1,042 research outputs found
Full counting statistics of weak measurement
A weak measurement consists in coupling a system to a probe in such a way
that constructive interference generates a large output. So far, only the
average output of the probe and its variance were studied. Here, the
characteristic function for the moments of the output is provided. The outputs
considered are not limited to the eigenstates of the pointer or of its
conjugate variable, so that the results apply to any observable \Hat{o} of
the probe. Furthermore, a family of well behaved complex quantities, the normal
weak values, is introduced, in terms of which the statistics of the weak
measurement can be described. It is shown that, within a good approximation,
the whole statistics of weak measurement is described by a complex parameter,
the weak value, and a real one.Comment: Expanded version: 9 pages, 3 Figs. Now the validity of the expansion
for the moments is analysed. Introduced a one-parameter family of weak
values, useful to express the correct characteristic function. More figures
added. Thanks to Referee C of PRL for asking stimulating question
Uncertainty Relations for Positive Operator Valued Measures
How much unavoidable randomness is generated by a Positive Operator Valued
Measure (POVM)? We address this question using two complementary approaches.
First we study the variance of a real variable associated to the POVM outcomes.
In this context we introduce an uncertainty operator which measures how much
additional noise is introduced by carrying out a POVM rather than a von Neumann
measurement. We illustrate this first approach by studying the variances of
joint estimates of \sigma_x and \sigma_z for spin 1/2 particles. We show that
for unbiased measurements the sum of these variances is lower bounded by 1. In
our second approach we study the entropy of the POVM outcomes. In particular we
try to establish lower bounds on the entropy of the POVM outcomes. We
illustrate this second approach by examples.Comment: 5 pages, minor modifications and clarification
The study of ionospheric anomalies in Japan area during 1998–2010 by Kon et al.: An inaccurate claim of earthquake-related signatures?
The problem of identifying precursory signals of earthquakes in the hope of mitigate the seismic hazard is a very important topic, but inaccurate documentations of precursory signatures decrease the credibility of this field of research. The statistical analysis by Kon et al. (2011) shows that there is tendency of positive total electron content (TEC) anomalies to occur 1–5 days before 52 M > 6 earthquakes which struck Japan during 1998–2010. Kon et al. (2011) also report in detail three selected case studies claiming the occurrence of TEC anomalies possibly related to large and destructive earthquakes. This paper casts doubts on the possibility that in the three cases the TEC disturbances were caused by seismic events suggesting that these TEC changes could be induced by normal variations of the global geomagnetic activity.
As a consequence, also the results of the Superimposed Epoch Analysis performed by Kon et al. (2011) could be seriously influenced by global magnetospheric signals
The cosine law at the atomic scale: Toward realistic simulations of Knudsen diffusion
We propose to revisit the diffusion of atoms in the Knudsen regime in terms
of a complex dynamical reflection process. By means of molecular dynamics
simulation we emphasize the asymptotic nature of the cosine law of reflection
at the atomic scale, and carefully analyze the resulting strong correlations in
the reflection events. A dynamical interpretation of the accomodation
coefficient associated to the slip at the wall interface is also proposed.
Finally, we show that the first two moments of the stochastic process of
reflection non uniformly depend on the incident angle
The hard X-ray burst spectrometer event listing 1980, 1981 and 1982
A comprehensive reference for the hard X-ray bursts detected with the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission for the time of launch on February 14, 1980 to March 1983 is provided. Over 6300 X-ray events were detected in the energy range from 30 to approx 500 keV with the vast majority being solar flares. The listing includes the start time, peak time, duration and peak rate of each event
Nanoscale fluid flows in the vicinity of patterned surfaces
Molecular dynamics simulations of dense and rarefied fluids comprising small
chain molecules in chemically patterned nano-channels predict a novel switching
from Poiseuille to plug flow along the channel. We also demonstrate behavior
akin to the lotus effect for a nanodrop on a chemically patterned substrate.
Our results show that one can control and exploit the behavior of fluids at the
nanoscale using chemical patterning.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett. in pres
A discrete slug population model determined by egg production
Slugs are significant pests in agriculture (as well as a nuisance to gardeners), and it is therefore important to understand their population dynamics for the construction of efficient and effective control measures. Differential equation models of slug populations require the inclusion of large (variable) temporal delays, and strong seasonal forcing results in a non-autonomous system. This renders such models open to only a limited amount of rigorous analysis. In this paper, we derive a novel batch model based purely upon the quantity of eggs produced at different times of the year. This model is open to considerable reduction; from the resulting two variable discrete-time system it is possible to reconstruct the dynamics of the full population across the year and give conditions for extinction or global stability and persistence. Furthermore, the steady state temporal population distribution displays qualitatively different behavior with only small changes in the survival probability of slugs. The model demonstrates how small variations in the favorability of different years may result in widely different slug population fluctuations between consecutive years, and is in good agreement with field data
Rydberg Wave Packets are Squeezed States
We point out that Rydberg wave packets (and similar ``coherent" molecular
packets) are, in general, squeezed states, rather than the more elementary
coherent states. This observation allows a more intuitive understanding of
their properties; e.g., their revivals.Comment: 7 pages of text plus one figure available in the literature, LA-UR
93-2804, to be published in Quantum Optics, LaTe
A microfabricated sensor for thin dielectric layers
We describe a sensor for the measurement of thin dielectric layers capable of
operation in a variety of environments. The sensor is obtained by
microfabricating a capacitor with interleaved aluminum fingers, exposed to the
dielectric to be measured. In particular, the device can measure thin layers of
solid frozen from a liquid or gaseous medium. Sensitivity to single atomic
layers is achievable in many configurations and, by utilizing fast, high
sensitivity capacitance read out in a feedback system onto environmental
parameters, coatings of few layers can be dynamically maintained. We discuss
the design, read out and calibration of several versions of the device
optimized in different ways. We specifically dwell on the case in which
atomically thin solid xenon layers are grown and stabilized, in cryogenic
conditions, from a liquid xenon bath
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