Quantum Interference, Quantum Theory of Measurement, and (In)completeness of Quantum Mechanics

The new techniques and ideas in quantum interferometry with neutrons, photons, atoms, electrons, and Bose condensates that fluorished in the last two decades have influenced in a decisive way the thinking and the research in the foundations and interpretation of quantum mechanics. The controversies existing among different schools on the reality of matter waves of quantum theory, the postulates of quantum measurement theory, and the (in)completeness of quantum mechanics have to be approached now in a new way. Our argumentation follows the spirit of the Paris school.     

Interlayer pairing in high temperature superconductors: effect of nonmagnetic impurities

The influence of impurity scattering is studied theoretically in a two-layer model for the high-T _c superconductor Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7– with intra- and inter-layer pairing. Two types of impurities are considered: (I) impurities which conserve the reflection symmetry of the two layers and (II) impurities which break it. Impurities of type (I) have no influence on the critical temperature. Type (II) impurities have strong influence onT _c as well as onH _c2 if there is a pairing interaction between carriers of different layers. The treatment of type (II) impurities is generalized to a periodic layer model appropriate for La_2–x Ba _x CuO₄. Available experiments on impurities in Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7– and La_2–x Ba _x CuO₄ are interpreted with our theory.     

Terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser

We demonstrate terahertz (THz) frequency imaging using a single quantum cascade laser (QCL) device for both generation and sensing of THz radiation. Detection is achieved by utilizing the effect of self-mixing in the THz QCL, and, specifically, by monitoring perturbations to the voltage across the QCL, induced by light reflected from an external object back into the laser cavity. Self-mixing imaging offers high sensitivity, a potentially fast response, and a simple, compact optical design, and we show that it can be used to obtain high-resolution reflection images of exemplar structures.     

Wake effect in doped graphene due to moving external charge

We use the dielectric-response formalism to evaluate the induced density of charge carriers in supported graphene due to an external moving charged particle in terms of its velocity and distance from graphene for several equilibrium charge carrier densities due to graphene doping. We show that, when the particle speed exceeds a threshold value, an oscillatory wake effect develops in the induced charge density trailing the particle. Strong effects are observed in the wake pattern due to finite size of the graphene–substrate gap, as well as due to strong coupling effects, and plasmon damping of graphene?s π electrons.     

Absorption of solar radiation by solar neutrinos

We calculate the absorption probability of photons radiated from the surface of the Sun by a left-handed neutrino with definite mass and a typical momentum for which we choose |p₁| = 0.2 MeV, producing a heavier right-handed antineutrino. Considering the two transitions and we obtain the two oscillation lengths L₁₂ = 4960.8 m, L₂₃ = 198.4 m, the two absorption probabilities P₁₂^abs. = 2.5 x 10^-67, P₂₃^abs. = 1.2 x 10^-58 and the two absorption ranges au, au, using a neutrino mass differences of meV, meV and associated transition dipole moments. We collect all necessary theoretical ingredients, i.e. neutrino mass and mixing scheme, induced electromagnetic transition dipole moments, quadratic charged lepton mass asymmetries and their interdependence.Received: 4 November 2003, Revised: 23 March 2004, Published online: 5 May 2004     

Unified quantum logic

Unified quantum logic based on unified operations of implication is formulated as an axiomatic calculus. Soundness and completeness are demonstrated using standard algebraic techniques. An embedding of quantum logic into a new modal system is carried out and discussed.On leave of absence from Department of Mathematics, University of Zagreb, Pot. Pret. 165, YU-41001 Zagreb, Yugoslavia.     

Regge oscillations in integral cross sections for proton impact on atomic hydrogen

The integral cross sections for elastic scattering and spin exchange for proton impact on atomic hydrogen show several oscillations in the energy range 0.01-1.0 eV that cannot be associated with resonances or the glory effect. A complex angular momentum analysis using computed Regge trajectories shows that each peak of the oscillatory structure is predominantly associated with at most three trajectories. In this way, the peaks are related to the L=0 bound states of H+ 2. The complex angular momentum theory for integral cross sections that we introduce shows that such oscillations are a general feature of potential scattering.     

Anomalous diffusion in living yeast cells

The viscoelastic properties of the cytoplasm of living yeast cells were investigated by studying the motion of lipid granules naturally occurring in the cytoplasm. A large frequency range of observation was obtained by a combination of video-based and laser-based tracking methods. At time scales from 10(-4) to 10(2) s, the granules typically perform subdiffusive motion with characteristics different from previous measurements in living cells. This subdiffusive behavior is thought to be due to the presence of polymer networks and membranous structures in the cytoplasm. Consistent with this hypothesis, we observe that the motion becomes less subdiffusive upon actin disruption.     

Sodium pyroxene NaTiSi2O6: possible haldane spin-1 chain system

Using a density functional approach, we study the structural and magnetic properties of the pyrox-ene compound NaTiSi2O6. While all previous workers are taking that NaTiSi2O6 is a quasi-one-dimensional S=1/2 system, our theoretical results indicate that this is a Haldane S=1 chain compound below the phase transition at 210 K. A good agreement is obtained between the calculated and the measured Ti-Ti distances in the dimerized low temperature phase. We present a simple explanation of the flow of the unusual phase transition which is taking place in this compound.