3,472 research outputs found
Effective dynamics of the closed loop quantum cosmology
In this paper we study dynamics of the closed FRW model with holonomy
corrections coming from loop quantum cosmology. We consider models with a
scalar field and cosmological constant. In case of the models with cosmological
constant and free scalar field, dynamics reduce to 2D system and analysis of
solutions simplify. If only free scalar field is included then universe
undergoes non-singular oscillations. For the model with cosmological constant,
different behaviours are obtained depending on the value of . If the
value of is sufficiently small, bouncing solutions with asymptotic de
Sitter stages are obtained. However if the value of exceeds critical
value then solutions become oscillatory. Subsequently we study
models with a massive scalar field. We find that this model possess generic
inflationary attractors. In particular field, initially situated in the bottom
of the potential, is driven up during the phase of quantum bounce. This
subsequently leads to the phase of inflation. Finally we find that, comparing
with the flat case, effects of curvature do not change qualitatively dynamics
close to the phase of bounce. Possible effects of inverse volume corrections
are also briefly discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figure
Quantum Mechanical Search and Harmonic Perturbation
Perturbation theory in quantum mechanics studies how quantum systems interact
with their environmental perturbations. Harmonic perturbation is a rare special
case of time-dependent perturbations in which exact analysis exists. Some
important technology advances, such as masers, lasers, nuclear magnetic
resonance, etc., originated from it. Here we add quantum computation to this
list with a theoretical demonstration. Based on harmonic perturbation, a
quantum mechanical algorithm is devised to search the ground state of a given
Hamiltonian. The intrinsic complexity of the algorithm is continuous and
parametric in both time T and energy E. More precisely, the probability of
locating a search target of a Hamiltonian in N-dimensional vector space is
shown to be 1/(1+ c N E^{-2} T^{-2}) for some constant c. This result is
optimal. As harmonic perturbation provides a different computation mechanism,
the algorithm may suggest new directions in realizing quantum computers.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, revtex
ASTROD, ASTROD I and their gravitational-wave sensitivities
ASTROD (Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices) is a
mission concept with three spacecraft -- one near L1/L2 point, one with an
inner solar orbit and one with an outer solar orbit, ranging coherently with
one another using lasers to test relativistic gravity, to measure the solar
system and to detect gravitational waves. ASTROD I with one spacecraft ranging
optically with ground stations is the first step toward the ASTROD mission. In
this paper, we present the ASTROD I payload and accelerometer requirements,
discuss the gravitational-wave sensitivities for ASTROD and ASTROD I, and
compare them with LISA and radio-wave PDoppler-tracking of spacecraft.Comment: presented to the 5th Edoardo Amaldi Conference (July 6-11, 2003) and
submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravit
Stronger maternal social bonds and higher rank are associated with accelerated infant maturation in Kinda baboons
Social relationships are critical components of health and fitness for humans and other animals. For female-philopatric species, affiliative relationships among females (kin and nonkin alike) can influence components of fitness that include individual survival, interbirth interval and offspring survival. Affiliative relationships with males have attracted somewhat less attention, with most studies focusing on female–male relationships as adaptations for infanticide avoidance. Here, we use 8 years of behavioural data on Kinda baboons, Papio kindae, to assess whether maternal social relationships—both among females and between females and males—affect infant survival, interbirth interval and the pace of infant development. Kinda baboons are an ideal system for these analyses because males and females form strong relationships outside of the periovulatory period and in the absence of obvious infanticide threat. We calculated social metrics that reflected dominance status, total social integration and social bond strength and paired these metrics with data on offspring survival, interbirth interval (IBI) duration and infant behavioural maturation. Neither dominance rank nor sociality had a significant effect on interbirth interval or survival, but higher rank and the stronger affiliative relationships between a female and her top female and top male social partners predicted more rapid infant behavioural maturation. These results suggest that maternal dominance and sociality may confer advantages related to infant development and independence that ultimately may permit females to more quickly invest in subsequent offspring and point to advantages of relationships with males outside of lowering infanticide threat
Timeless path integral for relativistic quantum mechanics
Starting from the canonical formalism of relativistic (timeless) quantum
mechanics, the formulation of timeless path integral is rigorously derived. The
transition amplitude is reformulated as the sum, or functional integral, over
all possible paths in the constraint surface specified by the (relativistic)
Hamiltonian constraint, and each path contributes with a phase identical to the
classical action divided by . The timeless path integral manifests the
timeless feature as it is completely independent of the parametrization for
paths. For the special case that the Hamiltonian constraint is a quadratic
polynomial in momenta, the transition amplitude admits the timeless Feynman's
path integral over the (relativistic) configuration space. Meanwhile, the
difference between relativistic quantum mechanics and conventional
nonrelativistic (with time) quantum mechanics is elaborated on in light of
timeless path integral.Comment: 41 pages; more references and comments added; version to appear in
CQ
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