An inequality linking packing and covering densities of plane convex bodies

For every convex body K in R ², let (K) denote the packing density of K, i.e. the density of the tightest packing of congruent copies of K in R ², and let (K) denote the covering density of K, i.e. the density of the thinnest covering of R ² with congruent copies of K. It is shown here that 4(K)3(K) for every convex body K in R ². This inequality is the strongest possible, since if E is an ellipse, then the equality 4(E)=3(E) holds. Two corollaries are presented, and a summary of known bounds for packing and covering densities is given.     

Asymptotic expansions for dynamic programming recursions with general nonnegative matrices

This paper is concerned with the study of the asymptotic behavior of dynamic programming recursions of the form $$x(n + 1) = \mathop {\max }\limits_{P \in \mathcal{K}} Px(n), n = 0,1,2,...,$$ where ? denotes a set of matrices, generated by all possible interchanges of corresponding rows, taken from a fixed finite set of nonnegative square matrices. These recursions arise in a number of well-known and frequently studied problems, e.g. in the theory of controlled Markov chains, Leontief substitution systems, controlled branching processes, etc. Results concerning the asymptotic behavior ofx(n), forn→∞, are established in terms of the maximal spectral radius, the maximal index, and a set of generalized eigenvectors. A key role in the analysis is played by a geometric convergence result for value iteration in undiscounted multichain Markov decision processes. A new proof of this result is also presented.     

Dual pairs and representations of scattering amplitudes

A procedure for constructing scattering amplitudes for production processes that is exactly unitary, preserves the bosonic character of the many-particle states, and is invariant with respect to an underlying symmetry group is given. Two simple models, dealing with isospin internal symmetry and the two-dimensional Euclidean space group are presented which illustrate how scattering amplitudes can be represented as matrix elements of groups whose action commutes with the action of the invariance group on the relevant Fock space.Invited talk presented at the International Conference Selected Topics in Quantum Field Theory and Mathematical Physics, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, June 23–27, 1986.Work supported in part by the Department of Energy.     

Strong-coupling effects in high-T c superconductors

It is conceivable that the high-T _c superconducting perovskites are conventional electronphonon superconductors. In this case one expects significant strong-coupling effects because of the unusually high ratiok _B T _c / of the order 0.1 and greater. We use a set of reasonable models for the Eliashberg function ² F() (which takes into account available information on the phonon spectra and which fit the measuredT _c 's) and calculate strong-coupling effects in the specific heatc _s (T)/T _c , the ratio ₀/k _B T _c , the critical fieldsH _c (T) andH _c2 (T) including Pauli limiting, and other measurable quantities. Strongcoupling corrections turn out to be in the range of 0 to about 100%, depending on the quantity of interest. We discuss the perspectives of using strong-coupling effects as indicators for conventional electron-phonon superconductivity in the new materials.     

S0-S1 two photon absorption dynamics of organic dye solutions

The two-photon absorption cross-sections and excited-state absorption cross-sections of the dyes rhodamine 6G, methylene blue and fuchsin dissolved in methanol, and of the dyes safranine T, 1,3,3,1,3,3-hexamethylindocarbocyanine iodide (HMICI) and 1,3,1,3-tetramethyl-2,2-dioxopyrimidi-6,6-carbocyanine hydrogen sulphate (PYC) dissolved in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) are determined. The excitation is achieved with picosecond light pulses of a passively mode-locked Nd-glass laser (_L = 1.054m). The influence of amplified spontaneous emission on the two-photon absorption dynamics is analysed.     

On the statistical mechanics of the traveling salesman problem

We consider the statistical mechanics of the traveling salesman problem (TSP) and develop some representations to study it. In one representation the mean field theory has a simple form and brings out some of the essential features of the problem. It shows that the system has spontaneous symmetry breaking at any nonzero temperature. In general the phase progressively changes as one decreases the temperature. At low temperatures the mean field theory solution is very sensitive to any small perturbations, due to the divergence of some local susceptibilities. This critical region extends down to zero temperature. We perform the quenched average for a nonmetric TSP in the second representation and the resulting problem is more complicated than the infinite-range spin-glass problem, suggesting that the free energy landscape may be more complex. The role played by frustration in this problem appears explicitly through the localization property of a random matrix, which resembles the tight binding matrix of an electron in a random lattice.