Cosmological origin of irreversibility,time, and time anisotropies. I

Causal links among the thermodynamic, electrodynamic, and cosmological arrows of time are explained within the framework of a new theory derived from Newtonian gravitation or general relativistic theory. The master asymmetry so derived is employed to deduce the second postulate of thermodynamics in terms of dissipation function or entropic growth. Discussing Olbers' paradox and employing a laboratory-universe principle of equivalence, the theory demonstrates how the expansion of our isotropic universe affects all irreversible processes on earth. Gravitation and the observed expanding space become the indirect causes of thermal gradients and irreversible processes channeling energy from planetary and galactic cores, through colder regions, all the way into the unsaturable sink of expanding intergalactic space. The new formulations replace the axiomatic formalisms of classical and continuum thermodynamics. The fundamental role played by the expansion (bulk) viscosity is stressed. Other possible interactions among cosmology, thermodynamics, and electrodynamics are reviewed and analyzed from a new viewpoint.     

Stochasticity,decoherence and an arrow of time from the discretization of time?

Certain intriguing consequences of the discreteness of time on the time evolution of dynamical systems are discussed. In the discrete-time classical mechanics proposed here, there is an arrow of time that follows from the fact that the replacement of the time derivative by the backward difference operator alone can preserve the non-negativity of the phase space density. It is seen that, even for free particles, all the degrees of freedom are correlated in principle. The forward evolution of functions of phase space variables by a finite number of time steps, in this discrete-time mechanics, depends on the entire continuous-time history in the interval [0, ∞]. In this sense, discrete time evolution is nonlocal in time from a continuous-time point of view. A corresponding quantum mechanical treatment is possible via the density matrix approach. The interference between nondegenerate quantum mechanical states decays exponentially. This decoherence is present, in principle, for all systems; however, it is of practical importance only in macroscopic systems, or in processes involving large energy changes.     

Cosmological origin of irreversibility,time, and time anisotropies. II. Gravitism

It is proposed to consider a new primary time coordinate whose use resolves a number of standing paradoxes associated with current concepts of time, time asymmetrics, and irreversibility. The origin of absolute cosmic time and its undirectional coupling with local (geocentric) thermodynamics are stressed and formulated. The role of neutrinos in expanding space is discussed together with the question of the microscopic arrow of time (T violations in kaonic systems.) The failure of quantum mechanics to deduce time asymmetries and irreversibility in nature is demonstrated.     

Bits,time, carriers,and matter

The formal structure of quantum information theory is based on the well-founded concepts and postulates of quantum mechanics. In the present contribution, I am inverting the usual approach presented in textbooks by beginning with the use of bit states as basic and fundamental units of information and establish a dynamical map for them. The condition of reversibility, imposed on an ordered sequence of actions operating on a bit state, introduces, by necessity, the unitarity property of actions. I also verify that the uniformity of time, as a parameter for ordering events, is due to the admission of a composition law for the actions. In the limit of infinitesimal intervals between actions, a reversible and linear equation arises for the dynamical changes in time of a qubit (superposition of bit states). The admission that a bit of information is stored or carried by a massive particle necessarily leads to the Schrödinger–Pauli equation (SPE); the bit is associated to a spin 1/2. Within this approach, I verify that the particle dynamical equation becomes “enslaved” by the spin dynamics. In other words, the bit (or spin) precedes in status the particle dynamical evolution, being at the root of the quantum character of the standard Schr¨odinger equation, even when spin and spatial degrees of freedom are uncoupled.     

Quantum gravity,the origin of time and time's arrow

The local Lorentz and diffeomorphism symmetries of Einstein's gravitational theory are spontaneously broken by a Higgs mechanism by invoking a phase transition in the early universe, at a critical temperature T_c below which the symmetry is restored. The spontaneous breakdown of the vacuum state generates an external time, and the wave function of the universe satisfies a time-dependent Schrödinger equation, which reduces to the Wheeler-deWitt equation in the classical regime for T<T_c, allowing a semiclassical WKB approximation to the wave function. The conservation of energy is spontaneously violated for T>T_c, and matter is created fractions of seconds after the big bang, generating the matter in the Universe. The time direction of the vacuum expectation value of the scalar Higgs field generates a time asymmetry, which defines the cosmological arrow of time and the direction of increasing entropy as the Lorentz symmetry is restored at low temperatures.     

Magnetic charges,inertia, and arrow of time

The prerelativistic concept of inertial mass (as opposed to gravitational mass) is reconsidered in view of a possible relationship between inertia and magnetic (mass) monopoles. Assuming that such fictitious (topological) charges could have developed in the chaotic early cosmology, a physical principle is suggested, based on dissipation of topological charges and decoupling of interactions, which could have governed the onset of inertia and of the arrow of time, and controlled the critical balance between mass density and expansion rate in the FRW universe. In view of the recent accomplishments in the detection of Dirac monopoles, a generalization of the Eötvos experiment is proposed which could shed light on the grand unification regime. A comment is given on the issue of relating the psychological and the cosmological arrows of time.     

Space, time, and velocity in cosmology

In the limit of negligible gravity, a transformation that relates physical quantities at different cosmic times, similar to the Lorentz transformation which relates measurments at different velocities, is derived.     

Late time neutrino masses, the LSND experiment, and the cosmic microwave background

Models with low-scale breaking of global symmetries in the neutrino sector provide an alternative to the seesaw mechanism for understanding why neutrinos are light. Such models can easily incorporate light sterile neutrinos required by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector experiment. Furthermore, the constraints on the sterile neutrino properties from nucleosynthesis and large-scale structure can be removed due to the nonconventional cosmological evolution of neutrino masses and densities. We present explicit, fully realistic supersymmetric models, and discuss the characteristic signatures predicted in the angular distributions of the cosmic microwave background.     

Non-linear couplings,from the early to the late time universe

Deciphering the mechanisms at play in the formation and evolution of the large-scale structure of the universe is part of the scientific goals of many projects of observational cosmology. In particular, large-scale structure observations can be used to infer mode-coupling effects, whether they come from the physics of the early universe or from its late time evolution. Specificities of such couplings are presented, noting that in principle they can be directly detected through bispectra of the cosmic microwave background temperature anisotropies or density in the local universe. The existence of such couplings have however more far-reaching consequences for the growth of the structure. Those are sketched as well as their possible observational impacts.     

Analysis of the time structure of the GLE on February 16, 1984

Summary The time structure of the ground-level event on February 16, 1984 was studied by using 30 s data of the Turku double neutron monitor. The onset time of the event was found to be (09:06:00±1) min U.T. The time between the injection of protons from the flare site and release of relativistic particles into interplanetary space was (6÷7) min. The linear rise rate of the event at Turku was 5.4%/min and the rise time (5±1) min. The event was complicated in structure consisting of at least two separate pulses of particles, the first lasting for about 14 min and the second about 8 min.

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Riassunto Si è studiata la struttura dell'evento a livello del suolo verificatosi il 16 Febbraio 1984 usando i dati a 30 s del doppio monitor neutronico Turku. Si è trovato che il tempo all'inizio dell'evento a Turku era (09:06:00±1) min U.T. Il tempo tra l'iniezione di protoni dal sito di brillamento e il rilascio di particelle relativistiche nello spazio interplanetario era di (6÷7) min. Il tasso lineare d'incremento dell'evento a Turku era di 5.4%/min e il tempo di incremento era di (5±1) min. L'evento era complicato nella sua struttura, che consiste in almeno due impulsi separati di particelle, il primo di durata di circa 14 min e il secondo di circa 8 min.

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Резюме Исследуется временная структура события на уровне земли 16 февраля 1984 г., используя 30-секундные данные с двойного нейтронного монитора в Турку. Время начала события составляет 09:06:00±1 минут U.T. Время между инжекцией протонов от места вспымки и высвобождением релятивистских частиц в межпланетное пространство составило (6÷7) минут. Линейная скорость возрастания события в Турку была 5.4%/мин, а время возрастания было (5±1) минут. Это событие имело сложную структуру, которая состоит, по крайней мере, из двух изолированных импульсов частиц, первый имеет продолжительность около 14 минут, а второй—около 8 минут.

     

Temporal ghost imaging of a time object,dispersion cancelation,and nonlocal time lens with bi-photon state

We present a theory of temporal diffraction, temporal imaging of a bi-photon state, and temporal ghost imaging of a time object. By applying factional Fourier transform to the bi-photon wave packet propagating in space, we could obtain a theory that shows the physical origin of dispersion cancelation, temporal imaging, nonlocal effects of time lenses, and temporal ghost imaging. We introduce the temporal diffraction distance for bi-photon wave packet and show that the bi-photon wave packet behaves like a single wave packet whose temporal diffraction distance is determined by the coherent sum of the temporal diffraction distances for the signal and the idler beams. This property yields the well known dispersion cancelation, the recovery of original bi-photon wave packet in temporal imaging, and the nonlocal combination of two time lenses placed in different arms. We also propose a method for ghost imaging of an arbitrary time object.     

Quantum mechanics,relativity and time

A discussion on quantum mechanics, general relativity and their relations is introduced. The assumption of the absolute validity of conservation laws and the extension to a 5D-space lead to reconsider several shortcomings and paradoxes of modern physics under a new light without the necessity to take into account symmetry breakings. In this picture, starting from first principles, and after a reduction procedure from 5D to 4D, dynamics leads to the natural emergence of two time arrows and ofa scalar-tensor theory of gravity. In this framework, phenomena like entanglement of systems and topology changes can be naturally accounted and, furthermore, several experimental evidences as gamma ray bursts, sizes of astrophysical structures and the observed values of cosmological parameters can be explained. The identification, thanks to conservation laws, of a covariant symplectic structure as a general feature also for gravity can be seen as a deep link common to all the interactions.     

Killing the Hofstadter butterfly,one bond at a time

Electronic bands in a square lattice when subjected to a perpendicular magnetic field form the Hofstadter butterfly pattern. We study the evolution of this pattern as a function of bond percolation disorder (removal or dilution of lattice bonds). With increasing concentration of the bonds removed, the butterfly pattern gets smoothly decimated. However, in this process of decimation, bands develop interesting characteristics and features. For example, in the high disorder limit, some butterfly-like pattern still persists even as most of the states are localized. We also analyze, in the low disorder limit, the effect of percolation on wavefunctions (using inverse participation ratios) and on band gaps in the spectrum. We explain and provide the reasons behind many of the key features in our results by analyzing small clusters and finite size rings. Furthermore, we study the effect of bond dilution on transverse conductivity (σ _xy ). We show that starting from the clean limit, increasing disorder reduces σ _xy to zero, even though the strength of percolation is smaller than the classical percolation threshold. This shows that the system undergoes a direct transition from a integer quantum Hall state to a localized Anderson insulator beyond a critical value of bond dilution. We further find that the energy bands close to the band edge are more stable to disorder than at the band center. To arrive at these results we use the coupling matrix approach to calculate Chern numbers for disordered systems. We point out the relevance of these results to signatures in magneto-oscillations.     

Variations of the optical characteristics of nano-, meso-, and macroporous silicon with time

Technical Physics - Time variations in the composition and optical properties of porous silicon samples with different pore sizes are discussed. Substrate orientation, type of conduction, and...     

On the time variation of the surface air temperature in Genoa, Italy

Summary The annual averages of the maximum, minimum and mean daily temperatures measured at the Genoa University Observatory from 1833 to 1986 are examined. All maxima lie between 20.0°C and 17.2°C and the minima between 14.7°C and 11.5°C; while the mean values lie between 17.1°C and 13.2°C. The smallest value of every series was recorded in 1956, the coldest of the last 154 years. The courses show sequences of years with increasing and decreasing temperatures and oscillations with different amplitudes and periods. The time occurrences of the sequences and the sign of the variations agree very well with those observed in many European places while differences concerning the amount of the variations were found. The comparison between the annual mean values of the minima in Genoa and in a rural site (Mt. Cappellino) during the last 30-year period shows a smaller increase of their differences. Paper presented at the IV Congresso del Gruppo Nazionale per la Fisica dell'Atmosfera e dell'Oceano, June 22–24, 1987, Rome.