Equivalence principles exotica

This is a short review of the different principles of equivalence stated and used in the context of the gravitational interaction. We emphasize the need for precision in stating and differentiating these different equivalence principles, especially in the context of prevalent confusion regarding the applicability of the weak equivalence principle in quantum mechanics. We discuss several empirical results pertaining to the validity of the equivalence principle in exotic physical sitautions not directly amenable to experimental tests. We conclude with a section on the physical basis of the universal validity of the equivalence principle, as manifest in the universality of free fall, and discuss its link to cosmic gravity.      

Objectivity versus Nonobjectivity in Quantum Mechanics

Nonobjectivity of physical properties enters physics with the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM), and a number of paradoxes of this theory follow from it. It seems, however, based on sound physical arguments (double slit experiment, Heisenberg's principle, Bell–Kochen–Specker theorem, etc.), so that most physicists think that avoiding it is impossible. We discuss these arguments here and show that they can be criticized from a physical viewpoint. Our criticism proves that nonobjectivity must be considered an epistemological choice rather than an unavoidable feature of QM, so that an objective interpretation of QM is not a priori impossible, which justifies our attempt at providing it in some previous papers. This interpretation is based on a classical language in which the language of the standard interpretation (Quantum Logic) is embedded as a subset of statements that are directly testable according to QM.     

ON THE ELIMINATION OF PHASE ANGLE UNCERTAINTY IN SOME PROBLEMS OF RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM MECHANICS

In some quantum mechanical problems involving singular states usually exists phase angle uncertainty. Recently in the investigation of the scattering of a Dirac particle with the charge Ze and a fixed magnetic monopole, Kazama, Yang and Goldharber [2] introduced some extra magnetic moments in order to eliminate the phase angle uncertainty. In this paper, instead of introducing any extra magnetic moment we use the adjusted framework of quantum mechanics suggested in [3], the criterion of orthogonality and the variation principle of energy (indefinite phase as a variation parameter) to determine the phase angle, the scattering cross section and the bound states uniquely. These principles for the determination of the solution have been tested for its correctness, because the result is consistent with the solution of reference [2]. By using these principles the problems of scattering and bound states of systems consisting of a charged magnetic monopole and a charged Dirac particle, as well as the monopole pair are exactly solved.     

On the general structure of mathematical models for physical systems

It is proposed that the mathematical models for any physical systems that are based in first principles, such as conservation laws or balance principles, have some common elements, namely, a space of kinematical states, a space of dynamical states, a constitutive law that associates dynamical states with kinematical states, as well as a duality principle. The equations of motion or statics then come about from, on the one hand, specifying the integrability of the kinematical state, and on the other hand, specifying a statement that is dual to it for the dynamical states. Examples are given from various fundamental physical systems.     

Derivation of the principle of equivalence for antimatter

In view of the announcement of some experiments testing the principle of equivalence for antimatter, we give here stringent arguments, based on elementary and well-established physical principles, that these experiments will turn out negative. The question is important because disproving the principle of equivalence (equality of inertial and gravitating mass) would entail a breakdown of general relativity. (There is only one type of geodesics and there are no antigeodesics for antimatter).     

A comparative study in resonant light scattering between spherical and cylindrical dielectric hosts with a metallic inclusion

We show that dielectric spherical and cylindrical particles contaminated with a metallic inclusion have similar spectral resonant behavior. Both geometries show resonance suppression as the position of the inclusion varies. Moreover, it was theoretically observed that the spherical particle suppresses a resonant mode earlier than the cylindrical one. Based on semi-classical arguments, a physical interpretation of this fact is given. In addition, a comment is also made regarding Wiscombe's criteria for estimating the size of the coefficient matrix used to solve the truncated non-homogeneous set of linear equations related to this problem.     

RIGHT TRANSLATION INVARIANT METRICS AND VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLES ON A PRINCIPAL BUNDLE——TREATED AS THE UNION OF SPACE-TIME AND AN INTERNAL SPACE

In this paper, we discuss how to assign a metric on a principal bundle and howto rewrite the variational principles for a particle and for matter fields in an inva-riant from on the bundle in the principal-bundle formulation of gauge theories. Weshow that the right-translation invariant metric on the bundle must contain quantitieswhich transform exactly as gauge potentials, thus providing a new formalism for gaugefields. And we formulate the variational principle for a particle moving in the gaugefield as follows: The particle moves along a horizontal geodesic on the principalbundle. Starting from this we derive the Wong's equations of motion. Moreover, we elucidate the physical view-point which treats the bundle space asthe union of space-time and the internal space. Advantages of this viewpoint for un-derstanding the essentialities of gauge transformations and gauge invariance and forestablishing unified theories of gravitation and gauge fields are also discussed.     

Inertial mass and the quantum vacuum fields

Even when the Higgs particle is finally detected, it will continue to be a legitimate question to ask whether the inertia of matter as a reaction force opposing acceleration is an intrinsic or extrinsic property of matter. General relativity specifies which geodesic path a free particle will follow, but geometrodynamics has no mechanism for generating a reaction force for deviation from geodesic motion. We discuss a different approach involving the electromagnetic zero‐point field (ZPF) of the quantum vacuum. It has been found that certain asymmetries arise in the ZPF as perceived from an accelerating reference frame. In such a frame the Poynting vector and momentum flux of the ZPF become non‐zero. Scattering of this quantum radiation by the quarks and electrons in matter can result in an acceleration‐dependent reaction force. Both the ordinary and the relativistic forms of Newton's second law, the equation of motion, can be derived from the electrodynamics of such ZPF‐particle interactions. Conjectural arguments are given why this interaction should take place in a resonance at the Compton frequency, and how this could simultaneously provide a physical basis for the de Broglie wavelength of a moving particle. This affords a suggestive perspective on a deep connection between electrodynamics, the origin of inertia and the quantum wave nature of matter.     

Dispersion stability of nanoparticles in ecotoxicological investigations: the need for adequate measurement tools

One of the main challenges in nanoecotoxicological investigations is in the selection of the most suitable measurement methods and protocols for nanoparticle characterisation. Several parameters have been identified as being important as they govern nanotoxicological activity, with some parameters being better defined than others. For example, as a parameter, there is some ambiguity as to how to measure dispersion stability in the context of ecotoxicological investigations; indeed, there is disagreement over which are the best methods to measure nanoparticle dispersion stability. The purpose of this article is to use various commercially available tools to measure dispersion stability and to understand the information given by each tool. In this study, CeO₂ was dispersed in two different types of media: de-ionised water and electrolyte-containing fish medium. The DLS mean particle size of freshly dispersed sample in DI water was ~200 nm in diameter. A visual sedimentation experiment showed that nanoparticle dispersion made in the fish medium was less stable compared to corresponding dispersion in de-ionised water. Stability of these dispersions was monitored using various techniques, for a period of 3 days. Our findings have shown that dispersion stability can be suitably assessed by monitoring: (a) surface charge, (b) sedimentation events and (c) presence of agglomerates, through time. The majority of techniques employed here (zeta potential, particle size via DLS, fluorescence and UV–Vis spectroscopy and SEM) were shown to provide useful, complementary information on dispersion stability. Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) provides useful, quantitative information on the concentration of nanoparticles in suspension, but is limited by its inability to accurately track the motion of large agglomerates found in the fish medium.     

Mixtures of anisotropic and spherical colloids: Phase behavior, confinement, percolation phenomena and kinetics

Purely entropic systems such as suspensions of hard rods, platelets and spheres show rich phase behavior. Rods and platelets have successfully been used as models to predict the equilibrium properties of liquid crystals for several decades. Over the past years hard particle models have also been studied in the context of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, in particular regarding the glass transition, jamming, sedimentation and crystallization. Recently suspensions of hard anisotropic particles also moved into the focus of materials scientists who work on conducting soft matter composites. An insulating polymer resin that is mixed with conductive filler particles becomes conductive when the filler percolates. In this context the mathematical topic of connectivity percolation finds an application in modern nano-technology. In this article, we briefly review recent work on the phase behavior, confinement effects, percolation transition and phase transition kinetics in hard particle models. In the first part, we discuss the effects that particle anisotropy and depletion have on the percolation transition. In the second part, we present results on the kinetics of the liquid-to-crystal transition in suspensions of spheres and of ellipsoids.     

On the Gravitational Collapse in Relativistic Theories of Gravitation

Following Einstein, we consider a simple model of a star, namely a spherically symmetric distribution of particles which are all moving along circular orbits around the center of the particle cluster. According to arguments given by Einstein, Laue, Treder and others, the existence of stationary circular motions for all values of r can be considered as a necessary condition for all collapse-free relativistic (classical) theory o gravitation. The discussion shows that, assuming the validity of the weak principle of equivalence and the principle of causality, one has to consider theories with a g₀₀-function different from the Einstein-Schwarzschild one. We discuss some g₀₀ types and show that our point of view leads in the direction of gravitational equations with a cut-off length.     

Constraint algebra for interacting quantum systems

We consider relativistic constrained systems interacting with external fields. We provide physical arguments to support the idea that the quantum constraint algebra should be the same as in the free quantum case. For systems with ordering ambiguities this principle is essential to obtain a unique quantization. This is shown explicitly in the case of a relativistic spinning particle, where our assumption about the constraint algebra plus invariance under general coordinate transformations leads to a unique S-matrix.     

自旋Seebeck效应简介

自旋电子学作为一个新兴的学科,是未来电子学发展的重要方向之一.而近年来发现的自旋泽贝克（Seebeck）效应则为自旋电子学的研究提供了不少新现象.文章通过对自旋Seebeck效应的一些科研进展的介绍,较详尽地阐明了自旋Seebeck效应的定义和常用的利用逆自旋霍尔（Hall）效应来进行观测的机制与方法,并对不同种类材料中的自旋Seebeck效应及其可能的成因进行了分析介绍.     

Boundary layer analysis for non-equilibrium phase transitions

In this review, we discuss some of the recent developments in understanding various boundary induced phase transitions in asymmetric simple exclusion processes using boundary layer analysis. The boundary layer analysis is shown to be useful in gaining a lot of physical insights regarding the formation of shock, the critical point and the dual boundary transition.     

Nonequilibrium phase transition in the sedimentation of reproducing particles

We study numerically and analytically the dynamics of a sedimenting suspension of active, reproducing particles, such as growing bacteria in a gravitational field. In steady state we find a nonequilibrium phase transition between a "sedimentation" regime, analogous to the sedimentation equilibrium of passive colloids, and a "uniform" regime, in which the particle density is constant in all but the top and bottom of the sample. We discuss the importance of fluctuations in particle density in locating the phase-transition point, and report the kinetics of sedimentation at early times.     

二维拉格朗日坐标系下气粒混合双向耦合对激波流场影响的计算

喷射颗粒与气体混合是内爆压缩领域的热点和难点. 针对喷射混合中的气粒双向耦合问题, 开展了理论建模、离散算法以及颗粒反馈对激波流场的影响研究. 建立了拉格朗日计算框架下的数学模型; 给出了耦合源项的离散算法; 开展了平面及汇聚构型条件下, 气粒双向耦合的数值模拟研究; 发现了颗粒反馈导致气体激波提速现象以及气区流场物理量分布形态的改变, 初步获得了量化分析结果. 本文建立的数学模型、计算方法和获得的新的物理认识, 为深入理解喷射混合现象、解决相关工程应用问题提供了重要理论支撑.     

Features and states of microscopic particles in nonlinear quantum-mechanics systems

In this paper, we present the elementary principles of nonlinear quantum mechanics (NLQM), which is based on some problems in quantum mechanics. We investigate in detail the motion laws and some main properties of microscopic particles in nonlinear quantum systems using these elementary principles. Concretely speaking, we study in this paper the wave-particle duality of the solution of the nonlinear Schr?dinger equation, the stability of microscopic particles described by NLQM, invariances and conservation laws of motion of particles, the Hamiltonian principle of particle motion and corresponding Lagrangian and Hamilton equations, the classical rule of microscopic particle motion, the mechanism and rules of particle collision, the features of reflection and the transmission of particles at interfaces, and the uncertainty relation of particle motion as well as the eigenvalue and eigenequations of particles, and so on. We obtained the invariance and conservation laws of mass, energy and momentum and angular momentum for the microscopic particles, which are also some elementary and universal laws of matter in the NLQM and give further the methods and ways of solving the above questions. We also find that the laws of motion of microscopic particles in such a case are completely different from that in the linear quantum mechanics (LQM). They have a lot of new properties; for example, the particles possess the real wave-corpuscle duality, obey the classical rule of motion and conservation laws of energy, momentum and mass, satisfy minimum uncertainty relation, can be localized due to the nonlinear interaction, and its position and momentum can also be determined, etc. From these studies, we see clearly that rules and features of microscopic particle motion in NLQM is different from that in LQM. Therefore, the NLQM is a new physical theory, and a necessary result of the development of quantum mechanics and has a correct representation of describing microscopic particles in nonlinear systems, which can solve problems disputed for about a century by scientists in the LQM field. Hence, the NLQM built is very necessary and correct. The NLQM established can promote the development of physics and can enhance and raise the knowledge and recognition levels to the essences of microscopic matter. We can predict that nonlinear quantum mechanics has extensive applications in physics, chemistry, biology and polymers, etc.      

Features and states of microscopic particles in nonlinear quantum-mechanics systems

In this paper, we present the elementary principles of nonlinear quantum mechanics (NLQM), which is based on some problems in quantum mechanics. We investigate in detail the motion laws and some main properties of microscopic particles in nonlinear quantum systems using these elementary principles. Concretely speaking, we study in this paper the wave-particle duality of the solution of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, the stability of microscopic particles described by NLQM, invariances and conservation laws of motion of particles, the Hamiltonian principle of particle motion and corresponding Lagrangian and Hamilton equations, the classical rule of microscopic particle motion, the mechanism and rules of particle collision, the features of reflection and the transmission of particles at interfaces, and the uncertainty relation of particle motion as well as the eigenvalue and eigenequations of particles, and so on. We obtained the invariance and conservation laws of mass, energy and momentum and angular momentum for the microscopic particles, which are also some elementary and universal laws of matter in the NLQM and give further the methods and ways of solving the above questions. We also find that the laws of motion of microscopic particles in such a case are completely different from that in the linear quantum mechanics (LQM). They have a lot of new properties; for example, the particles possess the real wave-corpuscle duality, obey the classical rule of motion and conservation laws of energy,momentum and mass, satisfy minimum uncertainty relation, can be localized due to the nonlinear interaction, and its position and momentum can also be determined, etc. From these studies, we see clearly that rules and features of microscopic particle motion in NLQM is different from that in LQM. Therefore, the NLQM is a new physical theory, and a necessary result of the development of quantum mechanics and has a correct representation of describing microscopic particles in nonlinear systems, which can solve problems disputed for about a century by scientists in the LQM field. Hence, the NLQM built is very necessary and correct. The NLQM established can promote the development of physics and can enhance and raise the knowledge and recognition levels to the essences of microscopic matter. We can predict that nonlinear quantum mechanics has extensive applications in physics, chemistry, biology and polymers, etc.     

Remarks on the Formulation of the Cosmological Constant/Dark Energy Problems

Associated with the cosmic acceleration are the old and new cosmological constant problems, recently put into the more general context of the dark energy problem. In broad terms, the old problem is related to an unexpected order of magnitude of this component while the new problem is related to this magnitude being of the same order of the matter energy density during the present epoch of cosmic evolution. Current plans to measure the equation of state or density parameters certainly constitute an important approach; however, as we discuss, this approach is faced with serious feasibility challenges and is limited in the type of conclusive answers it could provide. Therefore, is it really too early to seek actively for new tests and approaches to these problems? In view of the difficulty of this endeavor, we argue in this work that a good place to start is by questioning some of the assumptions underlying the formulation of these problems and finding new ways to put this questioning to the test. First, we calculate how much fine tuning the cosmic coincidence problem represents. Next, we discuss the potential of some cosmological probes such as weak gravitational lensing to identify novel tests to probe dark energy questions and assumptions and provide an example of consistency tests. Then, motivated by some theorems in General Relativity, we discuss if the full identification of the cosmological constant with vacuum energy is unquestionable. We discuss some implications of the simplest solution for the principles of General Relativity. Also, we point out the relevance of experiments at the interface of astrophysics and quantum field theory, such as the Casimir effect in gravitational and cosmological contexts. We conclude that challenging some of the assumptions underlying the cosmological constant problems and putting them to the test may prove useful and necessary to make progress on these questions.