16,895 research outputs found
Statistical distribution of time to crack initiation and initial crack size using service data
Crack growth inspection data gathered during the service life of the C-130 Hercules airplane were used in conjunction with a crack propagation rule to estimate the distribution of crack initiation times and of initial crack sizes. A Bayesian statistical approach was used to calculate the fraction of undetected initiation times as a function of the inspection time and the reliability of the inspection procedure used
Conceptual Unification of Gravity and Quanta
We present a model unifying general relativity and quantum mechanics. The
model is based on the (noncommutative) algebra \mbox{{\cal A}} on the groupoid
\Gamma = E \times G where E is the total space of the frame bundle over
spacetime, and G the Lorentz group. The differential geometry, based on
derivations of \mbox{{\cal A}}, is constructed. The eigenvalue equation for the
Einstein operator plays the role of the generalized Einstein's equation. The
algebra \mbox{{\cal A}}, when suitably represented in a bundle of Hilbert
spaces, is a von Neumann algebra \mathcal{M} of random operators representing
the quantum sector of the model. The Tomita-Takesaki theorem allows us to
define the dynamics of random operators which depends on the state \phi . The
same state defines the noncommutative probability measure (in the sense of
Voiculescu's free probability theory). Moreover, the state \phi satisfies the
Kubo-Martin-Schwinger (KMS) condition, and can be interpreted as describing a
generalized equilibrium state. By suitably averaging elements of the algebra
\mbox{{\cal A}}, one recovers the standard geometry of spacetime. We show that
any act of measurement, performed at a given spacetime point, makes the model
to collapse to the standard quantum mechanics (on the group G). As an example
we compute the noncommutative version of the closed Friedman world model.
Generalized eigenvalues of the Einstein operator produce the correct components
of the energy-momentum tensor. Dynamics of random operators does not ``feel''
singularities.Comment: 28 LaTex pages. Substantially enlarged version. Improved definition
of generalized Einstein's field equation
Anatomy of Malicious Singularities
As well known, the b-boundaries of the closed Friedman world model and of
Schwarzschild solution consist of a single point. We study this phenomenon in a
broader context of differential and structured spaces. We show that it is an
equivalence relation , defined on the Cauchy completed total space
of the frame bundle over a given space-time, that is responsible for
this pathology. A singularity is called malicious if the equivalence class
related to the singularity remains in close contact with all other
equivalence classes, i.e., if for every . We
formulate conditions for which such a situation occurs. The differential
structure of any space-time with malicious singularities consists only of
constant functions which means that, from the topological point of view,
everything collapses to a single point. It was noncommutative geometry that was
especially devised to deal with such situations. A noncommutative algebra on
, which turns out to be a von Neumann algebra of random operators,
allows us to study probabilistic properties (in a generalized sense) of
malicious singularities. Our main result is that, in the noncommutative regime,
even the strongest singularities are probabilistically irrelevant.Comment: 16 pages in LaTe
Space probe/satellite ejection apparatus for spacecraft
An ejection apparatus for spinning and propelling objects for ejection from a spacecraft at a desired velocity and rotational speed is discussed. The apparatus includes a launch cradle on which the space object to be ejected rests. The cradle is rotatably supported by a central hub secured to the upper end of the pneumatic cylinder piston shaft. Release mechanisms consisting of a retractable pin and locking lug is utilized to hold the cradle and object to be ejected. The release mechanism has a fixed barrier member which holds the retractable pin in engagement with the locking lug until release by upward movement of the launch cradle beyond the barrier height
Scarring by homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits
In addition to the well known scarring effect of periodic orbits, we show
here that homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits, which are cornerstones in the
theory of classical chaos, also scar eigenfunctions of classically chaotic
systems when associated closed circuits in phase space are properly quantized,
thus introducing strong quantum correlations. The corresponding quantization
rules are also established. This opens the door for developing computationally
tractable methods to calculate eigenstates of chaotic systems.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Geometry of Non-Hausdorff Spaces and Its Significance for Physics
Hausdorff relation, topologically identifying points in a given space,
belongs to elementary tools of modern mathematics. We show that if subtle
enough mathematical methods are used to analyze this relation, the conclusions
may be far-reaching and illuminating. Examples of situations in which the
Hausdorff relation is of the total type, i.e., when it identifies all points of
the considered space, are the space of Penrose tilings and space-times of some
cosmological models with strong curvature singularities. With every Hausdorff
relation a groupoid can be associated, and a convolutive algebra defined on it
allows one to analyze the space that otherwise would remain intractable. The
regular representation of this algebra in a bundle of Hilbert spaces leads to a
von Neumann algebra of random operators. In this way, a probabilistic
description (in a generalized sense) naturally takes over when the concept of
point looses its meaning. In this situation counterparts of the position and
momentum operators can be defined, and they satisfy a commutation relation
which, in the suitable limiting case, reproduces the Heisenberg indeterminacy
relation. It should be emphasized that this is neither an additional assumption
nor an effect of a quantization process, but simply the consequence of a purely
geometric analysis.Comment: 13 LaTex pages, no figure
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