AN EXTENSION OF “POPPER'S EXPERIMENT” CAN TEST INTERPRETATIONS OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

Karl Popper proposed a way to test whether a proposed relation of a quantum-mechanical state to perceived reality in the Copenhagen interpretation (CI) of quantum mechanics—namely that the state of a particle is merely an expression of what is known about the system—is in agreement with all experimental facts. A conceptual flaw in Popper's proposal is identified and an improved version of his experiment (called Extension step 1)—which fully serves its original purpose—is suggested. The main purpose of this paper is to suggest to perform this experiment. The results of this experiment predicted under the alternative assumptions that the CI or the many-worlds interpretation (MWI) is correct are shown to be identical. Only after a further modification (called Extension step 2) (the use of an ion isolated from the macroscopic environment as particle detector) the predictions using the respective interpretations become qualitatively different. This is because what is known by a human observer H can fail as a basis for the prediction of the statistical distribution of measurement results within the MWI in special cases: The temporal evolution of a system un-entangled with H (like the isolated ion) can depend on another system's state components that are entangled with states ortogonal to H. Thus—within the CI—for H they are known not to exist. Yet H can infer their existence by studying the evolution of the ion.     

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.     

Critical point dominance in one dimension

The renormalized, dimensionless 4-point coupling constant of scalar one dimensional field theories is maximized uniquely by the critical point theories (obtainable as the scaling limit of ⁴ models). The renormalized coupling constant of certain scalar one dimensional lattice field theories is maximized uniquely (for fixed correlation length) by the corresponding spin-1/2 model.Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow, on leave from Indiana University. Research supported in part by NSF Grant MCS 77-20683 and by the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation     

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.     

ТЕМПЕРАТУРНАЯ ЗАВИС ИМОСТЬ ТЕРМОЭЛЕКТРОДВИЖУЩ ЕЙ СИЛЫ СЕРОГО ОЛОВА С ПРИМЕСЯМИ КАДМИЯ

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Simulated annealing via Sobolev inequalities

We use Sobolev inequalities to study the simulated annealing algorithm. This approach takes advantage of the local time reversibility of the process and yields the optimal freezing schedule as well as quantitative information about the rate at which the process is tending to its ground state.Research supported in part by NSF Grant DMS-8609944Research supported in part by NSF Grant DMS-8611487 and ARO DAAL03-86-K-0171     

Derivation and solution of a low-friction Fokker-Planck equation for a bound Brownian particle

The low-friction region of an anharmonically bound Brownian particle is examined using systematic elimination procedures. We obtain an asymptotic expression for the spectrum of the Fokker-Planck operator. Asymptotic means both small anharmonicities and small friction constants compared to the oscillatory frequency . We conclude that Kramers' low-friction equation is generally valid only for 0<0.01 and has to be modified for 0.01 by including phase-dependent terms. From these the nonlinear part of the force field in connection with a finite temperature is shown to shorten the correlation time of the equilibrium velocity autocorrelation function and to renormalize the frequency of the corresponding spectral density.     

Current distributions in a two-dimensional random-resistor network

The current and logarithm-of-the-current distributionsn(i) andn(ln i) on bond diluted two-dimensional random-resistor networks at the percolation threshold are studied by a modified transfer matrix method. Thek th moment (–9k8) of n(ln i) i.e., ln i&^k, is found to scale with the linear sizeL as (InL)^(k). The exponents (k) are not inconsistent with the recent theoretical prediction (k)=k, with deviations which may be attributed to severe finitesize effects. For small currents, ln n(y)–, yielding information on the threshold below which the multifractality of (i) breaks down. Our numerical results for the moments of the currents are consistent with other available results.     

Time reversal in classical and quantum mechanics

A review of Wigner's time reversal is presented and some important aspects are emphasized. The subject is introduced via classical mechanics. Non-physical statements as time running backwards are avoided. Comments are made on the roles of time and of the operatori(/t) in quantum mechanics. The role of symmetries and conservation laws and some properties of the time-reversed states are discussed.Work supported by Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica, Portugal.     

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ВРЕМЕНИ ЖИЗНИ μ-МЕЗОНОВ ПО АНОМАЛЬНОМУ ПОГЛ0Щ ЕНИЮ МЕТОДОМ ЯДЕРНЫХ ЭМУЛЬСИЙ

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Renormalized diffusion in systems with periodic variables

The well-known results for the effective or renormalized diffusion of a Brownian particle in a periodic potential is generalized for arbitrary systems subject to Fokker-Planck equations with coefficients that are time-independent, periodic in at least one variable and such that no average motion persists. In presence of a bare diffusion the conservative and the dissipative drifts play a different role, and the renormalizing term results from the time integral of a combination of auto- and cross-correlations of both drifts. Nevertheless, the numerical evaluation of the result is essentially limited to solving the homogeneous and time-independent forward and backward equation within one period.Work supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation     

The Yukawa coupling of quantum fields in two dimensions. II

The Yukawa coupling in two dimensional space time is considered. A space outoff is introduced in the interaction termV, so that the renormalized HamiltonianH _ren is a rigorously defined bilinear form in the Fock Hilbert space. The main result is thatH _ren is positive provided the finite part of the renormalization terms are suitably chosen. As a consequence, the Schrödinger equation (i/t–H _ren)=0 can be solved.This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, GP — 6165.     

On the decay width of multiply measured unstable state

In the case of multiple measurements we have found that there is nonzero decay width () (even for bound states) and that, for relatively long time intervals separating successive measurements, () tends like ^–k (k 1 according to the investigated model) to the asymptotic value _o for unstable states and to zero for bound states. We have shown that the detector efficiencyZ 1 is responsible for this effect and that the evolution operator acting in the considered subspace of states should be renormalized to avoid this effect. As an illustration we have considered electromagnetic levels in the Coulomb field as an example of unstable states.     

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.     

Search for right-handed currents in muon decay

We report new limits on right-handed currents, based on precise measurements of the endpoint of the e⁺ spectrum from ⁺ decay. Highly polarized ⁺ from the TRIUMF surface beam were stopped in pure metal foils within either an 1.1-T spin-holding logitudinal field, or a 70-gauss spin-precessing transverse field. Decay e⁺ emitted within 200 mrad of the beam direction were momentum-analyzed to ±0.2%. For the spin-held data, decay via (V-A) currents requires the e⁺ rate to approach zero in the beam direction at the endpoint. Measurement of this rate sets the 90%-confidence limits P />0.9959 and M(W_R)>380 GeV, where W_R is the possible right-handed gauge boson. For the spin-precessed data we independently determine a 90% confidence limit P />0.9918.We are indebted to the entire TRIUMF management and staff for their splendid support of this experiment. In its early stages we benefited from discussion with J. Brewer, R. Cahn, K. Crowe, and W. Wenzel. Rapid commissioning of the polarimeter was made possible by the superb efforts of the LBL support staff. This research was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Division of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Energy Research under contracts W-7405-ENG-48 and AC02-ER02289.     

Magnetic anisotropy in thin ferromagnetic films

The magnetic properties of thin ferromagnetic films are studied taking into account the magnetic anisotropy term in the Hamiltonian. In the second approximation equations are obtained for the magnetization of the monatomic layers parallel to the surface of the thin film. From these equations one obtains the Curie temperature, which depends on the thickness of the thin film and the ratio a between the anisotropy constant and the exchange energy between two neighbours. A value can be chosen for such that the thin film becomes ferromagnetic only for a thickness greater than a definite value and in this manner the theoretical results can be fitted to the experimental data. The situation in cobalt thin films is dealt with in particular.

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The author extends his thanks to the research workers of CIFA 1 as well as to Dr. L. Valenta for information on the same subject.     

A Lipatov bound for Φ 4 4 Euclidean field theory

We bound the large order behavior of these pieces of the renormalized perturbation expansion for ₄ ⁴ which do not contain renormalons [1]. The bound we obtain has the form of the leading asymptotic behavior computed by the Lipatov method, with the exact value of the Lipatov constant. Therefore, this paper is a step towards the rigorous study of the large order behavior of ₄ ⁴ and towards a proof of existence of the first renormalon singularity which should prevent the theory from being Borel summable. Using the results of this paper and the techniques of [15], one can for instance improve [17] the estimate [18] on the finiteness of the radius of convergence of the Borel transform of renormalized ₄ ⁴ and obtain that this radius is at least the exact value conjectured in [1].Supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant PHY 85-13554     

Ferromagnetic resonance in thin cobalt films

The paper gives the results of measuring ferromagnetic resonance on thin cobalt films, vacuum deposited on unheated glass slides. The values of the (g-factor, the width of the curve, the effective stress and uniaxial induced anisotropy were determined as a function of the thickness of the film from measurements of the ferromagnetic absorption in a magnetic field normal and parallel to the surface of the film. Measurements were carried out on a frequency of 9200 MHz and on film thicknesses of 180 to 1800 Å. A qualitative explanation of the observed dependences is given.

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The author thanks V. Kamberský and Z. Málek, C. Sc., for providing some of the cobalt films and for help in depositing and measuring the thicknesses, S. Kadeková and M. Polcarová for valuable advice in determining the structure of the films, J. Míová for carefully plotting the results of measurements and Z. Málek and O. tirand for carefully reading the paper and for valuable discussions.     

Present status of electromagnetic interactions in light nuclei

Recent electron scattering experiments on the few-nucleon systems are presented. The interpretation of the data in terms of nucleon and meson degrees of freedom is discussed.Invited talk to the symposium Mesons and Light Nuclei IV, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, September 5–10, 1988.     

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.