Experimenting with (Conditional) Perfection

Conditional perfection is the phenomenon in which conditionals are strengthened to biconditionals. In some contexts, “If A, B” is understood as if it meant “A if and only if B.” We present and discuss a series of experiments designed to test one of the most promising pragmatic accounts of conditional perfection. This is the idea that conditional perfection is a form of exhaustification—that is a strengthening to an exhaustive reading, triggered by a question that the conditional answers. If a speaker is asked how B comes about, then the answer “If A, B” is interpreted exhaustively to meaning that A is the only way to bring about B. Hence, “A if and only if B.” We uncover evidence that conditional perfection is a form of exhaustification, but not that it is triggered by a relationship to a salient question

Comparative analysis of two translations of the poem 서시 (seoshi) by the Korean poet Yoon Dong Ju from Korean into English

The aim of this paper is to show that even if the translator understands two different languages, translating poetry is challenging, as there are many cases when, we have to omit or change words or phrases to keep the poetical or prosodic aspects. We can also see that in this case translators can understand that the denotative options do not carry the emotion of the words that are expressed. For this thesis I will study two translations into English of the poem 서시(seoshi) by a famous Korean poet Yoon Dong Ju (1910–1945) and analyse the differences between them. The translations under scrutiny are: Chae-Pyong Song and Darcy Brandel’s Prologue, Kyung-nyun Kim Richards and Steffen F. Richards Foreword.https://www.ester.ee/record=b5239128*es

Low-dimensional polaritonics: Emergent non-trivial topology on exciton-polariton simulators

Polaritonic lattice configurations in dimensions $D=2$ are used as simulators of topological phases, based on symmetry class A Hamiltonians. Numerical and topological studies are performed in order to characterise the bulk topology of insulating phases, which is predicted to be connected to non-trivial edge mode states on the boundary. By using spectral flattened Hamiltonians on specific lattice geometries with time reversal symmetry breaking, e.g. Kagome lattice, we obtain maps from the Brillouin zone into Grassmannian spaces, which are further investigated by the topological method of space fibrations. Numerical evidence reveals a connection between the sum of valence band Chern numbers and the index of the projection operator onto the valence band states. Along these lines, we discover an index formula which resembles other index theorems and the classical result of Atiyah-Singer, but without any Dirac operator and from a different perspective. Through a combination of different tools, in particular homotopy and homology-cohomology duality, we provide a comprehensive mathematical framework, which fully addresses the source and structure of topological phases in coupled polaritonic array systems. Based on these results, it becomes possible to infer further designs and models of two-dimensional single sheet Chern insulators, implemented as polariton simulators.Comment: 27 page

Retracts of vertex sets of trees and the almost stability theorem

Let G be a group, let T be an (oriented) G-tree with finite edge stabilizers, and let VT denote the vertex set of T. We show that, for each G-retract V' of the G-set VT, there exists a G-tree whose edge stabilizers are finite and whose vertex set is V'. This fact leads to various new consequences of the almost stability theorem. We also give an example of a group G, a G-tree T and a G-retract V' of VT such that no G-tree has vertex set V'.Comment: 15 pages, 0 figures. Formerly titled "Some refinements of the almost stability theorem". Version

Steady-state negative Wigner functions of nonlinear nanomechanical oscillators

We propose a scheme to prepare nanomechanical oscillators in nonclassical steady states, characterized by a pronounced negative Wigner function. In our optomechanical approach, the mechanical oscillator couples to multiple laser driven resonances of an optical cavity. By lowering the resonance frequency of the oscillator via an inhomogeneous electrostatic field, we significantly enhance its intrinsic geometric nonlinearity per phonon. This causes the motional sidebands to split into separate spectral lines for each phonon number and transitions between individual phonon Fock states can be selectively addressed. We show that this enables the preparation of the nanomechanical oscillator in a single phonon Fock state. Our scheme can for example be implemented with a carbon nanotube dispersively coupled to the evanescent field of a state of the art whispering gallery mode microcavity