On the low-frequency limit of the Schönfeld pulse 1/f law

On the basis of propositions of the common fluctuation theory, peculiarities of small fluctuations in real physical systems with limited sizes are analyzed. It is established that small fluctuations should necessarily be divided into two types of fluctuations: “small” and “very small”. It is shown that the damping process of “small” fluctuations has relaxation character, while the damping process of “very small” fluctuations is of random character, i.e., it represents a random rectangular signal. The probability density of “very small” fluctuations is shown to be Gaussian. The agreement of the obtained results with experimental data acquired from semiconductor-based devices is analyzed. A relation between the generation–recombination noise and phonon number fluctuations in semiconductors is studied. On the basis of this consideration it is shown that the Schönfeld pulse spectrum preserves its well-known 1/f form only in the range of intermediate frequencies; at lower frequencies the spectrum gets saturated. An expression for the low-frequency limit of Schönfeld pulse 1/f law is obtained.     

Particle tracks and the mechanism of decoherence in a model bubble chamber

We put forward a toy model for a “bubble chamber” and study its interaction with an incoming object particle. We discuss the notion of particle “tracks” inside the bubble chamber and analyze the mechanisms that provoke a loss of quantum mechanical coherence (decoherence). The model is solvable and provides interesting insights into some of the most salient features of the interaction between a microscopic particle and a macroscopic device.     

The ground state of the two-leg Hubbard ladder a density-matrix renormalization group study

We present density-matrix renormalization group results for the ground state properties of two-leg Hubbard ladders. The half-filled Hubbard ladder is an insulating spin-gapped system, exhibiting a crossover from a spin liquid to a band insulator as a function of the interchain hopping matrix element. When the system is doped, there is a parameter range in which the spin gap remains. In this phase, the doped holes from singlet pairs and the pair field and the “4k_F” density correlations associated with pair-density fluctuations decay as power laws, while the “2k_F” charge density wave correlations decay exponentially. We discuss the behavior of the exponents of the pairing and density correlations within this spin-gapped phase. Additional one-band Luttinger liquid phases which occur in the large interband hopping regime are also discussed.     

Weak Measurement-Based Entanglement Protection of Two-Qubit X-States from Amplitude Damping Decoherence

Considering X-states the density matrixes of which look like the letter X, we propose a weak measurement-based entanglement protection protocol of two-qubit X-states under local amplitude damping channels using weak measurement and reversal operation. It is shown that, with increase of the decoherence parameter, the entanglement attenuates rapidly owing to the amplitude damping noise and even experiences entanglement sudden death (ESD). However, the entanglement under the weak measurement and reversal operation is always much stronger than the entanglement undergoing the amplitude damping decoherence. These results reflect that entanglement of two-qubit X-states from amplitude damping decoherence can be protected, and ESD can be circumvented by increasing the weak measurement strength.     

噪声对一种三粒子量子探针态的影响

量子度量学是研究量子测量与统计推断的一门学科,主要利用量子手段来提高参数估计的精度,在量子信息处理与测量中起到关键作用.量子参数估计的一般过程包含四个步骤:探针态的制备、参数化过程、对参数化后的输出态进行测量以及根据测量结果估计待测参数.其中探针态的选取对测量精度起着至关重要的作用.然而在实际的量子探针态的制备过程中,初始探针态会受到环境噪声的影响.目前人们已经研究了W态与Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger(GHZ)态的量子Fisher信息(QFI)在典型噪声通道下的变化行为.由于W态与GHZ态有着不同的纠缠性质,对于W态与GHZ态的叠加态的QFI动力学研究具有重要的实际意义.故此,本文主要研究典型噪声通道对这两种状态的叠加态的QFI动力学行为的影响,得出了QFI随噪声参数的变化行为.结果表明,叠加态中W态组分可明显对抗相位阻尼噪声对探针态的QFI的影响,而其中的GHZ态组分可明显对抗振幅阻尼噪声的影响,从而为在实际环境中选取高精度的参数估计过程提供参考.     

Extended conformal symmetries

We discuss various aspects of two-dimensional extended conformal symmetries, better known under the name “W-symmetries”. In particular, we discuss the gauging of W - symmetries and the construction of the so-called “W-gravity” theories.     

Investigating directed cortical interactions in time-resolved fMRI data using vector autoregressive modeling and Granger causality mapping

We present a framework aimed to reveal directed interactions of activated brain areas using time-resolved fMRI and vector autoregressive (VAR) modeling in the context of Granger causality. After describing the underlying mathematical concepts, we present simulations helping to characterize the conditions under which VAR modeling and Granger causality can reveal directed interactions from fluctuations in BOLD-like signal time courses. We apply the proposed approach to a dynamic sensorimotor mapping paradigm. In an event-related fMRI experiment, subjects performed a visuomotor mapping task for which the mapping of two stimuli (“faces” vs “houses”) to two responses (“left” or “right”) alternated periodically between the two possible mappings. Besides expected activity in sensory and motor areas, a fronto-parietal network was found to be active during presentation of a cue indicating a change in the stimulus-response (S-R) mapping. The observed network includes the superior parietal lobule and premotor areas. These areas might be involved in setting up and maintaining stimulus-response associations. The Granger causality analysis revealed a directed influence exerted by the left lateral prefrontal cortex and premotor areas on the left posterior parietal cortex.     

Coherent noise, scale invariance and intermittency in large systems

We introduce a new class of models in which a large number of “agents” organize under the influence of an externally imposed coherent noise. The model shows reorganization events whose size distribution closely follows a power law over many decades, even in the case where the agents do not interact with each other. In addition, the system displays “aftershock” events in which large disturbances are followed by a string of others at times which are distributed according to a t⁻¹ law. We also find that the lifetimes of the agents in the system possess a power-law distribution. We explain all these results using an approximate analytic treatment of the dynamics and discuss a number of variations on the basic model relevant to the study of particular physical systems.     

Estimation of nonlinear transfer functions for fully developed turbulence

A statistical method for modeling the linear and quadratically nonlinear relationship between fluctuations monitored at two points in space or time in a turbulent medium is presented. This relationship is described with the aid of linear and quadratic transfer functions and the concept of coherency is extended to quantify the goodness of the quadratic model. A unique feature of the approach described in this paper is that it is valid for non-Gaussian “input” and “output” signals. The validity of the approach is demonstrated with simulation data. The method is applied to experimental data taken in the turbulent edge plasma of the TEXT tokamak. The results indicate a three wave process with energy transfer to large scale fluctuations. The estimation of transfer functions is a first step in quantitatively measuring coupling coefficients and the energy transfer.     

Reconstruction of chaotic signals using symbolic data

We discuss the reconstruction of dynamical systems from noisy time-series. In particular, we consider the use of the symbol statistics (coarse-grained signal data) as the target for reconstruction. The statistics of symbol sequences is relatively insensitive to moderate amounts of measurement noise (σ(noise)/σ(signal) ≈ 10–20%), while larger amounts produce a substantial bias. We show that it is possible to produce robust reconstructions even when σ(noise)/σ(signal) ≈ O(1). Our study shows that even at such high noise levels the procedure is convergent: i.e. the accuracy of parameter estimates is limited only by the amount of data and computer time available.     

Enhancing Robustness of Entanglement in Finite Temperature Environment Using Quantum Measurement Reversal

We demonstrate methods of enhancing robustness of entanglement of two-qubit systems undergoing generalized amplitude damping decoherence using weak measurement and measurement reversal. The results show that the local action of generalized amplitude damping noise can cause sudden death of entanglement, and the weak measurement and measurement reversal is useful for combating generalized amplitude damping decoherence and recovering the entanglement of two entangled qubits. In addition, the results indicate that it would be much more easily implemented by applying quantum measurement reversal on a single-qubit to enhance robustness of entanglement in finite temperature environment, than on both qubits.     

A “no-lose” measurement of the hadronic and of the leptonic Z widths

We show that a high precision measurement of the full hadronic, of the leptonic Z₀ widths and of their ratio in the forthcoming run at LEP 1 might already allow, under realistic experimental conditions, to either discover clear evidence for New Physics of well identifiable origin or, at least, to set stringent bounds on the top mass valid in an extended, not “minimal”, standard model independently of the value of the parameter.     

Design of photonic band gap structures through a dual-beam multiple exposure technique

We present a dual-beam multiple exposure technique that can generate complex 2-D and 3-D band gap template structures in a photosensitive material. The system parameters related to the planar interference pattern produced by two laser beams and reorientation effect of the sample relative to these planes is presented. Structures such as the 2-D, square and hexagonal arrays of dielectric “rods” and “holes” and the 3-D, cubic, Yablonovite and other profiles are given. We perform band gap calculations on these structures when the dielectric contrast has been increased using a backfill process and discuss techniques for increasing the band gap by sculpting the dielectric profile.     

Acoustic Analyses of Developmental Changes and Emotional Expression in the Preverbal Vocalizations of Infants

The nonverbal vocal utterances of seven normally hearing infants were studied within their first year of life with respect to age- and emotion-related changes. Supported by a multiparametric acoustic analysis it was possible to distinguish one inspiratory and eleven expiratory call types. Most of the call types appeared within the first two months; some emerged in the majority of infants not until the 5th (“laugh”) or 7th month (“babble”). Age-related changes in acoustic structure were found in only 4 call types (“discomfort cry,” “short discomfort cry,” “wail,” “moan”). The acoustic changes were characterized mainly by an increase in harmonic-to-noise ratio and homogeneity of the call, a decrease in frequency range and a downward shift of acoustic energy from higher to lower frequencies. Emotion-related differences were found in the acoustic structure of single call types as well as in the frequency of occurrence of different call types. A change from positive to negative emotional state was accompanied by an increase in call duration, frequency range, and peak frequency (frequency with the highest amplitude within the power spectrum). Negative emotions, in addition, were characterized by a significantly higher rate of “crying,” “hic” and “ingressive vocalizations” than positive emotions, while positive emotions showed a significantly higher rate of “babble,” “laugh,” and “raspberry.”     

Group-theoretical structure of quantum continuous measurements

The group-theoretical structure of continuous measurements is investigated in the framework of the path-integral phenomenological theory of quantum continuous measurements. The “transversal” group transforming alternative measurement results (outputs) into each other and the “longitudinal” semigroup describing the evolution of a quantum system subject to continuous measurement are introduced as well as their unification in a single semigroup. The resulting group-theoretical scheme generalizes the scheme describing the evolution of a nonrelativistic particle in an external field.     

The contribution of aryepiglottic constriction to “ringing” voice quality—A videolaryngoscopic study with acoustic analysis

Fiberscopic video laryngoscopy was performed on five professional singers to determine the presence or absence of aryepiglottic narrowing as a function of voice quality. Each sang “Happy Birthday” and parts of the “Star Spangled Banner” in six different voice qualities: speech, falsetto, sob (a low larynx with a vocal tract expanded by relaxing the middle constrictors), twang, belting, and opera. Several features were found to be common among the subjects and related to specific qualities. Aryepiglottic constriction was present in all singers in twang, belting, and opera qualities. Spectrographic analysis related the constriction to the presence of the “singer's formant.” The presence of this type of constrictive behavior will require further research to ascertain the possible benefits to those for whom a louder voice is essential and to understand the relationship of this constrictive maneuver to the natural closure functions of the larynx.     

Novel comprehension of “common path” principle

The idea of “common path” has been widely applied in optical instrument design for 30 years and even today. But the meaning of “common path” has not yet been explained clearly and sometimes confusion has been created. In this paper an “adaptive principle” is proposed and recommended on optical instrument system. It suggests that the designer not only arranges the measurement system to obtain measurement signal but also sets a channel to give prediction of noise or disturbance in real time or short term. Such a recommendation is based on the recent studies on nonlinear dynamics and atmospheric disturbance by means of experiments as well as theoretical analysis.