A branching process model for sand avalanches

An analytically solvable model for sand avalanches of noninteracting grains of sand, based on the Chapman-Kolmogorov equations, is presented. For a single avalanche, distributions of lifetimes, sizes of overflows and avalanches, and correlation functions are calculated. Some of these are exponentials, some are power laws. Spatially homogeneous distributions of avalanches are also studied. Computer simulations of avalanches of interacting grains of sand are compared to the solutions to the Chapman-Kolmogorov equations. We find that within the range of parameters explored in the simulation, the approximation of noninteracting grains of sand is a good one.     

Collapse transition and asymptotic scaling behavior of lattice animals: Low-temperature expansion

A low-temperature expansion for the free energy density of lattice animals is derived. Analysis of the series yields a collapse transition temperature ofT _c - 0.54, in close agreement with previous estimates. It is demonstrated that _p,k, the number ofp-particle,p-bond animals, obeys the asymptotic scaling law log _p,k pg(k/p) + o(p). The low-temperature series and numerical data are used to estimate the scaling function.     

Macroscopic Determinism in Noninteracting Systems Using Large Deviation Theory

We consider a general system of n noninteracting identical particles which evolve under a given dynamical law and whose initial microstates are a priori independent. The time evolution of the n-particle average of a bounded function on the particle microstates is then examined in the large-n limit. Using the theory of large deviations, we show that if the initial macroscopic average is constrained to be near a given value, y, then the macroscopic average at time t converges in probability as n to a value _t(y) given explicitly in terms of a canonical expectation. Some general features of the graph of _t(y) versus t are examined, particularly in regard to continuity, symmetry, and convergence.     

On Parametrized General Relativity

A physical framework has been proposed which describes manifestly covariant relativistic evolution using a scalar time . Studies in electromagnetism, measurement, and the nature of time have demonstrated that in this framework, electromagnetism must be formulated in terms of -dependent fields. Such an electromagnetic theory has been developed. Gravitation must also use of -dependent fields, but many references do not take the metric's dependence on fully into account. Others differ markedly from general relativity in their formulation. In contrast, this paper outlines steps towards a -dependent classical intrinsic formulation of gravitation, patterned after general relativity, which we call parametrized general relativity (PGR). Given the existence of a preferred foliation, the Hamiltonian constraint is removed. We find that some nonmetricity in the connection is allowed, unlike in general relativity. Conditions on the allowable nonmetricity are found. Consideration of the initial value problem confirms that the metric signature should normally be O(3, 2) rather than O(4, 1). Following the lead of earlier works, we argue that concatenation (integration over ) is unnecessary for relating parametrized physics to experience, and propose an alternative to it. Finally, we compare and contrast PGR with other relevant gravitational theories.     

Macroscopic Determinism in Interacting Systems Using Large Deviation Theory

We consider the quasi-deterministic behavior of systems with a large number, n, of deterministically interacting constituents. This work extends the results of a previous paper [J. Statist. Phys. 99:1225–1249 (2000)] to include vector-valued observables on interacting systems. The approach used here, however, differs markedly in that a level-1 large deviation principle (LDP) on joint observables, rather than a level-2 LDP on empirical distributions, is employed. As before, we seek a mapping _t on the set of (possibly vector-valued) macrostates such that, when the macrostate is given to be a ₀ at time zero, the macrostate at time t is _t (a ₀) with a probability approaching one as n tends to infinity. We show that such a map exists and derives from a generalized dynamic free energy function, provided the latter is everywhere well defined, finite, and differentiable. We discuss some general properties of _t relevant to issues of irreversibility and end with an example of a simple interacting lattice, for which an exact macroscopic solution is obtained.     

Molecular dynamics of two-dimensional gases with realistic potentials

Molecular dynamics calculations have mainly used hard-core interactions because of computational simplicity and increased speed. Algorithms for realistic intermolecular potentials have been used in studies of solids and liquids. By combining both techniques, an algorithm which can reasonably study dilute gases with realistic potentials has been achieved. The BoltzmannH-function is calculated for a hard-core and Lennard-Jones gas, and the latter is found to decrease more rapidly to equilibrium.Work supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. NSF-USDP GU-1598 and the U. S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant No. AF-AFOSR 1257-67.     

The path to “turbulence”: Optical bistability and universality in the ring cavity

For the complex variable map describing the ring cavity dynamics period doubling sequences show a new dispersive optical bistability. A period doubling sequence is found to be consistent with Feigenbaum's universality conjecture. The feasibility of experimental observation is considered.