the K-S statistic, relaxing his requirement for F(x) to be increasing between jumps and thus allowing for any general mixed or purely discrete F(x). The numerical performance of the proposed FFT-based method, implemented both in C++ and in the R package KSgeneral, is illustrated when F(x) is mixed, purely discrete, and continuous. The performance of the general asymptotic formula is also studied

Continuous quantum nondemolition feedback and unconditional atomic spin squeezing

We discuss the theory and experimental considerations of a quantum feedback scheme for producing deterministically reproducible spin squeezing. Continuous nondemolition atom number measurement from monitoring a probe field conditionally squeezes the sample. Simultaneous feedback of the measurement results controls the quantum state such that the squeezing becomes unconditional. We find that for very strong cavity coupling and a limited number of atoms, the theoretical squeezing approaches the Heisenberg limit. Strong squeezing will still be produced at weaker coupling and even in free space (thus presenting a simple experimental test for quantum feedback). The measurement and feedback can be stopped at any time, thereby freezing the sample with a desired amount of squeezing.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, submitted to JP

Radio Images of 3C 58: Expansion and Motion of its Wisp

New 1.4 GHz VLA observations of the pulsar-powered supernova remnant 3C 58 have resulted in the highest-quality radio images of this object to date. The images show filamentary structure over the body of the nebula. The present observations were combined with earlier ones from 1984 and 1991 to investigate the variability of the radio emission on a variety of time-scales. No significant changes are seen over a 110 day interval. In particular, the upper limit on the apparent projected velocity of the wisp is 0.05c. The expansion rate of the radio nebula was determined between 1984 and 2004, and is 0.014+/-0.003%/year, corresponding to a velocity of 630+/-70 km/s along the major axis. If 3C 58 is the remnant of SN 1181, it must have been strongly decelerated, which is unlikely given the absence of emission from the supernova shell. Alternatively, the low expansion speed and a number of other arguments suggest that 3C 58 may be several thousand years old and not be the remnant of SN 1181.Comment: 12 pages; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Radio Spectral Index and Expansion of 3C58

We present new observations of the plerionic supernova remnant 3C58 with the VLA at 74 and 327 MHz. In addition, we re-reduced earlier observations at 1.4 and 4.9 GHz taken in 1973 and 1984. Comparing these various images, we find that: 1. the remnant has a flat and relatively uniform spectral index distribution, 2. any expansion of the remnant with time is significantly less than that expected for uniform, undecelerated expansion since the generally accepted explosion date in 1181 A.D., and 3. there is no evidence for a non-thermal synchrotron emission shell generated by a supernova shock wave, with any such emission having a surface brightness of <1 x 10^(-21) W / (m^2 Hz sr) at 327 MHz.Comment: 18 pages, 7 Figures, Latex, Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa