Security Analysis of Sending or Not-Sending Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution with Weak Randomness

Sending-or-not sending twin-field quantum key distribution (SNS TF-QKD) has the advantage of tolerating large amounts of misalignment errors, and its key rate can exceed the linear bound of repeaterless quantum key distribution. However, the weak randomness in a practical QKD system may lower the secret key rate and limit its achievable communication distance, thus compromising its performance. In this paper, we analyze the effects of the weak randomness on the SNS TF-QKD. The numerical simulation shows that SNS TF-QKD can still have an excellent performance under the weak random condition: the secret key rate can exceed the PLOB boundary and achieve long transmission distances. Furthermore, our simulation results also show that SNS TF-QKD is more robust to the weak randomness loopholes than the BB84 protocol and the measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD). Our results emphasize that keeping the randomness of the states is significant to the protection of state preparation devices.     

A model of the holographic principle: Randomness and additional dimension

In recent years an idea has emerged that a system in a 3-dimensional space can be described from an information point of view by a system on its 2-dimensional boundary. This mysterious correspondence is called the Holographic Principle and has had profound effects in string theory and our perception of space-time. In this note we describe a purely mathematical model of the Holographic Principle using ideas from nonlinear dynamical systems theory. We show that a random map on the surface S² of a 3-dimensional open ball B has a natural counterpart in B, and the two maps acting in different dimensional spaces have the same entropy. We can reverse this construction if we start with a special 3-dimensional map in B called a skew product. The key idea is to use the randomness, as imbedded in the parameter of the 2-dimensional random map, to define a third dimension. The main result shows that if we start with an arbitrary dynamical system in B with entropy E we can construct a random map on S² whose entropy is arbitrarily close to E.     

Sustainable energy storage – with hot air,or cold air or liquid air

In memory of Sir David John Cameron MacKay FRS FInstP FICE (22 April 1967 – 14 April 2016). David was passionate about sustainable energy. One key element for sustainable energy is energy storage. As a small tribute, this article presents a review from a physics perspective of the thermodynamics of compressed air energy storage. Firstly, I treat adiabatic compressed air energy storage, where the heat of compression of the air is kept in the compressed air. Then I discuss improvements that can be made by combining compressed air energy storage with external heat stores. Next, I address isothermal compressed air energy storage, where the temperature is allowed to equilibrate with the environment. In each case, I consider two scenarios: underground caverns and underwater airbags. Finally, I address the case where the air is compressed and cooled so much that it liquifies. Throughout, I explain that the real point is to store available work, called exergy in the engineering community, rather than energy. Although my treatment is mostly from the ideal point of view of quasistatic processes, I give some pointers to technological implementations of the various methods and to some references on their thermodynamic efficiencies.     

Microscopic Reversibility and Macroscopic Irreversibility: From the Viewpoint of Algorithmic Randomness

Journal of Statistical Physics - The emergence of deterministic and irreversible macroscopic behavior from deterministic and reversible microscopic dynamics is understood as a result of the law of...     

Surface photochemistry: from hot reactions to hot materials

The field of surface photochemistry has been rather fruitful for two major reasons: its contribution to the understanding of surface dynamics and its importance in the fabrication of surface materials. On the fundamental side, instead of addressing electronic transitions, it is my attempt here to illustrate the importance of surface photochemistry in understanding dynamics of the ground electronic states, those which are generally associated with thermal reactions. In the world of materials fabrication, I would like to point out the unique advantages of surface photochemistry over gas-phase photochemistry or thermal chemistry in the stringent control of ultra-thin films and ultra-small dimensions, i.e. nanotechnology. Both aspects of surface photochemistry are demonstrated using selected examples from my laboratory.     

Randomness in denoised stock returns: The case of Moroccan family business companies

In this paper, we scrutinize entropy in family business stocks listed on Casablanca stock exchange and market index to assess randomness in their returns. For this purpose, we adopt a novel approach based on combination of stationary wavelet transform and Tsallis entropy for empirical analysis of the return series. The obtained empirical results show strong evidence that their respective entropy functions are characterized by opposite dynamics. Indeed, the information contents of their respective dynamics are statistically and significantly different. Obviously, information on regular events carried by family business returns is more certain, whilst that carried by market returns is uncertain. Such results are definitively useful to understand the nonlinear dynamics on returns on family business companies and those of the market. Without a doubt, they could be helpful for quantitative portfolio managers and investors.     

Radicals excess in the retina: A model for light flashes in space

The risk due to cosmic radiation is a major issue in planning future missions to the Moon or Mars and would be critical if inadequately addressed. Functional risks must also be considered. The perception of light flashes reported by astronauts in space, and ascribed mostly to the action of ionizing radiation in the eye (retina), is an evidence for radiation functional interaction. No detailed model of the ion/retina interaction is yet available.Here we present the first model for a generation mechanism compatible with light flashes in space, and the results of in vitro tests supporting it. The model can be a common end point for the interactions between ionizing radiation and visual system in space. It would also support the assessment of functional radiation risks in space.     

Against Identification of Contextuality with Violation of the Bell Inequalities: Lessons from Theory of Randomness

Journal of Russian Laser Research - Nowadays, contextuality is the hottest topic of quantum foundations and, especially, foundations of quantum information theory. This notion is characterized by...     

Lightning effects at high altitudes: sprites, elves, and terrestrial gamma ray flashes

A fascinating set of newly discovered complex phenomena indicate that thunderstorms and lightning discharges are strongly coupled to the overlying upper atmospheric regions. Lightning discharges at cloud altitudes (<20 km) affect altitudes >40 km either via the release of intense electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) and/or the production of intense quasi-static electric (QE) fields. The intense transient QE fields of up to 1 kV·m⁻¹, which for positive CG discharges is directed downwards, can avalanche accelerate upward-driven runaway MeV electron beams, producing brief (1 ms) flashes of gamma radiation. A spectacular manifestation of these intense fields is the so-called ‘Sprites’, large luminous discharges in the altitude range of 40 km to 90 km, which are produced by the heating of ambient electrons for a few to tens of milliseconds following intense lightning flashes. The so-called ‘Elves’ are optical flashes which last much shorter (<1 ms) than sprites, and are typically limited to 80–95 km altitudes with much larger (up to 600 km) lateral extent, being produced by the heating, ionization, and optical emissions due to the EMPs radiated by both positive and negative lightning discharges. To cite this article: U.S. Inan, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1411–1421.     

Ambient temperature or moderately cooled semiconductor hot electron bolometer for mm and sub-mm regions

A model of semiconductor hot electron bolometer (SHEB), in which electromagnetic radiation heats only electrons in narrow-gap semiconductor without its lattice slow-response heating, is considered. Free carrier heating changes the generation-recombination processes that are the reason of semiconductor resistance rise. It is estimated, that Hg_0.8Cd_0.2Te detector noise equivalent power (NEP) for mm and sub-mm radiation wavelength range can reach NEP ∼10⁻¹¹ W at Δf = 1 Hz signal gain frequency bandwidth. Measurements performed at electromagnetic wave frequencies v = 36, 39, 55, 75 GHz, and at 0.89 and 1.58 THz too, with non-optimized Hg_0.8Cd_0.2Te antenna-coupled bolometer prototype confirmed the basic concept of SHEB. The experimental sensitivity S_v ∼2 V/W at T = 300 K and the calculated both Johnson-Nyquist and generation-recombination noise values gave estimation of SHEB NEP ∼3.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ W at the band-width Δf = 1 Hz and v = 36 GHz.     

Viscosity: From air to hot nuclei

After a brief review of the history of viscosity from classical to quantal fluids, a discussion of how the shear viscosity η of a finite hot nucleus is calculated directly from the width and energy of the giant dipole resonance (GDR) of the nucleus is given in this paper. The ratio η/s with s being the entropy volume density, is extracted from the experimental systematic of GDR in copper, tin and lead isotopes at finite temperature T. These empirical results are compared with the results predicted by several independent models, as well as with almost model-independent estimations. Based on these results, it is concluded that the ratio η/s in medium and heavy nuclei decreases with increasing T to reach \((1.3 - 4) \times \hbar /(4\pi k_{\mathrm {B}})\) at T = 5 MeV, which is almost the same as that obtained for quark-gluon plasma at T > 170 MeV.     

Polarised hot electron luminescence in p-GaAs: Electric field effects

Electrons photo-excited to high-energy conduction band states of GaAs exhibit complex energy and momentum distributions determined by the anisotropic valence band structure and the optical matrix elements. In p-type GaAs a fraction of these hot electrons combine with localised acceptor states, producing a hot electron luminescence (HEL) spectrum with a cascade of peaks corresponding to discrete energy losses resulting from LO-phonon emission. The highest peak involves unscattered electrons, and their energy distribution is due to warping of the initial heavy-hole (HH) bands. We report measurements of the line shape of this 0-HH peak, and its polarisation profile which identifies emission from electrons along particular directions. An applied electric field of 1 kV cm⁻¹ distorts the hot electron momentum distribution, and this is reflected in the polarisation profile. These line shapes and profiles, with and without field, are calculated using a computer model incorporating a band structure and optical matrix elements, the effect of electric field being included using a k-broadening model. The data and model are in good quantitative agreement assuming an electron lifetime of 100 fs, and confirm the expected differences in the profiles for different excitation polarisation states and applied field directions.     

High energy γ-Rays from hot GDR: Recent developments

The high energy gamma decay of the GDR in rotating excited nuclei formed by heavy ion fusion reactions is studied.