Statistical Physics Of Opinion Formation: Is it a SPOOF?

We present a short review based on the nonlinear q-voter model about problems and methods raised within statistical physics of opinion formation (SPOOF). We describe relations between models of opinion formation, developed by physicists, and theoretical models of social response, known in social psychology. We draw attention to issues that are interesting for social psychologists and physicists. We show examples of studies directly inspired by social psychology like: “independence vs. anticonformity” or “personality vs. situation”. We summarize the results that have been already obtained and point out what else can be done, also with respect to other models in SPOOF. Finally, we demonstrate several analytical methods useful in SPOOF, such as the concept of effective force and potential, Landau's approach to phase transitions, or mean-field and pair approximations.     

Fundamental energetic limits of radio communication systems

The evaluation of the energy consumption of a radiocommunication requires to analyse the life cycle of the elements used. However, this analysis does not specify the energetic limits. Theoretical approaches allow one to draw these limits, which are known in multiple cases of information transmission. However, the answers are not always satisfactory, in particular in the case of time-varying channels. After a brief presentation of the notion of energetic limits of a radiocommunication, and beginning with a global approach, we show that, contrary to the published results, the energetic limits always differ from zero if the physical constraints are correctly expressed.     

Many-body quantum electrodynamics networks: Non-equilibrium condensed matter physics with light

We review recent developments regarding the quantum dynamics and many-body physics with light, in superconducting circuits and Josephson analogues, by analogy with atomic physics. We start with quantum impurity models addressing dissipative and driven systems. Both theorists and experimentalists are making efforts towards the characterization of these non-equilibrium quantum systems. We show how Josephson junction systems can implement the equivalent of the Kondo effect with microwave photons. The Kondo effect can be characterized by a renormalized light frequency and a peak in the Rayleigh elastic transmission of a photon. We also address the physics of hybrid systems comprising mesoscopic quantum dot devices coupled with an electromagnetic resonator. Then, we discuss extensions to Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) Networks allowing one to engineer the Jaynes–Cummings lattice and Rabi lattice models through the presence of superconducting qubits in the cavities. This opens the door to novel many-body physics with light out of equilibrium, in relation with the Mott–superfluid transition observed with ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices. Then, we summarize recent theoretical predictions for realizing topological phases with light. Synthetic gauge fields and spin–orbit couplings have been successfully implemented in quantum materials and with ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices — using time-dependent Floquet perturbations periodic in time, for example — as well as in photonic lattice systems. Finally, we discuss the Josephson effect related to Bose–Hubbard models in ladder and two-dimensional geometries, producing phase coherence and Meissner currents. The Bose–Hubbard model is related to the Jaynes–Cummings lattice model in the large detuning limit between light and matter (the superconducting qubits). In the presence of synthetic gauge fields, we show that Meissner currents subsist in an insulating Mott phase.     

Theoretical and practical limits of superdirective antenna arrays

Some applications as Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) require compact and directive antennas. However, Electrically Small Antennas (ESAs) have low efficiencies and quasi-isotropic radiation patterns. Superdirective ESA arrays can be an interesting solution to cope with both constraints (the compactness and the directivity). In this paper, the theoretical and practical limits of superdirective antennas will be presented. These limits can be summarized by the directivity sensitivity toward the excitation coefficients changes and the radiation efficiency decrement as the inter-element decreases. The need for negative resistances is also a practical limit for transforming these arrays into parasitic ones. The necessary trade-offs between the antenna total dimensions (the number of elements and the inter-element distance) and the attainable directivity and efficiency are also analyzed throughout this paper.     

Quantum Zeno dynamics in atoms and cavities

Quantum Zeno Dynamics restricts the evolution of a system in a tailorable subspace of the Hilbert space by repeated measurements of a proper observable. This restricted dynamics can be counterintuitive and lead to the generation of interesting nonclassical states. We describe an experiment implementing the Zeno dynamics in an atomic Rydberg level manifold, and we propose an implementation in the cavity quantum electrodynamics context. Both systems open promising perspectives for quantum-enabled metrology and decoherence studies.     

Ginzburg–Landau vortices,Coulomb gases,and Abrikosov lattices

This is a review of a mathematical analysis of vortices in the Ginzburg–Landau model: phase transitions and effective energies that govern optimal patterns formed by the vortices, in particular the Abrikosov lattice, are discussed. Analogies with Coulomb gases are also mentioned.