有限空间中经典场的正则量子化

从离散的角度研究带边界的1+1维经典标量场和Dirac场的正则量子化问题. 与以往不同的是, 这里将时间和空间两个变量同时进行变步长的离散, 应用变步长离散的变分原理, 得到离散形式的运动方程、边界条件和能量守恒的表达式. 然后, 根据Dirac理论, 将边界条件当作初级约束, 将边界条件和内在约束统一处理. 研究表明, 采用此方法, 不仅在每个离散的时空格点上能够建立起Dirac括号, 从而可以完成该模型的正则量子化;而且, 该方法还保持了离散情况下的能量守恒.     

On the boundary conditions as Dirac constraints

In this paper, the canonical quantization of singular Lagrangian defined in a finite volume is discussed by studying a 1 + 1 dimensional free Schrödinger field. We take the boundary conditions (BCs) as Dirac constraints, and show that those BCs as well as the intrinsic constraints (which are introduced by the singularities of Lagrangian) form the second class constraints. The quantization is performed canonically.Received: 30 August 2004, Revised: 2 October 2004, Published online: 17 December 2004PACS: 11.25-W, 04.60.D, 11.10.E     

Canonical Quantization of Field Theories with Boundaries

The problem of canonical quantization of singular systems in a finite volume is studied by analysing a non-relativistic field theory. Firstly, we take the boundary conditions (BCs) as primary Dirac constraints. The quantization is performed canonically using Dirac’s procedure. Then, we quantize this model canonically in the classical solution space. We show that these two different quantization schemes are equivalent although they start from different settings.     

有限空间中Dirac场的正则量子化

研究当存在边界的情形下 Dirac场的正则量子化问题. 采用文献[1]的观点, 将边界条件当作Dirac初级约束.与已有研究不同的是, 本文从离散的角度研究此问题. 将Dirac场的拉氏量和内在约束进行离散化, 并且将离散的边界条件当作初级Dirac约束. 因此, 从约束的起源来看, 这个模型中存在两种不同的约束: 一种是由于模型的奇异性而带来的约束, 即内在约束; 另一种是边界条件. 在对此模型进行正则量子化过程中提出一种能够平等地处理内在约束和边界条件的方法. 为了证明该方法能够平等地对待这两种起源不同的约束, 在计算Dirac 括号时分别选取了两个不同的子集合来构造"中间Dirac括号", 最后得到了相同的结果. 关键词： 边界条件 Dirac约束 Dirac括号     

Minimal kinematic boundary conditions for simulations of disordered microstructures

In simulations of representative volume elements (RVEs) of materials with disordered microstructures, commonly used rigid and periodic boundary conditions (BCs) introduce additional constraints, causing: (i) boundary effects, (ii) unrealistic stiff response, (iii) artificial wavelengths in the solution fields, and (iv) suppression of solutions with localized deformation that otherwise may occur in the simulation. In this paper we define the minimal kinematic boundary conditions such that only the desired overall strain is imposed on the RVE, with no other undesirable constraints. We prove that such BCs result in a unique solution for the linear elastic case, and that the uniqueness for nonlinear problems is dependent on the pointwise positive definiteness of the incremental stiffness tensor. Upon incorporating the minimal BCs into the finite element framework, we consider, as an example, two-dimensional, linear elastic, disordered polycrystals and perform a systematic study of the effects of boundary conditions while varying the RVE size and controlling the sampling error. The results demonstrate that the minimal BCs, applicable to a RVE of any shape, are superior to other BCs, in that they give more realistic overall behaviour, reduce the required size of the RVE, and eliminate the superficial wavelengths in the solution field, ubiquitous in simulations with other boundary conditions.     

Cellular Vacuum

Couldany universe satisfy the following conditions? (i) Each volume of space contains only a finite amount of information, because space and time come in discrete units. (ii) Over some range of size and speed, the mechanics of this world are approximately classical. Imagine a crystalline world of tiny, discrete “cells,” each knowing only what its nearest neighbors do. In such a universe, we’ll construct analogs of particles and fields, and ask what it would mean for these to satisfy constraints like conservation of momentum. In each case classical mechanics will break down—on scales both small and large—and strange phenomena will emerge: a maximal velocity, a slowing of internal clocks, a bound on simultaneous measurement, and quantumlike effects in very weak or intense fields.     

If "discrete breathers" is the answer,what is the question?

Intense work on discrete breathers or intrinsic localized modes in recent years has revealed a wealth of new properties of classical energy localization. Relaxation and mobility in particular may be two of the critical links with biomolecular processes. We review some of the basic discrete breather properties that we think are pertinent to biomolecules and make conjectures as to their possible biological utility.     

Finite Difference/Element Method for a Two-Dimensional Modified Fractional Diffusion Equation

We present the finite difference/element method for a two-dimensional modified fractional diffusion equation. The analysis is carried out first for the time semi-discrete scheme, and then for the full discrete scheme. The time discretization is based on the $L1$-approximation for the fractional derivative terms and the second-order backward differentiation formula for the classical first order derivative term. We use finite element method for the spatial approximation in full discrete scheme. We show that both the semi-discrete and full discrete schemes are unconditionally stable and convergent. Moreover, the optimal convergence rate is obtained. Finally, some numerical examples are tested in the case of one and two space dimensions and the numerical results confirm our theoretical analysis.     

Material frame representation of equivalent stress tensor for discrete solids

In this paper, we derive expressions for equivalent Cauchy and Piola stress tensors that can be applied to discrete solids and are exact for the case of homogeneous deformation. The main principles used for this derivation are material frame formulation, long wave approximation and decomposition of particle motion into continuum and thermal parts. Equivalent Cauchy and Piola stress tensors for discrete solids are expressed in terms of averaged interparticle distances and forces. No assumptions about interparticle forces are used in the derivation, thereby ensuring our expressions are valid irrespective of the choice of interatomic potential used to model the discrete solid. The derived expressions are used for calculation of the local Cauchy stress in several test problems. The results are compared with prediction of the classical continuum definition (force per unit area) as well as existing discrete formulations (Hardy, Lucy, and Heinz-Paul-Binder stress tensors). It is shown that in the case of homogeneous deformations and finite temperatures the proposed expression leads to the same values of stresses as classical continuum definition. Hardy and Lucy stress tensors give the same result only if the stress is averaged over a sufficiently large volume. Thus, given the lack of sensitivity to averaging volume size, the derived expressions can be used as benchmarks for calculation of stresses in discrete solids.     

Classical spin in a potential field

We consider an ensemble of restricted discrete random walks in 2+1 dimensions. The restriction on the walks is such as to given particles an intrinsic angular momentum. The walks are embedded in a field which affects the mean free path of the walks. We show that the dynamics of the walks is such that second-order effects are described by a discrete form of Schrödinger's equation for particles in a potential field. This provides a classical context of the equation which is independent of its quantum context.     

Non-negative mixed finite element formulations for a tensorial diffusion equation

We consider the tensorial diffusion equation, and address the discrete maximum–minimum principle of mixed finite element formulations. In particular, we address non-negative solutions (which is a special case of the maximum–minimum principle) of mixed finite element formulations. It is well-known that the classical finite element formulations (like the single-field Galerkin formulation, and Raviart–Thomas, variational multiscale, and Galerkin/least-squares mixed formulations) do not produce non-negative solutions (that is, they do not satisfy the discrete maximum–minimum principle) on arbitrary meshes and for strongly anisotropic diffusivity coefficients.     

Classical and quantum general relativity: A new paradigm

We argue that recent developments in discretizations of classical and quantum gravity imply a new paradigm for doing research in these areas. The paradigm consists in discretizing the theory in such a way that the resulting discrete theory has no constraints. This solves many of the hard conceptual problems of quantum gravity. It also appears as a useful tool in some numerical simulations of interest in classical relativity. We outline some of the salient aspects and results of this new framework. Fifth Award in the 2005 Essay Competition of the Gravity Research Foundation. - Ed.     

体积约束的非局部扩散问题的加罚有限元方法

针对非齐次和齐次体积约束的非局部扩散问题设计了新的有限元方法——加罚有限元方法,并给出该方法的误差分析.数值算例验证了加罚有限元方法的稳定性和有效性.     

Phase Transitions and Spatio-Temporal Fluctuations in Stochastic Lattice Lotka–Volterra Models

We study the general properties of stochastic two-species models for predator-prey competition and coexistence with Lotka–Volterra type interactions defined on a d-dimensional lattice. Introducing spatial degrees of freedom and allowing for stochastic fluctuations generically invalidates the classical, deterministic mean-field picture. Already within mean-field theory, however, spatial constraints, modeling locally limited resources, lead to the emergence of a continuous active-to-absorbing state phase transition. Field-theoretic arguments, supported by Monte Carlo simulation results, indicate that this transition, which represents an extinction threshold for the predator population, is governed by the directed percolation universality class. In the active state, where predators and prey coexist, the classical center singularities with associated population cycles are replaced by either nodes or foci. In the vicinity of the stable nodes, the system is characterized by essentially stationary localized clusters of predators in a sea of prey. Near the stable foci, however, the stochastic lattice Lotka–Volterra system displays complex, correlated spatio-temporal patterns of competing activity fronts. Correspondingly, the population densities in our numerical simulations turn out to oscillate irregularly in time, with amplitudes that tend to zero in the thermodynamic limit. Yet in finite systems these oscillatory fluctuations are quite persistent, and their features are determined by the intrinsic interaction rates rather than the initial conditions. We emphasize the robustness of this scenario with respect to various model perturbations.     

Consistent canonical quantization of general relativity in the space of vassiliev invariants

We present a quantization of the Hamiltonian and diffeomorphism constraint of canonical quantum gravity in the spin network representation. The novelty consists in considering a space of wave functions based on the Vassiliev invariants. The constraints are finite, well defined, and reproduce at the level of quantum commutators the Poisson algebra of constraints of the classical theory. A similar construction can be carried out in 2+1 dimensions leading to the correct quantum theory.     

The Volume of a Differentiable Stack

We extend the notion of the cardinality of a discrete groupoid (equal to the Euler characteristic of the corresponding discrete orbifold) to the setting of Lie groupoids. Since this quantity is an invariant under equivalence of groupoids, we call it the volume of the associated stack rather than of the groupoid itself. Since there is no natural measure in the smooth case like the counting measure in the discrete case, we need extra data to define the volume. This data has the form of an invariant section of a natural line bundle over the base of the groupoid. Invariant sections of a square root of this line bundle constitute an “intrinsic Hilbert space” of the stack.     

Discreteness of area and volume in quantum gravity

We study the operator that corresponds to the measurement of volume, in non-perturbative quantum gravity, and we compute its spectrum. The operator is constructed in the loop representation, via a regularization procedure; it is finite, background independent, and diffeomorphism-invariant, and therefore well defined on the space of diffeomorphism invariant states (knot states). We find that the spectrum of the volume of any physical region is discrete. A family of eigenstates are in one to one correspondence with the spin networks, which were introduced by Penrose in a different context. We compute the corresponding component of the spectrum, and exhibit the eigenvalues explicitly. The other eigenstates are related to a generalization of the spin networks, and their eigenvalues can be computed by diagonalizing finite dimensional matrices. Furthermore, we show that the eigenstates of the volume diagonalize also the area operator. We argue that the spectra of volume and area determined here can be considered as predictions of the loop-representation formulation of quantum gravity on the outcomes of (hypothetical) Planck-scale sensitive measurements of the geometry of space.     

应用离散偶应力单元分析弹性Cosserat介质

讨论了平面弹性偶应力问题的有限元方法,提出了离散偶应力单元的理论和构造方法,其特点是独立假设单元的位移和微观转角,偶应力理论中微观转角和宏观转角相等的假设在单元中以离散形式强加.该类单元列式简单,易于编程,且有满意的精度.并构造了一个三角形九自由度离散偶应力单元DCT9(discrete Coss-erat triangular).数值结果表明该单元能够较好地描述Cosserat介质的力学性质.     

Modulated spin waves and robust quasi-solitons in classical Heisenberg rings

We investigate the dynamical behavior of finite rings of classical spin vectors interacting via nearest-neighbor isotropic exchange in an external magnetic field. Our approach is to utilize the solutions of a continuum version of the discrete spin equations of motion (EOM) which we derive by assuming continuous modulations of spin wave solutions of the EOM for discrete spins. This continuum EOM reduces to the Landau-Lifshitz equation in a particular limiting regime. The usefulness of the continuum EOM is demonstrated by the fact that the time-evolved numerical solutions of the discrete spin EOM closely track the corresponding time-evolved solutions of the continuum equation. It is of special interest that our continuum EOM possesses soliton solutions, and we find that these characteristics are also exhibited by the corresponding solutions of the discrete EOM. The robustness of solitons is demonstrated by considering cases where initial states are truncated versions of soliton states and by numerical simulations of the discrete EOM equations when the spins are coupled to a heat bath at finite temperatures.