On Puthoff’s Semiclassical Electron and Vacuum Energy

A possible connection between a point electron and vacuum energy was recently claimed by Puthoff (Int. J. Theor. Phys. 46, 3005 (2007)). He envisions a point electron as an ideally conducting spherical shell with a distributed charge on the surface, in equilibrium with the radiation pressure from electromagnetic vacuum fluctuations on the outside, and claims that his analysis demonstrates the reality of high-energy-density vacuum fluctuation fields. The present paper finds, instead, that the analysis is meaningless without specific knowledge on the cutoff frequency that is a free parameter in the model.     

On Smooth Cauchy Hypersurfaces and Geroch’s Splitting Theorem

Given a globally hyperbolic spacetime M, we show the existence of a smooth spacelike Cauchy hypersurface S and, thus, a global diffeomorphism between M and ×S.The second-named author has been partially supported by a MCyT-FEDER Grant BFM2001-2871-C04-01.     

On wave and rheidity properties of the Earth’s crust

The properties of the Earth’s solid crust have been studied on the assumption that this crust has a block structure. According to the rotation model, the motion of such a medium (geomedium) follows the angular momentum conservation law and can be described in the scope of the classical elasticity theory with a symmetric stress tensor. A geomedium motion is characterized by two types of rotation waves with shortand long-range actions. The first type includes slow solitons with velocities of 0 ≤ V_sol ≤ c0, max = 1–10 cm s^–1; the second type, fast excitons with V₀ ≤ V_ex ≤ V_S–V_P. The exciton minimal velocity (V₀ = 0) depends on the energy of the collective excitation of all seismically active belt blocks proportional to the Earth’s pole vibration frequency (the Chandler vibration frequency). The exciton maximal velocity depends on the velocities of S (V_S ≈ 4 km s^–1) and/or P (V_P ≈ 8 km s^–1) seismic (acoustic) waves. According to the rotation model, a geomedium is characterized by the property physically close to the corpuscular–wave interaction between blocks that compose this medium. The possible collective wave motion of geomedium blocks can be responsible for the geomedium rheidity property, i.e., a superplastic volume flow. A superplastic motion of a quantum fluid can be the physical analog of the geomedium rheid motion.     

On Gleason’s Theorem without Gleason

The original proof of Gleason’s Theorem is very complicated and therefore, any result that can be derived also without the use of Gleason’s Theorem is welcome both in mathematics and mathematical physics. In this paper we reprove some known results that had originally been proved by the use of Gleason’s Theorem, e.g. that on the quantum logic ℒ(H) of all closed subspaces of a Hilbert space H, dim H≥3, there is no finitely additive state whose range is countably infinite. In particular, if dim H=n, then on ℒ(H) there is a unique discrete state, namely m(A)=dim A/dim H, A∈ℒ(H). Dedicated to Pekka J. Lahti on the occasion of his 60th birthday. The paper has been supported by the Center of Excellence SAS–Physics of Information–I/2/2005, the grant VEGA No. 2/6088/26 SAV, by Science and Technology Assistance Agency under the contract APVV-0071-06, Bratislava, Slovakia.     

On Wilson’s theory of confinement

According to recent results, the Gell-Mann-Low function β(g) of four-dimensional φ⁴ theory is nonalternating and has a linear asymptotics at infinity. According to the Bogoliubov and Shirkov classification, it means the possibility of constructing a continuous theory with finite interaction at large distances. This conclusion is in visible contradiction to the lattice results indicating triviality of φ⁴ theory. This contradiction is resolved by a special character of renormalizability in φ⁴ theory: to obtain the continuous renormalized theory, there is no need to eliminate a lattice from the bare theory. In fact, such kind of renormalizability is not accidental and can be understood in the framework of Wilson’s many-parameter renormalization group. Application of these ideas to QCD shows that Wilson’s theory of confinement is not purely illustrative, but has a direct relation to a real situation. As a result, the problem of analytical proof of confinement and a mass gap can be considered solved, at least on the physical level of rigor.     

On generalized fractional Cattaneo’s equations

This paper studies a family of generalized fractional Cattaneo’s equations for which passive (i.e., spontaneous) transport is possible. This is done by using fractional substitutions in integer-order rational transfer functions and showing conditions for positive realness.     

On generalizations of Verlinde’s formula

It is shown how traces of higher genus mapping classes of finite order may be expressed by Verlinde-like formulae involving only genus one modular matrix elements. The 3D topological argument leading to the result is explained, and the related trace identities for modular matrix elements are presented.     

On the controversy around Daganzo’s requiem for and Aw-Rascle’s resurrection of second-order traffic flow models

Daganzo’s criticisms of second-order fluid approximations of traffic flow [C. Daganzo, Transpn. Res. B. 29, 277 (1995)] and Aw and Rascle’s proposal how to overcome them [A. Aw, M. Rascle, SIAM J. Appl. Math. 60, 916 (2000)] have stimulated an intensive scientific activity in the field of traffic modeling. Here, we will revisit their arguments and the interpretations behind them. We will start by analyzing the linear stability of traffic models, which is a widely established approach to study the ability of traffic models to describe emergent traffic jams. Besides deriving a collection of useful formulas for stability analyses, the main attention is put on the characteristic speeds, which are related to the group velocities of the linearized model equations. Most macroscopic traffic models with a dynamic velocity equation appear to predict two characteristic speeds, one of which is faster than the average velocity. This has been claimed to constitute a theoretical inconsistency. We will carefully discuss arguments for and against this view. In particular, we will shed some new light on the problem by comparing Payne’s macroscopic traffic model with the Aw-Rascle model and macroscopic with microscopic traffic models.     

On Measuring Standards in Weyl’s Geometry

In Weyl’s geometry the nonintegrability problem and difficulties in defining measuring standards are reconsidered. Approaches removing the nonintegrability of length in the interior of atoms are given, so that atoms can serve as measuring standards. The Weyl space becomes a well founded framework for classical theories of electromagnetism and gravitation.     

On the relation of Manin’s quantum plane and quantum Clifford algebras

In a recent work we have shown that quantum Clifford algebras — i.e. Clifford algebras of an arbitrary bilinear form — are closely related to the deformed structures asq-spin groups, Hecke algebras,q-Young operators and deformed tensor products. The question to relate Manin’s approach to quantum Clifford algebras is addressed here. Explicit computations using the CLIFFORD Maple package are exhibited. The meaning of non-commutative geometry is reexamined and interpreted in Clifford algebraic terms. Presented at the 9th Colloquium “Quantum Groups and Integrable Systems”, Prague, 22–24 June 2000.     

Stern-Gerlach Experiment’s Interpretations and Noether’s Theorem

In this paper we suggest that theories treating two interacting objects in a different manner (for instance electromagnetic field of a laser classically, and the interacting atom as a quantum object) should be called “mixed”. Mixed theories are not so rare in Physics. One just should look at the whole area of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics in which mixed theories are often used, and, also, theories including quantum object interacting with classical surroundings that are the subject of our present discussion: the field of Quantum decoherence, when applied to resolving the dilemma should classical trajectories be used in explaining the Stern-Gerlach experiment or not. Consequently we are proving one improved corollary to Noether’s theorem, stating that mixed theories are not supporting the law of conservation of angular momentum and spin, as they are not based on the isotropy of space-time.     

On Zurek’s Derivation of the Born Rule

Recently, W. H. Zurek presented a novel derivation of the Born rule based on a mechanism termed environment-assisted invariance, or envariance [W. H. Zurek, Phys. Rev. Lett. 90(2), 120404 (2003)]. We review this approach and identify fundamental assumptions that have implicitly entered into it, emphasizing issues that any such derivation is likely to face.     

On the CHSH Form of Bell’s Inequalities

A common mistake present in the derivation of the usually known as the CHSH form of Bell’s inequalities is pointed out. References and comments to the correct approach are given. This error does not alter the final result and only affects the logical consistency of the derivation, but since it seems to be a widespread misconception regarding the roll and interpretation of the of use of hidden variables in Bell’s theorem it is considered to be of general interest.     

On stable variants of Einstein’s static universe

The investigation of the stability properties of certain variants of Einstein’s static universe performed by Carneiro and Tavakol (in Stability of the Einstein static universe in the presence of vacuum energy) is generalized. It is shown that all versions of Einstein’s static universe without interaction between the two fluids it contains are unstable. Interaction between the fluids may stabilize the universe. The condition for stability by perturbation of the scale factor from its static value is deduced for a class of universe models containing those investigated by Carneiro and Tavakol. Stability of the static state requires that energy is transformed to matter during such a perturbation.     

On the Classical Limit in Bohm’s Theory

The standard means of seeking the classical limit in Bohmian mechanics is through the imposition of vanishing quantum force and quantum potential for pure states. We argue that this approach fails, and that the Bohmian classical limit can be realized only by combining narrow wave packets, mixed states, and environmental decoherence.     

On the Road Map of Vogel’s Plane

We define “population” of Vogel’s plane as points for which universal character of adjoint representation is regular in the finite plane of its argument. It is shown that they are given exactly by all solutions of seven Diophantine equations of third order on three variables. We find all their solutions: classical series of simple Lie algebras (including an “odd symplectic” one), \({D_{2,1,\lambda}}\) superalgebra, the line of sl(2) algebras, and a number of isolated solutions, including exceptional simple Lie algebras. One of these Diophantine equations, namely \({knm=4k+4n+2m+12,}\) contains all simple Lie algebras, except so\({(2N+1).}\) Among isolated solutions are, besides exceptional simple Lie algebras, so called \({\mathfrak{e}_{7\frac{1}{2}}}\) algebra and also two other similar unidentified objects with positive dimensions. In addition, there are 47 isolated solutions in “unphysical semiplane” with negative dimensions. Isolated solutions mainly belong to the few lines in Vogel plane, including some rows of Freudenthal magic square. Universal dimension formulae have an integer values on all these solutions at least for first three symmetric powers of adjoint representation.