Consciousness in the universe: A review of the ‘Orch OR’ theory

The nature of consciousness, the mechanism by which it occurs in the brain, and its ultimate place in the universe are unknown. We proposed in the mid 1990's that consciousness depends on biologically ‘orchestrated’ coherent quantum processes in collections of microtubules within brain neurons, that these quantum processes correlate with, and regulate, neuronal synaptic and membrane activity, and that the continuous Schrödinger evolution of each such process terminates in accordance with the specific Diósi–Penrose (DP) scheme of ‘objective reduction’ (‘OR’) of the quantum state. This orchestrated OR activity (‘Orch OR’) is taken to result in moments of conscious awareness and/or choice. The DP form of OR is related to the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and space–time geometry, so Orch OR suggests that there is a connection between the brain's biomolecular processes and the basic structure of the universe. Here we review Orch OR in light of criticisms and developments in quantum biology, neuroscience, physics and cosmology. We also introduce a novel suggestion of ‘beat frequencies’ of faster microtubule vibrations as a possible source of the observed electro-encephalographic (‘EEG’) correlates of consciousness. We conclude that consciousness plays an intrinsic role in the universe.     

Gravity-Related Wave Function Collapse

The gravity-related model of spontaneous wave function collapse, a longtime hypothesis, damps the massive Schrödinger Cat states in quantum theory. We extend the hypothesis and assume that spontaneous wave function collapses are responsible for the emergence of Newton interaction. Superfluid helium would then show significant and testable gravitational anomalies.     

Dilatons and the dynamical collapse of charged scalar field

We studied the influence of dilaton field on the dynamical collapse of a charged scalar one. Different values of the initial amplitude of dilaton field as well as the altered values of the dilatonic coupling constant were considered. We described structures of spacetimes and properties of black holes emerging from the collapse of electrically charged scalar field in dilaton gravity. Moreover, we provided a meaningful comparison of the collapse in question with the one in Einstein gravity, when dilaton field is absent and its coupling with the scalar field is equal to zero. The course and results of the dynamical collapse process seem to be very sensitive to the amplitude of dilaton field and to the value of the coupling constant in the underlying theory.     

Relationship of a gauge model of an elasto-plastic medium to the Mindlin theory

We examine the relationship between the simplest gauge model of a material with the Mindlin theory that takes into account microstructure in linear elasticity. We establish a connection between the dynamical equations for the two models. The connection allows us to relate an unknown material constant in the gauge Lagrangian to the inertial properties of the structural elements. We obtain an estimate of the unknown constant and the corresponding characteristic frequency for the dimensions of elements with different structural levels of deformation.Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 4, pp. 44–48, April, 1994.     

Dilaton as the Higgs boson

We propose a model where the role of the electroweak Higgs field is played by the dilaton. The model contains terms which explicitly violate gauge invariance; however, it is shown that this violation is fictitious, so that the model is a consistent low-energy effective theory. In the simplest version of the idea the resulting low-energy effective theory is the same as the top mode standard model.     

Dynamic facilitation picture of a higher-order glass singularity

We show that facilitated spin mixtures with a tunable facilitation reproduce, on a Bethe lattice, the simplest higher-order singularity scenario predicted by the mode-coupling theory (MCT) of liquid-glass transition. Depending on the facilitation strength, they yield either a discontinuous glass transition or a continuous one, with no underlying thermodynamic singularity. Similar results are obtained for facilitated spin models on a diluted Bethe lattice. The mechanism of dynamical arrest in these systems can be interpreted in terms of bootstrap and standard percolation and corresponds to a crossover from a compact to a fractal structure of the incipient spanning cluster of frozen spins. Theoretical and numerical simulation results are fully consistent with MCT predictions.     

Dynamical symmetry breaking of lambda- and vee-type three-level systems on quantization of the field modes

We develop a scheme to construct the Hamiltonians of the lambda-, vee- and cascade-type three-level configurations using the generators of SU(3) group. It turns out that this approach provides a well-defined selection rule to give different Hamiltonians for each configuration. The lambda- and vee-type configurations are exactly solved with different initial conditions while taking the two-mode classical and quantized fields. For the classical field, it is shown that the Rabi oscillation of the lambda model is similar to that of the vee model and the dynamics of the vee model can be recovered from lambda model and vice versa simply by inversion. We then proceed to solve the quantized version of both models by introducing a novel Euler matrix formalism. It is shown that this dynamical symmetry exhibited in the Rabi oscillation of two configurations for the semiclassical models is completely destroyed on quantization of the field modes. The symmetry can be restored within the quantized models when both field modes are in the coherent states with large average photon number which is depicted through the collapse and revival of the Rabi oscillations.      

Collapsing shear-free perfect fluid spheres with heat flow

A global view is given upon the study of collapsing shear-free perfect fluid spheres with heat flow. We apply a compact formalism, which simplifies the isotropy condition and the condition for conformal flatness. The formulas for the characteristics of the model are straight and tractable. This formalism also presents the simplest possible version of the main junction condition, demonstrated explicitly for conformally flat and geodesic solutions. It gives the right functions to disentangle this condition into well known differential equations like those of Abel, Riccati, Bernoulli and the linear one. It yields an alternative derivation of the general solution with functionally dependent metric components. We bring together the results for static and time-dependent models to describe six generating functions of the general solution to the isotropy equation. Their common features and relations between them are elucidated. A general formula for separable solutions is given, incorporating collapse to a black hole or to a naked singularity.     

The Status of the Wave Function in Dynamical Collapse Models

No Heading The idea that in dynamical wave function collapse models the wave function is superfluous is investigated. Evidence is presented for the conjecture that, in a model of a field theory on a 1+1 lightcone lattice, knowing the field configuration on the lattice back to some time in the past, allows the wave function or quantum state at the present moment to be calculated, to arbitrary accuracy so long as enough of the past field configuration is known.     

A Flea on Schrödinger’s Cat

We propose a technical reformulation of the measurement problem of quantum mechanics, which is based on the postulate that the final state of a measurement is classical; this accords with experimental practice as well as with Bohr’s views. Unlike the usual formulation (in which the post-measurement state is a unit vector in Hilbert space), our version actually opens the possibility of admitting a purely technical solution within the confines of conventional quantum theory (as opposed to solutions that either modify this theory, or introduce unusual and controversial interpretative rules and/or ontologies). To that effect, we recall a remarkable phenomenon in the theory of Schrödinger operators (discovered in 1981 by Jona-Lasinio, Martinelli, and Scoppola), according to which the ground state of a symmetric double-well Hamiltonian (which is paradigmatically of Schrödinger’s Cat type) becomes exponentially sensitive to tiny perturbations of the potential as ?→0. We show that this instability emerges also from the textbook wkb approximation, extend it to time-dependent perturbations, and study the dynamical transition from the ground state of the double well to the perturbed ground state (in which the cat is typically either dead or alive, depending on the details of the perturbation). Numerical simulations show that adiabatically arising perturbations may (quite literally) cause the collapse of the wave-function in the classical limit. Thus, at least in the context of a simple mathematical model, we combine the technical and conceptual virtues of decoherence (which fails to solve the measurement problem but launches the key idea that perturbations may come from the environment) with those of dynamical collapse models à la grw (which do solve the measurement problem but are ad hoc), without sharing their drawbacks: single measurement outcomes are obtained (instead of merely diagonal reduced density matrices), and no modification of quantum mechanics is needed.     

First-principles approach to the electronic structure of strongly correlated systems: combining the GW approximation and dynamical mean-field theory

We propose a dynamical mean-field approach for calculating the electronic structure of strongly correlated materials from first principles. The scheme combines the GW method with dynamical mean-field theory, which enables one to treat strong interaction effects. It avoids the conceptual problems inherent to conventional "LDA+DMFT," such as Hubbard interaction parameters and double-counting terms. We apply a simplified version of the approach to the electronic structure of nickel and find encouraging results.     

Dynamical manifestations of Hamiltonian monodromy

Monodromy is the simplest obstruction to the existence of global action–angle variables in integrable Hamiltonian dynamical systems. We consider one of the simplest possible systems with monodromy: a particle in a circular box containing a cylindrically symmetric potential-energy barrier. Systems with monodromy have nontrivial smooth connections between their regular Liouville tori. We consider a dynamical connection produced by an appropriate time-dependent perturbation of our system. This turns studying monodromy into studying a physical process. We explain what aspects of this process are to be looked upon in order to uncover the interesting and somewhat unexpected dynamical behavior resulting from the nontrivial properties of the connection. We compute and analyze this behavior.     

A Model of Wavefunction Collapse in Discrete Space-Time

We give a new argument supporting a gravitational role in quantum collapse. It is demonstrated that the discreteness of space-time, which results from the proper combination of quantum theory and general relativity, may inevitably result in the dynamical collapse of the wave function. Moreover, the minimum size of discrete space-time yields a plausible collapse criterion consistent with experiments. By assuming that the source to collapse the wave function is the inherent random motion of particles described by the wave function, we further propose a concrete model of wavefunction collapse in the discrete space-time. It is shown that the model is consistent with the existing experiments and macroscopic experiences. PACS numbers: 0365B 0460     

Topological phases: An expedition off lattice

Motivated by the goal to give the simplest possible microscopic foundation for a broad class of topological phases, we study quantum mechanical lattice models where the topology of the lattice is one of the dynamical variables. However, a fluctuating geometry can remove the separation between the system size and the range of local interactions, which is important for topological protection and ultimately the stability of a topological phase. In particular, it can open the door to a pathology, which has been studied in the context of quantum gravity and goes by the name of ‘baby universe’, here we discuss three distinct approaches to suppressing these pathological fluctuations. We complement this discussion by applying Cheeger’s theory relating the geometry of manifolds to their vibrational modes to study the spectra of Hamiltonians. In particular, we present a detailed study of the statistical properties of loop gas and string net models on fluctuating lattices, both analytically and numerically.     

Cluster dual fermion approach to nonlocal correlations

A general cluster dual fermion approach to nonlocal correlations in crystals is formulated. The scheme allows the treatment of long-range correlations beyond the cluster dynamical mean field theory and nonlocal effects in realistic calculations of multiorbital systems. The simplest approximation is shown to exactly correspond to the free-cluster dynamical mean field theory. This approach is applied to the one-dimensional Hubbard model. Already the first dual-fermion correction to the free cluster leads to a drastic improvement of the calculated Green’s function.     

Relativistic and nonrelativistic dynamical groups

The physical motivations for the dynamical group are presented and it is shown how Barut's mathematical speculations were combined with the idea of an elementary length to provide group theoretical models of relativistic extended objects. Then the simplest nonrelativistic and relativistic models are described.Dedicated to A. O. Barut on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Polymer collapse in the presence of hydrodynamic interactions

We investigate numerically the dynamical behaviour of a polymer chain collapsing in a dilute solution. The rate of collapse is measured with and without the presence of hydrodynamic interactions. We find that hydrodynamic interactions both accelerate polymer collapse and alter the folding pathway.     

Stability of the charged radiating cylinder

We discuss the dynamical instability of cylindrically symmetric isotropic geometry under the effect of electromagnetic field. The interior geometry of the dynamical collapse is matched with an exterior geometry through Darmois junction conditions. The perturbation scheme is used to describe the collapse equation and categorize the Newtonian and post-Newtonian regions in radiating as well as non-radiating eras. It is concluded that energy density, pressure, radiation density and electromagnetic field control the stability of the cylinder leading to more unstable configuration.     

Cluster dual fermion approach to nonlocal correlations

A general cluster dual fermion approach to nonlocal correlations in crystals is formulated. The scheme allows the treatment of long-range correlations beyond the cluster dynamical mean field theory and nonlocal effects in realistic calculations of multiorbital systems. The simplest approximation is shown to exactly correspond to the free-cluster dynamical mean field theory. This approach is applied to the one-dimensional Hubbard model. Already the first dual-fermion correction to the free cluster leads to a drastic improvement of the calculated Green’s function. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Equilibrium and metastability in the Shore–Sethna model

The Shore–Sethna model is one of the simplest spin models including frustration at microscopic level. It consists of a three-dimensional system of Ising spins with ferromagnetic nearest-neighbors and antiferromagnetic next-nearest-neighbors interactions, and the competition between these two interactions gives place to the appearance of complex dynamical behaviors. In this work we analyze some thermodynamical aspects of the model using Monte Carlo numerical simulations. In particular, we study the ground states of the model and present a detailed phase diagram, analyzing also the nature of the different phase transitions. We finally show the existence of a rich structure of metastable states at very low temperatures.