Cosmological surrealism: More than “eternal reality” is needed

Inflationary cosmology makes the universe eternal and provides for recurrent universe creation, ad infinitum — making it also plausible to assume that our Big Bang was also preceeded by others, etc.. However, GR tells us that in the parent universe's reference frame, the newborn universe's expansion will never start. Our picture of reality in spacetime has to be enlarged.Wolfson Distinguished Chair in Theoretical Physics.Also on leave from the University of Texas, Center for Particle Physics, Austin, Texas.     

Atomic versus ionized states in many-particle systems and the spectra of reduced density matrices: A model study

We study the spectrum of appropriate reduced density matrices for a model consisting of one quantum particle (electron) in a classical fluid (of protons) at thermal equilibrium. The quantum and classical particles interact by a shortrange, attractive potential such that the quantum particle can form atomic bound states with a single classical particle. We consider two models for the classical component: an ideal gas and the cell model of a fluid. We find that when the system is at low density the spectrum of the electron-proton pair density matrix has, in addition to a continuous part, a discrete part that is associated with atomic bound states. In the high-density limit the discrete eigenvalues disappear in the case of the cell model, indicating the existence of pressure ionization or a Mott effect according to a general criterion for characterizing bound and ionized electron-proton pairs in a plasma proposed recently by M. Girardeau. For the ideal gas model, on the other hand, eigenvalues remain even at high density.     

Contribution to the theory of single-mode laser modulation II. Conduction modulation

The problem of conduction modulation of laser radiation is considered. It is shown that acoustic wave interacting with photon field in active medium causes a periodic modulation of the number of quanta in the single-mode gas laser. The problem of modulation is solved quantum mechanically and it is shown that dielectric and conduction modulation give similar results.     

Quasigroups Connected with Clifford Groups

In Clifford groups, a nonassociative product is defined which leads to the definition of nonassociative groups. These nonassociative groups have matrix representations on the condition that the row by column product of two matrices is replaced by the column by column product. A nonassociative group of transformations connected with the Lorentz group is determined, together with its irreducible, double-valued matrix representation, whose matrices undergo the column by column product.     

Methodological imperfection and formalizations of scientific activity

Any mathematical formalization of scientific activity allows for imperfections in the methodology that is formalized. These can be of three types, dirty, rotten, and dammed. Restricting mathematical attention to those methods that cannot be construed to be imperfect drastically reduces the class of objects that must be analyzed, and relates all other objects to these more regular ones. Examples are drawn from empirical logic.     

On purely radiative space-times

The existence of space-times representing pure gravitational radiation which comes in from infinity and interacts with itself is discussed. They are characterized as solutions of Einstein's vacuum field equations possessing a smooth structure at past null infinity which forms the future null cone at past timelike infinity with complete generators. The pure radiation problem is analysed where free initial data for Einstein's field equations are prescribed on the null cone at past time-like infinity. It is demonstrated how the pure radiation problem can be formulated as a local initial value problem for the symmetric hyperbolic system of reduced conformal vacuum field equations. Its solutions are uniquely determined by the free data.Work supported by a Heisenberg-fellowship of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Electrodynamics of moving particles

A consistent relativistic theory of the classical Maxwell field interacting with classical, charged, point-like particles is proposed. The theory is derived from a classical soliton-like model of an extended particle. An approximation procedure for such a model is developed, which leads to an already renormalized formula for the total four-momentum of the system composed of fields and particles. Conservation of this quantity leads to a theory which is universal (i.e. does not depend upon a specific model we start with) and which may be regarded as a simple and necessary completion of special relativity. The renormalization method proposed here may be considered as a realization of Einstein's idea of deriving equations of motion from field equations. It is shown that the Dirac's 3-dots equation does not describe a fundamental law of physics, but only a specific family of solutions of our theory, corresponding to a specific choice of the field initial data.     

The preparation of “perfect” dendritic germanium crystals

Perfect germanium crystals with the required resistivity and small dislocation density are reproducibly prepared in the Popov Research Institute of Radiocommunications. Perfect dendrites are suitable for use, for example, in the preparation of alloy diffused transistors. The shape, pulling apparatus and actual preparation of perfect germanium dendrites are described. Some of the parameters influencing the growth of a perfect dendrite are analyzed and the optimum conditions for its growth are determined.     

Particle velocities faster than the speed of light

In connection with another article by the author, we show how it might be possible to travel faster than the speed of light. We show that for clocks and rods moving faster than the speed of light, we get instead of time dilation and Lorentz contraction, respectively, time contraction and Lorentz expansion, respectively. It is shown that this paper is in confirmation with earlier articles dealing with this subject.     

On the equivalence of different order parameters for Ising ferromagnets

In a recent note Barber showed, for a spin-1/2 Ising system with ferromagnetic pair interactions, that some critical exponents of the triplet order parameter _{i j k} are the same as those of the magnetization _i . Here we prove such results for all odd correlations and dispense with the requirement of pair interactions. We also prove that the critical temperatureT _c , defined as the temperature below which there is a spontaneous magnetization, is for fixed even spin interactionsJ _e independent of the way in which the odd interactionsJ _o approach zero from above. This is achieved by using only the simplest, Griffiths-Kelley-Sherman (GKS), inequalities, which apply to the most general many-spin, ferromagnetic interactions.Research supported in part by NSF Grant #MPS 75-20638.     

Correlation inequalities for multicomponent rotators

A recent approach to G.H.S. and Lebowitz inequalities is used to prove Griffiths' second inequality for 3 and 4 component models (e.g. Classical Heisenberg model, ||⁴ Euclidean fields). Applications include monotonicity of the mass gap in the external field, and two-sided inequalities between parallel and transverse correlations.     

The Vacuum as Ether in the Last Century

In this paper we review the evolution of the concept of vacuum according to different theories formulated in the last century, like Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Electrodynamics, Quantum Chromodynamics in Particle Physics and Cosmology. In all these theories a metastable vacuum state is considered which transforms from one state to another according to the energy taken into consideration. It is a fluid made up by matter and radiation present in the whole Universe, which may be identified with a modern definition of ether     

Standpoint cosmology

An unorthodox cosmology is based on a notion of standpoint, distinguishing past from future, realized through Hilbert-space representation of the complex conformai group for 3+1spacetime and associated coherent states. Physical (approximate) symmetry attaches to eight-parameter complex Poincaré displacements, interpretable as growth of standpoint age (one parameter), boost of matter energy-momentum in standpoint rest frame (three parameters) and displacement of matter location in a compact U(1)O(4)/O(3) spacetime attached to standpoint (four parameters). An initial condition (at big bang) is characterized by a huge dimensionless parameter that breaks dilation invariance. Four major length scales are recognized, called Planck, particle, lab, and Hubble, with separations controlled by ; all physical concepts, including spacetime, depend on wideness of scale separation.     

Nature of the luminescence centers in ionic crystals

The main attention is paid to the following questions: 1. The possible models of the luminescence centers in activated alkali halide crystals, 2. the experimental evidence of the presence of various types of the luminescence centers, 3. the nature of the excitations of the simplest luminescence centers in alkali halides activated by mercury-like ions and by some other ions. Mainly two possibilities of views: the quasi-free ions case on the one hand and the quasi-molecular models on the other are discussed in detail.     

Dark body and black hole horizons

The formula for the horizon of a Newtonian dark body is given and compared to that of a relativistic black hole: a Newtonian dark body has at least one hair.     

The first and second nearest neighbour Cr3+ pairs in ruby

The irreducible representations of the states of the first and second nearest neighbour Cr³⁺ pairs in ruby were deduced from the known states of the single ions by the group theoretical method of induction. The summetry selection rules and polarizations for electric dipole radiation are discussed.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the Sonderforschungsbereich 65 Frankfurt-Darmstadt.     

New two-color dimer models with critical ground states

We define two new models on the square lattice in which each allowed configuration is a superposition of a covering by white dimers and one by black dimers. Each model maps to a solid-on-solid (SOS) model in which the height field is two dimensional. Measuring the stiffness of the SOS fluctuations in the rough phase provides critical exponents of the dimer models. Using this height representation, we have performed Monte Carlo simulations. They confirm that each dimer model has critical correlations and belongs to a new universality class. In the dimer-loop model (which maps to a loop model) one height component is smooth, but has unusual correlated fluctuations; the other height component is rough. In the noncrossing-dimer model the heights are rough, having two different elastic constants; an unusual form of its elastic theory implies anisotropic critical correlations.     

“Projective relativity” and magnetohydrodynamics

The geometrical structure of the Castelnuovo space-time and the Fantappié group are analyzed with the Inönj-Wigner method of contraction of a group with respect to the various subgroups. If we utilize the two vectorsposition andvelocity, we can study the structure of the magnetohydrodynamics tensor. It follows that from projective magnetohydrodynamics we can deduce as limiting cases four theories (two by two duals in the sense of the classical projective geometry).     

Quantum formalism via signal analysis

The general properties of signals permit a nonaxiomatic reconstruction of the quantum probability formalism independent of the standard Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. Performance standards are specified for candidate clock, signaller, and reflector devices, and it is shown that the resulting formalism forces identification of a probability- or intensity-like structure as the absolute square of an amplitude, the relative phases of amplitudes appearing explicitly in the probability composition law. Inequalities are produced which on one interpretation reduce to the Heisenberg relations, but it is pointed out that this reconstruction disqualifies position as an observable property of a signal.     

Exact results for the asymmetric simple exclusion process with a blockage

We present new results for the current as a function of transmission rate in the one-dimensional totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) with a blockage that lowers the jump rate at one site from one tor<1. Exact finitevolume results serve to bound the allowed values for the current in the infinite system. This proves the existence of a nonequilibrium phase transition, corresponding to an immiscibility gap in the allowed values of the asymptotic densities which the infinite system can have in a stationary state. A series expansion inr, derived from the finite systems, is proven to be asymptotic for all sufficiently large systems. Padé approximants based on this series, which make specific assumptions about the nature of the singularity atr=1, match numerical data for the infinite system to 1 part in 10⁴.