On perception and ontology in the context of subjectivity and modern physics

I argue that our direct experience and some physical facts do not go well with an understanding of perception as a mechanism producing a representation of a ''truly'' outer world. Instead, it is much more coherent to treat what is traditionally considered an image in this context as a closed structure equipped in its own ontology, replacing the ''truly'' outer one from the point of view of an agent possessing it. In such a framework, the notion of existence is taken to be defined by consciousness in a way similar to qualia, making it subjective on the one hand, and reducing it to a tool on the other. This implies, in turn, that we need a form of mind-brain dualism; the best we can do in such circumstances about explaining consciousness as an epistemic device - a role intuitively imposing itself in a variety of situations - is to embed it in an abstract ontology merely serving the purpose of a ''true'' reality with the help of the mind-brain link. Obviously, the approach favors subjectivity as a foundation in the ontological sense. Objectivity is considered here only as a suitably understood product from an ''observer's'' point of view, although a functional and useful one. The paper is addressed to readers with interest in both the mind-body problem and ontological foundations of present-day physics, specifically quantum theory. The main conclusion can be absorbed without the quantum part, although it is a bit less convincing then

On the notion of existence

I argue that a slight shift in our understanding of the notion of existence is needed in order to cope with the problem of external world and the problem of mind and body. As a consequence of it being taught by "givenness" of the subjective mind, and despite its applicability in objective contexts, it should be considered a "tool" akin to qualia, rather than pertaining to a "true", objective reality. In plain language, one's supposed relation with their surroundings is known to them only in terms of their private ontology. This conclusion is supported both by intuition and - perhaps most importantly - by ontological issues in quantum physics

On the place of subjectivity in quantum theory

I argue that the presence of subjective, qualitative consciousness in our world is - at first sight maybe surprisingly - related with ontological complexities surrounding measurement in quantum theory. Both issues can be cleared up by a suitable redefinition of the notion of observer - by equipping them with subjective ontology and waving goodbye to the global one, covering “the whole reality”

Struktura elektronowa, własności termodynamiczne i termoelektryczne ciężkofermionowych układów o strukturze klatkowej typu Ce3M4Sn13 i Ce3M3Sb4, gdzie M jest metalem d-elektronowym

Cerium-based materials of Ce3M4Sn13 and Ce3M3Sb4 type structure, where M is d-electron metal, are so-called Kondo systems (they contain magnetic atoms) with interesting thermodynamic and thermoelectric properties. In case of Ce3M4Sn13, where M = Ru, Rh Co, there will be possible to observe a quantum critical point (QCP), whereas Ce3M3Sb4 materials have attractive thermoelectric properties. The aim of presented studies was to conduct a complex investigation of electronic structure as well as thermodynamic, magnetic and thermoelectric properties of these compounds. The dissertation was prepared in form of a guide, which consist of 5 scientific articles, related to the subject of dissertation. The investigation of Ce3M4Sn13 compounds was mainly focused on low-temperature basic research, while in case of Ce3M3Sb4, special attention was paid to its thermoelectric properties. The polycrystalline samples were obtained by arc-melting of substrates (pure chemical elements) and high-temperature annealing in order to enforce formation of homogeneous crystalline structure. The Ce3Co4Sn13 sample was also prepared in form of highly-grained ingot in order to investigate the granulation effect on thermoelectric properties. The temperature studies of heat capacity, electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and thermopower were conducted with PPMS platform. Magnetic measurements were carried out on SQUID magnetometer. Chemical composition, structural and microstructural properties was in turn examined using XRD, XPS, SEM and TOF-SIMS techniques. The studies of Ce3M4Sn13 have not revealed presence of quantum critical point. Any of investigated materials do not exhibit properties typical for QCP, i.e. long-range magnetic order and non-Fermi liquid behavior. In case of Ce3-xLaxRh4Sn13 series there was observed transition from Kondo lattice to single-impurity Kondo state. Numerical simulation of charge density within the unit cell of Ce3M4Sn13 exhibited similar bonding in Ce3Co4Sn13 and Ce3Rh4Sn13 while quite different in Ce3Ru4Sn13. The thermoelectric measurements of Ce3Co4Sn13 have shown very low thermopower and figure of merit ZT, what excludes the material as candidate for thermoelectric material. It was shown, that Ce3Cu3Sb4 is instead a good base material for further chemical and structural modification in terms of improvement of thermoelectric properties. The substitution of Cu with Ni atoms led to considerable ZT enhancement. There was obtained ZT ≈ 0.3 at 100°C in Ce3Cu2.75Ni0.25Sb4, which is comparable value to that observed in popular thermoelectrics materials

On the place of subjectivity in quantum theory

I argue that the presence of subjective, qualitative consciousness in our world is - at first sight maybe surprisingly - related with ontological complexities surrounding measurement in quantum theory. Both issues can be cleared up by a suitable redefinition of the notion of observer - by equipping them with subjective ontology and waving goodbye to the global one, covering “the whole reality”

Thermoelectric properties of heavy fermion compound Ce3Co4Sn13

The heavy fermion compound Ce3Co4Sn13 was studied in terms of its thermoelectric properties. To enhance its gure of merit we milled the solid sample and then pressed to obtain a consistent granulated material. The main properties, such as the Seebeck coe cient, thermal conductivity and electronic resistivity were measured at low (< 300 K) temperatures for both, the solid and the granulated sample. Thermal conductivity was diminished and the Seebeck coe cient was slightly enhanced, while the resistivity of produced material was increased. We explain it by strong electron scattering on defects and grain boundaries present in the sample. The resulting gure of merit ZT was found to be enhanced almost across the whole measured T region

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations in a hybrid system

We calculate the relativistic correlation function for a hybrid system of a photon and a Dirac-particle. Such a system can be produced in decay of another spin-1/2 fermion. We show, that the relativistic correlation function, which depends on particle momenta, may have local extrema for fermion velocity of order 0.5 c. This influences the degree of violation of CHSH inequality.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure