Generic singularity studies revisited

We comment on a reply by Belinskii, Khalatnikov and Lifshitz to our analysis of their conclusions regarding the general structure of space-time singularities. We support our contention that it is impossible to provide a reliable analysis of the evolution of a general (or stable) solution with local techniques in a synchronous coordinate system having a simultaneous physical singularity.     

Analysis of the generic singularity studies by Belinskii,Khalatnikov, and Lifschitz

We apply some modern mathematical methods of global analysis to a series of studies undertaken by Belinskii, Khalatnikov and Lifschitz (BKL) to elucidate the structure of space-time near a general cosmological singularity. A brief summary of BKL's large body of work on inhomogeneous cosmological models is given (their work on homogeneous models is not under discussion here). Various theorems are proven and analyses of a mathematical and physical nature are made to show that the constructions of BKL cannot be general and in some cases do not give Lorentz manifolds. We conclude that although the work of BKL has led to very significant advances in our understanding of the dynamics of homogeneous cosmological models, the local techniques they employ do not extend to give us reliable information about the global structure of generic space-times. A detailed discussion of stability, generality, function counting, linearization stability, physical singularities and fictitious singularities is given together with an outline of various physical considerations which might be useful in future studies of the structure of generic space-times.     

Stokes singularity relations

Polarization singularities in paraxial vector optical fields are analyzed in terms of the phase singularities of complex Stokes scalar fields. Six independent relationships are obtained that connect the topological charges of these singularities on special closed contours with the charges of singularities that are enclosed by these contours. These relationships, which have been confirmed by experimental data and computer simulations, imply topological polarization correlations of an infinite range.     

Fermi-edge singularity of spin-polarized electrons

We study the absorption spectrum of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a magnetic field. We find that at low temperatures, when the 2DEG is spin polarized, the absorption spectra, which correspond to the creation of spin up or spin down electrons, differ in magnitude, linewidth, and filling factor dependence. We show that these differences can be explained as resulting from the creation of a Mahan exciton in one case, and of a power law Fermi-edge singularity in the other.     

TheA 4 glass transition singularity

Formulae for the -relaxation process as obtained within the mode coupling theory for the dynamics of supercooled liquids are derived for states near anA ₄ glass transition singularity. A discussion of the expected anomalies of susceptibility spectra is presented. In particular the parameter regions for (1/f)-noise, for spectra exhibiting two minima and regions of linear variations in ln(1/f) are identified. The results are used to interprete quantitatively dielectric data for the following polymeric systems: polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyhexamethylene sebacamide (nylon 610), polyoxymethylene (delrin) and polyparaethylene oxybenzoate (PEOB).     

Friedmann-like cosmological models without singularity

The Einstein-Cartan theory of gravitation (general relativity with spin) provides a specific spin-spin contact interaction of matter, in addition to the usual long-range gravity. This new interaction enables us to prevent singularities in Cosmological models. It is shown how this mechanism works in the case when the standard Einstein-Cartan equations are valid at a microphysical level, and some spin-spin terms remain from the averaging procedure for randomly distributed spins. In contrast with the case of aligned spin distributions, it is possible to take over the isotropic and spatially homogeneous (i.e., Friedmannian) models into the Einstein-Cartan theory. These models can be made free from singularity, thanks to the self-interaction of spinning fluid.     

Polarization singularity democracy: WYSIWYG

The canonical point singularity of elliptically polarized light is a C point, an isolated point of circular polarization surrounded by a field of polarization ellipses. The defining singular property of a C point is that the surrounding ellipses rotate about the point. It is shown that this rotation is seen only for a particular line of sight (LOS) and, conversely, that there exists a unique LOS for every ellipse along which the ellipse is seen as a singularity. It is also shown that changes in LOS can turn singularities into stationary points and vice versa. The democratic behavior of polarization singularities and stationary points is a consequence of the fundamental "what you see is what you get" property of ellipse fields. Simple experiments are proposed for observing this unusual property of elliptically polarized light.     

Aspects of Generic Entanglement

We study entanglement and other correlation properties of random states in high-dimensional bipartite systems. These correlations are quantified by parameters that are subject to the ``concentration of measure' phenomenon, meaning that on a large-probability set these parameters are close to their expectation. For the entropy of entanglement, this has the counterintuitive consequence that there exist large subspaces in which all pure states are close to maximally entangled. This, in turn, implies the existence of mixed states with entanglement of formation near that of a maximally entangled state, but with negligible quantum mutual information and, therefore, negligible distillable entanglement, secret key, and common randomness. It also implies a very strong locking effect for the entanglement of formation: its value can jump from maximal to near zero by tracing over a number of qubits negligible compared to the size of the total system. Furthermore, such properties are generic. Similar phenomena are observed for random multiparty states, leading us to speculate on the possibility that the theory of entanglement is much simplified when restricted to asymptotically generic states. Further consequences of our results include a complete derandomization of the protocol for universal superdense coding of quantum states.     

Generic dissipation of entanglement

We find states for a multi-level system which are stable under a very general model of dissipation, one which is governed simply by generic rate parameters; in general such stable states are not entangled. We exhibit such a state explicitly for a two-qubit system. We then specialize to a more physical model of dissipation, one which is governed by pure dephasing. In such a case it is possible, by choice of the dephasing rates, to have a stable, and limiting, entangled state under the evolution governed by the free hamiltonian and pure decoherence. We exhibit such a choice explicitly which has a stable and limiting two-qubit state of maximum entanglement (Bell state).     

General relativity and the schwarzschild singularity

The discrepancy in General Relativity between its general statements and the vacuum singular solutions of Einstein’s equations is analyzed.     

Shearograms of an optical phase singularity

Shearograms are known to represent phase gradients but when vortices are present in the optical field, these do not represent true phase gradients. Phase gradients of an optical phase singularity are presented. A lateral shear interferometer is used for obtaining shearograms of optical fields with vortices. A diffractive phase element is used to generate vortices. It is shown that shearograms can be used in the detection of optical vortices. Shearogram of speckle field is also presented.     

Quantum evaporation of a naked singularity

We investigate here quantum effects in gravitational collapse of a scalar field model which classically leads to a naked singularity. We show that nonperturbative semiclassical modifications near the singularity, based on loop quantum gravity, give rise to a strong outward flux of energy. This leads to the dissolution of the collapsing cloud before the singularity can form. Quantum gravitational effects thus censor naked singularities by avoiding their formation. Further, quantum gravity induced mass flux has a distinct feature which may lead to a novel observable signature in astrophysical bursts.     

Spacetime averaging of exotic singularity universes

Taking a spacetime average as a measure of the strength of singularities we show that big-rips (type I) are stronger than big-bangs. The former have infinite spacetime averages while the latter have them equal to zero. The sudden future singularities (type II) and w-singularities (type V) have finite spacetime averages. The finite scale factor (type III) singularities for some values of the parameters may have an infinite average and in that sense they may be considered stronger than big-bangs.