Reciprocal Ontological Models Show Indeterminism Comparable to Quantum Theory

We show that within the class of ontological models due to Harrigan and Spekkens, those satisfying preparation-measurement reciprocity must allow indeterminism comparable to that in quantum theory. Our result implies that one can design quantum random number generator, for which it is impossible, even in principle, to construct a reciprocal deterministic model.     

Synthesis,structural and electrical properties of Ti modified Bi2Sn2O7 pyrochlore

Polycrystalline ceramic samples of Bi₂Sn_2−xTi_xO₇ (x=0.00, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) have been synthesized by standard high temperature solid state reaction method. The effect of homovalent cation (titanium) substitution on the Sn-site on the structural and electrical properties of the pure Bi₂Sn₂O₇ ceramic have been studied by X-ray diffraction followed by SEM, dielectric and dc conductivity studies. The structural analysis indicates that the increase of titanium contents do not lead to any secondary phase. The frequency and temperature dependent dielectric studies have been carried out. It is found that the Ti doping reduces the material particle size. The size of the particles are strongly influenced by the addition of titanium to the system. The substitution of Ti for Sn ions affected the degree of disorder and modified the dielectric properties leading to more resistive ceramic compounds. The activation energies of all the compounds were calculated using the relation σ=σ₀exp(−Ea/kT).     

Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based tree architecture for all-optical logic and arithmetic operations

Interferometric devices for optical processing have been of great interest in recent years. Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) has already taken a significant role in the field of ultra-fast all-optical signal processing. Optical tree architecture (OTA) provides important contributions in optical interconnecting networks. In this communication, we have tried to exploit the advantages of both OTA and SOA-based MZI switches. We have proposed SOA-MZI-based tree architecture, a new and alternative scheme, for integrated all-optical logic and arithmetic operations. This architecture can enable one to perform all-optical processing of signals, including two input logic operations, half-adder, full-adder, full-subtractor, one-bit data comparator, etc.     

Observation of the exchange spring behavior in hard-soft-ferrite nanocomposite

Nanocomposite of hard (BaFe₁₂O₁₉) and soft ferrite (Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄) are prepared by the mixing of the individual ferrite components at appropriate ratio and subsequent heat treatment. Initially the microstructure of the individual phases is controlled by suitable processing. We have observed the exchange spring behavior in the soft-hard ferrite composite for the first time by tailoring the particle size of the individual phases and by suitable thermal treatment of the composite. It is found that the exchange interaction dominates over the dipolar interaction for smaller particle sizes of the soft ferrite. The magnetization of the composite showed hysteresis loop that is characteristic of the exchange spring system. This gives experimental proof for some theoretical modeling as well as paves way for developing magnet with higher (BH)_max product based on ferrites.     

On the absence of shear cracking and grain boundary cavitation in secondary tensile regions of Ti–6Al–4V–0.1B alloy during hot (α + β)-compression

Deformation instabilities, such as shear cracking and grain boundary cavitation, which are observed in the secondary tensile region of Ti–6Al–4V alloy during compressive deformation in the (α?+?β)-phase field, do not form in Ti–6Al–4V–0.1B alloy when processed under the same conditions. This has been attributed to the microstructural modifications, e.g. the absence of grain boundary α and adjacent grain boundary retained β layers and a lower proportion of 90^o-misoriented α-colonies that occur with boron addition.     

Torsion and entropy driven denaturation of DNA

A unified theory of the denaturation transition having torsion energy as the control parameter has been formulated here in the framework of the mapping of a DNA molecule onto a Heisenberg spin system. The torsion energy incorporates the torque, tension and temperature, the latter being associated with the twist angle. The denaturation transition can be mapped onto the quantum phase transition induced by a quench when the temperature effect is incorporated in the quench time and torsion takes the role of the external field. The denaturation transition occurs when the entanglement entropy of the spin system vanishes.     

Unsharp spin observables, non-locality and Fry, Walther and Li experiment

Recently it has been demonstrated that Bell inequalities for spin 1/2 particles must be modified if unsharp spin observables are considered, and furthermore, the modified Bell inequalities may not be violated by quantum mechanics if the observables are sufficiently unsharp. In case of massive particles there may be more imperfection than seems to appear in the photon EPR experiments. So the experiment proposed by Fry, Walther and Li can place experimental limits on the unsharpness of spin variables. It sheds new light on the much debated issues like non-local correlations in quantum mechanics.     

Power spectra and spatial pattern dynamics of a ring laser

Experimental measurements of power spectra of a single longitudinal and transverse mode ring dye laser are presented that reveal the critical slowing down of the laser near threshold. External pump noise serves as a probe of the frequency response of the dye laser. Detailed comparisons of the spectral characteristics with computer simulations and an approximate analytic theory are given. The dynamics of spatial pattern formation in a multimode dye laser is examined through measurements of first-passage-time distributions. A comparison of the experiments with computer simulations based on a simple theoretical model of the two-mode laser shows qualitative agreement. These measurements indicate that there are a variety of complex phenomena associated with the transverse mode pattern formation dynamics that need to be addressed theoretically and studied further experimentally.