7,977 research outputs found
Effective calculation of LEED intensities using symmetry-adapted functions
The calculation of LEED intensities in a spherical-wave representation can be substantially simplified by symmetry relations. The wave field around each atom is expanded in symmetry-adapted functions where the local point symmetry of the atomic site applies. For overlayer systems with more than one atom per unit cell symmetry-adapted functions can be used when the division of the crystal into monoatomic subplanes is replaced by division into subplanes containing all symmetrically equivalent atomic positions
Description of isolated macroscopic systems inside quantum mechanics
For an isolated macrosystem classical state parameters are
introduced inside a quantum mechanical treatment. By a suitable mathematical
representation of the actual preparation procedure in the time interval
a statistical operator is constructed as a solution of the Liouville
von Neumann equation, exhibiting at time the state parameters ,
, and {\it preparation parameters} related to times . Relation with Zubarev's non-equilibrium statistical operator is
discussed. A mechanism for memory loss is investigated and time evolution by a
semigroup is obtained for a restricted set of relevant observables, slowly
varying on a suitable time scale.Comment: 13 pages, latex, romp31 style, no figures, to appear in the
Proceedings of the XXXI Symposium on Mathematical Physics (Torun, Poland), to
be published in Rep. Math. Phy
Synchronization to a bouncing ball with a realistic motion trajectory
Daily music experience involves synchronizing movements in time with a perceived periodic beat. It has been established for over a century that beat synchronization is less stable for the visual than for the auditory modality. This auditory advantage of beat synchronization gives rise to the hypotheses that the neural and evolutionary mechanisms underlying beat synchronization are modality-specific. Here, however, we found that synchronization to a periodically bouncing ball with a realistic motion trajectory was not less stable than synchronization to an auditory metronome. This finding challenges the auditory advantage of beat synchronization, and has important implications for the understanding of the biological substrates of beat synchronization
From Bloch model to the rate equations II: the case of almost degenerate energy levels
Bloch equations give a quantum description of the coupling between an atom
and a driving electric force. In this article, we address the asymptotics of
these equations for high frequency electric fields, in a weakly coupled regime.
We prove the convergence towards rate equations (i.e. linear Boltzmann
equations, describing the transitions between energy levels of the atom). We
give an explicit form for the transition rates. This has already been performed
in [BFCD03] in the case when the energy levels are fixed, and for different
classes of electric fields: quasi or almost periodic, KBM, or with continuous
spectrum. Here, we extend the study to the case when energy levels are possibly
almost degenerate. However, we need to restrict to quasiperiodic forcings. The
techniques used stem from manipulations on the density matrix and the averaging
theory for ordinary differential equations. Possibly perturbed small divisor
estimates play a key role in the analysis. In the case of a finite number of
energy levels, we also precisely analyze the initial time-layer in the rate
aquation, as well as the long-time convergence towards equilibrium. We give
hints and counterexamples in the infinite dimensional case
Self-induced decoherence approach: Strong limitations on its validity in a simple spin bath model and on its general physical relevance
The "self-induced decoherence" (SID) approach suggests that (1) the
expectation value of any observable becomes diagonal in the eigenstates of the
total Hamiltonian for systems endowed with a continuous energy spectrum, and
(2), that this process can be interpreted as decoherence. We evaluate the first
claim in the context of a simple spin bath model. We find that even for large
environments, corresponding to an approximately continuous energy spectrum,
diagonalization of the expectation value of random observables does in general
not occur. We explain this result and conjecture that SID is likely to fail
also in other systems composed of discrete subsystems. Regarding the second
claim, we emphasize that SID does not describe a physically meaningful
decoherence process for individual measurements, but only involves destructive
interference that occurs collectively within an ensemble of presupposed
"values" of measurements. This leads us to question the relevance of SID for
treating observed decoherence effects.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures. Final published versio
Surface and Bulk Structural Properties of Single Crystalline Sr3Ru2O7
We report temperature and thermal-cycling dependence of surface and bulk
structures of double-layered perovskite Sr3Ru2O7 single crystals. The surface
and bulk structures were investigated using low-energy electron diffraction
(LEED) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, respectively.
Single-crystal XRD data is in good agreement with previous reports for the bulk
structure with RuO6 octahedral rotation, which increases with decreasing
temperature (~ 6.7(6)degrees at 300 K and ~ 8.1(2) degrees at 90 K). LEED
results reveal that the octahedra at the surface are much more distorted with a
higher rotation angle (~ 12 degrees between 300 and 80 K) and a slight tilt
((4.5\pm2.5) degrees at 300 K and (2.5\pm1.7) degrees at 80 K). While XRD data
confirms temperature dependence of the unit cell height/width ratio (i.e.
lattice parameter c divided by the average of parameters a and b) found in a
prior neutron powder diffraction investigation, both bulk and surface
structures display little change with thermal cycles between 300 and 80 K.Comment: 25 pages, 5 figures, 5 tables, to appear in Physical Review
Decoherence time in self-induced decoherence
A general method for obtaining the decoherence time in self-induced
decoherence is presented. In particular, it is shown that such a time can be
computed from the poles of the resolvent or of the initial conditions in the
complex extension of the Hamiltonian's spectrum. Several decoherence times are
estimated: for microscopic systems, and
for macroscopic bodies. For the particular case of a
thermal bath, our results agree with those obtained by the einselection
(environment-induced decoherence) approach.Comment: 11 page
Modelling and observing urban climate in the Netherlands
Volgens de klimaatscenario’s van het KNMI uit 2006 zal de gemiddelde temperatuur in Nederland in de komende decennia verder stijgen. Hittegolven zullen naar verwachting vaker voorkomen en de intensiteit van met name zomerse buien kan toenemen. In steden zijn de gevolgen van de opwarming extra voelbaar, omdat de temperaturen er door het zogenoemde Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect veel hoger kunnen zijn dan in het omliggende gebied. Zulke periodes met hoge temperaturen gaan veelal gepaard met verslechterde luchtkwaliteit en droogte. Dit alles kan grote gevolgen hebben voor de leefbaarheid en de gezondheid van de bevolking in stedelijke gebieden. Veranderingen in de buienintensiteit beïnvloeden de waterhuishouding van de stad
Differences in Chemical Composition Among Provenances of Tree Fodder Species in a Subhumid Environment: Relation to use as Supplements
Studies were initiated in a subhumid Southern African environment to assess the chemical composition and nutritive value of Acacia angustissima (Mill.) Kuntze, Calliandra calothyrsus Meiss. and Leucaena species. The objective was to determine variability in crude protein (CP) concentration, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and soluble and insoluble proanthocyanidins from fodder samples of species, subspecies and provenances. A wide range was found in these parameters. The implications of these chemical composition factors, especially proanthocyanidins, on the use of these browse fodders in livestock feeding systems are discussed
Fodder Production of Multipurpose Trees in a Maize Farming System of Subhumid Southern Africa
Ways to integrate fodder production into maize production systems under Southern Africa’s subhumid conditions have been studied. One way involves the planting of tree and grass fodder hedges along soil conservation contour-bunds in maize fields. Management factors that influence the productivity of maize and fodder components in the system are fodder spp., side-pruning and deferment of wet season cutting. The other option involves interplanting tree fodders with maize through the use of a coppicing tree such as Acacia angustissima. Practical applications of these methods in mixed crop-livestock production systems are discussed
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