Emergence of classicality for primordial fluctuations: Concepts and analogies

We clarify the way in which cosmological perturbations of quantum origin, produced during inflation, assume classical properties. Two features play an important role in this process: First, the dynamics of fluctuations which are presently on large cosmological scales leads to a very peculiar state (highly squeezed) that is indistinguishable, in a precise sense, from a classical stochastic process. This holds for almost all initial quantum states. Second, the process of decoherence by interaction with the environment distinguishes the field amplitude basis as the robust pointer basis. We discuss in detail the interplay between these features and use simple analogies such as the free quantum particle to illustrate the main conceptual issues.     

Identification of micro-scale calorimetric devices II

The miniaturized calorimetric devices furnish a reduced working flat surface and permits measurements with extremely low-mass quantities. The experimental sensitivity shows relevant position dependence with x-y surface coordinates and with z-distance. The device identification is realized via a 2-D model based in Fourier general equation. Using the Marquardt method the experimental flat surface device can be identified and the fitted parameters used to simulate the behavior of the experimental system. From the model, the effects of several dissipation configurations can be evaluated. Also, via the RC-analogy, a way to 3-D experimental devices is roughly described. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.