Large momenta fluctuations of charm quarks in the Quark-Gluon Plasma<Superscript>⋆</Superscript>

We show that large fluctuations of D-mesons kinetic-energy (or momentum) distributions might be a signature of a phase transition to the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). In particular, a jump in the variance of the momenta or kinetic energy, as a function of a control parameter (temperature or Fermi energy at finite baryon densities) might be a signature for a first-order phase transition to the QGP. This behavior is completely consistent with the order parameter defined for a system of interacting quarks both at zero temperature (and finite baryon densities) or at finite temperatures which shows a jump in correspondence with a first-order phase transition to the QGP. The J/Ψ displays exactly the same behavior of the order parameter and of the variance of the D-mesons. We discuss implications for relativistic heavy-ion collisions within the framework of a transport model and possible hints for experimental search.     

Different responses of several kinds of copolymerized polyimide films to ultraviolet irradiation

The surfaces of three kinds of copolymerized polyimide films were irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) light. The chemical composition changes of the films after irradiation were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), while their topographical changes were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Besides, the surface topographical variation induced changes in friction behavior were recorded on a DF·PM unidirectional friction and wear test rig in a ball on block contact configuration. It was found that photodegradation took place, which induced the chain scission of the polyimide molecules and formation of low molecular weight oxidized material (LMWOM). Due to different photostability of the three kinds of polyimide, different chemical composition changes and forms of “LMWOM” were observed. Also, different friction behavior variations of the three kinds of polyimide films were recorded. It is thought that the polyimide film of PI (PPA + PMDA) with rod-like structures might have stronger photo-resistance, whose form of “LMWOM” was “nodules” and whose friction coefficient increased at 2 h of irradiation possibly due to cross-linking. In the case of PI (OPA + PMDA) and PI (MPA + PMDA) films, they mainly underwent photodegradation, which might soften the surfaces and increased the friction coefficients with increasing irradiation time.     

Optimization of type-II frequency doubling of spatial and temporal limited laser light in nonlinear crystals

Type-II frequency doubling of short Gaussian laser pulses is studied theoretically. The situation is analysed when the group velocity mismatch and the walk-off angle of the interacting waves limit the frequency conversion efficiency. It is shown that with collinear ‘o’ and ‘e’ polarized fundamental waves a temporal and spatial separation of the fundamental beams is necessary to compensate for both effects. Results of the presented model are discussed for KDP crystals.     

The second Born approximation in electron-helium scattering in a Nd-YAG laser field

The dynamics of laser-assisted elastic collisions in helium is studied using the second-order Born approximation. Detailed calculations of the scattering amplitudes are performed by using the Sturmian basis expansion. Differential cross sections for elastic scattering with the net absorption/emission of up to two photons are calculated for collision energies of 5 eV, 10 eV, and 20 eV. We discuss the influence of the low-energy electrons on the differential cross section (DCS) as a function of the scattering angle for selected choices of the laser frequency and the number of photons exchanged between the external field and electron-helium system.     

Fractional diffusion models of option prices in markets with jumps

Most of the recent literature dealing with the modeling of financial assets assumes that the underlying dynamics of equity prices follow a jump process or a Lévy process. This is done to incorporate rare or extreme events not captured by Gaussian models. Of those financial models proposed, the most interesting include the CGMY, KoBoL and FMLS. All of these capture some of the most important characteristics of the dynamics of stock prices. In this article we show that for these particular Lévy processes, the prices of financial derivatives, such as European-style options, satisfy a fractional partial differential equation (FPDE). As an application, we use numerical techniques to price exotic options, in particular barrier options, by solving the corresponding FPDEs derived.     

Quantum Dynamics in the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam Problem

We study a quantum chain of oscillators with nonlinear quartic interactions, under the “narrow packet” approximation. We analyse the dynamics of quantum corrections and the conditions at which the quantum solution for average complex amplitude converges to the corresponding classical unstable solution which describes the four-wave decay processes of phonons. We develop an asymptotic theory by using a small quasiclassical parameter, and determine the characteristic time scale for which the evolution of decay processes is essentially specified by quantum effects. AMS Subject classification: Primary: 35F10 Secondary: 35Q40, 35B40     

Gravitational structure formation, the cosmological problem and statistical physics

Models of structure formation in the universe postulate that matter distributions observed today in galaxy catalogs arise, through a complex non-linear dynamics, by gravitational evolution from a very uniform initial state. Dark matter plays the central role of providing the primordial density seeds which will govern the dynamics of structure formation. We critically examine the role of cosmological dark matter by considering three different and related issues: Basic statistical properties of theoretical initial density fields, several elements of the gravitational many-body dynamics and key correlation features of the observed galaxy distributions are discussed, stressing some useful analogies with known systems in modern statistical physics.     

Generation of attosecond pulses in molecular nitrogen

We investigate the carrier-envelope phase dependence of the total ionization yield for single and double ionization of xenon. We compare our results to theoretical calculations and to the phase dependent asymmetry in photoelectron emission. We observe that the phase dependence of the photoion yields, regardless if single or double ionization, is at least 2-3 orders of magnitude below the photoelectron emission signal. We conclude that total photoionization yields are only very weakly dependent on the carrier envelope phase, and that they are not a useful means for measurement of the phase. It seems possible that the broad bandwidth of few-cycle pulses facilitates multiphoton ionization, which leads to a randomization of strong field ionization phase dependencies. Besides, we observe that the spatial asymmetry in photoelectron emission appears to be useful as an indicator for the laser pulse duration in the few cycle regime.     

Intermediate processes and critical phenomena: Theory, method and progress of fractional operators and their applications to modern mechanics

From point of view of physics, especially of mechanics, we briefly introduce fractional operators (with emphasis on fractional calculus and fractional differential equations) used for describing intermediate processes and critical phenomena in physics and mechanics, their progress in theory and methods and their applications to modern mechanics. Some authors’ researches in this area in recent years are included. Finally, prospects and evaluation for this subject are made.