Mixed-system brain dynamics: Neural memory as a macroscopic ordered state

The paper reviews the current situation regarding a new theory of brain dynamics put forward by the authors in an earlier publication. Motivation for the theory is discussed in terms of two issues: the long-standing problem of accounting for the stability and nonlocal properties of memory, and the experimental and theoretical evidence against the classical theory of brain action. It is shown that the new theory provides an explanation and a conceptually unifying framework for phenomena of brain action that resist classical explanation. Further independent experiments provide strong additional support for the theory. The fact that this theory incorporates quantum mechanisms in an essential way is considered to be of wide scientific interest in view of the unique status of the brain in relation to the physical, biological, and mental orders in nature.     

Stabilizer Notation for Spekkens’ Toy Theory

Spekkens has introduced a toy theory (Spekkens in Phys. Rev. A 75(3):032110, 2007) in order to argue for an epistemic view of quantum states. I describe a notation for the theory (excluding certain joint measurements) which makes its similarities and differences with the quantum mechanics of stabilizer states clear. Given an application of the qubit stabilizer formalism, it is often entirely straightforward to construct an analogous application of the notation to the toy theory. This assists calculations within the toy theory, for example of the number of possible states and transformations, and enables superpositions to be defined for composite systems.     

Systematic low-energy effective theory for magnons and charge carriers in an antiferromagnet

By electron or hole doping quantum antiferromagnets may turn into high-temperature superconductors. The low-energy dynamics of antiferromagnets are governed by their Nambu–Goldstone bosons—the magnons—and are described by an effective field theory analogous to chiral perturbation theory for the pions in strong interaction physics. In analogy to baryon chiral perturbation theory—the effective theory for pions and nucleons—we construct a systematic low-energy effective theory for magnons and electrons or holes in an antiferromagnet. The effective theory is universal and makes model-independent predictions for the entire class of antiferromagnetic cuprates. We present a detailed analysis of the symmetries of the Hubbard model and discuss how these symmetries manifest themselves in the effective theory. A complete set of linearly independent leading contributions to the effective action is constructed. The coupling to external electromagnetic fields is also investigated.     

An application of cell theory to molecular models of n-alkane solids

Solid phase properties for hard sphere chain molecular models of n-alkanes are calculated using the cell theory, and a numerical method for implementation of cell theory for chain molecules is described. Good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations for solid phase properties is obtained from the theory. By using cell theory for the solid phase and an equation of state for the fluid phase, solid-phase equilibrium can be calculated. The predictions are in quite good agreement with Monte Carlo simulation results. Cell theory is used to assess the impact of an approximate treatment used in earlier work for the effect of the temperature dependence of the molecular flexibility upon the solid phase properties of a hard chain model with a realistic torsional potential.     

The fractional quantum Hall effect: Chern-Simons mapping,duality, Luttinger liquids and the instanton vacuum

We derive, from first principles, the complete Luttinger liquid theory of abelian quantum Hall edge states. This theory includes disorder and Coulomb interactions as well as the coupling to external electromagnetic fields. We introduce a theory of spatially separated edge modes, find an enlarged dual symmetry and obtain a complete classification of quasiparticle operators and tunneling exponents. The chiral anomaly on the edge is used to obtain unambiguously the Hall conductance. In resolving the problem of counter-flowing edge modes, we find that the long range Coulomb interactions play a fundamental role. In order to set up a theory for arbitrary ν we use the idea of a two-dimensional network of percolating edge modes. We derive an effective, single mode Luttinger liquid theory for tunneling processes into the edge which yields a continuous tunneling exponent 1/ν. The network approach is also used to re-derive the instanton vacuum theory for plateau transitions.     

Time-dependent density functional theory of classical fluids

We establish a rigorous time-dependent density functional theory of classical fluids for a wide class of microscopic dynamics. We obtain a stationary action principle for the density. We further introduce an exact practical scheme, to obtain hydrodynamical effects in density evolution, that is analogous to the Kohn-Sham theory of quantum systems. Finally, we show how the current theory recovers existing phenomenological theories in an adiabatic limit.     

Kochen-Specker Theorem as a Precondition for Quantum Computing

We study the relation between the Kochen-Specker theorem (the KS theorem) and quantum computing. The KS theorem rules out a realistic theory of the KS type. We consider the realistic theory of the KS type that the results of measurements are either +1 or ?1. We discuss an inconsistency between the realistic theory of the KS type and the controllability of quantum computing. We have to give up the controllability if we accept the realistic theory of the KS type. We discuss an inconsistency between the realistic theory of the KS type and the observability of quantum computing. We discuss the inconsistency by using the double-slit experiment as the most basic experiment in quantum mechanics. This experiment can be for an easy detector to a Pauli observable. We cannot accept the realistic theory of the KS type to simulate the double-slit experiment in a significant specific case. The realistic theory of the KS type can not depicture quantum detector. In short, we have to give up both the observability and the controllability if we accept the realistic theory of the KS type. Therefore, the KS theorem is a precondition for quantum computing, i.e., the realistic theory of the KS type should be ruled out.     

Mutual Chern-Simons theory and its applications in condensed matter physics

In this paper, the mutual Chern-Simons (MCS) theory is introduced as a new kind of topological gauge theory in 2+1 dimensions. We use the MCS theory in gapped phase as an effective low energy theory to describe the Z ₂ topological order of the Kitaev-Wen model. Our results show that the MCS theory can catch the key properties for the Z ₂ topological order. On the other hand, we use the MCS theory as an effective model to deal with the doped Mott insulator. Based on the phase string theory, the t-J model reduces to a MCS theory for spinons and holons. The related physics in high T _c cuprates is discussed.      

A theory of gravity based on the Weyl-Eddington action

We show that the conformal Weyl-Eddington theory can yield an effective long-ranged theory of gravity in accord with observations. In the framework of induced gravity, an R² term is induced with a finite calculable coefficient with just the right sign for the theory to be free from tachyons. Our observation is not true order by order in perturbation theory.     

The properties of conformal blocks,the AGT hypothesis,and knot polynomials

Various properties of correlators of the two-dimensional conformal field theory are discussed. Specifically, their relation to the partition function of the four-dimensional supersymmetric theory is analyzed. In addition to being of interest in its own right, this relation is of practical importance. For example, it is much easier to calculate the known expressions for the partition function of supersymmetric theory than to calculate directly the expressions for correlators in conformal theory. The examined representation of conformal theory correlators as a matrix model serves the same purpose. The integral form of these correlators allows one to generalize the obtained results for the Virasoro algebra to more complicated cases of the W algebra or the quantum Virasoro algebra. This provides an opportunity to examine more complex configurations in conformal field theory. The three-dimensional Chern–Simons theory is discussed in the second part of the present review. The current interest in this theory stems largely from its relation to the mathematical knot theory (a rather well-developed area of mathematics known since the 17th century). The primary objective of this theory is to develop an algorithm that allows one to distinguish different knots (closed loops in three-dimensional space). The basic way to do this is by constructing the so-called knot invariants.     

Gravitation as an averaged theory

A result due to Eisenhart is used to justify an averaging process of a theory of gravity. More results of the theory are also deduced, similar to those derived by Einstein for the Nordström theory.     

A perturbation density functional theory for hydrogen bonding cyclic molecules

Using the framework of Wertheim's thermodynamic perturbation theory, a new polyatomic density functional theory is developed to account for the intermolecular association of cyclic molecules in interfacial systems. To test the theory, Monte Carlo simulations in the canonical ensemble were performed for the specific case of an associating triatomic ring with one association site next to a hard wall. The theory and simulation results were found to be in good agreement.     

Characterization of Airborne Fibers via Fraunhofer Theory: Examination of the Validity of Fraunhofer Theory Using the Exact Scattering Theory MMP

Owing to the health hazard of respirable airborne fibers, there is great interest in detectors able to monitor fibers on‐line. This paper features such an optical fiber detector which is based on Fraunhofer theory for the estimation of fiber size. Because Fraunhofer theory is not an exact theory and does not take into account the three‐dimensional shape of fibers and their material properties, comparative computations with an exact theory, the multiple multipole method (MMP), a variant of the generalized multipole technique, were performed. For small fiber diameters these simulations showed differences between diffraction patterns calculated via Fraunhofer theory and scattering patterns computed with MMP. The differences were strongly dependent on the optical properties of the fiber material.     

Equivalence Theorem for Higher Order Equations

We show that the theory of an nth-order fieldequation, minimally coupled to electromagnetism, iscompletely equivalent to the theory of n independentsecond-order equations, also minimally coupled to the electromagnetic field. The equivalence is shownto hold as an algebraic identity between the respectivematrix elements for a given order of the perturbativesolution. A general functional proof is also given. The equivalence shows that the higherorder theory is both renormalizable andunitary.     

Comparative Study on Large and Small Signal Theory for Intensity Modulation Response of Semiconductor Lasers Including Higher-Order Dispersion Terms

In this article, the comparison of large signal theory and small signal theory has been done with dispersive propagation of optical signal with IMDD (Intensity Modulation Direct Detection) systems for semiconductor lasers with higher-order dispersion terms. The expressions for an exact large signal theory and small signal theory including higher-order dispersion terms for propagation of an optical wave with sinusoidal amplitude and frequency modulation in a dispersive fiber have been derived. It is observed that small signal theory is more sensitive compared to large signal theory in terms of intensity modulation/direct detection systems. Also, it is reported that for large signal analysis the higher-order effects of dispersion can be ignored, whereas for small signal theory, the higher-order effects can be ignored for lower modulation frequencies only. The variation in the transfer function for various values of modulation indices are greater for small signal analysis than for large signal analysis. Also, as the intensity modulation index is increased, there is a decrease in the value of transfer function. The large signal model approximates the small signal model for lower values of the intensity modulation index.     

Two-dimensional topological gravity and intersection theory on the moduli space of holomorphic bundles

We define a two-dimensional topological Yang-Mills theory for an arbitrary compact simple Lie group. This theory is defined in terms of intersection theory on the moduli space of flat connections on a two-dimensional surface and corresponds physically to a two-dimensional reduction and truncation of four-dimensional topological Yang-Mills theory. Two-dimensional topological Yang-Mills theory defines a topological matter system and may be naturally coupled to two-dimensional topological gravity. This topological Yang-Mills theory is also closely related to Chern-Simons gauge theory in 2 + 1 dimensions. We also discuss a relation between SL (2, ) Chern-Simons theory and two-dimensional topological gravity.     

Comparative Study on Large and Small Signal Theory for Intensity Modulation Response of Semiconductor Lasers Including Higher-Order Dispersion Terms

In this article, the comparison of large signal theory and small signal theory has been done with dispersive propagation of optical signal with IMDD (Intensity Modulation Direct Detection) systems for semiconductor lasers with higher-order dispersion terms. The expressions for an exact large signal theory and small signal theory including higher-order dispersion terms for propagation of an optical wave with sinusoidal amplitude and frequency modulation in a dispersive fiber have been derived. It is observed that small signal theory is more sensitive compared to large signal theory in terms of intensity modulation/direct detection systems. Also, it is reported that for large signal analysis the higher-order effects of dispersion can be ignored, whereas for small signal theory, the higher-order effects can be ignored for lower modulation frequencies only. The variation in the transfer function for various values of modulation indices are greater for small signal analysis than for large signal analysis. Also, as the intensity modulation index is increased, there is a decrease in the value of transfer function. The large signal model approximates the small signal model for lower values of the intensity modulation index.     

On the exact formulation of multi-configuration density-functional theory: electron density versus orbitals occupation

The exact formulation of multi-configuration density-functional theory is discussed in this work. As an alternative to range-separated methods, where electron correlation effects are split in the coordinate space, the combination of configuration interaction methods with orbital occupation functionals is explored at the formal level through the separation of correlation effects in the orbital space. When applied to model Hamiltonians, this approach leads to an exact site-occupation embedding theory (SOET). An adiabatic connection expression is derived for the complementary bath functional and a comparison with density matrix embedding theory is made. Illustrative results are given for the simple two-site Hubbard model. SOET is then applied to a quantum chemical Hamiltonian, thus leading to an exact complete active space site-occupation functional theory (CASSOFT) where active electrons are correlated explicitly within the CAS and the remaining contributions to the correlation energy are described with an orbital occupation functional. The computational implementation of SOET and CASSOFT as well as the development of approximate functionals are left for future work.     

Gauge symmetry and Slavnov-Taylor identities for randomly stirred fluids

The path integral for randomly forced incompressible fluids is shown to have an underlying Becchi-Rouet-Stora (BRS) symmetry as a consequence of Galilean invariance. This symmetry must be respected to have a consistent generating functional, free from both an overall infinite factor and spurious relations amongst correlation functions. We present a procedure for respecting this BRS symmetry, akin to gauge fixing in quantum field theory. Relations are derived between correlation functions of this gauge-fixed, BRS symmetric theory, analogous to the Slavnov-Taylor identities of quantum field theory.     

Cosmic Structure Formation with Kinetic Field Theory

Kinetic field theory (KFT) is a statistical field theory for an ensemble of classical point particles in or out of equilibrium. Its application to cosmological structure formation is reviewed. Beginning with the construction of a generating functional, it is described in detail how the theory needs to be adapted to an expanding spatial background and the homogeneous and isotropic, correlated initial conditions for cosmic structures. Based on the generating functional, three approaches are developed to nonlinear cosmic structures, which rest either on expanding an interaction operator, averaging the interaction term, or resumming perturbation terms. An analytic, parameter‐free equation for the nonlinear cosmic power spectrum is presented. It is explained how density profiles of bound structures and velocity power spectra can be derived from the theory. It is clarified how KFT relates to the BBGKY hierarchy. Kinetic field theory is then applied to fluids, reformulating KFT in terms of macroscopic quantities. The resulting resummation scheme is used to describe mixtures of gas and dark matter. Finally, it is discussed how KFT can be combined with modified theories of gravity. As an example for a noncosmological application, results are shown on the spatial correlation function of cold Rydberg atoms derived from KFT.