31,499 research outputs found
Heuristic Classification of Physical Theories based on Quantum Correlations
Taking quantum formalism as a point of reference and connection, we explore
the various possibilities that arise in the construction of physical theories.
Analyzing the distinct physical phenomena that each of them may describe, we
introduce the different types of hidden variables theories that correspond to
these physical phenomena. A hierarchical classification of the offered
theories, based on the degree of correlation between dichotomic observables in
bipartite systems, as quantified by a Bell type inequality, is finally
proposed.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure
Nitrogen dynamics in the shallow groundwater of a riparian wetland zone of the Garonne, SW France: nitrate inputs, bacterial densities, organic matter supply and denitrification measurements
This study highlights the role of interactions between surface and sub-surface water of the riparian zone of a large river (the Garonne, SW
France). Information is given about the role of surface water in supplying Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC ) to the riparian zone for nitrate
removal processes. The densities of bacteria (up to 3.3106 cell m L-1) in groundwater are strongly conditioned by the water moving during
flood events. Total bacterial densities in groundwater were related to surface water bacterial densities. In sediment, total bacteria are attached
mainly to fine particles (90 % in the fraction < 1 mm). Spatial variations in organic carbon and nitrate content in groundwater at the site
studied are correlated with exchanges between the groundwater and the river, from the upstream to the downstream part of the meander. Total
bacterial densities, nitrate and decressing organic carbon concentrations follow the same pattern. These results suggest that, in this kind of
riparian wetland, nitrate from alluvial groundwater influenced by agricultural practices may be denitrified by bacteria in the presence of
organic carbon from river surface water
Isocausal spacetimes may have different causal boundaries
We construct an example which shows that two isocausal spacetimes, in the
sense introduced by Garc\'ia-Parrado and Senovilla, may have c-boundaries which
are not equal (more precisely, not equivalent, as no bijection between the
completions can preserve all the binary relations induced by causality). This
example also suggests that isocausality can be useful for the understanding and
computation of the c-boundary.Comment: Minor modifications, including the title, which matches now with the
published version. 12 pages, 3 figure
Nonlinear stochastic discrete drift-diffusion theory of charge fluctuations and domain relocation times in semiconductor superlattices
A stochastic discrete drift-diffusion model is proposed to account for the
effects of shot noise in weakly coupled, highly doped semiconductor
superlattices. Their current-voltage characteristics consist of a number stable
multistable branches corresponding to electric field profiles displaying two
domains separated by a domain wall. If the initial state corresponds to a
voltage on the middle of a stable branch and a sudden voltage is switched so
that the final voltage corresponds to the next branch, the domains relocate
after a certain delay time. Shot noise causes the distribution of delay times
to change from a Gaussian to a first passage time distribution as the final
voltage approaches that of the end of the first current branch. These results
agree qualitatively with experiments by Rogozia {\it et al} (Phys. Rev. B {\bf
64}, 041308(R) (2001)).Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures, 2 column forma
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