Trading by Quantum Rules: Quantum Anthropic Principle

This is a short review of the background and recent development in quantum game theory and its possible application in economics and finance. The intersection of science and society is discussed and Quantum Anthropic Principle is put forward. The review is addressed to nonspecialists.     

A reanalysis of branching fractions of charmed mesonsD 0,D + andD s +

We combine highly complementary information on branching fractions of charmed mesonsD ⁰,D ⁺ andD _s ⁺ coming from two experiments both yielding doublecharm samples. The NA 32 experiment provided exclusive branching fractions for channels with at least two charged decay products while a recent Mark III paper provides results on inclusive charm decay properties. The knowledge of channels withK ⁰'s in the former is used to recalculate the charged multiplicity distribution in the latter. We obtain 〈n _ch〉=2.25±0.08 forD ⁰, 〈n _ch〉=1.96±0.08 forD ⁺ and 〈n _ch〉=2.41±0.38 forD _s ⁺ . In turn the knowledge of the charged multiplicity improves the overall normalization of exclusive branching fractions. This reanalysis yields model-independent results for charmed mesons. In particular we obtain branching fractions for 16D _s ⁺ decay channels including $$BF(D_s^ + \to \phi \pi ^ + ) = \left( {4.4\begin{array}{*{20}c} { + 2.3} \\ { - 1.8} \\ \end{array} } \right)\% .$$ .     

The new method of fabrication of submicron structures by optical lithography with mask shifting and mask rotation

This paper presents the methods of fabricating narrow parallel submicrometric stripes in silicon dioxide and a resist layer. The experiments were conducted by two techniques: double patterning lithography and double exposure lithography. In addition to the above mentioned processes, mask translation was applied. For all conducted experiments, chrome masks and a 405 nm line of the high pressure mercury lamp of an MA-56 Mask Aligner System were used. The main aim of the performed tests was to establish the utility and the possible applications of the methods used.     

The plasticity of the Cu(H2O) 6 2+ Jahn-Teller complex affected by lattice strains and cooperative interactions

The EPR spectra evolution of Cs₂Zn_1?x Cu_x(ZrF₆)₂ · 6H₂O (x=0.01, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) in the temperature range 4.2–330 K and the x-ray structure analysis of the compound with x=1.0 in the range 150–327 K show that the Jahn-Teller (JT) complex Cu(H₂O)₆ coordination sphere undergoes a plastic deformation. The observed effect is due to the combined influence of small lattice strains existing in the paraphase and a new one appearing as a result of a ferroelastic phase transition and increasing with decreasing temperature below T _c . It is proved that both cooperative interactions between JT complexes and ferroelastic strain stabilize a certain JT configuration. The problem of instability of a JT configuration compressed at T ～ 265 K is discussed.     

GeneralizedG-theory

A generalization of theG-theory defined by A. Heilet al. is presented.     

Cauchy boundary andb-incompleteness of space-time

It is shown that if a space-time (M, g) is time-orientable and its Levi-Civita connection [in the bundle of orthonormal frames over (M, g)] is reducible to anO(3) structure, one can naturally select a nonvanishing timelike vector field and a Riemann metricg ⁺ onM. The Cauchy boundary of the Riemann space (M, g ⁺) consists of endpoints ofb-incomplete curves in (M, g); we call it theCauchy singular boundary. We use the space-time of a cosmic string with a conic singularity to test our method. The Cauchy singular boundary of this space-time is explicitly constructed. It turns out to consist of what should be expected.     

Two-photon annihilation rate of the positronic HCN molecule

Positron binding by the HCN molecule was studied within a modified adiabatic approximation. This approach, in which the positron is treated as a light pseudonucleus with fractional charge, leads to the binding energy of 0.65?mHartree. Using effective positron mass which reproduces the Quantum Monte Carlo binding energy gives an estimation of the two-photon annihilation rate of e ⁺HCN, equal to 0.091?ns^?1.     

Self-organisation of di(perfluorohexyl)hexane in Langmuir and LB films

Symmetrical triblock semifluorinated n-alkane, di(perfluorohexyl)hexane of the formula F(CF₂)₆(CH₂)₆(CF₂)₆F (abbreviated F₆H₆F₆), has been synthesised and investigated at the air/water interface. Our results show for the first time that this unusual film-forming material, completely hydrophobic in nature and possessing no polar group, is capable of stable film formation at the free water surface. The surface pressure–area isotherm of the studied compound exhibited two regions: corresponding to monotonous pressure rise, followed by a pseudo-plateau region. Visualisation of film structure with Brewster angle microscope (BAM) proved the formation of domains within the pseudo-plateau region. A closer insight into the structure of these domains with atomic force microscope (AFM) proved their ordered, circular shape. The average area of F₆H₆F₆ domain was found to depend on surface pressure value, as it is 4.98 ± 1.75 μm² at π = 1.2 mN/m to 16.54 ± 0.31 μm² at π = 1.7 mN/m. Following performed quantum-chemical calculations, it can be concluded that the observed surface aggregates from F₆H₆F₆ are formed by linear conformers with shifted CF and CH parts. The calculated domain thickness is between 20 and 21 Å, which perfectly agrees with the experimental value estimated from AFM measurements (20.3 ± 1.4 Å).     

Photothermally Induced Bistability of Emission of Yb-doped Ca4NdO(BO3)3 Single Crystals

We report on studies of changes in the emission spectra (excited at 808 nm) of the Yb-doped Ca₄NdO(BO₃)₃ single crystals due to the photothermal effects caused by the pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Increase of the sample's surface temperature after laser treatment leads to significant enhancement of the 1040 to 1060 nm emission (ascribed to the Nd^{3+ 4}F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2, ⁴I_11/2 transitions) and simultaneous decrease of the 975 to 1050 nm emission (corresponding to the Yb^{3+ 2}F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition). We explain such an increase of the Nd³⁺ luminescence by thermally activated Yb³⁺ → Nd³⁺ energy transfer.     

Basal slip localization in zinc single crystals. The Considère analyses

The tensile and compression tests were performed on zinc single crystals oriented for slip in the basal slip system. During the first stage of the stress–strain curve, the localized necking was typical of strain localization in the tensile specimens. Single or multiple necks were formed along the specimen length. The range of temperatures and the strain rates for single necking of the sample was determined. The formation of such necking depends on strain hardening characteristics and can be predicted by the Considère criterion. On the other hand, propagation of the necked area along the sample length was not predictable by this criterion. Localized sliding and specimen kinking was indicative of the strain localization observed for different specimens compressed under the same conditions, i.e. temperature and strain rate. A decrease in the compression force and in the cross-sectional area with anvil displacements produced localized sliding. On the other hand, a continuous increase in the compression force was representative of tests leading to specimen kinking.