Calculation of the force-dipole tensor for hydrogen in palladium and platinum

The force-dipole tensorP , also known as the elastic dipole and the double-force tensor, is calculated for hydrogen dissolved in palladium and platinum, using a microscopic model for the interaction potentials; the so-called effective medium theory. The force-dipole tensor describes the long range displacement field induced by hydrogen dissolved in the host metal lattice in the dilute limit. It can be related to the mean elastic hydrogen-hydrogen interaction energy and the critical temperatureT _c for the gas-liquid phase transition observed in systems such as PdH _x and NbH _x . Comparison show a fair agreement between theoretical and experimental values for the force-dipole tensor.     

Particle velocities faster than the speed of light

In connection with another article by the author, we show how it might be possible to travel faster than the speed of light. We show that for clocks and rods moving faster than the speed of light, we get instead of time dilation and Lorentz contraction, respectively, time contraction and Lorentz expansion, respectively. It is shown that this paper is in confirmation with earlier articles dealing with this subject.     

Singularity and unanimity

Examples are adduced which lead one to ask if the following rule of unanimity makes sense: Given, a classical dynamical problem. Given, that all solutions of the equations of motion (a) run into a singularity [or (b) are free of singularity], except a set of measure zero. Then (rule of unanimity), all solutions of the corresponding quantum mechanical problem are (a) singular [or (b) free of singularity]. If valid, this rule would imply that quantization of Einstein's standard general relativity model for a closed universe gives no escape from the singularity of gravitational collapse.Dedicated to Achille Papapetrou on the occasion of his retirement.     

Quasigroups Connected with Clifford Groups

In Clifford groups, a nonassociative product is defined which leads to the definition of nonassociative groups. These nonassociative groups have matrix representations on the condition that the row by column product of two matrices is replaced by the column by column product. A nonassociative group of transformations connected with the Lorentz group is determined, together with its irreducible, double-valued matrix representation, whose matrices undergo the column by column product.     

Dark body and black hole horizons

The formula for the horizon of a Newtonian dark body is given and compared to that of a relativistic black hole: a Newtonian dark body has at least one hair.     

AN EXTENSION OF “POPPER'S EXPERIMENT” CAN TEST INTERPRETATIONS OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

Karl Popper proposed a way to test whether a proposed relation of a quantum-mechanical state to perceived reality in the Copenhagen interpretation (CI) of quantum mechanics—namely that the state of a particle is merely an expression of what is known about the system—is in agreement with all experimental facts. A conceptual flaw in Popper's proposal is identified and an improved version of his experiment (called Extension step 1)—which fully serves its original purpose—is suggested. The main purpose of this paper is to suggest to perform this experiment. The results of this experiment predicted under the alternative assumptions that the CI or the many-worlds interpretation (MWI) is correct are shown to be identical. Only after a further modification (called Extension step 2) (the use of an ion isolated from the macroscopic environment as particle detector) the predictions using the respective interpretations become qualitatively different. This is because what is known by a human observer H can fail as a basis for the prediction of the statistical distribution of measurement results within the MWI in special cases: The temporal evolution of a system un-entangled with H (like the isolated ion) can depend on another system's state components that are entangled with states ortogonal to H. Thus—within the CI—for H they are known not to exist. Yet H can infer their existence by studying the evolution of the ion.     

The preparation of “perfect” dendritic germanium crystals

Perfect germanium crystals with the required resistivity and small dislocation density are reproducibly prepared in the Popov Research Institute of Radiocommunications. Perfect dendrites are suitable for use, for example, in the preparation of alloy diffused transistors. The shape, pulling apparatus and actual preparation of perfect germanium dendrites are described. Some of the parameters influencing the growth of a perfect dendrite are analyzed and the optimum conditions for its growth are determined.     

The nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation in “quasi-classical” theory

The author has recently proposed a quasi-classical theory of particles and interactions in which particles are pictured as extended periodic disturbances in a universal field (x, t), interacting with each other via nonlinearity in the equation of motion for . The present paper explores the relationship of this theory to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics; as a first step, it is shown how it is possible to construct from a configuration-space wave function (x ₁,x ₂,t), and that the theory requires that satisfy the two-particle Schrödinger equation in the case where the two particles are well separated from each other. This suggests that the multiparticle Schrödinger equation can be obtained as a direct consequence of the quasi-classical theory without any use of the usual formalism (Hilbert space, quantization rules, etc.) of conventional quantum theory and in particular without using the classical canonical treatment of a system as a crutch theory which has subsequently to be quantized. The quasi-classical theory also suggests the existence of a preferred absolute gauge for the electromagnetic potentials.     

Standpoint cosmology

An unorthodox cosmology is based on a notion of standpoint, distinguishing past from future, realized through Hilbert-space representation of the complex conformai group for 3+1spacetime and associated coherent states. Physical (approximate) symmetry attaches to eight-parameter complex Poincaré displacements, interpretable as growth of standpoint age (one parameter), boost of matter energy-momentum in standpoint rest frame (three parameters) and displacement of matter location in a compact U(1)O(4)/O(3) spacetime attached to standpoint (four parameters). An initial condition (at big bang) is characterized by a huge dimensionless parameter that breaks dilation invariance. Four major length scales are recognized, called Planck, particle, lab, and Hubble, with separations controlled by ; all physical concepts, including spacetime, depend on wideness of scale separation.     

On the fifth forces

We discuss the possibility of fifth forces in relativistic gravitation theories of fourth order. The fifth force may be an analog to the weak forces in the theories of electroweak interactions.     

Surfaces and Peierls contours: 3-d wetting and 2-d Ising percolation

A natural model of a discrete random surface lying above a two-dimensional substrate is presented and analyzed. An identification of the level curves of the surface with the Peierls contours of Ising spin configurations leads to an exactly solvable free energy, with logarithmically divergent specific heat. The thermodynamic critical point is shown to be a wetting transition at which the surface height diverges. This is so even though the surface has no downward fingers and hence no entropic repulsion from the substrate.Dedicated to Roland DobrushinResearch supported in part by NSF Grant No. DMS-8514834 and AFOSR Contract No. F49620-86-C0130 under the U.R.I. program     

“Superslow” processes in the Ge-GeO2 system

A study was made of the charged state on a natural or an oxidized germanium surface during heat-and-field treatment. This study dealt with the kinetics of charging and discharging of superslow surface states. The thermal activation energy of these charging and discharging processes has also been evaluated. Conclusions are drawn about the possible nature of superslow traps in the Ge-GeO₂ system.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No.2, pp.79–86, February, 1976.In conclusion, the authors thank V. F. Kiselev for the useful discussion of this report and his valuable comments.     

Contribution to the theory of single-mode laser modulation II. Conduction modulation

The problem of conduction modulation of laser radiation is considered. It is shown that acoustic wave interacting with photon field in active medium causes a periodic modulation of the number of quanta in the single-mode gas laser. The problem of modulation is solved quantum mechanically and it is shown that dielectric and conduction modulation give similar results.     

Fluctuation Dissipation Equation for Lattice Gas with Energy

In this paper we introduce a lattice gas with energy, and obtain the fluctuation dissipation equation for it. The system has two conserved quantities, the number of particles and the total energy. Once the fluctuation dissipation equation is established, the hydrodynamic limit is easily deduced from it by using the methods found in ref. 1 for this model.     

Physical properties of some McVittie metrics

A class of McVittie's new nonquadratic solutions is investigated in some detail with regard to its physical properties. It is found that decreasing pressure and density are not compatible with center regularity for these perfect fluid spheres. It is further seen that for gaseous spheres (i.e., the density drops to zero at the outer boundary of the sphere together with the pressurep) oscillatory motions arenot possible. For these gaseous models the pressure and the density are both positive inside the outer surface, and their respective gradients are negative. For the outer gaseous shells models are constructed where for a certain time interval the pressure is increasing for contracting models. Without any restriction with respect to time, for these shell models it found that the density is increasing for contracting models, and the adiabatic speed of sound is less than the speed of light. It is also found that the trace of the energy-momentum tensor is positive, the total mass is negative, and for collapsing shells the rate of change of circumference as measured by an observer riding on the shell is an increasing function of time. However, all these models have the strange geometric feature that the physical radius is a decreasing function of comoving radial coordinate.     

Information theory and the problem of molecular structure

Recently it has been shown that the classical stick and ball viewpoint of molecules is inconsistent with quantum theory (QT). We suggest an unusual reconciliation: The QT state is not a physical property, but instead reflects our state of knowledge about observable aspects of reality. We show how this perspective is nevertheless objective. Applied to molecules, the view permits structure to exist only when observable evidence is compatible with this feature. Typically one must replace the a priori model (in particular, the dynamical generator) with one consistent with the evidence. We show that such structure is stable in the context of first-order perturbation theory. We also indicate how dynamics can be inferred from scattering data—a process alternative to postulating (field-theoretic) models for environment.     

Relative coarse-graining

The problem of statistical inference based on a partial measurement (coarse-graining) requires the specification of an a priori distribution. We reformulate the ordinary theory such as to encompass systematically a wide range of a priori distributions (relative coarse-graining). This is done in a mathematical setting which admits an interpretation in both classical probability and quantum mechanics. The formalism is illustrated in a few simple examples, such as the die whose geometrical shape is known, the spin in thermal equilibrium with an unknown reservoir, and the position measurement of a one-dimensional particle. It is shown that some of the limitations of the usual theory are a consequence of the fact that it is restricted to equidistributed (symmetric) a priori states.     

Squeezed “atomic” states,pseudo-Hermitian operators and Wigner D-matrices

The states of N two-level atoms can be mapped onto the eigenvectors of angular momentum (with j=N/2) and this system in interaction with a radiation field constitutes a fundamental model in Quantum Optics. There from one may construct atomic coherent states and minimum uncertainty packets. The squeezing of such states is of considerable contemporary interest. We show that the properties of squeezed atomic states are most elegantly and economically expressed in terms of pseudo-Hermitian operators and through Wigner D-matrices and their analytical continuation.     

Properties of electrically active structural defects in crystalline semiconductors

The internal structures, composite elements, electrophysical properties, and characteristic parameters of impurity clouds, noise supertraps, disordered domains, and stacking defects are compared in crystalline semiconductors. It is shown that the mentioned macrodefects possess common properties: They have a nucleus and an impurity atmosphere, are separated by a potential barrier, are shaped with the participation of Frenkel defects and oxygen ions, have a threshold inclusion, sharply increase the rate of charge carrier generation-recombination as the electrical field grows, etc. It is noted that current channels in non-crystalline semiconductors are characterized by properties close to these after they have been formed. It is assumed that the electrical activity of the structural macrodefects in crystalline semiconductors may be related to the fundamental properties of noncrystalline semiconductors (for instance, the resistance switching effect). Domains adjoining a macrodefect and destroyed by it visibly manifest these properties.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 4, pp. 95–100, April, 1988.     

Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponents for Products of Random Transformations

I show how continuous products of random transformations constrained by a generic group structure can be studied by using Iwasawa's decomposition into angular, diagonal, and shear degrees of freedom. In the case of a Gaussian process a set of variables, adapted to the Iwasawa decomposition and still having a Gaussian distribution, is introduced and used to compute the statistics of the finite-time Lyapunov spectrum of the process. The variables also allow to show the exponential freezing of the shear degrees of freedom, which contain information about the Lyapunov eigenvectors.