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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

On purely radiative space-times

The existence of space-times representing pure gravitational radiation which comes in from infinity and interacts with itself is discussed. They are characterized as solutions of Einstein's vacuum field equations possessing a smooth structure at past null infinity which forms the future null cone at past timelike infinity with complete generators. The pure radiation problem is analysed where free initial data for Einstein's field equations are prescribed on the null cone at past time-like infinity. It is demonstrated how the pure radiation problem can be formulated as a local initial value problem for the symmetric hyperbolic system of reduced conformal vacuum field equations. Its solutions are uniquely determined by the free data.Work supported by a Heisenberg-fellowship of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Cosmological surrealism: More than “eternal reality” is needed

Inflationary cosmology makes the universe eternal and provides for recurrent universe creation, ad infinitum — making it also plausible to assume that our Big Bang was also preceeded by others, etc.. However, GR tells us that in the parent universe's reference frame, the newborn universe's expansion will never start. Our picture of reality in spacetime has to be enlarged.Wolfson Distinguished Chair in Theoretical Physics.Also on leave from the University of Texas, Center for Particle Physics, Austin, Texas.     

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.     

Electrodynamics of moving particles

A consistent relativistic theory of the classical Maxwell field interacting with classical, charged, point-like particles is proposed. The theory is derived from a classical soliton-like model of an extended particle. An approximation procedure for such a model is developed, which leads to an already renormalized formula for the total four-momentum of the system composed of fields and particles. Conservation of this quantity leads to a theory which is universal (i.e. does not depend upon a specific model we start with) and which may be regarded as a simple and necessary completion of special relativity. The renormalization method proposed here may be considered as a realization of Einstein's idea of deriving equations of motion from field equations. It is shown that the Dirac's 3-dots equation does not describe a fundamental law of physics, but only a specific family of solutions of our theory, corresponding to a specific choice of the field initial data.     

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics as a Telegraph

A derivation by Fröhner of non-relativistic quantum mechanics via Fourier analysis applied to probability theory is not extendable to relativistic quantum mechanics because Schrödinger's positive definite probability density * is lost (Dirac's spin 1/2 case being the exception). The nature of the Fourier link then changes; it points to a redefinition of the probability scheme as an information carrying telegraph, the code of which is Born's as extended by Dirac and by Feynman. Hermitian symmetry of the transition amplitude between Dirac representations expresses reciprocity of preparation and measurement (the quantal coding and decoding), two equally active interventions of the physicist; as the measurement perturbs the system retrodiction implies retroaction evidenced in delayed choice. Reciprocity of knowledge and organization vindicates Wigner's claim that reciprocal to the action of matter upon mind there exists a direct action of mind upon matter: psychokinesis, branded by Jaynes as a psychiatric disorder of the Copenhagen school. As for factlike irreversibility, it is expressed by the enormity of the change rate from information to negentropy: while gain in knowledge is normal psychokinesis is paranormal. Stapp's recent discussion of psychokinesis in a quantum context should be resumed in association with an EPR correlation; an experimental test is proposed.     

Frequency lmit of dielectric parameter measurements by the “electrodeless” method

The electrodeless method is investigated over a wide frequency range (10 MHz to 10 kHz). The lower frequency limit for this method is determined. A new electrodeless cell design is proposed which uses thin dielectric films to insulate the electrodes.     

Piron's axioms for quantum mechanics: A reply to Foulis and Randall

In their paper A note on Misunderstandings of Piron's Axioms for Quantum Mechanics, Foulis and Randall undertake a reply to our critique of Piron's question-proposition system (qp-s) which appeared in previous issues of this journal. In the present paper, we want briefly to refute the points of criticism raised by Foulis and Randall (FR). We argue that the misunderstandings are not ours, and we prove it.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Set theory and physics

Inasmuch as physical theories are formalizable, set theory provides a framework for theoretical physics. Four speculations about the relevance of set theoretical modeling for physics are presented: the role of transcendental set theory (i) in chaos theory, (ii) for paradoxical decompositions of solid three-dimensional objects, (iii) in the theory of effective computability (Church-Turing thesis) related to the possible solution of supertasks, and (iv) for weak solutions. Several approaches to set theory and their advantages and disadvatages for physical applications are discussed: Canlorian naive (i.e., nonaxiomatic) set theory, contructivism, and operationalism. In the author's opinion, an attitude of suspended attention (a term borrowed from psychoanalysis) seems most promising for progress. Physical and set theoretical entities must be operationalized wherever possible. At the same time, physicists should be open to bizarre or mindboggling new formalisms, which need not be operationalizable or testable at the lime of their creation, but which may successfully lead to novel fields of phenomenology and technology.     

Nonlinear optimization simplified by hypersurface deformation

A general strategy is advanced for simplifying nonlinear optimization problems, the ant-lion method. This approach exploits shape modifications of the cost-function hypersurface which distend basins surrounding low-lying minima (including global minima). By intertwining hypersurface deformations with steepest-descent displacements, the search is concentrated on a small relevant subset of all minima. Specific calculations demonstrating the value of this method are reported for the partitioning of two classes of irregular but nonrandom graphs, the prime-factor graphs and the pi graphs. We also indicate how this approach can be applied to the traveling salesman problem and to design layout optimization, and that it may be useful in combination with simulated annealing strategies.     

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.     

Splitting the Cartesian point

It is argued that the point structure of space and time must be constructed from the primitive extensional character of space and time. A procedure for doing this is laid down and applied to one-dimensional and two-dimensional systems of abstract extensions. Topological and metrical properties of the constructed point systems, which differ nontrivially from the usual and ² models, are examined. Briefly, constructed points are associated with directions and the Cartesian point is split. In one-dimension each point splits into a point pair compatible with the linear ordering. An application to one-dimensional particle motion is given, with the result that natural topological assumptions force the number of left point, right point transitions to remain locally finite in a continuous motion. In general, Cartesian points are seen to correspond to certain filters on a suitable Boolean algebra. Constructed points correspond to ultrafilters. Thus, point construction gives a natural refinement of the Cartesian systems.     

Variational Principle and Almost Quasilocality for Renormalized Measures

We study the variational principle for some non-Gibbsian measures. We give a necessary and sufficient condition for the validity of the implication zero relative entropy density implies common version of conditional probabilities (so-called second part of the variational principle). Applying this to noisy decimations of the low-temperature phases of the Ising model, we obtain almost sure quasilocality for these measures and the second part of the variational principle. For the projection of low temperature Ising phases on a one-dimensional layer, we also obtain the second part of the variational principle.