Ergodic properties of an infinite system of particles moving independently in a periodic field

We investigate the ergodic properties of a general class of infinite systems of independent particles which undergo nontrivial collisions with an external field, e.g. fixed convex barriers (the Lorentz gas). We relate the ergodic properties of these systems to the ergodic properties for a single particle moving in a finite box (with periodic boundary conditions) with the same dynamics. We prove that when the one particle system is mixing or aK-system for a sequence of boxes approaching infinity so is the infinite particle system with an equilibrium measure obtained as a Poisson construction over the one particle phase space.Research sponsored in part by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Grant No. 73-2430 A and The National Science Foundation Grant No. GP-16147 A, No. 1.     

Zeros of the finite-size scaling region partition function for a model with a wetting transition

We derive a finite-size scaling representation for the partition function for an Onsager-Temperley string model with a wetting transition, and analyze the zeros of this partition function in the complex scaled coupling parameter of relevance. The system models the one-dimensional interface between two phases in a rectangular two-dimensional region (x, y) ²,–L yL,oxN. The two phases are at coexistence. The string or interface has a surface tension 2KkT per unit length and an extra Boltzmann weighta per unit length if it touches the surfaces aty=±L. There is a critical valuea _c=1/2K and fora>a _c the string is confined to one of the surfaces, while fora a _c the string moves roughly in the rectangular region. The finite-size scaling parameters are =a _c ² N/L ² and =L(a–a _c)/a _c ² . We find that for || large, the zeros of the scaled partition function lie close to the lines arg()=±/4 with re()>0. We discuss the motion of all the zeros as changes by both analytic and numerical arguments.     

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.     

Determination of electrodynamical parameters of dielectric pipe-shaped materials using millimeter wave cavity

Employment ofE _0np modes of cylindrical cavity resonator for measurement of electrodynamical parameters of dielectric pipe-shaped materials in millimeter wavelength band is suggested. Dielectric permittivity and conductivity of a sample can be found by measuring the frequency shift and theQ-factor change of the resonator.Method of mode basis is used for the calculation of sample permittivity and conductivity . Measurements were carried out at 8mm wavelength and related calculations have demonstrated use and possibilities of the method in studying the dielectric properties of samples of cylindrical and other forms.     

THE ORIGIN OF ENTROPY IN THE UNIVERSE

We discuss the entropy generation in quantum tunneling of a relativistic particle under the influence of a time-varying force with the help of squeezing formalism. It is shown that if one associates classical coarse grained entropy to the phase space volume, there is an inevitable entropy growth due to the changes in position and momentum variances. The entropy change can be quantified by a simple expression S=ln cosh 2r, where r, is the squeeze parameter measuring the height and width of the potential barrier. We suggest that the universe could have acquired its initial entropy in a quantum squeeze from nothing and briefly discuss the implications of our proposal.     

Low-temperature and long-time anomalies of a damped quantum particle

The time evolution of a damped quantum particle is discussed. Dissipation is modeled by the bilinear coupling to a set of harmonic oscillators. Using a functional integral technique that accounts for initial correlations between the particle and the reservoir, one can express the dynamics of the damped particle entirely in terms of equilibrium correlation functions. The long-time behavior of these correlations is determined for memory damping arising from the coupling to a reservoir with spectral densityI() at low frequencies, where > 0. The time evolution of nonequilibrium initial states of the damped particle is discussed. At finite temperatures an initially localized state is found to spread subdiffusively or superdiffusively, depending on . For > 2 the damping becomes ineffective for long times, and the width of a state grows kinematically. At zero temperature and for < 1, an initially localized state remains localized for all times. For 1 the state spreads, but with a slower rate than at finite temperatures. Study of arbitrary initial states indicates that the process is ergodic at finite temperatures only for 2 and at zero temperature for 1 2.     

A nonequilibrium entropy for dynamical systems

It is proposed to define entropy for nonequilibrium ensembles using a method of coarse graining which partitions phase space into sets which typically have zero measure. These are chosen by considering the totality of future possibilities for observation on the system. It is shown that this entropy is necessarily a nondecreasing function of the timet. There is no contradiction with the reversibility of the laws of motion because this method of coarse graining is asymmetric under time reversal. Under suitable conditions (which are stated explicitly) this entropy approaches the equilibrium entropy ast+ and the fine-grained entropy ast–. In particular, the conditions can always be satisfied if the system is aK-system, as in the Sinai billiard models. Some theorems are given which give information about whether it is possible to generate the partition used here for coarse graining from time translates of a finite partition, and at the same time elucidate the connection between our concept of entropy and the entropy invariant of Kolmogorov and Sinai.Research supported in part by NSF grants PHY78-03816 and PHY78-15920.     

Light absorption by free semiconductor carriers in the presence of a laser wave

Within the framework of the conditions ; » ^–1 ( ^–1 is the mean time of momentum relaxation), the coefficient of absorption () of a weak electromagnetic wave by the free carriers of a polar semiconductor is calculated in the presence of a strong wave (of frequency ), for arbitrary values of and . Photon absorption by band electrons is due to these latter interacting with optical phonons (of frequency _o). The problem is solved by using an analogous approach to the theory of the linear Kubo reaction. The results are valid in the absence of electron heating, when a strong wave only influences the scattering probability. The appearance of a photostimulated tail of absorption is predicted for < _o, including the jump () for ( – _o + ) ₀T as well as peaks in the function () at the points _s=s (s=1, 2, 3,...). The value (₁) is determined by the formula for the absorption coefficient for one strong wave.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 105–109, July, 1981.The authors are grateful to É. M. Épshtein and Sh. M. Kogan for useful discussions.     

Large Deviations for Expanding Transformations with Additive White Noise

Large-deviations estimates for the autocorrelations of order kof the random process Z _n=(X _n)+ _n, n0, are obtained. The processes (X _n) _n0and ( _n) _n0are independent, _n, n0, are i.i.d. bounded random variables, X _n=T ⁿ(X ₀), n , T: MMis expanding leaving invariant a Gibbs measure on a compact set M, and : M is a continuous function. A possible application of this result is the case where Mis the unit circle and the Gibbs measure is the one absolutely continuous with respect to the Lebesgue measure on the circle. The case when Tis a uniquely ergodic map was studied in Carmona et al.(1998). In the present paper Tis an expanding map. However, it is possible to derive large-deviations properties for the autocorrelations samples (1/n) ^n–1 _j=0 Z _j Z _j+k . But the deviation function is quite different from the uniquely ergodic case because it is necessary to take into account the entropy of invariant measures for Tas an important information. The method employed here is a combination of the variational principle of the thermodynamic formalism with Donsker and Varadhan's large-deviations approach.     

A study of solutions to the aesthetic field equations

We have found hundreds of solutions to the integrability equations in aesthetic field theory. The behavior of the solutions to the aesthetic field equations depends on which solution to the integrability equations we take. From computer runs down a coordinate axis we have found a type of solution where we have a maximum and a minimum, as well as the field going to zero at large distances along both directions. This kind of solution is quite prevalent. We call this type of solution a pulse solution. We have found the pulse solution in two and three dimensions as well as four dimensions. It appears regardless of whether certain symmetries are present or absent. We have taken a two- or three-dimensional and made a four-dimensional theory from it with the use of a four-dimensionale i. This process we call imbedding. We have found imbedding has not affected the overall characteristics of the solution in the cases we considered. We were able to change the character of the solutions to some degree by altering the magnitude of some of the gammas—but this did not lead to solutions with significantly more wiggles. We also found an example of an oscillatory solution. The oscillations occurred in too regular a pattern to give a realistic model for basic behavior. However, this solution indicates that aesthetic field theory has more structure then we have ever seen before. We also obtained a solution in which errors took over so fast that the computer was literally helpless in telling us what is going on. In other solutions the field appears to increase without bounds. Whether this is due to singularities or to the presence of large numbers is not clear.     

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.     

Some Remarks on a Nongeometrical Interpretation of Gravity and the Flatness Problem

In a nongeometrical interpretation of gravity,the metric g(x) = + (x)is interpreted as an effective metric, whereas(x) is interpreted as afundamental gravitational field, propagated in spacetime which isactually flat. Some advantages and disadvantages of suchan interpretation are discussed. The main advantage isa natural resolution of the flatness problem.     

The second-order effects in the “rotating disk” experiment

We find the second-order inv/c effects in the four different modifications of the rotating disk experiment whose first-order effects have been analyzed and the experimental results obtained by us reported in another paper. The differences between our absolute space-time theory and the Newtonian ether theory are within effects of second order inv/c. We propose experiments for the measurement of the second-order effects on the rotating disk that can be considered asexperimenta crucis between both theories.     

A non-commutative version of the Arnold cat map

We provide a treatment of the ergodic properties of a noncommutative algebraic analogue of the dynamical system known as the Arnold cat map of the two-dimensional torus. Here, the algebra of functions on the torus is replaced by its noncommutative analogue, formulated by Connes and Rieffel, which arises in the quantum Hall effect. Our main results are that (a) the system is mixing and, as in the classical case, the unitary operator, representing its dynamical map, has countable Lebesgue spectrum; (b) for rational values of the noncommutativity parameter, , the model is a K-system, in the algebraic sense of Emch, Narnhofer, and Thirring, though not in the entropic sense of Narnhofer and Thirring; (c) for irrational values of , except possibly for a set of zero Lebesgue measures, it is neither an algebraic nor an entropic K-system.Supported in part by Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung in Österreich, Project No. P7101-PHY.     

Particle creation by a black hole as a consequence of the Casimir effect

Particle creation by a black hole is investigated in terms of temperature corrections to the Casimir effect. The reduction of the Hawking effect to more familiar effects observed in the laboratory enables us to reveal the mechanism of particle creation. The blackbody nature of the Hawking radiation is due to the interaction of virtual particles with the surface of a cavity formed by the Schwarzschild gravitational field potential barrier. These particles are squeezed out by the contraction of the potential barrier and appear to an observer atJ ⁺ as the real blackbody ones.     

Physical properties of some McVittie metrics

A class of McVittie's new nonquadratic solutions is investigated in some detail with regard to its physical properties. It is found that decreasing pressure and density are not compatible with center regularity for these perfect fluid spheres. It is further seen that for gaseous spheres (i.e., the density drops to zero at the outer boundary of the sphere together with the pressurep) oscillatory motions arenot possible. For these gaseous models the pressure and the density are both positive inside the outer surface, and their respective gradients are negative. For the outer gaseous shells models are constructed where for a certain time interval the pressure is increasing for contracting models. Without any restriction with respect to time, for these shell models it found that the density is increasing for contracting models, and the adiabatic speed of sound is less than the speed of light. It is also found that the trace of the energy-momentum tensor is positive, the total mass is negative, and for collapsing shells the rate of change of circumference as measured by an observer riding on the shell is an increasing function of time. However, all these models have the strange geometric feature that the physical radius is a decreasing function of comoving radial coordinate.     

Nonstationary Markov chains and convergence of the annealing algorithm

We study the asymptotic behavior as timet + of certain nonstationary Markov chains, and prove the convergence of the annealing algorithm in Monte Carlo simulations. We find that in the limitt + , a nonstationary Markov chain may exhibit phase transitions. Nonstationary Markov chains in general, and the annealing algorithm in particular, lead to biased estimators for the expectation values of the process. We compute the leading terms in the bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator. We find that the annealing algorithm converges if the temperatureT(t) goes to zero no faster thanC/log(t/t ₀) ast+, with a computable constantC andt ₀ the initial time. The bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator in the annealing algorithm go to zero likeO(t^–1+) for some 0<1, with =0 only in very special circumstances. Our results concerning the convergence of the annealing algorithm, and the rate of convergence to zero of the bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator, provide a rigorous procedure for choosing the optimal annealing schedule. This optimal choice reflects the competition between two physical effects: (a) The adiabatic effect, whereby if the temperature is loweredtoo abruptly the system may end up not in a ground state but in a nearby metastable state, and (b) the super-cooling effect, whereby if the temperature is loweredtoo slowly the system will indeed approach the ground state(s) but may do so extremely slowly.     

The van der Waals limit for classical systems

For a -dimensional system of particles with the two-body potentialq(r)+ ^v K(r) and density , it is proved under fairly weak conditions onq andK that the canonical pressure (, ) and chemical potential (, ) tend to definite limits when 0. The limiting functions are absolutely continuous and are given in terms of the derivative of the limiting free energy density which was found in Part I.     

Monte Carlo study of the ising model phase transition in terms of the percolation transition of “physical clusters”

Finite squareL×L Ising lattices with ferromagnetic nearest neighbor interaction are simulated using the Swendsen-Wang cluster algorithm. Both thermal properties (internal energyU, specific heatC, magnetization |M|, susceptibility) and percolation cluster properties relating to the physical clusters, namely the Fortuin-Kasteleyn clusters (percolation probability P , percolation susceptibility _p, cluster size distributionn _l) are evaluated, paying particular attention to finite-size effects. It is shown that thermal properties can be expressed entirely in terms of cluster properties, P being identical to |M| in the thermodynamic limit, while finite-size corrections differ. In contrast, _p differs from even in the thermodynamic limit, since a fluctuation in the size of the percolating net contributes to, but not to _p. NearT _c the cluster size distribution has the scaling properties as hypothesized by earlier phenomenological theories. We also present a generalization of the Swendsen-Wang algorithm allowing one to cross over continuously to the Glauber dynamics.