WKB analysis of relativistic Stern–Gerlach measurements

Spin is an important quantum degree of freedom in relativistic quantum information theory. This paper provides a first-principles derivation of the observable corresponding to a Stern–Gerlach measurement with relativistic particle velocity. The specific mathematical form of the Stern–Gerlach operator is established using the transformation properties of the electromagnetic field. To confirm that this is indeed the correct operator we provide a detailed analysis of the Stern–Gerlach measurement process. We do this by applying a WKB approximation to the minimally coupled Dirac equation describing an interaction between a massive fermion and an electromagnetic field. Making use of the superposition principle we show that the +1 and −1 spin eigenstates of the proposed spin operator are split into separate packets due to the inhomogeneity of the Stern–Gerlach magnetic field. The operator we obtain is dependent on the momentum between particle and Stern–Gerlach apparatus, and is mathematically distinct from two other commonly used operators. The consequences for quantum tomography are considered.     

Semi-Classical Green Kernel Asymptotics for the Dirac Operator

We consider a semi-classical Dirac operator in d ∈ ? spatial dimensions with a smooth potential whose partial derivatives of any order are bounded by suitable constants. We prove that the distribution kernel of the inverse operator evaluated at two distinct points fulfilling a certain hypothesis can be represented as the product of an exponentially decaying factor involving an associated Agmon distance and some amplitude admitting a complete asymptotic expansion in powers of the semi-classical parameter. Moreover, we find an explicit formula for the leading term in that expansion.     

Remarks on Non-Linear Schrödinger Equation with Magnetic Fields

We study the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with time-depending magnetic field without smallness assumption at infinity. We obtain some results on the Cauchy problem, WKB asymptotics and instability.     

Alpha decay chains from superheavy nuclei

Magic islands for extra-stable nuclei in the midst of the sea of fission-instability were predicted to be around Z=114, 124 or, 126 with N=184, and Z=120, with N=172. Whether these fission-survived superheavy nuclei with high Z and N would live long enough for detection or, undergo α-decay in a very short time, remains an open question. α-decay half lives of nuclei with 130≥Z≥100 have been calculated in a WKB framework using density-dependent M3Y interaction with Q-values from different mass formulae. The results are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Fission survived Sg nuclei with Z=106, N=162 is predicted to have the highest α-decay half life (∼3.2 h) in the Z=106-108, N=160-164 region called small island/peninsula. Superheavy nuclei with Z>118 are found to have α-decay half lives of the order of microseconds or less.     

Quasinormal Modes of the Schwarzschild Black Hole Surrounded by the Quintessence Field in Rastall Gravity

The quasinormal modes of the Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by the quintessence in Rastall gravity are studied using the sixth-order Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximative approach. The effect of the Rastall parameter on the quasinormal modes of gravitational, electromagnetic and massless scalar perturbations is explored. Compared to the case of Einstein gravity, it is found that, when η < 0, the gravitational field, electromagnetic field as well as massless scalar field damp more rapidly and have larger real frequency of oscillation in Rastall gravity, while when η > 0, the gravitational field, electromagnetic field as well as massless scalar field damp more slowly and have smaller real frequency of oscillation in Rastall gravity. It is also found that the gravitational field, electromagnetic field as well as massless scalar field damp more and more slowly and the real frequency of oscillation for the gravitational perturbation, electromagnetic perturbation as well as massless scalar perturbation becomes smaller and smaller as the Rastall parameter η increases. Compared among the quasinormal frequencies of gravitational, electromagnetic and massless scalar perturbations, I find that, for fixed η, (l, n), ∈ and N_q, the oscillation damps most slowly for the gravitational perturbation, mediate for the electromagnetic perturbation and most rapidly for the massless scalar perturbation, and the real frequency of oscillation is the smallest for the gravitational perturbation, mediate for the electromagnetic perturbation and the largest for the massless scalar perturbation in Rastall gravity.     

Search for decay modes of heavy and superheavy nuclei

Spontaneous fission(SF) with a new formula based on a liquid drop model is proposed and used in the calculation of the SF half-lives of heavy and superheavy nuclei(Z = 90–120). The predicted half-lives are in agreement with the experimental SF half-lives. The half-lives of decay(AD) for the same nuclei are obtained by using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin(WKB) method together with Bohr-Sommerfeld(BS) quantization condition considering the isospin-dependent effects for the cosh potential. The decay modes and branching ratios of superheavy nuclei(Z =104-118) with experimental decay modes are obtained, and the modes are compared with the experimental ones and with the predictions found in the literature. Although some nuclei have predicted decay modes that are different from their experimental decay modes, decay modes same as the experimental ones are predicted for many nuclei. The SF and AD half-lives, branching ratios, and decay modes are obtained for superheavy nuclei(Z = 119–120) with unknown decay modes and compared with the predictions obtained in a previous study. The present results provide useful information for future experimental studies performed on both the AD and SF of superheavy nuclei.     

Proton Radioactivity Within a Hybrid Method

The proton radioactivity half-lives are investigated theoretically within a hybrid method.The potential barriers preventing the emission of protons are determined in the quasimolecular shape path within a generalized liquid drop model (GLDM). The penetrability is calculated with the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approximation. The spectroscopic factor has been taken into account in halflife calculation, which is obtained by employing the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory combined with the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) method. The half-lives within the present hybrid method reproduced the experimental data very well. Some predictions for proton radioactivity are made for future experiments.     

The Van Vleck formula,Maslov theory,and phase space geometry

The Van Vleck formula is an approximate, semiclassical expression for the quantum propagator. It is the starting point for the derivation of the Gutzwiller trace formula, and through this, a variety of other expansions representing eigenvalues, wave functions, and matrix elements in terms of classical periodic orbits. These are currently among the best and most promising theoretical tools for understanding the asymptotic behavior of quantum systems whose classical analogs are chaotic. Nevertheless, there are currently several questions remaining about the meaning and validity of the Van Vleck formula, such as those involving its behavior for long times. This article surveys an important aspect of the Van Vleck formula, namely, the relationship between it and phase space geometry, as revealed by Maslov's theory of wave asymptotics. The geometrical constructions involved are developed with a minimum of mathematical formalism.     

Higher-order semiclassical energy expansions for potentials with non-integer powers

In this paper, we present a semiclassical eigenenergy expansion for the potential |x|^α when α is a positive rational number of the form2n/m (n is a positive integer and m is an odd positive integer). Remarkably, this expansion is found to be identical to the WKB expansion obtained for the potentialx ^N(N-even), if2n/m is replaced byN. Taking the limitm → 2 of the above expansion, we obtain an explicit asymptotic energy expansion of symmetric odd power potentials |x|^2j+1 (j- positive integer). We then show how to develop approximate semiclassical expansions for potentials |x|^α when α is any positive real number.     

Semi-classical approach to antiproton-nucleus scattering

The similarities and differences between antiproton-nucleus scattering and heavyion-nucleus scattering are examined. It is found that the one-turning point approach viz Wentzel, Kramers and Brillouin (WKB) approximation can be applied to the analysis of antiproton-nucleus scattering. Using this approximation, a closed form expression for the nuclear phase shift is deduced from the corresponding expression for the heavy-ion scattering phase shift derived by Shastry and the method is illustrated by carrying out the cross-section calculation of atE _lab = 46·8 MeV.