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.     

Making Sense of a World of Clicks

In a recent article, O. Ulfbeck and A. Bohr [Found. Phys. 31, 757 (2001)] have stressed the genuine fortuitousness of detector clicks, which has also been pointed out, in different terms, by the present author [Am. J. Phys. 68, 728 (2000)]. In spite of this basic agreement, the present article raises objections to the presuppositions and conclusions of Ulfbeck and Bohr, in particular their rejection of the terminology of indefinite variables, their identification of reality with the world of experience, their identification of experience with what takes place on the spacetime scene, and the claim that their interpretation of quantum mechanics is entirely liberated from classical notions. An alternative way of making sense of a world of uncaused clicks is presented. This does not invoke experience but deals with a free-standing reality, is not fettered by classical conceptions of space and time but introduces adequate ways of thinking about the spatiotemporal aspects of the quantum world, and does not reject indefinite variables but clarifies the implications of their existence.     

On the “projective” magnetohydrodynamics

In the projective relativity based on the de Sitter universe, Maxwell's generalized theory gives us the magnetohydrodynamics, valid on a cosmic scale, for hyperdense matter and high energies. From the new theory can be deduced as limiting cases the hydrodynamics and thermohydrodynamics, the ideal magnetohydrodynamics, the electromagnetism, and the electrohydrodynamics, invariants for the projective Fantappié group.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Economic demography in fuzzy spatial dilemmas and power laws

Adaptive agents, playing the iterated Prisoners Dilemma (IPD) in a two-dimensional spatial setting and governed by Pavlovian strategies (higher success-higher chance to stay), are used to approach the problem of cooperation between self-interested individuals from a novel angle: We investigate the effect of different possible measures of success (MS) used by players to asses their performance in the game. These MS involve quantities such as: the players utilities U, his cumulative score (or capital) W, his neighborhood welfare, etc. To handle an imprecise concept like success the agents use fuzzy logic. The degree of cooperation, the economic demography and the efficiency attained by the system depend dramatically on the MS. Specifically, patterns of segregation or exploitation are observed for some MS. On the other hand, power laws, that may be interpreted as signatures of critical self-organization (SOC), constitute a common feature for all the MS.     

An alternative approach to quantum phenomena

This paper outlines the qualitative foundations of a quasiclassical theory in which particles are pictured as spatially extended periodic excitations of a universal background field, interacting with each other via nonlinearity in the equations of motion for that field, and undergoing collapse to a much smaller volume if and when they are detected. The theory is based as far as possible directly on experiment, rather than on the existing quantum mechanical formalism, and it offers simple physical interpretations of such concepts as mass, 4-momentum, interaction, potentials, and quantization; it may lead directly to the standard equations of quantum theory, such as the multiparticle Schrödinger equation, without going through the conventional process of quantizing a classical theory. The theory also provides an alternative framework in which to discuss wave-particle duality and the quantum measurement problem; in particular, it is suggested that the unpredictability of quantum phenomena may arise from deterministic chaos in the behavior of the background field.     

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.     

Foundation for Quantum Computing

In this paper we introduce a minimal formal intuitionistic propositional Gentzen sequent calculus for handling quantum types, quantum storage being introduced syntactically along the lines of Girard's of course operator !. The intuitionistic fragment of orthologic is found to be translatable into this calculus by means of a quantum version of the Heyting paradigm. When realized in the category of finite dimensional Hilbert spaces, the familiar qubit arises spontaneously as the irreducible storage capable quantum computational unit, and the necessary involvement of quantum entanglement in the quantum duplication process is plainly and explicitly visible. Quantum computation is modelled by a single extra axiom, and reproduces the standard notion when interpreted in a larger category.     

The Features of Ionospheric Radio Sounding Performed using the “Mir” Space Station

We present the results of numerical simulations of ionospheric parameters, which permit one to explain the occurrence of additional features in the ionograms obtained in the experiment onboard the Mir space station. During this experiment, the station flew below the electron-density maximum of the ionospheric F₂ layer. It is shown that the lower traces of the ionograms can be evidence of the presence of a horizontal gradient in the ionospheric parameters.     

Random walks on inhomogeneous lattices

For lattices with two kinds of points (black and white), distributed according to a translation-invariant joint probability distribution, we study statistical properties of the sequence of consecutive colors encountered by a random walker moving through the lattice. The probability distribution for the single steps of the walk is considered to be independent of the colors of the points. Several exact results are presented which are valid in any number of dimensions and for arbitrary probability distributions for the coloring of the points and the steps of the walk. They are used to derive a few general properties of random walks on lattices containing traps.Presented at the Symposium on Random Walks, Gaithersburg, MD, June 1982.     

The conceptual analysis (CA) method in theories of microchannels: Application to quantum theory. Part I. Fundamental concepts

A method is proposed that should facilitate the construction of theories of submicroscopic particles (denoted as theories of microchannels) in a way similar to the use of group-theoretical methods. The conceptual analysis (CA) method is based on the analysis of the basic concepts of a theory; it permits a determination of necessary conditions imposed on the mathematical apparatus (of the theory) which then appear as a mathematical representation of the structures obtained in a formal scheme of a theory. A pertinent conceptual analysis leads to a new definition (relativization) of the concept empirical implication. The approach may be characterized as realistic and operational. The application of the CA method is illustrated on the example of quantum theory. In Part I the algebraic structure of a partially ordered, up-ward directed, bounded set is deduced from the rudimentary concepts. In Parts II and III, we shall deduce the Hilbert-space structure (well established in quantum mechanics) from postulates on some essential idealizations accepted in the theory. Whereas Part II is concerned with the idealizations of existing quantum theories based on the Hilbert-space formalism, Part I may be considered as a general basis for a wider class of theories.Dedicated to Prof. G. Ludwig on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

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.     

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.     

Raman effect of light on argon atoms

Scalar scattering of light on the 3p and 3s subshells of the argon atom (Stokes scattering) and anti-Stokes scattering on the excited 4p and 4s states of argon are examined in the Hartree-Fock approximation. The calculation is made in a velocity form and in a length form. It is shown that the value in the r form is 1.5–2 times greater than in the form.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 1, pp. 36–42, January, 1977.     

Gibbs and Markov random systems with constraints

This paper concerns random systems made up out of a finite collection of elements. We are interested in how a fixed structure of interactions reflects on the assignment of probabilities to overall states. In particular, we consider two simple models of random systems: one generalizing the notion of Gibbs ensemble abstracted from statistical physics; the other, Markov fields derived from the idea of a Markov chain. We give background for these two types, review proofs that they are in fact identical for systems with nonzero probabilities, and explore the new behavior that arises with constraints. Finally, we discuss unsolved problems and make suggestions for further work.     

Hidden variables with directionalization

A hidden-variables model is presented which, by using a hypothesis of directionalization of the photons at the deflectors, is able to reproduce all the quantum mechanical predictions for the Orsay realization of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm experiment, even for ideal polarizers, detectors, time-coincidence windows, and event-ready setups. The model also holds for the no-enhancement assumption. The requirements for an experiment aimed to discriminate between quantum mechanics and the new model are discussed. Under some plausible assumptions, such experiment is achievable with the current technology. It would be essentially a remake of the Orsay one with improved deflectors and a time-resolved measurement of the photon flows toward each detector.