3,958 research outputs found
Preferred Basis in a Measurement Process
The effect of decoherence is analysed for a free particle, interacting with
an environment via a dissipative coupling. The interaction between the particle
and the environment occurs by a coupling of the position operator of the
particle with the environmental degrees of freedom. By examining the exact
solution of the density matrix equation one finds that the density matrix
becomes completely diagonal in momentum with time while the position space
density matrix remains nonlocal. This establishes the momentum basis as the
emergent 'preferred basis' selected by the environment which is contrary to the
general expectation that position should emerge as the preferred basis since
the coupling with the environment is via the position coordinate.Comment: Standard REVTeX format, 10 pages of output. Accepted for publication
in Phys. Rev
Completely Positive Quantum Dissipation
A completely positive master equation describing quantum dissipation for a
Brownian particle is derived starting from microphysical collisions, exploiting
a recently introduced approach to subdynamics of a macrosystem. The obtained
equation can be cast into Lindblad form with a single generator for each
Cartesian direction. Temperature dependent friction and diffusion coefficients
for both position and momentum are expressed in terms of the collision
cross-section.Comment: 8 pages, revtex, no figure
Through-membrane electron-beam lithography for ultrathin membrane applications
We present a technique to fabricate ultrathin (down to 20 nm) uniform
electron transparent windows at dedicated locations in a SiN membrane for in
situ transmission electron microscopy experiments. An electron-beam (e-beam)
resist is spray-coated on the backside of the membrane in a KOH- etched cavity
in silicon which is patterned using through-membrane electron-beam lithography.
This is a controlled way to make transparent windows in membranes, whilst the
topside of the membrane remains undamaged and retains its flatness. Our
approach was optimized for MEMS-based heating chips but can be applied to any
chip design. We show two different applications of this technique for (1)
fabrication of a nanogap electrode by means of electromigration in thin
free-standing metal films and (2) making low-noise graphene nanopore devices
Models for local ohmic quantum dissipation
We construct model master equations for local quantum dissipation. The master
equations are in the form of Lindblad generators, with imposed constraints that
the dissipations be strictly linear (i.e. ohmic), isotropic and translationally
invariant. A particular form for is chosen to satisfy the constraints. The
resulting master equations are given in both the Schr\"odinger and Heisenberg
forms. We obtain fluctuation-dissipation relations, and discuss the relaxation
of average kinetic energy to effective thermal equilibrium values. We compare
our results to the Dekker and the Caldeira-Leggett master equations. These
master equations allow a more general approach to quantum dissipation and the
dynamics of quantum coherence to account for the nontrivial system-environment
coupling in a local environment.Comment: 19 pages, REVTEX, PSU/TH/12
Velocity quantization approach of the one-dimensional dissipative harmonic oscillator
Given a constant of motion for the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator with
linear dissipation in the velocity, the problem to get the Hamiltonian for this
system is pointed out, and the quantization up to second order in the
perturbation approach is used to determine the modification on the eigenvalues
when dissipation is taken into consideration. This quantization is realized
using the constant of motion instead of the Hamiltonian.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure
Current--Voltage Characteristics of Two--Dimensional Vortex Glass Models
We have performed Monte Carlo simulations to determine current--voltage
characteristics of two different vortex glass models in two dimensions. The
results confirm the conclusions of earlier studies that there is a transition
at . In addition we find that, as , the linear resistance vanishes
exponentially, and the current scale, , where non-linearities appear in
the -- characteristics varies roughly as , quite different from the
predictions of conventional flux creep theory, . The results for
the two models agree quite well with each other, and also agree fairly well
with recent experiments on very thin films of YBCO.Comment: 18 pages with 10 figures available upon request from R. A. Hyman at
[email protected]. The only change in the new version is the
deletion of an unimportant comment.IUCM94-01
Positive Quantum Brownian Evolution
Using the independent oscillator model with an arbitrary system potential, we
derive a quantum Brownian equation assuming a correlated total initial state.
Although not of Lindblad form, the equation preserves positivity of the density
operator on a restricted set of initial states
Spin-orbit coupling and ESR theory for carbon nanotubes
A theoretical description of ESR in 1D interacting metals is given, with
primary emphasis on carbon nanotubes. The spin-orbit coupling is derived, and
the resulting ESR spectrum is analyzed by field theory and exact
diagonalization. Drastic differences in the ESR spectra of single-wall and
multi-wall nanotubes are found. For single-wall tubes, the predicted double
peak spectrum could reveal spin-charge separation.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, final version to appear in PR
Feasibility and short-term effects of Activity Coach+:a physical activity intervention in hard-to-reach people with a physical disability
Purpose: Existing physical activity interventions do not reach a considerable proportion of physically disabled people. This study assessed feasibility and short-term effects of Activity Coach+, a community-based intervention especially targeting this hard-to-reach population. Methods: Feasibility was determined by reach, dropouts, and compliance with the protocol. Physical activity was measured with the Activ8 accelerometer and the adapted SQUASH questionnaire. Health outcomes were assessed by body composition, blood pressure, hand grip force, 10-metre walk test, 6-minute walk test, and the Berg Balance Scale. The RAND-36, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and IMPACT-S were administered. Measurements were performed at baseline and after 2 and 4 months. Changes over time were analysed by Friedman tests. Results: Twenty-nine participants enrolled during the first 4 months, of whom two dropped out. Intervention components were employed in 86–100% of the participants. Physical activity did not change after the implementation of Activity Coach+. Body mass index (p = 0.006), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.032), walking ability (p = 0.002), exercise capacity (p = 0.013), balance (p = 0.014), and vitality (p = 0.049) changed over time. Conclusions: Activity Coach + is feasible in a community setting. Indications for effectivity of Activity Coach + in hard-to-reach people with a physical disability were found.Implications for rehabilitation Activity Coach + was able to reach physically disabled people living in community, a population that is assumed hard-to-reach. Activity Coach + was feasible in a population of persons with a physical disability that was heterogeneous with respect to age and (severity of) disability. The current study provides the first indications for the beneficial health effects of Activity Coach + in hard-to-reach people with a physical disability
Spin-orbit coupling and electron spin resonance for interacting electrons in carbon nanotubes
We review the theoretical description of spin-orbit scattering and electron
spin resonance in carbon nanotubes. Particular emphasis is laid on the effects
of electron-electron interactions. The spin-orbit coupling is derived, and the
resulting ESR spectrum is analyzed both using the effective low-energy field
theory and numerical studies of finite-size Hubbard chains and two-leg Hubbard
ladders. For single-wall tubes, the field theoretical description predicts a
double peak spectrum linked to the existence of spin-charge separation. The
numerical analysis basically confirms this picture, but also predicts
additional features in finite-size samples.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, invited review article for special issue in J.
Phys. Cond. Mat., published versio
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