The meaning of time in the theory of relativity and “Einstein's later view of the Twin Paradox”

The purpose of the present paper is to reply to a misleading paper by M. Sachs entitled Einstein's later view of the Twin Paradox (TP) (Found. Phys. 15, 977 (1985)). There, by selecting some passages from Einstein's papers, he tried to convince the reader that Einstein changed his mind regarding the asymmetric aging of the twins on different motions. Also Sachs insinuates that he presented several years ago convincing mathematical arguments proving that the theory of relativity does not predict asymmetrical aging in the TP. Here we give a definitive treatment to the clocks problem showing that Sachs' convincing mathematical arguments are non sequitur. Also, by properly quoting Einstein, we show that his later view of the TP coincides with the one derived from the rigorous theory of time developed in this paper.     

The Meaning of the Interaction-Free Measurements

Interaction-free measurements introduced by Elitzur and Vaidman [Found. Phys. 23, 987 (1993)] allow finding infinitely fragile objects without destroying them. Many experiments have been successfully performed showing that indeed, the original scheme and its modifications lead to reduction of the disturbance of the observed systems. However, there is a controversy about the validity of the term interaction-free for these experiments. Broad variety of such experiments are reviewed and the meaning of the interaction-free measurements is clarified.     

Symmetries and correlation inequalities for classicaln-vector models

We describe a new class of single spin measures on then-dimensional sphereS _r ⁿ of radiusr (n 4) for which Lebowitz-type [J. Lebowitz,J. Stat. Phys. 16:463 (1977)] inequalities hold. This is achieved by an appropriate parametrization ofS _r ⁿ . The above class includes the uniform measures onxs Rⁿ ¦x¦ r for any 0 p r. The second topic of this paper is an abstract formulation of the first Griffiths inequality [R. B. Griffiths,J. Math. Phys. 8:478 (1967)] and the underlying symmetry property.     

Making Sense of a World of Clicks

In a recent article, O. Ulfbeck and A. Bohr [Found. Phys. 31, 757 (2001)] have stressed the genuine fortuitousness of detector clicks, which has also been pointed out, in different terms, by the present author [Am. J. Phys. 68, 728 (2000)]. In spite of this basic agreement, the present article raises objections to the presuppositions and conclusions of Ulfbeck and Bohr, in particular their rejection of the terminology of indefinite variables, their identification of reality with the world of experience, their identification of experience with what takes place on the spacetime scene, and the claim that their interpretation of quantum mechanics is entirely liberated from classical notions. An alternative way of making sense of a world of uncaused clicks is presented. This does not invoke experience but deals with a free-standing reality, is not fettered by classical conceptions of space and time but introduces adequate ways of thinking about the spatiotemporal aspects of the quantum world, and does not reject indefinite variables but clarifies the implications of their existence.     

The Relativistic Composite-Velocity Reciprocity Principle

Gyrogroup theory [A. A. Ungar, Found. Phys. 27, 881–951 (1997)] enables the study of the algebra of Einstein's addition to be guided by analogies shared with the algebra of vector addition. The capability of gyrogroup theory to capture analogies is demonstrated in this article by exposing the relativistic composite-velocity reciprocity principle. The breakdown of commutativity in the Einstein velocity addition of relativistically admissible velocities seemingly gives rise to a corresponding breakdown of the relativistic composite-velocity reciprocity principle, since seemingly (i) on one hand, the velocity reciprocal to the composite velocity uv is –(uv) and (ii) on the other hand, it is (–v)(–u). But (iii) –(uv)(–v)(–u). We remove the confusion in (i), (ii), and (iii) by employing the gyrocommutative gyrogroup structure of Einstein's addition and, subsequently, present the relativistic composite-velocity reciprocity principle with the Thomas rotation that it involves.     

What is the problem in the locality problem?

In connection with my previous paper Locality, Reflection, and Wave-Particle Duality [Found. Phys. 17, 813 (1987)], in this paper I distinguish explicitly, in the locality problem, between assertions, deductively established results, interpretations, intuitions, and facts. This clarifies the structure of the problem.     

Fock representations of the affine Lie algebraA 1 (1)

The aim of this note is to show that the affine Lie algebraA ₁ ⁽¹⁾ has a natural family _, ,v of Fock representations on the spaceC[x _i,y _j;i andj ], parametrized by (,v) C ². By corresponding the highest weight _, of _, to each (,), the parameter spaceC ₂ forms a double cover of the weight spaceC₀C –₁ with singularities at linear forms of level –2; this number is (–1)-times the dual Coxeter number. Our results contain explicit realizations of irreducible non-integrable highest wieghtA ₁ ⁽¹⁾ -modules for generic (,v).     

Radius,perimeter, and density profile for percolation clusters and lattice animals

Monte Carlo simulation and series expansion shows the radius of gyration of large clusters withs sites each to vary ass with0.56 in two and0.47 in three dimensions at the percolation threshold, and with(d=2)0.65 and(d=3)0.53 for random lattice animals (zero concentration). Clusters up tos=100 were used. The perimeter of random animals approaches 2.8s for larges on the simple cubic lattice. Monte Carlo simulation of the Eden process (growing animals) up tos=5,000 indicates a systematic variation of about ±0.05 for the effective exponent=(s) and thus suggests that the true asymptotic exponents may be compatible with the predictions of hyper-scaling.     

Poincaré Algebra and Space-Time Critical Dimensions for Paraspinnings Strings

In this paper, we paraquantize the spinning string theory in the Neveu-Shwarz model. Unlike the Ardalan and Mansouri work [Phys. Rev. D, Vol. 9, (1974) 3341], the paraquantum system is such that both the center of mass variables and the excitation modes of the string verify paracommutation relations. The commutators of the Poincaré algebra are satisfied, except the [p ,p ] one, since one can only write [p ,p ]= 0, for Q1. Because of the relation [x ,x ] =,0 and with the sole use of the trilinear relations, we find existence possibilities of spinning strings defined in a noncommutative space-time at space-time dimensions other than D=10.     

High-frequency expansion of relativistic classical plasma dielectric tensor

A high-frequency sum-rule expansion is derived for the transverse elements of the relativistic classical plasma dielectric tensor in an isotropic system. The relativistic results are different from the nonrelativistic ones by a factor of ^–1(1 – ²/3c ²) for ₂ (k) and longitudinal plasmon and transverse photon frequencies, and by ^–2(1–2 ²/3c ²) for ₂ (k).     

Fractal drums and then-dimensional modified Weyl-Berry conjecture

In this paper, we study the spectrum of the Dirichlet Laplacian in a bounded (or, more generally, of finite volume) open set R ⁿ (n1) with fractal boundary of interior Minkowski dimension (n–1,n]. By means of the technique of tessellation of domains, we give the exact second term of the asymptotic expansion of the counting functionN() (i.e. the number of positive eigenvalues less than ) as +, which is of the form ^/2 times a negative, bounded and left-continuous function of . This explains the reason why the modified Weyl-Berry conjecture does not hold generally forn2. In addition, we also obtain explicit upper and lower bounds on the second term ofN().     

Phase uniqueness and correlation length in diluted-field Ising models

The diluted-field Ising model, a random nonnegative field ferromagnetic model, is shown to have a unique Gibbs measure with probability I when the field mean is positive. Our methods involve comparisons with ordinary uniform field Ising models. They yield as a corollary a way of obtaining spontaneous magnetization through the application of a vanishing random magnetic field. The correlation lengths of this model defined as (lim _n-(1/n) log ₀; _n)^-1, wheren is the site on the first coordinate axis at distancen from the origin and ₀; _n is the origin ton two-point truncated correlation function, is non-random. We derive an upper bound for it in terms of the correlation length of an ordinary nonrandom model with uniform field related to the field distribution of the diluted model.     

Low-temperature phase transitions in GdS,GdSe and GdTe

In the Gd monochalcogenides up to three different structural distortions have been detected in the magnetically ordered regime. Our experiments indicate that all three phases show type II antiferromagnetic order but with different orientations of the magnetic moments: A truly trigonal phase withm _k k=[1/2, 1/2, 1/2], a monoclinic phase withabc, =/2+, and the spins oriented along [110], and a pseudo-rhombohedrally compressed monoclinic phase with the spins in the (111) planes. The spin flips can be accounted for by a model including anisotropic exchange interactions.     

Analytic study of power spectra of the tent maps near band-splitting transitions

Successive band-splitting transitions occur in the one-dimensional map x_i+1=g(x_i),i=0, 1, 2,... withg(x)=x, (0 x 1/2) –x +, (1/2 <x 1) as the parameter is changed from 2 to 1. The transition point fromN (=2ⁿ) bands to 2Nbands is given by=(2)^1/N (n=0, 1,2,...). The time-correlation function _i=x_ix₀/(x₀)²,x_i x_i–x_i is studied in terms of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Frobenius-Perron operator of the map. It is shown that, near the transition point=2, _i–[(10–42)/17] _i,0-[(102-8)/51]_i,1 + [(7 + 42)/17](–1)ⁱe^–yi, where2(–2) is the damping constant and vanishes at=2, representing the critical slowing-down. This critical phenomenon is in strong contrast to the topologically invariant quantities, such as the Lyapunov exponent, which do not exhibit any anomaly at=2. The asymptotic expression for _i has been obtained by deriving an analytic form of _i for a sequence of which accumulates to 2 from the above. Near the transition point=(2)^1/N, the damping constant of _i fori N is given by _N=2(^N-2)/N. Numerical calculation is also carried out for arbitrary a and is shown to be consistent with the analytic results.     

Implementation of comparative probability by normal states. Infinite dimensional case

Let be an infinite dimensional Hilbert space and () the set of all (orthogonal) projections on . A comparative probability on () is a linear preorder on () such thatOP1,1O and such that ifP┴R,Q┴R, thenPQP+RQ+R for allP, Q, R in (). We give a sufficient and necessary condition for to be implemented in a canonical way by a normal state onB(), the bounded linear operators on .     

Correlation inequalities for the truncated two-point function of an Ising ferromagnet

We establish the following new correlation inequalities for the truncated twopoint function of an Ising ferromagnet in a positive external field: _j ; _l ^T _j ; _k ^T _k ; _l ^T , and _j ; _l ^T _{k K j} ; _k ^T _{k l} , whereK is any set of sites which separatesj froml. The inequalities are also valid for the pure phases with zero magnetic field at all temperatures. Above the critical temperature they reduce to known inequalities of Griffiths and Simon, respectively.NSERC Postgraduate Fellow, 1978–1981. Research supported in part by NSF Grant No. PHY-78-25390-A02.     

On the Derivation of a High-Velocity Tail from the Boltzmann–Fokker–Planck Equation for Shear Flow

Uniform shear flow is a paradigmatic example of a nonequilibrium fluid state exhibiting non-Newtonian behavior. It is characterized by uniform density and temperature and a linear velocity profile U _x (y)=ay, where a is the constant shear rate. In the case of a rarefied gas, all the relevant physical information is represented by the one-particle velocity distribution function f(r,v)=f(V), with Vv–U(r), which satisfies the standard nonlinear integro-differential Boltzmann equation. We have studied this state for a two-dimensional gas of Maxwell molecules with a collision rate K()lim ₀ ^–2 (–), where is the scattering angle, in which case the nonlinear Boltzmann collision operator reduces to a Fokker–Planck operator. We have found analytically that for shear rates larger than a certain threshold value a _th0.3520 (where is an average collision frequency and a _th/ is the real root of the cubic equation 64x ³+16x ²+12x–9=0) the velocity distribution function exhibits an algebraic high-velocity tail of the form f(V;a)|V|^–4–(a) (;a), where tan V _y /V _x and the angular distribution function (;a) is the solution of a modified Mathieu equation. The enforcement of the periodicity condition (;a)=(+;a) allows one to obtain the exponent (a) as a function of the shear rate. It diverges when aa _th and tends to a minimum value _min1.252 in the limit a. As a consequence of this power-law decay for a>a _th, all the velocity moments of a degree equal to or larger than 2+(a) are divergent. In the high-velocity domain the velocity distribution is highly anisotropic, with the angular distribution sharply concentrated around a preferred orientation angle ~(a), which rotates from ~=–/4,3/4 when aa _th to ~=0, in the limit a.     

The contrast gain in a guest-host nematic display due to a periodic boundary condition

The mean square tilt angle of a nematic slab with finite anchoring energy and periodic boundary conditions has been theoretically investigated, as a function of the slab geometry and of the reduced extrapolation length. If the anchoring strength is free-surfacelike, the contrast is affected by a loss 10% at room temperature if the ratio between the anchoring pitch and the cell thickness is 0.5.Glossary anchoring pitch - h cell thickness - /h - ( = x/, = y/h) reduced coordinates - (, ) local tilt angle - elastic constant - w_a anchoring energy anisotropy - b=/w _a de Gennes-Kleman extrapolation length - B=b/h reduced extrapolation length - T _NI nematic-isotropic transition temperature - :=(T/T _NI ) – 1 reduced temperature - easy axis direction - _MAX - _± ² mean square tilt angle along the boundary - () absorbance coefficients of the p-dye - r /: dichroic ratio - c contrast - G contrast gain - S order parameter     

Fluctuating hydrodynamics and principal oscillation pattern analysis

Principal oscillation pattern (POP) analysis was recently introduced into climatology to analyze multivariate time series x_i(t) produced by systems whose dynamics are described by a linear Markov process x=Bx + . The matrixB gives the deterministic feedback and is a white noise vector with covariances (t) _j (t*Q _ij (t–t. The POP method is applied to data from a direct simulation Monte Carlo program. The system is a dilute gas with 50,000 particles in a Rayleigh-Bénard configuration. The POP analysis correctly reproduces the linearized Navier-Stokes equations (in the matrixB) and the stochastic fluxes (in the matrixQ) as given by Landau-Lifschitz fluctuating hydrodynamics. Using this method, we find the Landau-Lifschitz theory to be valid both in equilibrium and near the critical point of Rayleigh-Bénard convection.     

Flux diffusion in high-T c superconductors

In type-II superconductors in the flux flow (J J _c ), flux creep (J _c J _c ), and thermally activated flux flow (TAFF) (J J _c ) regimes the inductionB(r,t), averaged over several penetration depths , in general follows from a nonlinear equation of motion into which enter the nonlinear resistivities (B, J ,T) caused by flux motion and (B, J ,T) caused by other dissipative processes.J andJ are the current densities perpendicular and parallel toB,B=|B|, andT is the temperature. For flux flow and TAFF in isotropic superconductors with weak relative spatial variation ofB, this equation reduces to the diffusion equation plus a correction term which vanishes whenJ =0 (this means B××B=0) or when – = 0 (isotropic normal conductor). When this diffusion equation holds the material anisotropy may be accounted for by a tensorial . The response of a superconductor to an applied current or to a change of the applied magnetic field is considered for various geometries. Such perturbations affect only a surface layer of thickness where a shielding current flows which pulls at the flux lines; the resulting deformation of the vortex lattice diffuses into the interior until a new equilibrium or a new stationary state is reached. The a.c. response, in particular the frequency with maximum damping, depends thus on the geometry and size of the superconductor.