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.     

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.     

Simulated Annealing for “spin-glass-like” optimization problems

A general recipe for the use of Simulated Annealing for spin-glass-likeNP-complete problems is provided. The classification principles of spin-glass-like problems are discussed. This class of problems is conjectured to incorporate a large variety of complex problems from economics and biology to every day life. We particularly stress the importance for optimization problems in physics. The application to the placement of chip-design is discussed from the point of view of spin-glass research.     

On the electromagnetic structure of elementary particles

Using modern similarity and dimensionality methods, criteria of similarity are derived and used as transformations, which effect the conversion from one natural system of units to another. The exclusion principles thus defined are used to determine the powers of the similarity criteria in quantitative relations.Systems of units of the fermion and boson types are used in the simplest identification of the parameters corresponding to elementary particles.A set of electric and magnetic physical constants with dimensionality length, area, and volume, is obtained and successfully unified within the limits of a vortex ring, the maximum dimensions of which are defined by the Compton wavelength, and the minimum by the classical radius of the particle. The vortex ring model is in accordance with the latest experimental data, and it enables the behavior of the incident and target particles in the scattering process to be predicted.In modern theoretical physics the elementary particles are still considered as essentially structureless point formations, and hence it is impossible to give a purely theoretical treatment of the structure of the particles. Thus the various attempts in this direction (Hofstadter, Blokhintsev) have a polyphenomenological character and are internally inconsistent. (The search for the structure of an elementary particle is carried out on the assumption that it is not elementary, since truly elementary particles are defined as point size.) The author recognizes the need for an original approach to the structure of elementary particles, based on a method of study adequate for the problem. Such a method is the theory of dimensionality and similarity (Sedov, Gukhman, and Kirpichev), which serves as a scientific basis of a physical experiment (Kirpichev), or as the scientific basis for a model of the phenomena, insofar as the criteria of similarity are a reflection of the physical model of the process (Gukhman).It is a pleasure to thank Academician L. I. Sedov and Professor K. A. Putilov for valuable criticism and advice, and Professor A. S. Irisov and V. V. Lokhin for useful discussions.     

On stress-energy tensors

We show how to introduce the Noether Operator of a (possibly constrained) variational principle even when the Lagrangian contains spinor fields (and their derivatives to any finite order). After relating that operator to the so-called canonical and symmetric stress-energy tensors, we construct explicitly the divergence by which these differ. A brief appendix illustrates the method of dealing with spinors by calculating T^v for the Dirac equation.     

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.     

An experiment to test an explanation of a possible violation of quantum theory

An experiment to test a possible explanation of the Schmidt backwards causation results is suggested. The experiment might distinguish between many- and one- world interpretations of quantum theory.     

Electromagnetic-gravitational energy systems

Two methods axe considered to tap the earths' rotational energy. This ancient collapsed gravitational energy exceeds the earth-lunar binding energy. One involves an orbiting electromagnetic-gravitational coupling system whereby the earth's rotation, with its nonuniform mass distribution, first uses gravity to add orbital energy to a satellite, similar to a planetary flyby.rd The second stage involves enhanced satellite drag as current-carrying coils withdraw the added orbital energy as they pass through the earth's nonuniform magnetic field. A second more direct method couples the earth's rotational motion using conducting wires moving through the noncorotating part (ionospheric current systems) of the geomagnetic field. These methods, although not immediately feasible, are considerably more efficient than using pure gravitational coupling to earth-moon tides.     

Edge Plasma Biasing Experiments on the CASTOR Tokamak: Spectroscopic Investigation and Microwave Measurements

The effects of edge plasma biasing have been recently investigated by different spectroscopic diagnostics on the CASTOR tokamak. Measurements in visible, VUV and XUV ranges complement the knowledge of processes during a biasing phase, and confirm the occurrence of several types of plasma biasing regimes — so called radiating regime, non-radiating regime, and reduced H regime. The use of edge plasma biasing to study the possibility of Electron Bernstein Wave conversion has been demonstrated.     

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.     

A model of Piron's preparation-question structures in Ludwig's selection structures

We give a model of the basic Jauch-Piron (JP) approach to quantum physics, i.e., of preparation-question structure (with four basic axioms and without axioms C, P, A), in terms of Ludwig's selection structure; in the latter structure the primitive notion of individual sample of a physical entity is formally described (without making reference to any probability concept). Once we interpret Piron's concept of question in Ludwig's context of a selection structure, we find that there is no difficulty in formalizing notions such as performable together questions; moreover, results such as = or ()= can be formally proved. We develop the theory along the lines of the JP approach; the set of JP propositions is derived and it turns out to be a complete lattice, as happens in Piron's theory, but with a different physical interpretation of the lattice operations. Finally, we study some connections between the standard Ludwig foundation and our approach.     

The invariant charges of the Nambu-Goto theory: Their geometric origin and their completeness

We give an alternative construction of the reparametrization invariant non-local conserved charges of the Nambu-Goto theory which elucidates their geometric nature and their completeness property.     

Ions trapped near the free surface of superfluid helium: A review

Suitable ions or other charged particles can be trapped electrostatically just below the free surface of superfluid⁴He. Examples of such particles are the socalled negative ion, which is an electron in a bubble, and the so-called positive ion, which is a⁴He⁺ ion surrounded by a small region (snowball) of solid helium. The trapping mechanism can be used to create two-dimensional pools of ions. Three types of experiment can be carried out with such pools: those that relate to the ionic structure; those in which the ions are used as probes of the properties of the superfluid helium; and those in which the pools are studied as examples of simple two-dimensional fluids or solids. Experiments that have been carried out so far are reviewed, and prospects for the future are assessed.     

Logic of likelihood

The notion of probability is generalized to that of likelihood, and a natural logical structure is shown to exist for any physical theory which predicts likelihoods. Two physically based axioms are given for this logicai structure to form an orthomodular poset, with an order-determining set of states. The results strengthen the basis of the quantum logic approach to axiomatic quantum theory.     

Attempt of an axiomatic foundation of quantum mechanics and more general theories VI

This contribution continues the series of papers [2, 4, 5, 12] treated by Ludwig and collaborators. It is based on the generalized frame given in [6]; there Ludwig has set up an infinite axiomatic scheme as extension of the finite system [4, 5]. The results of [12] are then proved for a locally finite case; they lead to an extended representation theorem.This paper was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

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.     

Problems of pion-nucleus interaction

The review of new theoretical and experimental results in the field of the pion-nucleus interaction which are presented in the contributed papers at the IV International symposium Mesons and Light Nuclei (Bechyn, 1988) is given. The discussion covers a wide area of problems from the -nucleon interaction to the pion interaction with light nuclei at low and intermediate energies.Rapporteur talk at the symposium Mesons and Light Nuclei, IV, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, September 5–10, 1988.     

Evolutionary drive: The effect of microscopic diversity,error making,and noise

In order to model any macroscopic system, it is necessary to aggregate both spatially and taxonomically. If average processes are assumed, then kinetic equations of population dynamics can be derived. Much effort has gone into showing the important effects introduced by non-average effects (fluctuations) in generating symmetry-breaking transitions and creating structure and form. However, the effects of microscopic diversity have been largely neglected. We show that evolution will select for populations which retain variability, even though this is, at any given time, loss-making, predicting that we shall not observe populations with optimal behavior, but populations which can learn. This lesser short-term efficiency may be why natural diversity is so great. Evolution is seen to be driven by the noise to which it leads.     

One-dimensional harmonic lattice caricature of hydrodynamics: Second approximation

The long-time behavior of an infinite chain of coupled harmonic oscillators is studied. In addition to a limiting hydrodynamic (Euler-type) equation, the next approximation is investigated. The corresponding equation is derived.     

A reinterpretation of von Neumann's theory of measurement

Von Neumann's theory of measurement in quantum mechanics is reinterpreted so that the experimental arrangement specifies the location of the cut by calling for the separate observation of the object and the measuring apparatus after the initial measurement interaction. The measurement ascertains which element of the mixture describing the final state of the apparatus is actually present. The relevance and feasibility of observing the final coherent state of the object plus apparatus is criticized and the paradoxes of Schrödinger's cat and Wigner's friend are discussed.Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.